BOSTON – Earlier this week, Al Horford was named one of 12 finalists for the NBA's Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award. The nomination shouldn’t come as a surprise, given how the 17-year vet has navigated this season by embracing his new role, being a mentor for his teammates, and carrying a positive attitude into the gym every day while leading by example.
Horford’s colleagues have endorsed him as the ultimate teammate in several instances of late, including Derrick White, who shared his viewpoint shortly after the finalists were revealed.
“We all know Al is special,” White said. “The things he does for us on the court, off the court, you can’t measure it. I think he should win it running away. He’s an amazing human being, and I’m thankful to be his teammate.”
Horford has had an unpredictable role this season from the standpoint of starting or coming off the bench. He has spent exactly half of his games (31 out of 62) as a starter and the other half as a reserve after starting in all but 10 of his 1,003 regular season appearances entering the season. Despite the change of pace, he's appreciative of his situation, and he has continued to be one of the more respected voices in the locker room.
“Al is one of the most experienced players that I've ever played with,” said frontcourt mate Kristaps Porzingis. “In timeouts when he speaks up, everybody listens.”
That means everybody – from the role players to the stars. Stars such as Jayson Tatum, who claimed, “I learned a lot from Al from a routine standpoint, and as I’ve gotten older, our relationship has grown. “It’s based on respect – the respect I have for him and likewise. Al’s my favorite teammate I’ve ever had.”
That sounds like Teammate of the Year material to us.