After beating the Grizzlies, the Clippers finally ended their long and tiring road trip and could return to Los Angeles to take a good rest.
They have two full weeks to stay in Los Angeles to compete.
Although there was an away game, the away game was against the Lakers, so we still stayed in Los Angeles.
On March 16, after a day of rest, the Clippers faced the Philadelphia 76ers at home.
In the afternoon, the team conducted warm-up training at Staples Center.
Kerr found coach Mike Dunleavy and talked with him about the team's choice of opponents and the eighth record in the Western Conference.
Unexpectedly, after listening to Cole's narration, Dunleavy said: "Really? OK, no problem, let's play the previous games first, and take turns in the last few games depending on the situation, so as to control the record."
Cole was surprised: "Is this the decision? As a team in the bottom half, we have to choose our opponents?"
Dunleavy said: "Yes, because this is Smart's decision, and no one on the team can disobey his decision. The reason why he came to you first is because you are not used to his style of acting. He first talked to you Take a breather. For us, it's all about execution."
After two seasons of "training", the Clippers coaching staff has become very obedient.
Cole still needs time to adapt to the unique atmosphere of the Clippers.
"Mike, what do you think of this decision? Pick the Spurs as your first-round opponent."
Dunleavy thought for a while and said: "Actually, it's not bad. The Spurs are not as strong as their record looks. To be honest, they are a little weak."
Cole nodded in agreement and said: "Yes, it is a bit false, so Mr. Smart's decision is not all nonsense and unreasonable, so you will obey him, right?"
Dunleavy said: "I want to correct your statement. Mr. Smart's decisions are not just nonsense, but on the contrary, his decisions are far-sighted and correct, so we are willing to obey him. Including him asking you to come to the team to do offense. The decision was made by the assistant coach.”
After hearing what Lao Deng said, Cole laughed.
Yes, if a leader always makes wrong decisions, who will listen to him?
On the contrary, if what he does is always right and reasonable, who would be willing to object to it.
It's not good to obey him and do things with peace of mind.
After thinking about this, Cole also decided to use his brain less in the future.
Put all your energy into formulating the team's offensive tactics.
He is no longer in management.
On the other hand, Min Congda has new needs for management personnel.
After returning from Memphis, Min Congda contacted former Hornets general manager Jeff Ball on the phone.
This man resigned as the general manager of the Hornets in September last year, and then became idle at home and engaged in community basketball work.
No team will invite him to work in a short period of time. After all, the Hornets were bankrupt and he, as the general manager, cannot absolve himself of the blame.
His work plan is to return to work for the basketball team at Marist College, where he began his basketball dream when he was young.
In the 1990s, he served as the team's assistant coach there, discovered and trained Dutchman Rick Schmitz, and later came to work for the Hornets.
He's been with the Hornets for more than a decade, almost as long as this franchise has been around.
Baron Davis was the one he selected and brought to Charlotte.
Ball didn't expect that NBA teams would call him to find a job so soon.
And this person is still the "red man" in the league today, Clippers general manager Smart Min.
Min Congda got straight to the point and invited him to join the Clippers as vice president of operations.
Min Congda was very interested in Ball's bankruptcy of the Hornets.
Unfortunately, we couldn't discuss it in detail on the phone. On March 16, he invited Ball to Los Angeles for a chat.
Ball hesitated all night, and his wife told him, "This is your chance to clear your name and prove yourself, isn't it?"
So, Jeff Ball set out from Pennsylvania and came to Los Angeles to meet with Min Congda.
Min Chongda set the meeting place at the Red Boots Restaurant in Staples Center.
As soon as the two sat down, Christopher said: "Mr. Smart, congratulations, you are back with the eighth seed in the Western Conference!"
Min Congda forced a smile and said: "Two glasses of beer, and some onion rings and fried chicken nuggets. I'm a little hungry. Give Mr. Power a steak. How mature do you want it?"
Ball said: "Oh, I...I want it well-done. I don't like eating bloody steak."
Preferring well-done steak means a conservative personality.
Min Congda likes conservative people.
In this era, being conservative often means falling behind, and those who fall behind will be eliminated.
You see, the Hornets were eliminated, bankrupt, and behind the times.
Of course, Min Congda must make good use of such talents.
Min Congda was too lazy to talk nonsense, and made an offer to Ball while eating: "Being the vice president of operations of the Clippers, the salary will be the same as when you were the general manager of the Hornets, a penny less."
Ball asked: "Mr. Smart, thank you for giving me this opportunity, but can I ask why? To be honest, before you called me, I was prepared that no one would give me a job in three years." opportunity. I have already found a position at the university where I worked before and will continue to work as an assistant coach."
Min Congda said: "Life is bound to have its ups and downs. It is wrong to deny a person just because of the success or failure of one thing. The Hornets have had brilliance. That is your contribution and should not be wiped out. I think your experience is very important for completing my work." It helps a lot with what the Clippers want to achieve."
What Min Congda said was absolutely fine. The purpose of inviting Bauer was to speed up the completion of the goal.
It’s just that the goal is bankruptcy.
Bauer was quite moved after hearing Min Congda's words and said: "Mr. Smart, I have always heard that you are magnanimous and have a kind and tolerant heart. Only today did I really see it. It is really admirable."
Min Congda heard this kind of thing many times and smiled in his heart. You can say whatever you like.
Anyway, no one can shake my firm goals and dreams!
After another discussion, Bauer decided to accept the olive branch offered by Min Congda.
Min Congda applauded in his heart. He thought: "Wolong is not very good anymore, so Fengxiao will be fine, right? He really bankrupted the wasp, and it is the most perfect work resume for me!"
Bauer said: "Mr. Smart, can I understand the main content of my job?"
Min Congda said: "Well... Actually, there are people responsible for all aspects of the team's work now, and we are not planning to open a new department. But as the vice president of operations, I have to give you a difficult task."
"Your job is to supervise me!"
"Supervising you?"
"correct."
"In the future, whenever I make any decisions, especially player transactions, signings, and drafts! Especially the draft, you will have to supervise and remind me. If you think there is something wrong with what I do, remind me, or even You can veto it with one vote! If you think there is a problem, veto it!"
Ball thought to himself, this is the power to supervise the general manager. How can anyone put shackles on himself?
Faced with Ball's confusion, Min Congda said earnestly: "There have been a lot of rumors outside recently, saying that I, Smart Min, have a monopoly and dictatorship in the Clippers, and want to sway the ownership of the Clippers' management. In order to curb such rumors, To spread the word and establish a clean and upright atmosphere within the Clippers, my power needs to be restrained."
"Isn't the United States engaged in separation of powers? Our Clippers have the same thing. You, Jeff Ball, are my Smart Min's fuse. Remember, you must remind me, do you understand?"
Min Congda thought that this season was over and the 2011 draft was coming again.
The mistakes of the previous two years are still vivid in my mind. In order not to make mistakes this year, I have to find someone to cover myself!
(End of chapter)
