Defending NBA Champions the Boston Celtics are going to raise their 18th Championship banner and collect their Championship rings on 22nd October. As they host the New York Knicks for the NBA season opener. It is only human nature for players to feel a little emotional before collecting memorabilia that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Al Horford the veteran of the team will be collecting his very first Championship ring of his 16-year-long NBA career. Big Al revisits the emotional moment where his dreams became reality, as he told the reporters, “When I look at the video (of him reacting), I get emotional. I think it’s just so special for him to be there with me.” The 38-year-old referred to a video of his son Ean who witnessed his dad win the Championship.

He added, “It’s just so special for him to be there with me, for that to happen at the Garden, that moment it’s just so special, it’s something that I know he’ll never forget.” as he reminisces the moment and also stating that it’s a moment that young Ean will never forget. It was a historic moment for Al as he also became the first player of Dominican origin to win the NBA Championship.

On the opening day, the NBA always celebrates their most recent champions. Well, it only seems like yesterday when the Celtics won their 18th title, a new NBA season is just on the horizon. Let’s look at Al Horford’s historic achievement and his massive contribution to bringing the NBA title back to the city of Boston after a 17-year drought.

Big Al won a championship after playing his 186th playoff match

We think it’s safe to say that no one would’ve wanted to the finals more than Al as the veteran was playing a historic 186th playoff game. He has played the most playoff games in the history of the NBA before winning the Championship. He would have recalled his free agency days when he agreed to a deal with the Celtics eight years ago, as he stood in the middle of TD Garden and saw confetti all around him.

Jaylen Brown said, “Nobody deserved it more than Al” as he is not only the most senior player on the squad but he’s also three years older than coach Joe Mazzula. As Joe took him out of Game 5 of the finals with 2 minutes remaining on the clock, the Celtics were leading and were within touching distance of their title. The crowd gave Big Al a standing ovation and let the forward hear their appreciation.

With Kristaps Porzingis sidelined for much of the postseason, Al’s shoulders were required to carry the offensive burden of the team and he did not disappoint. The center put up 22 points, a massive 15 rebounds, and 5 assists against the Cavaliers to close out the series. He also scored 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a Game 3 win over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals to put Boston in position to sweep.

“We leaned on him so much” said Brown acknowledging the fact that the Celtics had to lean towards the 38-year-old very often to get them through in the later part of the season. But, he was locked in and wanted to get Boston through the finish line which they eventually did and got their historic title.