At 8:30 in the morning, Lao Wang arrived at the headquarters.
When I came outside the locker room, several coaches were outside.
Little Colangelo was also outside. After seeing him, he said: "Good morning, Old K. They are all here."
"Good morning."
Lao Wang nodded and opened the door to the dressing room.
He appeared at the door, and everyone inside turned around to look. When they saw him, they immediately stood up no matter what they were doing.
Even though he didn't say a word, his expression was very gentle and he was smiling, but his aura made everyone feel nervous instantly. Rookies like Ariza and Varejao didn't know how to release their hands and feet for a while.
Which is better.
Zhu Fangyu shouted: "Boss."
"Boss."
Others also shouted quickly.
"Hello."
Lao Wang nodded and suddenly smiled: "It seems that I am indeed old. There is no one older than me in the entire team."
Everyone looked at me, and I looked at you. Facing the powerful leader in the alliance, I didn’t know what to say.
Even the very temperamental Kenyon Martin felt the pressure at this time and opened his mouth, but did not dare to speak easily.
Only Zhu Fangyu said with a smile: "Boss, I will put your bag for you."
"You are no longer a rookie, let the rookie do it."
Lao Wang handed the bag to Zhu Fangyu and sat under the wardrobe near the door.
"Zhu, let me do it? I'll carry the bag for the boss."
Ariza ran up and asked Zhu Fangyu for his opinion expectantly.
"Here you go, be gentle, there are many valuables inside." Zhu Fangyu warned.
"Okay."
Ariza carefully took the bag.
"Everyone, please sit down."
Lao Wang pressed his hand, motioned for everyone to sit down, and said: "There are only twelve people at the moment, and there are nine newcomers. They are not familiar with the Suns and Phoenix. Zhu Fangyu and Josh, you are responsible for guiding them."
"I got it, boss." The two of them said quickly.
Lao Wang smiled again and said to everyone: "My team doesn't have any rules. Everyone just needs to be obedient. You can't make trouble in the locker room or fight internally. For example, you can't bring in contraband, including alcohol. You have to follow the rules when you go on the field.
Come on, you can fight according to the tactics, you can’t fight randomly, do you understand?”
"Understood." Zhu Fangyu shouted immediately and shamelessly.
"clear."
Under his leadership, everyone immediately responded.
As Lao Wang said this, he began to change his clothes. He first took off the watch from his wrist and handed it to Ariza next to him.
Seeing the golden watch strap, Ariza's heart tightened, and he carefully took it from his wrist. Under the light, his eyes were dazzled by the ring of diamonds on it. His hand shook, and with a bang, he fell to the ground.
At this moment, everyone's eyes turned to him, including Lao Wang.
"It's over!"
At this moment, Ariza panicked.
He was a mid-second-round pick and managed to sign a basic salary deal. His annual salary in his rookie season was only US$390,000. After paying taxes, the remaining money might not be enough to pay for this watch.
Lao Wang asked curiously: "Rookie, do you think this watch is not good enough? It seems to be worth more than one million US dollars. It was given by my sponsor."
"NO, I, I, boss, I..."
It's over, it's over, my rookie contract is not enough to compensate. Ariza suddenly panicked and his forehead was covered with sweat.
Another rookie, Varejao, couldn't help but pat his chest. It was so dangerous. Fortunately, Ariza had taken the lead just now. If it were him, he would have lost all his salary for several years of his rookie contract.
"Don't worry, you don't have to pay for it if it breaks. The sponsor will replace it with a new one."
Lao Wang reached out and picked up the watch at his feet without even looking at it. He handed it back and said, "Do you like it? But I can't give it to you because I took the sponsor's money, so I have to wear it everywhere.
Show off and show off.”
Ariza, who had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard that there was no need to apologize, laughed awkwardly again when he heard what Lao Wang said, as if he was crying.
"Haha..." Zhu Fangyu and others laughed.
Ariza stretched out his hands more carefully this time, caught the watch, and then gently put the watch into the closet like a tribute.
"Let's go!"
After changing clothes, Lao Wang led his teammates out of the locker room and went to the training hall outside.
"Twelve years have passed in the blink of an eye, time flies so fast!"
When Lao Wang walked into the arena, he suddenly remembered the scene when he first entered this arena at the end of 1992. At that time, he was 19 years old, very young, and came in as a trainer. At that time, Barkley was here.
Lightning, Thunder God, these guys have retired a long time ago, and he, judging from his age, is about to enter the later stage of his career.
Perhaps he is still very young physically now, but in terms of qualifications, age, experience and mentality, he is already a true veteran.
After going through the necessary procedures, I took a physical test in the morning and started formal training in the afternoon.
Xiao Fan was very obedient and copied last season's tactical system. This was also to complete the team's integration as soon as possible. After all, the season goal was to defend the title.
But he is different from D'Antoni. D'Antoni can be less defensive and focus more on the offensive end, while he is just the opposite, paying more attention to defense.
But this is Lao Wang's team, and everything is under his control.
Personally speaking, he is a person who prefers offense. When he first entered the league, he was strong in offense and defensive in weakness. This fact is actually more suitable for D'Antoni.
But he understands better that without defense, there will be no championship. Therefore, he understands the importance of offense and defense very clearly. He will neither give up defense like D'Antoni, nor will he put defense more important than Xiao Fan.
Everything, but a true combination of offense and defense.
After the training match, everything else was fine, but there were a lot of mistakes. It was the first time everyone cooperated with White Chocolate, and there were more than ten mistakes in passing and receiving in one training match.
Even Lao Wang himself failed to catch White Chocolate's passes three times.
As far as point guards are concerned, there is a saying that the older you get, the better you get. White Chocolate is only 29 years old in two weeks and is still in his prime. He was able to provide 11 points and 6 assists last season. For the Suns, this is
White chocolate is actually more suitable than Nash.
White Chocolate's ability cannot be compared with Nash at all. His defense is slightly better, but not very good. His assists are not as good as Nash's, his offense is not as good as Nash's, and his three-point shooting rate of 32.7% last season is not as good as Nash's. According to Lao Wang's evaluation of offensive efficiency
Requirements, his offense is considered inefficient, his shooting percentage last season was only 40.7%.
But because his ability is not as good as Nash's, there are not so many requirements. Lao Wang feels that White Chocolate may be more suitable for him. As long as he is given a satisfactory contract next year, he should continue to play in the Suns and not run away.
Now he has figured out that he cannot have All-Stars and young people with All-Star potential around him, because after these young people play, they will run away.
"Jason, can you be less aggressive with your passing?"
Lao Wang once again failed to catch the ball from White Chocolate, and the fourth pass and reception error between the two occurred.
This time Bai Qiaoqiao rushed in with the ball and suddenly made an elbow pass behind his back. He passed the ball to the right with his left hand behind his back, and then rebounded with his right elbow. Lao Wang didn't react at all and went straight out of the baseline.
"Yes, Jason, be more steady and don't be so arrogant." Xiao Fan immediately agreed.
White Chocolate said with a smile: "No way, I am so imaginative, no one can predict my passing."
Lao Wang said angrily: "Yes, including your teammates."
"hehe!"
White Chocolate smiled awkwardly.
"Haha..." The whole team laughed.
In addition, through this training match, Lao Wang's idea of maintaining the tactical system of last season this season was partially unrealizable.
Because the current overall speed of the team is not as good as last season. Last season, there were Nash, Marion, and Stoudemire, who were all the leading players in fast breaks, but now they are gone.
Among the current main lineup, Zhu Fangyu and Josh Howard do not have the style of attacking the basket. Their offensive power is far inferior to Stoudemire and Marion last season, and their potential and strength are not as good.
After the training match, the coaching staff temporarily determined that positional warfare will be the main tactic in the new season. The pace of offense and defense transitions will be slowed down, and fast breaks will not be played easily.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you won’t play fast breaks and you will play them if you have the chance.
October 27th is the Suns’ media meeting day for the new season.
"Kacha kacha..."
Wang Tiejun, wearing a suit and tie, led a group of teammates to accept the baptism of media cameras.
Although basically all the main players of the Suns have been poached, and even the head coach has been poached, they are still the most watched team in the league. Even the American media who do not support Lao Wang still have to revolve around him, so
There were a lot of media attending the Suns' media day, including media from China and Asia, and the room was packed with people.
"Old K, you lost all your key teammates during the offseason. What do you want to say most to Nash and Stoudemire now?" a reporter asked.
Lao Wang smiled and said: "Everyone has their own choice. They leave because they think this place is no longer suitable for them. This is right, because the future is full of uncertainties and challenges, so we are full of curiosity about the future.
I support them in finding new challenges.
Especially Stoudemire, I actually support his leaving. He is too young and now is his growth period. If he stays with me, he will not get enough training and will only delay his growth."
"Old K, do you mean to admit that you have suppressed the growth of your teammates?" A reporter immediately asked.
"I mean, I'm too strong. Not to mention Stoudemire, even Jordan, even Kobe, even the three super centers, even O'Neal, they have to be suppressed by me when they are around me. You admit it.
Really?" Lao Wang responded on the spot.
The reporter had nothing to say and could only nod helplessly.
"Old K, are you still confident in the new Suns? I'm talking about defending the title." The reporter asked.
"Shouldn't we be confident?" Lao Wang asked with a smile.
"Old K, what do you think of the situation this season?" a reporter asked.
Lao Wang said casually: "I heard that O'Neal went to the Heat. The Heat should become a strong team in the Eastern Conference, right? Mourning has also returned, and the Nets' strength should be improved. The Pistons' lineup has not changed, and it should be the same.
It will continue to be a strong team in the Eastern Conference. As for the Knicks, they can be called the Eastern Sun Team and their performance in the regular season should be very good."
"Pfft!" The reporters below burst into laughter.
Lao Wang ignored the reporter and continued: "With the addition of the powerful old team Pacers, it seems that the Eastern Conference is really strong in the new season, and it is a situation where the top five are competing for hegemony."
"Old K, where is the west?" a reporter asked from below.
"The West?"
Lao Wang pondered for a moment and said: "I heard that the Spurs' reconstruction has been completed. They should have some strength, right? But I don't think the Spurs have the strength to compete for the championship, because no matter how strong they are in other positions, I will play in the low post.
Blast them.
As for the Trail Blazers, Duncan has played for 7 seasons and his performance has been stable for 7 years. With him, the Trail Blazers are a strong team.
If the Lakers don't get a good center, they will drop out of the championship ranks. I suggest that Kobe can compete for the scoring title. He has the ability.
As for other teams, basically none of them have the strength to compete for the championship.
Based on this calculation, the situation in the east and west this season is somewhat balanced, with more strong teams in the east than in the west, and there may even be a situation where the east is strong and the west is weak."
"Old K, which teams in the Western Conference do you specifically think are capable of competing for the championship?" a reporter asked.
"The Suns, Trail Blazers, and other teams, I don't see how they have the ability to compete for the championship." Lao Wang said very directly.
On the 28th, the league announced through the media the national live broadcast numbers of the 30 teams in the new season.
The Suns, Knicks, and Lakers have the most games, 52, 46, and 42 games respectively. Although the Suns are equivalent to reconstruction, they are still the most favored by several major TV broadcasters and are the only ones with more than 50 games.
team.
Colangelo Jr. even held an internal party at the headquarters to celebrate this event.
With 52 national live broadcasts, the Suns will also be favored by many major sponsors, and the operating income will be very considerable. However, this season, Nash and other four main players have been replaced, and a few more veterans and rookies have been added. The salary will not exceed the salary cap.
Now the operating income is considerable, and the owner, Mrs. John, does not need to take extra money this season, which is a very good thing.
This is not only an issue of saving money for the boss, but also related to the ability of the management. A manager who always asks the boss to spend money is definitely not a capable manager.
Colangelo Jr. is not only the general manager, but also the president of the Suns appointed by Mrs. John to be responsible for the team's operations, so he is so happy to get so many live broadcasts.
Old K’s salary this season is 22 million U.S. dollars. Zhu Fangyu and Josh Howard both have rookie contracts, the former is 970,000 and the latter is 860,000. Kenyon Martin’s this season is 9.45 million U.S. dollars, and White Chocolate is 6.88 million. The total of the five main players is
40.15 million.
Jim Jackson is 2.4 million, Kurt Thomas is 5.88 million, Jamal Crawford is 5.76 million, Varejao is 790,000, Ariza is 390,000, Steven Hunter is 720,000, Smush Parker is
700,000.
The total salary for the twelve players in the new season is US$56.8 million, and the salary cap for the new season is US$47.5 million, exceeding US$9.3 million.
The league's salary cap is 48% of the average annual income of each team last season, and the luxury tax line is 55%. After calculation, the average annual income of the team last season was US$96.9583 million, and the luxury tax line was US$54.43 million.
In other words, the Suns' salary for the new season exceeds the luxury tax by 2.37 million, which is not much. The team should be able to make some money this season. If they reach the finals like last season, the profit will be huge.
That is, Colangelo Jr. is worried about the strength of the team.
It is almost a truth that capital investment determines the strength of the team, and strength needs to be tested through the regular season.
The 2004/05 regular season will kick off on November 2. As last season's championship, the Suns will face the Nets, a strong team in the Eastern Conference, at home.
On the 30th, Zhang Lili and Su Qun brought a camera team to the training facility at the Suns headquarters to prepare to take some photos of the Suns training.
In the afternoon, the team held a training ground as usual.
After watching half of the game, Zhang Lili said: "It seems that the tactics are different from last season. Last season, fast breaks accounted for almost half, and now it is mainly positional warfare."
Su Qun nodded and said: "It should be a lineup problem. Today's players cannot play fast breaks and can only play positional battles.
Director Zhang, according to last season’s tactics, the Suns had nearly half of the fast breaks, and the overall offensive and defensive rhythm was actually very fast. Can it be considered a small ball tactic?”
Zhang Lijia said with a smile: "Last season the Suns played a small-ball tactic. Whenever there was a chance, they would speed up and would not waste fast break opportunities. The Tiejun often played fast breaks in the playoffs, but they didn't play fast breaks very much in the regular season.
attack.
But the basic tactic of the Suns last season was positional warfare. The reason for this is because Tiejun was very efficient in positional warfare. His positional warfare offense is a very important and stable basic plan for the Suns. It can face any team.
All can take advantage.
Since 1992, the Suns and Lakers have won seven championships. What they have relied on is the Iron Army's low-post offense. Therefore, any rational head coach will not give up this advantage.
Therefore, when the advantage of fast break is not great, that is, when the opponent's defense is very fast, the Suns cannot form a situation in the frontcourt to play more and less, or when the fast player is caught up, it cannot force the completion.
To attack, we need to decisively switch to positional warfare."
Su Qun looked puzzled and said: "So it's hard for me to understand why D'Antoni went to the Knicks and poached Nash Marion Jr. because he thought his undefended run-and-gun style was better than that of the Suns.
Are both offensive and defensive tactics better?”
"Everyone has his or her own pursuits and basketball concepts. We can't force this." Zhang Liji shook his head.
At this time, Kenyon Martin cut in from the weak side, received Lao Wang's pass and completed a dunk. Su Qun pointed at Martin and said: "Coach Zhang, he should be Stoudemire's replacement."