In the NBA, the internal conflicts faced by any dynasty team when creating a dynasty are like time bombs. A slight mistake will make it irreversible.
Right now, for the Lakers, who have defended their title and are aiming to create a dynasty, they are facing a hidden danger that is likely to explode at any time.
That is......
As Kobe grew up, he was no longer satisfied with being O'Neal's little boy.
He is eager to gain a higher tactical status in the team.
And, in a real sense, become the talker of this Lakers team.
Why is the team talker so important in the NBA?
So much so that O'Neal and Kobe Bryant at the beginning of the century could fight over it?
Because in the NBA, the team talker not only determines the media's evaluation of you when the final decision is made in the future, but also the identity of the team talker also affects your privileges in the team.
As a star league, because in the NBA, stars can even be superior to the team, so in order to manage the team's locker room more effectively, usually, even if the players do not argue, the team's head coach and management The boss will also find ways to bring out a talker.
Therefore, the player who is responsible for direct dialogue with the team owner, head coach, and management on behalf of the team often has privileges in the team that ordinary players do not have.
For example, it can be as small as being late for training and playing time, or as big as player selection and tactical design.
As long as your ability is strong enough, you can even turn the team owner into your licking dog.
In fact, as early as last season, the Lakers have gradually divided into two factions.
One group supports Kobe and the other supports O'Neal.
Of course, because Kobe's character is hard to describe at the moment, most Lakers players still prefer O'Neal when choosing someone to talk to.
However, despite being at an absolute disadvantage in this battle of talkers, Kobe has an advantage that O'Neal will never have.
That is......
Compared with O'Neal, who swam from Orlando to Los Angeles to steal the crown, Kobe Bryant was the "Prince of the Lakers" with a well-established reputation.
As a team with the same DNA tradition as Manchester United, another team in football who are also very good at marketing...
Kobe's status as the "Prince of the Lakers" determines that whether it is Jackson, who is currently having a fierce fight with Jeannie Buss, or Buss Sr., and Buss Jr., they will support him openly or covertly.
For example, Phil Jackson said in his autobiography that he would not allow any player to question Kobe Bryant, otherwise he would immediately tell him to get out.
Back then, when the Lakers won their first championship, why did O'Neal say the classic "Look, that's my little brother who can do anything" to the media?
Because at that time, Kobe had not grown enough to threaten him.
But soon, as Kobe's shots on the court gradually approached and eventually surpassed him, O'Neal clearly discovered...
The way Kobe looked at him had changed from "let's win the championship together" to "we can take our place instead."
And if we say that on the court, Kobe's gradually increasing tactical weight is not enough for O'Neal to confront him.
Off the court, the incompatible personalities of Kobe and O'Neal were the real killer.
Kobe, who has always been strict with himself and others, disliked O'Neal's lazy character from the beginning.
As for O'Neal, in his opinion, Kobe is simply a paranoid who can't get along well.
In the new season, faced with Kobe Bryant's many cynicisms about his weight and training attitude, O'Neal complained to Jackson more than once that at his weight, if he trained as hard as Kobe did, he might not be able to wait for the playoffs, and he would have to lose the season. to reimburse.
But in Kobe's view, O'Neal's explanation was purely an excuse.
The new season has just begun, and there are already many conflicts within the Lakers.
In the locker room, role players have to live a life of fear every day.
Because if they are not careful, they are likely to attract Kobe's "death glare."
Fortunately, for Jackson, who has long been used to big winds and waves, these are not big things.
After all, what did he, Jackson, not see when the Bulls performed their last dance?
I think back then, Scottie Pippen deliberately injured himself before the start of the 1997/98 season in order to demand a high salary from the team, which caused the Bulls to be in trouble for a time. So what about the conflict between Kobe and O'Neal? Might it stump him, the NBA management guru?
In fact, Jackson himself was the one who caused the conflict between Kobe and O'Neal.
Different from the real Komi in the Bass family.
The reason why Jackson has continuously increased Kobe's tactical weight on the court in the past two years is not at all because Kobe is the "Prince of the Lakers."
It's because of his "locker room balance" theory.
As we all know, in the NBA, powerful stars can often dominate the team and become a being that even the team owner must kneel down.
But why...
At the beginning of the 21st century, O'Neal can only become a "Zen Master" and a pioneer general in expanding territory?
Is it because O'Neal's dominance on the court is not strong enough?
of course not.
Just because Jackson is really good at managing superstars.
When it comes to managing superstars, Jackson is absolutely unprecedented and unprecedented.
Under his rule, even during the Bulls period, Jordan would not go against him.
Jackson knows very well that no matter how strong your superstar is, if you only blindly ask for things from the team and coach, then you will definitely not become a big success.
Therefore, in order to limit the power of O'Neal, the talker, Jackson would continue to increase Kobe's tactical weight on the court.
But at the same time, when the team needed to grasp the general direction, Jackson would stand with O'Neal almost every time and advised Kobe, you are still young and the future is yours.
During the Lakers dynasty, Jackson's locker room balance was so superb that it made people feel numb.
And the most amazing thing is that this guy also wrote his routines on how to balance the locker room in his later autobiography for the world to admire.
Of course, no matter how strong a management master is, he will inevitably fail.
For example, Jackson never imagined that in the future he would completely lose control of the Lakers locker room just because he said "Shaq did it too".
In short, from Jackson's point of view, he does not think the current personal dispute between Kobe and O'Neal is a bad thing.
On the contrary, in his eyes, this will become the driving force for the two people to join forces to create a dynasty.
But......
November of this year.
As a news report came out of Washington.
A storm has quietly begun to gather.
On the 5th, during the Lakers' regular training session, Kobe's good mood was in sharp contrast to O'Neal's gloomy face.
At the moment, Kobe is extremely looking forward to the game the team will play against the Wizards in February next year.
Kobe, who had a relatively single-minded personality, never concealed his love for Boss Joe.
Therefore, when Kobe noticed that his idol did not forget to praise him by name while leading the team to fight, at this moment, he just wanted to immerse himself in training and be in the best condition to repay Jordan's praise of himself.
As for O'Neal?
Ah......
Are the Lakers a team led by Kobe, Jordan's successor?
Believe it or not, even if Jordan himself comes, he still has to carry my shoes?
In the future, perhaps after retiring, O'Neal will mostly play a funny role, so people forget that this guy also has a very arrogant personality.
and......
O'Neal's small-mindedness is no less than that of Jordan and Kobe.
For example, on the court, after dunking on his opponent, he deliberately pushed his opponent down to show his dominance.
For example, after hearing that Houston had a center who could play against him, all O'Neal could think about was how to say "Welcome to the NBA, rookie" to him.
At this moment, O'Neal was extremely unhappy with what Wang Shuo and Jordan said in the interview last night.
In his opinion, Wang Shuo's statement "I don't know who the number one center in the league is today" was just an insult to himself.
There is also the sentence "Haywood can become the number one center in the Eastern Conference in the future."
Hehe, how dare cats and dogs think they are number one?
Of course, what really gave O'Neal a critical blow to his soul was Jordan's statement that the Lakers will get better and better in the future under the leadership of Kobe.
In O'Neal's view, although Wang Shuo and Jordan did not mention their names in the interview, they made it clear that they were here for him.
Just wait, Washington Wizards!
If it weren't for the game against the Wizards not scheduled until February next year, at this moment, O'Neal really wanted to rush to Washington and give Wang Shuo and Jordan a "shark splash" each.
Meanwhile, Washington.
After the back-to-back games against the Pistons, Jordan had two days of valuable rest in the Wizards training facility. Jordan, who was still choosing to practice extra today, said to Wang Shuo: "Don't worry, just put that Is the 'shark' in trouble?"
After hearing this, Wang Shuo smiled and said, "People say that Shaquille O'Neal was at the peak of his athletic ability during the Orlando period, but what was the result?
Wasn't it swept away by Michael Jordan? "
Tsk!
Why are you so good at talking?
At this moment, although he knew that Wang Shuo was deliberately flattering himself, Boss Qiao did not begrudge his favor to Wang Shuo.
Favorability +1 from Michael Jordan.
But after calming down, Jordan still said to Wang Shuo seriously: "No matter what, Shaq is the well-deserved number one center in the league today. What you said last night really gave people a sense of disrespect for others." Feeling." (Wang Shuo: You don't think you respect O'Neal, do you? No?)
Wang Shuo nodded and said, "But what if I tell you that I said that on purpose?"
Jordan was a little surprised and thought: Are you the legendary troll, the kind who trolls anyone he catches?
After a pause, Wang Shuo said to Jordan: "Michael, in your opinion, if we want to win the championship this year, who is our biggest competitor?"
Jordan clicked his tongue, but still managed to answer: "Los Angeles Lakers."
"Then if we want to defeat the Lakers, who do we have to deal with?" Wang Shuo asked.
The answer to this question is self-evident.
However, Jordan didn't understand for a while what this had to do with Wang Shuo's choice to anger O'Neal.
But soon, with Wang Shuo's explanation, Jordan figured it out.
"Isn't this a little too cruel to Brandon?" After hearing Wang Shuo's overall plan, Jordan suddenly took a breath.
"If Brandon didn't agree, do you think I would take his life as a joke?" Wang Shuo added.
In fact, Wang Shuo had communicated with Heywood before the interview last night.
The communication process will not be discussed for now.
Anyway, the final result was that Heywood not only agreed with Wang Shuo's suggestions, but he was also very happy to cooperate with Wang Shuo.
At this moment, Wang Shuo was not exaggerating when he told Jordan that Heywood might be in danger of his life.
Because after completely irritating that fat-headed fish...
Haywood, who will play the role of "O'Neal's Wallfacer" in the future decisive battle, will face the overwhelming anger from Shaquille O'Neal.
At this moment, Jordan felt that Wang Shuo was simply audacious.
Because even he can only think about the conference semifinals after the team started the new season with four consecutive victories.
Can......
Can you believe that Wang Shuo is already making arrangements for the finals?
"I ask you a question, and you must answer it seriously.
In your opinion, what are our chances of reaching the finals? " Jordan's breathing became increasingly rapid, and he felt that the dream in his chest that was still unquenched was awakened again. He looked at Wang Shuo and asked.
"99.99%, the only 0.01%, is not because an asteroid may hit the earth, but because I cannot guarantee that our key players will not be injured during the long NBA season." Wang Shuo answered Jordan.
Jordan still felt that Wang Shuo did not answer him seriously, so he asked again: "Why are you so confident?"
Wang Shuo then took out his tactical board and gave Jordan a careful analysis of this year's situation in the Eastern Conference.
“Right now in the East, the only teams that can cause us trouble are the New Jersey Nets, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Detroit Pistons and the Celtics who are about to play us on the 7th.
Except for the Nets and Celtics who have not played against each other yet, let me ask you first, Michael, what do you think of these two opponents, the 76ers and the Pistons? "
Jordan thought about it for a while, then was surprised to find...
It seems that even if Allen Iverson is not injured, the 76ers are not as difficult to deal with as imagined.
As for the pistons?
Last night, the Wizards were able to win in such a poor state. Doesn't that prove that the Wizards are far superior to the Pistons?
no......
Can we really make it to the finals?
Eh, no, wait, where are the Raptors and Hornets?
Won't these two opponents create trouble for us?
"It's okay for the media to call Vince Carter a 'demigod' because of his performance in the dunk contest, but Michael, why do you even think that Vince Carter is really a 'demigod'?
Moreover, the Raptors and Hornets, you ask yourself, can they really beat us in terms of overall strength? "Wang Shuo asked Jordan in return.
Jordan thought about it carefully and then asked: "Didn't the Celtics only rank ninth in the Eastern Conference last season? Why do you think they are our potential competitors?"
Wang Shuo smiled and said: "Because the two young players in their team last year, Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker, still need time to grow.
Believe me, the Celtics are definitely a strong contender in the Eastern Conference this year. "
Jordan continued: "If we faced them in the playoffs, who do you think has a higher probability of winning?"
Wang Shuo thought for a while and said: "It depends on our on-the-spot performance. In my opinion, 4-0 or 4-1 are both possible."
Jordan: "..."
Good guy!
Jordan found out now.
Compared with Wang Shuo, the self-confidence he usually displays is not even self-confidence, it is called inferiority!
"The Celtics have a strong forward line, but... they can only count themselves unlucky when they encounter us. In my opinion, one Ron and one Stephen can make Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker Completely misfired in the series with us." Wang Shuo picked up the tactical board and said to Jordan.
And this time...
Jordan discovered that Wang Shuo didn't seem to be so crazy just because of his confidence.
Because, in Jordan's eyes, the front line composed of Artest, Jackson and Jefferson would have to use a lot of effort to forcefully eliminate this front line even if the Bulls came.
Moreover, ideally, at least one of himself and Pippen must "die".
Therefore, Jordan, who felt that what Wang Shuo said made sense, began to breathe more and more quickly, "What about the New Jersey Nets?"
Wang Shuo thought for a while, then picked up a few magnets and placed them on the tactical board and said to Jordan: "This Nets is definitely the best team in the Eastern Conference as a whole, bar none.
Inside, they have Kenyon Martin.
This is a player with his own defensive system who has been seriously underestimated by experts and the media.
In addition, on the front line, they also have two big guns in Keith Van Horn and Corey Kidders.
Not only do these two have long range, but they can also shoot accurately, which can create a lot of offensive space for Jason Kidd and others on the back line. "
“Indeed, from what you said, they are obviously better overall than other teams in the Eastern Conference.
In your opinion, what advantages can we take advantage of if we meet them in the playoffs? "Jordan asked.
Wang Shuo shrugged and said: "The biggest advantage is undoubtedly me. I'm not joking. In my opinion, if we really meet in the playoffs, we will definitely be able to defeat them within six games."
Jordan: "..."
If Wang Shuo's previous analysis seemed reasonable to Jordan, then the statement "The biggest advantage is undoubtedly me" is somewhat nonsense in the eyes of Boss Qiao.
Although in 2001, Scott had only coached for one more year than Wang Shuo...
but......
As a rookie coach, can you have some self-consciousness as a rookie coach?
"Byron Scott likes his point guard's constant hitting tactics. I have the video of the first four Nets games this season. If you don't believe it, you can take a look." Wang Shuo said to Jordan.
Jordan shook his head and said: "I won't watch the video, I won't doubt you on this.
But...he likes to design isolation tactics for point guards, and you are our biggest advantage when we meet the Nets. Is there any inevitable connection between the two? "
Wang Shuo smiled and said: "The point guard isolation tactic is fine. But what if the player responsible for executing this tactic is called Jason Kidd?"
Hearing this, Jordan suddenly realized!
Even though Kidd’s model is excellent and his movement control technology is unrivaled at the same time, but...
With regard to his poor touch, which is dubbed the "Steel Magician", if you don't understand, just ask, if you give Kidd unlimited singles, can he still beat you to death?
Today, after listening to Wang Shuo's overall analysis of the Eastern Conference, Jordan became even more excited even though he knew it was just a paper talk.
"Next, I will try my best to control my temper in training. In addition, in terms of tactics, you don't have to ask me in the future. As long as it is beneficial to the team and can help the team win, I am willing to take the lead in implementing tactics!" Open "Emotional Intelligence Bank", Jordan, who was crazy about lending emotional intelligence to God at this moment, said to Wang Shuo with a serious face.
After hearing this, after patting Jordan on the shoulder, Wang Shuo said: "Michael, you don't have to go out of your way to change yourself, because the young people on the team also need your encouragement."
Jordan smiled and said: "I will definitely push them hard. Oh, by the way, in your opinion, is there anything else we need to pay attention to in the next game?"
Wang Shuo nodded and said: "If possible, we must strive to win more games than the Lakers in the regular season.
The overall strength of the Eastern Conference is weak, and our next game will be far less difficult than the Lakers. "
Throughout November, the Lakers' schedule was devilish.
Except for the Magic and Bucks caught in this devilish schedule, the Lakers basically have tough battles every game.
It is no exaggeration to say that even the Jazz, who could only finish eighth in the Western Conference this season, are the absolute BOSS in the Eastern Conference.
Therefore, if the Wizards can seize the advantage of the division and gain home court advantage for the future decisive battle, in Wang Shuo's view, it will undoubtedly increase the Wizards' chances of winning.
After listening to Wang Shuo's analysis, Jordan's competitive spirit has been completely aroused.
At the end of the conversation, Wang Shuo also asked Jordan a question, "Can we trade Christian Laettner in the middle of this season?"
Wang Shuo really didn't know where Jordan caught Laettner's fancy. Anyway, in the last two games, whenever there was a chance, Jordan would remind Wang Shuo that Laettner hadn't played yet.
But after today's conversation, what Lightner?
Who needs Lightner?
Who cares about Laettner?
"Who are you going to trade him for?" Jordan asked curiously.
"If possible, I want Weiss to help me ask the king if he is willing to make a deal that is beneficial to everyone." Wang Shuo said.
As Wang Shuo remembers, Gerald Wallace couldn't play in the Kings at all.
Therefore, he really wants to replace Wallace and continue to strengthen the Wizards' forward line.
In addition, despite Laettner's current low ranking with the Wizards, if he can go to the Kings, Wang Shuo believes that his style will be reused by the Kings and will strengthen the Kings in a sense.
"I'm optimistic that the Kings will cause big trouble for the Lakers in the playoffs this year, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Looking at Jordan who was still thinking, Wang Shuo said decisively the next second.
Now, Jordan doesn't need to think anymore.
Of course, before using Leitner to trade, Wang Shuo had to let him make the data look better.
…
On the 7th, the Wizards visited the North Shore Garden Arena to challenge the Celtics.
As a result, the process of this game was a perfect verification of Wang Shuo's previous "paper talk".
After all, no matter how eloquent Wang Shuo is, the process of a basketball game is just like the battle lines in modern warfare, and there is no deception.
In the game, in the first quarter alone, the Celtics' "forward duo" Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker jointly contributed 10 irons.
At this time in 2001, Pierce, who was still in his youth, could play with his back, burst out, and knew all kinds of offensive methods to force the opponent to defend. He was called the "offensive kaleidoscope" by people in the world. But facing Artest, facts proved that even if it was the "truth" "You also have to bow your head.
In the NBA, there has never been a defense that can completely prevent the opposing superstar.
Especially a star of Pierce's caliber.
But this night, in front of Artest, Pierce's scoring efficiency dropped significantly.
On the other side, the "genuine volute", which is more powerful than the "fake volute", is under the careful care of "Martial Saint" Stephen Jackson, using his sniping shots one after another to defeat Boss Joe. Sent one rebound after another.
To be fair, if Jordan really counterattacks a bunch of super insiders this season and becomes the rebounding leader, then in Wang Shuo's view, none of these outside blacksmiths will be innocent by then.
In this era of defense first, you may not believe it, but long before Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Antoine Walker had already averaged 8 three-pointers per game.
Last season, Walker, who averaged a total of 21.2 shots per game, made 7.4 three-pointers per game. It doesn't matter whether he scores or not. What matters is that he dares to throw.
And this season, if Wang Shuo remembers correctly, Walker will intensify his efforts, increasing his average number of three-pointers per game to a full 8 times.
But actually, Walker's three-point shot was pretty good.
Because at least he can maintain a three-point shooting rate of about 34% this season.
But the overall shooting percentage of this guy is ridiculously low. This season Wang Shuo remembers that it was only 39.4%.
Therefore, compared with the snipers he threw on the outside, the "genuine volute" launched various fancy attacks in unpredictable ways from all angles on the court, in Wang Shuo's view, That's really suffocating.
Wang Shuo feels that since Larry Bird retired, the Celtics have been paranoid about Bird's successors, which is really hard to understand.
Because if it were another team, Antoine Walker, the "Black Bird", wouldn't dare to throw it around so unscrupulously on the court.
In fact, this Celtic team is also a classic case of "beating the master to death with random punches".
In Wang Shuo's previous life, it was by averaging 23 three-pointers per game this season that the Celtics shot through many opponents and reached the finals of the Eastern Conference finals.
You can even say that this Celtics' understanding of basketball is ahead of its time.
Can......
What if they could further optimize the shot structure of Pierce and Walker, and adjust the shot weights of other players?
All right.
This is the limitation of the times.
Wang Shuo knew very well that he was not much smarter than people of this era, but he had the experience and lessons summed up by his predecessors for reference.
However, what is somewhat regrettable is that the Celtics, who have clearly found the right path, did not choose one path to follow to the end and become the pioneers of the future three-point era and small ball era.
In the second quarter of the game, while sitting back to rest, looking at the 45-27 scoreboard on the big electronic screen, Jordan said to Wang Shuo: "This Celtics team is indeed completely defeated by us in terms of style. They are not Our opponent!"
Wang Shuo smiled and said: "No way, who made Paul Pierce, the 'truth', meet our 'paradox' Ron Artest?"
"Truth" and "paradox" are destined to make Pierce and Artest a natural enemy.
However, it must be said that this Celtics team does have a strong ability to chase points.
Although they played very chaotically, they really dared to shoot on the court.
However, for the Wizards, who currently don't have any capital to dare to waste money, in this game on the 7th, they did not give the Celtics any chance to catch up.
The inside line composed of Tony Barty and Eric Williams cannot effectively restrict Gasol.
In the second half and third quarter of the game, the Celtics already had signs of momentum thanks to three-pointers from Walker and Pierce.
But soon, their counterattack momentum was interrupted by Gasol and Jordan.
Jordan, who has begun to regard the Lakers as his only competitor in his heart, is extremely eager to win every game including this game.
At the North Shore Garden Arena, the 38-year-old Jordan has transformed into an "executioner" and personally chopped up the Celtics' hopes of counterattack.
In the end, the score of this game was 110 to 98.
Jordan, who played 33 minutes and 18 seconds for the Wizards, totaled 24 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.
Gasol, who was frustrated by Ben in the last game, found his game this time. In addition to scoring 21 points, he also had 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Hamilton is as low-key as ever, but after the game, if you look at the technical statistics, you will find that this guy quietly scored another 20 points.
As for the Celtics, although Walker and Pierce teamed up to score 40 points for the team in this game.
But the two men took 45 shots in total, but only hit 14 of them.
After the game, the Wizards, who led the Eastern Conference with five consecutive victories, were in the spotlight for a while.
In Los Angeles, the poor Grizzlies have become the punching bag used by the big brother, the Lakers.
On the same day, in the Lakers' home game against the Grizzlies, in the first half alone, O'Neal made 11 of 12 shots, including free throws, and scored 27 points for the Lakers.
O'Neal was in great shape, and Kobe Bryant, who was praised by boss Joe, was no less generous.
The two of them seemed to be competing in the game. As long as O'Neal scored a goal, Kobe would definitely find a way to respond.
But in the eyes of "Zen Master", at least so far, he likes this "OK" very much.
Fight!
In this world of great competition, if you don’t want to compete and don’t dare to compete, then why are you playing basketball?
Strong is strong.
Weakness leads to death.
The NBA has always been about the weak and the strong.
In November, after defeating the Celtics, he went to Golden State, defeated the SuperSonics, killed the Bucks, and captured the Jazz.
On the evening of the 16th, at the MCI Center in Washington, Jordan's old rivals Stockton and Malone served as the backdrop for the Wizards' nine-game winning streak at the start of the regular season. At the same time, Wang Shuo and Michael Jordan have become the hottest topics in the NBA at the moment.
From the salty fish last season to the nine-game winning streak at the start of this season.
In just nine games, the Wizards led by Wang Shuo and Jordan completely reversed the criticism.
Now, no one will care about whether the Wizards between Charles Barkley and Kenneth Smith can reach a 20-win bet before next February.
People only care about whether the Wizards can create more miracles in the next games.
Jordan, who returned after three years, feels that the current Eastern Conference is really not good.
Not to brag, but in Jordan's opinion, if the Eastern Conference he was in had only had this intensity, he would have reached at least 6 more finals.
In the East, the Wizards top the list with nine consecutive wins.
In the West, the Lakers seem to be competing with the Wizards.
Only saw:
Orlando, Trish shuts down, Phoenix, the sun goes out.
Space City, OK takes off, Los Angeles, the king sheds tears.
In the east, a genius stands out among a group of rats.
In the West, the Lakers showed their domineering attitude by killing all the heroes and bleeding them in rivers.
In New York, in November of this year, David Stern felt as if he had received a will from God.
When the Wizards and Lakers put the best script in front of the little Jewish old man, Stern reacted almost immediately.
What more scripts do you want?
What story should I write!
Isn’t the ready-made script, the best story, right in front of me at this moment?
It's Michael Jordan's return as king, and "Madman" Wang Shuo conquering the NBA.
Or will OK create a dynasty and the Lakers ascend to the throne?
"Go full throttle and notify all publicity departments! This season, the theme of our publicity must be around the Wizards and Lakers!" Looking at his assistant Mark, Stern said with excitement in his trembling hands.
"Should we have a slogan?" Mark asked.
Stern thought for a while and said, "What suggestions do you have?"
Mark said casually: "In China, there is a saying that is very relevant to the current situation, which is 'when you meet an opponent in chess, you will meet a good talent.'"
Hearing this, Stern's eyes suddenly lit up and he said, "This is a good slogan."
When you meet an opponent in chess, you will meet a good talent.
Facts have proved that the reason why the NBA's attention has declined in recent years is mainly because the Lakers are too strong, which makes the championship lose its suspense early on.
This season, the Wizards have suddenly emerged.
Stern noticed that the damn ratings were skyrocketing again.
Of course, what Stern never expected was that it would be Jordan after his comeback who would carry the banner that overthrew the Lakers' dominance.
Tsk!
Back then, Michael Jordan was the one everyone wanted to beat.
have to say.
This thing of fate is really wonderful.
On the 17th, the NBA’s new promotional poster was officially released.
I saw the left side: behind O'Neal and Kobe, who were looking around, there was the "KFC spokesperson" standing there.
In the poster, O'Neal and Kobe are holding a tomahawk in each hand, and there are fresh blood stains on it.
This is obviously a metaphor for the Western Conference that has been defeated by the Lakers after the start of the new season.
On the right side of the poster, he is holding a feather fan. It is obvious that the artist drew "Zhuge Shuo" with reference to "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms", and also drew "Michael Aragon-" with reference to the upcoming "Lord of the Rings" movie poster. Jordan".
One thing to say.
The style of painting on the right side of the poster that combines Chinese and Western styles really has a unique beauty of "the flowering of style and style".
In addition, in the middle of the poster, there is a piece of text marked in both Chinese and English:
——When you meet an opponent in chess, you will meet a good talent.
And, coupled with the current record of the Lakers and Wizards since the start of the new season.
9-0.
"I won't say that this NBA season has rekindled my motivation to watch the NBA, but this is the fact!"
“Maybe one day, and I mean maybe, people will gradually lose their love for basketball, because to this day, the Lakers’ domination of the NBA continues, but I think that is definitely not today!
Maybe one day, these basketball players we love will leave the basketball court, but that is not today either!
Today, the Washington Wizards will fight bloody battles in the next 01/02 season to challenge the dominance of the Los Angeles Lakers! "
As soon as this poster came out, it immediately attracted enthusiastic responses from the public.
At this moment, this group of fans who only want to have fun remember that about three weeks ago, they were still hotly discussing whether this Wizards could win 20 games before February next year.
Human beings are so fickle.
It was also on this day in Washington that the King, who had just been educated by the Lakers, agreed to the trade plan proposed by Wes Unseld.
The Wizards will send Christian Laettner to the Kings in exchange for Gerald Wallace, Brent Price and the Kings' 2002 second-round draft pick.
Some people may be curious, how can Leitner be so valuable?
Ouch!
Isn't this because, in order to balance the salary of this transaction, the Kings dumped Price, the salary burden they had always wanted to get rid of, to the Wizards?
Price's annual salary at the moment is around US$4 million, and his contract will not expire until the end of the 2002/03 season.
And what about Laettner?
Because the emergence of Wang Shuo changed the Wizards' original plan for the team, although Laettner's annual salary is as high as 5 million US dollars, his contract will expire at the end of this season.
Therefore, this transaction, which only uses a second-round pick to get rid of Price's salary burden and obtain the Kings with immediate combat capabilities, is not a loss at all.
The two teams can be said to have cooperated in good faith in this transaction and each got what they needed.
The Kings have further strengthened their No. 4 position.
The Wizards got another strong forward.
After the transaction was completed, Wang Shuo immediately contacted Wallace through Unseld and made several requests to him.
Now, the wizard is complete in Wang Shuo's eyes.
As for how far the team can go this coming season...
It still depends on how far the Wizards can develop the potential of these young people.
As the general manager of the team, Unseld, who knows that the team is in a great situation, understands that he must be on top at this critical moment.
So on the day the deal was completed with the Kings on the 17th, Unseld immediately approved Wang Shuo's request for the team to pay heavily to hire Bruce Fraser and Tim DiFrancesco to guide the players' daily training.
Fraser is good at developing players' technical potential. In Wang Shuo's previous life, he mentored Nash and Curry.
Di Francesco is a physical coach, Kobe's future physical coach, and the Lakers' chief physical coach.
You know, basketball is not a sport where you can become stronger just by practicing hard.
If you don't find a direction for sparring, no matter how hard or tired you practice, there won't be any effect.
Regarding the three coaches hired by Wang Shuo to be responsible for the team's daily training, Jordan, who knows how important a trainer is to a player, spoke highly of their professionalism.
But in Jordan's opinion...
This is not enough.
"I'll call Tim later and make him an offer he can't refuse, asking him to help guide these young people on the team in the next season." On this day, Jordan suddenly spoke to Wang Shuo said.
And hearing this...
Even though there are many Tims in America.
Wang Shuo still took a deep breath.
Because this Tim Jordan was talking about...
It is none other than the only GOAT in the NBA trainer world.
A legend among legends.
Human physical fitness essence:
Tim Groofer.
…
