The Warriors miscalculated the Lakers Tigers! Horford s persistence: The family bond is deep, and the basketball passion is still hot

Last week, the Warriors had already put the details of the contract on the table. Al Horford's signature pen was almost touching the paper, but the matter was absurd!

Why should a veteran who is nearly 40 years old make the four teams of Warriors, Lakers, Bucks and Hawks rush to get it? What’s even more evil is that the one who might have decided in the end was a 10-year-old child! How many stories are hidden behind this?

1. The Warrior's "cooked duck" flew?

NBA senior journalist Marc Spears revealed on the show that it was even more exciting than the final hit in the playoffs. He said the Warriors' negotiations with Horford last week had advanced to the stage of "final kick" - the team's management even began to study the effect of Horford's makeup photo of wearing the No. 32 jersey, and the coaching staff had drawn the tactical board for him and Zhu Meng to partner with the inside.

You should know how fragrant Horford is: last season at the Celtics, he averaged 9.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists per game. Faced with Antetokounmpo's impact in the playoffs, he used his textbook-level position to withstand 11 games. What the Warriors lack is this veteran who can both reach the No. 5 position and reach the three-point line to deal. What's more, his career 41.1% three-point shooting percentage is simply tailor-made for the Warriors system.

But no one expected that in the last phone call before signing the contract, both parties suddenly stepped on the brakes. Some people guessed that the contract period was not agreed, some people said that the Warriors wanted to lower the price to get a year's minimum salary. The more reliable statement was - Horford was silent on the other end of the phone for a long time and only asked "How many hours will it take to fly from Oakland to Boston". The unexpected exit of the Warriors made the Lakers, Bucks and Hawks instantly smelled the opportunity. These three teams each have their own plans, and they can understand the four words "prescribe the right medicine".

On the Lakers, Coach Ham reviews Horford's game video every day. Except for thick eyebrows, all the inside team are "Glass Man". Wood cannot defend against heavy centers, and Thomas Bryant is too young. Horford's arrival can perfectly solve this fatal point - he can not only defend Jokic and Embiid when Thani's eyebrow rests, but also stand at the three-point line at critical moments to open up space for James to break through. It is said that Pelinka has prepared a "1+1" contract, and the second year is still the player option.

The Bucks' abacus is more refined. Coach Budenholzer has long been attracted by Horford's ability to support. Think about it: When Antetokounmpo hit the basket, there was an old cannon standing next to him who could pass and shoot. Is this picture a bit similar to Gasol's support for Kobe back then? More importantly, the Bucks are only 4 hours away from Boston at home, which is too important for Horford.

The most interesting thing is the eagle. The team that selected him in 2007 has recently dug out all the scout reports of that year. Atlanta media even shouted the slogan "Let the No. 15 jersey go home" - You should know that Horford has played for the Hawks for 9 years, with the team's rebounding list and the second blocking list, and the fans have a solid foundation. And the Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk said: "We are willing to arrange for him to develop a coach position as a player, and then directly transfer to management after playing. "

3, 40-year-old crossroads: retire or fight again?

In fact, Horford himself was also wondering. Opening his resume, he has 2016 NBA career, 5 All-Stars, 1 All-Stars, 2 All-Stars, and 2 All-Defensive Team Second Team. Although he has not worn the championship ring, he has basically lived up to his honors.

After the end of last season, his knee fluid problem was more serious than in previous years, and he had to apply ice for 40 minutes after each training. The doctor privately advised him to "reduce the intensity of confrontation", which is tantamount to persuading him to retire in disguise for a tough guy who has been playing inside for a lifetime.

But what really made him hesitate was the family scale. His wife Emily has entered the due date with a big belly, and this is their sixth child. The eldest daughter Aliya has just entered high school and her youngest son Ezra is only 3 years old, and it is the time to need her father to be by her side. Throughout the offseason, Horford turned down all business activities, sending his children to school every morning, taking a walk with Emily in the afternoon, and telling bedtime stories to the children at night.

"It takes 6 hours to fly from Boston to Los Angeles. The child was sick and couldn't even come back when he played away. " He complained to his friends in private. This "geographic distance" has become the biggest gap between him and the West Coast team - the Warriors are in Oakland and the Lakers are in Los Angeles, both too far from his home in Boston.

4, the 10-year-old son's "Curry Card" letter of surrender

Just when Horford placed the draft of the "Retirement Application" in his mobile phone, his 10-year-old son Ian became the biggest variable.

This child is a natural basketball fan. Two years ago, I went to Toronto to play away with my dad, and sat on the sidelines in the mini version of No. 32 jersey. At the last moment of the fourth quarter, I actually stood up and shouted "Defense! Defensive!". The scene was also on ESPN's highlights at that time. Now half of the wall of Ian's room is posted with a poster of his father, and the other half is all of Curry's - there are funny moments of Curry's failure to dunk, classic scenes of winning the championship in 2022, and even a photo of Curry clapping with him.

"Dad, look, Curry can still score 9 three-pointers at the age of 35! " Ian has recently watched the Warriors' game video for Horford every day. Last Saturday morning, he pulled Horford to the stadium near his home, imitating Curry's dribbling movements, and almost fell down his butt, got up and shouted: "Look, I'm improving too! You can do it too! "

What's even more amazing is that the child actually sent an Instagram private message to Curry: "My dad can still play basketball, please persuade him." Although Curry didn't reply, when Horford discovered this, he stared at his son's sweaty face and suddenly laughed.

5. Which end will the final balance tend to?

Horford is now like a traveler standing at a fork in the road. On the left is the warm harbor of the family - a new life is about to be born, five children are waiting for him to attend the parent-teacher meeting; on the right is the passionate battlefield of basketball - the olive branches of the four teams are still floating, and his name is on the tactical board in the locker room; behind him is the Avenue of Stars paved with a 16-year career.

Some people say that he should choose the Eagles, and he can return to his roots when he is close to home; some people advise him to go to the Bucks, and it is most reliable to follow Antetokounmpo to win the championship; more Curry fans shouted "Come on, the Warriors, see how exciting the father and son compete with Curry".

But perhaps for Horford, the answer has long been hidden in Ian's words: "Dad, you have a light in your eyes when you play. "

What do you think Horford should choose? Should I go home to hold my baby, or fight for another year?