Coach: Coaching the Grizzlies at the beginning, playing the bantam

Chapter 193 Iverson's Invitation!Iverson: "Lou, please dance this last dance with me!"

In the afternoon of the next day, when Lu Yong was about to go out for a stroll and enjoy the scenery of Los Angeles, someone knocked on the door of his room from outside.

When he opened the door, the first thing Lu Yong saw was a handsome "ground ditch". The 76ers star Allen Iverson was standing at the door.

"Lu, do you have time tonight? I've made a reservation for the restaurant and I'd like to treat you to a meal."

"Of course." Lu Yong nodded in response.

The relationship between the two in private is not really good, but they have kept in touch with each other since the All-Star Game.I have a good impression of Lu Yong, a player like Iverson. As one of the most tragic heroes in NBA history, this guy's popularity is still very good, and he still has to give him the face of a meal.

Iverson also admires Lu Yong very much. Although he doesn't have much contact with him, he doesn't feel strange after meeting.

The two went to a well-known local western restaurant in Los Angeles and sat down. Before ordering food, the waiter recited the store's special features. Still a member.

The two obviously couldn't eat so much food. Seeing Iverson put on such a posture, Lu Yong guessed that he must have something to ask for himself, and it couldn't be as simple as just eating a meal.

This is indeed the case. Iverson said straight to the point: "Lu, I know that your contract with the Supersonics will expire after this season. I hope you can consider coming to Philadelphia to coach. Next season will be me." I don’t want to leave in disgrace.”

Iverson has always been very loyal. He was born in a slum, and he didn't have too many twists and turns when he spoke, and he stated his purpose directly.

As the top star in the league, Iverson also did not put on airs, his eyes were full of sincerity, and he really hoped that Lu Yong could coach the 76ers.

He knew in his heart that the 76ers are currently a bad team in the league, only a little better than the Sonics when Lu Yong first took over, but the record is also limited.

After Lu Yong’s contract expires, he has many options for developing in a big city. Both Los Angeles and New York are his ideal next stops. Even if he takes a step back, Chicago and Houston are much better than Philadelphia. A high salary is indeed not very attractive.

Although Philadelphia is one of the oldest and most historic cities in the United States, it was the capital of the United States before the founding of Washington, and it is the fifth largest city after New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, but Philadelphia is a humid continent The climate is characterized by four distinct seasons, and the winter is extremely cold. For famous coaches who have better choices, it is difficult to be regarded as the first choice after job-hopping.

If we really want to talk about competitiveness, Iverson's upcoming retirement tour next year is a horror, but even Iverson himself is not sure whether Lu Yong will be interested in this kind of one-shot deal.In the final analysis, the initiative in this matter is still in the hands of Lu Yong, and the 76ers have no choice but to show enough sincerity.

Lu Yong was not surprised when he heard the words, but just glanced at Iverson with meaningful eyes.

In fact, before Iverson spoke, Lu Yong really hadn't thought about the offseason. Although it was a foregone conclusion that he would leave the Supersonics to pursue better development, Lu Yong originally planned to get in touch with a few more teams, and then choose The most promising team will help him hit the best coach and improve his historical status in the shortest time.

Lu Yong is very clear why Iverson is eager to let him settle in Philadelphia. Next year will be his last season in the NBA. In addition, the premise for him to obtain shares from team owner Harris is that he must create enough for the team. At this point in time, he can't calm down at all, and can only pin his hopes on Lu Yong, who has the ability to turn decay into magic.

"Do you want me to help you make your retirement tour more perfect?" Lu Yong asked.

Iverson did not deny it, and added: "I admit that I do have this idea, but part of it is the pursuit of the championship. This is the last chance of my career. Even if I change my mind and delay my retirement after the end of next year, It is also difficult to compete for the championship as a core player."

"Back then you were able to bring the Sonics, which ranked last in the league, to the championship position. I believe that you and I may create miracles together. I have discussed this matter with the management. As long as you intend to join the team, Everyone will work with you during the offseason."

If Iverson was only a player, he would not have such a big promise of rights. However, the butterfly effect instigated by Lu Yong has changed the lives of many players. Iverson is now expected to become a minority shareholder of the 76ers. Sincerity also carries a lot of weight.

Of course, it is safest to only listen to half of the good words.

Lu Yong believes that Iverson will fully support his work after he settles in Philadelphia, but if his proposal is too ridiculous, it will definitely attract opposition from the management. This is unavoidable for him to choose to leave his comfort zone and join any team challenge.

Tapping the table lightly with his fingers, Lu Yong lowered his head and fell into deep thought. "Let me think about it."

Regardless of whether the Supersonics can win the championship this season, it is time for him to leave. In addition to dealing with the headache of contract renewal, it is difficult to improve his historical status if he stays here.

It's just that after leaving the Supersonics, he has to be cautious about which team he chooses to coach. Lu Yong must weigh the pros and cons and analyze the benefits he can get from joining the 76ers.He is not a philanthropist, and he has no special affection for the city of Philadelphia. Without enough interests, he cannot take risks.

The 76ers are now a bad team that ranks at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, which is in line with the prerequisites for Lu Yong to find his next home.Although it sounds a bit nonsense, only by leading a team that was at the bottom of the league last season to have the best record can he improve his chances of being the best coach. This is a shortcut, but it is difficult to take, and it requires great courage and strong determination strength.

Joining the 76ers seems to have no future, but Lu Yong knows that this team has great potential. There are many young players in the team, including Iguodala, Jrue Holiday, Thaddeus Young, Evan Turner, Stanley Spencer Hawes and Lou Williams and many other potential rookies, even if they are not easy to use package deals, they are quite a bargaining chip.

In addition, the 76ers also have several veterans with good strength, such as former captain Elton Brand and space striker Andres Nocioni. The immediate combat power of underestimation.

More importantly, the 76ers have a terrible record this year. The worst first-round pick is also a lottery pick. It can play a lot of value in this year's draft. Enough to make Lu Yong's heart beat.

The only thing that can't attract Lu Yong is that the management group is too stupid, including the team owner Joshua Harris, one of them counts as one, the pig's brain is so stupid.

Playing for such a team is destined to be difficult to end well. If the opportunity to coach Iverson was not in front of him, he would definitely not consider it.

After thinking for a while, Lu Yong admitted that he was a little moved. Coaching Iverson is a gimmick in itself. If it is Iverson's last season, it will obviously be even more exciting.

If he can take advantage of the gimmick of Iverson's retirement tour next season to help the 76ers' dark horse counterattack, even if he can't win the championship, he is [-]% sure to lock in the best coach. From his point of view, no matter what the result is, Lu Yong is The one that doesn't lose money.

The premise is that he only signed a short contract with the 76ers, and after Iverson retires, he will firmly hold the initiative in his own hands.

In addition, Iverson has never won a championship in his career. If he can make Iverson realize his dream in the last year, it will be of great benefit to his reputation, and he will really become a god walking in the league.

After figuring this out, Lu Yong immediately became interested. The coexistence of challenges and opportunities is much more interesting than winning the championship with the Supersonics.

Iverson saw that Lu Yong was thinking with his head down and did not interrupt him. Serious thinking means that there is something to be said for this matter. In the last year of his career, he can team up with Lu Yong, an amazing coach. He also wants to see how the two can work together next season No hand in hand to create miracles.

With the waiter serving all the dishes, Lu Yong finally considered the result, looked at Iverson and said with a smile: "Allen, I want to know why you found me? There are not a few champion coaches in the league who are out of business. I have a reason."

Iverson didn't hesitate when he heard the words, and replied seriously: "Because I look down on those old antiques, they only know their own set of theories, and don't think about whether they are suitable or not. But you are different, those players who left the Supersonics It’s all about you, and every year you sign players that are better than ever, it’s amazing.”

"I think you are a coach full of magic. From the first year you entered the league, you have proved your coaching ability. Whether it is arranging tactics or discovering new talents, you are very good. I believe you must have the ability to change the 76ers. "

Iverson's words are really not a compliment. He once played under the famous coach Larry Brown, and he is very disdainful to those stubborn old antiques.

After joining the Nuggets, he and the team coach George Karl also had many conflicts. In his eyes, the famous coach is a group of useless heads who rely on their qualifications to eat and drink. In contrast, leading the Supersonic Lightspeed to win the championship On the contrary, Lu Yong looked even more dazzling.

Iverson feels that he is very similar to Lu Yong. They are both warriors who choose to face difficulties in the face of adversity. Although he failed, his fighting spirit still exists.

Lu Yong nodded slightly, agreeing with Iverson's statement, and at the same time, he was thinking about a question.

Even Larry Brown and George Karl, two stubborn old men, can't hold down Iverson. If he joins the 76ers, can he completely control the situation?
If the team has a poor start and Iverson has conflicts with himself in terms of tactics, no matter how strong he is, the 76ers will not be saved, and it is impossible to win the championship with hidden dangers.

He understands Iverson's character very well, he is loyal and straightforward enough, but at the same time, he has also had conflicts with the head coach in his career, a typical thorny star.

The main purpose of Lu Yong going to the 76ers is to lead the team to play well and compete for the best coach, not for money.

Some things must be said in an ugly way, otherwise there will be problems between him and Iverson sooner or later.

After thinking about it, Lu Yong said solemnly: "Allen, I still want to remind you of something. The current lineup of the 76ers has some competitiveness, but the limit is to enter the playoffs. There is no way to compete for the championship. Join the team In the end, I will definitely change the current lineup, which is an inevitable thing on the way to the championship, and I need enough rights in the draft and trade, if you can’t do it, we will lose this cooperation opportunity.”

Iverson was not surprised by the conditions proposed by Lu Yong. After all, he has this right in the Supersonics, and it is impossible to make concessions when joining a new team. "No problem, I communicated with Joshua about this matter, and any personnel changes that can make the team better will give you the green light. Who told you to prove your vision in the Supersonics."

Lu Yong smiled and said: "Of course, the most important thing is that there should be no problems with the cooperation between the two of us. After all, I am interested in coaching the 76ers because of you. I know you like to play in free singles tactics, but my The coaching style requires teamwork, and you must not rely on yourself to win the championship, so you have to think about it.”

"Don't worry, Lu, it's no secret that the coaches in the league have prejudice against me, but I know better than anyone else that I couldn't lead the team to win alone in my peak period, let alone me who is about to retire. This I can assure you that the team will be based on your tactics in the new season, as long as you don’t marginalize me in the tactical system, I am willing to make some sacrifices for the championship.” Iverson said with a smile.

"With your words, I am relieved. As long as the offseason signings go smoothly, I am confident that I will bring the 76ers to the Eastern Conference Finals." Taking a sip of coffee, Lu Yong said with a smile on his face.

"Eastern Finals?" Iverson was a little surprised. He originally thought that even if Lu Yong was able to bring the 76ers into the playoffs, his retirement tour would be perfect.

But now it seems that Lu Yong's ambition is bigger than him, and he seems very confident in this 76ers?
"Are you really sure to bring the 76ers to the Eastern Conference Finals? If it's true, even if you change all the people in the management team, you won't hesitate." Iverson joked.

Lu Yong nodded and said, "Of course, it is much easier for the Eastern Conference to reach the division finals than the Western Conference for the past two years. I admit that this is not an easy goal, but as long as everything goes well, the 76ers can reach the second place at least." wheel."

The two of them ate this meal in a pleasant atmosphere. After chatting about the topic of joining forces, Lu Yong suggested to Iverson: "Allen, it is impossible for the 76ers to produce results this season. Duan, just keep playing, don't be too desperate, I don't want to hear the news that you are injured and left the field."

Iverson's comeback this time is not to prove himself, but to acquire some shares from Joshua Harris after retirement.He knows that now is not the time to be brave. Only by staying healthy this season can he and Lu Yong join forces.

Gently nodded, Iverson accepted Lu Yong's proposal. "Don't worry, Lu, I will take care of myself."

In order to create a miracle next year, Iverson considered the issue of health preservation for the first time, and even felt that it would be safer for him to feign injury and truce?

(End of this chapter)