Pick Westbrook

Chapter 440 Brothers
Barkley launched a new program in response to the big news in the trading market.

Word spread that Lee and a group of Pelicans had waited hours outside Leonard's house without seeing him.

This almost completely confirmed the news that Leonard and the Pelicans were at odds.

Kenny Smith said: "Leonard's team announced to the public that they want a bigger stage, with more resources and opportunities."

"Leonard is a player at the same level as James, Durant, and Curry. He should have unlimited firepower."

"But we know that the Pelicans have never been a player-centered team. Coach Li Lai, like Coach Popovich, is a head coach who is very good at tuning the overall offense."

"Whether it was the Bucks back then or the Pelicans now, they will not completely focus on one player as the core of their offense."

"That's why Leonard wanted to leave the Pelicans."

Buckley shook his head.

He never thought that the publicity of Leonard's team would be the main reason why he left the Pelicans.

In fact, most players don't choose to tell the truth when they decide to leave their original team.

Just like what Durant declared when he applied for a deal to leave the Thunder: I left the Thunder because the Thunder can no longer satisfy my pursuit of personal awards and achievements. I think I have reached the upper limit in the Thunder. To change the environment to break through the upper limit
"When Durant left the Thunder, it was because he could not see any hope of winning the championship in this team. In addition, he has always been known as the second man in the league, and James is the second, which exacerbated his departure from the Thunder. Determination."

"But Leonard is different. With the Pelicans, he has won two consecutive championships and one FMVP. His departure cannot be a problem at the team level."

"In addition to Leonard's team status and shooting rights, perhaps money and some commercial factors are the main reasons."

Barkley analyzed.

Kenny Smith nodded and agreed very much: "New Orleans has never been a big city, and players really can't get better business development there."

"I heard that Leonard's team intends to terminate the 4-year 4000 million sponsorship contract with Li Ning early, and instead cooperate with New Balance."

"And Leonard's team also hopes to have a deeper cooperation with New Balance and create its own sub-brand, just like Nike's Jordan."

"Now the Internet is already building momentum for this sub-brand. The logo is Leonard's iconic pair of big hands. The K on the left is the abbreviation of Kawhi, and the L on the right stands for Leonard. It is a good combination of his name and symbolism. defense."

O'Neal on the side snorted softly and said, "Wouldn't this confirm the idea of ​​Leonard's team?"

"With this wave of transfer turmoil, I suddenly announced to build a unique brand of my own. I even think there is a suspicion of deliberate hype."

"I heard that Leonard wanted to go to China before, and I'm afraid he also had this purpose."

Reggie Miller said: "I am very familiar with Coach Li Lai, and Shaq should also know the coach's personality."

"This is an out-and-out commercial hype, and both the Pelicans and Li Lai have been used."

"I don't like Leonard from now on, and I will call him by a new name, scheming."

New Orleans office.

Hammond punched the desk angrily.

"I've never been so aggrieved in my life!"

"Who spread the picture of us visiting Leonard?"

"It's a luxury residential area in New Orleans, how could a reporter just randomly sneak in, and the photos spread so fast!"

Li Lai was silent, and he also saw that Leonard's team had the idea of ​​applying for a trade from the very beginning.

Otherwise, he wouldn't suddenly put forward a series of harsh conditions. He was lucky that he didn't agree to Uncle Ka's unreasonable demands, otherwise the other party would definitely continue to intensify his desire to get more.

At that time, the Pelicans were really led by the nose.

At this time, Wang Lishen called. In addition to telling him that he would go home for dinner tonight anyway, there was also about Leonard's choice to terminate Li Ning's endorsement contract early.

"There is no need for any exceptions on this point. Whatever the price of breaking the contract in violation of the regulations is, then it is, and it can be done!"

"Adults, you have to pay the price for your actions, even if he is my disciple."

Hearing this, Stevens couldn't help looking at Li Lai, and said, "You still regard him as your disciple?"

Du Feng will return to China at this time, so Stevens is the only member of the coaching staff who can talk to Li Lai at this time.

Li Lai nodded without hesitation and said, "Leonard is not a bad boy. Although I don't agree with his actions, this is his choice."

"I respect his choice."

Stevens said with a wry smile: "But Jimmy seems to be a bit unable to accept this result. He was going crazy and shut himself up in the team's training camp alone, ignoring everyone."

"You'd better go and see."

Li Lai let out a long sigh.

Kawhi and Jimmy are indeed a heart-wrenching thing.

Seeing that Li Lai had the idea of ​​leaving immediately, Hammond quickly asked, "What about Leonard's deal? Should I stay or go?"

Li Lai opened the door and said, "Twisted melons are not sweet!"

"The goal of the Pelicans in the new season is a three-peat dynasty, and I don't allow anyone to destroy this!"

Pelicans training camp.

The sound of clapping basketballs can be heard endlessly.

Jimmy Butler was training alone, even refusing to be accompanied by the team's trainer.

Jimmy Butler wanted to be alone, and he couldn't say why.

"Huh~huh!~"

After a long time, Jimmy Butler lay on the ground, let out a long breath, and threw the basketball in his hand far away.

Since he came into contact with basketball, his heart has never been so disturbed, and he has never been so inattentive during training.

His mind is in turmoil.

"Leonard cares about family affection very much, in fact, so do you."

Li Lai had already arrived here, but he didn't bother Jimmy Butler until the opponent's training stopped.

Sometimes it is more important than any practice to give the other party an environment alone.

Jimmy Butler knew it was the coach, and he also knew that only the other party knew his entire past.

The conflict between him and his mother was also resolved with Li Lai's help, and Jimmy Butler thanked him from the bottom of his heart.

"I couldn't forgive my mother before. I still remember that the coach said to me at that time that some people have never seen their mothers in their lives. In their hearts, even if they can see their mothers, they even think that the other party is a bad person. , and they are also satisfied."

"I tried to forgive Kawhi the same way, but I just couldn't forgive him no matter how hard I tried."

"Coach. You know what?"

"When Kawhi said those words to me, I was actually at peace in my heart, and I walked away as easily as a stranger, and I pulled you out of there, and then lived a normal life like a normal person. "

"I put my girlfriend in Leonard's jersey at night, take my dog ​​for a run in the morning, spend the morning with my family, and practice in the afternoon and evening."

"I think I can take it easy, Kawhi's leaving will not affect me in any way, like this person has never appeared in my world."

"But during training, I suddenly said habitually: Hey, Kawhi, you little trash, let's compete on three-pointers, let's see who can make more consecutive hits."

Jimmy Butler suddenly sat up and cried with red eye circles, and shouted.

"Coach, I still can't accept it. I tried to restrain myself, but I still can't accept it."

"Why is he leaving? Why?!"

Li Lai took a deep breath, looked at Jimmy Butler who was rubbing a pile of snot on his trouser legs, patted him lightly and said.

"Because you still treat him as a brother."

"What is a brother is that you will support him even though you know he has done something wrong."

"This is probably the brother."

(End of this chapter)