warrior godfather

Chapter 316 Rising Storm (6000 words)
December 12, Los Angeles, Staples Arena.

A press conference is about to be held here, and the scene is already crowded with reporters. They hold cameras and look towards the entrance of the news room, looking forward to it.

Five minutes later, Chris Paul, the protagonist of the press conference, walked into the press conference, surrounded by Clippers general manager Neil Owsley, agent Leon Rose, and team publicists. He sat down in the middle seat and looked at the reporters with a smile.

Yesterday, the NBA officially announced that the Clippers and the Hornets have officially completed the deal about Paul. The Clippers sent Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Aminu and the 2012 unprotected first-round pick (traded from the Timberwolves acquired), in exchange for Paul and the Hornets' two 2015 second-round picks.

This is the most important transaction since the trading market opened on December 12.

After the lockout ended, the long-hungry Clippers quickly attacked. Neil Owsley made a big deal. After signing Caron Butler, renewing DeAndre Jordan, and getting Billups through bidding, he Paul was introduced again. Although three players were lost in the transaction, the Clippers' strength has still been greatly improved.

After Paul sat down, the press conference began quickly, and he smiled very happily and said:

"I'm glad it's finally coming to an end. It's been a tough few weeks for me. I just want to play. I want to be here. You don't know how excited I am. It's An unbelievable team, everyone knows that Griffin and DeAndre Jordan play here, my brother Billups is here, I'm so excited to play with him, it's It was an incredible experience.”

Neil Owsley also said with emotion:
"We submitted 100 deal proposals, 99 of which were stillborn, and we were absolutely determined not to let the last one be rejected. Yes, we left the negotiating table at one point, but we came back to the negotiating table yesterday. If If we want to make a big breakthrough, then we have to have a superstar!"

As he said, this deal was very tortuous. Although Paul added player options and only had two years left on his contract, the Hornets' asking price was still very high, so high that they failed one after another in negotiations with the Clippers until Neil Olis finally agreed to add Eric Gordon, whom he had been reluctant to put in, in the deal, and the deal was finally negotiated.

But the Clippers are not all sacrifices. Paul then said at the press conference that he will execute the last year of the contract, that is to say, next summer he will not jump out of the contract and become a free agent. Ship played for two seasons, until 2013, his contract will expire, after that, he plans to play for the Clippers for a long time.

When Paul made such a promise, Neil Owsley sat beside him, smiling and nodding repeatedly.

Later, the reporter pointed the finger at him:

"Mr. Osley, the Clippers now have four point guards, Chris, Chauncey Billups, Eric Bledsoe, and Mo Williams. How will you deal with it next?"

Neil Owsley also smiled and said:

"We will definitely solve this problem properly in the follow-up. Welcome to Chris is just the first step for the Clippers to hit the championship. Next, we have other actions. The rise of the Warriors and the Thunder made me understand one thing. It's time for new forces to enter the western stage, and we will give our all to compete for the championship!"

……

Chicago, United Center.

In the conference room, Bulls general manager Geer Forman and Ross, as well as the Ross brokerage team headed by Tellem and BJ Armstrong, are making a signing, a signing that is extremely important to the Bulls.

On the table between the two parties, there is a five-year $5 million maximum salary contract. This is also the first contract that meets Rose's terms after the introduction of the new labor agreement.

Rose picked up the contract in front of him and looked through it calmly, while everyone in the conference room was staring at him.

Tellem and BJ Armstrong were smiling, Gale Forman was also smiling, but there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes when he looked at Rose, and the rest of the Bulls staff looked envious .

After Ross was elected as the No. 4 pick, he only signed a four-year contract of 2254 million yuan. Now, as long as he writes, he can become a billionaire in name. Even after deducting heavy taxes, his net worth can increase by more than 5000 million yuan. Dollar!

Under everyone's gaze, Rose flipped through the contract, smiled, picked up a pen, and signed his name on the contract.

Geer Forman breathed a sigh of relief. Although he had already negotiated with Tellem and BJ Armstrong about the early renewal of the contract, he had expected this result, but until Rose signed the contract, everything was settled. His hanging heart was really relieved.

As long as Rose is kept, Gale Forman's work in the offseason will be more than half completed.

He stood up, smiled and said:
"Derek, the team will continue to promote transactions, improve the lineup, and use you as the core to hit the championship. Hamilton is just the beginning. If you have any opinions, you can ask me anytime."

Rose put down the pen, shook his head and said:

"No, I believe in the decision-making of the management. I will not intervene in the operation of the team. I am only responsible for playing well."

Geer Forman heard the words, and the smile on his face became wider:

"Thank you for your trust. We will have a great cooperation in the future. Derek, you will be the second Michael Jordan of the Bulls. No, you are the son of Chicago. You will be more popular than Michael Jordan."

Facing his compliment, Rose shook his head slowly and said:
"I'm nobody, I'm just me, I'm Derrick Rose!"

……

Dallas, American Airlines Center.

In General Manager Nelson Jr.'s office, Mark Cuban, Carlisle, and Jr. Nelson sat together in silence, and the atmosphere in the room was slightly calm.

After a while, Mark Cuban opened his mouth and said:
"Is Magic still not even willing to talk to us?"

Little Nelson nodded solemnly:
"Yes, our chips are not very attractive to them. After all, they even rejected the Nets, and Otis seems to have changed his mind and removed Howard from the shelf."

Carlisle opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but he looked at Mark Cuban's gloomy face, and finally just sighed silently, and closed his mouth.

After the opening of the free market, the Mavericks quickly made a move, sending away all the team's insiders Bogut, backup Raider Barea, rotation backbone Caron Butler, Brewer and other players, leaving only Dirk Nowitzki, Marion, Kidd, Terry and a few other championship feats have exceeded everyone's expectations.

As the head coach, Carlisle was strongly opposed to seeing the team's championship lineup being dismantled. However, in terms of trading, Mark Cuban and Nelson Jr. had the absolute right to speak. Carlisle had no choice but to agree.

But under his insistence, Terry, Kidd and Marion were still kept, and together with Nowitzki, constituted the core lineup of the defending champion in the new season, and the core lineup was one year older.

In fact, Carlisle can understand that the choice of Mark Cuban and Nelson Jr. to dismantle the championship lineup is very correct from the perspective of team operations.

The Mavericks won the championship last season, which is a miracle that is difficult to replicate. No one knows whether Nowitzki, who is one year older, can play such an explosive state again, and as long as his state degenerates , it will be difficult for the Mavericks to stand on the final stage.

And if they want to keep the championship team intact, the management will definitely offer a premium contract to the meritorious players, even if it may be their best playoff game, even if they are likely to decline rapidly, in one or two days After one season, it turned into a poison contract.

Therefore, Mark Cuban chose to accept it as soon as he saw it, leaving only absolute meritorious service, getting together with others, and sending them to the team he wanted to go to.

Moreover, doing so also freed up a lot of salary space for the Mavericks. Although the core lineup of the Mavericks is seriously aging, Mark Cuban still has thoughts about the championship and hopes to use this space to sign a player in the trading market. The young star, assisting Nowitzki to win another championship, can also take over Nowitzki's scepter after he gets old, achieving a seamless connection.

Coincidentally, after Howard was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, his mind changed and he had conflicts with the team. He forced the Palace Magic management to trade for a helper who could assist him in the championship, otherwise he would be sent away. He can't stand the situation going from bad to worse, and the status quo of the team with no hope of winning the championship.

The Magic management was furious about this. They followed the "team tradition", that is, they did not treat the team's super centers as human beings. General manager Otis Smith immediately put Howard on the shelf.

Nelson immediately targeted Howard, actively pursued Warcraft, and negotiated with the Magic management on trading Howard many times.

However, the Magic looked down on the Mavericks' poor chips at all, and didn't even give the Mavericks a chance to negotiate. Turning around and having a strong will, they can give Lopez's Nets to start trade negotiations.

Yesterday, because the magic asking price was too high, the Nets, who couldn’t bear it, hired the Trail Blazers again. The Nets offered Lopez and the draft picks, the Blazers offered Wallace, and the Magic offered Howard and the rubbish contracts Turkoglu and Duhon , a big three-team deal seems to be brewing.

However, just one day after the Blazers joined the talks, the Magic unilaterally terminated the Howard trade negotiations. According to Wojnarowski, Otis Smith was not actually ready to lose Howard. This method puts pressure on Howard. In the short term, the Magic will not try to trade Warcraft.

Mavericks' beautiful vision was shattered.

Mark Cuban took a deep breath and said:
"Let's stop here. The new season is about to start. Downey, you pay attention to finding some players suitable for the team in the market to fill the lineup, but pay attention to maintaining salary flexibility. Shrinking the season is not what we do. The opportunity to help the old guy, when the right time comes, we will make a comeback!"

……

Miami, American Airlines Center.

In the locker room, the Heat players are changing clothes. After 15 minutes, they will start today's training.

The seats of the Big Three were close together. Wade was chatting and laughing with Bosh. It seemed that they were discussing some very interesting topic and burst into laughter from time to time. James turned his head sideways and chatted and laughed with Battier on the other side.

"Sean, are you still used to staying in Miami?" James asked with concern.

Battier nodded and said:
"It's a great city, full of sunshine, very similar to Houston, and more beautiful than Houston. I like Miami very much."

James smiled, and said with an all-encompassing attitude:
"If you have any questions, come to me at any time, I will not let my brother play with worries."

Battier's eyes lit up and said:

"Okay, LeBron, I just came to the team, and I do have some questions, I want to understand..."

A week ago, Battier had just signed a three-year, $3 million contract with the Heat, which was also the first free agent signing after the opening of the trading market.

James was very enthusiastic to explain his problem to Battier. At this time, it was time to start training. The two walked out of the locker room side by side. James said:

"Sean, come to my house at six o'clock on Sunday afternoon, and other people will come too, let's have a gathering together."

"No problem, I will definitely be there." Battier agreed without hesitation.

James nodded in satisfaction, patted Battier on the shoulder, and said in a big brother gesture:
"Still the same sentence, Sean, whether you have any questions on or off the court, you can always come to me. You are a very important member of the team. The playoffs need your performance very much. I hope you can give your full attention. Put it all on the court, this season, I am determined to win the championship!"

……

Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma.

Bang!

On the training field, Westbrook, who was wearing a dark blue training uniform, slammed the ball, rushed into the lane, rose from the ground, swung it round with one hand, and smashed the ball into the basket with a loud bang. , seems to be venting the joy of finally having a game to play.

Scott Brooks stood on the sidelines, standing side by side with Sam Presti, watching the Thunder players training on the field.

It's been seven months since the last time the Thunder got together for practice in one court.

Brooks' eyes were constantly wandering on Durant, Westbrook and Harden. After Westbrook's dunk, he turned his attention to Durant and Harden who made consecutive three-pointers, revealing With a smile, he said:

"See, Sam, Russell's physical condition is better than last season, and Kevin and James have also made great progress in the summer."

Presti nodded slightly, agreeing:

"We have three great guys who have worked hard and made the most of this long offseason, which is probably the only good news the lockout has given us."

Brooks laughed:

"Yes, this is also our advantage over other teams. Even if the offseason is longer, those famous stars will not be able to break through the upper limit, but Kevin can, Russell can, and James can. They have unlimited resources. potential, they also have enough physical fitness, the new season is a shortened season, this is our best chance!"

Bang!

While the two were talking, Harden, who was practicing three-point shooting, also took the ball and rushed into the paint, completing a not-violent but powerful tomahawk-style dunk.

Seeing this scene, the smile on Brooks' face became more obvious:
"James has gained 5 pounds, and his confrontation and strength have been greatly improved. In the new season, he can play a more important role."

He glanced around, took a panoramic view of Ibaka, Sefolosha and others who were sweating on the field, and said with pride:
"Sam, it's time for us to show results, we have the best young people in the league!"

Presti hesitated for a moment, but still nodded in agreement, and did not refute Brooks who was in the mood, but a solemn thought emerged in his heart:

"The Warriors who knocked us out last season are also young teams. How are they now..."

……

Oakland, Oracle Centre.

A large-scale press conference is being held here. Zhang Yu, Larry Riley, and Rick Wertz all appear on the stage. Beside them are Kawhi Leonard, Chandler Parsons, and Isaiah Thomas.

This is the rookie signing ceremony of the Warriors. At this time, the three of Leonard are holding jerseys in their hands, facing the reporter, the flashlights are constantly flashing, and the smiles and jersey numbers of the three are recorded—Leonard wears No. 2 jersey, Par Sens wears No. 25 and Thomas wears No. 22.

After the photo was taken, it was the questioning session. The reporter took the lead in focusing on Leonard:

"Kawhi, the league has just experienced a long-term suspension. The training camp does not start until December 12th. In the Christmas Day opener on December 9th, the Warriors will face the Clippers. You only have half a month and Does training with teammates have a big impact on your integration into the team?"

When Leonard heard this question, even he, who had been paralyzed for thousands of years, couldn't help showing a smile. Parsons and Thomas both laughed, and Zhang Yu also smiled, looking at Leonard, waiting for his answer. Reply.

The reporter who asked the question saw the changes in the expressions of several people, and was very puzzled. His question was very normal. Why did the Warriors seem to have heard a joke?
When he was wondering, Leonard said:
"No impact, I have fully integrated into the team, including Chandler and Isaiah, we have established a very harmonious relationship with our teammates, we have a very tacit understanding on the court, and we are all confident to help the team."

The reporter asked puzzledly:
"But you have only been together for a week, can you achieve such good results?"

"Yes." Leonard replied simply.

The reporter whose doubts were not answered immediately looked at Parsons and Thomas.

Parsons laughed:
"What Leonard said, is what I want to say, we have fully integrated into the team. one!"

Thomas also nodded and smiled:

"Yeah, well, I have to add that the training camp has been great, beyond imagination, and we have the best team of trainers ... no, the coaching staff."

The reporters looked at each other in blank dismay. Only a week into training camp, the Warriors' rookie dared to say that he was "fully integrated into the team"?Even if you want to lick Coach Z, you don't have to do that, right?It's really ugly to eat!

The reporter ignored the three rookies, and instead asked Zhang Yu, who had been watching with a smile:
"Ronan, do you agree with what Kawhi, Isaiah and Chandler said? Warriors training camp really has such a magical effect?"

Zhang Yu leaned forward slightly, approached the microphone placed on the table, and said:

"I am very happy to see that they have such recognition for the team. As for the running-in issue, it is too early to say these, and the game will prove everything. However, our training camp has indeed achieved very good results. I want to Big hats off to Steven, Ron and Bruce for a job done very, very well."

Zhang Yu deliberately used the accent on "very" and repeated it, and used the word "perfect". The reporters all heard the deep appreciation in his words.

And after he finished speaking, Rick Wertz and Larry Riley applauded lightly, expressing their agreement.

The reporters in the audience looked at each other in blank dismay. The training camp has only started for a week. How much contribution can the Warriors' assistant coach make to make the management praise so much?
"Can you tell me how they did it?" asked another reporter.

Zhang Yu smiled slightly and said:

"Our coaching staff has given young people a lot of guidance to help them improve."

After his words fell, the reporters became even more confused. Isn't this what the coaching staff should do?How did it become a great credit to the Warriors?
They still want to ask again, but Zhang Yu no longer struggles with this question, he said directly:

"If you still have questions in this regard, you can follow our follow-up games and you will get answers."

Journalists can only change direction:
"The new season is about to start. After the Western Conference finals last season, you once said that the goal of the Warriors this season is to compete for the championship. Do you still think so?"

Zhang Yu nodded without hesitation and said:

"Of course! We are a young team. In the intensive schedule, we have a physical advantage. The shortened season is very beneficial to us. We will seize this opportunity."

"But the Warriors have as many as 12 young players who have only played for two seasons at most, and the rest of the veterans have only come to the Warriors in these two seasons. Will they play well together?"

Zhang Yu smiled lightly and said:
"I said that the game will prove everything. Kawhi and the others can integrate into the team, and others are not a problem. Let's put it this way, our running-in has reached an almost perfect level, and we still have the advantage of being young. In the new season When we start, we're going to blow everyone away."

After he finished speaking, the reporters were stunned, how much did Coach Z drink?

Those teams with many veterans dare not say that after a long lockout period, they can immediately find a tacit understanding. Can the Warriors, a young team, run in to a "perfect" level?

"Coach Z, are you serious? Or, are you joking?" a reporter couldn't help asking.

Zhang Yu smiled slightly and said:

"Let's wait and see!"

　Make up for yesterday's, add [-] more to show compensation, ask for a monthly ticket, recommended ticket~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)