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  6. article_body => "<p>Did the Sixers engage in tampering&nbsp;with Al Horford?<\/p>\n<p>Horford didn't directly address the question Monday in an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, but he did respond to ESPN's Brian Windhorst saying the&nbsp;the Celtics had \"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/celtics-reportedly-whining-sixers-tampered-al-horford\" target=\"_blank\">stomped their feet<\/a>\" about teams talking with Horford.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\"I just think it\u2019s \u2014&nbsp;what can I say? \u2014 it\u2019s ridiculous,\u201d Horford told Patrick, per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/boston\/celtics\/al-horford-says-celtics-tampering-suggestions-are-ridiculous\" target=\"_blank\">NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg<\/a>. \"It is what it is. Danny [Ainge] \u2014 I love Danny. Danny was really good to me. I know he\u2019s definitely frustrated that things didn\u2019t work out with us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At his introductory press conference with the Sixers on July 12, Horford acknowledged that things progressed rapidly in free agency.<\/p>\n<p>\"When I decided to opt out, it wasn't an easy decision, but I did it and I felt like there was going to be a lot of options for me,\" he said. \"When June 30&nbsp;came around, things escalated very, very quickly. There were multiple teams, a lot of strong interest and I had to make what was the best decision for me. When Elton called and spoke with my agent, he laid down his offer, I was very surprised there was that strong interest of me being here and it made the decision very easy. It was very easy and I'm just excited to be a part of this.\"<\/p>\n<p>It would be naive to think that none of the free agents who&nbsp;signed on the night of the 30th had&nbsp;engaged in discussions with teams before 6 p.m. It's just the way the NBA works right now, fair or not.<\/p>\n<p>To be upset, as the Celtics reportedly were, does indeed seem rather \"ridiculous.\"<\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/7c16026c-e8f0-4d83-9278-b3386b7fbf6c\/episodes\/981f932b-734a-4540-be8b-96f2e050c5a8\/embed\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><br><br><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/smart.link\/5bb788a3d5b83?site_id=Web_NBCS_Philly&amp;creative_id=nbcsphi1356&amp;cp_4=www.nbcsports.com&amp;cp_1=washington&amp;cp_2=myteams-nbc-sports&amp;cp_3=nbcsphi1356\">Click here<\/a> to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">More on the Sixers<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/another-ben-simmons-highlight-reel-video-shows-lot-even-some-jumpers\">Ridiculous Simmons highlight reel video shows a lot ... even some jumpers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/source-tobias-harris-withdraws-2019-fiba-world-cup\">Another Sixer decides to withdraw from this summer's World Cup<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/backup-center-situation-al-horford-kyle-oquinn-shows-sixers-are-destination\">Backup center situation shows Sixers are a destination<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/sixers-talk-whats-next-after-missing-out-kyle-korver-tobias-harris-crunch-time\">Sixers Talk: What\u2019s next after missing out on Korver; Harris in crunch time&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/joel-embiid-shirley-temple-making-show-must-watch-sixers-fans\">'The Joel Embiid Shirley Temple Making Show' is must-watch for everybody<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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76ers

76ers

Did the Sixers engage in tampering with Al Horford?

Horford didn't directly address the question Monday in an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, but he did respond to ESPN's Brian Windhorst saying the the Celtics had "stomped their feet" about teams talking with Horford. 

"I just think it’s — what can I say? — it’s ridiculous,” Horford told Patrick, per NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg. "It is what it is. Danny [Ainge] — I love Danny. Danny was really good to me. I know he’s definitely frustrated that things didn’t work out with us.”

At his introductory press conference with the Sixers on July 12, Horford acknowledged that things progressed rapidly in free agency.

"When I decided to opt out, it wasn't an easy decision, but I did it and I felt like there was going to be a lot of options for me," he said. "When June 30 came around, things escalated very, very quickly. There were multiple teams, a lot of strong interest and I had to make what was the best decision for me. When Elton called and spoke with my agent, he laid down his offer, I was very surprised there was that strong interest of me being here and it made the decision very easy. It was very easy and I'm just excited to be a part of this."

 

It would be naive to think that none of the free agents who signed on the night of the 30th had engaged in discussions with teams before 6 p.m. It's just the way the NBA works right now, fair or not.

To be upset, as the Celtics reportedly were, does indeed seem rather "ridiculous."



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