At night, on the special plane flying to Memphis, most of the Clippers players fell asleep.
After an intense game, there's nothing better than a deep sleep on a plane.
The schedule starting in February is very, very unfriendly to the Clippers.
To describe it in eight words, it means "wandering around the world, calling home all over the world".
In one and a half months, the Clippers played 4 home games.
The remaining 16 games are all away games. It can be said that the Clippers spent more than a month on planes and hotels.
This is a huge test for the team's competitive state and health.
But there is no way, because they share the same home court with the Lakers, so they have to accept many consecutive away games in terms of schedule.
Otherwise, the venue schedule at Staples Center will be unavailable.
From this point of view, the Clippers' need for a new home court is even more urgent.
Fortunately, the Clippers withstood the test during this month-and-a-half long road trip.
They had consecutive wins, getting better and better, and played their best offense and defense after the All-Star break.
After defeating the Washington Wizards tonight, the Clippers used a wave of 10 consecutive victories to declare their return to the Western Conference playoff contenders.
Victories one after another put the players in a very good mood and state, and they slept soundly on the plane.
Of course, looking at the entire league, there is only one person who can't sleep the more he wins.
Min Congda waved to the flight attendant and said softly: "Pour me a glass of champagne."
The stewardess said softly: "This is already the third cup. Are you sure you want more?"
"Yes, more, otherwise I won't be able to sleep, please."
The stewardess had no choice but to pour Min Congda another glass of champagne.
Generally speaking, alcoholic beverages are not served on airplanes.
However, the Clippers are charter flights, providing VIP services and special treatment.
Min Congda is not a drinker. He always drinks for pleasure.
But recently it's hard for him to sleep without drinking, he's so stressed!
I had a bad premonition when I was hunting stags that day, and it came true again!
Min Congda felt that he should not run the team, he should tell people's fortunes.
A man pretends to be blind and sets up a fortune-telling stall in Chinatown, using his keen sense of smell to judge people's good fortune.
People in Guangdong believe in this. If he succeeds, he might make a fortune every day if he works for a year and a half.
It's fine now. It's been a month and a half, and I've collected several thousand yuan. The salary for losing is pitiful.
This is a trivial matter, after all, it can be made up for with penalty bonuses and stock dividends.
The problem is that the team is making such great progress, and its status and record are getting better and better. What should we do with its market value?
Min Congda took a sip of wine, the spicy smell rushed out of his nose, and the pressure was slightly relieved.
Curry was sitting next to Min Congda. The kid was sleeping comfortably with his head tilted and wrapped in a blanket.
"This bitch, it was so easy to keep you on the bench for two months. I can't wait anymore. I have to come back. I have to come back. Damn it, as expected, I started winning all kinds of games after my comeback! Damn it, let me see what you do next Don’t even think about scoring a single three-pointer!”
Regarding Curry, the "biggest regret of his career", Min Congda really has nothing to do with him.
Now he asks the system first thing every morning when he wakes up, "Can I trade Curry?"
The system always gives a blunt answer, "No, it's unreasonable".
It's really unreasonable. Curry's condition after his comeback is too good.
After resting for more than two months, Curry's physical fitness and condition reached a very good peak after gradually increasing his playing time to 10, 15, and 20 minutes per game after his return.
Because he has not missed any fitness, tactical drills and hand training in the past two months, he has seamlessly returned to the Clippers team.
Curry was surprised to find that the new Clippers were more suitable for him than the previous Clippers. On the offensive end, he was simply like a fish in water.
Before Baron Davis existed, there was a certain ball conflict between him and Curry.
But after Cole's ball-sharing system was gradually established, Curry's off-ball ability had greater room to develop.
The distribution of ball rights between the two reached a fairly balanced point.
With the addition of Harden, Gasol, Randolph, and Dragic, everyone has equal control over the ball.
The Clippers don't have a true superstar, nor do they have a black hole for the ball, so everyone plays as a team and is selfless.
It is truly a big step forward towards "everyone has a ball to play".
On road trips, they often lead their opponents by more than ten points at halftime.
Min Congda watched the Clippers' game and felt so uncomfortable in his heart. They were playing so well!
Curry seems to only contribute about 20 points per game, but his three-pointers and huge space pulling power have completely activated the Clippers' offense.
Curry seemed to feel the curse from Min Congda in his sleep. He frowned and muttered a few times, turned over and continued to sleep.
In addition to Curry, Min Congda held a wine glass and "cursed" Randolph, Harden, Gasol and others one by one.
These few people, together with Curry, form the core framework of the Clippers' lineup, and the tactics are executed very well.
Their personal abilities are quite good. Whenever the system cannot solve the problem during the game, they will stand up to help the team solve the problem.
Randolph's low post and offensive rebounds, Gasol's hard hitting at the basket, Harden's key kills and so on.
"Fat Lan, this will be your last big contract in your life. Don't even think about asking me to renew your contract next time."
"Mark, after this season is over, you can go test the free market. Don't harm the Clippers. You can find another job."
"Harden, I'm so disappointed. Now I don't go to nightclubs anymore! That's right. It's hard to go to nightclubs in these away games. You damn well listen to your mother too much. Of course it's not your fault, your mother I would be afraid of that too.”
"By the way, there's Steve Kerr! This liar!"
Min Congda was even more furious when he thought about Cole. He pretended to be very capable, pretended to agree with me, and sneaked into the Clippers to sabotage me.
Fortunately, I still regard you as my right-hand man, Wolong, are you repaying me? You beat me up!
Under the influence of alcohol, he complained to almost everyone in the team. In the end, Min Congda calmed down and began to take a serious look at himself.
"In the final analysis, it's my own problem. I was too relaxed and carried away in November and January, which allowed the team's system to take shape."
"When Curry returns, the established system and the return of important puzzle pieces will suddenly become unstoppable!"
"But fortunately, although the pass-and-cut system is strong in the regular season, it will not go far if it enters the playoffs!"
"We entered the playoffs and got out of the first round. Didn't we do this last season? What's so great about it."
"Isn't the situation still very good?"
After three glasses of wine and some criticism and self-criticism, Min Congda felt that he was good again.
Ah Q is nothing more than that.
Then he became drunk and fell into a drowsy sleep.
The next day, Min Congda slept in the hotel all morning, and was called by the Grizzlies' general manager Wallace for dinner at noon.
The relationship between the two has always been good. Wallace regards Min Congda as his mentor and admires him very much.
The Grizzlies' recent series of operations are the result of Wallace learning from Min Chongda.
For example, the potential Gay is exchanged for the more potential Beasley.
Of course, the results of the study were not very good, and Beasley was about to be laid off.
Also, Chris Kaman, whom the Grizzlies traded, was injured after playing just a few games this season.
Compared with his All-Star performance last season, he has declined significantly this season, and the Grizzlies are standing tall.
Watching Gasol thrive in the Clippers, Wallace had to shake his head repeatedly, "You can't learn from home."
Wallace is also a brainiac, you just need to learn from others, why bother to make a deal with him?
If the other party’s trading level is high, wouldn’t you definitely suffer a loss?
Fortunately, the Grizzlies are not completely at a disadvantage, they have Griffin.
Griffin, who returned from injury, shocked the entire league with his explosive play.
The Grizzlies' attendance has skyrocketed, their record has improved greatly compared to last season, and the future is promising.
And even though Kaman is dead, the Grizzlies also hired DeAndre Jordan from the Clippers as insurance. Isn't the insurance used this time?
Therefore, when Min Chongda visited Memphis, Wallace wanted to treat him to a meal and exchange experiences with him anyway.
The Clippers, like last season, once again exerted their strength in the second half, and because of their beautiful offense, they became the hottest topic in the league.
Originally, the Grizzlies were ranked in front of the Clippers and have been suppressing the Clippers. Wallace thought it was finally our turn to take the lead this season.
Unexpectedly, the Clippers have been chasing fiercely, and the records of the two sides are now tied. Whoever wins this game will be eighth in the Western Conference.
Wallace was naturally panicked, and needed to get in touch with Min Congda to learn how many strategies and tricks this guy had hidden.
At noon, Min Congda went to the appointment on time. Wallace was shocked when he saw Min Congda looking haggard.
"Compared with more than a month ago, Smart's energy is much worse. It seems that he has expended a lot of energy for the Clippers' record. Sure enough, hard work can bring results."
Wallace, who is also the general manager, can understand the "hard work" of Min Congda's work. Look at the big dark circles under his eyes and the raised hairline. He must be worried about the team.
How did he know that Min Congda was not busy, but in a hurry!
The two of them were old friends, and they quickly got to the point and brought up the recent situation in the alliance.
However, as rivals competing against each other in the Western Conference, there are some things that should be kept under wraps.
Wallace suddenly thought of a recent big gossip, and said to Min Congda: "By the way, Smart, you know, the Hornets are definitely going bankrupt, and the league is preparing to take over the Hornets."
Hearing the word "bankruptcy", Min Congda's face suddenly flashed a strange red light, followed by a look of disbelief in his eyes.
"What did you say? Hornets? Bankrupt?"
"Yeah, it's definitely bankrupt. In fact, it's almost done in January. It's been delayed until now, and their boss can't hold on anymore."
The Grizzlies and Hornets are in the Southwest Division. Of course, Wallace pays more attention to the teams in the same division.
After speaking, he noticed that Min Congda was stunned there, expressionless, and silent for a long time.
"Hey Smart, what's up Smart?"
"Chris, I'm such a failed general manager."
"What? Haha, what are you talking about? Smart, you are a popular manager."
"Chris, who is the general manager of the Hornets?"
"Uh...Jeff Ball, but he has resigned and the team is bankrupt. The Hornets are looking for a new general manager."
"Do you have Jeff Ball's contact information?"
"Uh... Of course I do. Why do you want to recruit him? No way, he..."
Min Congda ignored Wallace, causing huge waves in his heart, and his confidence suffered a huge blow!
"Jeff Ball, this guy is really a talent!"
Moving is very tiring, so I will update twice today and five times tomorrow as usual.
(End of chapter)
