Boston Celtics: 3 goals for Al Horford in 2018-19

3. Continue to be a defensive threat

The identity of the Celtics is their defense. The man anchoring the No. 1 defense in the NBA is Horford himself. This last season he averaged 1.1 blocks and 0.6 steals per game. His defensive numbers aren’t as good as some of the other centers, but his defense is just as good if not better.

The Celtics as a team had a defensive rating of 101.5. Horford’s defensive rating this last season was slightly better at 101.1. Some of the things he is able to do are impressive, especially when he goes up against some of the great centers in this league like Karl-Anthony Towns, DeMarcus Cousins, Joel Embiid and so many more.

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Along with making the All-Star team this season, he also made the All-Defensive Second Team. If he can continue to pick up where he left off, the Celtics will have another stellar defense.

In the playoffs, Horford was great on that end of the floor as well. He posted a defensive rating of 103.0, which was the third-best mark on the team. He also averaged1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals per game.

He’s a difference-maker on that end and his experience should allow the younger players on this team to improve. Horford’s third goal of the season is to continue to play defense and anchor this team for the 2018-19 season.