Boston Celtics: Can Al Horford Help Lead Them To A Title?

Al Horford is a great addition to the Boston Celtics, but is he the final piece the Celtics need to go all the way?

In one of the more underrated moves of the 2016 NBA offseason, the Boston Celtics successfully convinced power forward/center Al Horford to join their organization.

Horford, 30, signed a four-year, $113 million contract with the C’s after spending his first nine seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.

Horford’s game is a perfect fit for the playing style of today’s NBA. Having a big man who can shoot from distance is a necessary requirement for any NBA roster to have. Last season, Horford shot 34 percent from deep while attempting over three three-pointers per game.

He is a big, bulky player who plays defense at an above-average level. He also has some fantastic post moves, thanks mainly to his superb footwork down on the block.

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While his rebounding must improve (only averaged 7.3 rebounds per game last year), he is still a really great fit for head coach Brad Stevens’ squad.

Many are expecting big things from the Celtics this season. They already have All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas, who continues to play with a chip on his shoulder. They also drafted the athletic Jaylen Brown with the third overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

This is a team packed with assets. Players like Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder and Kelly Olynyk are just some of the valuable pieces they possess.

They also have the option of switching first-round picks with the Brooklyn Nets in 2017, in addition to owning the Nets’ 2018 unprotected first-round pick.

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For the last couple of seasons, the Celtics have been labeled as a team on the rise. Having one of the best coaches in the league in Stevens definitely helps.

After all, he really overachieved with a roster comprised of mostly role players, evidenced by them making the playoffs the last two seasons.

Now, with two stars in Horford and Thomas, some are beginning to wonder if the Celtics have what it takes to topple the Cleveland Cavaliers.

After all, many were saying that the Celtics desperately needed a post threat in order to be taken seriously. They have that now in Horford, who will undoubtedly flourish in the brilliant offensive plays Stevens runs for his team.

But is he enough to get them over the hump? Will he and Thomas be a truly great duo that helps guide the team past the juggernaut that is the Cavs?

As their roster stands right now, there is no way they can put up a serious fight against the Cavs.

If they decide to sit on their assets and go full steam with Thomas and Horford leading the charge, they will be a conference finals exit (maybe lasting five games) at the very best.

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They might be better than the Toronto Raptors, who took the Cavs to six games in the conference finals last season — but that remains to be seen.

This would make them potentially the second best team in the Eastern Conference. This would be respectable for most teams in the league. However, for a franchise seeking its 18^th championship, this won’t cut it.

Adding Horford isn’t the final step of the process. Celtics’ general manager Danny Ainge must focus on combining his assets and going after a star player. Jimmy Butler may become available again when the Chicago Bulls inevitably struggle to begin the season.

Horford is an outstanding player and one that will add a veteran presence to a young locker room. But in order for the Celtics to realistically compete for an NBA championship this year, Ainge must use the pieces he has to trade for another star.

If he pulls it off, the Celtics will be in contention. If their roster stays mostly the same, they will be a second round/conference finals exit at best.

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And for a team with such a decorated history, this won’t be good enough in the eyes of both the organization or their fans.