warrior godfather

Chapter 264 All of this is for the championship

"Oh? Let's hear it." Zhang Yu's eyes lit up, he put down the coffee in his hand, and looked at Larry Riley.

"After Jerry Sloan resigned, the Jazz did plan to trade Deron Williams. According to my inquiries these days, it can be confirmed that the trade is with the Nets. According to the current situation, the Nets will take a lot of advantage. After all, the Jazz are in a hurry to send their star away, and they will definitely suffer." Larry Riley said happily.

Zhang Yu said with a little surprise:
"You are very well-informed, you can find out all this."

Transactions between NBA teams are different from auctions. They are usually conducted in secret. Even before the transaction is concluded, both parties to the transaction will deny the transaction. This is because the main body of the NBA transaction is the player, who can think, People with emotions, the management must take into account the feelings of the players under their command.

Except for the teams in the rebuilding period, few managements make transactions publicly, which can easily lead to panic in the team and unintentional play, which will affect the team's record.

This is why after the trade deadline, many managements are shocked and regretful about the trades of other teams. These traded objects may be their favorite players, but before the trade, there is no news about them, so they have no chance. Participating in it, I can only shake my head and sigh afterwards.

Larry Riley smiled:
"Don't you know? Oh, yeah, you were in Indiana...it was the summer of 2008, I was just an assistant coach on the team, and Pete traded this year's lottery-protected first-round pick for Marcus Williams Although he was waived after only playing one season, our good relationship with the Nets has continued, and I have met several friends who work in the Nets."

His voice was very flat, as if he was describing an insignificant matter, but Zhang Yu thought for a while, then suddenly realized, nodded, and stopped mentioning this matter.

At that time, Zhang Yu was committed to acquiring the Warriors. Although he didn't pay too much attention to specific trivial transactions, he was very clear about the management struggles within the team.

The reason why the Warriors have been rotten for so many years is definitely an important reason for the internal fighting and consumption of the management. There are major differences between the team president Rowell who is responsible to Chris Cohan and the team hero Chris Mullin who was the vice president at the time. , the two sides competed for power and profit, and many decisions were like child's play. Later, Larry Riley was able to take the position and lost his sincerity to Rowell before he had the opportunity to replace Pete Dalisandro, who was in charge of team operations. This person belonged to Chris Mullin A series of.

However, after Zhang Yu bought the Warriors, the situation changed. From top to bottom, Zhang Yu was the only voice on the team. Rowell left with Chris Cohan.

Naturally, Zhang Yu would not mention these old things again. He pondered for a while and said:
"You go and talk to them and see if we can join this trade, we can get Wesley and the Cavaliers' first-round pick next year, the goal is the Nets' first-round pick this year, and a big defense A striker or a defender who can handle the ball."

Larry Riley was slightly taken aback when he heard the words, and then nodded in agreement:

"Okay, but Ronan, I still feel a little puzzled. Why must Wesley be traded? He still has potential to be tapped, and the contract is also very valuable. Do you want to let him play again? And from Judging from the performance of the Cavaliers this season, their first-round pick next year will be very valuable. It is likely to be higher than this year's Nets pick. Wouldn't it be a better choice?"

Larry Riley's wording was very cautious, and his tone was very tactful. It was not that he was worried about Zhang Yu's dissatisfaction. Although Zhang Yu "had all the power", he never "arbitrary", and he paid attention to listening to other people's opinions on weekdays.

But Zhang Yu has never made a mistake in his past decisions, especially in transactions. Even if he was not favored at the time, there will be a reversal afterwards.

Larry Riley knew that Zhang Yu must have thought about what he did. He may not have seen through some things, but because of the general manager's accusation, he had to put forward what he thought was correct, so that it seemed that he was "admonishing the tyrant" Generally speaking, very cautious and euphemistic.

Zhang Yu smiled and listened to Larry Riley, without any sign of impatience, and finally replied:
"It's about the team's future plans. Of course I know Wesley is good. Don't forget, I was the one who pushed for him to play in summer league... But times have changed, things have changed now, and the future Warriors There is no place for Wesley, and cashing out when he is at a high value is the best option."

Zhang Yu made it very clear, but Larry Riley was very confused because he didn't know what the future of the Warriors was like. In other words, no one in the Warriors knew Zhang Yu's long-term plan for the team.

Over the past year, Larry Riley has gradually realized one thing, that is, he has a unique boss.

The same is true for the management and coaching staff of other teams, including the Warriors. What they think is to build an ideal lineup on paper, and then tap the potential of the existing lineup, and then make repairs and adjustments when they encounter problems. This is also normal. Team building ideas.

But Zhang Yu is different. He never solves problems after they arise. He seems to have an unusual, long-term and complete team building plan in his mind, and he makes adjustments according to this plan at all times.

After Zhang Yu acquired the Warriors, he launched a major cleanup; in the middle of last season, Biedrins was sent away in exchange for Chandler, who was not favored by the outside world; Matthews put Green and Clay directly on the starting position on the internal trading list. It can be seen that he has always planned ahead and acted decisively. The pace of change and innovation.

Larry Riley is more and more convinced that Zhang Yu is not talking big, he is indeed aiming at the championship, and he has nothing else to do, otherwise he has no reason to make frequent trades. As long as the Warriors maintain the current lineup and develop step by step, they will be able to Become a top powerhouse, but Zhang Yu must have seen that the team still has problems, so he seized every window to trade.

"I know what to do." Larry Riley solemnly agreed.

He has fulfilled his duties. Since Zhang Yu still insists on his views, his job has become execution. Although he can't see any room for improvement in the team lineup, but Zhang Yu said there is, then There must be, Larry Riley suppressed the incomprehension and doubts in his heart, quickly changed his thinking, and focused on how to participate in this big deal.

"Since the Jazz are going to send Deron away for rebuilding, what they need are draft picks and rookies, and the Nets must have results. Wesley happens to be the immediate combat power they need, so we can do this... "

Larry Riley thought about it for a while, and confessed his thoughts. Zhang Yu nodded from time to time. Afterwards, the two discussed it carefully, and had dinner made by Tina in the middle, before Larry Riley said goodbye and left.

"Ronan, before the trade deadline, I will definitely facilitate this deal." Larry Riley said calmly, his voice firm and powerful.

Although he is not as visionary as Zhang Yu in decision-making, he is not lacking in courage and courage. He is good at manipulating transactions. Last summer, the Warriors were able to deceive the sky and select Curry, and Larry Riley also played an important role in it.

What people don't know is that in Zhang Yu's previous life, the core team members of the Warriors at their peak were all selected by the team when Larry Riley was in office. Except for one Looney, there has never been a second rookie who can be used.

"I'm waiting for your good news. This deal is very important to the team. I want a result before the end of the All-Star weekend." Zhang Yu said seriously.

Larry Riley solemnly agreed, and Zhang Yu sent him out of the door. Watching Larry Riley drive away, he raised his eyes slightly, and looked at the sparse stars in the distance with deep eyes.

He didn't know what Larry Riley was thinking, just as he couldn't tell his general manager his plans.

He couldn't explain to Larry Riley how he was so predictable.

This year's draft and next year's draft are both recognized as small draft years. In contrast, next year's draft is more optimistic because of the peerless talent Anthony Davis. With his outstanding performance in the Global Challenge, this talented high school student with a pair of thick eyebrows has attracted the attention of the whole United States.

But apart from Zhang Yu, no one will know that the Cavaliers' draft pick in the hands of the Warriors will develop according to the normal trajectory, only the fourth pick, and now there is Monta Ellis, and this year's Cavaliers are likely to win the No. The Cavaliers' combat power is much stronger than before, and the picks are likely to become lower. In addition to Anthony Davis in next year's draft, there are only a few stars such as Bill, Lillard and Middleton, but they all Not the player the Warriors need.

This year's draft is different. Zhang Yu naturally doesn't have any thoughts about Irving, who is basically scheduled to be the No. 2011 pick, but the player with the highest achievement in the [-] draft is not Irving. As the biggest legacy in this draft, Zhang Yu is bound to win Leonard!
It was precisely for the purpose of drafting Leonard that Zhang Yu had to replace the draft pick and send Matthews away to make room for him.

As Larry Riley said, Matthews is a very high-quality starter, and even showed little hope of becoming a star, but compared with Leonard, he is like a firefly to Haoyue, and there is no comparison at all.

And Matthews is not in Zhang Yu's future plans for the team. His height is only 1 meters. Although he can also play the position of small forward, he is actually more suitable to play shooting guard. Facing the top swingman, Matthews will struggle on both ends of the floor.

The Warriors already have Clay and Tony Allen in the sub-position. They don't need Matthews. He can attack and defend well, but he can't reach the top level. If Zhang Yu only wants to build a strong team, then Matthews' strength is enough, but Zhang Yu's goal is to compete for the championship. The meaning of Matthews to the Warriors is only the function of changing the bargaining chip for Leonard. Zhang Yu offered Matthews in the summer The big contract is paving the way for this step.

This is also impossible. The Warriors will definitely make it to the playoffs this year, and their ranking is not low. Their first-round pick will be sent to the Nets. Other players are either not worth enough to trade, or they are in Zhang Yu's long-term plan. The Cavaliers signed Zhang Yu in 2014 and there is another big use. The chips he can take out are only Matthews and the Cavaliers' first-round pick next year.

The next ten years will be the heyday of point guards, but the strikers will be king. Among all the championship-winning teams, except for the Warriors in 2015, there will be a top striker, and all the next FMVPs will be won by There are many controversies about the acquisition of strikers, but the role of top strikers in high-intensity games cannot be replaced.

Under high-intensity confrontation, talent is everything.

Curry's offensive influence can be said to be the best in the world. He is the only player in NBA history who has an offensive threat on the court and is a top player both off the ball and with the ball.

As long as he moves, he can attract most of the opponent's defensive attention. He will always be the focus of the court. Even in order to prevent his fast-break three-pointers, the Cavaliers would rather let Durant rush into the interior to dunk the basket.

But Curry is not perfect. His height, wingspan, and athletic ability make it difficult for him to find a space to force a shot under strict defense. He is the most powerful engine driving the Warriors, but he is not good at attacking. spear.

This is not to say that Curry does not have key ball ability. On the contrary, Curry has repeatedly performed well at critical moments. After Cole took office, he was in a mess on the spot. Curry failed to catch the ball at the last moment several times and could only swallow the defeat. , leaving sadly.

But it is undeniable that Curry's natural disadvantages make it difficult for him to output stably from beginning to end in a high-intensity series. Three-pointers are naturally unstable. When it's off in the finals, that's why people think that shooting can't win a championship. Before Curry came along, after the intensity increased, it was the norm for shooters to be off.

Only the top strikers with size, confrontation, athletic ability and shooting have the ability to ignore the environment. They may not be able to lead the team to triumph in a season like the big core with the ball, but they can be strong in a round. In the full series, when the simple and easy offensive methods failed, he scored tough points in the middle distance and provided the team with a hard solution.

Therefore, after Durant joined, the Warriors' offensive end can be said to be invincible and invincible. If Durant is not injured in 2019, the Warriors will have three consecutive championships at their fingertips.

With the existence of Zhang Yu, it is impossible for Curry to sign a child labor contract again, and it is impossible for Durant to join the Warriors again, and Leonard is the strongest small forward with comprehensive offensive and defensive strengths in the next ten years, and Zhang Yu is determined to win. .

After he grows up, the Warriors will use Curry as the core, Leonard as the spear, Clay as the arrow, and Green as the shield, supplemented by a group of high-quality role players, to truly have the foundation of the dynasty!

Of course, this does not mean that Zhang Yu will give up on Butler, but Leonard is the best option at the small forward position. When Germany really grows up, the contracts of the Warriors' rookies will also expire, and Butler may face problems in renewing his contract. It is in the best interest of the Warriors to store a backup in advance.

The NBA is essentially a cruel business arena and arena. The 30 teams are willing to give everything for the championship, but anyone who has the slightest compassion and a sense of conservatism will not be able to make it to the end. Even if Zhang Yu has the advantage of foresight, He can't guarantee that the Warriors can win the championship smoothly. After all, he doesn't know how much impact the butterfly effect he set off will have, let alone consider human factors in the process of matching the lineup.

All of this is for the championship.

(End of this chapter)