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Horford says turning down Rockets "was very difficult decision"

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by heypartner, Dec 5, 2016.

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  1. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets...s-was-very-10694785.php?cmpid=twitter-desktop

    The Rockets had hoped Celtics center Al Horford would be in town long before Monday's game at Toyota Center. They almost got their wish.

    Horford said he was impressed with the Rockets' free-agency pitch and strongly considered signing with the Rockets before choosing the Celtics, much to the disappointment of his father and former Marian Christian High School star Tito Horford.

    "I liked them a lot," Horford said. "Just a great organization. I was very impressed by their owner (Leslie Alexander) and James (Harden) and just everyone all together. It was a very difficult decision for me to make."​

    The Rockets were in the running for Horford and former Hawks teammate Kent Bazemore, before heading to California the next day to reach agreements with Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon.

    "I thought we had a chance," Harden said. "I thought we had a really good chance, but obviously it didn't work out, which is fine."​

    The Rockets brought in Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler for the meeting, leaving an impression on Horford and especially his father.

    "It was a privilege," Horford said. "My dad went to high school here in Houston. He was pushing Houston hard. Hakeem to him, it's a big deal for me to be able talk to him and to spend some time. At the end of the day, just looking at the future and everything, I felt like Boston is going to be a better fit for me in the long run.​
     
    #1 heypartner, Dec 5, 2016
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  2. Fyreball

    Fyreball Contributing Member

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    Tell Kent Bazemore to stop man-spreading in the back of the Regret Bus, and make space for Al.
     
    #2 Fyreball, Dec 5, 2016
  3. phantoman

    phantoman Contributing Member

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    if we signed him, would we have given harden the adjusted contract?
     
    #3 phantoman, Dec 5, 2016
  4. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    Horford stats this year:

    41.7% 3pters (on 3.6 attempts/gm)
    4.6 assists/gm
    2.7 blocks/gm
     
    #4 heypartner, Dec 5, 2016
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  5. DonKnock

    DonKnock Member

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    I would bet he didn't want the level of scrutiny that came with playing here. We were a punchline up until the Media very recently came crawling back. Look at how the media treated Dwight. Horford doesn't seem to have the kind of personality to be willing to be a villainized like that given other options. He seems real low key.


    Can't blame him for not having the prescience to know Harden could flip the narrative.
     
    #5 DonKnock, Dec 5, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2016
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  6. larsv8

    larsv8 Contributing Member

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    Horford dumb, ended up on a worse team even with him.
     
    #6 larsv8, Dec 5, 2016
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  7. zeeshan2

    zeeshan2 Member

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    I read that as his really hot wife was almost in Houston full time
     
    #7 zeeshan2, Dec 5, 2016
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  8. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    But easier route to a Conference Finals and Finals
     
    #8 heypartner, Dec 5, 2016
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  9. larsv8

    larsv8 Contributing Member

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    True, but that team is never making the finals, unlikely to make the ECF either.
     
    #9 larsv8, Dec 5, 2016
  10. Rockets FTW

    Rockets FTW Member

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    This only helps our image as a destination. Thanks.
     
    #10 Rockets FTW, Dec 5, 2016
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  11. Nook

    Nook Member

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    Horford went to the Celtics because his wife wanted to live in the New England area.

    It was going to be very difficult to get him to go anywhere else.
     
    #11 Nook, Dec 5, 2016
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  12. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    6'1" Miss Universe

    [​IMG]
     
    #12 heypartner, Dec 5, 2016
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  13. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    Same with Llull's hot Catalan wife (Almu*) from his beautiful home island of Minorca. She doesn't want to leave Spain for Houston.

    * Yes, 99ers, you read that right. Her name is Almu!!!

    [​IMG]
     
    #13 heypartner, Dec 5, 2016
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  14. MrButtocks

    MrButtocks Contributing Member

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    Would have been pretty nice. He is a really good player despite his raw stats being quite pedestrian. He would have helped our defense a ton and his passing is amazing. He'd be another guy that could throw it up to Capela. Ryno can't pass to save his life.
     
    #14 MrButtocks, Dec 5, 2016
  15. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    Thank you for your kind words, Big Al(fred).
     
    #15 daywalker02, Dec 5, 2016
  16. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    Guess wifey wins over Dad every day of the week.
     
    #16 heypartner, Dec 5, 2016
  17. swyyyguy

    swyyyguy Member

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    Ryan Anderson > Al Horford
     
    #17 swyyyguy, Dec 5, 2016
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  18. RudyTBag

    RudyTBag Contributing Member
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    I like Horford. He is one of the good guys. I think it worked out best for everyone involved though. Clint Capela will run through a wall for James and that is the kind of C we need right now. A guy like Horford doesn't put us over the top. We need a beast on the perimeter, at the SG or SF, to go with Harden.
     
    #18 RudyTBag, Dec 5, 2016
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  19. hvic

    hvic Member

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    va-jayjay controls everything
     
    #19 hvic, Dec 5, 2016
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  20. Htownballer38

    Htownballer38 Member

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    12-8 is not that bad. Lol
     
    #20 Htownballer38, Dec 5, 2016
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