Pick Westbrook

Chapter 154 My Agent Suggested I Go to the Knicks and Cavaliers
The All-Star Weekend is finally over.

In the locker room after the game, Rose of the Bulls deliberately found Li Lai and said, "Coach Li Lai, I have practiced three-pointers well this season."

Since the Bucks completely emptied the 2-meter defense in the playoffs last season, Rose locked himself in the training hall for shooting training in the off-season. Judging from his performance this season, it is enough to see that he Great progress.

场均22分4篮板6助攻，投篮命中率50%，三分球命中率30%，真实命中率62%。

From the true shooting percentage alone, it can be guessed that Rose's shots must all be at the basket, otherwise it would be impossible to have such a high shooting percentage, and the 30% three-point shooting percentage is still not enough, but it is completely empty. After all, he was able to hit some shots. Compared with Rose's three-point shooting rate of less than 22% last season, this is already a very big improvement.

Li Lai said: "I have been following the Bulls' games. This season, you also achieved the sixth place in the Eastern Conference. This is inseparable from your improvement."

"So try to improve your three-point shooting percentage to about 35%, Rose, don't always think about driving crazy to the basket to kill, it's not a thing for your body or court dominance Good thing."

"You have to try to improve your shot percentage."

This is the second piece of advice Rose got from Lee coming here. He doesn't know why the other side keeps helping him, but these advices are indeed something he never got in the Bulls. Coach Vinnie DeNagro will only tell him , go rush Rose, play your style, and win the game for the team.

Back in Milwaukee, Li Lai suddenly received frequent inductions in his mind.

"Westbrook won the All-Star MVP, and he also completed the second task of conferring gods again. He only needs to complete two more to be conferred gods."

"It's just a pity that the MVP award of the Rookie Challenge is not included in Curry's task of conferring the gods."

But Curry won the three-point contest, which surprised Li Lai.

The image of Curry embracing his dad after winning the All-Star Three-Point Contest also hit the headlines, and the world took notice of a player who had successfully climbed to the top of the three-point line in his rookie season.

Li Lai originally thought that such a picture would definitely cause a sensation in the United States, but he still overestimated the sensational level of the three-pointer in this era.

"Not many people are optimistic about it."

Li Lai took a deep breath. Even though the Bucks have achieved outstanding court dominance and record by relying on three-pointers for two consecutive years, the result still failed to change most people's perceptions.

Or in the minds of most people at this time, there is not much difference between the Bucks and the Suns who were the regular season dragon and the playoffs. They are just able to play in the regular season, and they will show their original shape in the playoffs.

Like Reggie Miller said, 2's are only thought of when trailing by 3's, if a player shoots 3's anytime, anywhere, their head coach is sure to kill them after the game Without him, unless a team can win the championship with 3 points, no one can change this situation of discrimination.

In my mind, the list of gods began to vibrate slightly.

The black stone statue belonging to Westbrook slowly cracked under the shock. The last time it fell off was a part of the right arm and body, and this time it was another part of the left arm and chest.

At the same time, the black stone statue belonging to Curry also shook for the first time, and soon the stones on his shooting hands slowly fell off.

The part of the two stone statues fell off, revealing the gleaming golden light inside, and the vibration did not stop until this time.

A message quickly spread from the list of gods to Li Lai's mind.

[The staged goal of the Conferred God mission is completed. 】

[Westbrook:
All-Star MVP, regular season scoring champion, best defensive player DPOY, regular season MVP, best rookie, single-season triple-double, championship, FMVP.

Complete 4 items to become a god, and 2 items have been completed. 】

[Unlock Westbrook's skill: Fast Break Warrior (Bronze), when the opponent's offense fails and grabs a defensive rebound, add 1 point of speed, 1 point of dribbling, 1 point of layup ability and 1 point of passing ability.With the growth of the player's own strength and practice upgrade]

[The staged goal of the Conferred God mission is completed. 】

[Stephen Curry:

All-Star MVP, Regular Season Scoring Champion, Regular Season MVP, Rookie of the Year, All-Star Three-Point Champion, Single-Season Three-Point Champion, Championship, FMVP.

Complete 4 items to become a god, and 1 items have been completed. 】

[Unlock Curry skills: king of three-point shooting (bronze), has the ability to complete shots under any defense, reduces defensive interference by 1%, increases shooting stability by 1%, reduces shooting penalties caused by 1% confrontation .With the growth of the player's own strength and practice upgrade]

Immediately afterwards, two ripples swayed from the blue waves that fell from the sky into the list of gods. The two springs of clear water turned into two beads and landed beside the stone statues of Westbrook and Curry, circling around each other.

It was Westbrook's second bead and Curry's first.

Li Lai still has a lot of curiosity and puzzles about the role of the Gods List, but at this time he is not in a hurry to explore all of them. He has a hunch that after the No.1 player is successfully named a god by him, perhaps such curiosity and If you don't understand it, it will be solved easily.

At this time, Li Lai checked Westbrook's ability.

【Russell Westbrook】

【Height 191cm, Weight 91kg, Armspan 203cm】

【Speed ​​93 Strength 55 Layup 88】

[Short shot 85, medium shot 65, long shot 78]

[Dunk 85, Pass 85, Control 88]

[Defense 80 rebounds 70 blocks 80]

[ability value 91, potential value 91]

"Although after the gold medal training skill appeared, I already knew that the ability value can break through the potential value. I thought it might be easy to break through the potential value under my training, but now it seems that it should be difficult."

"Westbrook's ability value has reached the bottleneck, and he has only increased his ability value by 1 point since before the season."

Of course, an ability value of 91 is not bad, especially in terms of three-point shooting. Now Westbrook no longer has the most embarrassing weakness of his previous life.

It's just that it is always a shortcoming in Li Lai's heart that he can't exceed 95 ability points, because only players who have reached this ability value can be regarded as absolute superstars, and they are far ahead in the entire history of the NBA.

As an NBA head coach, Li Lai felt a little regretful for not being able to coach such a super giant. Of course, there is no such embryo in the Bucks. Li Lai is confident that when Curry's skill set is fully developed, He will definitely be a super giant player who can reach 95 ability points, and there is even a great possibility of surpassing this ability!

Bucks conference room.

According to past practice, most teams will readjust the team's next team building plan after the end of the All-Star Game.

The team that originally wanted to make the playoffs, now it's time to look at their team's record and decide whether to continue to hit the playoffs or change their strategy and turn bad.

If it is determined that the performance is bad, then some of the immediate players in the team may be sold as bargaining chips to those teams that want to hit the playoffs or even compete for the championship. A price higher than the market price can obtain more considerable trading chips.

Hammond was in a very happy mood, because the Bucks hadn't worried about the playoffs for two years, and he didn't need to answer the phone as frequently as before to solve these problems in the team. mess.

"The Timberwolves, Kings, Warriors, and Rockets in the West have made up their minds to be bad. They also put all the players except a few core players on the shelves, allowing other teams in the league to choose."

"The Nets, Wizards, Pistons, and New York teams in the East are also sure to be bad. At this time, their team general manager's phone call should be about to explode."

Since a team is determined to be bad, there must be players with immediate combat power on the trading shelf. Li Lai also asked the question he has always been concerned about.

"Is there any progress in the player at the small forward position I put your attention on?"

Hammond's smile suddenly turned bitter. Since the beginning of the season, he has been working on the players in the free market and the changes in the trades of various teams. Originally, he also provided the names of several small forward players to Li Lai. , but the other party said that this is how you are perfunctory me?Believe it or not, I cut off those few taels of meat on your stomach?
Hammond was about to be bullied by Li Lai and cried. He really wanted to say hell, how scarce are players at the small forward position? As the head coach of the team, don't you know?
I don't like the bad ones, so what can the good Bucks get in exchange?Just a special case of a transaction and a mid-level contract can change a talented player!

"The Wizards have already determined that they are bad, so Jamison at the small forward was traded away by the Cavaliers very early."

"As for the other teams, I called and asked them all after the All-Star Game was confirmed to be bad."

"Chris Douglas Roberts of the Nets is a player who only hits 30% of three-pointers, and he is not that reliable on the defensive end. Although he is 201cm tall enough to play small forward, he has only played small forward since the draft Shooting guard, and none of the skills are qualified, this season only averaged 9 points and 3 rebounds per game."

"But even for such a player, the Nets proposed that if they want to trade, they must give a second-round pick, which is simply robbery."

"There is also Ryan Gomez of the Timberwolves. Whether it is three-pointers or defense, he is very suitable for us, but the Timberwolves want a first-round pick, which is more robbery than robbery."

"."

"In detail, among these bad teams, only one player from the Rockets is the most suitable for us, but you said that even if you die, you will not make a deal with Dog Mona, so I didn't ask."

Li Lai asked curiously, "Who is that player?"

Hammond said, "Sean Battier."

Li Lai paused, but Hammond was right. Battier is indeed the most suitable small forward for the Bucks. If he joins, then the defense problem of the Bucks' bench lineup can be easily solved.

The key is that Battier's cost performance is still extremely high. This season's salary is only 700 million US dollars. With the current financial structure of the Bucks, they can completely eat the opponent. Of course, they may give Francisco Elson a trade balance, but this But it is a result acceptable to the Bucks.

Li Lai looked at Hammond in embarrassment, as if he had indeed said that he would not make a deal with Dog Mo if he was killed.

Hammond saw Li Lai's weird little eyes. He had brought Li Lai to the battlefield with a gun, and he didn't know what this man who was both a boss and a good friend in Jizhong was thinking now.

He waved his hands again and again and said, "I have blocked and deleted Dog Mo's phone number, so don't even think about it."

Li Lai said shamelessly: "I have been hearing someone say that his salary is too much less than the general managers of other teams. I originally wanted to erase all the terms of his contract and increase it appropriately."

Hammond quickly stretched out his hands, raised his stomach, and said righteously: "I'll make this call."

Hammond had the cheek to answer Dog Mo's call, and explained the Bucks' thinking simply and directly.

Li Lai was silent on the sidelines. After all, being able to win Battier and the Bucks will solve his last shortcoming, and he will also be able to take the perfect Bucks to meet the next challenge of the playoffs, so he and Ha Compared with Mond's face, the strength of the team is of course more important.

And Dog Mo quickly gave his trading idea, and Hammond nodded repeatedly on the phone and said, "Well, oh, ok, I understand."

Li Lai was watching in a daze, what did you understand?

Hammond handed the phone directly to Li Lai and said, "Listen to him yourself."

Dog Mo said: "It is not impossible to trade Battier, Dragic + George Hill + a first-round pick."

"WCNM!"

"What a dog you are!"

Angrily, Li Lai threw the mobile phone in his hand on the ground, and yelled at the broken metal on the ground, this Morey is really not a thing!
Hammond felt distressed, "This is my sixth-hand Nokia."

Li Lai said: "I swear, I'll be a pig if I talk to the Rockets again!"

At the same time, Houston.

Dog Mo looked at the beeping phone in his hand, and habitually put down the phone.

"I can't even remember how many general managers and owners I have dropped my phone in anger. By the way, call the Thunder and see if they are willing to trade Durant for Battier."

Thunder GM Sam Presti: I would love your ancestors.

After this encounter, Li Lai also completely gave up his plan to reinforce the Bucks' small forward position.

Hammond knew that Li Lai had always prepared this position for McGrady, so he talked about the current situation of the tragic hero.

After McGrady was traded to New York, the Big Apple City loved the former superstar very much, giving status, time, tactics, and possession of the ball.

For a while, the Knicks team, which was the league's No. 20 team, was directly fired, and the ticket price increased by [-]% again. The owner of the Knicks team was almost very rich.

And McGrady also received great support from Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni. After the transfer, he started every game and gave him an average of 27 minutes of playing time per game. It may even be scheduled to 37 minutes.

麦迪这段时间在尼克斯队获得了无限开火权，但场均12次出手只能命中4个，数据只有9分3篮板3助攻。

This kind of performance also made the New York fans feel chilled for a while, asking whether this is the same McGrady who once entered the Spurs with a silver gun in white and 13 in and 13 out?
The management of the Knicks also knew that they were in the Rockets' way. In order to trade Tracy McGrady, they specially brought in the Kings for a three-way deal. After paying the immediate player Larry Hughes, the New Yorkers also returned Jared Jeffries, Jordan Hill, a 2011 first-round pick swap and a 2012 first-round pick.

The bargaining chip of this deal is enough to replace an All-Star player in his prime. Thinking about the Knicks' perennial record of being unable to support the wall, it is enough to know how precious their first-round pick is.

"It's really stupid people have a lot of money."

"But even with McGrady's performance, the Knicks' jersey sales and ticket sales have increased tremendously, and this has brought more value to the Knicks than McGrady's league-leading salary."

Li Lai sighed speechlessly.

The Knicks are trying their best to make money. With such a management team, even if Kobe and James go, it will be useless, and they will never be able to move.

So McGrady also doesn't want to stay in this team that only knows how to make money, even McGrady at this stage absolutely does.

Li Lai doesn't know what kind of change has taken place in McGrady's temperament now, but he must have been very uncomfortable from being a superstar in the league to a tramp overnight, and he has already begun to think seriously about his next career.

Hammond then said another very important thing.

"It's time for Yijianlian to renew the contract in advance."

"Before a week after the All-Star Game, we can renew his contract in advance. Of course, the new contract will take effect next season, so it will not affect our salary this season."

"We can also choose to wait until the end of the season before renewing Yi Jianlian's contract."

Li Lai shook his head and said, "It's not necessary."

"Of course, this time is different from Villanueva's early contract renewal last season. At that time, we hoped to use a contract renewal to stabilize the military and prepare for the next playoffs without distraction."

"And this time, it is because Yijianlian will definitely be greatly favored in the trading market, so there is no need for us to wait for the market reaction before deciding whether to match his contract."

Li Lai continued: "Many teams want such a big man who can greatly open space and handle the ball. In addition, Yi Jianlian has been selected as an All-Star for two consecutive years, and some teams are even willing. Maybe give him a top salary, like New York, where people are stupid and rich.”

"So there's absolutely no need for us to wait."

Hammond agrees with this point. At least the Cavaliers will definitely be willing to offer Yi Jianlian a maximum salary for James, and Yi Jianlian's maximum salary contract will start at least 25% of the team's salary cap. Like Durant, who received the Thunder's maximum salary contract, the starting salary in the first year will reach 1500 million.

The Bucks finally have such distress, that is, too strong players is not a good thing.

It’s not that Yi Jianlian is not worthy of such a maximum salary contract. With his current scarcity in the league, there are absolutely many teams willing to give him, but if the Bucks really offer such a maximum salary contract to Yi Jianlian , then it will be difficult for them to do anything in the free market next year.

And next year is the year of the free market that Li Lai is very concerned about. Many big fish will end their contracts and enter the trading market, so this is a dilemma.

Hammond knew some of Li Lai's plans for next season, so he said helplessly at this time: "After paying Yi Jianlian the maximum salary, we will completely miss those big fish."

Li Lai breathed a sigh of relief, it was true.

Milwaukee is located in a remote location, and it is not easy to have an All-Star player. Moreover, this player was selected and cultivated by the Bucks themselves, and it is impossible to give it to other teams for nothing. He hopes to keep the opponent by his side and cultivate him into a pillar of the Chinese men's basketball team.

Hammond, who has always been committed to saving money for the Bucks, unconditionally supported Li Lai's decision this time, because he had already had such an experience two years ago, that was originally worth only 500 million or 1000 million Players, the Bucks always have to pay more to impress the opponent to play in Milwaukee.

This is the reality of the small ball market, and it is inevitable.

Therefore, leaving Yi Jianlian with the maximum salary is indeed the only choice, as Li Lai said.

At this time, Hammond also remembered another more painful thing, and continued to add insult to injury: "Westbrook, Dragic, and George Hill will also reach the time to renew their contracts early next year. We will be even more troubled.”

Westbrook's top salary is undoubtedly, and this contract alone is enough to make the Bucks' player salaries reach the salary cap, not to mention the contracts of Dragic and George Hill.

So it is foreseeable that for at most two seasons, the Bucks will have to start paying the luxury tax just to keep the current lineup, not to mention reinforcements.

Li Lai said with firm eyes at this time: "I am willing to pay the luxury tax. As long as the team can move in the right direction, there will be no problem."

"So tell Yi Jianlian, we have decided to renew his contract with a multi-year maximum salary contract."

Although he had already guessed the result of the maximum salary renewal, Hammond had to be a little surprised when he heard the word "many years".

Even if Yi Jianlian is two All-Stars, he even has the most rare ultra-long-range three-pointer ability in the league, but after all, he only averages 17 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists per game, and most of the opponent's abilities rely on Li Lai and the Bucks It takes a lot of courage to be able to offer a contract with a multi-year maximum salary for such a data that has been cultivated by the team.

Take a look at Durant, the first rookie in the 07 class to receive a maximum salary. He averaged 30 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists per game this season. salary players.

So Hammond looked at Li Lai sadly, thinking: You prodigal son, this is prodigal again.

Day two.

Yi Jianlian came to the team office at the invitation of Hammond, but before signing the contract, he specifically asked Hammond to meet Li Lai first.

Li Lai was a little surprised. Although he is the head coach of the team and the boss behind the Bucks, he seldom talks directly with the players about the contract, but leaves it to Hammond to handle it.

Because in his opinion, such a careless discussion may affect the unity and culture of the team, so Li Lai has been trying to avoid such things.

But Yi Jianlian is a bit special, so Li Lai agreed to the other party's request to meet.

"coach."

Yi Jianlian had already lost the constraints of last season, so when he saw Li Lai, he said with a smile.

Li smiled back and forth, and then asked curiously, "Yi, do you have any requirements for the details of the contract?"

Yi Jianlian shook his head. He remembered the scene of Li Lai calling him to cancel the trade application during the off-season last season. At that time, Li Lai gave him a lot of promises, but the other party did it in the first season. Promise of.

Yi Jianlian became the absolute starter of the Bucks, gradually developed his own abilities, and was also successfully selected as an All-Star.

Now, the entire league hopes to get a player like him who can greatly expand the space, because this can make stars like James, Kobe, and Rose more dominant on the court.

It's just that Yi Jianlian had already made a decision in his heart before Hammond proposed to renew the contract in advance.

In any case, he wants to stay with the Bucks and play with Li Lai, because without this coach, he will still be notorious in the league, and that softie will accompany him throughout his NBA career.

Chinese people are most grateful in their bones, just like Yao Ming who is willing to stay in the team even after seeing McGrady being treated cruelly by the Rockets management.

Yi Jianlian hopes to make the same decision as his idol.

"My agent has told me in advance that the Bucks' players' salaries this season are already very close to the salary cap. Most teams will try to reduce their players' salaries under such circumstances."

"My agent thinks that it is difficult for the Bucks to offer me a maximum salary contract, so he suggested that I join the Knicks and Cavaliers during the off-season."

Speaking of this, Yi Jianlian looked up at Li Lai with a smile on his face and said, "But I rejected him, because I like the Bucks, I like the coach, and I like to play in this environment, so I am willing to cut my salary." Stay with the team."

　A brother proposed to build a group very early on, but I knew that the number of people in the group would not be too many immediately after the group was established, and it was difficult to get lively. In addition, I don’t have social bullshit, but I am a bit too quiet, so I have no choice Build a group.

　　This time, a few brothers proposed to build a group, so they built it with the cheek. Now that there are few people, we can chat a few words in the group and watch the ball. Of course, I like to play King Pesticide and suffer from it. Brothers who have also been harmed a lot, we can play together.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)