lakers championship

Chapter 297 Forming a new lineup (1) ([-]rd update)

At 24 o'clock on the 9th, except for the second-round pick Thomas Bryant, Tianyang and his team flew back to Los Angeles from New York.

As soon as they walked out of the airport after landing, a large number of Lakers fans who picked up the plane surrounded them. They held up photos of the three rookies, Lakers jerseys, and Lakers caps. Zema and Hart.

SkyOcean, the biggest brand, was put aside instead.

Seeing this situation, Tianyang shrugged his shoulders and spread his hands, "I only hear the newcomers laughing, don't ask the old ones to cry!"

It took about 15 minutes for the three of Tatum to greet all the fans, and the group got in the car and went straight to the training base.

……

In the car, Tianyang and the three rookies sat in the second row, and Kupchak and Wharton sat in the first row.

They were not familiar with each other, and the atmosphere in the car was a little awkward.

Tianyang then found a topic to chat: "You three rookies, have you figured out your jersey number?"

Tatum chuckled, "Can I wear number 9? I want to be behind Kobe's number 8."

Kupchak: "Of course, Huertas' contract has expired and he has no intention of renewing it."

Kuzma looked up and thought for a moment, "I want to wear size 0, can I?"

Walton frowned, "The current owner of No. 0 is Nick Young. He has a player option for this year's contract, and he hasn't decided whether to stay."

Tianyang waved his hand, "Yang has already told me that he will implement the player option to stay with the Lakers, and you choose another one."

Kuzma curled his lips when he heard the words, "Then I will think about it."

Hart: "I have already chosen No. 5. I have neither retired nor will I conflict with the current players."

Wharton nodded, "You have considered it thoroughly. Lopez will wear No. 11 when he arrives, you will wear No. 5, and Tatum will wear No. 9. Kuzma, you should wear No. 2. No one is currently on No. 2."

Kuzma: "No. 2 is fine, no problem."

Kupchak: "Speaking of jersey numbers, in our current lineup, Tarek has been sent away, and the contracts of Metta World Peace, Anthony Brown, Thomas Robinson, Calderon, and Huertas have been completed. When the deadline expires, when the contract with you is completed, there will be only 12 people in total, and there are still 3 positions waiting for hypocrisy, do you have any recommendations?"

On the first day after joining the team, they were asked to recommend free agent candidates, and all three of them were very confused.

Kupchak quickly realized, "Forget it, forget it, I was thinking too much."

……

An hour later, the special car arrived at the Lakers training base.

After several people got out of the car, Kupchak said that after Thomas Bryant arrived, he would hold a press conference for the rookies, and before that, let Tianyang show them around the base.

"Let's go, let me show you the 16 trophies." Tianyang waved to the three of them.

"I heard that you chose the No. 17 jersey last year to bring the Lakers their 17th championship?" Tatum asked curiously.

"Yeah, but unfortunately we haven't done it yet." Tianyang shook his head.

"Boss, don't think so. You are so good. In the first year, you led the team to seven games against the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. If Randall hadn't been injured, it wouldn't be clear who would win?" Hart hurriedly cheered.

Kuzma nodded frequently, "I don't like your character at all, but I am very convinced in terms of skills and leadership!"

"Then you're not called big brother?" Tianyang took the opportunity to fool around, but Kuzma still shook his head.

"I can call you big brother in 98. By the way, my girlfriend is already pregnant, and my child will be born in January next year. When the time comes, I will recognize you as a godfather?" Tatum said with a smile.

"What?" Tianyang, Kuzma, and Hart asked at the same time, "Are you going to be a father?"

"Right? What's wrong?" Tatum looked a little surprised.

"You are the big brother!" Tianyang gave a thumbs up and turned to Kuzma and Hart, "These two guys are three years older than you, and you don't have a girlfriend yet, and you are about to become a father! I am also behind Already!"

"You are really good! I am convinced!" Kuzma cupped his hands.

……

The four talked while walking, and soon came to the trophy display area on the second floor of the base.

The 16 championship trophies are lined up in a row, shining brightly, and the eyes of the three of Kuzma are shining.

"From today onwards, you are all Lakers players. I hope you will be proud of Zijin and join us in fighting for the championship!" Tianyang stretched out his hand, "Shout with me, the Lakers championship!"

Kuzma, Tatum, and Hart also hurriedly stretched out their hands and shouted in unison: "The Lakers are champions!"

Such a scene fell into the eyes of Jim, Jenny, and Kupchak who were quietly watching.

Jim said with a smile: "Tianyang can always unite the team in one minute."

……

At 11 o'clock, the Lakers rookie conference was officially held. Jim, Kupchak, Walton, Tatum, Kuzma, Hart, and Thomas Bryant attended together.

Try John Black, TNT reporter Maggio asks the first question.

"In my interview career, I have never seen such a press conference. Do you have any special considerations?"

Kupchak picked up the microphone, "Last year we held separate press conferences for Tianyang, Ingram, and Zubac, and now we find that that approach is not correct, and it is easy to cause estrangement between teammates. We have learned a lesson, we must emphasize the concept of a team, so under Tianyang's suggestion, we adopted the current form."

After TNT, ESPN reporter Julie asked questions.

"In the Lakers lineup, there are already two starting strikers, Randall and Ingram. You choose Tatum, don't you worry about the team rotation? Or have you designed a new tactic?"

Wharton has not yet answered, and Tatum rushed to say: "I don't think this is a problem. I can play as a starter or as a substitute. It all depends on the needs of the team."

After listening, Walton took the microphone with a smile and said: "To be honest, the team lineup has changed a lot. The coaching staff does not have a suitable tactic at present, but they will continue to focus on the mobile offensive system anyway. Yang, other positions are all arranged according to strength and needs."

After ESPN, NBATV reporter Marcel asked questions.

"Hart, you were selected by the Jazz in the 30th round, and then the Lakers traded you in the first round of the 19th year. Are you surprised?"

Hart didn't say a word when he heard the words, but looked directly to the right.Kupchak understood, and immediately picked up the microphone and said: "We need Hart to increase the strength of the shooting guard, and according to the current record of the Lakers, the first round of 19 can get the pick, which should be the same as the No. 30 pick of the Jazz, so we Both parties happily concluded the transaction."

……

Tianyang stood on the second floor, watching the press conference, thinking of himself last year, he couldn't help feeling emotional.

"What are you thinking about?" Jenny-Buss came over, "Are you free now? I have something I want to ask for your advice."

Tianyang nodded, followed Jenny into the office, and saw a lot of player information on the desk.

"It's still an old problem. There are still 6 days before the start of the free agent market. Last year, based on your suggestion, we signed McGee and the effect was very good. Do you have any new suggestions this year?" Jenny asked.

Tianyang sat down and began to search for information, "I have thought about this problem for a long time. On the way back just now, Mr. Ku reminded me again. From our current lineup, we lack an organized and defensive point guard. It is recommended to talk to Rondo. In addition, after Tatum joined the team, plus Ingram, we have two small forwards with great potential. It is best to find a veteran who has experience but does not occupy the ball. One area, like Vince Carter."

(End of this chapter)