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Al Horford discussed Celtics’ mindset prior to start of training camp
"The expectation when you’re a Celtic is you have to win."
After quickly dispelling any notion that he might retire following the Celtics’ 2024 championship, Al Horford is already looking forward to Boston’s title defense.
Horford, 38, recently spoke with Bobby Manning of CLNS Media to discuss the impending start of Celtics training camp. Even before Boston officially reconvenes ahead of the preseason trip to Abu Dhabi (where the Celtics will play the Nuggets in a preseason game on Oct. 4 and 6), several of the players have gathered to begin workouts.
“It’s been so impressive,” Horford told Manning. “Our guys, everybody just getting in, trying to get better.
Horford mentioned veteran bench players Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet, and Payton Pritchard, singling out the 26-year-old Pritchard in particular.
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“I mean, Payton is setting the tone,” said Horford. “He looks really good. All our young guys as well, Jordan Walsh, Baylor [Scheierman]. Baylor has looked pretty impressive in these days, but everybody’s just really committed to putting in the work and getting after it, and the rest of us, obviously, we’ve been in there too and it’s just been nice to see everybody in there working back together and kind of turning the page and getting ready for this season.”
Horford added that he “loves the journey” the team is now on to try and defend its hard-won championship.
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Understanding the pressure of playing in Boston, the veteran said he’s embraced its challenges.
“The expectation when you’re a Celtic is you have to win,” he said. “It took us, it took me a lot of years to get to this point and we finally won, and looking into this season, it doesn’t change. That’s our goal.”
As for two of the team’s most important players, superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Horford offered a reassuring assessment for Boston fans.
“They’re just excited to get back to it with us as a group,” he explained. “We’ve all been working individually for us to start building this thing back up, but Jayson looks great, in great shape. Jaylen looks unbelievable as well, and I just know that they’re ready to go and I’m ready to go and we’re just excited.”
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