God of NBA point guards

Chapter 504 Airport Paralysis + New Season Lineup

On the 2nd, U.S. time, the glider Drexler returned to Houston. After returning home, he went to Dameng's home.

"Hakeem, you only have one year left on your contract. If you still have some gas, why don't you buy out your contract and go to the SuperSonics?" he sincerely advised.

"Is dreams more important, or money? Da Meng fell into deep thought.

Glider advised: "I know you have conflicts with Iron Fist, but he is a massive person and will not care about the past.

Do you see how much conflict he had with the assassins in the locker room when he first entered the league?Didn't they become best friends later? "

Da Meng is a little embarrassed, Clyde, what I am thinking about now is not this, but the question of which is more important, money or dreams.

"For the dream of the championship, don't be humble." Glider finally said.

He had such a big dream that he still had a two-year contract worth 3100 million U.S. dollars, but he still couldn't bear to part with it. Thinking of giving up so many U.S. dollars, he hesitated and said:

"The SuperSonics' current lineup is not good. Even if the Iron Fist King comes back, I'm afraid they won't be able to beat the Spurs, right? I think it's hard to beat the Lakers. If I buy out my contract and end up losing the championship, won't I be laughed to death?"

Glider shook his head and said: "Anyway, I advise you, it's up to you to choose."

……

New York, NBA headquarters, David Stern is very happy these two days. Because of Zhou Quan's comeback, the league has received some sponsor contracts in the past two days, and then China CCTV notified the league that it will purchase the SuperSonics for the new season. Broadcasting rights.

He believes that more good news will be received in the future, and the NBA league will usher in a turn for the better.

……

On July 7, Zhou Ye took the college entrance examination. After completing the exam, Zhou Quan and his family went to the United States.

The summer vacation is not over yet. Zeng Yu is temporarily staying in China and will return to the United States at the end of August.

Zhou Jun has completed his four-year undergraduate degree, obtained a degree certificate in computer science, and has passed UCLA's graduate application.

No. 12, Los Angeles International Airport.

Li Lianjie and others pushed their luggage out of the aisle, and suddenly found that they were blocked by a large number of reporters, with guns and cannons pointed at them.

"No way, I just filmed a blockbuster movie, Skybreaker 4, and so many reporters are waiting for me?"

Lao Li was a little confused. He estimated that there were at least 100 reporters here. Was there any Hollywood superstar behind them?
I looked back and saw that there were some people following me, but I didn’t see those familiar Hollywood superstars?
Long Wu also looked back and said, "Even the Hollywood superstars, none of them have such a good reputation, right?"

When they got closer, they didn't see any interview behavior by these reporters. The flashlights stopped turning on, and instead they made way for a few of them.

They finally squeezed out of the middle, but found themselves blocked again because there were more people behind the reporters, all wearing uniforms and sneakers.

More than a dozen airport security personnel are trying to maintain order, but it's useless. There are too many people. There are at least 300 people here, and they don't obey orders at all.

Lao Li and the others couldn't get through, so they had to stop where they were.

"I see."

Lao Li looked at the jerseys on these people and shouted in sudden enlightenment.

"What do you know?" Dragon King asked.

"This is the SuperSonics No. [-] jersey, the Iron Fist King's jersey. Didn't he just announce his comeback? Could it be that he is coming out?" Lao Li said excitedly.

"King of Iron Fist? No wonder!" Dragon King also suddenly realized.

Even though he is from Xiangcheng, he has heard the name of King of Iron Fist for a long time and heard Chen Long mention it many times, but he has never had the opportunity to know King of Iron Fist.

"I'm coming……"

At this moment, these reporters suddenly became commotion.

Lao Li stood behind and looked around. He couldn't see that he was a little shorter.
"Crack clap..."

When Zhou Quan's family and six private security personnel walked out of the exit, a dense crowd of reporters had completely blocked the front, with the sound of shutter shutters and flashes of lights.

"It's really him."

Lao Li jumped behind the reporters several times and finally saw Zhou Quan wearing sunglasses walking behind the security personnel.

He had no contact with Zhou Quan or met him, but he was very familiar with Zhou Quan's name.

"King of Iron Fist, is this coming back to the SuperSonics?"

"Tekken King, is it possible to stay in Los Angeles? All Los Angeles people hope you can play here."

"Iron Fist..."

When Zhou Quan approached, the reporters immediately asked all kinds of questions, and the flashes and shutter sounds became more intensive.

"Yes, I chose to return to the Sonics, and my home is still there."

"I love the fans in Los Angeles and hope you will continue to support me."

Under the protection of security personnel, Zhou Quan walked forward, picking up easy-to-answer questions and answering them.

It took a full 10 minutes to break through the siege of more than 100 media reporters. At this time, Zhou Quan saw fans wearing his own jersey and Tekken series sneakers.

"you?"

he asked somewhat confused.

"Iron Fist!"

More than 300 fans cheered instantly, and more than half of them shed tears.

A fan in his 50s shouted excitedly: "Tekken King, we have formed a group to greet you, coming from Seattle."

"Thank you so much. This is why I chose to return to the NBA and the SuperSonics, because of you. Zhou Quan nodded with emotion.

"Oh hoo!"

There was joy at the scene.

"So popular!" Lao Li murmured, looking at Zhou Quan a few steps away.

"Li Lianjie? Hello!"

At this time, Zhou Quan noticed Lao Li, took a step over, and stretched out his hand across the two fans.

"Hello!"

Old Li was startled and quickly stretched out his hand.

Zhou Quan then took some photos with these fans before leaving the airport.

"Husband, do you know Li Lianjie? I never heard you mention it." Zeng Li asked after getting in the car.

Zhou Quan shook his head and said: "I don't know him. When I was studying in Los Angeles, he opened a martial arts gym here. I went to his martial arts gym to study for a few days. There were quite a lot of people. How did he have an impression of me? In 92, he opened a martial arts gym here. I met him once at the Peninsula Hotel restaurant in Xiangcheng, and I knew him, but he didn’t know me.”

On the other end, after bidding farewell to Zhou Quan, the topic of Lao Li and Long Wu still couldn't leave Zhou Quan.

Long Wu said: "Ajie, Chen Long has a good relationship with him. He has told me many times that many of the top first-line stars in Hollywood are friends of the King of Iron Fist. Looking at his appearance just now, he is even better than Chen Long." Big. Now that you have entered Hollywood, now that you have met him, I think you should strengthen your connection with him."

"I will, Fifth Brother." Li Lianjie said.

The relationship between the two was very good. When he and Jiahe had a falling out, his agent Cai Zimin was killed. His brother-in-law, who was his agent, also died in a car accident. Later, Long Wu appeared and helped him settle those things. trouble.

……

Zhou Quan's family stayed in Los Angeles for one night and then flew to Seattle the next day.

I don’t know how many fans rushed to the airport to greet him, at least tens of thousands of people. It was a small scene at the Los Angeles Airport yesterday.

From the airport to his villa on the shores of Lake Washington, there were cars filled with fans, and the sound of horns was heard all the way.

The Seattle police arranged a large number of police officers to escort him. It took three or four hours for the family to arrive at the villa. They closed the door and did not dare to come out.

"Dad, I will contact you an expert doctor who specializes in treating liver disease, and then arrange for a weight loss coach and nutritionist. You can get rid of the fatty liver first, and when you get better, I will arrange a position for you at Exquisite Coffee. What do you think?" Zhou Quan said after resting for a while.

"Okay, son, you can take care of it."

Zhou Jianguo's fatty liver has reached moderate levels and will become severe if left untreated. Liver function has been affected. He has no choice but to nod.

"Jianguo, quit smoking and drinking. The doctor has long told you to quit drinking and smoking." Lin Yufen said.

Zhou Jianguo immediately shouted: "How can that be done? I can't eat, drink or smoke. I've stopped having all the fun of men. How can I still enjoy life?"

"Dad, stop drinking first, and then drink a little more when you're healthy. As for cigarettes, let's smoke cigars. They're more stylish. You'll get hooked when you smell them." Zhou Quan said hurriedly.

"It's almost there."

Finally there is still some hope, Zhou Jianguo said helplessly. …

The next day, all the headlines in the American media were about Zhou Quan.

“Tekken King arrives in Los Angeles, paralyzing airport.” New York Times.

“Tekken King Arrives in Seattle, Paralyzing the City.” The Seattle Times.

The Wall Street Journal published a commentary on this, saying: "After King of Iron Fist announced his return to the NBA, the NBA has regained the favor of sponsors, which will stimulate the U.S. economy affected by the Southeast Asian financial turmoil and increase the U.S. job market.

Since King of Iron Fist announced his comeback, listed companies related to it have generally risen. Affected by this, U.S. stocks have soared 7% in the past three days, and the total market value has soared by hundreds of billions of dollars. "

……

After a night's rest, Zhou Quan went to the Supersonics headquarters the next day.

After exchanging pleasantries, Whithit first introduced the situation of the head coach.

George Karl holds a dynasty in his hands and is truly successful. He left the SuperSonics last season and now coaches the Bucks. He received one of the league's top coaching contracts from the Bucks.

The current head coach of the Sonics is former NBA star and former Suns head coach Paul Westphal, a very handsome white man.

The current coaching record is 428 wins in 216 games, a winning rate of 50.5%, and his ability can only be said to be average.

"This is the current lineup. Iron Fist, please take a look at it first."

"OK."

Whithit took out the lineup list and gave it to Zhou Quan, who took it and looked at it.

Center: Vin Baker, Jelani McCoy, Greg Foster

Forward: Rodman, Rashard Lewis, Corey Maggette, Otis Thorpe

Defenders: Zhou Quan, Brent Barry, Reuben Patterson, Shamond Williams, Flat Vinson
Whitsitt said: "At the center position, McCoy and Foster have little strength. They are marginal players and have not been given contracts yet. Vin Baker, alas!"

At this point, he couldn't help but sigh.

Zhou Quan hasn't watched many NBA games in two years, but Wen Baker knows this. He mainly plays the power forward position and is very powerful in low post offense. Seeing Whitsitt like this, he couldn't help but ask: "Bob , is he injured?"

Shaking his head, Whitsitt said angrily: "Last year during the big shutdown, he overeated and drank too much, and his weight reached almost 500 pounds in a few months."

"what?"

Zhou Quan was stunned, weighing more than 220 kilograms, and O'Neal is only 140 kilograms now. Is Wen Baker a ball of fat?
He said without hesitation: "He has too little self-discipline. We can't hire this kind of person. Our goal is the playoffs. In the series, the insiders will face guys like Shaq, Karl Malone, and Garnett. Centers Too weak.

Bob, trade him and try to trade a good main center.If you can't find it, you can prepare two human shields to deal with O'Neal. "

Whitsitt was startled and said hurriedly: "It can't be traded. His contract has expired and he is now a free agent. He asked for a five-year, 5 million contract because he failed to lose weight after one season and drank too much. , I'm still thinking about it. If you don't want to cooperate with him, I will notify his agent and let him go, which will save tens of millions of dollars."

Speaking of this, he sighed: "Because of him, I made a major mistake in the construction of the lineup, and it is probably irreparable now. In the current free market, it is impossible to find a high-quality center, and transactions are also very difficult."

Zhou Quan said: "I don't expect a star center. Try to find a good blue-collar center."

"I try my best."

Then Whithit continued to introduce: "For the forward position, Schrempf is gone. Rodman is 39 years old this year. In the two seasons you were away, he often missed training and had some attitude problems."

"Does Dennis only have this season's contract left? How is his current status?" Zhou Quan asked.

"As long as I can play, I'm in good shape and I can still grab a dozen rebounds, but there are a lot of injuries. I only played 50 of 25 games last season," Whitsitt said.

Zhou Quan nodded and said: "Leave Dennis's problem to me. I can play less in the regular season. His use will be in the playoffs."

Whitsitt continued: "At the forward position, except for Rodman, Rashard Lewis was our second-round pick last year and didn't have much playing time.

Thorpe can also play two positions. He came here for the championship. After you came back, you came to him a few days ago and got a low salary of $50.

Corey Maggette is our No. 13 pick in the first round this year. He is 198cm tall and is a forward and defender swingman.

As for defenders, Barry was the 95th pick in the first round of 15. The son of Barry Sr. is not as capable as his father, but he can be used. He averaged 11 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game last season. He has just been introduced as the main shooting guard this time. Yes, it’s also for you.

Reuben Patterson was the Lakers' No. 2 pick in the second round last year, a swingman at forward and guard, one spot higher than Lewis.Between him, Lewis and Maggette, we can consider focusing on training two.

Shamond Williams was the No. 5 pick in the second round last year and your backup. He only had two playing opportunities with the Hawks last season and did not perform well.

Vincent, the other defender, is a fringe player, a pick-up guy. You don't need to pay attention to him. If you have good players, you will be cleared away. "

Zhou Quan thought for a while and said: "Bob, we just talked about the center position. At the power forward position, given Rodman's age, he can only play as a substitute now. We will discuss how to arrange the playoffs later.

As the main power forward in the regular season, let Rashard Lewis give it a try first. If he has the potential to be cultivated, then cultivate him. If not, then find someone else. What do you think? "

"Iron Fist, Lewis, a young man, plays from the outside, but his defense on the outside is very poor. He can only defend a chair at most. His athletic ability is average, his independent offensive ability is not strong, and his rebounding is also very poor." Hui Texit reminded.

Zhou Quan was startled and quickly changed his words: "Anyway, we don't have a small forward now, so let him try the third position first, and we will find a main power forward."

"OK, so our two main inside players have to be found again."

"For position two, let Xiaoli take over as the main force first," Zhou Quan said.

Whithit said: "There are still ten days left in the freezing period. Let me talk first. I will inform you when I have a goal."

"OK." Zhou Quan nodded.

Whithit added: "Iron Fist, now that you are back, our team has become attractive again, such as Thorpe, so I am going to find one or two more veterans who still have gas to enrich the substitute lineup. If If we can find those two or three fringe guys on this list, we can let them go.”

At this point, he said with some embarrassment: "Iron Fist, I didn't know you were coming back, so this lineup is too bad. Several of them are marginal players with basic salaries, and the main lineup can't be assembled."

Then he added: "Many players have contacted me in the free market. This is their list. You can take a look and tell me if you find anything interesting."

"OK."

Zhou Quan took the list and read it.

But the vast majority are unfamiliar and marginalized people, and the few who have memories are also veterans with little fuel.

Whitshit separated the lists by position, with the biggest need now being inside, and he specifically looked at the center position at the top.

There are seven centers in total, six of them are undrafted, and none of them are eye-catching. Ben Wallace, Brad Miller, and Bruce Bowen all have too little playing time and have never had the chance to meet them on the court in the past.

"I don't have any opinion, you can do it yourself." He reluctantly handed the list back.

"Now our two fringe centers don't have much strength. I'll find a few of them and let them come over for trial training. Do you have time to come and take a look?" Whitsitt said.

"You inform me." Zhou Quan nodded.

After talking about the team's affairs, Whitsitt began to introduce Zhou Quan to the current situation and situation of the league.

"The Bulls have withdrawn from the championship competition with Jordan's retirement last season. Moreover, Jordan's retirement has disrupted the Bulls' rebuilding process. The Bulls were No. 12 in the Eastern Conference last season."

"Dameng stayed with Mosaic for a big contract. He has entered the late stage of his career, but Mosaic is not very competitive. Last season, he was fifth in the Western Conference."

"As for the Jazz, Barkley retired, and the Postman also stayed with the Jazz for a big contract. His current strength can still be maintained at the end of his peak, and he is very durable. He was second in the Western Conference last season and reached the Western Conference Finals."

"In the new season, the West has strong teams such as the Spurs, Jazz, Lakers, and Trail Blazers. In the East, the Heat, Pacers, and Knicks are not bad."

Zhou Quan thought for a while and said: "When Jordan retires, these strong teams in the East are relatively weak, and the overall strength of the West is stronger.

The Spurs and Lakers should be our main opponents. The Spurs have David Robinson + Duncan, the Lakers have Shaquille O'Neal, and our inside line? "

Whithit then introduced the new rules introduced by the league in the past two seasons.

The first is the reasonable collision zone introduced in the 97/98 season.

That is, within this area, the penalty is in favor of the attacking side and reasonable collision is allowed. The defender must jump vertically to defend and no unnecessary movement of the hands is allowed, otherwise it will be a blocking foul.

The second rule is the five-second rule.

That is, the back-up time cannot exceed five seconds. The pass or attack must be completed within this time, otherwise it is a violation and the ball rights will be exchanged.

Whithit said: "A reasonable collision zone makes O'Neal a real monster under the basket. Now this guy's tonnage exceeds 140 kilograms. As long as he gets the ball under the basket, it will be useless for several people to go up. I’m going to smash a few baskets and backboards this season.”

Zhou Quan said thoughtfully: "Give him a top outside line, and the Lakers will be able to stand up."

Whitsitt said: "That Kobe Bryant is already good, he was the Lakers' second scoring point last season.

He, Iverson, 97 rookie Tracy McGrady, and 98 Vince Carter are all shooting guards. Iverson's style of play can also be regarded as a shooting guard. They all have their own characteristics and are very popular. The league is promoting it. them.

Vince Carter is good at dunking. In just one rookie season, his popularity is no less than that of the other three. After Jordan retired last year, the league was able to barely survive because of his strength. "

……

(End of this chapter)