Minneapolis.
The Timberwolves have been troubled by something recently. Isaiah Thomas, whom the team management acquired through a costly trade, had a falling out with several of the team's main players.
The people who broke up with him were Dwight Howard, Zach LaVine, Adrian Ennis, and Jeff Teague.
Originally, it was just LaVine and Adrian who were not interested in Thomas. Although the two parties had no friendship, there was no conflict and they got along relatively harmoniously with each other.
However, as Thomas gradually adapted to the team, he gradually showed his original bohemian character, especially his not-so-"cautious" mouth, which made his voice begin to become discordant in the locker room.
Thomas, who considers himself a super core player, clearly stood up and asked the team management for the starting position after being assigned as a substitute in several consecutive games.
The management could only put pressure on Coach Eric. Coach Eric was unwilling to let Thomas destroy the Timberwolves' originally perfect starting lineup, so they could only use delaying tactics to trick him into continuing to play.
Unexpectedly, Thomas quit after a while, first missing two games without reason, and then publicly blaming the team, which made LaVine and others even more dissatisfied with Thomas' behavior.
Emotions between the two sides quickly broke out before a game. LaVine and Adrian were originally dissatisfied with Thomas because Zhao Feiyang was traded, and now they are even firing at him and furiously exchanging blows.
Howard originally tried to break up the fight, but was "accidentally injured" by Thomas who lost his mind. This "big boy" who was optimistic by nature also joined the camp against Thomas.
Jeff Teague originally had no grudge against Thomas. He has a very low-key personality, and he only joined the Timberwolves this season, so he gets along well with everyone on weekdays.
Unexpectedly, Thomas fired at him because of the team's status and substitute issues, which affected Jeff for no reason. This made Jeff feel that he was not respected, so he rarely stood up to express his opinion.
After these four people took a clear-cut attitude, the Timberwolves management knew that the problem was big! What's more important is that although other players did not take sides, no one stood up to speak for Thomas.
He is not a bad person, but obviously sometimes his big mouth can hurt some people unintentionally. There are also some people who can help him speak, but since the two parties do not have a deep friendship, they will naturally not stand up in this situation.
As a result, Thomas was successfully "isolated" by the Timberwolves.
The four LaVine players were very tough and went to the general manager's office to find John Daniel the day after the game.
"Mr. John, we have something to ask you."
Raven was the first to walk into the office, followed by Adrian and others.
General Manager Daniel received the news before they came. He was worried about this matter. He planned to find someone to persuade both parties separately, or hold a meeting with the management to discuss how to deal with this matter. However, LaVine and his team did not take action yet. People come.
"I know what you want to say...Zach, please come in and sit down first!"
"Sit down wherever you want...you're welcome...what would you like to drink?"
Daniel asked.
Raven and others waved their hands.
"No need!"
"Mr. John, our request is very simple. That is, we hope the team can trade Isaiah... If the team is unwilling to trade him, then the four of us will apply to leave the team..."
When Raven spoke, Daniel was startled.
He raised his head and looked at the four people standing in front of him. Their expressions were serious. Even Howard, who usually liked to laugh and laugh, stopped smiling. It can be seen that they really think so, and their will is quite determined.
Daniel thought for a moment, then invited the four of them to sit down on the sofa, and then proactively asked them, "Can you tell me what you really think?"
"I need each of you to give me a reason! I think you all understand that trading is not simple..."
The four of them looked at each other after hearing this.
Adrian was the first to speak.
"I don't like this guy. Of course, I didn't hate him at the beginning. I admit that I was disgusted by the team's trade for Zhao, but what I really don't like is that this guy takes up a lot of the ball, and his presence also makes me disgusted. Let our original system become more chaotic..."
"When he is not here, whether it is Zach or Derek, we can cooperate very well. But when he is on the court, we can't move at all, we can only stand there and wait for him to attack... ..."
Howard was the second to speak.
"I agree with Adrian."
"But for me, what I don't like is his behavior in the locker room. I didn't come to the Timberwolves so early, but I heard everyone said that Zhao was not optimistic when he first came. I was also made difficult by the old players..."
"But Zhao has never been like Isaiah, always standing up and complaining here and complaining there. The only thing Zhao does is to speak with strength and conquer everyone with his performance on the court...Little Thomas obviously talks too much. Some......."
"And I obviously didn't want to stop the fight, but this guy even sprayed me..."
The third person to speak up was Jeff.
"I think the same as Dwight. Isaiah's ability is not bad, but his character will affect other people... It doesn't matter if we are not a team that competes for the championship, but now we are completely He has the ability to compete for the championship... He always talks to everyone in a condescending manner, which makes everyone feel uncomfortable..."
The last one to speak was Raven.
"Everyone has said everything that needs to be said. I really have nothing to say about Isaiah... He cannot be integrated with our tactical system..."
"Also, I really want to ask, can the team find a way to trade Zhao back? Although this operation may be difficult, we really need a leader like Zhao... The guy Locke was not Do you doubt Zhao's ability? But now Zhao has also achieved results with the Cavaliers. He has led them to a 6-game winning streak with a lineup like the Cavaliers..."
"If Zhao can return, then we will definitely win the championship this season!"
After Raven said this, the other three looked at him.
Their eyes met each other, and although they said nothing, everyone had the same expression. They agreed with LaVine's words and hoped that Zhao Feiyang could come back.
General Manager Daniel sighed constantly when he saw this scene.
It was not his original intention to trade Zhao Feiyang, but it was a stupid thing done by his boss Locke. It may not be easy to get Zhao Feiyang back now. Based on Thomas's performance during this period, I am afraid it is impossible for the Cavaliers to accept him.
What's more, even if the Cavaliers are willing, what will owner Lock do?
A successful person like Locke does not allow others to point out his mistakes. Even if he does make a mistake, Locke will definitely continue to make mistakes to maintain his so-called authority.
It was precisely because of knowing Locke that Daniel felt that this matter was really difficult!
"Actually, I also hope that Zhao can return...but I'm afraid it won't be that easy!"
"The team management will seriously consider the matter about Isaiah. Before that, I hope you can return to the team and prepare for the game seriously... No matter what the result is, the result belongs to us. ....."
"As you said, our goal is the championship, and we cannot affect our goal for some things..."
Daniel persuaded for a while.
Raven and others had nothing to say. After expressing their thoughts, they quickly left Daniel's office.
Their move was easy, but the real headache was obviously General Manager Daniel.
Considering that Thomas's problem has indeed affected the stability within the team, Daniel had to make a call to head coach Eric first.
"Eric, I need you."
"Now come here... let's have a nice talk in the office!"
Daniel said.
Unexpectedly, Eric on the other end of the phone seemed to have expected this call. He expressed his attitude directly without any nonsense, "John, I support the team's trade of Isaiah... If you want the team to If you beat the Warriors this season and reach the finals, then you'd better get it done as soon as possible..."
After saying that, Eric quickly hung up the phone.
Daniel's head was really big now.
"Damn it!"
"what can I do?"
"Trading Isaiah may not be a problem, but how can we get Zhao back? If not, wouldn't our loss be in vain?"
"I have to go find Mr. Locke first! Maybe this matter will turn around!"
