Al Horford has been visiting his homeland of the Dominican Republic this past week as part of a Basketball Without Borders trip. Sports Illustrated‘s Jeremy Woo caught up with the Atlanta Hawks’ All-Star forward for a wide-ranging interview that covered his former coach Billy Donovan’s fit in Oklahoma City, his own team’s offseason moves, and much more. Perhaps one of the more difficult questions had to do with his teammate, Mike Scott, who is facing criminal charges after police found illegal substances in his car during a routine traffic stop last month:
SI.com: Have you reached out to Mike Scott? I know it’s been a tough summer for him. [Scott was arrested in Georgia after a traffic stop in July and faces two felony drug charges and potential prison time for the marijuana and MDMA found in his car.]
“Yeah, we worked out together last week. Mike is doing OK. He’s doing good. Obviously, tough situation for him, but we’re standing behind him. He’s my teammate, he’s been my teammate for years now and he’s got my full support always.”
Scott was released on bond after his arrest, and his court date is still pending. He still has two years guaranteed on the $10 million deal he signed with the Hawks last summer, but he mostly fell out of the rotation last season and his legal troubles render his role with the team moving forward increasingly unclear.
Horford himself faces questions about his future with the franchise after deciding not to sign an extension this summer. Waiting until next summer likely has more to do with cashing in on the skyrocketing salary cap coming in 2016, but this tract is eerily similar to how LaMarcus Aldridge handled his final year with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Atlanta is coming off an incredible season, so the expectations are understandably high going forward. Any step in the wrong direction this year could potentially cost the Hawks one of their franchise stars.
(via SI.com)
