I was determined to be bad, but I went straight to the Basketball Hall of Fame

Chapter 257 Relaxed Atmosphere (Fourth)
For Harden and George, they knew for the first time that the general manager of the team was so approachable.

Eating, chatting, and joking with the players in the training center, there is no airs from the management at all.

Like Harden in the Thunder, although Presti is a good general manager, he is very serious every day.

The Thunder's team culture is inherited from the Spurs, and the Spurs have always given the impression of being rigorous and disciplined like an army.

Popovich himself was born in the military, and he often scolded young players with his hot temper - except for Duncan.

The overall atmosphere of the Spurs became more relaxed. When Popovich was old, the team's transformation began.

In short, Harden has never seen management and players so close.

Because they are not close enough, they have little burden when trading players.

It is a pity that Harden left the Thunder because of the difference with Durant and Westbrook.

They're both young guys, they're very close, they're all very talented.

It's really a pity to separate after only playing for one year.

But coming to the Clippers is not bad, Curry is also young and talented.

And compared with George and Bledsoe, Harden can be regarded as the big brother.

Min Congda and Curry actually started a cooking competition. This year, Min Congda is good at eating.

I haven't gained much weight, and I can't grow taller. I don't know why I eat more and more.

I don't know where the excess energy went.

Seafood fried rice is eaten one pot after another.

In the end, both of them couldn't eat anymore and lay motionless on the chair.

Min Congda asked, "Stephen, you eat so much, what about training in the afternoon?"

Curry shook his head and said, "I don't know, I can't move at all, I eat too much."

"You must be sick. I don't care if I know that I still eat so much during training in the afternoon."

"No, I want to beat you, I want to eat more than you."

The boring competitive spirit was stimulated here, and the result was that Curry had to ask for leave for afternoon training.

Dunleavy scolded Curry angrily, but there was nothing he could do. Who asked Min Congda to support him.

The Clippers' training maintained this relaxed and lively atmosphere, which was deliberately created by Min Congda.

He felt that if the players were allowed to practice hard every day, the team's performance would definitely get better and better.

For example, the Lakers next door, it is said that every training session of the Lakers is like a fight, and the intensity is very high.

Kobe is the kind of player who is very serious in training and doesn't allow anyone to laugh or laugh.

There is also Michael Jordan, who is also a devil in training, and his teammates will be scolded for a little slack.

Not only will he torture you with your skills, but he will also torture you with non-stop trash talk and make you grow up in pain.

Min Congda has studied hard at home during the off-season, and these are all negative teaching materials.

This kind of unhealthy wind cannot be allowed to blow into the Clippers' training.

Practice ended at two o'clock in the afternoon, and the team scheduled a postgame interview.

Milicic was the focus of attention of the reporters, and the reporters surrounded him to inquire about the training situation.

7 years, 7 years have passed, and people are still unwilling to let go of the second place in this platinum era.

But this time, Milicic looked very relaxed when facing the interview.

Compared with when he signed three months ago, his mental state is obviously much better.

The beard is clean-shaven, and the hair is cut and neat.

He didn't talk much when facing reporters, but he answered every question well.

When answering reporters' questions, the word he uttered most was "relax."

"I feel very relaxed and there is no pressure."

"The team's training atmosphere is also very relaxed. Mr. Smart always reminds us to relax."

"Just relax and get ready for the new season."

Compared with last season, Milicic has another change, that is, his weight has become lighter.

Obviously he took the time to work on size control to get in better shape.

Since his rookie season, Milicic has given up on himself and often eats snacks.

What carbonated drinks, potato chips, cheese, these high-calorie foods are his favorites.

He didn't become an overweight fat man like Eddie Curry, which shows that he has restrained himself.

During Memphis and Timberwolves seasons, the weight has affected his mobility.

In the new season, Milicic decided to unload the burden and give himself a new position.

Since Smart doesn't expect anything from him, what he expects of himself is to be a useful defensive insider.

Dunleavy repeatedly emphasized interior defense in the first training session, and Milicic tried to run and do it.

After a training session, Dunleavy found that Milicic's performance was not bad, not as bad as expected.

After the interview, he packed everything and drove back to his new home in Los Angeles. Looking at his wife and daughter, Milicic was very satisfied.

He had a premonition that a new life was about to start here.

……

On October 10, after three days of training, the Clippers started their preseason tour.

Their first opponent in the preseason is the Portland Trail Blazers, and the strength of the Trail Blazers should not be underestimated.

It's just that this team is really unlucky. Greg Oden, the champion they have been waiting for for a long time, is still hopeless for a comeback.

In a game against the Rockets in December last year, Oden was injured again, and he left the game and never returned.

Until now, Oden is still on the Blazers' injury list, and the Blazers can only re-sign Pulzbila as a center.

The Oden-Aldridge-Roy talent lineup planned by the Blazers finally fell under the devastation of injuries.

Even so, the Blazers' lineup is still very balanced.

Przybilla, Aldridge, Roy, Batum plus Andre Miller.

It can be said that it is a well-regulated, stable and well-balanced lineup.

Roy entered the All-Star last season and averaged 22 points per game.

After Aldridge finished his rookie contract, the Blazers renewed his contract for 5 years and 6500 million.

He has entered a mature stage, and this season will usher in an all-round explosion.

Plus French Spiderman Batum, veteran Andre Miller.

In the eyes of expert commentators, the Blazers lineup is still very competitive.

The only hidden danger is the injury problem.

The first game of the preseason, the Moda Center, home of the Trail Blazers.

Lazy Clippers face a disciplined Trail Blazers coached by Nate McMillan.

In the first quarter, the Blazers used defense and precise jump shots to maintain their lead over the Clippers.

After that, Dunleavy let go of the rotation and let all the rookies come on stage and slip away.

This was Min Congda's request before the game, and it was the mule or the horse who always wanted to go up for a walk.

It is no wonder that the team can play well in this way. The situation on the field is in stark contrast.

Nate McMillan is a coach who is very obsessed with mid-range jumpers and has strict requirements on players' shot selection.

In comparison, the Clippers played in a mess in the first preseason game, and Curry and Harden on the outside line took the opportunity to throw it.

Not to mention Dunleavy's headache, McMillan on the opposite side was uncomfortable, thinking: "After an offseason, how did the Clippers become like this? There is no discipline at all. It seems that there is no need to worry too much during the regular season."

In the new season, the Clippers' opening game is against the Trail Blazers.

McMillan saw the messy Clippers on the court and felt that the West might have one less competitor.

(End of this chapter)