On February 20, one month later, the assassin announced his comeback.
But both the team and him were very disappointed. Due to multiple injuries and physical problems, his condition in the team's training matches was very poor, and the quality of training was also not good.
On the 22nd, the Pistons will visit Houston and challenge Mosaic away from home.
As soon as Chuck Daly entered the hotel room, he turned on the TV first, then began to pack his luggage, taking out his clothes and hanging them up first.
Two minutes later, he saw a piece of news on TV and quickly went out to find McCloskey and said:
"Jack, did you just see it? Houston TV news, local media said that Dameng and the management are having conflicts, and Dameng said that he wants to apply for a trade."
"real?"
McCloskey was startled, thought for a moment, then shook his head and said: "Dameng's contract only has one season left. I guess he just wants to force the management to give in and give him a big contract. I heard that his agent We are negotiating with the team and hope to renew the contract in advance."
"That's also an opportunity!"
Chuck Daly looked at Mike Ross expectantly, but the latter smiled bitterly, and then explained: "Chuck, Mosaic will never allow Big Dream to leave as a free agent. Do you think the league will allow Big Dream to trade for Our team?"
Dai Li was stunned and then smiled bitterly.
"The violence in the locker room has had too great a negative impact on the league. With Stern's current attitude towards the Pistons, he will not allow any big stars to join us. Let's get through it slowly."
Speaking of this, McCloskey said with a somewhat sad tone: "It's a pity that Isiah was accidentally injured in the 1988 finals, otherwise we would have won the championship that time. And then in the next two years..."
He couldn't speak anymore.
Those three years were the peak and heyday of the Bad Boys. It was also the end of the era of the black and white duo. Jordan and the Bulls were still a little behind, and the Bad Boys were invincible. That was the best period to create a dynasty. Their bad boy legion had a unique opportunity, but because of an assassin's injury, they missed this huge opportunity.
"Dynasty! Dynasty!"
Chuck Daly immediately said very sadly.
…
On the 23rd, at 7:30, Mosaic plays at home.
Pistons: John Salley, Dennis Rodman, Orlando Ulrich, Joe Dumars, Zhou Quan
Mosaic: Olajuwon, Ostity Thorpe, Booker Johnson, Vernon Maxwell, Kenny Smith
The game was broadcast live nationally by ABC, and the commentators were Landis Opp and his partner, Lewis Williams.
Opp said: "The current record of Mosaic has dropped too much. With a winning rate of 51.2%, it ranks ninth in the Western Conference and has fallen out of the top eight. If this continues, they will not even make it to the playoffs."
Williams said: "The team has always had news that there is a conflict between Dream and the management, but it has not been confirmed, but yesterday's news confirmed this, so I think it is not surprising that their record has been affected. .”
Opp said: "Well, Dameng has made it to the playoffs every year since he joined the league. This year he has to go fishing early."
Williams laughed and said: "That's hard to say, there is still a chance to catch up. The eighth-place Lakers are only one game ahead, and Mosaic still has the strength."
Op smiled and said: "So this year, one of the Lakers and Mosaic must fish in advance."
"Agree."
Williams said with a smile.
Opp added: "But what surprises me is that I didn't expect the Pistons to achieve their current situation and sit firmly third in the Eastern Conference.
There was violence in the locker room at the beginning, and then there were five consecutive losses at the beginning, and then seven consecutive losses. I thought this team had collapsed. They were even at the bottom of the league for a time.
But now they have become one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and even the Bulls have suffered a lot under their hands. "
Williams laughed: "When it comes to that game, although Laimbeer retired, under Iron Fist, this Pistons has indeed become more tenacious, iron-blooded, tough and fearless."
Having said this, he thought for a while and said with a strange expression: "Why do I say that I am under Iron Fist? Obviously the leaders of the Pistons are Assassin and Joe Dumars, and Iron Fist is just a rookie. No matter his qualifications or strength, he is not enough." Keep them both down.”
Op laughed and said: "When it comes to the leaders of the Pistons, who would think they are Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars?"
"What do you think of this game?" Williams asked.
"Let's see how Dameng performs. His performance recently has not been good. Mosaic's situation depends on him alone." Opp said without hesitation.
At this time, in the player tunnel, the starters of the two teams arrived one after another.
"Hey Hakeem, hello."
Zhou Quan, who was one step ahead, had a gentle smile on his face, and greeted Da Meng cordially, who was one step behind.
"Hello, rookie."
Dameng looked at Zhou Quan condescendingly, with no expression on his face.
He has been in a bad mood in the past two months because the early contract renewal with the team did not go smoothly and the management was unwilling to give him a large contract that satisfied him.
It was even brought out by the media yesterday, which made him very angry. It is conceivable that the media and fans will definitely criticize him.
Seeing Zhou Quan, he thought of the rookie's signature sneaker contract, and he said unhappily: "Rookie, you are so lucky to get the signature sneaker contract. The management of that company are really stupid."
He said this without any consideration at all. It was really a bit unscrupulous, but with his qualifications, strength, and character, he didn't think there was any problem. What's wrong with taking it out on a rookie?
"There will be trouble."
Joe Dumas was heartbroken and immediately took a step closer to Zhou Quan, as did Rodman and others.
On the other side of Mosaic, Thorpe and Vernon Maxwell also immediately stepped forward, their expressions were fierce, and they looked like they were not afraid of trouble.
Zhou Quan was stunned. It was obvious that Dameng was in a bad mood, but you were in a bad mood and took it out on me, do you think I was a weakling?
He glanced at Thorpe and the two who had taken a step forward, and curiously asked Dameng: "Old bird, do you think you can fight with Ranbir, Postman, and Oakley?"
Dameng is by no means a good-tempered person. On the contrary, he is a bad-tempered person. He is also feared by everyone in the league. He is known as an old gangster. His face changed and he said sternly:
"Boy, do you dare to challenge me? This is my home court. Do you believe me or not? I guarantee you won't be able to leave this arena?"
As soon as these words came out, Thorpe and Vernon Maxwell began to roll up their sleeves, and Kenny Smith and Booker Johnson, although a little nervous, also stood up.
Their eyes were fixed on Zhou Quan, after all, this was the guy who had defeated the postman, Ranbir, and Oakley.
But this is their home court, and even if they can't beat it, they still have to beat it, otherwise their face will be trampled on the ground and become worthless.
Around Zhou Quan, Rodman and others were much more courageous than before, and they all stood up.
