Xu Xin set his sights on the team roster.
The team's current reserves on the forward line are excellent. Xu Xin couldn't help but sigh. It turns out that in 2012, the Rockets were also a very talented forward team.
Although they are not top talents, these people can still work hard in the league for many years.
Patrick Patterson, Marcus Morris, Motiejunas, Terrence Jones, Delfino.
These five people all have the ability to average about 10 points per game, but none of them can become the answer to the Rockets power forward.
But these are also the team's most valuable bargaining chips besides Harden, Jeremy Lin, and Parsons.
Xu Xin planned to level up well, and after reaching a certain level, he would exchange his small changes for whole coins and sell them at high prices.
"Dong dong"
"Please come in!"
The assistant pushed open the door and entered.
"Manager Xu, the team's plane will take off for Detroit in two hours. Do you want to go with the team?"
"Of course, in the team's first game, I want to be with the team."
Xu Xin got up and took a car to the airport with his assistant.
Two hours later, on the private plane of owner Alexander, Xu Xin met McHale, Harden, Jeremy Lin, Parsons and other Rockets players for the first time.
Everyone greeted each other in a friendly manner, and facing the slightly curious eyes of the players, Xu Xin knew that the atmosphere was up and he should say a few words.
After clearing his throat, Xu Xin stood up and stood in front of the cabin, clapped his hands, motioning for everyone to look at him, and spoke generously:
"Hello everyone, I am the team's new acting general manager, Xu Xin.
Like most of you here, I am very young. Youth represents vigor and vitality, but it also represents being looked down upon.
What we have to do is use basketball to speak, beat our opponents hard on the court, and win the game. Tell those who despise us how stupid our decision was.
Let’s go Rockets!”
The emotions in the cabin were ignited. Everyone applauded and shouted neat slogans. The players looked eagerly at the team's general manager, a slightly green Chinese, and unconsciously felt some closeness in their hearts.
Xu Xin's words are not just talking about Harden, the 2009 pick who was given up by the Thunder because of $4 million.
Jeremy Lin, Parsons, Asik, Motie Younes, Morris Jr., Terrence Jones, Patrick Patterson, etc., so why not.
None of them are the pride of heaven, they are all people who rely on their own efforts, starting from the bench, constantly improving themselves and proving themselves.
McHale nodded happily, this kid is good. A few words can shorten the distance with the players. As the general manager of the team, it is also very important to improve the team's cohesion.
As the plane took off, Xu Xin and McHale sat together and discussed the team's tactical system for the new season.
Xu Xin was the first to give his own opinion:
"I have been studying Harden's game videos during this period. When he was with the Thunder, he was the core ball-handler of the team's transition period.
And if he plays with Durant or Westbrook or three of them at the same time, Harden will be the third option on the offensive end and score more through off-ball offense. "
Xu Xin analyzed.
"And what do you think?"
Xu Xin paused and asked.
"Harden has the potential to be the league's top combo guard. He can score by himself and find teammates in open spaces. Now the team's biggest offensive threat is Harden, who is most confident.
I think we can give Harden the greatest freedom and let him hold the ball more. After he plays, he can attract defenses and other players will have better opportunities. "
McHale said it was clear he had been thinking about the idea for a long time.
Xu Xin was not surprised by McHale's idea.
In the last life, McHale provided Harden with a high degree of freedom. He allowed Harden to actively score points and attract defenses to create better shooting opportunities for his teammates.
Harden also thrived in McHale's system and became the hottest star in the league.
But success is also Xiao He, failure is also Xiao He.
McHale's tactical system has a very high lower limit, and entering the playoffs will not be a problem.
But in the playoffs, this almost bright-card style of play is destined not to have a high ceiling.
The team relies too much on Harden's personal ability, which makes it easy for opponents to target. When Harden is strangled, the Rockets' offense will easily stagnate.
At the same time, due to Harden's excessive investment in the offensive end, his contribution on the defensive end is far less than during the Thunder period, and he can easily become the focus of the opponent's attack on the court.
It can be said that it is impossible to win the championship with this style of play.
Thinking of this, Xu Xin said:
"My suggestion is to let Jeremy Lin sort out the team's offense, and Harden can be the second ball-handling point.
Of course, at critical moments, let Harden take over the game with the ball.
Harden is the team's number one star, there is no doubt about it.
But his help to the team should not just be in scoring and assists. He can play more without the ball and find easy scoring opportunities through screens and pick-and-rolls, just like he did with the Thunder.
You can also attract defenses by running without the ball and create space for teammates.
The energy saved should be invested in the defensive end. I think Harden has enough strength to help the team on both offense and defense. "
McHale looked at the slightly immature young man in front of him in surprise. His understanding of basketball exceeded his expectations.
However, these are still a bit amateurish in his opinion. He thought for a moment and said tactfully:
"I have also thought about letting Harden play without the ball. However, the team is not as good as the Thunder. Without Durant and Westbrook, no one except Harden has the ability to change the defense.
This is equivalent to giving up your strengths to compete with others. In this case, it will be difficult for the team to enter the playoffs. "
Xu Xin smiled slightly,
"What if I said I had a way to bring Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady back to the top?"
This time McHale was even more shocked, his mouth opened wide.
Without giving McHale time to ask, Xu Xin continued:
"To tell you the truth, the goal I set for the team is to compete for the championship. If Harden invests too much in the regular season, the team will not be able to go far in the playoffs.
Moreover, this is also a preparation to reduce the running-in pressure after the team's lineup is strengthened. "
"When will they recover?"
McHale asked impatiently, his breathing a little short.
"Before the All-Star Game at the latest."
Xu Xin made a rough estimate.
"If this can really happen, the team will really have hope of winning the championship."
McHale muttered.
Xu Xin's speech just now was not meant for him.
McHale was great enough as a player, but his coaching career after retirement can be described as bleak. The Timberwolves and Rockets he coached never made it to the playoffs.
If he can really lead his team to win the championship this season, his career will be complete. This was something he had never dared to think about before.
