On the 19th, Lao Wang and Fei Ge held a party at the villa. The number of invited guests was not particularly large, only fifty or sixty people.
This is his private party, not a party at K-Martial Arts Hall. All the people invited are friends and people with connections, including celebrities with good connections in Hollywood, several presidents of Chinese organizations in the Greater Bay Area, etc., Lightning
, friends such as Barkley and Magic Johnson, plus the old Buss family, and representatives of some sponsors.
On the 20th, the bosses of Hoxman and Mengmai came over and brought a batch of new shoes.
This time when he arrived at the Lakers, Mengmai had prepared a new sneaker for him, which was ready to be released before the new season. Moreover, this shoe was produced in a domestic factory and had just arrived in the United States.
For Lao Wang to come to the Lakers, sponsors like Mengmao are the happiest, especially Mengmao. The market in Los Angeles is dozens of times larger than that of Phoenix, and the consumption power is much higher. They believe that Lao K’s shoes will have a lot of success this season.
A surge.
On the 22nd, Wang Tiejun reported to the Lakers headquarters and the official training camp began.
He didn't talk much with his teammates at the Great Western Forum that day. Today, he arrived a little early and was ready to chat with his teammates.
"Boss."
"Old K."
When he came to the locker room, many people had already arrived. As soon as he entered, everyone greeted him.
"morning."
He looked around and saw that only Chris Mullin and Kobe Bryant were not there.
"Danny, come here."
He waved to Danny Fortson, who was standing in the corner.
This rookie may be his inside partner. In the current lineup, except for Te Yinlong Hill, only Fordson can be used at the fourth position. The other inside players are all marginal players. Only in garbage time will they have a chance to play, or Hill will be the starting power forward.
, or if this 10th pick in the first round becomes the starter, he needs to get to know him first.
"I?"
Danny Fordson was startled, and when he saw Lao Wang nodding, he trotted over quickly.
"Boss, what do you want me to do? I can do anything." As a rookie, Fordson asked consciously.
Lao Wang looked at Fordson and asked, "What's your tonnage and bare height?"
It was probably due to some itchiness in the dreadlocks. Fordson scratched his scalp and said, "Boss, I'm 201 centimeters and 118 kilograms."
"I'm a little short when I play the fourth position."
Lao Wang looked at it and saw that it was almost the same as Barkley, and said thoughtfully.
"It doesn't matter, I can dance, very well."
Fordson was a little anxious and jumped up immediately. Fearing that one time was not enough, he jumped several times in a row until Lao Wang called to stop.
"It's true that he can jump high and fast." Lao Wang smiled and nodded.
Richmond, who was next to him, laughed and said: "The bounce height is pretty good, at least 80 centimeters. The bounce speed is very fast and the second takeoff is also fast. It should be good at grabbing rebounds."
"I'm the best at rebounding," Fordson shouted quickly.
"Danny, how is your mobility?" Lao Wang asked.
"I'm very fast, both in straight line speed and lateral movement." Fordson said quickly.
"Waiting for the team training match, you will be a substitute and grab a few rebounds over my head. Also, let me see your strength on the defensive end and your defensive attitude." Lao Wang ordered.
"OK OK, boss, you have the final say." Fordson nodded quickly.
Lao Wang thinks that Fordson should be very aggressive in playing and quite active. In addition to being a little shorter, his physical fitness is also very good and he should have some potential.
Because it is short and its tonnage is not small, it has a high muscle ratio, should have good strength, and should have good resistance ability.
At this time the door opened and Kobe and Chris Mullin walked in.
"Kobe, have you completed your weight gain?" Lao Wang asked.
"It has been completed a long time ago. I am now 96 kilograms and very strong. Old K, you can definitely let me play the main shooting guard. My confrontation ability has greatly improved." Kobe said eagerly.
"Ask Mickey." Old Dynasty pointed beside him.
As soon as Kobe turned his head, he saw Richmond staring at him, as if he wanted to beat him, and said angrily: "Mitch, you'd better stay in good condition, otherwise I will steal the main position."
"You guy." Richmond was also helpless.
He knew that if his condition really failed, with the care of Old K, Kobe would really have a chance to steal the main position.
In the last finals, didn't Kobe Bryant replace the Lightning as the main player?
He has played until he is old and has never played in the finals. This kid has been a main force in the finals in his rookie season. It is different to have old K covering him.
So he reminded himself that he must maintain good condition and don't let Kobe Bryant steal the starting lineup.
"Let's go."
After everyone changed their equipment, Lao Wang led the team out of the locker room and headed to the training hall.
The normal training time is nine o'clock. It was half past eight when they arrived at the training hall. Boss Bass and the coach
The team, West and other management also just arrived, as well as two reporters accompanying the team. Today is the first day, so everyone deliberately arrived half an hour early.
"Now that everyone is here, let's assemble." Head coach Harris clapped his hands and shouted.
After gathering, he looked at the team and said: "Gentlemen, you are a brand new team, with nine new members joining the Lakers. I hope that under the leadership of old K, you can work together to create an exciting team."
season.
This season we have many very strong opponents, including the Jazz and Trail Blazers in the West, the Knicks, Pacers, and Celtics in the East. Their lineups are relatively stable, while ours is a brand new lineup and lacks running-in time.
, I hope everyone is mentally prepared, because we will face many difficulties.
So now, let me talk about the new season and our tactical issues.
We have a super monster, and our tactics will be based on him. Traditional center tactics and positional warfare will be our main basic tactics.
We will establish a dual core inside and outside, with Richmond as the core on the outside, and he will share the pressure for old K..."
After becoming the head coach, West said a few more words, and then Old Buss gave some words of encouragement. Finally, as a player representative, Old Wang also stood up.
He said loudly: "Brothers, looking at the situation in the new season, we have many very strong opponents at the same level. The Trail Blazers and Jazz are the main players in the Western Conference. These are our main opponents. Only by defeating them can we make it out of the Western Conference.
But don’t worry, everyone, whether it’s Da Meng or the postman, I have rich experience in defeating them..."
"Haha..." Everyone laughed.
After laughing, Richmond's face turned a little dark, and he couldn't help but cursed: "You have rich experience in defeating them, but I have rich experience in being defeated by Jordan. What can I do? What if I make it to the championship?"
In the finals, am I not going to be like Kobe and be beaten by Jordan?"
"Ah owe!"
Standing in the team, Kobe suddenly felt a chill on his back and sneezed.
Next comes training, with Harris introducing his assistants first.
The first one introduced was an old assistant coach, Bill Potka, a white man who is 70 years old and has worked for the Lakers for nearly 40 years. He used to be a scout and later became an assistant coach for 15 years. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s
The big sky hook was practiced under his hands.
Harris introduced Bill Potka respectfully and said to Lao Wang: "Old K, your small hook in the low post is very good, but you have never used your big hook. Bill can teach you."
"That's exactly what I thought."
Lao Wang smiled and nodded, and said to Bill Potka: "Coach Potka, Karim once mentioned you to me. He said he could teach me the big hook, but I think learning from you is more authentic."
The energetic Bill Potka laughed and said: "Old K, you are right. It is better to learn from Karim than let me teach you."
Harris then introduced another assistant coach, Kurt Rambis.
Rambis is also from the Lakers. He is white and 39 years old. He was a rookie of the Lakers in 1980. He played for 9 seasons with the Lakers and several seasons with the Suns. The year when Lao Wang entered the Suns, he
He was traded to the Kings at the beginning of the season. The two did not know each other. After retiring in 1995, he joined the Lakers coaching staff as an assistant coach.
He is very young and is also Harris's main assistant. He is mainly responsible for the training work.
Next, Rambis began to arrange the training content, and then the players performed activities first and slowly entered the training state.
"Mitch, how many shall we fight?"
At around ten o'clock, Kobe approached Richmond and wanted to challenge him to a duel.
"Boy, don't be so presumptuous!" Richmond said a little annoyed.
If it weren't for Old K, a second-year player like Kobe wouldn't be able to do anything at all.
"Don't you dare?"
Kobe said excitedly.
"Mickey, I don't mind if you teach him a lesson." At this time, Lao Wang said and walked over.
"OK."
Richmond looked at Lao Wang and nodded.
"Kobe, let me see the results of your extra training in the offseason." Lao Wang said to Kobe again.
"I won't let you down. This holiday, I can see what Los Angeles looks like at four o'clock in the morning every day." Kobe said.
"This kid doesn't really get up for training at four o'clock, does he?"
"boast!"
The players gathered around and started talking.
"Kobe, you come first."
Richmond threw the ball to Kobe.
Kobe caught the ball, retreated to the three-point line, and stood at 45 degrees on the left wing.
Richmond did not underestimate Kobe and immediately pressed forward.
The two faced each other inside and outside the three-point line. They were both about the same height and weight. Richmond weighed 98 kilograms, which was heavier than Kobe. He was 196 centimeters tall and two centimeters shorter.
When Richmond was pressing forward, Kobe used his left foot as a pivot, moved his left elbow horizontally to block the defender, grabbed the ball with his right hand and swept it back.
He has always been envious of Jordan and Old K's big hands. They can grab the ball with one hand and wave it around at will, making various fake moves, so he also wants to show off his ability to grab the ball with one hand.
"What an idiot!" Lao Wang cursed when he saw it.
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Richmond make a fierce sideways grab. Not only did he forcefully squeeze Kobe, he also knocked Kobe's ball away and completed the steal.
The ball was snatched away, and Kobe was confused. At this time, Richmond dribbled the ball and took two steps towards the top of the arc. After getting rid of Kobe, he immediately jumped and shot. Kobe rushed to block the shot, but he was already one step too late.
"brush!"
There was a splash, and Richmond accurately hit a three-pointer.
"Asshole! Kobe, is this the result of your extra practice? It's so easy to get intercepted. Why don't you protect the ball when you hold it?" Lao Wang cursed.
Kobe had a dark look on his face and shouted at Richmond: "Come again."
"Rock, teach him a lesson." Lao Wang shouted.
"OK."
Richmond smiled, threw the ball over again, and then leaned forward again.
This time, Kobe didn't dare to show off his one-handed catch. Instead, he turned to the right and immediately started to lean on his opponent when he came forward.
"Peng!"
Although Kobe's tonnage is smaller, it is only two kilograms smaller, and with the added force of his iron mountain, it actually knocked Richmond backwards.
In the next moment, when the opponent's center of gravity was not stable, he turned around, and while dribbling, he leapt past Richmond and drove in. Three steps later, he flew up and faced the basket with a bang.
A tomahawk snap.
"good!"
"Pa bang..."
Some people applauded and some cheered.
"This boy!"
Richmond was also a little confused. After he was pushed against him just now, his defense was completely lost. By the time he regained his focus, it was already too late to pursue him.
"Old K, did you see that? I have applied your hitting skills to the outside, and now you have used them well. You can't use them. Now it's up to me to carry them forward."
After coming off the basket, Kobe shouted excitedly to Lao Wang.
"hey-hey……"
Lao Wang laughed. Indeed, Kobe's playing skills seem to be better than last season, with better power and more consistent movements. This allows him to attack faster, make it easier to get rid of defenders, and improve himself.
offensive efficiency.
This is not easy, because he only taught Kobe Bryant's basketball-like iron mountain to rely on power movements, and taught him basketball-like bear steps. There was no way to teach him how to use these basic skills on the outside, so how to use them and how to combine them with other techniques.
It's up to Kobe to figure out how to attack.
Jerry West kept nodding. In this offense, he saw the potential in Kobe.
Even after Old K's sideways push that pushed everything was restricted by K's Law, he actually saw that kind of sideways play from Kobe.
Although Kobe didn't see the tyranny of Old K when he used it, he was very useful on the outside.
You can use the punch to get rid of the defender and gain enough space, either by breaking out, shooting or passing.
Just like the postman Karl Malone, he uses his elbows to gain space for his shot. In the past, K used to gain space through brutal hitting, but now Kobe can also gain space through hitting.
He felt that the coaching staff should be able to develop some singles tactics for Kobe, and let him play as long as he was not a very defensive opponent.
Next, Richmond and Kobe continued their duel, each attacking 10 times, until the end, 6:5, with the former winning.
After Kobe was intercepted for the first time, he used his hitting skills in all the next nine attacks and scored five goals. In particular, he succeeded three times in the first four times and only succeeded twice in the next five.
Richmond's defense was good. It didn't adapt to Kobe's relying on the ball in the front. After adapting in the back, its defensive efficiency improved and destroyed Kobe's three attacks.
He made 6 out of 10 offensive attempts, including sudden shots. Kobe's defense was still a bit weak and failed to guard him.
At this time, the coaching staff called Kobe and Richmond over to analyze the one-on-one situation for them, and other players also went over to listen.
Old assistant coach Bill Potka first asked Kobe: "Kobe, did you learn your hitting skills from old K?"
After seeing Kobe nod, he continued: "Yes, you have been able to use this technique to improve your ability to get rid of defenders and gain yourself more space for shots and breakthroughs. This makes your shots and breakthroughs easier."
It becomes easier and the offensive efficiency will improve."
At this point, he said to Richmond: "Mitch, you are not as good as Kobe in terms of getting rid of defenders, so although your offensive ability is stronger than him now, your efficiency is not much higher than Kobe's. If Kobe's defense
If you improve it further, your offensive efficiency will be even lower."
Richmond looked a little unhappy, but nodded and admitted this.
Kobe smiled proudly.
At this time, assistant coach Rambis added: "Kobe has mastered Old K's relying game and used it really well. I just observed it, Kobe, your first step is not very fast, so you gain through this relying technique.
More room for breakthrough is very important to you, it can make up for your weakness of not being fast enough in the first step."
Kobe nodded repeatedly. He had known this benefit for a long time. In the past, he was sluggish when getting rid of defenders, so when he made a jump shot, defenders could often keep up with him, which affected his shots. His mid-range hit rate was very low, but
Now he is changing this. In his rookie season, due to his immature playing skills, lack of weight, and lack of confrontation ability, the effect was average. This season, his skills are better, and his weight and confrontation ability have increased, so it should be better.
In fact, Old K's reliance on fighting does not make him break through faster, but improves his ability to get rid of defenders. He can then take advantage of opportunities to break through or take action. Without defenders in front of him, his efficiency will be higher.
