Boston Celtics: 5 goals for Al Horford in 2017-18
By Randy Porga
5. Working on the glass
The Boston Celtics were an offensive powerhouse last season, which enabled them to get away with the fact they were ineffective on the glass. They were one of the worst teams in the league grabbing defensive rebounds, and as a result, they were heavily used the 3-ball and were in the better half of the league in pushing the pace.
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Al Horford was the best rebounder on the team last season with just 6.8 total rebounds per game. Behind him, were three players that were lost through trade or free agency: Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder and Kelly Olynyk, with 6.8, 6.1, and 5.1 rebounds per game, respectively.
These are the numbers that made the Celtics an ineffective team on the glass overall. While the focus of the offseason was notably bringing in Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, neither of them is very effective on the glass.
The Celtics did little to address the issue this offseason and this now leaves Horford to pick up the pieces, which gives way to a fair amount of reasonable doubt. He has been on the decline on the glass for four consecutive seasons, and hit a career low during 2016-17 with 6.8 rebounds per game.
Al Horford should recognize he may be needed in the paint more often than on the outside during 2017-18.