"You know, I'm always good at judging people."
In a corner of Willard's Restaurant in Washington, Wang Shuo was shocked to death by Boss Qiao's opening remarks as soon as he pulled out a high-end sofa and sat down.
'Yes, you are indeed very accurate in reading people. You are either on the wrong track or have already missed someone. After looking up at the crystal chandelier hanging on the ceiling and looking at Jordan, who borrowed courage from Liang Jingru, Wang Shuo had to admit that in a sense, he and Jordan were indeed the same type of people.
"I have always been very confident in my vision. Especially after you officially met with everyone today, I am even more convinced that you are the type of coach we need." He opened the cigar box and handed one to Wang After a while, Jordan said.
Turtle!
Was he being handed a cigarette by Boss Qiao?
Sure enough, passing cigarettes is a traditional virtue in both the rabbit family and the eagle family.
As we all know, the correct way to smoke a cigar is not to pass through the lungs, and it is no secret that Jordan likes to smoke cigars. Therefore, after receiving the cigar from Jordan, Wang Shuo was more interested in Jordan chatting with him privately after the meeting. reason.
"I tell you the truth, I don't trust Wes and the others. I know very well that the reason why they support my comeback is just because I will bring them a lot of benefits after my comeback." Looking at Wang Shuo seriously, Jordan said .
Wang Shuo nodded.
In the original historical line, the grievances between Jordan and the Wizards management and team owners were indeed constantly being sorted out and turned into chaos.
Especially after the 2001/02 season, Jordan hoped that the team could strengthen the lineup so that he could lead the team to avenge its past humiliation.
But the result...
Good idea, Chris Paul.
"At the meeting, when you asked me about my personal goals, I really thought about it for a long time. I want to ask you now, in your opinion, what kind of goal should I set for myself, or in other words, what do you think about my comeback this time? How high can it reach?" Jordan asked.
Hearing this, after thinking for a while, Wang Shuo did not choose to answer Jordan's question directly, but said: "Michael, in your opinion, what is the most important thing about playing basketball?"
Jordan said bluntly: "Of course we win."
Wang Shuo nodded and said, "I'm relieved then."
Jordan was a little confused and asked, "What are you worried about?"
Wang Shuo shrugged and said, "Because it turns out I'm not the only one who believes that we can win the championship during your comeback."
Jordan: "..."
At this moment, looking at Wang Shuo, Jordan was shocked.
Because what he originally thought was that as long as Wang Shuo could give him a promise to reach the playoffs, he would find ways to put pressure on the Wizards management in the next period of time and let them make adjustments to the team's lineup in the summer. Reinforcement.
but......
How crazy is Wang Shuo's answer?
even......
Good guy! Is this guy trying to make a big deal out of Michael Jordan?
I am the "God of Basketball", the founder of two Bulls dynasties, but someone has taken advantage of me. Can you believe this?
At this moment, even Jordan, who had seen countless big scenes, could not calm down in a short time.
On the other side, after noticing Jordan's expression, Wang Shuo said calmly: "I have watched the team's games this season, and the biggest problem is the lack of fighting spirit and backbone. The players are all doing their own thing.
But also thanks to the poor record this season, we will definitely get a good pick in this year's draft.
Among this year's rookies, there are several good immediate combat abilities. Although it is still in the conceptual stage, if we can make one or two transactions in the summer, then our overall strength will definitely be qualitatively improved compared to this season. "
After gradually regaining consciousness, Jordan did not refute what Wang Shuo said.
Because in fact, if Jordan's vision is not too "good", the Wizards' foundation is indeed not bad.
And even if Boss Joe has a "unique" vision, in the original historical line, the Wizards only missed the playoffs in two consecutive seasons.
But this is obviously far from what Wang Shuo said about hitting the championship.
Seeing this, Wang Shuo smiled and said: "I don't want to lie to you Michael, it is indeed difficult to win the championship. But if you can recover to a certain level in the summer, then in my opinion, it is not an extravagant hope for us to reach the conference finals in the new season. "
At this time in 2001, the alliance's pattern of strong in the west and weak in the east had been basically established.
Take the 2001/02 season in Wang Shuo’s memory. A total of 5 teams in the Western Conference won 50 wins, but what about the Eastern Conference? The answer is only two.
In Wang Shuo's eyes, the only team in the Eastern Conference that can really cause trouble for the Wizards in the new season is the New Jersey Nets coached by Byron Scott.
Right now, the Pistons haven't even assembled their future Five Tigers. At best, they are just a team with certain competitiveness.
As for the 76ers, Raptors, Pacers, Hornets (the Charlotte Hornets, which have not yet moved to New Orleans at this time, and are not the same team as the current Charlotte Hornets)...
If you want to talk about it, you can tell me that when Cao Cao and Liu Bei were drinking and discussing heroes, did he look down on the likes of Zhang Lu and Liu Zhang?
Although Wang Shuo knew that the 76ers would soon become the only team that could beat the Lakers in the playoffs this season, after being bullied by Larry Brown for a year, Iverson was already doomed. Full of injuries.
If Wang Shuo remembers correctly, next season's Eastern Conference finals will be between the Nets and Celtics.
As a result, the Nets defeated the Celtics, led by the "Youth Version of Truth" Paul Pierce and the "Only Volute" Antoine Walker, with a score of 4-1 without much effort.
Then what?
Waiting for work, they were defeated 4-0 in the Finals by the semi-disabled Lakers, who had just been beaten to death by the Kings in the Western Conference Finals and had almost run out of gas tanks by the Kings.
Therefore, as far as the competitiveness of the Eastern Conference is concerned...
Don't forget why many old fans often say that during this period, winning the Western Conference championship is basically equivalent to winning the NBA championship.
Therefore, as long as the Wizards can do their best, Wang Shuo does not think that leading the Wizards to the conference finals is an impossible task.
Hearing this, Jordan thought for a while and said: "In your opinion, in order to complete your hypothesis, which position should we give priority to strengthening."
Wang Shuo replied without hesitation: "Inside."
Looking at Wang Shuo, at this moment, Jordan had a feeling that the hero saw the same thing.
Because coincidentally, he currently has a young insider he likes who is extremely talented and wants to recommend him to Wang Shuo.
"Although the specific details still need to be improved, the general framework of our offense will not change in the new season. Therefore, we need an inside man with the ability to evacuate and organize to help you sink into the low post." Fiddled with the tableware on the table, Wang Shuo, who used the entire dining table as a tactical board, said to Jordan.
As a result, Jordan suddenly reacted...
seem......
The young player he wanted to recommend did not have such ability.
"Do we need to strengthen this insider through trade or the draft?" Jordan asked.
"If we can get the top three picks this year, then there will be a player among this year's rookies who can perfectly understand our tactics." Wang Shuo said. (Note ①)
Jordan was a little confused and said: "Your tactics are similar to the triangle offense. Are you sure a rookie insider can completely understand your tactics?"
Wang Shuo smiled slightly, showed his fox tail again, and said: "In my opinion, he is not only able to understand this tactic, but he is also the immediate combat power we are in urgent need of, and can greatly enhance our overall strength."
Jordan was shocked and almost subconsciously asked the English version of "Who is this person? Whose general is he?"
So now comes the problem.
At this juncture in 2001, was there really such an inside player who was ready to fight and could also perfectly understand the improved triangle offense designed by Wang Shuo?
The answer is, there really is.
Moreover, Wang Shuo's improved version of the triangle offense really borrowed from the triangle offense tactics used by the team this player will play for in the future.
So, who is he?
At this moment, looking at Jordan, Wang Shuo did not sell out and gave his own answer: "Pau Gasol."
…
