The Dominican Center broke almost 36 years of Dominican history in the NBA without the country being able to celebrate a championship won by one of its players.
dream Al Horford This was achieved for all his people. After 17 seasons in NBA The citizen of Puerto Plata, north of his country's capital, became the first Dominican in history to win a championship, after his victory Boston Celtics on Dallas Mavericks In the fifth match of the 2023-24 season final.
Horford In his career as a player, he achieved success at the university level with Dominican basketball teamin addition to five choices in Stars gameOne for the team All NBA And one for the team All defense From the NBA, it now adds a championship from the most important basketball league in the world, ensuring serious consideration for the league hall of fame.
Horford Break the mark you set Gary Payton In 2006 to become the player who needed the most postseason games in league history to win his first championship with 186 games played in the playoffs. In addition, he removed his name from the list of players who played the most playoff matches without reaching the tournament, in which to this point he has ranked second, behind only Karl Malone (193),
Horford It was a key piece for CelticsWho had to rely on the Dominican to play well minutes after the injury that kept him out of action for more than a month. Kristaps Porzingis At the start of the postseason. In the final game of the series, Horford He contributed nine points with nine rebounds and two assists, while completing three of six field goals, including two of his three attempts from three-point range.
The victory concludes the cycle of nearly 36 years of Dominican history NBA Without any player from the Caribbean country being crowned champion. Coincidentally, as if it were a fairy tale, the first Dominican player in history NBA It was specifically a father to, Titus Hurfordwho made his major league debut on November 9, 1988 as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.