After the Clippers announced the trade, public opinion was in an uproar.
Sterling crazy?
The second-year Sugarman played in 80 games, played 31 minutes, averaged 9.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. He finally made something.
Seeing that this No. 1 pick has the possibility of standing up, he is only 25 years old and has just started playing basketball in college. There is still a high probability that he will be able to play. The growth period of the center is long.
Not to mention that his performance has gotten better this year, and his rookie season was so poor, many teams still offered Olowokandi in the summer of 1999, but they either wanted nothing to lose, or the salary offered was too high. , those offers were rejected by Sterling.
As a result, this time the Clippers gave him away for a lottery ticket that they hadn't started scratching yet!
Jermaine O'Neal, a high school rookie, has been in the NBA for four years and has played less than 400 minutes in total. Not only has he been forgotten, he is also close to being unknown.
Last season as a fourth grader, he averaged 3.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in 12 minutes per game. Almost all of his data was obtained in garbage time. In the eyes of the public, he was already ruined by the Trail Blazers.
The latest news from the Trail Blazers is that Sabonis has the idea of retiring due to the impact of a knee injury.
Last season, the Trail Blazers were able to reach the tiebreaker with the Lakers. Sabonis's defense at the basket was indispensable. Once he retires, it will have a fatal impact on the strength of the Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers have been looking for a center to replace Sabonis since the beginning of the draft, but they have no space and no high-ranking draft picks, and they have encountered obstacles everywhere.
At this time, the Clippers sent a second-year center who was 213 centimeters tall and weighed 122 kilograms, averaging 9.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game to the Trail Blazers, and only got back a fringe player who averaged less than 4+4 per game.
Some experts suggested that the NBA investigate Sterling and Paul Allen. He suspected that Paul Allen secretly gave money to Sterling.
This statement has been supported by many people. A rich person, a greedy person who loves to take advantage and is stingy really seem like a person who can do this.
…
Li Ao just said that, but he didn't expect it to come back.
Not too surprising, the Trail Blazers are worried about the center position.
He averaged 10 minutes per game in his rookie year, 13 minutes per game in his second year, and only 8 minutes per game in the shortened season. After each season, O'Neal was clamoring to leave, but he couldn't.
In 1999, O'Neal Jr.'s rookie contract expired and he was free. He felt that the sky was wide and the sky was free for him to fly. As a result, he went out for a tour and found that almost all other teams offered him a basic salary. Some teams offered him an annual salary of 3 million, but it was not guaranteed.
After barely playing in three years, no one was optimistic about Milicic, the No. 2 pick in the NBA at the same age, let alone the 17th overall pick from high school.
In the end, Paul Allen offered a four-year, $24 million contract extension, and O'Neal ran back to play garbage time.
O'Neal has been abandoned for four years. Only a few people with sharp eyes think that he still has talent. Even Paul Allen feels that O'Neal has been abandoned at this time. Otherwise, Sabonis wants to retire. Tianzun and Pippen will take the lead, and just let O'Neal take the position.
Li Ao remembers that Big Bird seems to be preparing to use Dale Davis, a center who has just been selected as an All-Star, as a bargaining chip to trade for O'Neal.
Using Olowokandi to compete with Dale Davis, Li Ao thought it would be futile when he first thought of this, but after thinking about it carefully, he felt that there was still something to be done. In the Trail Blazers, O'Neal had just averaged 38 points per game. For a center with 16.7 rebounds, if other options arise, the probability of the Trail Blazers rejecting the trade with the Pacers is still higher.
Dale Davis was selected as an All-Star, but it does not mean that he really has All-Star ability. Last season, he averaged 10 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
Top offensive rebounders, averaging 3.5 offensive rebounds per game last season, but defensive rebound protection has always been poor. The average defensive rebounds reached 6 times only twice in the season. Last season, the Pacers averaged 42.1 rebounds per game. But he averaged 43.2 rebounds per game.
The defense is good but far from the best defensive line. Playing center and power forward, the defense is outside the top five.
This is a high-quality blue-collar player with first-class defensive ability and excellent offensive rebounding, but his strength has little to do with All-Stars.
The main reason why he can be selected as an All-Star is that there is no center in the Eastern Conference. Apart from Mourning and Mutombo, he is the only one.
In the past two years and the next few years, any center in the Eastern Conference who can average a double-double will basically make the All-Star list.
In terms of transaction value, the 31-year-old Dale Davis has averaged 10+10+1 per game, which is the most glorious year of his career. As a purely defensive player, his statistics and abilities cannot be better. Every year is worse than the last.
And Olowokandi is 25 years old. Although he is in good health, he still seems to be on the rise.
The main reason is that there is a precedent.
The No. 1 pick in 1989, Perves Allison, averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds per game in his rookie year, even better than Olowokandi. He was sold by the Kings after his rookie year. He almost didn’t ask for anything in return, just for the sake of it. Get rid of his five-year, $12 million contract, which was considered a maximum salary at the time.
As a result, Perves Allison suddenly went berserk in his third grade, averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Let each team send the same chips and choose one from Olowokandi or Dale Davis. It is estimated that the majority will choose the former.
As for the Trail Blazers, with the character shown by Paul Allen's past operations, regardless of whether he feels that O'Neal has been crippled, he is more willing to send him to a non-rival team. , a team like the Clippers is undoubtedly the best choice, and no matter how talented players are, they will rot.
Don't think about this anymore, Li Ao turned his attention back to himself.
Little O'Neal finally broke free from the cage and opened his eyes. Li Ao knew that this talented high school student who had been idle for 4 years definitely wanted to show himself to the fullest.
Li Ao likes this kind of aggressive teammates.
But, do you have to sign a contract now?
Although I know that the Clippers are doing these things, they are just pretending to die to force you to death, but they did meet his signing requirements.
Now his environment is much better.
No one from the Clippers players should be blind enough to mess with him, he is very reasonable.
Now the Clippers management has given away Olowokandi, a half-scratch lottery ticket, which is equivalent to confirming his status in the team.
He decided to check it out first, and if he wasn't happy with his stay, just apply for a deal.
…
The enthusiasm for the Clippers' trade did not last long, and people's attention was stolen by another team.
The Magic announced two signings in a row!
The Magic offered Hill the maximum salary, but the Pistons did not retain him. They used Hill's bird rights as a bargaining chip to exchange for players such as Chucky Atkins and Ben Wallace.
Hill's original maximum salary offer of 25% of the salary cap was raised to 30% of the salary cap, with a starting salary of US$9.66 million, totaling US$93 million over seven years.
In another signing, the Magic offered McGrady, who ranked fourth in last season's Sixth Man of the Year competition, a six-year, $67.5 million offer. McGrady immediately accepted it and fled north without looking back.
In addition to announcing the signings of Hill and McGrady, the Magic also revealed that their meeting with Duncan was very successful, and they will next enter the contract details communication stage with Duncan.
This move by the Magic has received polarizing reviews.
Both Hill and Duncan were reimbursed at the end of last season, and both were seriously injured. Both injuries have a great impact on athletic ability.
But if both of their injuries are healed, people will think they are no worse than the OK combination!
Although McGrady has a big contract, he averaged 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks per game last season, which is much better than Pippen at the same age.
The birth of the strongest team or the birth of an injured team has become the hottest topic at the moment.
The Clippers only ignited a small fire in the free market, and the Magic detonated this lively summer.
On July 18th, Li Ao left Los Angeles and came to Santa Ana.
This is the capital of Orange County in the greater Los Angeles area. It is a small place with a good environment. It is mainly agricultural and its main product is oranges. This year, the Southern California Summer League was chosen to be held here.
Li Ao is very interested in this summer league because the Chinese men's basketball team has participated in this event. Hu Weidong also competed against Kobe in this event. He seemed to have scored several three-pointers against Kobe.
At noon, Li Ao came to a B&B area where fruit picking was a selling point. All participating teams in the Southern California Summer League were arranged to stay here.
He was just about to ask someone where the Clippers lived when he heard a greeting.
"Leo, here."
Li Ao followed the sound and saw that Gentry was walking quickly towards him, and he also went up to meet him.
"Leo, you...well, why did you come so late?" Gentry said his words carefully.
"I came here as soon as I got off the plane. The taxi driver was driving so fast. It took only 40 minutes to get there in one hour. How much faster could it be?"
"That's not what I'm talking about. I'm asking why you rested for so long. The injury on your hand must have healed long ago."
"Uh... wasn't I suspended? I have been training these days, and I also want to play games early. I will come over as soon as the suspension is over."
Gentry: (￣┏Д┓￣°*)
Does this guy take the suspension seriously?
It seems like he really takes it seriously!
Gentry didn't know what to say for a moment. He thought Li Ao was showing off, but it turned out that he was training every day.
He didn't think Li Ao was lying about this. After all, he was the one who started practicing hard after ten days of playing Mad San.
This violent handsome guy seems to be different from what he thought.
Don't think about this anymore, the CPU is about to smoke.
He led Li Ao to his residence and said: "Even if you are suspended, you can still participate in team training. Your style of play is mainly without the ball. You need to conduct more training with your teammates to find a tacit understanding faster."
"You didn't tell me earlier!"
Hey, I have such a bad temper, you can criticize me for every word I say.
Gentry became angry and retorted: "You didn't even ask!"
After saying that, Gentry regretted it. What should he do if he was beaten? Why did the boss choose the most remote corner for them to live? A room is only a few dollars away. Are you so stingy? Now if he was beaten, no one might even call an ambulance...
"Oh, yes, I didn't ask, and you have no obligation to tell me."
Gentry: (O_o)?
Is that reasonable?
Wait, it seems that the beating of Olowokandi was not for no reason.
He could have gone to the Lakers, and the Lakers had the No. 5 pick ready, but he was intercepted by the Clippers.
Who wouldn't be crazy to blame this matter on?
At this time, Olowokandi ran to provoke him. Wasn’t he looking for a beating?
Suddenly, Gentry jerked awake.
wrong!
My brain is going crazy! I actually sympathized with this violent handsome guy!
…
There is a small square at the corner of the B&B area.
There are three full-court basketball courts in the square.
There are several houses located around the square, which look very beautiful. They are surrounded by fruit trees and the roadside is covered with flowers and plants. It is so beautiful.
Since the de-manufacturing in the greater Los Angeles area, places like Orange County have benefited the most. After the environment improved, they have become a famous rural tourist destination in California.
Clippers players, assistant coaches, and trainers were bragging and spanking in the square, and it was very lively.
The arrival of the two people made everyone quiet down.
Naturally, Gentry is not quiet because of the arrival of head coach Gentry. Gentry's coaching style is not serious. Why should he be serious in the Clippers? He can just get along happily with his teammates. After being an assistant coach for 20 years, he Very good at getting along with the team members.
Everyone on the Clippers, from players to assistants to trainers, all focused their attention on Li Ao.
This scene seemed familiar to Li Ao.
He glanced around, and they were all the same group of people he saw in the locker room last time, players on rookie contracts, rookies, undrafted players, and players not playing in the NBA, except that Olowokandi became O'Neal Jr.
None of the veterans are here, such as newcomer Greg Anthony.
Li Ao smiled and said: "Hello, I am Li Ao, my English name is Leo. I have been practicing basketball for almost a year. I think you all know me. I hope we can get along happily in the future."
Teammates: 0ДQQДO
The teammates stared at each other.
Recalling the image of that day...Shadow!
Real psychological shadow!
The one who has the biggest shadow is Odom. He had nightmares for several days. He was also involved in the incident of teasing the rookie. He bought more than a dozen water guns and sprayed Li Ao's face. It was him who suggested it and he also ordered it. He got popcorn, ketchup...even the basin of water from the bathroom.
I just didn’t expect that Olowokandi would choose the most insulting way to directly throw a pot in someone’s face.
He asked to play in the water. If this violent handsome guy found out about this, he felt like he was going to get cold. He wanted to carry the plane and run away all night. After a few days, Li Ao didn't come to the door, so he slowly Relax.
They were actually just talking about how arrogant Li Ao would be when he came, and what they could do. The last person who was beaten had been carried away overnight, so they just had to endure it.
In this life of a person, patience will pass. Anyway, the salary will not be less.
But what about self-introduction?
This sunny and cheerful smile is different from what they thought!
Get along happily? Is this what this guy should say?
Now there are two pictures popping up on the heads of the teammates. One is Li Ao holding down Olowokandi and knocking the opponent unconscious, and the other is Li Ao's sunny boy's smile...
The CPU is collectively smoking...
Li Ao touched his nose, okay, no one paid attention to him.
It doesn't matter, let's get along slowly...Eh?
He saw a bald man with a round head running in front of him. This seemed to be Big Q!
Quentin Richardson took Li Ao's backpack and suitcase and said, "Leo, your room is over there. I'll take you to see it. I asked the waiter to clean it again this morning."
Teammates: Vaco! What a bitch!
(End of chapter)
