NBA: James wants to team up with me

Chapter 143 Wang Chong: Set a “small goal” for the new season

(Today’s word count is a little short, sorry.)

Time flies by so fast. Nearly a month has passed since Wang Chong arrived in Chicago and started training.

During this month, Wang Chong basically flew to Los Angeles every other week. On the one hand, he was discussing investment matters with the producers of Transformers. On the other hand, the main purpose was to meet Jesse. Cal Alba be gentle.

A breakup is better than a wedding. Although Wang Chong will stay in Chicago for a long time in the future, in fact, Jessica Alba is also very busy as an actress. She often needs to fly around the country and even the world for filming.

It's normal to be together for short periods of time and stay apart for long periods of time, but it's completely acceptable. Sometimes distance can add a little more mystery, right?

The actor auditions for Transformers 1 have not yet begun, but as an investor, Wang Chong has already met with director Michael Bay and brought his girlfriend Jessica with him.

When Michael Bay saw Jessica, he immediately said that she was almost exactly the same as the heroine in his imagination, and hoped that Jessica could participate in the audition for the heroine.

This matter is basically settled. As expected, the classic scene of the heroine lifting the hood of a car in Transformers 1 will become one of Jessica's masterpieces.

It's mid-September, the new NBA season is about to start, and the Bulls have also begun to recall players and take team makeup photos.

Wang Chong made a stunning appearance wearing the Bulls red No. 24 jersey.

By the way, the Bulls' No. 24 was originally worn by someone. Osella Harrington was also a member of the 96 golden generation and served as a power forward. However, he was a second-round pick and has been unknown in his career.

After coming to the Bulls last season, Harrington put on the No. 24 jersey. As a substitute for the team, he averaged 8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, and his performance was quite remarkable.

When Wang Chong joined the Bulls, Harrington wisely stated in advance that he would give up the Bulls' No. 24 jersey.

He is self-aware, and it is always better to take the initiative to express his opinion on this kind of matter than to be passive. When Wang Chong comes to the team, even if he does not say anything, the Bulls management will rush to put Wang Chong on in order to please Wang Chong. Jersey number 24.

Who made this number have a certain meaning in the Bulls themselves?

The Bulls once had a basketball god who wore jersey No. 23 and brought six championships to the Bulls.

Now, the Bulls finally have a new core player, who happens to be wearing the No. 24 jersey when he was with the Lakers.

The implication of "beyond No. 23" is that this gimmick is over the top.

Of course, when Wang Chong was with the Lakers, he clearly explained that he chose the No. 24 jersey because each round on the court lasts 24 seconds. This number can urge him to cherish every round on the court, every time. seconds.

But when Wang Chong comes to the Bulls and wears the No. 24 jersey, it is not just what he said. Fans of the Bulls and even the entire league will have their own opinions.

Some people may laugh at Wang Chong for overestimating his abilities and dreaming of surpassing Jordan.

Some people would also laugh at Wang Chong for being naive and being clever with numbers.

But one thing is certain. The reason why Wang Chong wearing jersey No. 24 will be associated with Jordan's No. 23 is because Wang Chong is already qualified to compare with Jordan, even if it is just to compare with Jordan at the same time. .

Who cared when Harrington wore No. 24 last season?

In fact, Wang Chong himself has no obsession with numbers. To him, it doesn't matter what number he is. He happened to be on the Lakers when he chose No. 24, so he picked No. 24 as soon as his mind got excited.

Wang Chong's idea at that time was that if he chose No. 24, what would Kobe do when he changed his number in the future?

As a result, he only played two seasons with the Lakers and already left the Lakers due to conflicts with Kobe.

Kobe changed to No. 24 in the 06-07 season, which is still more than a year away.

Wang Chong is actually more curious now. With his own experience of wearing No. 24 jersey with the Lakers, will Kobe choose No. 24 next year? If Kobe really changes to No. 24, then someone will definitely mention Wang Chong's No. 24, and the rhythm will definitely take off.

But that's Kobe's problem. By then, Wang Chong will just be a spectator watching the fun.

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The Bulls' new season makeup photos were pretty good, and the players were all in high spirits. However, the team's head coach Scott Skiles, who participated in the photo shoot with the players, looked obviously not very interested, and even a little unhappy. So happy.

Only if he can come out happily is there a ghost.

Skiles, who took over the Bulls in the 03-04 season, has coached the Bulls for two seasons. From taking office midway through the 03-04 season, he led the team to a record of 66 wins and 19 losses in 47 games. In 04-05 last season, he Under his coaching, the Bulls bottomed out and entered the playoffs with 47 wins and 35 losses in the regular season.

For the Bulls, this is the second time that the Bulls have returned to the playoffs after seven years since Jordan retired, which is of great significance.

Skiles feels he deserves a lot of credit.

In the new season, he is ready to show off his ambitions and strive to advance further into the second round of the playoffs and even the Eastern Conference Finals.

However, in just a few days during the offseason, the Bulls' original lineup was torn to pieces. The team paid a lot of chips just to get Wang Chong.

It’s not that he thinks Wang Chong is bad. In terms of value alone, Wang Chong is indeed higher than what the Bulls paid for Ben Gordon, Eddie Curry and Hinrich combined.

But value cannot be completely equated to team strength.

The Bulls got Wang Chong as they wished, but the price they paid for it was that the Bulls' lineup for the new season was a mess.

With the Bulls' current lineup, Skiles feels that whether the team can enter the playoffs, let alone the second round of the playoffs, is a question.

Normally, the time when the team takes the makeup photos is the public media day. In addition to the makeup photos, the team also has to publicly display training and accept media interviews.

The Bulls are no exception.

It's just that Skiles is really afraid of interviews with reporters now, especially when asked about the team's performance expectations for the new season. He simply can't answer it. He can't tell the truth to reporters, saying that he doesn't have the confidence to lead the team. Into the playoffs, right?

At the press conference venue, Bulls general manager John Paxson, head coach Scott Skiles, and Wang Chong, as the main personnel of the Bulls, attended the press conference together.

As soon as the interview began, the reporter couldn't wait to ask Wang Chong various questions.

"Mr. Wang Chong, how do you feel after joining the Bulls?"

Wang Chong: "I feel very good. The Bulls are a great team. The management and coaching staff are very enthusiastic and very professional. I like this team very much and I am honored to play for this team." war."

This official formulaic answer obviously did not satisfy the reporters, and another reporter immediately asked.

"Mr. Wang Chong, I heard that the Lakers sincerely wanted to retain you. It was you who had already decided to leave, which led to the deal. Why did you insist on leaving the Lakers? Are you playing with the core player of the Lakers, Kobe Bryant? Are you making this choice because there is a conflict over the distribution of rights?”

<divclass="contentadv"> This question is very curious to many people. Both the Lakers and Kobe have kept silent about it. Although Wang Chong only appeared with Jessica after the trade, He appeared in public a few times, and most of the rest of the time he spent intensive training in a rented training facility in Chicago. Reporters couldn't stop him at all.

Now I finally have the opportunity to ask this question.

Wang Chong raised his eyebrows slightly. How could he, who had traveled back from 2023, not see that the other party was provoking a war? Of course he would not be fooled.

"I am now a player for the Bulls, and I will only answer questions about the Bulls. Let the past be in the past. There is no point in continuing to pursue the reason. The next one."

Seeing Wang Chong's lack of fuel and salt, reporters could only change their strategies, but the main target was still aimed at Wang Chong, and very few questions were asked to the team manager and coach.

This is also normal. Compared with Wang Chong, who is only in his early 20s and has no experience in the world, it is difficult for general managers and head coaches who are older and have to think carefully about their careers, no matter what kind of questions are raised. , the answers you get will only be standard official terms, which are of low value.

Scales sat aside and was frightened, with sweat on his forehead.

This group of media guys obviously won't stop until they come up with some breaking news. He is really worried that Wang Chong will accidentally speak out and reporters will make a fuss about it, which will not only affect Wang Chong but also the team. Neither is a good thing.

What suits the current Bulls team is to keep a low profile.

The more low-key they are, the less likely the media will make a fuss about their performance this season.

"Mr. Wang Chong, the outside world is generally not very satisfied with the Bulls' summer signings. Although they acquired you through a trade, the Bulls have not continued to strengthen the team. It is difficult for the existing lineup to win against such strong enemies. The league has made a difference, what do you think of this? What are your psychological expectations for the Bulls' record in the new season? What goals do you have for your own personal performance?"

"It's coming!" Skiles' heart tightened, and the thing he was most worried about had come.

Skiles couldn't help but glance at Wang Chong with his peripheral vision. Scales was afraid that Wang Chong would say some bold words to boost morale. No matter what kind of promises he made about the results, once they were recorded by reporters' cameras, they would be unable to do anything later. When it arrives, it will be repeatedly taken out and ridiculed.

Under his slightly nervous gaze, Wang Chong smiled lightly and said: "I am very satisfied with the Bulls' recruitment work. We already have a complete starting lineup. Among the players are veterans with rich game experience. As newcomers who are just starting out but are extremely talented and energetic, I believe we will quickly form a good chemical reaction in the new season and play good games to give back to the Chicago fans."

As he said that, he paused, seemingly thinking, and then continued: "As for your expectations for the team's record, I think we should at least get 50 wins or more in the regular season, and try to see if we can do it in the playoffs. We can’t compete in the Eastern Conference Finals.”

"There is also my personal goal. I actually haven't thought about this, but since you asked, I can just set a small goal for myself for the new season. I will be selected for the best first team and compete for points. king."

After Wang Chong said these words in a calm voice, the hall fell into a brief silence.

Skiles, who was sitting next to Wang Chong, had his eyes slightly protruding from his sockets and looked at Wang Chong in astonishment.

This guy really dares to say it!

More than 50 wins in the regular season? Lead the team into the Eastern Conference Finals? Selected for the All-NBA First Team and competing for the scoring title?

Is this goal a little too big? He's not afraid to flash his tongue either!

In the past five years in the Eastern Conference, only two teams have been able to reach 50 wins every season, and the only team to consistently win 50+ games is the Detroit Pistons.

Including last season, the only Eastern Conference teams with more than 50 wins were the Heat and Pistons.

Wang Chong is equivalent to setting a record requirement for the team to be at least the top three in the Eastern Conference in the regular season, and then reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in the playoffs, which is equivalent to at least being a top two team in the Eastern Conference.

In Skiles' view, it is not certain whether the Bulls' lineup can enter the playoffs in the new season. How dare he?

Even Wang Chong's personal goals seemed exaggerated to Scales.

The best team is made up of the five players with the best performance every year. They are basically the top five players in the regular season MVP list. Without exception, they are all the league's top superstars.

The players who were selected to the All-NBA team last season were O'Neal, Duncan, Nowitzki, Kobe and Nash.

As a forward, Wang Chong's competition needs to be narrowed. If it is limited to the forward position, the opponents he needs to face in the new season are Duncan, Nowitzki, Garnett and others.

Even if Wang Chong was selected for the best second team last season, it would be difficult to break into the first team.

The only one among them who looks relatively reliable is probably the goal of competing for the scoring title.

After all, Wang Chong averaged 28.8 points per game last season, ranking second in the scoring list, second only to Iverson who averaged 30.7 points per game. No one would question Wang Chong's scoring ability.

No matter what, when Wang Chong said these four goals, everyone on and off the stage were stunned.

The reporters' expressions were very exciting, both surprised and pleasantly surprised.

What was surprising was that Wang Chong, who had spoken so carefully and rigorously before, suddenly made such a big statement.

Surprisingly, the headlines and content of today's news are finally settled.

General Manager John Paxson also looked at Wang Chong in surprise.

Unlike Skiles, who is the head coach, Paxson does not have the pressure to lead the team. Even if the team's record is poor, he will not take the blame as the general manager. He has only heard of players being traded for the team's poor record. , changing the head coach, I have never heard of any general manager being fired because of the team's poor record.

Especially the acquisition of Wang Chong makes the team owner very happy. Even if the Bulls' record in the past two years is unstable, as long as Wang Chong can perform like a top star, there will be no problem at all.

Because even when Jordan first entered the league, he led the team to fish early every year, was bullied by the Bad Boys, and was humiliated by the Green Army led by Big Bird. He waited until Pippen arrived to win his first career championship.

It took Jordan 7 years to win the first championship in his career. Wang Chong won the championship in the first year he entered the league. However, after coming to the Bulls, he wasted a few more years and waited for the help of one or two strong teammates. A completely acceptable result for the Bulls.

What they lack is not patience and time, but a core player worth waiting for.

The only question now is whether Wang Chong is worth their investment, and this cannot be proven by Wang Chong saying a few big words in front of the media. What they want to see is Wang Chong's actual performance in the game. .