Season goal for Al Horford with the OKC Thunder No. 1) Impart his wisdom
There is a quiet confidence about Horford which tends to rub off on his teammates.
This is a big reason that the teams he has played on have been successful. Horford has learned so much over the years.
The first nugget of wisdom he needs to be able to impart is how to survive a full 82-game season.
A lot of the young guys who are on the team may have one or two years of experience, but a lot of them have not played big minutes on the NBA grind.
"It took me many years to be in a position where I can be even-keeled." @ROSGO21 caught up with @Al_Horford ahead of Game 5 to talk #NBAPlayoffs leadership and trying to close out series against the 76ers. pic.twitter.com/AGM7GVfsU1
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 9, 2018
Horford has played enough seasons and enough minutes to know how to keep his body and mind right to play a full slate of games.
Everyone in the NBA can play really well. Not everyone in the NBA can back it up night after night, performing at their peak levels.
We saw last season the impact that a veteran player can have on a group who is willing to listen. Chris Paul was a true leader for the OKC Thunder, and part of this was taking every opportunity to impart his wisdom to anybody who would listen. This was a big reason why the team advanced to their 10th postseason appearance in an 11-year span.