Pick Westbrook

Chapter 155

"A pay cut?"

Li Lai was very surprised by this answer.

Of course, from the perspective of the team, this salary cut is naturally very meaningful. Although it is difficult for the Bucks to have much salary space, let alone get a big fish in the free market during the offseason, it can Let the team's salary space be in a more flexible state, and can continue to strengthen the small forward problem that has always existed in the off-season.

"It's just that this is your first big contract. A player can't always win a big contract at the stage of his career, so he lost this opportunity for a maximum salary. It may be difficult to have such a big contract in the future." choose."

Li Lai seriously reminded the other party.

At this time, Yi Jianlian showed a smile of a sunny boy.

"I know, but you gave me everything as a coach. You changed my career and made me two All-Stars."

"To be honest, who knew me in the entire NBA before the coach came? Little Coach K will only let me do things I am not good at."

"Moreover, the coach is willing to give Ron a big contract in his old age, so why would he not want to give me a big contract in the future? I know that the team's salary space may be exhausted next year, so I am willing to take the initiative to make sacrifices at this time. "

Li Lai was really moved by Yi Jianlian's words. He knew very well that very few players in the NBA could take the initiative to ask for a salary cut. The Mavericks took a $1 million pay cut.

Of course, there is no need to talk about the relationship between Cuban and King Yinjiao, and now such a relationship has sprouted between Li Lai and Yi Jianlian.

Li said: "I hope you can always be a player of the Bucks, Yi."

Yi Jianlian smiled shyly, "I think so too, coach."

Finally, under the negotiation of Li Lai, Hammond, and Yi Jianlian, Yi Jianlian and the Bucks signed a very different contract.

5-year 7000 million 4+1 contract, the last year is a player option, and this is an average salary contract with no increase, the annual salary is 1400 million US dollars, and the 5-year 8000 million signed with Durant Compared with the contract, Yilianlian is equivalent to a direct salary cut of 1000 million US dollars.

This average salary contract is also to ensure that the Bucks can have more flexible salary space in the future. After all, with the salary cap rising year by year to 4 years later, the annual salary of 1400 million is really not a big contract.

Of course, the reason why Li Lai let Yi Jianlian choose to sign the 4+1 contract is actually some small thoughts in his heart.

Because he knew very well that in 2014, it happened to be the time when the NBA and the broadcasters reached a new broadcast agreement. In the previous life, it was a huge broadcast contract of 9 billion US dollars for 240 years, and this life will only be higher and not lower.

With the arrival of the huge broadcast contract, the salary cap and the luxury tax line will be greatly increased. In the 2015-16 season in the previous life, the team salary cap will suddenly increase to 7000 million US dollars overnight, and the luxury tax will be levied. The line is $8500 million.

In short, the starting salary of the maximum salary contract will become 1800 million. After Yi Jianlian triggers the Bird clause at that time, his maximum salary will become 2100 million, and he also has a maximum annual salary of 8%. Incremental salary increases.

"So, if you choose to take the initiative to cut your salary by 1000 million at this time, I will help you get a bigger contract at that time."

"Yi, I won't let you suffer."

First game after the All-Star break.

The Bucks challenged the 76ers away.

Philadelphia, Wachovia Center.

Before the game, Kenny Smith said with a smile on his face: "Although the 76ers haven't given up the idea of ​​hitting the playoffs until now, they really don't have much hope given their current record of tenth in the Eastern Conference."

"After all, there are less than 30 games left before the end of the regular season."

Big Mouth Barkley resumed his cynical and joking look at this time and said: "The goal set by the 76ers at the beginning of the season was to make it to the playoffs, and they also won Jason Carter in the offseason. Good forward rotation like Bono, and also drafted potential rookie Jrue Holiday."

"Originally, the management of the 76ers thought that such a lineup plus Andre Iguodala, Lou Williams, Thaddeus Young and Elton Brand should make it to the playoffs. No problem."

"But now it seems that they still underestimated the growth of other teams in the East."

Kenny Smith agreed and said: "The Bucks, Cavaliers, Celtics, and Magic, these four teams are the absolute giants in the Eastern Conference, and they are also the top ten championship teams. They will definitely win a season. playoff spot."

"Following the count, there are the Eagles and the Heat, which are the main teams, and the Bulls, which are gaining momentum this season."

"That is to say, there is actually only one seat that other teams in the East can compete for this season. It seems cruel."

"The other teams that originally wanted to compete for this seat should also be pecking at each other, but who would have thought that the Charlotte Bobcats would come out halfway."

As a star of the 76ers, Barkley has been paying attention to this team this season. He was also very optimistic about the 76ers reaching the playoffs this season.

It's just that I can't imagine that as the regular season progresses, more and more problems of this team will be exposed.

Andre Iguodala's defense is good, and he is extremely smart at the same time. He is a very good player, but it is still too reluctant to build a team with him as the core and hit the playoffs.

After all, Iguodala does not have the ability to finish at critical moments, and in Barkley's view, the opponent is only suitable to be the second head of a team.

In addition, Louis Williams is strong in offense and weak in defense. It was originally the most suitable place to lead the second team from the bench, but the head coach of the 76ers, Eddie Jordan, insisted on bringing the opponent to the starting lineup.

Louis Williams is a ball-handling offensive guard. Putting him in the starting lineup will only allow him to hold the ball more, so Thaddeus Young must come to the small forward position , He has no outside shooting, so the entire 76ers can only play defensive tactics on the court.

At the beginning of the season, this retro defensive team achieved a wave of 3 consecutive victories, and the effect was good, but as the game continued, more and more problems began to be exposed.

Under this defensive lineup, Louis Williams' breakthrough with the ball will inevitably be double-teamed, so that the power of this offensive player with the ball will be reduced by at least half. The power of the ball is indeed very powerful, but because Lu Wei did not start the offense, his style of catch and fast break was also hindered.

When it comes to the bench lineup, the problem for the 76ers is even bigger.

Jrue Holiday is a good potential player selected by the 76ers management among the rookies this year, but apart from him, Primoz Brezek, Royal Ivey, Jason Smith , Rodney Carney, these players seem too mediocre.

The last question is also the most critical one. In the last 4 minutes of the game, no player from the 76ers could stand up and win the team. Originally, Lou Williams had such ability, but he played in this lineup. It was very uncomfortable.

This is the bad situation for the 76ers this season.

"It would be great if they signed Iverson during the off-season." Kenny Smith said suddenly.

Barkley nodded in agreement.

Look at Iverson's performance with the Bucks this season, averaging 14 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists per game. Isn't this data better than those players above?

The most important thing is that Iverson has the ability to win games at critical moments, which is exactly what the 76ers need most now.

"Originally during the off-season, Iverson expressed more than once that he wanted to return to the 76ers to play, but the management of the 76ers has not made a decision for a long time, which also gave the Bucks An opportunity to take advantage of."

"After taking down Iverson, the Bucks' bench lineup this season has jumped to fourth in the league in points per game, which is why they can become the league's No. [-] team."

Wachovia Center.

After the fans at the scene saw Iverson's appearance, everyone shouted excitedly, "AI, we need you!"

And some young fans also held a large board high in their hands, which clearly wrote: Iverson, go home.

Iverson returned to his former home court after four years of absence. He is very happy that the fans here still remember him, and he also remembers these fans.

But soon Iverson restrained all his emotions. He did still regard the 76ers as his home team, but he is now a player of the Bucks, and he is also carrying the most important team task of this season. So he will never spare any of his opponents, not even the 76ers.

Game start.

Li Lai adjusted the starting lineup for the first time.

Westbrook, Iverson, Artest, Rasheed and Yi Jianlian.

76ers starting lineup: point guard Lou Williams, shooting guard Andre Iguodala, small forward Thaddeus Young, power forward Elton Brand and center Samuel Dalembert.

Midfield jump ball.

Dalembert, the 211cm tall Haitian prince, took the lead in grabbing the first wave of offensive balls.

The 76ers launched an offense.

Lou Williams advances all the way, and Westbrook sticks to one step defense all the time.

Iguodala began to run back around the baseline, and immediately mentioned the right 45° to attack the ball after he didn't get a chance.

It was Iverson who defended him!

"I'm afraid this matchup will be beaten badly."

Kenny Smith said with some concern.

Even if Iguodala's ball-handling offense is not good, he is also a player who can score 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists per game, and has a certain ball-handling ability and passing ability. Now facing Iverson's defense, that I'm afraid it's as simple as O'Neal singles Nate Robinson in the paint.

So Kenny Smith was very puzzled, why did Li Lai put Iverson, who had always been a backup shooting guard, on the starting list at this time.

Iguodala glanced at the defensive positions of the Bucks players on the court, and he was still leading the defense one-on-one. Is it really not afraid that he will kill Iverson?
At this time, Iguodala didn't intend to give face to his former boss, but directly held the ball and accelerated towards the basket to attack frantically.

Iverson was pushed near the free throw line. He held his breath and charged up to defend Iguodala, but obviously, it was useless. The strength and shape were too poor.

Just at this moment, the other four players of the Bucks suddenly shrunk their defense and all squeezed into the inside area.

Originally, such a defensive change was also a picture that the 76ers liked to see very much, because most of Iguodala's assists this season were passed under such a defensive change.

Iguodala didn't intend to fight one against five like Kobe possessed. He was also very smart in playing, so at this time he decisively passed the ball to the most accurate teammate on the outside.

Lu Wei received the ball and was about to complete the attack, but Westbrook appeared in front of him as if he had predicted it.

"So fast! This defensive transfer is simply at the textbook level!"

"Don't think that the Bucks' offense is the first in the league, and their defense is the bottom of the league. Many teams have already suffered from this preconceived loss."

"The Bucks are a team that particularly emphasizes overall defense. They can allow you to beat any player one-on-one, but they will never allow you to score the ball without defense."

Lu Wei could only reorganize at this time, and called an off-ball pick-and-roll from the inside Dalembert.

As a result, Westbrook snatched it ahead of time, and Yi Jianlian pushed Dalembert out of the penalty area, and firmly protected the area where he was fighting for defensive rebounds.

This time, the 76ers did not succeed in their offensive tactics and lost their rebounding position.

Lu Wei can only play singles!

Fortunately, he is also very good at singles.

Lu Wei lowered his center of gravity, took a step sideways to dribble the ball, and made a decisive three-pointer!
Duang!

Interferenced by Westbrook.

The Bucks made a fast break.

Westbrook deliberately held the ball and stopped after halftime. Iverson came up from the middle and cut in. After receiving the ball, he made a layup and scored.

"I can't beat it at all."

Barkley shook his head again and again.

He really wanted to say that these are two teams that are not at the same level at all. It is no wonder that Li Lai will take Iverson, who is more suitable for the bench lineup, on the field, because he can win no matter what he plays. Come to have such confidence.

Kenny Smith discovered the details on the court and said: "The Bucks are deliberately making Iverson more offensive. It seems that they want to let this former veteran play the best of the season tonight." a match."

Barkley nodded. Being able to break out in his former home team should be Li Lai's greatest respect for the veteran Iverson.

76ers coaching bench.

Eddie Jordan called a timeout just 2 minutes into the game.

He looked at the displeasure and anger on the Bucks coach's bench.

"We can allow you to beat me, but we will never allow you to let Iverson beat me. This is an insult to us!"

If Li Lai heard this passage, he would probably insult you, old man, where will Iverson be among the 75 NBA superstars in the future?Get beat by this future Hall of Famer, you call that an insult?Burn high incense you!

Of course, Li Lai does have plans to make Iverson attack more in this game. Of course, it depends on how Iverson feels in tonight's game. If he is good, then he will keep attacking.

The game continues.

The 76ers attacked again.

This time their team's tactics are more targeted, that is, let all the players eat Iverson alone.

Iguodala received the ball from the waist, and Iverson was still defending.

In this position, other players of the Bucks are not easy to double-team, because there are 45ers players standing at the bottom corner of the weak side at 76° and the strong side respectively. Chance.

"As expected of Jordan, the head coach of the 76ers is not completely out of ink."

Iguodala pushed back, and Iverson backed up again and again.

Yi Jianlian wanted to rush over to help defend, but Dalembert's waist on the other side gave him a lot of restraint.

Westbrook also wanted to help defend, but Lu Wei's running without the ball outside the three-point line also gave him a great threat.

Seeing that the Bucks were still in this defensive situation, Iguodala did not hesitate at all. He once again stepped up his back-to-back singles, and after flying Iverson, he turned around naturally and prepared to dunk.

Snapped!
A crisp sound appeared.

The moment Iguodala turned around, Artest had appeared in front of him, and then a very fast hand knife swung down and grabbed the ball.

"Who do you kid want to bully?"

After the successful steal, Artest did not forget to send a trash talk.

Iguodala was very puzzled why Artest dared to double-team in this position, but after seeing Thaddeus Young at a 45° angle on the right, he shook his head knowingly.

It's that kid, no wonder.

"The opponents of the 76ers team really dare to double-team!"

"It can be seen that the coaching staff of the Bucks did a lot of homework before the game, and took a very targeted defensive strategy from the beginning of the game."

"A strong team is so serious about beating a weak team. One can imagine how terrible this team is."

Artest hit the ground and passed the ball to Iverson who followed him, and the latter made a steady three-pointer.

next round.

The Bucks created a very favorable singles matchup for Iverson, which was defended by Lu Wei.

Compared with the Bucks' bold double-teaming, which of the 76ers' players dare to move when watching Iverson perform singles now?
After all, even if the Bucks are currently the two players with the most inaccurate three-pointers on the court, Westbrook has a 36% three-pointer percentage and Artest has a 37% three-pointer percentage, which makes them dare not go up to double-team.

Singles start!
Iverson lowered his center of gravity, made a big fake move to the right, and then immediately caught a butterfly who went to the left.

Lu Wei, who had been teammates with Iverson, knew very well that the opponent walking to the left was likely to catch a mid-range shot, so he followed the ball a little closely.

That is to say, it was a small step forward, but it was this small step, and Iverson Limara came back and broke through to the right and directly into the penalty area.

Move fast!

Iverson Jelly scored a layup.

"Defending Iverson, you always have to take a step back. This is the truth that those old-school players have come to, because as long as you cling a little bit, he can pass you immediately."

"Moreover, the whole world knows that Iverson's breakthrough is very likely to go to the right, but all players in the world will be shocked."

"You can't help it! This is Iverson! He can beat you [-] times with one move!"

After being eaten by Iverson alone, Lu Wei smiled helplessly, and Iverson also looked at his former younger brother and responded with a smile.

Only two people know that Iverson taught Lu Wei a lot in the 76ers.

Not only Lu Wei, but even Iguodala also remembers the dunk that should have won the championship when he was ignored in the All-Stars. It was Iverson who took Kobe to vent his anger on the sidelines.

Iverson yelled at the time, "Isn't this dunk worth 50 points?"

Iguodala couldn't help but smiled. Both he and Lu Wei hope that Iverson can return to the 76ers. They also believe that Iverson can help the team reach the playoffs, but the management of the 76ers I haven't forgotten the conflict with Iverson many years ago. This is the reason why Iverson was not offered a contract during the offseason.

Seeing this scene, Eddie Jordan was holding his head angrily on the sidelines. He had arranged offensive and defensive tactics in such a targeted manner, but in the end, Iverson still stole the limelight. How could he hold his face, so He kept yelling at the court from the sidelines.

"Give me some confrontation and strengthen the defense!"

It's just what level of offense the Bucks have, and how can your 76ers be able to defend against it.

The Bucks took a 65-point lead at 55:10 in just half the game.

In the second half of the game, Iverson's offensive role increased more and more, and after he came to the bench, his offensive play became more comfortable, and he singled out the 76ers' bench to score consecutively.

The 76ers' substitute center, the young Jason Smith, couldn't bear it anymore. He had never been so angry in his life, so after Iverson entered the penalty area again, he was about to be unstoppable. Iverson pulled down from the air fiercely.

There was a sound of a heavy object falling to the ground.

The Wachovia Center Stadium was suddenly quiet, and the fans stood up and covered their mouths, a little worried about Iverson's situation.

The Bucks players rushed over nervously.

The three referees also blew their whistles and immediately formed a human wall, stopping Artest and Rasheed Wallace on the bench.

"If these two great gods rushed into the court, the young player Jason Smith would be beaten until he couldn't find any bones."

Iverson slowed down on the ground.

When he was young, he was often thrown to the ground viciously by opponents in this area, and he also had no fewer than ten injuries caused by such malicious fouls.

In the past, he could naturally stand up immediately after being violated, and arrogantly stated that my uncle is fine.

But now he is old, so he has to see if there is any problem with his arms and legs after the fall, and then he can determine whether he can continue to play.

Jason Smith watched Iverson stand up, and said indifferently: "Look, he's fine at all, it's not a big deal, it's just that he's too old."

"Retire as soon as you get old, what can you do on the court."

Li Lai, who was originally angry when he saw Iverson being criminalized, finally couldn't hold back the anger in his heart after hearing this trash talk.

He got up from the dugout and rushed onto the court, yelling at Jason Smith in the chest.

"Anyone can call him old, but you, the 76ers, can't!"

"You are not qualified to talk trash to Iverson, who are you?"

"Go and see the records left by Iverson in the 76ers, you go and break one and come here to beep."

Jason Smith was stunned by the scolding, and he spread his hands to look at the referees around him.

"The game hasn't been interrupted yet. What does he mean by rushing onto the court and scolding me?"

The three referees also hurriedly stopped Li Lai. Marshall already understood his priority at this time, so he and Tyronn Lue rushed into the court to hold Li Lai and pulled him back.

"Coach, he knows he's wrong, please forgive him!"

Jason Smith: ? ! ? !
Seeing this scene, Iverson suddenly had a sore nose.

Only he knows what it feels like to be trash-talked by players on the team he loves.

Iverson looked at Li Lai who was still yelling at Jason Smith, and said warmly in his heart, "Coach Li Lai is a good man."

beep!beep!
The three referees finally couldn't bear to blow their whistles at the same time.

Li Lai, who was called a technical offender, immediately changed his face, restrained all his arrogance, sat back on the bench without making a fuss, and continued to observe the court quietly.

This startled the three referees in front of them.

They originally wanted to appease Li Lai. After all, it was the Bucks who suffered. Not only did they get trash-talked, but they also got a technical offender. However, seeing that Li Lai was more stable than the three of them, they almost felt ashamed of the other party's ancestor. All eighteen generations greeted each other.

Li looked at the three of them, and asked with a serious face, "Is there anything else?"

Three referees: Get out!

In the next game, because Iverson was bullied by the 76ers, the Bucks team directly set off a wave of bloody offensive in the third quarter.

We are the league's No. [-] offensive team, and we don't pretend anymore.

18: 0.

In the end, the game ended and the Bucks won the game 120:102.

艾佛森砍下了赛季新高24分3篮板3助攻，威斯特布鲁克20分15篮板15助攻超级三双，易键联20分7篮板。

反观76人队，只有3人得分上双，替补中锋杰森-史密斯甚至只拿下了0分0篮板5犯规的数据。

After the game, Iverson rushed back to his home in Philadelphia.

His wife Tawanna Turner said with a tired face after seeing Iverson's arrival: "Messiah's condition has been stabilized, and the family doctor has come to see him. Although there is still a possibility of danger, it is already gone. The most dangerous stage has passed, but if she has a high fever next time, we must send her to the hospital immediately."

Iverson finally breathed a sigh of relief looking at his daughter who had fallen asleep peacefully on the bed, and then gently kissed his daughter on the forehead.

Tawana Turner looked at the former NBA superstar and the well-known off-court prodigal son in front of her. At this time in her career, the prodigal son finally started to turn around and assumed the responsibility of father and husband to take care of the family. She was happy wiped away tears.

Iverson turned his head and said with a smile: "Hey, Tawanna, as we said, you are not allowed to cry in front of your children. You must know that no matter what happens, I will be there."

Tawana Turner nodded trustingly, and then said with a sad face: "My daughter has been ill for a month, and the doctor said that there is still a dangerous period of at least one month, and it is completely safe only after passing through. You're going to and from the team, the game, the house, and there's no time off, and it's been hard work, and I want you to take a break."

Iverson was silent for a while.

Originally, he wanted to ask the Bucks for leave to take care of his sick daughter, but after tossing and turning for a few nights, Iverson decisively stopped the idea.

The morale of the Bucks is booming now, and he is also the most indispensable part of the team's bench firepower. The bench lineup that was originally poor in defense, if the offensive firepower is still attenuated, it will be difficult for the Bucks to continue. Possesses an unrivaled stance now.

Iverson doesn't want to ignore the team because of his family affairs, and he doesn't want to affect the state of his teammates and the tacit cooperation of the team because of his own reasons.

Tawana Turner knew that her husband in front of her was no longer the superstar who was omnipotent on the court, nor was she the superhero who could single-handedly pick the OK combination. He wants to prove to the world that he is the world-famous No. 96 pick in the [-] draft, and he is even more powerful than Kobe Bryant.

He wanted a championship, and Tawanna Turner understood him.

Iverson took a deep breath and said: "If Messiah's condition worsens, please notify me immediately, no matter what I am doing, I will definitely come back immediately."

Tawana Turner, who knew that Iverson couldn't hold back, looked at her husband with a smile at this moment. This was the first time in Iverson's life that he was so determined to complete one thing. She always felt that since Iverson After joining the Bucks, everything has become better and better.

"Go ahead, I know if you lose this opportunity to play with the Bucks, you will regret it for the rest of your life."

"But if, I mean, if you meet Kobe in the playoffs this time, you must beat him hard! Tell him that you are the No. [-] pick!"

(End of this chapter)