Fans finally get first look at Al Horford in action with Warriors

It took a bit of time to become official, but Al Horford has officially been brought in by the Golden State Warriors after months of negotiations with Jonathan Kuminga prevented the Dubs from making any other big transactions. Now that that's out of the way, the Warriors can now focus on building chemistry for the upcoming season, starting in training camp and in preseason — with Golden State actually facing the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night, taking a 111-103 victory.

The Warriors are beginning to ramp up, with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green even suiting up for their first game of the exhibition season. Considering that they're in their mid-to-late 30s, it's quite a breath of fresh air to see them suit up for a game that's as void of meaning as it can be in a season. In fact, even Horford was active and logged 14 minutes off the Warriors bench — even flashing for stretches how big of an addition he'd be for the Dubs this upcoming season.

One would think that the Warriors will be deploying Horford as their starting center for the upcoming season, sparing Green from the bigger, bruising matchups until it's totally necessary for the Dubs to go smaller.

Nonetheless, with head coach Steve Kerr still incorporating the 39-year-old center into the mix, it made total sense for Horford to start on the bench. With his advanced age as well, it was best to not throw him into the fire immediately — not against a shorthanded Lakers squad, and especially not in a garden-variety preseason game.

Horford ended his first game in a Warriors uniform with three points, four rebounds, and three assists to go along with, perhaps most importantly, three blocks. It's the floor-spacing and rim protection that he provides that will make him such an invaluable member of the Dubs roster this upcoming campaign.

Al Horford, Warriors continue their march against time

Father Time might be the biggest obstacle that stands in front of the Warriors in their quest for another title. All of their core four players are 35 years of age or older, which means that age-related decline is not just possible, but very likely.

Nonetheless, as long as Curry is playing at a superstar level and Butler and Green are healthy enough to provide the support Curry needs, the Warriors should be a favorite for a top-half playoff spot even in a loaded Western Conference.