The Clippers completed their first dynasty in the 21st century. The Clippers' nickname officially changed from 'Battleship' to 'Aircraft Carrier', rather than what Clippers fans call themselves.
Li Ao, who only turns 23 in more than a month, has already completed two single-season MVP+FMVP and three consecutive FMVP achievements.
When eight-time champion Jordan retired last summer, everyone believed that his deity was so solid that it was unshakable, including Clippers fans. After all, Jordan was also a 'Clippers star'.
But now, people have discovered that Jordan's divinity may not be so stable.
Because the Clippers are very likely to do something that only the Celtics have done - surpass three consecutive championships!
The Clippers won the championship this season, which is very different from the Bulls' two and three consecutive championships.
When the Bulls completed three consecutive championships for the first time in 1993, even if Jordan did not retire, it would be difficult for the Bulls to continue to win the championship. The Bulls' record in the 1992-93 season dropped by 10 games compared to the 91-92 season, and veterans continued to suffer injuries. Pippen, one of the two core players, has also declined a lot. When compared to the second championship, Pippen's scoring, defense, passing, shooting percentage... all declined.
This was especially true when the Bulls completed three consecutive championships for the second time in 1998. The 1997-98 season was Jordan's single-core championship season. That season, Pippen only played 44 games in the regular season and Longley only played 58 games... …
But this Clippers team is very different now.
Jordan retired and left as a free agent. The exchange for Kidd emptied out the role players from the previous two championships. This made the Clippers' dynasty road extremely bumpy and made Li Ao's third championship full of gold... At the same time, it also Make the Clippers full of 'life'.
Seeing the list of the main lineup of the Clippers' championship, fans suddenly discovered that the Clippers' third championship in three consecutive championships can be regarded as the first championship!
For the Clippers, they have completed three consecutive championships.
But for the core lineup of Kidd, Li Ao, O'Neal Jr., and Odom, they can really be regarded as having just won the 'first championship' with a brand new lineup of role players!
Their system and cooperation methods are all brand new!
For opponents, this is also a brand new team. Their understanding of this Clippers team is far less than that of the Clippers during the two consecutive championships.
Moreover, the backcourt core of Kidd and Li Ao, coupled with the more mature O'Neal and Odom, are more attractive to veterans and powerful role players who aspire to win the championship than during the Shenxiagui era!
Looking at this Clippers team, fans came up with an idea - the dynasty can be more than three consecutive championships!
Such an idea seems crazy to fans, but they think it is indeed possible!
Celtics fans want to vomit blood - what did their team do in those two years?
The Celtics originally sent two high-quality role players, Kevin Willis and Mark Blount, to the Clippers, who helped the Clippers win the first and second championships. Now they are poaching them. Big hole.
The greatness of eight consecutive championships may be shaken... No, if the Clippers surpass three consecutive championships, the greatness of eight consecutive championships will definitely be shaken!
During the Celtics' eight consecutive championships, there were only 8 teams in the NBA. When the Celtics won their last 11 championships in 2013, there were only 14 teams.
The current NBA has 29 teams, and next season it will be 30.
The difficulty of winning four consecutive championships in this era is definitely more difficult than eight consecutive championships in that era!
…
At 8 pm on the 28th, the annual NBA draft begins.
The Hornets have always been high-spirited, the kind of people whose ambitions are as high as the sky but whose destiny is as thin as paper.
In the eyes of their boss, ordinary All-Stars are not worthy of being the core of their team. In the 16 years of their team history, only Alonzo Mourning has been favored by their boss. The other players are Larry Johnson and Anthony Jr. -Mason, Divac, Kendall Gill, Glen Rice...and most recently Baron Davis were all asked to be sold by their owners during their formative years or primes because they could not see themselves becoming superstars. possible.
This year's No. 1 pick is Emeka Okafor of the UConn Huskies, who is recognized as the most capable and mature player in this draft.
But when the Hornets got the No. 1 pick, most media felt that Okafor was out of business.
This time the media predicted correctly, the first name David Stern read was high school student Dwight Howard.
The Hornets have a clear idea of selection-even if the gamble will fail, they must choose the most talented one.
The Sonics, with the second overall pick, did not select Okafor, but instead selected another high school student, Shaun Livingston.
Kwame Brown did not become the No. 1 pick in high school. Under the patient care of Popovich, who is good at polishing rookies, he became a first-class center with top single defense, top assist defense, and outstanding rebounding. He has the possibility of becoming a top center.
Although James was criticized during his rookie season, everyone still recognized his talent and strength.
Plus the original Garnett, Kobe, McGrady, O'Neal...
The Sonics have gathered a bunch of role players and are looking forward to getting talent.
The Bulls with the third pick wanted to select Okafor, but they already had two high school centers. In the end, they chose another talent from UConn-Ben Gordon.
Okafor, who had been hyped as the No. 1 pick for a year, was dumbfounded. He actually fell out of the top three picks!
With the fourth pick, Bobcats executive president Jordan was ecstatic to take Okafor.
It was impossible for the owner of the Hornets to sell the No. 1 pick, and the owner of the Sonics had a bad relationship with Jordan. Jordan was worried because he couldn't give out gifts. He didn't expect that Okafor was selected in the end!
Unlike other teams where players are interviewed after the draft, for Jordan, it was his first time to participate in the draft as a small owner, and NBA officials chose to interview him.
Jordan said excitedly to the camera: "We drafted the next Tim Duncan, and our team is off to a perfect start!"
Li Ao was stunned in front of the TV, and Boss Qiao's vision was simply amazing.
Okafor is definitely not bad, but if the expectation for this already complete college talent is to become a player like Duncan... sometimes it is better not to say anything.
The Suns selected the Trojans' new Final Four MOP Andre Iguodala with the 5th pick... At the 27th pick, the Clippers selected Trey, who was predicted to be around the 10th pick in the second round. Ariza.
Although 2004 is not a bad year for the draft, at this position, there is nothing to choose from.
Originally, Li Ao wanted to steal the goal of his next door neighbor. After discussion, Li Ao, Kidd, Gentry, and Wally Walker all felt good about the shooting stability shown by Slovenian pitcher Vujacic in the international arena.
However, because Li Ao "predicted" possible rule changes by the league, and several colleagues at the meeting felt that it was very possible, he finally decided to choose a swingman who can run and defend.
Ariza is a UCLA player, and the Clippers' scouting department is very familiar with him. He is physically strong and willing to play hard. His ability is insufficient in the early stage, but he needs a tough substitute at forward and back to help Gerald Wallace. It's still possible, that way there won't be any need for Li Ao to serve as a 'substitute' for Gerald Wallace.
And for slow-motion pitchers, they already have Kapono. If Kapono is taken away by Boss Joe in the next two days, then if there is really a shortage of spot-up pitchers, Li Ao can also take over.
With Kidd, Li Ao is already the historical ceiling for off-ball pitchers.
Varejao is also a good choice, but the Clippers already have a recruiting target for the center position this summer, and there are more than one. They have to free up the center substitute position, otherwise the opponent will see that you have selected another rookie center and worry. You get no screen time here.
With the 28th pick in the second round, the Clippers selected Ricky Minard of the Trojans. With this pick, there was really no one else to choose from. Wally Walker selected a sophomore from the same city team. In the draft, at least local fans can have some impression of this player... but there is a high probability that they will not sign him unless he proves that he is a hidden talent in the summer league.
On the second day of the draft, it was time for the Bobcats to select.
The Clippers put Kidd, Li Ao, Yaric, Gerald Wallace, Odom, O'Neal Jr., Matt Halprin, and Eddie House on the eight-man protection list.
As expected by Li Ao, their backup shooting guards Bobby Simmons and Drobiak were picked away by Boss Joe.
He is quite heartbroken, but Drobiak is okay, and it can be regarded as boss Joe helping them free up the center position.
Bobby Simmons averaged 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game this season. His offense is online and his defense is active. After being abandoned by the Wizards for two years, he can still have such a game attitude and good psychological quality. Such a substitute, The Clippers need it.
But they really don't have any more protection spots. Boss Joe will definitely pick away the most effective player outside their 8-man protection list.
Even if it's not suitable, even if he doesn't want it, the Clippers star wants to maximize the weakening of his old club.
Compared to the Lakers and Celtics, Boss Joe doesn't want to see his old club continue to win the championship.
Although the relationship is good, Li Ao is quite aware of his old teammate's peeing.
Fortunately, Li Ao was prepared and asked Kidd to recruit a backup shooting guard.
The main backup at the back line and the main backup at the center were picked up, Glenn Rice's contract expired, and the Clippers gave up Robert Traylor's second-year team option.
The Clippers currently have 10 players left and two unsigned rookies.
Point guard: Kidd, Jaric.
Shooting guards: Li Ao, Eddie House.
Small forward: Gerald Wallace, Kapono, Matt Barnes.
Power forward: Matt Halprin, Odom.
Center: O'Neal Jr.
The Bobcats selected a bunch of low-salary players and raised the salary to 14 million US dollars. The selection process was ended. The rosters of each team were stable. The options that should be exercised were executed, and the players that should be given up were given up... Quickly The fleet is awaiting the start of the free market on July 1st.
On June 30, NBA owners held a regular meeting, and the main topic was the division of new divisions.
With the addition of the Bobcats, the number of NBA teams increased to 30. The league divided the 30 teams into 6 divisions, still divided into east and west divisions, with each division having 3 divisions.
Pacific Division: Clippers, Lakers, Kings, Suns, Warriors.
Northwest Division: Trail Blazers, Nuggets, Timberwolves, SuperSonics, Jazz.
Southwest Division: Mavericks, Spurs, Rockets, Grizzlies, Hornets. The Hornets are officially divided into the Western Conference.
Southeast Division: Hawks, Heat, Magic, Wizards, Bobcats.
Central Division: Bulls, Cavaliers, Pistons, Pacers, Bucks.
Atlantic Division: Celtics, Nets, Knicks, 76ers, Raptors.
The schedule rules have changed. Each team will play against teams in its own division 4 times during the regular season, 3-4 times against other teams in the same division, and twice against teams in different divisions.
The record ranking rules have also been adjusted. In the past, only the top two in the division were fixed. Now the top three in the division are also fixed. The first place in each division automatically occupies the top three in the division. The first place in the division is ranked according to the record.
In other words, the top team in the non-division will only be ranked fourth in the East and West from the new season.
The division of the new divisions will reduce the frequency of one situation - the Western Conference Finals becoming a civil war in Angel City.
There is also the need to put an end to the situation where three of the top four teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences come from the same division.
At the end of the meeting, a new rule was adopted - high zone defense prohibits overhand confrontation.
Kidd was shocked when he saw the news.
Spider-Man actually 'predicted' right!
Although Spider-Man thought it was very possible when he analyzed the new rules a few days ago, he was still shocked when the prediction came true.
Spider-Man's understanding of basketball and his ability to predict the development of the NBA are simply amazing!
It's scary to be against such a genius, but fortunately he is a teammate...
The media said that this new rule is conducive to breakthroughs and counterattacks. High-position defense is no longer allowed, making breakthroughs much easier.
During the counterattack, you can't block until the opponent's free throw line, and it will definitely be easier to counterattack.
But Kidd feels that this rule does more damage to defense than that. He sees that there are more and more players who are good at three-pointers in the league. Most of the outsiders who have just entered the NBA can make three-pointers, and even many insiders have the ability to shoot from long range.
You can't use it to prevent breakthroughs, and you can't use it to prevent shots. It will also be easier to hit three-pointers in isolation and three-pointers after catching the ball.
Breakthrough, counterattack...
There are also three-pointers in singles and three-pointers after catching the ball... Kidd was down for a while when he thought about this.
Is the league cutting back on defense, or strengthening Spider-Man?
…
On July 1st, the free market opened, and the league announced a new salary cap. Compared with last summer, it was $350,000 less...
9/11 did not cause the NBA's revenue to decline, and the Internet bubble did not affect the NBA's revenue growth. As a result, the iron-blooded play reduced the NBA's revenue by more than 20 million US dollars.
Big things happen on the first day of the free market.
The Jazz signed Carlos Boozer for six years and $68 million.
The Cavaliers' efforts to acquire top free agents such as Larry Hughes and Garnett in the offseason have not yet begun. They first lost a power forward who averaged 15+11 per game.
Originally, Boozer signed a 2+1 rookie contract with a third-year team option in the summer of 2002. Boozer's agent lobbied the Cavaliers management to give up the third-year team option and renew Boozer's contract with a high salary in advance. Zell, the reason is that Boozer may be an All-Star after one more year of playing, and then the price will not be the same as it is now.
As soon as the Cavaliers management heard that it made sense, they waived the team option.
There is nothing wrong with the operation of the Cavaliers management, but the problem is that giving up the team option is equivalent to giving up the matching rights of the home team. It would be fine if no other team intervenes, but after the Jazz received the news, in the free market As soon as it started, Boozer's agent Pelinka was given a sub-maximum salary contract.
Pelinka tricked the Cavaliers into renewing his contract with a high salary early just to get more money earlier. Now that other teams are offering more money, he immediately runs away with Boozer.
Boozer's "anti-bone boy" incident kicked off this crazy summer.
However, the excitement of this matter did not last long, and big news came soon from Angel City.
The Lakers renewed Kobe's contract with a seven-year, US$136 million contract, and renewed O'Neal's contract in advance with a five-year, US$100 million contract.
If no deal occurs, the duo will stay together until 2010.
Many teams are waiting to introduce O'Neal in the summer of 2005. Each team believes that even if O'Neal is 33 years old by then, he will still be the number one center in the league. With O'Neal's style of play, it will not be a big problem to continue for three or four years. The five-year maximum salary will definitely not be a loss.
There are rumors that O'Neal wants US$130 million in five years. With more than 11 years of playing experience, he can start with a salary of more than US$20 million at most, and his final year's salary can reach US$30.52 million, becoming the second player in NBA history. A player with an annual salary of over $30 million.
When O'Neal asked for this price, other teams felt that their chance to get the Sharks had arrived!
Although the Sharks have fallen from their peak three or four years, they are still the Sharks. The Magic are unwilling to give the 24-year-old Shark 100 million, while other teams are willing to give the 33-year-old Shark 100 million.
The Sharks chose to accept a salary cut and completed a contract extension with the Lakers with an average annual salary of US$20 million with no increase, which was beyond many people's expectations.
The enthusiasm for the free market next year will cool down by 60% a year ahead of schedule.
Some media speculated that O'Neal wanted to defeat the basic skills and Spider-Man, and did not want to be a deserter. That would be too shameful.
Some media also speculated that O'Neal was unable to get more than 100 million U.S. dollars by changing teams, so it would be easier to stay with the team and partner with Payton and Kobe. He has dragged down the Lakers' mid-level contract group for four years, and now he has All have expired, and there is no need to look for veterans with minimum salaries like last summer. Instead, they can compete for talented players.
Kupchak's signing operation last summer was highly sought after, but in fact it was difficult for a clever woman to make a plan without rice. If there are conditions to sign someone who is strong, young and suitable, who would sign a veteran who only has the advantage of being suitable?
In the past two seasons, some teams began to wait for O'Neal, such as the SuperSonics, because the OK team had a bad relationship.
But after the Clippers dominated the league, the relationship between OK and OK quickly recovered, and they had a common enemy.
For the OK group, the hatred they had when they were killed by sophomore Duncan was secondary.
Who is the strongest duo between OK and KILL is what they care about most right now.
The OK group has renewed their contracts, the "Angel City duo" pattern continues, and the trend of stars traveling eastward continues.
Garnett rejected the Suns' offer to sign and trade Marion to form the "Twin Towers for High School Students" and joined the Wizards to join hands with Hamilton and Brand.
Garnett's new contract is worth $86 million over five years, a non-bird-rights maximum salary contract for veterans with 7-10 years of experience.
The Timberwolves wanted to sign and trade with the Wizards so that Garnett could get the maximum contract under the Bird Rights of $120 million over six years, but Garnett refused.
After nine years of earning nothing in his career, Garnett understood that teammates are more important than getting two to three million dollars more every year... mainly because five years of $86 million is also the maximum salary, and he has already earned 120 million with the Timberwolves. , the total salary has exceeded 200 million U.S. dollars. Now he is 28 years old and signed a 5-year contract. By 2009, at the age of 33, he may be able to get another 5-year, 100 million U.S. dollars contract like O'Neal. At the age of 34, Hard to say.
While introducing Garnett, the Wizards sent Steve Blake and Edon Thomas, and acquired 35-year-old veteran Sam Cassell from the Magic.
Magic players, under the leadership of TT, have great respect for Cassel, but the early contract extension given by the Magic management still made Cassel feel the malice of the world. With 12 million US dollars in three years, he was stuck. Serge refused.
Then the Magic traded him for Blake. The Wizards had space and they could save some salary.
With the introduction of Cassell and Garnett, the Wizards became the upstarts in the Eastern Conference!
Brand has always played as a center. Although he is only 203 centimeters tall, he weighs 125 kilograms. On the defensive end, he usually stays under the basket and lets the center partner out. This fits well with Garnett, who is not good at defending at the basket. .
On July 7, the Mavericks made a big move, sending Anthony Walker to the Hawks in exchange for Jason Terry.
After acquiring Terry, the Mavericks refused to give Nash a three-year, $30 million contract extension, and were only willing to give Nash a three-year, $21 million contract. Cuban said he would give up his Bird Rights if he didn't sign.
Nash left angrily and accepted Colangelo Jr.'s invitation to join the Suns for $55 million over five years.
As if to show that he was not stingy, Cuban turned around and traded an expiring contract + a second-round pick for Eric Dampier from the Warriors at a price of US$73 million over seven years.
Subsequently, the Mavericks completed a three-way trade with the Bulls and Bucks, with Jamison as the core bargaining chip, in exchange for the Bulls' Stackhouse, the Bucks' Keith Van Horn, and the Bucks in the first round. Jameer Nelson, selected with the 19th overall pick...
The Mavericks consisted of Terry, Nelson, Stackhouse, Finley, Van Horn, Marquis Daniels, Josh Howard, Nowitzki, Alan Henderson, Shawn Bullard The lineup of Lee...
After the Suns acquired Nash, they spent $45 million over six years to sign Quentin Richardson, who averaged 17 points per game with the Nets last season.
The Suns formed a lineup of Nash, Big Q, Joe Johnson, Marion, Jr., Jim Jackson, Steven Hunter, and No. 5 overall pick Andre Iguodala.
The news of transactions and signings between these two teams was very popular. The whole early July was the news about these two teams.
Fans saw the operations of the two teams - what is this?
Compared with the Wizards' introduction of Garnett, the operations of these two teams were wildly ridiculed.
Haven't the Mavericks learned their lesson yet? Last year, two well-known top-salary players were brought in carelessly and suffered a big loss but haven't learned the lesson yet?
Nelson's understanding of the rules is much higher than ordinary people. He couldn't change the fact that Cuban didn't like Nash, but he still embraced the new rules and gave Cuban trading suggestions, creating the most offensive basketball system he thought they could create. line-up.
Little Colangelo...has a good father. After signing Nash, he crossed his legs and smiled while watching the news that mocked him.
The only regret he felt was that Garnett was frightened by the Angel City duo and sent to the East.
Otherwise, the pick-and-roll combination of Nash + Garnett, paired with a small bully and a group of pitchers, is a perfect match for the new era that is about to begin.
The big deal is not over yet. On July 12, a blockbuster deal took place in the Eastern Conference - the Bulls sent out Eddie Curry, No. 3 draft pick Ben Gordon, and Jamison, and acquired Vince Carter in exchange. And he took Antonio Davis's garbage contract with 2 years and $27 million left.
The Flyers are coming to the Bulls again!
The Lakers' operations are also here.
The Grizzlies successfully renewed Battier's contract at a low price, and Battier can return to the main position.
In this way, James Posey has become a salary burden for the Grizzlies. If the logo man sends him away, where should he send him?
The Lakers traded a first-round pick to acquire James Posey...another day of jumping around for Popovich.
After acquiring James Posey, the Lakers poached veteran P.J. Brown from the Hornets for $12 million over two years.
Payton, Kobe, James Posey, PJ Brown, O'Neal... Popovich looked at the incompetence of this lineup and became furious...
When it came to introducing free agents and trading, Kupchak was even more aggressive than his teacher. He felt that what the media said made sense. Kobe needed someone to carry the forward line, and O'Neal needed someone who could make mid-range shots and help defend. There was room. , then get it back.
The Trail Blazers picked up a lone wolf from the Suns for nothing. After half a season, the two parties broke up not very amicably.
Paul Allen had a bad temper and refused to give him a contract if he said he wouldn't. Marbury didn't lick his face and asked for a contract. After wandering around, he still didn't want to stay in the West. Los Angeles was a bit scary, so he went to the Bucks. During the trial, the Bucks management was overjoyed and offered him a three-year maximum salary contract with a starting salary of US$12.25 million and a total of US$39.96 million in three years.
Originally, the Bucks wanted to show respect for a long-term contract, but the 27-year-old Marbury wanted to sign for three years first and then renew the contract after he had the bird rights. By then, he would be an 11-year veteran and he would have the bird rights. With a bigger contract, the annual salary increase will be higher.
The Rockets once again waved. The dark circles under his eyes are getting heavier and the face is getting more and more haggard. The boss is interested in the whole league...
There is also a very explosive news. Kenyon Martin refused to renew his contract with the Nets and chose to reject the sign-and-trade deal offered by the Nets. It is said that the No. 1 pick in the 2000 class even changed his agent. I want to sign a one-year qualifying offer of US$7.2 million and become a completely free agent after the game.
The first two weeks of the free market have been particularly crazy, but fans are paying attention to these crazy transactions and signings, and are also curious about why there is no big movement on the aircraft carrier in Angel City?
But seeing that the Clippers already have four top- or sub-maximum-salary players in Li Ao, Kidd, Odom, and O'Neal Jr., I found that the Clippers really don't have the conditions to make big operations.
Fans have discussed whether the Clippers will use Odom and O'Neal as trading chips. Many teams are interested in these two people.
But the Clippers have won three consecutive championships. It is difficult to exchange for players of equal strength, and since it is an exchange of equal strength, it is better to keep these two people.
Is the four consecutive championships over? No, the Clippers' main lineup that won the championship last season, that is, Bobby Simmons and Drobiak were selected by Jordan. Those two are not irreplaceable.
If the Clippers continue to rest on their laurels, the health of the Clippers will be worrying next season regardless of whether their strength will decline.
The Kings have learned lessons from the past. The Kings, who are so good at playing 8-man basketball, only lasted two years.
At this time, people discovered the reason why the Clippers' signings in the past 2001 and 2002 offseasons were so smooth - there were many rookie contracts.
When Odom and O'Neal Jr. received big contracts last summer, and Bibby and two substitutes were exchanged for the top-paid Kidd, the conditions for the Clippers' signings became particularly difficult.
Moreover, the Clippers have won three consecutive championships and are heading towards four consecutive championships. The situation they face is unprecedentedly difficult.
On July 22, the Clippers finally made some noise, and it was unstoppable…
The Nets completed a buyout with Mutombo. Mutombo's last year of contract was more than 19 million U.S. dollars, but he only took 17 million U.S. dollars. The Nets will save more than 2 million U.S. dollars next summer.
The expiring contract is indeed a good bargaining chip, but it also depends on how big the contract is. Mutombo is not suitable for clearing space. It is too big.
On the night when the Nets bought out Mutombo, the Clippers officially announced that they had signed a contract with Mutombo, a partial mid-level contract worth US$3 million, totaling US$6.24 million over two years, with a player option for the second year.
After acquiring Mutombo, the Clippers used a one-year minimum salary to sign Antonio McDyess, who had only played more than 50 games in the past three seasons combined.
McDyess came back at the end of last season. In 20 games with the Suns, he averaged 5.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. The data was not great, but he shot an astonishing 51% of long two-pointers!
Three years ago, before his serious injury, McDyess was purely physical. Three years after his injury, he no longer had the same physical fitness that he once had, but he has improved his shooting skills and his style of play has completely changed to a floor style, which is unexpected. He is very accustomed to being a role player and has no airs of "I was an All-Star" at all.
The Lakers, Pistons, Wizards, Pacers and many other teams made offers to him.
Among them, the Lakers and Pistons were the most willing. One offered an offer of US$5 million over one year, and the other offered a full middle-class offer over two years.
But McDyess never made up his mind, and after the Clippers signed Mutombo, he made the choice he wanted.
Then, the Clippers used the remaining mid-level funds to sign Argentine guard Andres Nocioni for $6.9 million over three years and veteran point guard Kenny Anderson for one year's minimum salary.
Nocioni had already emerged in the 1999 Pan American Basketball Championship and attracted the attention of NBA teams.
In 2001, the 22-year-old Nocioni reached the age of automatic selection. Although many NBA teams were interested in him, because his contract with his old club was still very long, no team selected him, so he automatically became a free agent. players.
This year, Nocioni's contract with his old club ended and he was preparing to enter the NBA. The free market had just opened. Before he could decide where to go for a trial training, he received a call from Los Angeles. His favorite point guard god personally invited him to join. …
Kenny Anderson played as a substitute for the Pacers last season, averaging 5.6 points and 3.3 assists per game. This veteran with 13 years of experience has been favored by many teams. After all, as long as he has a basic salary, last season Bird signed him with a minimum salary.
This is not over yet. The Clippers waived part of Matt Barnes' guaranteed contract for next season, and Li Ao recommended him to the Knicks as a bodyguard for the Little Giant.
Li Ao told Barnes, it's not that you don't work hard or are not good, but that the current situation does not meet the team's current needs for substitutes. If you stay here, you will only be buried like Bobby Simmons.
Yao Ming accepted the recommendation from his seniors, but he only helped Barnes get a spot in the trial training.
The Knicks are also recruiting during the offseason. Although Alan Houston was reimbursed at the end of last season, resulting in the Knicks not being able to beat the Raptors in the first round, they have a big beard and a little giant, and they are also in the eyes of free agents. Sweet and sour food... Mainly because the boss is willing to spend money.
The addition of center Nazr Mohammed, who averaged 9 points and 7 rebounds per game last season, Maurice Taylor, who averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds per game, and Malik Rose, who averaged 7 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist per game, have given the Little Giants The helpers around me are full again.
The Knicks management prioritizes replenishing the inside line so that Yao Ming can play more easily. As for the outside line, there is nothing they can do for the time being. Alan Houston's 100 million yuan contract blocks their ability to take advantage of Yao Ming's rookie contract to introduce superstars, otherwise they will Go after Garnett.
Since Alan Houston is likely to be reimbursed for the new season, Dolan goes to Stern for tea every day after the boss's regular meeting.
Knicks coach Wilkens gave Yao Ming face and gave Barnes an extra trial.
After seeing Barnes' trial training, Wilkens immediately fell in love with this young player who was fierce in defense. His ability was still a bit lacking, but with his eyes and posture, Wilkens, who has been coaching for 30 years, confirmed that this player would have a bright future. Can be typed out.
But Wilkens was curious, why would the Clippers give up such a promising substitute player?
A team not only needs stars, role players are also very important. He doesn't believe that the Clippers, a dynasty team, will not understand this truth.
Soon he understood...
On July 26, the Clippers signed two players. One was Trevor Ariza, who had just been selected in the first round. The other was the best sixth man of the Bulls' second dynasty, European magician Tony Curry. Kochi!
At his peak, Kukoc could play all positions. As he got older, his positions gradually decreased. Now he mainly plays the third position, occasionally playing the fourth position, but not much. He is 208 centimeters tall but his weight has been reduced to 98 kilograms. He can't handle most power forwards. He will occasionally play shooting guard, but he is mainly a wing fixed-point shooter.
Kukoc averaged 8 points, 3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season. The Bucks wanted to keep him but couldn't. The Bulls, Heat, Suns, Pistons and Wizards are waiting for rising teams or championship-level teams. They all want to bring in this experienced veteran.
But Spider-Man came to visit in person, and the Clippers laid off the bench first, showing full respect. Kukoc said that his favorite superhero is Spider-Man, and he can compete with Spider-Man at the age when he is about to retire. It was something he had dreamed of doing.
After the free market opened, the Clippers were silent for three weeks. People, including Clippers fans, thought they would be as ineffective in signings this summer as last summer, but they spent a week shocking the league!
Kenny Anderson, Nocioni, Kukoc, Antonio McDyess, and Mutombo joined in, making the Clippers' second and third lineup extremely full!
Four consecutive championships are more attractive to veterans than the media and fans imagined!
It's not that there are no veterans who want to come to the Clippers, but the Clippers already have clear goals, and these goals are 4 of these 5 people.
Their primary goal is to compete for Alonzo Mourning. Mourning averaged 10.7 points, 7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game with the Celtics last season.
But unfortunately, he was snatched away by the Magic with a two-year mid-level contract.
The Magic also have a dual-core team that competes for the championship, and the salary offered is even higher, and the Clippers have not been able to steal it.
But the Nets gave an assist!
The 19 million Mutombo contract is a garbage contract, but 3 million a year... is not too good at all!
The core lineup of Kidd, Li Ao, O'Neal Jr. and Odom.
There are three high-quality role players in Jaric, Matt Halprin, and Eddie House.
Gerald Wallace's talent has begun to materialize, and newcomer Nocioni is also a mature young player.
McDyess has transformed into a much-anticipated floor player.
Kapono and Ariza are two first- and second-year substitutes.
Plus Kenny Anderson, Kukoc and Mutombo, three veterans who are still strong...
Clippers fans were naturally overjoyed. They had been suppressed for three weeks, watching helplessly as other teams made reinforcements and acted haphazardly, but there was no movement from their own team. Although they could understand the team's predicament, they could not understand it. It’s very frustrating... Now, they are infinitely arrogant!
As for fans of other teams, they couldn't be happier.
Fans of other teams are united as never before, and their goal for the new season is to siege the Angel City aircraft carrier across the league!
…
In the 2004-05 season, the Suns' 7-second offense took the NBA by storm, becoming the most popular phenomenal team just like the Kings back then.
The Suns ended up with a record of 62 wins and 20 losses. Although Nash did not defeat Kidd in the All-Star starting competition, he averaged 11.5 assists per game and defeated Kidd who averaged 10.6 assists per game and won the first assist title in his career.
Not only that, Nash also defeated Li Ao, who led the team to a record of 66 wins and 16 losses, and Garnett, who led the Wizards to 58 wins. He changed teams like a new student and won the regular season MVP in his first year... making Cuban a The object of ridicule.
But the Mavericks performed better than people expected this season. The unlimited singles style of play has become more perfect this season, and the defense has also improved. The Mavericks have played an integrated offensive and defensive performance. After Nelson and Cuban fell apart due to the issue of team shares, After resigning, young general Avery Johnson took over the Mavericks and firmly implemented the unlimited singles flow system left by Nelson. The Mavericks finally achieved a record of 56 wins, overpowering the 54-win Spurs, taking first place in the division and entering the Western Conference. Top three.
The stock dispute between Nelson and Cuban was a legacy issue from the previous boss. When the former boss invited Nelson to join the Mavericks, he promised to give him a small share of the stock and make him the Mavericks' minority owner, but Cuban did not recognize this. It makes no sense to use the sword of the previous dynasty to kill the officials of this dynasty.
The team with the best performance in the regular season was the Clippers who came from behind.
At the beginning of this season, most teams were not very adaptable to the new rules. Strong defensive teams often gave their opponents thirty or forty free throws in a game at the beginning of the season. The probability of leaving the game with six fouls set a new record in NBA history. record.
At that stage, the team that had previously been poor defensively performed well. The Warriors, led by TJ Ford, started with 7 wins and 7 losses. Last time they started with a better record, which was 93-93. What happened in the 1994 season was that the NBA was still in the era of offensive basketball, and the head coach was Nelson.
The Clippers also fell into a foul quagmire at the beginning. In the past few years, they have been the most grinding and confrontational team in the league, and the initial pain was the most obvious.
But with the blessing of Li Ao's "understanding of basketball rules", Gentry and his coaching staff immediately began planning how to adjust for the new season after the league announced the new rules.
Although the Clippers' pain period is fierce, the speed of adapting to the new regulations, leading all defensive teams in the league.
The adjustment of the offensive end is faster. Kim Terben likes to attack, coupled with the leader of the organization's offensive capability and field control capability alliance. They quickly changed from the team's team offensive difficulties to the top offensive team.
The Clippers did not blindly pursue the attack speed and did not run like the Sun team.
After discussing with Kimteli, Li Ao, and Kidd, it was decided to focus on defensive counterattacks. The position war offensive system revolved around the offensive area that was strengthened under the new regulations around the high -level shot, the breakthrough impact initiated from the high position, and the midway without ball passing.
For the inside line like Kidyan-Martin, Qumei Brown, he can also lead a team like Nash.
But the core of the inside is Aonier, which is not suitable for that.
Although Odom in the substitute lineup is good at offensive and defensive conversion, he has been fixed in the past 4 years, and he is more accustomed to a complete position warfare and defense system.
The new frontcourt substitute, Kukic, McPedis, Mutombo, old, old, degraded in sports ability, and not suitable for running.
It is mainly due to the encouragement of the offensive in the era of Sturn. Unless the offensive firepower of the Sun team can be played, the record of running bombardment may not be good. It is best to win at 48. D'Antoni with the Knicks of Anthony, Stadmel, Felton, Kenyang Martin, Chandler, etc., the best record was only 54 wins.
In the 03-04 season, they did not have a perfect offensive system in the end. At this time, they became good things. They will not be regarded as a complete offensive system to adjust the rules of embrace 'NHC'. Much smoother.
Although the triangular offense also played offensive basketball in the early 1990s, the rules and 'NHC' encouraged the offensive at that time.
Of course, the Clippers mainly rely on Li Ao's tactical tactics of the Sun team, Mavericks, and Spurs tactical tactics tactical tactics.
Li Ao was very messy and chaotic. In the eyes of the two, it was normal. It was purely thinking that he thought of a bunch of tactics that were suitable or not suitable for the new rules. .
They are showing the impact of the four consecutive championships. From the beginning of this season, they have become the eyes of the teams. Every opponent encounters them to want to get up.
Some opponents play better, and some opponents are even worse, but no matter what the opponent plays, the game's life that wants to defeat them has caused them a lot of trouble.
However, from the beginning of the season, they have been targeted at their opponents, which has also accelerated the progress of their new rules and the improvement of the improvement of the offensive system.
There is stress to have greater motivation.
The Clippers' regular season entering the state, much faster than the 03-04 season, and more injuries. They can win the championship in the 03-04 season. The least in the past 4 years, but although there are more injuries this season, their lineup is deeply comparable to Jordan's two years, and has successfully survived that period of time.
In the end, the Clippers' record of 66 wins and 16 losses caused the wave of the wave of 62 wins and 20 losses in the wave of running. The negative piston won the regular season champion.
The Clippers averaged 107.2 points per game, ranking third in the league, second only to the Sun and Warriors.
Averaging 96.5 points per game, more than a dozen points higher than the 03-04 season, but not that their defense fell so much, but the rhythm was accelerating. It was no longer as brainless as the last season.
Li Ao scored a considerable improvement in the last season. While the hit rate increased to 48%of his career, the average score was increased to 35.5 points, becoming the second player in the modern basketball era. Iverson, who averaged 33.1 points for the pressure field, won the scoring king for two consecutive years.
Although Kidd lost to Nash in the competition of the assisted king, with the improvement of the team's offensive system, his averaged assists also returned to the two -digit number, averaging 10.6 assists, the second league.
Li Ao lost to Nash in the regular season MVP competition, and many people felt sorry for him.
However, it was easy to have a white guards who performed MVP. In addition, Li Ao had already two consecutive MVPs and the Sun team to the third league from the last season to the third league, winning 62 wins ... Although people have failed to have three consecutive consecutive consecutive consecutive consecutive consecutive consecutive consecutive consecutive consecutive consecutive consecutive consecutive consecutive consecutive consecutivections MVP feels sorry, but no one thinks that Nash gets MVP wrong.
In fact, Garnett has done similar things. In the first year he joined the Wizard team, he let the Wizards increased by more than a dozen victory and won 58 wins in the second highest history of the team, but his data was a little worse. , Averaging 20.6 points 8.8 board 5 assists 1.4 steals 2.2 blocks.
Far as good as Nash's shooting rate, 43.4%three -pointers, and 90.6%of the free throw rate per game with a shooting rate of 50.2%.
After the regular season, the Clippers changed the alley and moved to the Great Western Forum in Ingel Woode.
Although it is not as prosperous as the city center, after the Clippers moved here, it became as lively as the last century.
I am also very happy for the Clippers players.
They no longer have to see the Lakers' dozen championship flags. Although only 3 championship flags are hung over the stadium, although they are empty, this belongs to their honor.
Ballmer and Li Ao are consistent -the regular season championship flag, the championship flag, and the partition championship banner do not need to hang up.
After changing the new alley, the relationship between the Clippers and the Kanter family's Los Angeles Sports Investment Corporation divided it more clearly. With Ballmer's help, Li Ao's family bought all the shares in the hands of the small shareholders. Now The Clippers only belong to Ballmer, Vivian, Caesar Kanter, ... the dividend is much simpler.
By the playoffs, the new MVP encountered big trouble.
The Clippers won the regular season championship, and naturally the first in the West.
The Sun team is also the Pacific team team. He did not get the first region. Although they recorded the second best in the West, they could only rank fourth in the West, and the Lakers team with 57 wins and 25 losses ranked fifth in the west ...
The Lakers were abused the Sun team 4-1 in the first round. While scored 112 points, they limited the Sun team to only 104 points per game.
In the first round, the Clippers met the Grizzlies with a lot of records.
The Grizzlies only won 43 wins and 39 losses this season, ranking eighth in the west, and they mainly defended them. This season, the lowest time has been fooled for a long time, and the All -Star will rush into the top eight after the weekend ... Then the first round of the second year in a row consecutive year Out of the situation, it was swept by the Clippers 4-0.
In the first round of the western group, the 56 -wiping Mavericks played very fiercely with the 48 wins. Sloan was good at playing the playoffs. In the case of the lineup obviously, he was dragged to the sixth game.
The Nuggets are miserable. Although they are third in the West, they have only 49 wins and 33 losses. Only because they are the first in the Northwest Division, they can rank third in the West. The second playoff journey was swept away.
After the division is divided, the first must be ranked in the leading ranking of the region. There was a problem in the first season, and the western playoffs were chaotic.
The first round of the regular season MVP was almost swept!
Although the Lakers' regular season only won 57 wins, everyone knew that they were one of the best in the west in the playoffs.
There is also a pot of soup in the east.
With Carter Carter, he led the Bulls to become a 50 -win team and won 51 wins.
However, they have 56 wins in the same area, 65 wins, pistons, and 46 -win Bucks. They can't even enter the first four.
The Atlantic Division has 3 fishing teams. The 76ers have 43 winning the playoffs. The Knicks team only won 50 wins, but ranked higher than the Pacers and Bulls.
The situation in the Southeast Division is similar.
Because O'Neal has never been the possibility of leaving the Lakers, the reconstruction of the Heat was a steady way at the beginning. -Ogantvi, he held a state and played 51 wins.
But there are 55 wins in the same area, the magic team of 58 wins ...
Just after the first round of the playoffs, some media called on the alliance to change the rules of the "first three" zone partitions. It is best to cancel the first preferential treatment of the area.
The first preferential treatment system for the competition area was formulated in 1976, which was in line with the situation at the time.
At that time, the NBA and ABA league merged. The number of NBA teams has increased. Due to traffic problems, the division is divided. The NBA was a lot worse. In order to avoid the occurrence of a dynasty and a playoff team, and the market loss of the fans, this rule was formulated.
But now more than 20 years later, this rule is no longer in line with the present.
Not only the media appealed, fans vomit, but also complained about each team.
Like the Lakers and the Suns, they lost that they have not adapted to the playoffs, and they are also complaining that they have played against the strongest enemies in the West earlier.
The second round of the "Peak Duel" of the Clippers and the Lakers was staged in advance.
In the Angel City Civil War, both teams played even more teams.
Many years of playoffs have told the two teams that the team of the same city is not a opponent that can be defeated by someone. Big sharks are not good, Black Mamba can't, nor does Spider -Man.
After the 6 games, the inspiration of the Angel City ended.
The scene of the Lakers in the 1960s is now again ...
The Clippers eliminated the Lakers team in the playoffs for four consecutive years, with a large score of 4 to 2, advanced to the West!
In this regard, in addition to the Clippers fans, there are also Blazers fans.
A few years ago, they were also violent by the Lakers in the playoffs in the playoffs for four or five years.
Now it's the Lakers who are finally turn!
In the second round of the West, everyone thought that the Spurs won, but the Mavericks laughed at the end.
This series of games played extremely fiercely. The Spurs won 1 game first, the Mavericks then won two games, the Spurs won another game, the Mavericks won one another 3-2 lead, the G6 Spurs leaned against Arnas' The ultra -far three -point finals dragged into the seven, grabbing the Seven Battle to play in the overtime ... Terry's time to score three three -pointers to score Ginobinili and Arnas to suspect life.
For the first time, the Clippers and teams outside California are very difficult.
In the first battle, the Clippers lost their home advantage 108 to 115.
The second Clippers held the second home 105 to 98, but G3 lost again, 88 to 95, and the big score came to 1-2.
The G4 Clippers rely on Li Ao to enter the two key points, winning the Mavericks 107 to 105, chasing the score to 2-2, and dragging into the battle of Tianwang Mountain.
After the 4 games, the Clippers slowly found the way to deal with the Mavericks. The G5 defeated the Mavericks 107 to 101, G6 won 102 to 93, win 3 games in a row, 4-2 reversed the Mavericks, and entered the total 4 consecutive years in a row for 4 consecutive years. finals.
In the east, before the start of the playoffs, people think that the East is still the three teams of Pacers, Magic, and Pistons, but it is the Wizards who go to the end!
In the first round of the Wizards, the seventh Bulls of the West were forced to grab the seven major battles. Public opinion agreed that the Wizards were abused by the piston in the second round. The Magic team of the team has 6 games.
Garnett met Duncan in the playoffs and played very badly, but he still had Brand.
Caseya encountered the magic team that gave him a humiliated offer, and he played very irritable. The Wizards eliminated the magic team 4-2 and and the Clippers' Finals!
The Wizards reached the finals after a lapse of 27 years. When Garnett had a good teammate, he proved how good his team was.
But unfortunately they encountered the Clippers in the state.
Fighting against the Lakers and Mavericks, the Clippers entered the heyday. In the first game, the Wizards team won 15 points with 100 to 85. The second game won 91 to 84. Avoid 0 to 3 behind, but the G4 Clippers' scores rose again, winning 95 to 82, and a large score of 3-1.
The Wizards have been defended well, but except for the G3 defense runaway, the other three games cannot limit the Clippers to less than 90 points.
The Clippers' defense is also very good. Each game has limited the Wizards to less than 90 points.
At G5, the Clippers did not give the Wizard team the opportunity to continue to struggle. Complete 4 consecutive championships!
Li Ao averaged 34.4 points 5.2 board 4.4 assists 2 steals 3.4 blocking performance for 4 consecutive years to win FMVP, surpassing Jordan, becoming the most consecutive FMVP player!
The Clippers have also become the second team of NBA history after the Celtics in the 1960s!
The four consecutive championships also laid the foundation of the Clippers' giants!
(Complete book)
(End of chapter)
