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Chapter 408 The Difficult Road (Ten Thousand Words Chapter)(1/3)

After the 2016 NBA Draft ended, the Clippers became the focus again.

The team's general manager Gary Sachs announced last season that the Clippers entered a period of reconstruction, and the result was that they directly rebuilt a championship...

When the team got the third pick, some lemons almost reported the Clippers. Even though they didn't win the championship and they got the No. 1 pick, the third pick was indeed enviable.

Jaylen Brown has outstanding physical talent, a swingman at forward and guard, and was born in Berkeley. He averaged 14.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in college.

Although his shooting is unstable and his three-point shooting percentage is less than 30%, Jaylen Brown has the potential to become the league's top defender with his excellent body and impressive wingspan.

The reason why the managers of each team are so jealous is mainly because the Clippers have hoarded too many players who are about 2 meters tall.

Although Siakam, the 15th pick, is a rough guy, he also has a forward figure. Even Georges Niang, the 37th pick, is 2 meters tall.

Malcolm Brogdon, the older guard selected by the Clippers with the 31st overall pick, is also 1.96 meters tall, which makes the Clippers' style look wrong!

The excitement of the finals has not subsided. Li Ze's sixth championship finally knocked his former GOAT off the altar, surpassing Michael Jordan, and it seems to have become a certain thing.

When it comes to scoring in the single-season finals, everyone will naturally think of the 246 points set by Michael Jordan in 6 games in the 1992-93 season!

In the finals against the Suns, Michael Jordan averaged 41.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 2.7 turnovers per game, shooting 50.8% from the field and 33.2% from three-point range.

This finals record has never been broken. In the 12-13 season finals, Li Ze scored 216 points, averaging 43.2 points per game. He almost broke the record. Unfortunately, after 5 games, the Heat fell.

Michael Jordan fans breathed a sigh of relief, but no one expected that in the 15-16 season, with a bunch of newbies, Li Ze won the championship in a single core, completely shattering Danzi's record.

In the series between the Clippers and the Cavaliers, the two sides fought fiercely for six games, and Li Ze's total score reached an astonishing 300 points!

What's even more outrageous than his scoring is Li Ze's efficiency. In 6 games, Li Ze averaged 29.2 shots per game, hit 18.7 goals, and his field goal percentage was as high as 63.7%;

He averaged 8 shots per game from beyond the three-point line and made 51.7% of his three-pointers. He averaged 9.0 free throws per game and made 94.2% of his free throws.

In the end, Li Ze averaged 50.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 10.7 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.3 turnovers per game in the series.

If you don’t have much idea about these data, you can also refer to Shaquille O’Neal’s performance in the Finals in the 1999-2000 season.

That year, the Lakers crushed the Pacers in the Finals. In 6 games, O'Neal scored 228 points;

Averaged 45.5 minutes per game, 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.7 blocks, and 2.2 turnovers;

He averaged 26.2 shots per game, made 16.0 goals, and shot 61.1% from the field. He averaged 15.5 free throws per game and made 38.7% of his free throws...

In addition to free throws, the Sharks were unstoppable that year. They hit over 60% of the field and scored 30 points or more, which was recognized by America's sports media as an unsurpassable record!

Therefore, when Li Ze scored 50+ triple-doubles with a shooting percentage of 63.7%, everyone was shocked:

"Is this a shooting guard?! He has a higher shooting percentage than a super center..."

While the series was still going on, America's sports media almost stopped holding back and started hyping Li Ze. Fortunately, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving performed well, so everyone restrained themselves.

But at the end of the finals, everyone couldn't stand it any longer, and the football commentators gave them the highest praise:

"Kayce is not bad! He is a real superman!"

No matter how harsh the sports media is, they can't stand it when faced with the highest score in the finals. On the 24th, taking advantage of the end of the draft, TNT followed current events and picked up the interest of the Clippers again:

"If Kevin Durant announces that he will join the Clippers during the offseason, then the league will directly give the Clippers an award next season!"

"As long as they stay healthy, I even think the Clippers can achieve an 82-win record. The league must prevent this from happening."

The Clippers are recruiting Durant, and everyone knows that Charles Barkley feels uncomfortable at the thought of the two joining forces.

When he hugged his thighs, his hands ended up empty, which made him dislike seeing successful people.

"But the Clippers' operation does not violate the league's regulations. They can directly take Durant's maximum salary contract, and they can even sign another star player to form the Big Three!"

"We all know that the salary cap will definitely increase significantly next season. It is very reasonable for the Clippers to reorganize the Big Three!"

Kenny Smith also paid attention to the Clippers' salary situation. Several players whose contracts have expired have given the Clippers a huge salary space.

"Kenny is right. The league has no reason to prevent this transaction from happening. The Clippers have not done anything illegal."

"I wouldn't be surprised if LeBron James chooses to join the Clippers this year. Teaming up with Kayce is indeed a shortcut to success."

At this time, O'Neal brought LeBron James into the conversation. The chosen one is also a player option.

Host Ernie Johnson feels that the Clippers really want to dominate the league, and he also believes that Durant will join the Clippers:

"Who will be Kayce's opponent next season? This year's 73-win Warriors and 67-win Spurs continue to strengthen, and they may be able to stop the Clippers."

"But I'm still not optimistic about them. The Clippers' salary is very healthy. As long as Jaylen Brown can fulfill his talent, Kayce will definitely win the championship within three years!"

Seeing that his old partner was too depressed to speak, Kenny Smith took the opportunity to change the subject and said:

"Chuck, we got news that the Warriors seem to be pursuing Kevin Durant, and star Stephen Curry has flown to Oklahoma City with the team!"

"Durant joining the Warriors seems to be a good choice too!"

Charles Barkley wanted to condemn such an act of surrendering to the enemy, but in the end he could only say depressingly:

"As long as it's not joining the Clippers, I think many people can accept it!"

"The Warriors have won 73 games this season. If they can get Durant, they can indeed further make up for the shortcomings in the lineup..."

"..."

Although the free market has not officially opened yet, players' agents have already begun to become active, and many transactions have been reached in advance.

The first to break the news was the Bulls. Perhaps because they believed that Derrick Rose could no longer lead the team forward, the Bulls sent away the team's star player.

The Bulls sent Justin Holiday, Derrick Rose, and a 2017 second-round pick to the Knicks in exchange for Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant, and Robin Lopez.

This trade happened just before the draft. Bulls fans were outraged. Is the team going to rebuild?

After learning that he had been waived by the Bulls, Derrick Rose burst into tears the moment he received the call. He did not want to leave Chicago.

The star player who once competed for MVP with Li Ze was eventually given up by the team. Before he could become a superstar in the league, he was ruined by injuries.

No matter how much Bulls fans protest, the management has made up its mind that business is business, and they have no obligation to give Rose a chance to prove himself again.

Li Ze, who is still in Los Angeles, was a little sad when he saw such news. If he wants to make a name for himself in the NBA, physical talent alone is not enough. He must also have good endurance.

It is not easy to strengthen the Clippers. Many teams do not want to trade with them at all. Needless to say, the Lakers in the same city. The Spurs, who have been in the Western Conference for many years in a row, have long said:

"Los Angeles can't get any players from the Spurs!"

Popovich absolutely hates the Lakers and Clippers. The old man even resents the fact that the Lakers robbed Pau Gasol from the Grizzlies...

Li Ze had already noticed Durant's thoughts, and in this case, he naturally had to sway him.

It is not illegal for a star to recruit free agents from the free market. Players have no contracts and can go anywhere.

On the afternoon of the 24th, Li Ze made an appointment with his cousins ​​Griffin and Eric Gordon to gather in Los Angeles.

Before Paul joined the Clippers, every time he came to Los Angeles, Griffin and Gordon were the team's stars.

Back then, the Clippers also had the lemony Chris Kaman, and we all knew each other very early. This year, Gordon tested the free market, and Li Ze had already contacted him through text messages.

Griffin, who returned to Los Angeles to recuperate after the playoffs, is in a good mood recently. After all, this kind of horse still attacked Kendall Jenner...

The two met very early, and Griffin didn't care even if Jenna was having fun.

"Next year is a contract year. When you are dating a woman from the Kardashian family, remember to pay attention to your condition and don't let your feet get weak during this critical year."

At Griffin's house, the three of them sunbathed. Although they were dating Jenna, they couldn't stop. The girls across the swimming pool all looked at them.

Naturally, women are indispensable at the party. Li Ze has no interest in playing a friendly match with these high-class flesh and blood, but the stallions around him don't care. If Gordon hadn't been present, it would have turned into an open-air party.

"I know better than to break up after dating for a year. I know Jenna better than you. She won't invest too much energy in a man."

Griffin didn't pay attention to Li Ze's words. As long as he was a scumbag enough, the prodigal girl couldn't hurt him.

Eric Gordon has not attended such a party for a long time. In the Pelicans, Holiday is a good man, Anthony Davis prefers to play games, and other teammates do not spend wantonly.

Not everyone is as careless about spending as Li Ze and Griffin, who spend a lot of money on women every year.

NBA players don't talk too much about their personal lives in private. Eric Gordon didn't expect that after so many years, the two of them still maintained their original intentions, and they were speechless for a while...

"Eric, come and play in Los Angeles. Many people from the Clippers will leave the team during the offseason, but don't worry, as long as I'm here, the Clippers will still be a championship team next season!"

"Gary can definitely offer you a good contract!"

Although he already knew that Li Ze would recruit Gordon, after hearing such pretentious words, Griffin couldn't help but sit up and complained:

"Why did Eric choose to play in the West? Isn't it a good idea to join the Celtics?"

"The competition in the Western Conference is too fierce. In comparison, the Eastern Conference is much better. At least we won't encounter teams like the Warriors and Spurs in the playoffs."

"Hey, don't forget that the Rockets just changed coaches recently. After D'Antoni takes over, maybe Chris can also compete for the championship!"

Griffin wanted to say a few more words, but Eric Gordon suddenly said:

"I like the fierce competitive environment, and teaming up with Kayce is definitely the right choice!"

"God! Blake, you should understand the strength of scoring 50+ triple-doubles in the finals. Even if the opponent is strong, it doesn't matter. As long as we add another star player, I believe the Clippers can still win the championship!"

Griffin was choked and speechless. Averaging 50+ triple-doubles per game in the finals was no longer a statistic that humans could produce. As he expected, no one could refuse Li Ze's invitation.

Eric Gordon is very happy to be able to return to the Clippers. After all, the team will open a new arena next year and the Clippers have officially completed their reconstruction. It is definitely not a loss to join the team at this time!

"Then it's settled, the team will move next year and you will like the new arena!"

"Then we won't have to squeeze time with other teams in Los Angeles. Whether it's the regular season or the playoffs, the schedule will be more friendly and we will have more time to spend with our families!"

Li Ze smiled and introduced the situation of the Clippers to Gordon on the side. Griffin saw that the two of them were getting more and more excited as they chatted. He felt like lemon in his heart and immediately changed the subject and asked:
To be continued...
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