When pride still matters

Chapter 246 I have sweated for the team, I have bled for the team

Preseason training camp for the 2004-05 season looked no different from previous years.

When Yu Fei entered the camp, he saw Haslem who was working hard on his jump shot.

Not practicing three-pointers was Haslem's last insistence, but he believes that there is still a need to develop mid-range shots.

Yu Fei watched it for a while, then went to say hello to the two rookies selected this year.

Kevin Martin and Trevor Ariza were the first players to arrive at training camp, and their styles can be seen with just one glance.

Martin's weird shooting moves and scalp-numbingly smooth touch, as well as Ariza's explosive athleticism.

Although these two choices of the Bucks have been criticized repeatedly after the draft, and there are many doubts even within the team, Yu Fei believes that they will rectify their names sooner or later.

However, it is not good to grow too slowly. You still have to give them some friendly advice.

After a while, the two rookies noticed that they were being stared at by the big shots in the team.

"Fry...?" Ariza called out, "KM, look, it's Frye!"

Ariza put down the ball in his hand and stepped forward to say hello: "Hey, Frye, I'm Trevor Ariza. It's an honor to play on the same team as you!"

Yu Fei asked playfully: "Were you practicing dunking just now?"

"Well it's just a warm-up."

Yu Fei warned: "If you want to help as soon as possible, you should practice your long-range shots instead of dunks."

"I know, starting from today I will practice 300 more shots every day."

Only 300? Yu Fei looked at Ariza helplessly.

Although he is not worried that there will be problems with Ariza's choice, looking at the situation, Ariza may need several years to grow slowly.

At least now, he is not the high-quality 3D player in Yu Fei's impression, and he does not even have the prototype of 3D. Although he only played at UCLA for one year, as a talented man with a halo above his head (as famous as James), his shooting percentage Only over 40%, and his three-point shooting percentage is only over 20%. You must know that the three-point line in the NCAA is much shorter than that in the NBA, so his three-point shooting percentage in the NBA will only be lower.

Martin was far more reserved than Ariza. He walked up to Yu Fei and briefly introduced himself without saying anything.

Yu Fei is not worried about Martin. This person's skills are already very mature. What he lacks is confidence. If he is given more opportunities to practice, he will be able to excel naturally.

"Kevin, have you chosen your number?" Yu Fei suddenly turned around and asked.

Martin hesitated and said: "I originally wanted to choose No. 23, but the coach said that no one here can choose No. 23."

Yu Fei was a little surprised.

Is Karl worried that he saw Jordan committing PTSD on No. 23? Not even allowed to choose the 23rd? So domineering? When did Dafei stop letting people wear No. 23? I hate people who make their own decisions, but this is a good suggestion. Anyone who wears size 23 should be damned! Of course, his younger brother has immunity. People want to transcend the existence of No. 23.

"So you haven't chosen yet?"

"not yet."

"Then wear No. 22." Yu Fei said, "It's closer to No. 23."

So Martin might prefer No. 24, but Yu Fei added: "Besides, you wear No. 22 and I wear No. 44. It looks like we are partners."

Martin immediately gave up the idea of ​​wearing No. 24. He would not have any objections if the big brother in the team praised him so much. Moreover, he felt that his style matched Yu Fei's very well.

He has watched the Bucks play and he knows how Yu Fei plays.

"By the way, do you know who the last No. 22 of our team was?"

Yu Fei asked again.

Of course Martin didn't know.

"You may have heard his name." Yu Fei said, "The last number 22 was named Michael Reed."

Martin hurriedly said: "I am honored."

"Don't be proud," Yu Fei said lightly, "do you know why Reid left? He chose to leave because he couldn't get a starting spot. Now, you are our new No. 22, and you must inherit Reid's will. Kevin.”

Martin started to panic. What do you mean? Does this mean that he will compete with Ray Allen for the starting spot as soon as he comes?

"Don't be nervous, you still have a lot of time. What I mean is that you have to follow Reed and strive to be as good as him." Yu Fei seemed to be finally ready to leave, but he did not forget to stimulate Martin a few more times before leaving. Next, "By the way, did you know that I was the only one on the team who advocated selecting you in the draft? You didn't know? Now you know."

"If you don't perform well, someone will blame me for it, and then I will be very angry with you. If I am angry with you, your life may not be as easy as it is now. You know Kwame Brown? You Do you know how he was tortured after making the most famous No. 23 in history angry?" Yu Fei smiled gently, "I was fortunate enough to observe No. 23 for a year. If you want to experience the life of Kwame Brown , I will help you."

Martin became trembling. In his eyes, Yu Fei was no longer the amiable big brother in the team.

Who knows what is hidden under that smiling face?

"Work hard." After Yu Fei finished speaking, he looked at Ariza who was already timid, "By the way, you were also recommended by me. I don't know why the team listened to me so much, so I also have a responsibility to you, so. "

Ariza said sternly: "I will practice 500, 700 three-pointers every day starting from today!" "No, I mean." Yu Fei said, "If I see you using dunks as a practice item again, you will Just wash the team's underwear for a month. This will at least give you some use."

Yu Fei left the two shivering rookies behind and turned towards the locker room.

He thought to himself, turns out the bully is me?

In fact, he is not worried, he just wants to use external pressure to help them grow faster. Who made these two people recommended by themselves? Unlike Pachulia and Haslem, who are the Bucks' most lacking inside players, they can plug and play. When the new season starts, both Martin and Ariza will have to start from the bench. There won't be many opportunities, so they have to cherish them. If he doesn't play well then, and he wants to recommend someone in the next draft, the team may use these two "failure cases" to tell him that professional things should be done by professionals.

In that case, unless he insists on confirming the identity of the player's GM, he will have to watch them select a bunch of pure waste materials to join the team.

And he didn't do anything, he just threatened verbally. If these two guys failed to perform properly, it wouldn't be his turn to bully him. He could just close the door and let Leitner go. After all, there are specialties in the art industry, and he is not the one in this area. Very good at it.

He began to miss Mason.

It might have been better if Mason was still around.

Alas, I miss Mason’s first day.

Yu Fei came to his closet, put his things away, and decided to go to the gym to warm up first.

This year's training camp looks similar to before, but in fact, there is a big difference in the atmosphere.

Mason, a scoundrel who exists, has his place.

In addition to bullying rookies, he can also liven up the atmosphere.

Quentin Richardson was supposed to inherit this job, but damn, someone chose to let him go in order to pay less luxury tax.

This brought about a big or small consequence. When the Bucks gathered together, it was like a sudden reunion of elementary school classmates who had not seen each other for many years. There was nothing to talk about.

No, it’s not without topics. We can talk about contract renewal.

The new season is coming, and the Bucks have multiple expiring contracts.

Yu Fei needs to negotiate a contract extension with the team. The contracts of Ray Allen, Sprewell, Laettner, Mutombo, (Devin) George and others will expire next summer.

How about, talk about this? Competing to see whose next contract will be bigger?

Just when Yu was playing with the iron, Sprewell came over.

"Da Fei, have they approached you about contract renewal?" Sprewell asked straight to the point.

"It's not yet time," Yu Fei said, "We have to wait until the season starts at the earliest."

Sprewell looked worried, "Really? But, my agent has approached them."

Yu Fei asked calmly: "Then?"

"They said that before your contract is finalized, other people's contracts must be released first." Sprewell expressed his feelings directly to Yu Fei, "I'll tell you the truth, if this wasn't my hometown, I would really I don’t like playing here. But since I came back and won the championship, I think this is the last stop God has arranged for me. I don’t want to go anywhere. I have won glory for the team, and now they are paying tribute to me. It’s time!”

Sprewell is 34 years old and still averaged 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game last season. He is the most balanced individual offensive and defensive player in the Bucks.

Yu Fei heard what he meant.

He wants a decent pension contract.

For teams competing for the championship, salary space is very important, and it is not worthwhile to provide retirement support to veterans like Sprewell who are destined to be worse every year.

However, Yu Fei believes that the only reason why the Bucks do not give Sprewell a big contract for retirement is to save money. As for the above reason, it is just an excuse for them to refuse to give a big contract.

The Bucks have a lot of rookie contracts in the next few years, and even if there is room, no big-name players are willing to come to Milwaukee. Therefore, it is actually not a bad idea to give Sprewell a big contract of three to four years for retirement. The excellent record in the past two years has also made the team a lot of money. Shouldn't it be used to give some dignity to the veterans while maintaining competitiveness?

After Yu Fei figured it all out, he knew which side he should be on.

Jordan said many things that Yu Fei did not agree with, but there was one sentence that Yu Fei agreed with very much.

You have to know that you are still a player, and the people you play with are not some assholes wearing suits and cashing in.

This is what Jordan said to him when he was in D.C.

Now that I think about it, it couldn't be more true.

Yu Fei looked at Sprewell and said seriously: "You can ask your agent to convey my words to them. My contract renewal negotiations will not begin until your contract renewal is settled."

Sprewell beamed with joy, what he wanted was Da Fei’s attitude!

"Okay! I know!" With Yu Fei's support, Sprewell spoke even louder, "I have sweated and bled for the two championship flags above the Bradley Center. Except for you, no one has People can say that their contribution is greater than mine, now it’s their turn to give me something in return!”

(End of this chapter)