بعد 4 مواسم متتالية في صفوف بوسطن سيلتيكس، يستعد المخضرم آل هورفورد لارتداء قميص جديد، إذ سيخوض موسم 2025-2026 مدافعاً عن ألوان غولدن ستايت ووريورز، في خطوة تمثل فصلاً جديداً في مسيرة أحد أكثر اللاعبين ثباتاً واحترافاً في دوري كرة السلة الأمريكي للمحترفين (NBA).
هورفورد، الذي أنهى عقده مع بوسطن عقب التتويج بلقب الدوري موسم 2023-2024، ظل محور اهتمام عدة أندية تبحث عن خبرة قادرة على إحداث الفارق في لحظات الحسم. ورغم ارتباط اسمه بالووريورز منذ الأيام الأولى لسوق الانتقالات، فإن الصفقة لم تُحسم سريعاً بسبب انشغال إدارة غولدن ستايت بمفاوضات تجديد عقد جوناثان كامينغا، وترتيب المساحات المالية في هيكل الرواتب. وبعد أيام قليلة من توقيع كامينغا على عقده الجديد، أعلنت إدارة ووريورز رسمياً ضم هورفورد، الذي التحق بمعسكر الفريق استعداداً للموسم القادم.
تقديرات موقع «باسكتبول ريفرنس» الإحصائية توقعت أن يحافظ اللاعب على مستوى إنتاجه المعتاد رغم تقدمه في السن. فبحسب الأرقام المتوقعة لكل 36 دقيقة لعب، يُنتظر أن يسدد هورفورد نحو 9.7 تصويبة في المباراة بمعدل نجاح يبلغ 44 في المئة، وأن يحافظ على فعاليته كـ«سترتش فايف» عبر محاولته أكثر من 6 ثلاثيات في المبارا، بنسبة نجاح تقارب 38 في المئة. كما تشير التوقعات إلى متوسط 7.8 متابعات (ريباوند) و1.1 تصدي (بلوك) في المباراة، وهي أرقام قريبة من معدلاته في المواسم الأخيرة مع بوسطن.
وخلال الموسم الماضي، قدّم هورفورد أداءً متوازناً مع السيلتيكس، حيث لعب 60 مباراة، 42 منها من مقاعد البدلاء، بمتوسط 27.7 دقيقة في اللقاء، مسجلاً 9.2 نقاط و7 متابعات و2.1 تمريرة حاسمة، مع دقة تسديد بلغت 48 في المئة من داخل القوس و37 في المئة من خارج القوس. هذه الأرقام، إلى جانب حضوره الدفاعي وخبرته في المواقف الكبرى، كانت من ركائز تتويج بوسطن بلقب البطولة عام 2024 بعد انتظار دام أكثر من عقد.
في المقابل، يأمل غولدن ستايت أن يمثل انضمام هورفورد إضافة نوعية في مركز الارتكاز الذي افتقد إلى الاستقرار الموسم الماضي، إذ اقتصرت مشاركة كيفون لوني على 12 مباراة وترايس جاكسون-ديفيس على 9 فقط. ومع قدوم لاعب يملك 19 موسماً من الخبرة، يتطلع الووريورز إلى تعزيز حضورهم الدفاعي وتنويع خياراتهم الهجومية بالاعتماد على قدرة هورفورد على التمركز، والتمرير من المحور، وفتح الملعب بتسديداته الخارجية.
قد لا يكون المخضرم البالغ من العمر 39 عاماً هو محور المشروع الجديد في سان فرانسيسكو، غير أن وجوده في غرفة الملابس وعلى أرض الملعب يمثل قيمة مضافة لفريق ما زال يطارد حلم العودة إلى القمة. وفي أجواء تتطلع فيها الجماهير إلى موسم استثنائي، يبدو أن هورفورد يستعد لكتابة آخر فصول مسيرته بين صفوف فريق يعرف تماماً كيف يصنع المجد حين تمتزج عصارة الخبرة بالشغف.
حكمة العملاق الهادئ تسد فراغ المركز في غولدن ستايت ووريورز..
آل هورفورد.. الزمن لا يهزم المحاربين القدامى
8 أكتوبر 2025 - 18:09
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آخر تحديث 8 أكتوبر 2025 - 18:09
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تابع قناة عكاظ على الواتساب
عبدالعزيز النهدي (جدة)
After four consecutive seasons with the Boston Celtics, veteran Al Horford is preparing to don a new jersey, as he will defend the colors of the Golden State Warriors in the 2025-2026 season, marking a new chapter in the career of one of the most consistent and professional players in the NBA.
Horford, who completed his contract with Boston following the championship win in the 2023-2024 season, remained the focus of several teams seeking experience capable of making a difference in crucial moments. Despite his name being linked to the Warriors since the early days of the free agency market, the deal was not finalized quickly due to the Golden State management's focus on negotiating Jonathan Kuminga's contract renewal and arranging financial spaces within the salary structure. Just a few days after Kuminga signed his new contract, the Warriors officially announced the addition of Horford, who joined the team's training camp in preparation for the upcoming season.
Statistical estimates from Basketball Reference predict that the player will maintain his usual level of production despite his advancing age. According to the projected numbers per 36 minutes played, Horford is expected to attempt about 9.7 shots per game with a success rate of 44 percent, and to maintain his effectiveness as a "stretch five" by attempting over 6 three-pointers per game, with a success rate close to 38 percent. The projections also indicate an average of 7.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, figures that are close to his averages in recent seasons with Boston.
During the past season, Horford delivered a balanced performance with the Celtics, playing 60 games, 42 of which were off the bench, averaging 27.7 minutes per game, scoring 9.2 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, with shooting accuracy of 48 percent from inside the arc and 37 percent from beyond the arc. These numbers, along with his defensive presence and experience in big moments, were key pillars in Boston's championship win in 2024 after a wait of over a decade.
On the other hand, the Golden State hopes that Horford's addition will provide a qualitative boost in the center position, which lacked stability last season, as Kevon Looney participated in only 12 games and Trayce Jackson-Davis in just 9. With the arrival of a player with 19 seasons of experience, the Warriors are looking to enhance their defensive presence and diversify their offensive options by relying on Horford's ability to position himself, pass from the post, and stretch the floor with his outside shooting.
While the 39-year-old veteran may not be the centerpiece of the new project in San Francisco, his presence in the locker room and on the court adds value to a team still chasing the dream of returning to the top. In an atmosphere where fans are looking forward to an exceptional season, it seems that Horford is preparing to write the final chapters of his career with a team that knows exactly how to create glory when the essence of experience blends with passion.
Horford, who completed his contract with Boston following the championship win in the 2023-2024 season, remained the focus of several teams seeking experience capable of making a difference in crucial moments. Despite his name being linked to the Warriors since the early days of the free agency market, the deal was not finalized quickly due to the Golden State management's focus on negotiating Jonathan Kuminga's contract renewal and arranging financial spaces within the salary structure. Just a few days after Kuminga signed his new contract, the Warriors officially announced the addition of Horford, who joined the team's training camp in preparation for the upcoming season.
Statistical estimates from Basketball Reference predict that the player will maintain his usual level of production despite his advancing age. According to the projected numbers per 36 minutes played, Horford is expected to attempt about 9.7 shots per game with a success rate of 44 percent, and to maintain his effectiveness as a "stretch five" by attempting over 6 three-pointers per game, with a success rate close to 38 percent. The projections also indicate an average of 7.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, figures that are close to his averages in recent seasons with Boston.
During the past season, Horford delivered a balanced performance with the Celtics, playing 60 games, 42 of which were off the bench, averaging 27.7 minutes per game, scoring 9.2 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, with shooting accuracy of 48 percent from inside the arc and 37 percent from beyond the arc. These numbers, along with his defensive presence and experience in big moments, were key pillars in Boston's championship win in 2024 after a wait of over a decade.
On the other hand, the Golden State hopes that Horford's addition will provide a qualitative boost in the center position, which lacked stability last season, as Kevon Looney participated in only 12 games and Trayce Jackson-Davis in just 9. With the arrival of a player with 19 seasons of experience, the Warriors are looking to enhance their defensive presence and diversify their offensive options by relying on Horford's ability to position himself, pass from the post, and stretch the floor with his outside shooting.
While the 39-year-old veteran may not be the centerpiece of the new project in San Francisco, his presence in the locker room and on the court adds value to a team still chasing the dream of returning to the top. In an atmosphere where fans are looking forward to an exceptional season, it seems that Horford is preparing to write the final chapters of his career with a team that knows exactly how to create glory when the essence of experience blends with passion.
