Champion Creed
Chapter 770 - 770 261 Big 3

770: 261: Big 3?

Just the Losers’ Alliance (asking for monthly votes)_2 770: 261: Big 3?

Just the Losers’ Alliance (asking for monthly votes)_2 But there was no choice, he still decided to retire.

Firstly, almost no championship teams offered him a contract, and the Jazz had no intention of renewing his contract.

He was too old, his defense was full of holes.

In last season’s playoffs, Kobe Bryant completely toyed with him like a doll.

Secondly, his children hoped he could spend more time with them.

Hornacek’s regrets, never having the chance to make up for them.

The year 2000 for people like them did not mean new hope, but rather meant that their glory, their achievements, their status in the league, all became fleeting memories.

Just as Hornacek was planning to take his children to travel the world, the retired Hornacek received a phone call on a hot afternoon.

After hanging up, he hesitated for a moment and decided to meet the person who called.

—————–

Pete Babcock’s first reaction when he saw the guy in front of him in the café was: “Is he sure he’s not an office worker?”

Jeff Hornacek, in both image and temperament, was completely unlike a basketball player.

Yes, last season Hornacek was humiliated by Jerry Stackhouse’s relentless punches without the strength to fight back, just like an honest middle-aged office worker encountering a black bandit’s robbery.

It always feels like in the middle of chatting, Hornacek might suddenly hand him an insurance policy to start selling.

Pete Babcock contacted the lethal 3-point shooter two days ago; since Erik Snow became a 76er, the Hawks urgently needed an experienced guard to fill this vacancy.

Although it’s just a backup guard, you can’t just get anyone.

Roger’s requirement is: high basketball IQ, good passing ability, able to shoot or defend at least one, and not afraid of the occasional stinky smell on the court.

Among active players, no one understands winning a championship better than Roger.

So Roger’s thinking is very clear; he knows what kind of people to pair with himself to reach championship levels for the team.

Guards during rotation time should either be like Erik Snow, who can defend and organize, or like Saru, who can shoot from range and organize.

Roger doesn’t need any breakthrough players, doesn’t need those erratic sixth man types.

In his mind, a qualified backup guard has just one word – stable.

This type of guard can plug and play seamlessly, whether leading a bench or mixing with starters, adaptable to various tactics.

The Hawks have been searching in the free agent market for a long time but couldn’t find this type of player Roger needed.

Isaiah Rider, whom the Hawks wanted to sign mid-last season?

According to Roger: “He is even more unbearable than Paul in Game 2 of the Finals.”

Third-year guard Bobby Jackson?

Although he’s 185 cm tall, he’s a shooter rather than a point guard, lacking in organizational ability.

Former New York player John Starks?

He’s very famous, but too erratic.

Chauncey Billups is at the top of Roger’s “I really like” list, and the #1 target for the Hawks’ summer reinforcement.

Although this talented guard from the University of Colorado switched three teams in three years and had ongoing troubles off the court, Roger still has a fondness for him.

After all, he is the mastermind behind basketball’s “58-point debacle.”

Unfortunately, Billups hopes to play on a team with a starting position, and after Pete Babcock negotiated with him several times, the plan still fell through.

Making a full circle, Babcock finally thought of Jeff Hornacek.

Hornacek is already 37, but last season he still had an average of 12.4 points and an astonishing 47.8% three-point shooting percentage.

Moreover, many people misunderstand Hornacek, thinking he is just a pure shooter.

Without any doubt, Hornacek is an off-ball scorer who had a three-point assisted rate of 89% and a two-point assisted rate of 71% last season.

But Hornacek isn’t just a catch-and-shoot player; he’s also an excellent organizer.

For many years, in the Jazz when John Stockton controlled a lot of the ball, Hornacek still managed to consistently deliver over four assists a year.

Compared to some other pure shooters, Steve Kerr’s highest number of assists in a season throughout his career was just 3.2 times, mostly around 2 times in other seasons.

Reggie Miller only had one season with an average of 4 assists.

While Hornacek during his time in Philadelphia once had a season averaging 19.1 points and 6.9 assists, evidently a combo guard.

He’s intelligent, team-oriented, almost never makes mistakes.

Although his defense is somewhat lacking, defense can be covered with systems.

Roger’s requirements for a backup guard, Hornacek fully meets.

Jeff Hornacek indeed felt tempted; no team is closer to a championship than the Hawks, this is his great chance to get a ring.

However, he is worried about one thing.

“I need to confirm that Roger won’t disrespect me in the locker room!

We all know that bastard’s personality, I can cooperate with him, but I don’t want to be cursed as an idiot every day.

If Roger’s good, I’m good!”

Pete Babcock laughed, who would’ve thought that the amicable Roger would one day become an obstacle for the Hawks when recruiting players.

“How could that be?

Roger is the most amiable person I’ve ever seen in the world.”

“God, that’s the most nonsense I’ve ever heard!

Are you telling me someone who elbowed Karl Malone unconscious is amiable?

Someone who joined the team for less than half a month and beat Scottie Pippen is amiable?

Or someone who made Michael Jordan have titanium alloy implanted in his eyes is amiable?”