The invincible kryptonite of basketball

It was even more because Walker had told Tang Tian that Parker was his idol back in the NCAA!

If you pay attention, Walker is very excited in the back right now.

Although they have played against each other many times as opponents on the court, just like Davis met Duncan before, the meaning of meeting in private is different!

Not to mention meeting your idol!

"Tony, since you're here, I'll hand over Kemba to you. He regards you as his idol."

Tang Tian was also very direct, pointing to Walker when saying hello.

"No problem, I also enjoy playing against him on the court."

Parker said with a smile.

There are not many short guards in the NBA, and they all have a good impression of each other.

Just like between Iverson and Paul, Thomas Jr., and Nate Robinson, the former has always encouraged and appreciated those behind, and the latter have always regarded the former as a role model.

After Tang Tian finished speaking, Walker had already rushed over there.

"Tony."

Walker said hello, but shy as if he was still in the NCAA period.

"Kemba, next season will be abused."

Parker is very relaxed, and jokes as soon as he comes up.

Several people laughed together.

The word abuse, since the Pelicans formed a four-star lineup, it is estimated that it will become a mantra for opponents next season.

Several people exchanged pleasantries for a while, and then began training soon.

Walker and Parker were still sitting and chatting about some technical issues, and Duncan had already begun to guide Davis in practicing low-post skills.

The rest of Tang Tian and Butler went straight to one-on-one.

Like Walker, Butler also played at the peak of his career last year, especially in the playoffs, and became synonymous with toughness.

But his offense and defense in front of Tang Tian still fell below the overall level.

But just like the protagonists in anime need to fight against stronger opponents to level up, one-on-one with Tang Tian is the best way for Butler to continue to evolve.

This principle also applies to Tang Tian.

Butler doesn't have great physical talent, and his defense relies on active candy-style defense.

Facing such a defense, the requirements for the ball holder's ball handling skills are very high.

Tang Tian exposed his weaknesses in ball-handling skills in the Western Conference Finals and Finals last year. In addition to his krypton gold exchange ability, he also had to improve his basic attributes.

There's nothing faster than opposing Butler.

Chapter 4 Lineup Reinforcement (4/[-], ask for a monthly ticket)

The four-star Pelicans have already started training. For them, the new season is a season they are determined to win.

Even compared to the Warriors' four-star team, they can't be described as failing if they don't win the championship, but if they don't torture their opponents out of their psychological shadows and hit the ratings, they will fail.

So even though the lineup is very strong, the pressure on everyone is not small.

When Tang Tian and the others were training, Dempsey was not idle either.

After completing transactions and signings one after another, the Pelicans now have players left.

Point guards: Walker, Brogdon

Shooting guard: Tang Tian

Small forwards: Butler, Bojan, Siakam

Power Forward: Davis, Kuzma

Centers: Harrell, Thomas Bryant

There are a total of 10 guaranteed contracts on the big list. In addition to veterans David West and Diaw, who are likely to renew their contracts, there are 3 places.

Among these three places, although they have already exceeded the salary cap, they will have a full middle class if they have not passed the local tyrant line.

Because of the salary cap increase, this year's full middle class has increased significantly compared to last year.

Last year it was about US$560 million, but this year it can reach US$840 million.

This is undoubtedly the best news for the Pelicans who have traded away a large number of rotations.

According to the rules, they can use the full mid-level exception to sign with free agents, the contract length does not exceed four years, and the salary increase does not exceed 5%.

In addition, they can also split it to multiple players, and the same rules apply to the number of years and increases.

The only bad news is that there are not many players in the free agent market, and there are not many players left for them to choose from.

This day, the hard-working brothers were training, and after the training, they played a three-on-three half-court.

Walker, Tang Tian, ​​and Davis are in a group, and Parker, Butler, and Duncan are in a group.

Playing three on three, Tang Tian is a monster.

But there was back and forth between the two sides.

Although Duncan has retired for a year, unlike Kobe, he has no worries about having children and still maintains his training intensity. He still has the upper hand against Davis in a short period of time.

The same situation also happened when Walker and Parker were direct. Parker's breakthrough and small throw made Walker have nothing to do.

The first three-on-three match between the two sides ended in a draw.

Walker and Davis sat on the floor and gasped for breath. They didn't feel depressed. On the contrary, they felt that this year's training camp would really help them a lot.

While resting, Dempsey came to find Tang Tian.

The two chatted about the team's reinforcements next season.

Parker and Duncan both went back to rest after training, and the rest belonged to the Pelicans, and Demps did not avoid suspicion.

He gave Tang Tian the list of remaining players in the free market and asked him to choose three of them.

Both Walker and Butler were full of curiosity. This was the first time they had seen the general manager of the team communicate with players like this.

The current lineup of the Pelicans lacks a tall black and tough center, and there is a need to supplement the backcourt.

After Holiday and Williams were traded away, their backcourt, which was originally the strongest, has become a little weak now.

"The first choice is Diamond, and the second is to talk to Carter."

After scanning the list of remaining free agents, Tang Tian mentioned two candidates.

Diamond is black and tough, and he can be regarded as a taller version of Harrell.

Although the ability to attack and eat cakes is not as good as Harrell, there is a point about Diamond that only Tang Tian knows with his eyes open.

This is a black tough who can develop three-pointers, which is quite rare in the league.

In fact, Thomas Bryant, who was picked by the Pelicans in the last round of this year's draft, is of this type, 3D black and tough.

The Pelicans are determined to win next season, and they certainly can't wait for Bryant to grow, and one Harrell is not enough.

If Diamond can be won, it must be a good deal.

Then there is Carter. The old Carter proved in the Grizzlies last season that he still has a lot of fuel in his fuel tank, which is completely enough to play Tang Tian's substitute.

Moreover, Tang Tian had the experience of cooperating with McGrady similar to veterans before, he would like this very much.

After all, this means that he can take the opportunity to glance at his skills, and the UFO dunk is one of his late-game skills.

Of course, this is the best candidate, and there will be some spare tires after these two people.

Diamond's backup is Kelly Olynyk, also a type of player.

Carter's backup tire is Joe Harris, who is also a veteran of the Pelicans.

Of course, there are also spare tires for spare tires, Willie Reed, Nick Young and so on.

Who can be signed in the end depends on Dempsey's negotiating ability.

However, after the chat, Demps assured Tang Tian that he was extremely confident in the attractiveness of the team this year.

Tang Tian smiled and said nothing.

Diamond is actually not that worried. The Pelicans have a full middle class, so it is not a big problem to win.

It's just that Carter is a little uncertain. Unlike other players, Carter's desire for a championship is very low. What he prefers is playing time.

But as Tang Tian's substitute, this is not so satisfying.

Dempsey took the list given by Tang Tian and left the manor to negotiate with those free agents.

While they were negotiating, Butler and Davis couldn't wait, and had already gone back to take a shower and rest.

But Walker listened with gusto.

Speaking of which, Walker can be regarded as a half-scholar, and his university grades are very good.

"Come on, Kemba."

Tang Tian got up and stretched his body, and greeted Walker.

Walker nodded, and the two walked out of the training hall.

It's July and it's pretty hot.

Fortunately, Tang Tian had considered this point when he built the basketball gymnasium, and they were very close to where they lived.

Walker was quite caring, and helped Tang Tian get the car keys when he left.

After returning to the room and taking a shower, Tang Tian remembered that the key was still with Walker, and went directly to his room.

Knocking on the door and entering, Walker had already showered and was packing his luggage there.

Because it was not long before he decided to join the Pelicans, Walker hadn't had time to buy a house here. Like Butler, both of them were still temporarily living in Tang Tian's manor.

And it's only been a few days since I arrived, and I didn't have time to pack my luggage before.

When Tang Tian came in, he was smirking while holding a red jacket.

"You still keep it and take it with you?"

Seeing his actions, Tang Tian couldn't help flashing memories in his mind.

This is the lucky red jacket that Walker specially selected when they participated in the 6 NBA draft six years ago.

Six years passed in a blink of an eye, and when I saw this jacket again, memories flooded out.

It felt like they didn't do anything, and it was the same as when they played in college in the NCAA.

"Yes, is yours still there?"

Walker asked with a smile.

"Of course, but mine has been hanging in the cupboard. After all, you gave it to me. It's a treasure."

Tang Tian replied.

It is no exaggeration to say that this red jacket represents their youth and their friendship.

Chapter 51 The Lakers are interested in Bryant

Walker put down the red jacket, and Tang Tian temporarily forgot about getting the keys. The two sat by the bed and chatted about their college days.

When everything first started, Tang Tian was just a caddy at the University of Connecticut.

"Don, it still looks like a dream in retrospect. It only took you 1 years to go from a caddy to No. 6 in the league."

When Walker thought of what happened 7 years ago, he still couldn't help feeling emotional.

Although they had a good relationship when Tang Tian was still a caddy, and he also knew the hard work Tang Tian had put in over the years.