Multi-year contract + starting position! Why can Horford, 39, be "eat and take" with the Warriors?

According to ESPN reporter Shams, Al Horford has promised to sign a multi-year contract with the Warriors, and he will start his 19th NBA season as the Warriors' starting center.

I believe everyone saw the news when they woke up this morning, and they may have the same doubts: Horford is now 39 years old and 118 days old. Why can a veteran sign a multi-year contract and even play a starting lineup? Is the Warriors "opening a nursing home or doing charity"?

After Looney left, the Warriors' introduction of Horford was of great significance.

Loney joined the Pelicans for 16 million in two years this summer. The Warriors' inside rotation also includes three players: Zhu Meng, Post and TJD. But everyone actually understands that those who can go to the high-end playoffs are actually the only one who can pursue their dreams - in other words, in the window period of Curry's final peak tail, the Warriors need to strengthen their pure center position that has been a shortcoming in recent years.

I believe everyone remembers the Warriors' defensive matches this year's playoffs: Zhu Meng and Butler play No. 5 and No. 4, respectively, and beat Shin Kyung + Neptune, Gobert + Randall. The Warriors' disadvantages in body shape are all seen.

Another urgent need for the Warriors starting lineup is space, which is also the fundamental reason why Kerr would rather make a big shot in his 4/5 position and put dream chase + Butler in the 4/5 position at the same time. The Warriors need the most basic space to ensure that Curry plays with the pick-and-roll comfortably.

Zhu Meng and Butler are both half-shooters who have been shorted by their opponent's coaches for many years. When Curry is hit, the opponent's defensive rotation is basically given priority to short-selling Meng Zhu Meng/Butler. Looney and TJD are obviously players with a certain inside hardness, but Cole cannot put Looney/TJD+Chasing Dreams + Butler in the starting lineup at the same time. Looney/TJD neither has space value, and the space on the field will be extremely constipated.

This also fundamentally determines the Warriors' two major needs for starting center candidates in the modern basketball era: one is to face the standard height and body shape of most inside players in the West, and the other is to have a first-hand three-pointer that can provide space value.

There was Cousins ​​before, and now there was Horford. Their size, projection and support abilities were all "high-end products" that could perfectly match the Warriors system.

Old Horford's fuel tank also has oil, and his technical characteristics and game style perfectly meet the Warriors' system's needs for center position.

Horford played for the Celtics last season, averaging 27.7 minutes per game, averaging 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 36.3% (1.9/5.2) - averaging 7.7 shots per game, of which 5.2 were three-pointers, full-time space high-speed turret.

Horford averaged 31.6 minutes per game in the playoffs, with a three-point shooting percentage of 40.0% (1.3/3.2), and averaged 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. He played 16 times in his career. He has extremely rich experience and cannot be measured by data.

Horford not only provides space value, but also has a role that the Warriors value more: unlimited defense switching capabilities. He was an important part of the Celtics defense switching system last season.

I believe everyone still has an impression. On March 9 this year, the Lakers VS Celtics' regular season focus game, the Celtics used the 1-5 position unlimited defense replacement strategy. Horford replaced Doncic and James with DPOY-level performance, with surprisingly good results - the old comrade did not take fake moves, and the defense could keep up with the horizontal movement. The bulletproof he provided in the 5 position was far underestimated.

Horford also has the ability to support him, averaging 5.0 assists per game in the 2016-17 season, and has averaged more than 3.0 assists per game in 11 seasons. He can serve as the support axes at high and low positions in both the Hawks and the Celtics system, and is very skilled in hand-hand and hand-cutting and passing. When Horford + Dream Chasing + Butler are present at the same time, all three of them will pass the ball selflessly, and the Warriors' pass-cut offensive system will choose more and more difficult to defend.

Horford can still provide space value, elasticity change, basket protection height, and card deal support at the age of 39. In addition to his age, his functionality perfectly meets all the Warriors' needs for starting No. 5.

The Warriors let Horford play the starting lineup more because of strategic considerations, and the way he used is likely to be the same as Cousins ​​in the 2018-19 season.

Cousins ​​averaged 25.7 minutes with the Warriors in the 2018-19 season, and Horford averaged 27.7 minutes with the Warriors in the new season. It is absolutely fine to average about 25 minutes with the Warriors.

The Warriors do not need Horford to undertake the tough tasks, they only need to play the role of functional auxiliary on the court, space turret + fourth instigation point (Kuzhaiba) + rim protection rebounder + infinite defense replacement for some time, his game content will basically be consistent with when he was with the Celtics.

Horford had a lot of pick-and-roll rounds with the double-Tanhua last season. Similarly, Curry + Horford pick-and-roll will also be one of the Warriors' conventional weapons. After Curry attracted a pincer attack, Horford's incisive and external ammunition, support ability and experience could help the Warriors.

When a team starts with four instigation points: Horford, Zhu Meng, Butler and Curry, the Warriors' offense in the new season is pleasing to the eye, flowing in the flow and even playing in a good way.

Horford is really useful, and the Warriors gave him many years of contracts, which also represents the management's determination to strive for the championship at Curry's peak tail. The four old men brought practical puzzles, and the Warriors determined the team building framework for the last dance in the Curry era.

Advanced aging and health are also the biggest hidden dangers on the road to championship. Zhu Meng, Butler, Curry and Horford are the average age of 36.75. The Warriors were helpless. Although Brothers are older, Butler and Horford are the best, most adaptable and most intuitive players they can come into contact with.

The four brothers are always a little older, but fortunately, they have a comprehensive range of functions and have fought hard in Curry's last peak period!