The time has come to the end of January before we know it, and winter has begun in Los Angeles. The temperature has gradually dropped and there has been more rain.
Such weather is not suitable for fishing. In his free time, Min Congda spends more time on basketball games and tactical research.
As the general manager of the Clippers, he does not study the Clippers' games and tactics. He is satisfied with just taking a look at the results of the game.
Instead, he focused more time on other teams, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Ever since LeBron James had a conversation with Min Congda in the summer, he decided to keep his talent in Cleveland.
James often consults with Min Congda on the Cavaliers' team building and tactical framework issues.
Because James stayed behind, the Cavaliers regarded this chosen son as a treasure and listened to everything he said.
After seven years of failure, James knows that his ability to select people is limited, so he should stop giving random orders.
It is better to listen to the opinions of professionals, and in James' opinion, Min Congda is really professional.
After listening to Min Congda's advice and carrying out a series of operations in the summer, the Cavaliers had a good record in the regular season.
Although there is no overwhelming momentum like the 2009 and 10 seasons, James clearly feels that the team's lineup is thicker.
Veteran Jamison was beaten by Garnett in the playoffs, but he can still provide enough firepower in the regular season to share the scoring pressure with James.
Insider Robin Lopez is the only frame-protecting center James has worked with over the years who has decent mobility, height, and physical fitness.
Mike Miller serves as the team's shooting guard. Originally, coach Brown wanted Miller to be a backup small forward, but James insisted on making Miller a shooting guard.
Miller's tall figure of 2.03 meters seemed a bit bloated for the shooting guard position, but the results of the game quickly confirmed that James' suggestion was correct.
Because in a system where James has exclusive possession of the ball, it is a pure waste to let a standard shooting guard with the ability to hold the ball and attack.
On the contrary, a high turret like Miller is suitable for James' sudden scoring style. He can open up the space, catch the ball and hit three-pointers, and at the same time, he does not suffer from height on the defensive end. It couldn't be better.
With the addition of point guard Sessions, the Cavaliers' backcourt problem, which has been troubled by their short stature, has finally been solved.
Of course, it was not James who controlled all this, but Min Congda. It was his guidance that solved the Cavaliers' stubborn problems.
There is also guard Danny Green, whom Min Congda suggested to keep, who was transferred to the Development League by the Cavaliers for half a season.
He averaged more than 20 points per game and had a good three-point shooting percentage. It can be said that he is very promising. In mid-January, he was recalled to the Cavaliers to serve as a substitute.
The Cavaliers had a winning streak at the beginning of the season and rushed to the first place in the league. At this time, Min Congda reminded James that there is no point in rushing too aggressively.
If you want to learn from the Celtics last season, you should play dead. Even if you don't take a rest, just play some games to improve the statistics. Don't work too hard.
James followed Min Chongda's teachings. In some games when the entire team was in poor condition, he focused on his own scoring and assists instead of striving for victory in those two games.
By January 2011, the Cavaliers' record declined slightly, and they were surpassed by the Bulls and the Heat, who were in better and better shape.
However, with James as the backing, the Cavaliers' third position in the Eastern Conference is relatively secure, and the team's training and game goals revolve around the playoffs.
In terms of the lineup, Big Z, who was previously traded away, returned to free agency and returned to the Cavaliers.
Big Z was sent back and forth by the Cavaliers as a bargaining chip, but he still firmly hoped to play next to James.
On the one hand, it can be seen that European players are different from black players in that they have a deeper affection for their home team and do not leave the team easily.
On the other hand, it also confirms that Big Z has a very good relationship with James and is willing to play with James.
Including Mike Miller also came for James, which shows that James has appeal to some players.
Overall, the Cavaliers' lineup won't be too bad with James in it, but it's not good enough either.
Because the second playmaker point mentioned by Min Congda is not so easy to find.
Among other teams in the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls rose rapidly in the regular season. Relying on Rose's explosive breakthroughs and Thibodeau's airtight defense, the Bulls rushed all the way to the first place in the league.
The Miami Heat use Wade-Bosh-Gay as the basic structure and tinker with the team's lineup.
Riley's main focus is on the two positions of point guard and center.
In addition to O'Neal Jr., newcomers Chalmers, Joel Anthony, Eric Dampier and other leftovers were signed to tap their potential.
The Heat's troika is very powerful, but it is still far inferior to the Green Army's Big Three, ranking second in the Eastern Conference.
Riley was naturally resentful of James' unwillingness to come to the Heat, because he had been planning for the 10-year free market since 2007.
Seeing that he was about to succeed, he didn't expect that he missed a move and had to take the road of Plan B, and hurriedly traded with the Grizzlies to get Rudy Gay.
Gay is a player who has talent, but needs polishing, and Riley spent a lot of time this season carving out this raw gem.
Don't ask for a player who can reach the level of James, but give me a player who can reach the level of Byron Scott.
Judging from the performance and data on the field, Gay's progress is still obvious under Riley's high-pressure management.
The defense has improved, and the offensive end is more organized, but organization is something that cannot be practiced at all.
Every time he saw Gay playing with his head down on the court, Riley would hold his forehead and imagine that it would be great if James could come.
The more he thought about this, the more Riley hated two people, one was Min Congda, and the other was James himself.
Therefore, in games against the Clippers and Cavaliers, Riley would encourage the team before the game, demanding that they must beat their opponents tonight.
The reason for playing the Clippers is to vent my hatred, and the reason for playing the Cavaliers is to tell James that if you don't come to my team, you still won't make it to the finals!
On January 31st, the Cavaliers met the Heat for the third time this season. The Cavaliers lost both games in the first two games.
This game was held at the American Airlines Center in Miami. James led his team to visit and really wanted to win this game.
Before the game started, the media interview asked the common question again:
"You obviously had the opportunity to join the Heat in the summer, but you gave up. How do you feel now?"
James smiled and said: "My feeling is that I want to win this game."
In fact, he really wanted to call the reporter a fool. What else would he feel if he gave up?
Could it be that I say that I regret it, that if I had known earlier I might as well have joined the Heat, or that I would have applied for a trade now?
Since you have chosen to stay behind, you can only move forward along this road. If you really can't go any further and leave at that time, the controversy will be much less.
After the interview and warm-up, James returned to the locker room and still felt unsure. He really wanted to win this game, so he couldn't keep losing to the Heat, right?
It can be seen that Riley dislikes him simply because he did not come to the Heat.
James really couldn't appreciate Riley's intolerant character. He actually respected him.
He thought it was a good thing he didn't come to Miami. He really didn't know how Wade could stand Riley's control freak.
After thinking about it, he felt that Mr. Smart was more generous and kind, and communicating with him was always so relaxing and beneficial.
So, James took out his mobile phone, walked out of the locker room before the game started, avoided his teammates and called Min Congda.
The phone beeped several times, and Min Congda's low voice came from the other end:
"Hey, why are you calling here?"
"Mr. Smart? I have something to ask you."
"Can't you just send a text message? Call me suddenly. I'm in a fucking meeting. You're not afraid of people misunderstanding!"
"I'm sorry Mr. Smart, I need some pointers."
"I'll hang up now and I'll text you later!"
After hanging up the phone, James felt strange. I'm talking to you as a man on the phone. Are you afraid of misunderstanding?
(End of chapter)
