69novels Chapter 742 Jordan Reclaims His Godhood in the Offseason; Los Angeles Re-emerges with the Big Three
Chapter 742 Jordan Reclaims His Godhood in the Offseason; Los Angeles Re-emerges with the Big Three
Meanwhile, Lin Tian, who hadn't paid much attention to NBA news in the past few months, kept asking his teammates on the way to the arena, wanting to know if any major events had occurred in the league this summer.
Will any super team be reassembled? Will any super team collapse? And who will be a strong contender for the Knicks this year?
After asking around and receiving introductions from several assistant coaches and analysts, Lin Tian had a basic understanding of the league's overall situation by the time he entered the training hall to warm up. This offseason, while not exactly marked by earth-shattering changes, there were quite a few noteworthy changes!
First, there's the draft. The 07 draft class is widely considered the biggest since 03, with a plethora of super talents, including Oden and Durant, two of the most outstanding players, considered cornerstones of any team.
At this year's draft, Bird, who held the number one pick, was in a real dilemma, caught between a happy and difficult choice.
He has to choose between Oden and Durant.
Oden, hailed as the best center in the United States for the next decade, is the savior of American centers. In the NCAA finals, he dragged an injured arm and single-handedly defeated Florida's twin towers Horford and Noah, leaving them crying for their mothers.
It's worth noting that if these two players hadn't chosen to stay in college for an extra year in order to try for a back-to-back NCAA championship, but instead entered the draft last year, Horford would almost certainly have been the number one pick, and Noah would have been very likely to be selected in the top five!
These two guys were beaten like high schoolers by Oden in the NCAA finals.
No one can afford to miss out on Oden!
But Durant is also great. Although Texas didn't perform well in March Madness, Durant's offensive talent from high school to college is truly enviable!
Some say he's a 5cm taller Tracy McGrady, some say he's Tyson Chandler with the skills of a small forward, some say he's a physically enhanced version of Dirk Nowitzki, and some even say he's a fully evolved and plus-sized version of Larry Bird.
Of course... people who don't like Durant will think he's just a bigger Novak, a new-age Bradley, and a softer version of Rick Schmitz.
Bird was really torn. He even wished he had the second pick, so he wouldn't have to struggle with the decision and could choose the remaining one.
Unfortunately, it can't be replaced!
Although the Lakers' newly appointed general manager, Kupchak, is far less shrewd than West, he's no saint either. This guy is just as cunning as West, and if you try to make a trade with him, you'll definitely get ripped off by that bastard.
Anyway, before the draft, Bird really didn't know how to choose. If he had to choose, he would definitely pick Oden! He was an old-school player. Even though he won six championships with Lin Tian, he still believed more in the inside and the traditional center position.
But Lin Tian told Bird to pick Durant and let Durant play the center position.
Based on Lin Tian's past experience and advice, choosing Durant is definitely the right choice!
But how should I put it? Didn't Lin Tian misjudge the situation last year? The Aldridge he recommended to Jordan and himself was a complete flop, a total disaster. He didn't even make the All-Rookie Team. Although Brown's inability to mentor rookies was a factor, ultimately, if he were a true talent, Brown wouldn't have let him bury his potential, would he?
In the end, Lin Tian misjudged him!
Just as Bird was struggling with his decision, Carlisle walked into the office and made Bird decide with a single sentence!
"Durant's playing style is really good! He scores indiscriminately, and I think he has the potential to become a top small forward! Larry, have you seen his draft comparison? His ceiling is you, and his floor is Novak! I've never seen a more interesting comparison!"
Is my ceiling?
Bird has made his decision!
Just fucking pick Oden!
After all, who on this planet doesn't know that the man touted as Jordan's successor is likely to be plagued by injuries and leave his prime early?
Shaq's successor will be an overweight person who can't control his weight.
The so-called "Little Magician" will lose control of his lower body, become an AIDS patient, be covered in injuries, be anally assaulted by homosexuals, lose weight, and become a trash player who can't jump, can't run fast, is stupid, has bad character, and performs poorly.
And if someone is called Bird Jr. or Bird's successor, they are most likely to be a flop.
Bird himself picked two "Little Bird" picks in the lottery.
One was Crosier back then, and the other is Morrison, who is still in the team now. Both of them have been thoroughly flops.
Going back further, there was also Dunleavy Jr., who was also called Bird Jr., but he was also considered a flop.
Who else was there?
Anyway, looking back over the past 20 years since Bird retired, there have been at least 8 or 10 players who were called "Little Bird," but none of them have actually made it big!
That name is a curse!
Decided!
Pick Oden!
Bird quickly made a decision, using the 2007 number one pick, the compensation Stern gave the Pacers after Lin Tian left, and what might be the most important draft pick for the team in the next 10 years, to acquire Oden!
In any case, in Bird's plan, Granger is improving rapidly, and the group of role players he brought in from the Suns and Celtics are all capable and in their prime. As long as they can continue to improve, in a maximum of 3 years, he can make the Pacers a championship contender again!
With Oden, Granger, and a bunch of role players, the lineup would definitely be one of the strongest forces in the Eastern Conference after Lin Tian retires!
Perhaps at that time, his only opponent will be his former team, the Celtics!
Then let's have a good fight!
Regardless of what Bird was dreaming about, the Lakers, with the second pick, didn't hesitate to draft Durant. With McGrady's injury recovery not going well, the Durant and Kobe duo on the wing was more than enough.
As for how to allocate resources among these three players after McGrady's return, that's a problem for the head coach to worry about!
In any case, the Lakers have already begun their rebuilding journey without anyone realizing it!
While striving for the championship, the Lakers also underwent a rebuild, making this rebuild a resounding success! The trade that brought in O'Neal after Kupchak took over is destined to go down in history and be analyzed and studied by many.
This successor to West, at least so far, absolutely deserves a perfect score!
Following that, the third pick went to the Bobcats. Jordan, who failed to get a top-three pick, once again made a rather stylish choice!
On the very night of the draft, he traded LaMarcus Aldridge, whom the team had drafted with the second overall pick the previous year but who hadn't had much playing time, to the Warriors! Charlotte fans were initially quite happy to hear that Aldridge had been traded.
This means that the team's power forward position will be open, and Jordan will definitely choose last year's number one draft pick, Al Horford, one of the Florida duo.
Although Horford may not be as good as Durant and Oden, choosing him is definitely the right decision!
This guy is not only handsome, but he also plays very steadily, absolutely no problem!
But Jordan said: I am a god, how could you possibly see through me?
Jordan chuckled and traded Aldridge and two future second-round draft picks to the Warriors for Tyus Thomas.
He's also a sophomore, a power forward, and was drafted right behind Aldridge, being last year's third overall pick.
Unlike Aldridge, Thomas is a pure power forward. He can fly high and dunk, and last year, when he teamed up with Paul, he almost single-handedly led the Warriors, who had been weak for many years, into the playoffs.
This year, the Warriors traded him for Aldridge, and in a sense, Thomas has made a comeback!
Last year you were selected above me, this year if you switch places with me you'll be eliminated in two second rounds! I'm better than you!
How should I put this deal?
At least from the perspective of when the transaction occurred, it was a win-win situation!
Thomas earned respect and felt incredibly satisfied.
Aldridge is finally free from Brown, I'm so happy!
The Warriors were thrilled to have acquired a skilled power forward they believed had a higher ceiling and was a better fit for Paul.
Paul got the partner he'd always wanted, and he was ecstatic!
Jordan got a rookie who played exceptionally well last year, but only paid the price of a bust. He was extremely happy!
Anyway, everyone was extremely happy!
After making the trade, Jordan said: "The team doesn't need an inside player anymore, so I don't need to pick Horford or Noah."
我们现在4、5号位有托马斯和奥卡福，1号位有天赋爆棚的费尔顿，就差一个2-3号位摇摆的天才锋线了！
What a coincidence! Among this year's top ten rookies, there happens to be one who meets the needs of Jordan and the Bobcats.
And it's also from Florida!
Corey Brewer, a genius swingman!
Jordan signed this guy with explosive athleticism almost without hesitation. He had high hopes for him and believed he could become a top star and scorer in the league!
This is the choice...
After learning about Jordan's trade and his options, all Lin Tian could do was give Jordan a thumbs up!
It's difficult to always make the right choices in life, but it's also very difficult to always make the wrong choices!
Because life is unpredictable and uncertain.
But Jordan was amazing!
His strength lies in the fact that he has been in management for so many years, selected so many people, and made so many deals.
There wasn't a single correct answer!
Completely wrong! Absolutely wrong! He made the wrong choice every single time!
With a 100% success rate, they never missed a single wrong choice.
Absolutely unbeatable!
After the top three picks, there's nothing particularly noteworthy about the rest of the draft process.
The Bucks emerged as the biggest winners, acquiring the talented power forward Al Horford with the fourth pick to fill a gap in their roster. Yi Jianlian was then selected by the Raptors with the sixth pick, but before he could even officially join the Raptors, the league updated the trade information.
The Hornets traded their 12th overall pick in this year's draft, a future first-round pick, and veteran Peja Stojakovic to the Raptors in exchange for Yi Jianlian.
Lin Tian's number of younger brothers and fellow Chinese has successfully increased by 1!
For Yi Jianlian, joining the Hornets and teaming up with Deron Williams is definitely better than going to the Bucks, a place Lin Tian remembers as a team full of lone wolves, where there is exclusion and discrimination.
Playing alongside Deron Williams, as long as you set screens and provide cover, you'll always get plenty of opportunities.
Lin Tian was quite satisfied with his younger brother's destination!
As for the choices that followed, Lin Tian didn't pay much attention to them; there was nothing worth mentioning.
Oh, wait, there's also the Knicks' first-round pick, Carl Landry, who was selected 29th overall in the first round.
He's another beastly inside player who can run, jump, fight, and be fierce.
As I said before: Walsh is just like Liu Shan, the last emperor of the Han Dynasty.
The downside is a lack of ability, the upside is knowing that one's abilities are lacking.
Their approach to selecting people is always the same!
The only difference is: today we pick a point guard who can run and jump, tomorrow we pick a point guard who can run and jump, and the day after tomorrow we pick a small forward who can run and jump...
Its main selling point is laziness and a lack of thinking.
Aside from Landry joining the team, the Knicks have lost quite a few players this year.
After experiencing the Finals, Houston and Ward felt it would be embarrassing not to retire. Both of their contracts expired this offseason, and they both chose to retire, which somewhat reduced the Knicks' luxury tax burden.
In addition, Hill, who finally won the championship and got his wish, also left the team; he defected directly to the enemy.
He joined the Phoenix Suns!
This perfectly illustrates what it means to beat you up first, and then impart some advanced experience to you.
After losing these three players, Walsh simply found a few minimum-salary players to join the team.
There's nothing we can do about it. The team has Lin Tian's super contract worth 4000 million, and Anthony, Stoudemire, and Okur's contracts that add up to over 4000 million. Even though Smith, Nate, and others have cheap rookie contracts, and even though Barnes and others are on near-minimum salaries, the team's big shots are still making a lot of money!
The Knicks' total payroll has finally surpassed $1 million this year!
The luxury tax they have to pay will exceed 6000 million!
Their luxury tax expenditure alone exceeds the salary expenditure of 60% of the teams in the league.
All I can say is that this is truly New York, and this is truly Dolan.
They're just rich!
But this time, Dolan isn't just a fool with too much money.
He only has a small share of the money!
The benefits Lin Tian brought him, the prestige this team brought him, and the glory of the past two championships all made Dolan feel that the money was absolutely worth it!
Furthermore, for Dolan, no matter how much he spends this season, he is confident that he can earn it all back!
To put it simply, the average ticket price for the Knicks last season was $95.4 in the regular season and $113.5 in the playoffs, both the highest in the league!
It's almost 10% higher than the second-place Lakers!
And what about this year?
This year, Dolan priced the regular season ticket at $149, and although the playoffs haven't started yet, Dolan already plans to raise that number to over $180!
Moreover, Dolan believes that even so, there will still be a shortage of supply!
And that doesn't even include the prices for special games like Christmas Day games, games against the Lakers, Bulls, Pacers, the final game of the regular season, or the last game of the playoffs!
Anyway, all this money added up, let alone the 6000 million luxury tax and 1 million in salary, even if it were 2 million in salary and 1 million in luxury tax...
Hmm, it seems like it can't be completely covered up.
But it doesn't matter, anyway, the Knicks will net 1.8-2 million dollars from ticket sales alone this year!
It was definitely a year that made a fortune.
In Dolan's eyes, Lin Tian was his benefactor!
In addition to the draft and the Knicks' roster changes, the league also saw a major trade this offseason.
It's vibrating again!
From weight to celebrity status, it's a shocking event!
After making big trades in the offseason for several years in a row, the Spurs have once again chosen to overhaul their roster this offseason.
They traded Shaquille O'Neal, who had only played for one year but had performed poorly in the playoffs and failed to demonstrate any dominance, to their Western Conference Finals rivals, the Phoenix Suns!
What they got in return was Kenyon Martin and three future first-round draft picks!
The Suns have learned a painful lesson and believe that the reason for their loss in last year's Finals was the team's weak interior offense and over-reliance on Nash and Pierce, which led to inconsistent offense and a tendency to miss shots.
While the team's center, Martin, is a former number one draft pick and is in his prime, his inside scoring ability is really negligible; he can only rely on pick-and-roll plays for easy baskets.
Therefore, the Suns believe that they would be even better if they had another reliable inside scoring option and another dependable offensive weapon!
On the Spurs' side, O'Neal and James didn't really click in last season's playoffs. Not only were they incompatible and lacked chemistry on the court, but they also didn't click off the court and rarely hung out together.
Although the two did not publicly fall out, both Buford and Popovich knew that these two guys were no longer suitable to play together. Then, they did not hesitate to trade away O'Neal, who was older and no longer in his prime.
100 managers would choose to trade O'Neal at this stage to make James happy.
As for the Suns, they also learned from their mistakes and believed that the team lost the Finals last year because their interior offense was too weak. When Nash and others couldn't match up with the firepower and couldn't compete with their opponents, they lacked another powerful weapon!
Therefore, they brought in O'Neal to strengthen the team's interior offense.
Even though O'Neal was getting older, even though his style was completely incompatible with the Suns, and even though neither Nash nor D'Antoni had experience playing with a dominant center, the Suns still did it.
There's no other way. Nash is about to turn 34, and his peak years are numbered. The Suns are willing to overdraw everything in the hopes of making one last big push while the team still has the strength to dominate the Western Conference!
We're going all in!
As for the Spurs, after years of experimentation, they have determined that James is not suited to playing with traditional centers; he is not good at it and does not like it.
His partnership with Bosh was excellent, and he preferred to play with a face-up big man, which is why the team brought in Martin.
Pick-and-roll, screen, roll to the basket, dunk, defense, movement...
Martin's strengths and characteristics perfectly complement James'.
The team believes Martin can do it!
They believed their Spurs team would definitely make it to the NBA Finals next season! They wanted to ruin Lin Tian's last season!
Of course, this is the goal of almost every team in the league!
Ruin Lin Tian's last season! (End of Chapter)