NBA: I am the card dealer

Transaction complete.

Major media outlets also gave their ratings, and most of them agreed with the Nets' two trades.

Although the swap of Carroll and Covington seems a bit redundant, it does not damage the foundation after all.

And Lonzo Jefferson + Dinwiddie can be exchanged for Vonleh + James Johnson + this year's 19th pick + first-round picks. This deal is not a loss no matter how you look at it.

Vonleh and James Johnson are certainly valuable, and the 19 first-round swap was a stroke of genius.

What if the Lakers sink in 19?

Getting a top three draft pick would be a huge win.

So the Nets still got an A for their operations.

The Lakers are not bad either. They got a player who is already on the edge of the rotation, a normal substitute, plus a late first-round pick and a 19-year swap. They got a capable forward who averaged 13.4 points per game, plus a tall point guard whose potential has already emerged. This is not a loss no matter how you look at it.

The most important thing is that the Lakers are in urgent need of a point guard, and Dinwiddie's arrival has greatly alleviated their needs, so the Lakers also got an A-.

It’s just that the 19-year swap seems a bit confusing.

As for digital people?

Using a relatively low-efficiency 3D + a secondary round to get a 3D with efficiency above the horizontal line is undoubtedly a profit!

Digital Man also gets an A rating.

Looking at these two operations, it seems that no one lost money, and both claimed that they won a lot, truly taking what they needed to the extreme.

And the race is still moving forward.

The Nets faced their first opponent after the trade, the Eastern Conference leader Celtics at the Barclays Center.

The Celtics are very strong this season and have had a fantastic start, which is understandable, after all, their strength on paper is really terrifying.

Look at the Celtics' starting lineup: Thomas, Jaylen Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Horford.

Two rookies + three All-Stars. There is no such luxurious lineup in the Eastern Conference right now, except for the Celtics.

In addition, their bench is also very strong.

Marcus Morris, Smart, Rozier, Theis, Baynes and other strong players still have strong offensive firepower.

So it should come as no surprise that they are currently at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Due to the trade, the Nets were short of players in this game. Carroll, Lonzo Jefferson and Dinwiddie were traded away, so they naturally could not play.

Covington, Vonleh, James Johnson, and Josh Hart need to wait for the physical examination reports, so they naturally cannot play.

This makes the Nets a little stretched in terms of personnel arrangements.

The starting lineup became: Xue Liancheng, Crabbe, Joe Harris, Anunoby, and Sabonis Jr.

When two shooters play, the space can indeed be expanded a lot, but the disadvantages are also obvious, there is basically no defense.

The results of the game speak for themselves.

After four fierce quarters, the Nets finally lost the game 112:119, and their nine-game winning streak came to an abrupt end.

Xue Liancheng made 24 of 12 shots and scored 37 points, 15 assists and 8 rebounds. His performance was definitely excellent, but he knew his own condition and could only say that he tried his best.

Anunoby has gradually adapted to his role. He made 13 of 7 shots in this game, scored 16 points and 9 rebounds, and really showed his potential.

Joe Harris started for the first time this season and did not disappoint, making 14 of 7 shots overall, 11 of 5 three-pointers, and scoring 19 points, performing very well.

Crabbe made 10 of 5 shots, 8 of 5 three-pointers, and scored 16 points, and his performance was also very impressive.

The two shooters have already done their best and created enough space for the team, which allowed Xue Liancheng, who was in very average form, to repeatedly break into the penalty area and cause damage.

There is no doubt that this was a thrilling three-point battle.

It was precisely because of the top form of the two shooters that they were able to hold on to the score and almost complete a comeback.

Even Sabonis Jr. had comprehensive statistics of 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

But the remaining substitutes only scored 12 points and were beaten badly.

鲍威尔8中1，特雷沃-布克7中2，小洛佩斯4中1，大卫-韦斯特3中1。

They lost this game mainly because of the lack of strength of their substitutes.

On the other hand, the Celtics' main players are more powerful.

Thomas Jr. made 19 of 8 shots. Although his efficiency was not very good, he still had 25 points and 5 assists.

海沃德12中8得到了21分10篮板4助攻的全面数据。

Tatum made 9 of 6 shots and scored 19 points. The third pick did not disappoint after all.

Horford made 10 of 8 shots and got a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Jaylen Brown also scored 9 points with 5 of 14 shots.

Morris, who came off the bench, scored 10 points, Smart scored 8 points, and Theis scored 5 points, which was much better than the Nets.

Xue Liancheng was ultimately no match for four hands with his two fists.

However, losing this game was not surprising. After all, you were missing three important rotation players and your entire lineup was disjointed. It was a big upset to win against the Eastern Conference leader.

thus.

But it triggered a series of huge ridicules.

"Look! Did you stall when you met a strong team?"

"Haha! Not so awesome anymore!"

"They were shouting about dominance after winning nine games in a row, but when they met the Celtics, they immediately fell apart."

"Why don't you score 60+ to show your dominance?"

"The Nets don't have the strength of a strong team to begin with, and encountering these weak teams along the way gave them confidence."

"There will be a string of strong teams next, and a five-game losing streak is imminent."

And three days later.

The Nets were not humiliated and faced the challenge of the Utah Jazz at home.

Gobert has not returned yet, and Mitchell had a bad game again, shooting only 15 of 5 and scoring only 15 points.

The Nets easily completed the victory and held on to their home court with 128:107.

Xue Liancheng made 19 of 12 shots and scored 33 points, 21 assists and 9 rebounds. If the Jazz had not surrendered early, his statistics would have been even more impressive.

The new players also had their first game.

First was Vonleh who came off the bench. Maybe he had been suppressed for too long in the Lakers in the new season, so his performance on the offensive end in this game was not very amazing. He made 11 of 5 shots, 6 of 2 three-pointers, and scored a total of 12 points.

But it is a thousand times better than the miserable time in the Lakers.

On the defensive end, his role was reflected, as he was able to protect the rim and quickly provide assist defense.

Next is James Johnson, who is still a substitute in this game. The main reason is that the Nets are currently too well-staffed, so James Johnson can only stay on the bench.

But with Xue Liancheng, he found himself again.

7 out of 4, easily got 10 points.

Next was Covington, who started the game, made 10 of 5 shots, 7 of 4 three-pointers, and scored 15 points, also playing a good performance.

As for Hart, he didn't go.

Or there is no room for him anymore.

Others also played well.

Anunoby had the ball dispersed due to the arrival of new players and only took 9 shots, but still scored 12 points.

Sabonis Jr. also scored 10 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Crabbe was in a slump, scoring only 6 points with 1 of 3 shots. It can be said that he was the most unstable factor in the starting lineup.

competition is over.

Xue Liancheng hurried to the head coach's office because he had many ideas about adjustments to the current lineup and he needed to discuss them with Atkinson.

First of all, although the starting lineup of this game is him, Crabbe, Anunoby, Covington, and Sabonis Jr.

But the best combination is him, Anunoby, James Johnson, Covington, and Vonleh.

They are really the Death Pentagon Warriors. This lineup has great defense. Unless they encounter a dominant restricted area overlord, they can turn the entire paint area into an iron bucket formation and you can't break through it at all.

Mitchell played so badly because his head was pressed during this period of time.

This five-small lineup, no...actually not small.

Vonleh and Covington are both 206CM tall, Anunoby and James Johnson are 201CM tall, and Xue Liancheng is 196CM tall. The average height of such a lineup is not low at all.

In addition, these four players have terrifying wingspans. Covington is 218CM, James Johnson is 215CM, Vonleh is a terrifying 224CM, and Anunoby is 220CM. They cover the half court like a spider web. This defensive range is simply suffocating.

And they are not lacking in mobility. Everyone runs very fast. Vonleh and Anunoby are very explosive, and their rim defense is particularly good.

James Johnson and Covington's defensive skills are unique, especially the latter. When facing a strong forward line, he has both strength and skills, and his height and speed are not slow. He is simply a great defender.

Most importantly, he defended hard.

On the offensive end, they can not only counterattack in fast breaks, but also use running and screening techniques in positional battles to knock you down.

Vonleh and Anunoby do a great job in this regard.

Among them, Feng Lai has been fed up with Xue Liancheng, with all kinds of sudden attacks, sudden off-ball pick-and-rolls, and difficult attacks on the basket.

In the Lakers, who will pass the ball to him?

After coming to the Nets, he feels like a fish in water again.

what is the reason?

Only Xue Liancheng can pass this kind of ball.

If it were someone else, even if you created space and opportunities, you wouldn’t get the ball.

If there are a few games like this, Vonleh will be very frustrated. The loss of self-confidence will affect his three-point shooting.

As for Anunoby.

Then just rely on your talent, use your height, long arms and unparalleled impact force to get the big cake created by Xue Liancheng.

no doubt.

This is the Nets' most extreme lineup on both offense and defense, bar none.

He needed Atkinson to understand that.

Head coach's office.

Atkinson was slightly surprised when he saw that the person coming was Xue Liancheng: "Xue, why are you here?"

Xue Liancheng got straight to the point: "Now that the new players have arrived, they have shown impressive offensive firepower, and the defense has also been qualitatively improved, but there are still some details I would like to discuss with you."

Atkinson smiled and said, "I just happen to have some ideas that I would like to communicate with you."

Xue Liancheng has undoubtedly made great contributions to the Nets' current achievements, and he has a clear understanding of this.

Now he no longer has to worry about the record. After all, the Nets are now 10 wins and 5 losses, firmly ranking in the upper half of the Eastern Conference.

Now that the playoffs are no longer a problem, what he needs to consider is how to go further in the playoffs.

Xue Liancheng: "Oh?"

Atkinson: "The team's lineup construction is basically complete, but we still have a very fatal weakness."

Xue Liancheng frowned: "Are you talking about the second scoring point?"

He had discovered this problem long ago.

However, there are not many teams in the market willing to trade All-Star players. After all, they are the foundation of a team. Unless the situation is irreversible, no team is willing to do so.

Another point is to fit in.

Players with strong offensive capabilities, such as Irving, Oladipo, etc. are all fine. He is willing to give up some ball possession, which has no impact.

But if it's a core player with the ball, that won't work.

The positions overlap! The functions overlap!

Really let him be a spot shooter?

That is the biggest waste and an insult.

He is the best player in the league. How is it possible to let him play without the ball for the sake of team building?

Normally being double-teamed, it doesn't matter if I play without the ball.

He gives the ball to others to organize the game, which is simply a fantasy. Is there any player in the entire league who is better at passing and organizing the game than him?

Without a doubt, no.

The second is a forward line that is dominant on both offense and defense, which is also possible.

In addition, those stars who have physical defects, incomplete offensive skills, and unstable offensive firepower are not suitable.

So there are actually not many stars to choose from on the market.

Atkinson nodded vigorously: "Yes! All the offensive pressure is on you alone. Once you are injured or in poor condition, it will become extremely difficult for us to win. In this case, it will be difficult for us to go far in the playoffs. Of course! You have proved yourself last season, but the situation in the new season may be different."

The Golden State Warriors are not as sharp this season as they were last season, but everyone who has watched the game knows that they are very stable.

The Houston Rockets have shown their dominance since Paul's arrival.

The Spurs will definitely not repeat the same mistake after experiencing failure last season.

If they want to replicate last season's single-core championship, they really need the right time, place, people, and even luck. All four are indispensable.

It can’t even be replicated, after all, it took a lot of luck to win the championship last season.

and so.

Atkinson was right.

At least in the intense competition of the playoffs, when he needs a break, there is another star who can handle the ball.

The entire offense will not become a mess when he doesn't have the ball.

Xue Liancheng agreed: "We do need a star player, but there are not many teams in the market that are interested in trading for their star player. Furthermore, if we use these chips to trade for him, we may have to pay a huge price."

A very high-quality finishing point like Anunoby will definitely be taken away, and players with both potential and strength such as Sabonis Jr., Covington, Joe Harris, etc. may also appear on the trading list.

If we really send these people out, what's the difference between that and disbanding the team?

My flesh hurts!

And it's not worth it.

After all, if Anunoby can develop his ball-handling or back-to-the-basket skills, it is possible for him to replicate Leonard's success. Of course, the prerequisite is to give him the opportunity.

Even if he can't reach the level of Leonard, there is still hope for him to become an All-Star.

Including Sabonis Jr.

Ok?

Sabonis Jr.?

Xue Liancheng's eyes suddenly lit up.