When pride still matters

Chapter 438 Mature Certificate

The Sonics are willing to let Yu Fei and Kwame Brown, who participated in the Olympics, report to training camp a few days later, knowing that these two people need more time to rest.

But Yu Fei thought he had rested enough, so he came to the Furtado Center on the opening day of the training camp.

Now that Yu Fei is here, Brown naturally has no reason to take a vacation.

Unlike last year, this year's Sonics have several more experienced veterans.

Ever since Yu Fei was traded by the Wizards, Tyronn Lue would laugh at Jordan in his heart every time he saw the former.

GOAT, look at the good things you do.

Yu Fei could have made the Wizards the top powerhouse in the NBA like Tom Brady did to the Patriots.

But the Wizards chose the future over cash.

Although he got some money in the end, Yu Fei proved that the profits he could bring were dozens of times that amount.

Roy asked curiously: "Does Frye really often conflict with MJ?"

Director Lu has been in the NBA for many years and has played for many different coaches. This makes him feel that he has the skills of many families and can completely transform into a coach after retirement like Doc Rivers.

"KD, what have you been doing this summer? Why haven't you made any progress?"

His expression was serious and he clearly stated: "The breakthrough you just made was a foul."

After learning his thoughts, Yu Fei actively invited him to come to Supersonics.

Because he is the only player on the team who has been teammates with rookie Fei.

Of course Durant knew, but he pretended not to.

Kwame Brown seems to be too exaggerated. He talks a lot about cheating, and when he boasts, he also brags about himself with private goods, so everyone doesn't believe what he says.

"Greg Oden is about to come back. Do you want people to think you are a parallel import number one pick?" Yu Fei asked arrogantly.

Director Lu worked for a Zen master in his early years, but he really didn't understand his Zen philosophy.

In comparison, Rivers' cramming chicken soup is more learnable.

Yu Fei's invitation hit it off with Director Lu.

At this time, Director Lu said to Roy: "If Da Fei was in KD's position, he would deliberately knock Frye down in the next round."

After a season of practice, Durant has mastered the way of communicating with Yu Fei.

But just feeding chicken soup won't last long, so Coach Lu really wants to learn under an experienced champion coach.

"So what?" Yu Fei sneered, "No referee in the world will blow this whistle. Do you know why?"

After Director Lu arrived, many people asked him about Yu Fei's DC performance.

"So, what do you want to know?" Director Lu asked.

At this time, Yu Fei's bullying sound came from the distance.

With that said, Yu Fei knocked down Durant during the breakthrough, rushed to the basket and dunked.

"Because I am a superstar, and you are just a rookie who has just emerged!" Yu Fei said bluntly, "You are not even qualified to commit a foul!"

But Durant just used his height to continuously change directions and respond with jumpers.

This series of actions proves that Durant did not waste his time in the summer.

His offense with the ball has obviously strengthened.

"It's a pity that Frye met the 40-year-old MJ, otherwise it might be another story." Roy did not believe that Durant was a softie, but he still lacked understanding of Yu Fei back then because he had never faced it. Yu Fei in that state.

"Maybe."

Director Lu also thought that Jordan couldn't control Da Fei because he was old.

But seven years later, he gradually felt that it had nothing to do with age. Two similar people, two identical personalities, and two steel-like self-awareness were incompatible.

No matter what age group Jordan and the rookie Yu Fei meet, they will be incompatible.

But this conjecture is destined to be impossible to verify.

In the first training match of the day, Karl specially arranged for new aid Matt Barnes to face off against Durant.

Moreover, Karl said to Barnes: "We need you to put enough pressure on KD. If you can't do it, you will be of no value to us, and we will send you to the Clippers."

Yu Fei is as famous for his disdain for the Clippers as he is for women who are older and more muscular than he is.

"It was Frye's idea?" Barnes asked.

Karl smiled and said: "You can understand it however you want."

In the past seven seasons, Barnes has changed six teams. He was part of the 2007 "We Believe" Warriors team that humiliated Nowitzki and the Mavericks. This year was crucial for him, as he successfully transformed from a homeless NBA bum to a needed piece of the puzzle with the Warriors.

Last season, he was with the Celtics, and this season, he is with the SuperSonics.

The difference is that he was looking for the team before, but now the team is looking for him.

This is the difference between an NBA player and a homeless person who may be eliminated by the NBA at any time. Since Yu Fei needs him to create problems for Durant, he will do it because this is his job.

Don Nelson of Barnes said there is no word to describe what he means on the court. He has the ability to make people uncomfortable. This special ability to make people annoying can get under the skin of opponents.

However, in last season's finals, Barnes was powerless to fly.

Yu Fei used his strong hard power to show that all tricks are meaningless in the face of absolute power.

But against Durant, it worked perfectly.

Durant complained several times about Barnes' defense, then got angry and tried to shoot over the opponent's head.

Barnes remained unmoved and kept putting pressure on Durant, asking him to take shots from uncomfortable positions until finally completely disrupting the opponent's rhythm.

Durant had a stinky game.

He made 19 of 5 shots from the field and his team was easily defeated.

"He is a pure puzzle piece." Karl said to the assistant coaches around him. "A valuable but not critical puzzle piece. It can be seen that he enjoys this role very much."

Another veteran on the trailer, Michael Finley, missed the first week of training camp due to injury.

However, after he saw the match between Yu Fei and Roy, he felt that he was in the right place.

On media day, Finley told ESPN reporter Mark Stein: "We have the best player in the league and the second-best shooting guard in the Western Conference, as well as the best young players in the league and the number-one depth in the league. I feel like we can defend our title this year.”

The highlight of this interview is that Brown suddenly entered the interview and interjected: "Michael, did you miss something?"

"Yes." Finley is not a person who likes to joke. He said in a serious tone, "We also have the league's number one center."

Brown corrected: "He is the No. 1 big man in the league. Including all the 4th and 5th positions."

"That's right." Finley had no objection.

George Karl talked to reporters from the Associated Press about the Sonics' style for the new season.

"Stop talking about small ball or big ball, you don't understand at all." Karl said, "If we want to play big ball, we can also win the championship. If we want to play small ball, then no team will be our opponent."

For rookies, hard times are yet to come.

DeAndre Jordan and Anthony Morrow were given a hard time by veterans just like any other team's rookies.

DeAndre Jordan was having a particularly hard time.

Brown didn't like him.

How could he like it? The team selected a center whose height, wingspan, physical fitness, athletic ability, and hand size are all greater than his.

After seeing the physical talent displayed by Jordan in training, Brown really didn't know how such a person was selected by the team.

Could Bill Simmons be right? Are 90% of general managers in the NBA idiots?

However, while Jordan's physical gifts could crush Brown, he was quite primitive in every aspect as a basketball player.

Therefore, it is impossible to get high in the short term.

In the name of discipline, Brown asked Jordan to do chores for him all day long.

When Yu Fei heard that Jordan was even responsible for washing Brown's underwear, he couldn't help but said: "Are you possessed by Christian (Laettner)?"

"Da Fei, that rookie doesn't know anything. I heard that he had a bad relationship with the coaching staff and teammates when he was in college. I have to let him learn to obey and respect." Brown said that he was justified.

Jordan directly echoed: "Yes, I have a lot to learn."

Since one is willing to fight and the other is willing to suffer, Yu Fei feels that he has nothing to say.

Another rookie, Anthony Morrow, fully accepted the difficulties made by veterans such as Barnes. Although he smiled at everyone, he had a fierce look on his face, giving people the feeling that he was not easy to mess with.

Everyone in the media who visited Seattle training camp pointed out two things.

As long as Yu Fei stays healthy and Durant continues to improve, the Sonics' two consecutive championships seem to be a goal within reach.

Because Yu Fei, who is under 27 years old, is still on the rise. After the SuperSonics won the championship last season, not only was it not weakened, but it greatly strengthened the depth of the lineup.

The only problem is Shawn Marion's contract. Not long ago, SuperSonics general manager Sam Presti announced that negotiations were suspended, which may dampen Marion's enthusiasm.

However, Kevin Durant, the famous Sonics sunshine boy, is very optimistic about this.

"It's not a problem, it definitely won't be a problem." Durant said, "We all follow Frye's leadership. He is a great player, and our goal is to defend the championship. Maybe Sean will be a little unhappy, But he can definitely put aside his personal prejudices for the sake of the championship. We are a mature team and I can’t wait to start playing.”

At the end of the media day, there was an exclusive interview with Matt Stein, Yu Fei’s mouthpiece on ESPN.

Stein paraphrased Durant's "I've matured" remarks.

Yu Fei smiled contemptuously, as if hearing a child say "I have grown up."

"He is only 20 years old, and he doesn't understand what maturity means." Yu Fei said lightly, "His world is different from ours. I mean, he lives in praise and expectations. This is not the real world. I I really appreciate Kevin’s passion for basketball. Yes, basketball is all he has in his life. As far as I know, he doesn’t even have a stable girlfriend.”

Stein couldn't help but ask: "Is this a problem?"

"Of course." Yu Fei smiled, "When a man wants to talk about maturity, he must obtain a certificate from a woman, otherwise everything is just a self-righteous fantasy."

(End of this chapter)