858: 285: True strength does not require deliberately proclaiming oneself as a mighty river (Requesting monthly votes!) 858: 285: True strength does not require deliberately proclaiming oneself as a mighty river (Requesting monthly votes!) When Roger saw Jeff Hornacek again, he was bedridden, resting with his family by his side.
Seeing Roger walk into the ward, Hornacek extended his fist to bump with Roger: “Great Savior, a perfect performance.”
“Just routine,” Roger replied, deliberately calm and composed.
Little did he know that this act impacted 7-year-old Abby Hornacek deeply.
Watching Dad try to look cool is exhausting, but luckily Roger truly is cool.
Yeah, for a bastard like you, scoring 50 in the finals is just routine.”
“What did the doctor say?”
“I might not be back until next season, but who knows if I even have another season,” Jeff Hornacek instinctively glanced at his wife, having just discussed this with Stacy.
Hornacek understood exactly what a torn ACL meant.
If he were young, he might have a chance to start over.
But Hornacek was 38, and he’d be 39 by the time he could play next season.
At his age, a torn ACL basically meant the complete end of his career.
Roger also understood what Hornacek meant, so he told him, “Regardless, you’ll end this year’s journey with a ring.”
In more veiled terms: you will end your career with a Championship Ring.
As Roger spoke on this topic, Hornacek gently patted his children’s heads and then looked at his wife: “Take the kids out for some fresh air, they’ve been in the ward too long.”
Stacy understood that her husband wanted to talk to Roger alone about Hornacek’s career.
After Stacy led the kids out, Hornacek put away the smile he always kept for his family: “Sorry, I can’t come back.
I thought if I took two minutes to rest, I’d be ready to return to the game.
But I can’t come back, maybe can’t ever come back.”
“You’ve already accompanied me to the end, fulfilled your mission.
The whole world knows that the next game is just our celebration before the championship.
The Lakers are done for, they’re finished, even they don’t believe they can hold the cup in Georgia.”
“But does that really count as winning for me?
I wasn’t there for the crucial games, or the championship game.
Getting that ring , does that really count as a win?” Hornacek looked out the window; tonight’s sky had no stars, only endless darkness, like his unanswered thoughts.
Competitive sports not only witness the peak of human physical capabilities, but also the most unyielding spirits, which is why Grant Hill’s move to the Lakers was scorned.
Because as a star player, choosing the easiest route for a championship means he’s already surrendered his soul.
A Chosen One like Grant Hill, who was highly anticipated since entering the league, chose to surrender.
Without a real ring, who would truly respect him?
But Grant Hill isn’t chasing any historical status, he just wanted to end his losses and win more easily.
If he both surrenders and seeks historical status, that would be truly shameless.
Jeff Hornacek didn’t want to surrender.
Simply getting a ring wasn’t his goal.
Before joining the Hawks, he had decided that if he was just a benchwarmer, he would rather sacrifice the guaranteed part of his contract and be cut by the team.
He knew he was no longer the main character, yet he still wanted to win a championship with his own hands.
Even if just as a role player, at least he fought until the end.
Winning a ring lying on a hospital bed, does that really count as winning?
But Roger’s answer relieved him of this dilemma: “All along the way, when have you ever lost?
The outcome is just a postcard; the journey itself is what truly matters.”
Seeing that Hornacek did not argue, Roger patted his shoulder: “I’m off, take care.
In the fall, we’ll receive that ring.”
Ten minutes after Roger left, Stacy brought the kids back.
“That was a quick talk?” Stacy inquired, not seeing Roger.
“Yeah, Roger always gets to the point.
Talking to him is enjoyable.
You know, if it were Karl, he’d confuse you with ten sentences referring to himself in the third person first.”
“So, what’s your decision?”
“If I’m still useful, I want to play one more year.”
You think the Hawks won’t win the championship this year?
When it comes to championships, you can disbelieve in God, but you can definitely believe in Roger.”
“Of course, I’m sure I’ll get a ring this year, no doubt about it.”
“Then what’s your reason for playing another year?”
“I can’t let Roger wait for me for nothing, even if those two minutes will be very long.
If I’m still useful, if I can still help, I want to fulfill my promise.”
At this moment, Abby Hornacek unexpectedly asked: “Does this mean we’ll stay in Atlanta for another year?
The next day, the entire media in America was discussing a new name — Michael Reed.
He followed Roger’s advice and successfully brought home the woman who got into his car at midnight.
Indeed, the experience was truly wonderful.