What Al Horford's departure means for the Celtics going forward


Al Horford has officially departed from the Boston Celtics for the final time, ending his 4-year stint with the team and 7 years in total. Horford made an all-star team, an all-defensive team and won a championship with the Celtics. His role as a leader was unquestioned in the locker room. Now that he is gone, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will have to become even more vocal leaders. 

When Marcus Smart was traded, it left a hole in the leadership department that the Jays, specifically Jaylen Brown, stepped into. With Horford gone as well, this will leave an even bigger void in the locker room, with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum being the clear elder statesmen of the team. 

Jayson Tatum always spoke glowingly about Al, stating that he always set the tone for the team and taught him how to be a pro. Now that role falls on him and Jaylen Brown. Being the best players on the team as well as a champion will earn them plenty of credibility, but this is the first time both will have the pressure of being the unquestioned veteran leaders of the team. 


As the team moves forward, Horford's impact will continue to be felt in the banner he helped raise as well as the culture of accountability and selflessness that will be passed down.


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