WALTHAM, Mass. -- Al Horford is the biggest free agent ever to sign with the Boston Celtics.And hes going to try to make sure hes not the last.People around the league, they appreciate, they understand how special it is, Horford said Friday at a news conference surrounded by championship banners at the Celtics practice facility. I hope that if Im coming here, it will definitely open the door to other free agents.Horford agreed to a four-year, $113 million deal with the Celtics last week on the opening day of NBA free agency. A few hours later, he learned that Kevin Durant had spurned Bostons offer and decided to sign with the Golden State Warriors instead.It would have been nice, but I have to move on, Horford told reporters Friday morning, after he was introduced but before the contract had been approved by the NBA office.Without Durant, the Celtics missed out on a player that could have elevated the team into immediate contention for the franchises 18th NBA title. General manager Danny Ainge conceded that Horford alone doesnt do that, even on a roster that already included All-Star Isaiah Thomas.Right now it definitely makes us better, Ainge said. Were not done. We still have work to do.The news conference was delayed at the start because of a paperwork problem that kept the Celtics from saying Horford was officially signed. Owner Wyc Grousbeck said it was just a formality, but in the meantime they were only welcoming Horford to Boston.That didnt stop the players wife from taking a panoramic photo of the 17 NBA championship banners ringing the practice court. The numbers on the scoreboards had all been changed to 18 -- the next Celtics title.He might not have seen it, theres a blank banner up there on the right, Grousbeck said. Were hoping to work together on that.The Celtics have all those banners and retired numbers, but NBA free agents have traditionally been drawn more to the attractions of South Beach or the media possibilities in New York and Los Angeles. Boston has signed some big-name free agents in the past -- Shaquille ONeal and Dominique Wilkins among them -- but only at the tail end of their careers.During Ainges last roster rebuild, Timberwolves big man Kevin Garnett balked at coming to Boston -- in a trade -- until Ray Allen was acquired -- also in a trade -- and added to a roster that already had Paul Pierce. Now that the Celtics have Horford, they could be a more attractive destination for the next crop of free agents.Its a great organization. Theres a lot of history here, Horford said. I feel like everyone around the league respects it. Thats a big part of the reason why I chose to come here.This is a special place. People are open to it, he said. They will see how special it is.A 6-foot-10 center who spent his first nine years with the Hawks, Horford has averaged 14.3 points and 8.9 rebounds in his career. And he saw firsthand what the Celtics were building in the playoffs this season, when Atlanta eliminated Boston in six games.Im very encouraged by the group of players that are here, he said. Young, talented hardworking players. Playing in that series, I saw the passion that they played with and how much they had gotten better during the season.The feeling is mutual.The way that he was flying around in that playoff series, and the harms way that he put us in, its great to have him here now, Celtics coach Brad Stevens said.---Follow Jimmy Golen on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jgolen . Jerseys China Sale . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. Jerseys NFL Wholesale . White came in fourth place in the event. He was the two-time defending gold medallist. 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Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- Paul Broadhurst shot a 6-under 66 at Pebble Beach on Friday to take a two-stroke lead after the first round of the PGA Tour Champions Nature Valley First Tee Open.The 51-year-old Broadhurst won the Senior British Open at Carnoustie in July for his first victory on the 50-and-over tour. He won six times on the European Tour and played in the 1991 Ryder Cup.With the professionals playing alongside boys and girls from The First Tee programs throughout the country, Broadhurst shot 6-under 30 on the front nine. He had two birdies and two bogeys on the back.U.S. Senior Open winner Gene Sauers, Craig Parry, Jay Don Blake, Kevin Sutherland and Tom Pernice Jr. were 4 under. 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