Celtics (35-19) at Warriiors (29-26) Game #55 2/19/26

[jpotter33]

https://x.com/ByJayKing/status/2024672299128148465

What does Al mean by this? He left because of something beyond basketball?!

I have a feeling that it was because Brad said I?m not gonna give you the number you want. Technically that?s not basketball related, that?s contract related but that just sounds part for the course for Al, he?s left us for Money twice.

I'm guessing there's also some sour grapes and regret/remorse going on here, too, given that the C's are where they're at compared to the Warriors.

[Celtics2021]

https://x.com/ByJayKing/status/2024672299128148465

What does Al mean by this? He left because of something beyond basketball?!

I have a feeling that it was because Brad said I?m not gonna give you the number you want. Technically that?s not basketball related, that?s contract related but that just sounds part for the course for Al, he?s left us for Money twice.

That?s how we got him from Atlanta in the first place, too.

[Redz]

That exchange with Pritchard and Zinger ...

Just come back to Boston Zinger. Get your lungs back and give us 15-20 minutes a game next to Vooch and Queta next year.

The love is real.  Fun moment.

[Roy H.]

That exchange with Pritchard and Zinger ...

Just come back to Boston Zinger. Get your lungs back and give us 15-20 minutes a game next to Vooch and Queta next year.

The love is real.  Fun moment.

Yeah, KP really bonded with this team.  It's too bad he couldn't stay longer.  I don't think I've ever seen Jaylen have chemistry with a teammate like he did with Porzingis.

[keevsnick]

https://x.com/ByJayKing/status/2024672299128148465

What does Al mean by this? He left because of something beyond basketball?!

I have a feeling that it was because Brad said I?m not gonna give you the number you want. Technically that?s not basketball related, that?s contract related but that just sounds part for the course for Al, he?s left us for Money twice.

I'm guessing there's also some sour grapes and regret/remorse going on here, too, given that the C's are where they're at compared to the Warriors.

I never understood that move. Even back when the Celtics were expected to be bad it always seemed to me that the Warriors chances of winning a title were effectively the same as the Celtics: 0%. I could understand if he bailed for Denver, but bailing for GSW was dumb even before we knew the C's were good.

[Vermont Green]

https://x.com/ByJayKing/status/2024672299128148465

What does Al mean by this? He left because of something beyond basketball?!

I have a feeling that it was because Brad said I'm not gonna give you the number you want. Technically that's not basketball related, that's contract related but that just sounds part for the course for Al, he?s left us for Money twice.

I'm guessing there's also some sour grapes and regret/remorse going on here, too, given that the C's are where they're at compared to the Warriors.

I think what the thought process for Horford was that this was potentially his last season and at the time, it appeared that GSW with Curry and Butler had a much better chance to contend than BOS with no Tatum or Holiday or Porzingis.  That was my assumption at the time anyway, and it made perfect sense to me.  Not sure how this relates to being about basketball or not.

[Phantom255x]

I appreciate what Horford did for the team and obviously the 2024 title. I'd argue his signing in 2016 to go along with the IT trade in 2015 really paved the way for the franchise going forward in getting back to contention and becoming a bigger destination for FAs which wasn't always the case in the past.

But it's also true he has left us twice, both times primarily for money. If the C's could offer more than GSW, I think he still stays. I've moved on though. Horford has also gotten a bit slower which makes sense because he's now 39, but this was true even last year and it was more noticeable in the postseason (same with Jrue). Another PF/C in the offseason or draft would be ideal but I like our duo of Vucevic/Queta for the next 3-4 years, hopefully with someone else emerging as a Vucevic replacement 3-4 years from now. Queta does give them a younger and solid building block, his development has been awesome

[Silas]

I appreciate what Horford did for the team and obviously the 2024 title. I'd argue his signing in 2016 to go along with the IT trade in 2015 really paved the way for the franchise going forward in getting back to contention and becoming a bigger destination for FAs which wasn't always the case in the past.

But it's also true he has left us twice, both times primarily for money. If the C's could offer more than GSW, I think he still stays. I've moved on though. Horford has also gotten a bit slower which makes sense because he's now 39, but this was true even last year and it was more noticeable in the postseason (same with Jrue). Another PF/C in the offseason or draft would be ideal but I like our duo of Vucevic/Queta for the next 3-4 years, hopefully with someone else emerging as a Vucevic replacement 3-4 years from now. Queta does give them a younger and solid building block, his development has been awesome

Needs new shoes...last night was scary with so many unforced falls.

[Redz]

I appreciate what Horford did for the team and obviously the 2024 title. I'd argue his signing in 2016 to go along with the IT trade in 2015 really paved the way for the franchise going forward in getting back to contention and becoming a bigger destination for FAs which wasn't always the case in the past.

But it's also true he has left us twice, both times primarily for money. If the C's could offer more than GSW, I think he still stays. I've moved on though. Horford has also gotten a bit slower which makes sense because he's now 39, but this was true even last year and it was more noticeable in the postseason (same with Jrue). Another PF/C in the offseason or draft would be ideal but I like our duo of Vucevic/Queta for the next 3-4 years, hopefully with someone else emerging as a Vucevic replacement 3-4 years from now. Queta does give them a younger and solid building block, his development has been awesome

Needs new shoes...last night was scary with so many unforced falls.

Yeh.  He gives me a scare or two per game with the ankles and the hard falls it seems.

[tonydelk]

https://x.com/ByJayKing/status/2024672299128148465

What does Al mean by this? He left because of something beyond basketball?!

I have a feeling that it was because Brad said I'm not gonna give you the number you want. Technically that's not basketball related, that's contract related but that just sounds part for the course for Al, he?s left us for Money twice.

I'm guessing there's also some sour grapes and regret/remorse going on here, too, given that the C's are where they're at compared to the Warriors.

I think what the thought process for Horford was that this was potentially his last season and at the time, it appeared that GSW with Curry and Butler had a much better chance to contend than BOS with no Tatum or Holiday or Porzingis.  That was my assumption at the time anyway, and it made perfect sense to me.  Not sure how this relates to being about basketball or not.

To me this reads as I effed up and need some sort of reason to justify moving my family and taking more money to go to the west coast versus staying where his family probably wanted to stay.  I don't know if he moved his kids but if he didn't he went from seeing them all the time to how much?  Al had his kid on the bench for home games.  I don't watch the warriors but does his kid get to have this kind of experience there?  I think Al made a bad decision like he did the first time.  I'm glad the C's are thriving without him.  They'd have more depth with him but they'd still be in the luxury tax.  The fact that in one year they will duck it and reset it after next year while still having money to spend just shows our team has the best FO in the league.  OKC had to tear it all down to get to where they are.  We've been spoiled for a long time.  after next year when OKC is feeling the thrust of the 2nd apron the C's will reset, spend and win another championship.

[ozgod]

I appreciate what Horford did for the team and obviously the 2024 title. I'd argue his signing in 2016 to go along with the IT trade in 2015 really paved the way for the franchise going forward in getting back to contention and becoming a bigger destination for FAs which wasn't always the case in the past.

But it's also true he has left us twice, both times primarily for money. If the C's could offer more than GSW, I think he still stays. I've moved on though. Horford has also gotten a bit slower which makes sense because he's now 39, but this was true even last year and it was more noticeable in the postseason (same with Jrue). Another PF/C in the offseason or draft would be ideal but I like our duo of Vucevic/Queta for the next 3-4 years, hopefully with someone else emerging as a Vucevic replacement 3-4 years from now. Queta does give them a younger and solid building block, his development has been awesome

This is my thought too. He's a professional mercenary, and I don't mean that in a derogatory way. He stayed with us for 8 seasons, worked his hardest while here, and helped us win a championship. And he was well paid for it, over $150m in total. But he left us for money twice, and I don't blame him for it, someone else was willing to pay him more and he's nearing the end of his career, presumably every dollar counts for him. I don't blame Brad either, because on both occasions he made the right decision not to pay him. No hard feelings on my end, but I also don't put him in my "forever a Celtic" category.

[ozgod]

On another note, did you guys notice how quick Garza, Harper Jr and Walsh were hooked at the start of the 4th quarter when the Dubs scored 13 pts in 2 mins to cut the lead from 30 to 20. It was 2 mins of turnovers, poor defending the perimeter, and fouls. They gave up 3 open 3s and 2 layups at the rim which kickstarted the GS run that eventually cut our lead down from 30 to 11. Didn't take long for Joe to yank them at all. I thought he would force them to play through it and fix what they had broken, but I guess he was sending a message - if you don't put effort in because you think the lead is too big and the other team has given up, then you won't get time on the court 

(click to enlarge)