NBA: The man who passed the ball to Yao Ming

Chuck Hayes, Shane Battier and Luis Scola.

Zhang Jinshui was not at all surprised to hear that these three names appeared in the list of target players. The Rockets' management must have paid attention to these players long ago, so that they would appear in the Rockets' lineup one after another.

Thinking about the performance of these players in the previous life, Zhang Jinshui has to admit that Dawson's team has a very good vision.

However, among the three, apart from Chuck Hayes, who has a two-way contract with the Rockets, who can be taken down at any time, the process of getting the other two will certainly not be easy.

Especially Luis Scola, whose draft rights are still in the hands of the Spurs.

Even if the Spurs Luis Scola has little interest after three years, the Rockets can easily exchange the draft picks with cash or bench players, but then negotiate with Scola's old club to buy out the contract The process will definitely be full of many variables.

Yao Ming pointed to Battier's name on the list with his fingers, and said: "I have also paid attention to this player Battier in the past two years. He can play both small forward and power forward positions. He is good at defense and has a strong sense of teamwork. Can also shoot three-pointers, which is really suitable for our Rockets."

McGrady also echoed: "Yes, I have had several encounters with Battier in the past two years. This player is a typical team player. He defends very well and is very good at drawing offensive fouls. I quite admire him."

A few comments from Yao and Mai have actually summed up Battier's technical characteristics completely.

In the last life, when Zhang Jinshui was still a fan, like other friends who watched football around him, he could not help but complain that certain players were obviously very good and unique, why no one in the NBA could tell? .

After listening to Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady's comments on Battier, he suddenly realized that the vision of NBA players and management is [-] to [-] times more accurate than that of fans.

Sometimes, the team's choice is inconsistent with the fans' ideas. It is obviously not a problem of the team's vision, but they know more inside stories that fans don't.

Therefore, never use your hobbies to challenge other people's jobs.

"I also think Battier is very suitable for our Rockets system." Zhang Jinshui echoed Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.

Dawson nodded and said: "Battier is a candidate that Van Gundy and I are very optimistic about. Since everyone is very interested in Battier, then I will start working as soon as possible and contact the Grizzlies. .

In fact, I also did some background checks before today. Grizzlies coach Mike Frantero has not been very satisfied with Battier since he took office last year.

Mike Frantero has used Battier as a substitute since last season. Let him play the main force again this season. Putting goods on the shelves has a strong meaning. I think as long as we are willing to take one or two future draft picks, There is still a good chance of him being taken down. "

After discussing Battier, McGrady raised his hand and said: "I think Birdman Anderson's defense is very good, and it should help us improve our defensive ability."

Yao Ming said: "Yes, the last time we played against the Hornets, I could feel his enthusiasm on the defensive end. And his jumping is very good, there was a beautiful lob in the game that day, he should be very suitable to play against Zhang Jinshui pick and roll.

He seems to be playing a little over 10 minutes per game for the Hornets and is definitely underrated. "

Morey nodded and said: "The team below me also said the same. In fact, we are already in contact with the Hornets. The Hornets selected Chris Paul this year. He is the biggest winner in the draft besides us. They are very hungry for draft picks in the rebuilding process, and I think we should be able to easily trade him with a future second-round pick."

Then, Yao Ming and McGrady named a few players who they thought were easy to get and could have an immediate effect on strengthening the Rockets.

But after in-depth discussion, they found that it was difficult for these people to join the Rockets.

At the end, Van Gundy looked at Zhang Jinshui and asked, "Zhang Jinshui, what about you? Do you have any players in your mind that are suitable for our Rockets?"

Zhang Jinshui thought about it, and said the name that had been weighed in his heart for a long time: "Madman Sprewell."

But as soon as the name was said, everyone's expressions froze immediately.

It's not that everyone doubts Sprewell's strength.

Last season, the 35-year-old Sprewell played 80 regular-season games for the Timberwolves. In an average of 31 minutes per game, he still scored 12.8 points. He was in very good physical condition and was very energetic on the court.

Sprewell's ability to fight tough battles and his achievements in helping the Knicks achieve the Black Eight miracle and leading the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals are definitely not comparable to the two veterans, Derek Anderson and David Wesley.

Even though his eccentric temper has always been criticized, and he even did things that pinched the head coach's neck, his temper has visibly restrained a lot in recent years, and he has an admirable blood on the court.

These qualities of him are irresistible to NBA teams.

Dawson rubbed his nose and said with a wry smile: "Zhang Jinshui, a capable player like Madman Sprewell is naturally very suitable for our Rockets. Guobi's contract has actually proved his strength from the side.

However, the salary of our Rockets this season has exceeded the salary cap, and now we only have half of the middle-class contracts and veteran contracts to provide. They even rejected the Timberwolves' contract with an annual salary of 700 million. It should be difficult to look at us. "

Zhang Jinshui naturally knows that Sprewell rejected the Timberwolves' three-year 3 million contract extension during this offseason.

The phrase he said, "Without a contract with an annual salary of 1000 million, there is no way to support the family", was already a well-known meme in the previous life.

However, Zhang Jinshui's mention of this name is definitely not aimless.

In the last life, after Sprewell rejected the Timberwolves' contract with an annual salary of 700 million, he also scared away other teams in the league. In the end, he didn't even have a place to play, and retired from the NBA sadly.

Many years later, the impoverished Sprewell talked about this case when he was interviewed by the media.

Frankly speaking, the reason why he rejected the Timberwolves at that time was because his greedy agent passed some wrong information, making him mistakenly believe that some teams in the NBA had already given a verbal contract with an annual salary of about 1000 million.

After knowing that everything was a lie, he regretted it very much, and especially wanted to find a team to continue playing, even if it was just a veteran contract.

But at that time the regular season had already started, and no team was interested in him.

And because the relationship with the agent deteriorated sharply, the agent did not help him to inquire about other teams. In the end, Sprewell was forced to retire early even though he still had the ability to continue playing in the NBA.

Zhang Jinshui happened to have read the paper report of that interview, so he knew that as long as Dawson was willing to contact Sprewell, the biggest slip-up in the free agent market must be the Rockets.

Zhang Jinshui thought for a while, and decided to move Zi Chunlin out as his own shield, and said: "My manager Zi Chunlin told me that she has some sources of information, and Sprewell actually wants to find a place now." If you play basketball, maybe you can sign him with a veteran contract."

"Really? There is such a good thing?" Dawson immediately exclaimed excitedly.

If Zhang Jinshui's news came from other channels, Dawson would definitely question it first.

But he more or less knows that Zi Chunlin's parents have a close relationship with Alexander, and the family behind Zi Chunlin is very well connected in the upper class of the beautiful country. This information comes from Zi Chunlin, and Dawson is naturally convinced .

He immediately said excitedly: "I will contact Sprewell's agent tomorrow morning."

"Zi Chunlin told me that it is best to bypass the agent and directly contact Sprewell himself." Zhang Jinshui asked Zi Chunlin to continue helping him with peace of mind.

"It turns out that there is another reason. No wonder Sprewell hasn't found a home yet." Van Gundy suddenly realized.

If Sprewell can be obtained, it will obviously improve the strength of the Rockets, and the enthusiasm of Van Gundy and Yao Mai is immediately mobilized.

Several people discussed together for another half an hour, and roughly determined the Rockets' next course of action.

In terms of free agents, Dawson will contact Sprewell tomorrow to offer him a veteran contract or directly use the half of the mid-level contract.

And Chuck Hayes himself is a player on a two-way contract with the Rockets. As long as there is a need, Dawson will immediately convert his contract to a regular one.

As for player trading, the Rockets' first target is Sean Battier. Dawson will call the general manager of the Grizzlies tomorrow. At the same time, Dawson will also contact the managers of the Hornets and Spurs to ask for a big Picks for Bird Anderson and Scola.

Although the Rockets can't provide any big fish, they still have a lot of trading chips in hand.

Swift with explosive physical talent, David Wesley whose contract with an annual salary of 500 million is about to expire, Anderson with rich experience and cheap salary, and Luther Hyde, who is a rookie this year and played brilliantly in the game against the Spurs, Coupled with the draft picks in the next few years, if it is handled properly, in addition to returning the draft picks of Sean Battier, Bird Anderson and Scola, maybe you can pay attention to other opportunities.

Amidst the heated discussions, the time came to ten o'clock in the evening without knowing it.

Tomorrow at [-] o'clock in the afternoon, they will challenge the Pacers in an away game. After a few final words, they went back to their rooms to rest.

Before going to bed, Zhang Jinshui hesitated for a while, but still called Zi Chunlin.

Zi Chunlin did not follow Zhang Jinshui to Indianapolis because he wanted to take Zhao Niannian to choose the location of Tai Chi's flagship store in Houston.

Zi Chunlin, who had been running around all day, was actually very tired, but she was still waiting for Zhang Jinshui's call, which made Zhang Jinshui both grateful and happy.

After talking about topics such as the NBA media's increased attention to Zhang Jinshui and the Rockets' reinforcements, Zi Chunlin told Zhang Jinshui a piece of good news.

His younger sister, Zhang Xiaoman, has already obtained a Chinese passport and a business visa, and will arrive in Houston by plane the day after tomorrow, the day the Rockets challenge the Mavericks away.

Zhang Jinshui yelled happily. As the fusion of his soul and this body became more and more perfect, he missed his only sister in the world more and more.

Zi Chunlin let Zhang Jinshui play with peace of mind. She would help Zhang Xiaoman clean up the back room at home and pick her up at the airport in person.

"Okay." Zhang Jinshui agreed wholeheartedly.

After finishing speaking, a flash of inspiration flashed in his mind, and he said half-truthfully: "Sister Chunlin, I want to ask you for help. I bragged to Xiaoman that I was doing well in the beautiful country, not only She is a basketball star and has found a very beautiful girlfriend, if Xiaoman calls you sister-in-law when picking up the plane, you must agree."

Zi Chunlin on the other end of the phone spat on Zhang Jinshui lightly: "There is no such thing as you, bragging without drafting, who is your girlfriend."

Hearing that Zi Chunlin didn't intend to strongly refuse, Zhang Jinshui cheered up and continued to ask while the iron was hot: "Sister Chunlin, I'll take it as if you promised me."

"Huh! Look at your mood! Good night!" After Zi Chunlin finished speaking, she immediately hung up the phone, leaving Zhang Jinshui with a smirk.

......

The next day, because he was going to challenge the Indiana Pacers in the afternoon, Van Gundy didn't arrange any training in the morning.

Zhang Jinshui, who slept for ten hours at a stretch, finally adjusted his body to the best condition.

After waking up, he went to the hotel restaurant to have a brunch, and then soaked in the hotel gym for an hour and a half, continuing to train to improve his dunking ability.

After eating some high-protein chicken breast and salad, Zhang Jinshui took a midday nap and appeared with his teammates at Conseco Arena, home of the Indiana Pacers, at 2:30 pm.

When the Rockets players were warming up on the court, the Conseco Arena, which can accommodate 18345 people, was already full.

The stands were very lively, and many fans had already entered their roles first, and organizedly shouted the slogan "Beat Houston" to the Rockets players on the field.

The Indiana Pacers currently sit at 5-3 and are fifth in the East.

The core of this team is Jermaine O'Neal, who averaged 24.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game last season, and has two star guards Artest and Steve Jackson in their prime.

They had a good start last season, but were wasted the entire season by the Auburn Palace group fight.

This season, after a year of recuperation, their goal is not just as simple as the playoffs.

The Heat, the favorite to win the Eastern Conference, lost only two games this season, one was the Rockets and the other was the Pacers.

As the referee's auxiliary whistle sounded, the substitute players of the two teams returned to the bench, and the starters walked to the corresponding positions.

The Rockets' away game against the Pacers is about to begin.