NBA Old Age Star System

Chapter 297 Form a fantasy lineup?

On May 5, the tiebreaker of the Eastern Conference Finals kicked off.

Before the tie-break started, the media rushed to report on the Lakers who had just been eliminated in the West.

"Where should the Lakers go in the new season?" "

"Ten stars who are most likely to go to the Lakers, which one do you like?" "

"Su Tian is secretly dating a top player in the league, may the two join forces? "

"The Lakers will become the biggest winner in the summer? "

There were one report after another about the Lakers on the Internet, and many Su Tian thought it was funny after reading it.

That night, Su Tian and Harden, who came to Los Angeles, watched the tiebreaker of the Eastern Conference Finals together.

For the prediction of the Eastern Conference finals, the two were surprisingly consistent, and both believed that the Cavaliers would advance.

Harden said: "That's LeBron, LeBron will not miss the Finals. No matter what the reason and method, in short, he will not be absent."

And the tie-breaker of the Eastern Conference Finals was exciting enough to feast the eyes.

In the first quarter, James took the lead to break through the defense line with the ball in a row, driving the Cavaliers' offense from point to point.

In the second quarter, the Celtics began to change their style of play, trying to use the way the Warriors dealt with Su Tian to cut off the connection between James and his teammates.

But unlike the Lakers, the Cavaliers also have Love, Jordan Hill and other players. These players all have a certain ability to handle the ball.

The Celtics' defensive strategy failed in the second quarter, so the Celtics continued to change in the third quarter, becoming an infinite double-team against James.

The defensive strategy of double-teaming James can be said to be in the arms of James. James is not a pure scorer. Compared with the word scorer, James should be an all-around forward.

Therefore, in the next game, after James successfully attracted the defensive double-team, he passed the ball directly to the player who was emptied.

Others received the ball and shot directly, and the shooting percentage was not low, allowing the Cavaliers to take the opportunity to lead by a lot of points.

At the end of the first three quarters, the Cavaliers have already led the Celtics by double digits.

At this time, Su Tian keenly discovered that the Celtics' Jayson Tatum's offensive enthusiasm began to decline, and he was no longer as energetic as before.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, the Celtics replaced Tatum, and Brown led the team to try to make another impact.

But under James' obstruction, the Green Army still failed after all.

In the end, the game ended, and the Cavaliers won the game 87-79 and successfully entered the finals.

James scored 35 points, 15 rebounds and 9 assists, another quasi-triple-double.

"It seems that the finals against the team is still the same as last year, still the Warriors against the Cavaliers."

"However, this year's Cavaliers are no better than last year's Cavaliers. This year's Cavaliers have lost a lot of strength. They barely broke through the Celtics with the support of James. There must be no advantage against the Warriors in the finals."

"The only question is how many victories James can get, and what kind of statistics."

After watching the Eastern Conference Finals, Su Tiancai had recovered from the loss in the Western Conference Finals, and his mind slowly relaxed.

"Su, I know a good place, let's go, I'll take you there to relax." Seeing that Su Tian was in a bad state, Harden stepped forward to comfort him.

"Okay, I'm going to teach you everything tonight."

The Lakers' playoff journey is over, and players have started their offseason one after another, but the team's management is still working, or in other words, the work of the management has just begun.

"Mr. Erwin, Paul George still hasn't given a definite answer, but he didn't directly reject it. Presumably he has intentions but has some scruples."

At this time, Elvin Johnson was rubbing his head, thinking hard about Paul George, and Rob Pelinka was talking about Paul George's progress.

Rob Pelinka used to be Kobe's agent, and now he is brought in by Aunt Jenny to be the team's general manager.

As soon as Pelinka took office, he directly took over the work of introducing Paul George, but now it seems that this work is not that simple.

"Rob, what is George hesitating about now?" Johnson asked.

"I don't know, but according to our speculation, it should be related to the Thunder. Westbrook was with George recently." Pelinka said.

Johnson nodded after hearing this, and said, "Then I'll contact Su again. I've talked to Su about this before. Now that the playoffs are over, it's time to get busy."

The next day, before Su Tian woke up, Johnson called.

"Hey, Su, I'm sorry, haven't you gotten up yet? Then Su remember to come to my office this afternoon, I have something to talk about."

"Okay, Erwin, I'll be there at two o'clock in the afternoon."

After hanging up the phone, Su Tian rubbed his head and got up to go home.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Su Tian arrived at Johnson's office on time.

Seeing Su Tian coming in, Johnson approached him warmly and greeted him with a hug.

"Hey! Sue, you're here, sit down quickly."

After Su Tian greeted Johnson, he turned around and saw Pelinka was there.

"Rob, you're here too. What happened? You two can't take it together."

Pelinka also stepped forward to hug Su Tian, ​​and said with a smile: "There are indeed some things that cannot be resolved, so I quickly called you over."

"Oh? Really, let's talk about it carefully, what is it?"

Then, Pelinka briefly talked about Paul George's affairs, and Su Tian fell into deep thought after listening.

According to the original historical development, Paul George did not go directly to Los Angeles after the contract ended, but chose to renew his contract with the Thunder.

The reason why George made such a choice must have something to do with Westbrook. The two have a good personal relationship, and it is not impossible for George to stay for Westbrook.

After thinking for a while, Su Tian said, "I'll get in touch with George's affairs. We have a good relationship. I'll ask George what he thinks."

Hearing this, both Johnson and Pelinka breathed a sigh of relief. Su Tian is currently a rising star in the league. He led the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals by himself. If Su Tian personally took part in this matter, the success rate must have greatly increased.

But then Su Tian said again: "Although I am involved, I can't guarantee that it will be successful, so I still have to prepare an alternative plan. Is there any progress in the alternative plan I mentioned earlier?"

Johnson was taken aback when he heard it, and then realized that Su Tian was talking about Jimmy Butler who was still in the Timberwolves at this time.

"I contacted the Timberwolves, but they asked for too much. They wanted Ingram and Randall, and even asked us to get a draft pick."

Su Tian was also taken aback when he heard the Timberwolves' asking price. The Timberwolves' asking price was indeed too harsh.

But Su Tian turned around and thought about it. It is estimated that the Timberwolves have not had any conflicts with Butler at this time, so the asking price will be higher, but as long as the new season starts, the price will come down.

"Okay, then I'll contact George first. As for Butler, let's let it go first. This price is definitely not acceptable. Let's talk slowly."

After chatting with Johnson, Su Tian returned home, and before he had a rest, Bill Duffy came over.

"Su, this is the schedule for this offseason. There is also a one-month trip to Huaguo. This time the trip to Huaguo is longer, because you have to go to Anta headquarters. Your new generation of team shoes is on the way. In production, they want you to provide some ideas."

"Of course, I also specially set aside part of the time for you to take a vacation. You can go home and spend time with your parents."

Su Tian picked up the offseason planner and looked at it. It was very full. Not only did he participate in the design of the boots that Duffy just said, but he also had various business activities, and even attended some fan meetings. and recording of interview shows.

These will strengthen Su Tian's commercial value in China, and Su Tian will naturally not refuse, but the fatigue needs to be borne by himself.

"Then when are we going?"

"It's tentatively scheduled for July, and we'll have to wait for the league's awards show, because we're going to go there with the title of MVP of the regular season."

Su Tian nodded, the alliance's awards show was indeed a bit of a delay, but there was no way, Su Tian now needed this award to gild himself.

After communicating some details with Bill Duffy in detail, it was already evening, so Su Tian proposed to invite Bill Duffy to have dinner together.

Naturally, Bill Duffy would not let go of this opportunity to build a good relationship with Su Tian. Su Tian is not only young, but also hot, and in the big city of Los Angeles, the value contained in him is astonishing.

If Su Tian switched to another agent, Bill Duffy would cry to death.

So the two chose a business restaurant and chatted while eating.

"Bill, what do you think of the Lakers' decision to introduce Paul George?" Su Tian asked.

Bill Duffy blurted out without hesitation: "Of course it's a good thing! You also know this playoffs, how difficult it is for you to play, Paul George's comprehensive skills, and the ability to handle the ball , is very suitable for your Lakers team, and is also very suitable to play with you as a secondary."

Su Tian nodded, and then said: "But because of some things, George still can't make up his mind to come to the Lakers. What should we do?"

After Bill Duffy heard it, he thought for a while and said: "Paul George is now at his peak, and he is 28 years old this year. He must have expectations for the championship. It would be a pity if he couldn't come. The Lakers are prepared." Choose a plan?"

"Yes, Jimmy Butler of the Timberwolves."

Bill Duffy pondered for a while, and then said something to let Su Tian directly open the pattern.

"Then can the Lakers win both of them? If they can, the Big Three will be formed directly, and it will be easier to beat the Warriors to win the championship."

After Bill Duffy finished speaking, Su Tian fell into deep thought, "Bill, you really dare to think about it."

"However, if this is the case, the salary space of the Lakers will explode. I signed a contract with a maximum salary. These two probably also have a maximum salary. I don't know if the Lakers can afford it."

"However, it is indeed a good idea to use the combination of me and Butler to attract Paul George to come to compete for the championship."

This is like a classic story once circulated on the Internet, telling Bill Gates that he is the vice president of the World Bank, and telling the bank president that he is the son-in-law of Bill Gates, empty-handed.

Although this story is a bit idiotic, you can try this idea.

But the only problem is the salary space. In the next season of 18-19 season, the league's salary space is 1.018 million, and I will occupy nearly 3000 million of the space. Butler's contract next season is 2000 million.

And Paul George is still a free agent here. If he wants George to come over, he must be given a maximum salary, which is another 3000 million space.

There is already 8000 million space for the three of them. The three of them account for more than half of the team's salary. It is estimated that there are not many high-quality role players left.

"I will communicate with the team. This idea can be used for reference. For the specific operation, let the management worry."

The communication with Bill Duffy made Su Tian sleepless all night. Su Tian couldn't help being excited at the thought of having the opportunity to form such a lineup.

Su Tian came to Johnson early the next morning to talk about it.

Johnson was stunned for a moment when he heard it, followed by a constipated expression.

"Su, I really want to build this lineup, but in this way, we have no room for other players. We can only keep some rookies or sign some players with a basic salary. The pressure is too great."

"According to what you said, after removing the salaries of the three of you, we only have 2 million space left. Pope and Lopez will definitely not be able to stay, and neither will Randall. Only some rookies are left. Yes, by the way, just now Larry Nance's agent approached me and said that he would renew his contract in advance, the pressure on the salary space is indeed too great."

What Johnson said really calmed down Su Tian a lot, but Johnson continued.

"However, your idea is very good. I will work hard to promote it. As for the salary issue, if such a lineup can really be formed, I think Jenny is willing to take this luxury tax."

Hearing what Johnson said, Su Tian rekindled some hope.

"Okay, then I'll get in touch with George first. There's no rush for Butler. At worst, it won't be too late to trade after the start of the new season."

After communicating with Johnson, Su Tian began to think of ways to hook Paul George over.

Su Tian suddenly thought of one thing. It is said that George is a fan of Kobe, so if there is Kobe's platform in this matter, the success rate will definitely increase greatly.

So Su Tian contacted Kobe first.

"Hey, Kobe, I need your help." Su Tian cut straight to the point.

"What's the matter, Su? What do I need to do?"

"Paul George's contract has expired. I want to chat with him. See if we can form a situation and let us meet. It is said that George is your fan. I think if you come forward, he will definitely Yes."

"Well, I do have this guy's contact information, so I'll give it a try, but I'm not sure if he will come, so don't expect too much."

"Don't worry Kobe, I have confidence in you!"

After hanging up the phone with Kobe, Kobe called back after a while.

"Su, I have to say that you are very lucky. George was fishing on the west coast recently. I made an appointment three days later, and he will be at my villa. Remember to come on time."

"Good! Kobe, congratulations on becoming the savior of the Lakers again."

(End of this chapter)