“Al Horford, in his 17th season, has shared a spot with a select group of NBA players. Among athletes over 37 years old, only he and Chris Paul can claim to maintain their prime form consistently. Players like PJ Tucker, Taj Gibson, and Jeff Green continued to impact their teams in significant roles last year. Before being traded by the team in January, Kyle Lowry played a crucial role in Miami.
For Horford, perhaps the 36-year-old Mike Conley represents the most suitable comparison as a valuable starter for the championship-winning Timberwolves team. With a history of impressive performances and being among the least prone to injuries in his roles, Horford has focused on preserving himself, staying available, and contributing to the top five units.
If both players desire, they seem ready to chase the elusive 40-year milestone. Al’s brother, Jon, hinted that it might happen in 2022. When Al signed a two-year extension with the Celtics a year after his initial deal, it became even more plausible.
LeBron James sits atop them all at the age of 39, the oldest player in the league, still producing at an All-NBA level. As Boston gears up to face the Celtics for their 20th consecutive season tonight, the broad playing window is the only thing LeBron shares with them. While his age remains a constant talking point, Horford, like everyone else, wondered what the secret to LeBron’s unprecedented longevity could be. In the early years of the last decade, Horford sought inspiration not only from other giants in the field but also from Tom Brady, Cristiano Ronaldo, and James.
“My eyes are always open,” Horford said on Thursday.”For many years, I’ve been observing what Brady has been doing. Reading about it and seeing if there’s anything I can benefit from it and what can be incorporated into the things I want to do and go from there. Everyone has their own way, but for me, it was keeping an open mind and seeing those examples, seeing how I can make myself better. With Tom, I was always impressed with his diet and the way he eats. Of course, he takes it to a much higher level than me. I like to indulge a little in everything, but discipline is crucial, and being in Boston for the first time, I was able to adopt some of those things. Staying away from certain food items, especially on game days – things that can give you a slight edge.”
Brady played his 22nd NFL season and won a Super Bowl at the age of 43, establishing a benchmark for success over two decades alongside James. Their TB12 method, associated with comprehensive well-being perspectives, was loosely connected to Horford’s routine, starting a professional venture in Boston between Brady and trainer Alex Guerrero under the TB12 umbrella.
Horford said he went to the center to take advantage of the program while he was a Hawk. Over time, medical experts criticized him for just embracing parts of the vision rather than the whole. LeBron, who is well-known for spending over a million dollars on his body in terms of nutrition, sleep, and rigorous training, used a similar approach in an effort to extend his career and maintain his level of performance in the sport.
In the same vein, Horford took inspiration, aligning his role, playing more versatile games, and even playing some guard positions occasionally. In a spectacular victory against Indiana at the beginning of last month, he posted 10 points on 4-for-8 shooting, seven rebounds, eight assists, and two blocked shots. Despite not reaching the heights of LeBron, his impact remains evident.
“The way he approaches things, and I know we always talk about how smart he is,” said Horford. “He continues to find ways to adapt his game, impact the game, and still be able to perform at a high level. It’s something you have to respect… He lets other people around him do their job, and he’s not so much in control. I think initially he was very aggressive on the court, and doing that consistently is challenging. If needed, he can still do it, but now I think he’s letting these guys, Reeves, AD, do their job. It’s not easy to mesh with the game… and you have to find other ways for success. If you look at his career, he found a way to do that.”
While some aspects of his All-Star past are still present, after games, there’s a different Horford present. In the recent victory against Indiana, where he did not play back-to-back games after returning to the Celtics in 2021, Horford’s influence with Boston has grown significantly. Despite being occasionally switched to guard, his impact remains strong.
“His work ethic, and I know we always talk about how smart he is. He continues to find ways to adapt his game, impact the game, and still be able to perform at a high level,” Horford said. “You have to show respect for it. He relinquishes authority and lets those around him carry out their duties. I think initially he was very aggressive on the court, and doing that consistently is challenging. If needed, he can still do it, but now I think he’s letting these guys, Reeves, AD, do their job. It’s not easy to mesh with the game..then you need to look for alternative routes to success. His career shows that he was able to accomplish that.”
