McCloskey said: “He must become the leader of the Pistons in both name and substance so that the Pistons can truly complete their reconstruction.
Joe Dumars has actually lost his spirit, and it is impossible for him to lead the team back to the top. He was tied to the Assassins, and the result was that he was swept by Jordan in the Eastern Conference Finals last year.
Only with a new, younger core and leader can the team be truly full of energy and energy, and can it stand in front of Michael Jordan again.
At the same time, only if Iron Fist becomes the leader of the Pistons can the negative impact of the violence in the locker room be truly eliminated. Otherwise, even if we select potential rookies in the future, they may refuse to report. "
Chuck Daly nodded immediately and said: "That's established. I think it's time for Iron Fist to become the new leader."
McCloskey said: "If we don't make this clear, he will not be justified, and this is our matter. We must show our attitude. We must come forward to solve this problem, otherwise other teams will beat him. idea, we must regard him as not for sale to the team.
Plus, I'm retiring soon and have to solve this problem before I retire and can't leave it to Troy.
Troy took over, but he was still not qualified enough to deal with this problem, and might cause trouble. "
But this Chuck Daley nodded repeatedly and said: "I agree, I think Joe Dumas and the assassins will not object."
McCloskey nodded and said: "Let's do this. We will find an opportunity to communicate with Joe and Isiah later to avoid conflicts."
"OK."
Soon after, the two called Assassin and Joe Dumars out of the shower.
McCloskey said straight to the point: "Isiah, Joe, there is something I need to tell you.
This is related to the stability of the team and whether the reconstruction is smooth. "
The two looked at each other and waited for the next step.
McCloskey continued: "Iron Fist's performance met or even exceeded my expectations for him. He met my requirements for the new core. I think our reconstruction has been successful in part. We have found the new core, and New leader.”
"leader?"
Assassin Isiah Thomas couldn't help but smile bitterly in his heart. Is the management preparing to straighten the Iron Fist?
However, he is in a pretty good mood. After all, his condition is no longer what it used to be, and he recognizes Iron Fist's performance. There is another reason. If he dares to oppose the management's decision, what is waiting for him is likely to be a trade, and he will definitely Undesirable things.
Moreover, Iron Fist has long been the de facto core and leader. It is useless for him to object, and he does not want to object. He also points to Iron Fist to help him deal with Jordan.
Joe Dumars was also stunned. It felt a bit sudden to raise this question in the middle of the playoffs.
But that's all. After Tekken defeated Laimbeer and the others, he no longer regarded this young man as a rookie. With Tekken's performance this season, whether on the court or in the locker room, he has become the de facto team leader. core and leader.
"You don't object, do you?" McCloskey asked.
The two shook their heads at the same time, and Joe Dumas said: "I think it is acceptable for Iron Fist to become our leader."
Chuck Daly nodded with relief and said: "Although he will officially become the leader of the Pistons, you are also the spiritual leader of this team."
The two looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh helplessly.
Joe Dumars is a little better. His strength is still there, and his relationship with Iron Fist is also very good. From the peak of the Bad Boys Legion to now, he has a high status in the team, and has even been one of the leaders. Indeed Qualified to serve as the spiritual leader of the Pistons.
But the assassin couldn't. Starting from the violence in the locker room, his prestige in the team was gone. Coupled with the intentional or unintentional suppression by Iron Fist, his own strength declined too seriously, and the team had some newcomers who simply didn't accept him.
His current status in the team has long been unable to return to what it was before. How can he still be qualified to be a spiritual leader? If he hadn't bowed his head last time, he would have been traded or forced to retire.
With his vengeful character, in fact, in his heart, he has not completely let go of his hatred for Zhou Quan. However, the reality is pressing. That violent incident not only ruined his reputation and caused his historical status to further decline, but also cost him a large sum of money. Business income, in order to stop losses, so he must choose to bow his head.
Whether it was the pressing reality or Ah Q's spirit, now his hatred for Zhou Quan has been transferred to Jordan.
And as Zhou Quan's performance becomes more and more anticipated, he is even looking forward to the Pistons' glory again, so that he can also benefit from it.
Then Chuck Daly called Zhou Quan out again, and the five people made the final decision on the matter.
Zhou Quan was a little surprised. Is the management so eager to push him to the front desk? Then hearing that McCloskey was preparing to retire made it clear.
"Joe, Isiah, I hope everyone will continue to work hard for this team. No matter how powerful Michael Jordan and his Bulls are, I believe we can eventually regain our glory and be even greater."
He stretched out his hand and looked at Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas.
The two looked at each other, put their hands on each other, and said in unison: "We believe it too."
Then the five people entered the locker room and announced the matter to all players and coaches.
McCloskey said: "Everyone, starting today, the Detroit Pistons have completed the handover of the old and new cores and leaders. Let us welcome the new locker room leader and on-court core, our boss, Zhou Quan."
"..."
Everyone was shocked, it was too sudden.
Darnell Walker and several other newcomers who had just arrived at the Pistons this season responded the fastest. Whether they were rookies or veterans, they immediately cheered, clapped and shouted to Zhou Quan: "Boss."
Rodman shouted: "Iron Fist, you want a treat."
"Boss."
Everyone else also reacted, and after taking a look at Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas, they also shouted.
As a member of the Bad Boys and an old man of the Pistons, John Salley was very emotional that a rookie could become the boss of a team so quickly, and this team was still the former Bad Boys.
The boss of the Pistons has a higher status in the team than Laimbeer and Thomas before. This is a position that combines the leader of the locker room and the core on the field. In the past, Laimbeer was only the leader in the locker room and Thomas was the core on the field. Now Iron Fist is A combination of both.
In other words, Iron Fist will have a great say in this team in the future, and even the management will have to seek his opinion on key matters.
Zhou Quan took a step forward, clasped his fists and said with a smile: "Brothers, if I can get the support of the management, Joe, Isiah, and you, I feel pressure to become the boss of this team.
Although there is pressure, I am more motivated because I firmly believe that I can lead you back to glory, or even greater. "
"Boss."
"Boss."
Darnell Walker raised his fist and shouted, and the atmosphere in the locker room was electric.
Zhou Quan smiled and nodded, then said in a serious tone: "Now I have something to tell you."
The players were startled. Is Iron Fist going to establish rules? They straightened up immediately.
Zhou Quan smiled and said: "From today on, in my team, tenacity, toughness, iron-bloodedness and fearlessness are still our team mottos. I hope everyone will keep this in mind and try their best to realize it. Do you all understand?"
"clear."
In such a serious atmosphere, coupled with Zhou Quan's always strong attitude, even Rodman did not dare to be naughty and immediately replied solemnly.
Zhou Quan smiled again and said: "I have another rule. In my team, violence against one's own people is not allowed at any time. No matter what reason you have, you must not take action against one's own people. This I must also enforce the rules, what do you think?"
"The boss is right."
"Yes, boss."
Who dares to object? Everyone nodded in agreement.
"You should just call me Iron Fist, otherwise I will think this is not a sports team, but some underworld family." Zhou Quan said with a smile.
"Ha ha……"
Everyone laughed.
McCloskey stood at the door and suddenly motioned to Troy Weaver behind him to follow him out. When he came to a deserted place, he whispered to him:
"Troy, the team needs more fresh blood, and we need more energy. After you take over, you must pay attention to this in terms of lineup construction and find some players who are full of championship aspirations.
The existing lineup should be cleaned up. Those who are no longer interested in honor are no longer suitable for us. "
"Understood, sir." Weaver said respectfully.
Shortly after, the post-game press conference was held.
The Pistons' press conference hall was packed with people. Under the rostrum, tripods were lined up, and there was a forest of cameras.
Zhou Quan, Joe Dumars, Isiah Thomas, John Salley, Rodman, Mark Aguirre, etc., all players were present without missing a single one.
"What happened?"
"Something big is happening."
Seeing all the players attending the press conference, all the reporters at the scene were very surprised and began to speculate.
The Pistons didn't sit down, and couldn't sit down at all. McCloskey and Chuck Daly stood in the middle, and Zhou Quan, Joe Dumars, and the Assassin were on both sides of the two.
At this time, McCloskey picked up a microphone on the podium, coughed and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, before the press conference, I would like to announce something on behalf of the Detroit Pistons."
After everyone's attention turned to him, he said very seriously: "Starting today, our team officially welcomes a new leader. He will be the leader of the Pistons locker room and also our leader on the court. core."
"Oh, has Iron Fist officially taken over?"
"He has long been the leader of the Pistons. Regardless of his performance on the court, his personality, influence, popularity, and leadership ability in the locker room, Joe Dumars cannot suppress him."
"Then his status in the Pistons is higher than that of Laimbeer and the Assassins before."
"Isn't it a little impatient to officially take over before the season is over?"
Suddenly, there was a lot of discussion at the press conference.
McCloskey added: "The reason why we confirmed this matter so quickly is that firstly, we are very satisfied with Iron Fist's performance and we can't find anyone more suitable; secondly, I must confirm this matter before I retire. Indeed. I’m a little impatient, but who makes Iron Fist so good and I’m old?”
"Oh! Mr. McCloskey, are you retiring?" a reporter exclaimed.
"Yes, after the playoffs, I will officially retire."
McCloskey said this, pointing to Troy Weaver not far away and said: "My assistant, Mr. Troy Weaver, will take over my position, and he will become the new general manager of the Detroit Pistons."
The successive news made the media below busy, raising their hands to ask questions.
"OK, now enter the question period."
McCloskey put down the microphone, stepped back, and gave up the front position to Zhou Quan.
"Iron Fist..."
"Iron Fist..."
Many reporters couldn't wait for the cards to fall and asked their own questions.
Zhou Quan responded calmly and handled the somewhat chaotic scene.
…
On the 7th, the media reported the news of Zhou Quan's ascension one after another, and even the game news was suppressed.
"The Pistons will become the most violent locker room in the league. Someone will suppress the locker room with fists, and he is the Iron Fist." New York Daily News.
"With the strong style of Iron Fist, the Detroit Pistons locker room will welcome a true Iron Fist (power) tyrant." Los Angeles Daily News.
"Iron Fist swears to inherit the original team training, and the Pistons will continue to be tenacious, tough, iron-blooded and fearless." The Detroit Daily News.
"Iron Fist publicly announced that any violent behavior will be prohibited in the Pistons locker room, which will bring attraction to the Pistons. Newcomers will have the highest sense of security in the league in the Pistons locker room." Detroit Sports News.
These news have disappointed some concerned people.
The Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round and were almost swept by the Trail Blazers. The team has reached a time when it must seek to rebuild.
General manager Jerry West has always hoped to bring Zhou Quan back to Los Angeles, but this news disappointed him very much.
Trading a best rookie is completely different from trading a team's boss. The first is the possibility of trading.
Almost no team will trade a leader in his prime unless the management has lost confidence in the team leader.
Charles Barkley, for example, was in his prime, but Philadelphia had put him on the shelf because the front office had lost faith in him.
As for trading a leader who is growing rapidly during reconstruction, it is even more impossible. That is almost not for sale.
The Pistons have promoted Zhou Quan to the position of team leader and have no intention of trading him.
Of course, it's not 100%. If the Bulls are willing to trade Jordan, the Pistons should agree, or trade weekly rights for a super center, which is also possible.
But the Lakers have neither.
In other words, it is almost impossible for the Lakers to trade Zhou Quan now.
Jerry West sighed as he thought about the upcoming lottery ceremony.
This year's No. 1 pick, O'Neal, is a big guy who makes him drool. It's a pity that the Lakers didn't even have the chance to participate in the lottery ceremony. He regretted that he didn't perform well this season.
The Lakers have a tradition of center, and Magic Johnson can also play center. Johnson won his first championship as a center. Compared with Zhou Quan, he is actually more willing to get O'Neal.
Even as Jerry West was disappointed, David Stern was thinking about things in New York.
What he is thinking about is the balance between east and west. He cannot make the Eastern Conference stronger and stronger, nor can he make the finals lose suspense.
Judging from the current situation, Zhou Quan's performance is very eye-catching. If the lineup is strengthened and a star or two high-quality role players are introduced, the Pistons seem to have the possibility of revival, which will undoubtedly strengthen the strength of the Eastern Conference.
This time the Pistons have promoted Zhou Quan to the position of team leader, which will undoubtedly speed up the Pistons' revival, which is detrimental to his balanced strategy.
He had an idea before, because the conflict between Jordan and Zhou Quan was very serious, to the point of violence off the court, and the Battle of Auburn Hills almost destroyed the brand he wanted to hold up, so he wanted to separate Jordan and Zhou Quan. , the best thing is to get Zhou Quan to the west.
But now, this idea has become unfeasible, and it is basically impossible for the Pistons to agree.
Of course, it is not impossible to operate. As long as the chips are enough, there is still a chance.
For example, super center Olajuwon, such as Barkley, he does not believe that the Pistons management has no idea about these two superstars in their prime.
Olajuwon has a deep conflict with the Mosaic management. He didn't even make the playoffs this time, and talks about renewing his contract in advance fell through. Can he be brought to the Pistons and swap teams with Zhou Quan?
Barkley, Philadelphia is determined to trade. Can they conduct a three-way trade to send Zhou Quan to the West?
He thought about the Lakers. Magic retired due to illness this season. The Lakers must rebuild, so whether it is Da Meng, Zhou Quan, or Barkley, they should be the people the Lakers hope to get.
The Lakers' ball market is what the league needs, and he also hopes that the Lakers can complete their reconstruction as soon as possible.
That night, the Bulls defeated the Celtics for the second time, and the Trail Blazers also defeated the Suns for the second time. Each won two consecutive home games, and they were full of momentum.
Jordan's performance was not as good as in the previous game. He made 12 of 24 shots, 3 of 8 free throws, and scored 27 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. His shooting percentage was 50%, and his true shooting percentage was only 49.1%, mainly due to inaccurate free throws.
The Bulls were 10 rebounds behind the Green Team, grabbing only 32 rebounds in the game.
They lost a lot of ball rights in rebounding alone, and Jordan's efficiency was not very high. The Bulls were able to win because of their suffocating perimeter defense. They forced the Green Team to make 23 turnovers in the game. 11 times, thus gaining a lot of ball rights and making up for the lost ball rights on rebounds.
The Trail Blazers scored 129 points in this game. Six players scored in double figures, three of whom scored 20 points or more. They were extremely strong, especially with unlimited offensive firepower.
The leader of the Suns, Lightning Kevin Johnson, scored a game-high 35 points with a shooting percentage of 47.4%. Two people on the team scored 20+ points, and five people scored in double figures. They scored 119 points, but they were still defeated by the Trail Blazers.
"Our offensive firepower is still some distance away from them." After watching the game, Joe Dumas said.
Rodman smiled and said: "Don't worry, Joe, we can't touch them."
Zhou Quan put away his smile and sneered: "The Bulls' strength, apart from Jordan's offense, is their perimeter defense, but this is also our strongest point. If we are allowed to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, as long as we dare If you dare to fight hard, who will win, and who can make the reservation?"
"Iron Fist, he wants to sweep us away again, doesn't he want to donate half a million dollars?" The assassin perked up and immediately reminded him coldly.
"We had two wins and three losses in the regular season, and Michael Jordan didn't know how he could have the confidence to sweep us." Rodman was also unconvinced.
"Dennis, how is your injury?" Zhou Quan asked.
Rodman looked bitter and said helplessly: "There is no chance to recover in the playoffs. It is good and bad, and the past two days have not been very good."
This cast a shadow on everyone's mind. If Rodman's rebounding was not guaranteed, let alone the Bulls, they would not be sure of the Cavaliers in front of them.
(End of chapter)
