After the training match, Lao Wang returned to the locker room and suddenly said to Ariza: "Rookie, your offensive talent is average. We have no shortage of offensive players. Even on the bench, your offensive ability is not very useful."
, and you are still working hard on defense, so I suggest you strengthen defensive training and strive to contribute your defensive energy in the substitute lineup."
Ariza stood up excitedly and shouted: "Boss, I promise to strengthen defensive training."
"Work hard and you will have a chance to play."
Lao Wang nodded. Role players have the benefits of role players. If you have developed potential players and want to run, then you should develop a few good role players.
"Yes, boss." Ariza roared energetically.
Varejao looked envious. He had many opportunities in training matches and could even face off against old K. But he didn't know how many opportunities he would have to play after the regular season started.
At four o'clock in the afternoon on the 1st, after the Nets arrived in Phoenix, Dayao ran to Lao Wang's house for dinner.
Zhang Lili and Su Qun also came to enjoy the meal. CCTV will broadcast the Suns' opening game tomorrow.
"Dayao, if your Nets cannot reach the finals this year, you will no longer dream of competing for the championship." Lao Wang said half seriously and half jokingly.
Dayao nodded cheerfully and said, "Brother, I think so too."
Lao Wang nodded and said: "Next year, the two of us will strive to meet in the finals, so that the domestic fans will have a good time."
"Then it's settled." Dayao said with a smile.
Brother Fei, who was holding Erbao, asked in surprise: "Are the Nets so strong this year?"
Zhang Liji smiled and said: "Feihong, they got Vince Carter, one of the four shooting guards, averaging 20+ per game. The second position used to be weak, but this time it has been strengthened."
Su Qun said: "But I'm afraid Alonzo Mourning still won't be able to do it. The fourth position will still be a problem."
Dayao nodded and said: "If he still can't do it, we also have two good substitutes at the fourth position. They can do some dirty work and so on. I feel like he is okay."
Su Qun said at this time: "The Laureus Sports Awards have been going on for five years. Tiger Woods has won the Best Male Athlete for two years, Schumacher has also won it for two years, and Armstrong in cycling has also won it once. Old K, when will you
It would be nice if I could take it once.”
Lao Wang smiled and said nothing.
Zhang Lili said: "The Laureus Sports Awards were held in 2000 and are now very influential. It is considered the largest comprehensive award in the sports industry worldwide.
However, after you won the championship in 2000, you were injured in 2001, came back in 2002, were suspended again in 2003, and only won the championship last year. In the five years since Lawrence appeared, you have only won two championships, which is not as good as the three of Woods and the others.
The results this year are so dazzling.”
"Two championships in five years is pretty good, right?" Su Qun muttered, somewhat unconvinced.
At this time, Lao Wang raised his hand, raised the watch in his hand and said: "This watch was given to me by a sponsor. It costs more than one million yuan. It is the world's top luxury artificial watch. Every part is handmade.
"
"What's the matter? What does it have to do with Lawrence?" Feige asked confused.
The others didn't understand what Lao Wang meant, and they all looked at him, waiting for his next words.
Lao Wang smiled and said: "Laureus Sports University will be jointly founded by the German commercial vehicle manufacturing company Dailem and the Swiss luxury goods company Richemont Group.
Daimler is the world's second largest luxury car and truck manufacturer, and Richemont Group is the world's second largest luxury goods company, both of which are very powerful.
At the same time, Lawrence also has two major global sponsors, namely Mercedes-Benz, a subsidiary of Daimler, and IWC, a subsidiary of Richemont Group.
I won’t talk about Daimler and Mercedes-Benz. There are many luxury brands under the Richemont Group. In addition to IWC, there are also Vacheron Constantin, Baume & Mercier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cartier, Piaget, Lanzi, etc. There are too many luxury brands.
"
He pointed to the watch on his wrist and said: "It just so happens that the luxury watch I am endorsing does not belong to IWC or the Richemont Group."
"Oh, I understand, Richemont Group and IWC don't support you winning the award?" Su Qun suddenly realized.
"Sponsoring companies will definitely only support their spokesmen." Zhang Lili said with the same sudden realization.
Lao Wang smiled and said: "But I am still the spokesperson of a Mercedes-Benz SUV. Mercedes-Benz has informed me that it will strive to get the support of its parent company Daimler. When the time is right, it will fully support me in competing for the Laureus Award."
."
Zhang Lili analyzed: "The Laureus Awards next year will be held in May. Although it will not be able to catch up with next year's playoffs, but Tiejun, you won the Olympic gold medal and this year's championship, you still have a chance next year."
"It depends on the support of Mercedes-Benz. But I think it is very difficult, because in Europe, basketball is not popular, football, tennis, and racing are popular sports. Most of the top athletes in these sports are Mercedes-Benz and
Mercedes-Benz is not the only spokesperson for those brands of Daimler, but I am not the only one supported." Lao Wang nodded.
Zhang Lili said: "The media has evaluated various teams these days and is not optimistic about the Suns' title defense. Tiejun, you'd better start well, otherwise the media will not let you go if you lose a few games."
"I know." Lao Wang nodded.
Su Qun suggested: "Amour Stoudemire is gone, Joe Johnson is gone, Nash and Marion are gone. Now you don't have an All-Star by your side. It doesn't matter if you play alone."
"Kenyon Martin is considered an All-Star, this year's All-Star substitute." Yao reminded.
Su Qun said with a smile: "His strength is just that. He doesn't have the skills to play singles with the ball. He just eats cake. His outside shooting is very unstable and inaccurate. I don't think he has the strength of an All-Star. The Suns have given such a big offer."
The contract is actually not cost-effective."
Zhang Lili said: "There is no way, the Suns can't find anyone. They are public enemies of the league. Ordinary teams will not strengthen the Suns through trades. Without a big contract, there is no way to attract people.
Young players with potential and talent who are not wanted to come will be suppressed if they come to Tiejun. Otherwise, why would Stoudemire leave?
To be honest, Nash and Marion are a little better. They are both mature players and have received big contracts. But if Stoudemire does not leave and spends another two years with the Suns to finish his rookie contract, he will
That's it.
He will definitely not be worth his money next to the Tiejun. He averages more than ten points and a few rebounds per game. With such data, he will definitely not get a big contract next time.
Why should Joe Johnson leave? Like Stoudemire, it will be too late if he doesn’t leave. If he leaves now, he still has a chance to make a difference. If they don’t leave, their agents will also encourage them to leave.”
Lao Wang smiled and nodded: "I think so too. I have no objection to their leaving. After all, you can't delay their growth because of me. I am not a person who relies on delaying the growth of my younger brothers to achieve my own success."
No. 2, night, American West Arena, brightly lit.
Before the game, the first thing to be done was the ceremony of awarding last season's championship rings.
Lao Wang deliberately wore all the championship rings. He wore three rings from the Lakers dynasty on the little finger, ring finger, and middle finger of his right hand. He also wore three rings from the Suns on the little finger and index finger of his left hand. This is the latest one.
He wore the ring on his left thumb, seven championship rings, plus a wedding ring, eight rings shining brightly.
"Crack, click, click..." Countless lenses began to flash.
Alonzo Mourning watched calmly, but the feeling of envy in his heart could not be suppressed.
He entered the league in the same year as Old K and O'Neal, and they are also the best centers, but their careers have completely different results.
O'Neal finally got a championship ring, but he got nothing after twelve seasons. This sense of gap and blow was very strong, especially the moment when he saw old K put on his seventh ring.
It made him feel like crying and his eyes were red.
In his entire career, he has been suppressed by Old K and O'Neal without taking a single risk. As a person with an extremely determined character, he is very unwilling to give in. It is precisely because of his unwillingness that he chose to come back for the third time this time.
In fact, his kidney function is still in failure and he is not suitable for comeback.
In the CCTV live broadcast, Zhang Lili said excitedly: "Seven dazzling championship rings, this is the harvest of the Tiejun after 11 seasons of struggle in the league."
Nodding, Su Qun said: "Seven championships in 11 years, a dynasty with three consecutive championships, and countless hard honors have created the status of the first person in history. And this Olympic victory has truly established the Iron Army's position in the history.
The status of the number one player in the world of basketball.”
At eight o'clock, the game starts.
Nets: Yao Min, Eric Williams, Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter, Kidd
Suns: Wang Tiejun, Kenyon Martin, Zhu Fangyu, Josh Howard, Jason Williams
The game was broadcast live nationwide on TNT, with Barkley and Kenny Smith as commentators.
"Mourning is back and will be on the bench this time, but according to the Nets' physical examination of him, the results are not satisfactory. Even if he is forced to play, I'm afraid his playing time will need to be strictly controlled." Kenny Smith said.
"I admire his willpower. If I were in his situation, I would retire directly," Barkley said.
"That means you have already won the championship. If not, you will definitely choose to persist." Kenny Smith said.
Buckley shrugged and said: "That's not necessarily true, life is the most important thing."
On the field, the two teams are preparing to jump the ball.
"Kenyon, come on." Lao Wang signaled.
As an old man who is almost 32 years old, the jump ball is the time to show his face. This opportunity must be given to young people like Kenyon Martin. After all, Martin is only 27 years old.
"Crack!"
Although Kenyon Martin's left knee was injured, as a spring man, he could still jump very well, and he actually got the ball away before Dayao.
Lao Wang moved low to the left wing and took a step outside first. When Dayao caught up with him, he suddenly ran back and cut towards the basket. Dayao quickly turned around to catch up, but he was already a beat behind.
When Lao Wang entered the basket, he caught an open space.
Unfortunately, this opportunity was not seized. Kidd stood in front of White Chocolate, and the strong defense prevented Williams from passing the ball out in the first place.
But White Chocolate still passed the ball in at the second moment. While running to the right, his right hand holding the ball made a backhand move behind his back, and the ball accurately flew to the basket from behind.
No one could have predicted this pass.
The speed of the ball was very fast, but not very high. Before he could take off, Lao Wang subconsciously reached up and touched the ball and lit it up.
The next moment, he and Dayao jumped to grab the ball at the same time.
"Bang!"
With his excellent jumping ability, he caught the ball, and before landing, when his body fell, he twisted his waist and hit his arm, directly smashing the ball into the basket.
"Beautiful! Old K and White Chocolate completed an alley-oop. It seems that their cooperation is not inferior to that of Old K and Nash."
A live commentator shouted excitedly.
Dayao was hit by Lao Wang in the air and landed a little unstable. He was pulled by Lao Wang before he could stand still.
Zhang Lili said: "Although Dayao's tonnage is five kilograms larger, in terms of muscle quality, Dayao is indeed far behind Tiejun. Therefore, with a heavier tonnage, he is far inferior to Tiejun in terms of confrontation ability and explosive power.
The gap was even bigger, which is why he was knocked crooked in the air."
Su Qun said with a smile: "After Old K was injured, his explosive power became stronger, even comparable to O'Neal in his peak period. He can dominate Yao at the basket."
It was the Nets' turn to attack. Dayao was in the low post on the left wing. Lao Wang did not hit the ball. After receiving the ball successfully, he immediately dribbled with his back, then turned around and shot a fadeaway jumper. Lao Wang caught up and blocked the shot, but he was too slow.
Rhythm.
"brush!"
The basketball goes hollow into the basket.
"Brother, don't waste your energy." Dayao said with a smile.
"You're so proud, I'm going to punish you sooner or later, so be careful!" Lao Wang said with a smile.
When the Suns attacked, Wang suddenly pulled up to the high post and set up a pick-and-roll for White Chocolate. White Chocolate took the opportunity to get rid of Kidd and took the ball from the free throw line into the paint.
At this time, Nets power forward Eric Williams returned to defend the basket, followed by Kenyon Martin.
White Chocolate immediately changed direction and pulled to the left.
Eric Williams' attention was drawn to the white chocolate, but at this moment, he seemed to see something flying from below.
"careful!"
Dayao, who was under the free throw line, suddenly saw the ball in White Chocolate's hand, flying from Williams' side to Kenyon Martin, and shouted quickly.
"Bang!"
The next moment, Kenyon Martin caught the ball, then flew up and hit Williams with an extremely powerful one-handed dunk.
Nets offense.
Dayao directly positioned himself at the top of the arc, setting up a pick-and-roll for Kidd, and at the same time pulled Wang out, emptying the Suns' basket.
At the same time, Vince Carter was running without the ball on the left wing. The Suns were playing man-to-man. Josh Howard failed to keep up and he got the chance to catch the ball.
Kidd was about to use the wall to break in, but when faced with Old K's switching defense, he passed the ball whenever he could. He didn't want to face Old K's defense. Moreover, he was the kind of top point guard who would never miss his teammates' open spaces.
With an unobstructed 360-degree field of vision, Carter's ball flew over as soon as he had the opportunity.
Carter caught the ball, immediately smashed it to the floor, then started vigorously, holding the ball towards the paint area, and took off from the left waist.
Lao Wang moved down from the free throw line, quickly returned to defend the basket, and intersected with Vince Carter above the basket.
"Crack!"
Tomahawk style dunk, Vince Carter wanted to smash the ball into the basket before Old K, but Old K's return speed was beyond his expectation, and the ball hit Old K's big hand.
"Oh ho!"
Suns fans instantly burst into cheers.
The ball was blocked and went out of the baseline, and Carter was unbalanced by the huge force of the block. When he turned backward, Lao Wang's right arm that blocked the block went down and caught him under his arm, preventing him from falling.
fall.
"Boy, I did a death dunk at the Olympics four years ago. Did you want to dunk me just now?" Lao Wang asked with wide eyes after letting go of Carter.
Wenska Xing smiled and shook his head quickly: "Old K, please don't accuse me wrongly. It was an empty basket just now. By the way, Old K, I want to thank you just now!"
"Don't think about dunking me all day long. If you get hurt by my hat, don't blame me. I may not be able to protect you every time." Lao Wang warned.
"Old K, don't worry, I won't do that." Carter quickly assured.
The Nets attacked again, and Richard Jefferson got the ball at the left three-point line.
Zhu Fangyu's defense was taught by Pippen. Although it is not as good as Pippen, it is not bad. This is why he can become the Suns' main small forward in his second year.
The reason why Xiao Fan and Colangelo let him play the main three position is definitely not because of Lao Wang, but because of his ability.
Defense, like offense, the first step is to interpret the opponent's tactics.
After interpreting the opponent's offensive tactics and understanding what the opponent will do, you can make relatively accurate defensive predictions and make correct defenses.
Zhu Fangyu had gotten to know Richard Jefferson before the game. He is a breakthrough small forward on the wing, but COSCO is very good at shooting. He also needs to defend against breakthroughs, so it is difficult to guard against him.
For such a breakthrough small forward, the first thing to do is to prevent breakthroughs, so he adopted a half-step defense strategy, and deliberately appeared to be lax in defense, and the whole person was in a defensive state of being loose on the outside and tight on the inside.
Sure enough, the next moment, Jefferson started to break through with the ball.
But at this moment, Zhu Fangyu quickly retreated and blocked Jefferson half way ahead. When the latter bumped into him, he fell backwards.
"Beep!"
The whistle sounded.
"Wow, Zhu's defense seems to be somewhat similar to mine!"
Varejao, who was sitting on the bench, looked at it and his eyes suddenly lit up.
"You kid, I was deceived into a whistle." Dayao walked up to pull Zhu Fangyu and muttered.
"Dayao, don't drag your opponent, even if you are brothers off the court." Lao Wang followed up and said to Dayao.
"I know, brother." Dayao nodded quickly.
As soon as he let go, Zhu Fangyu, who was getting up quickly, let out an ouch and fell down again.
Looking at Dayao running away, and then at Zhu Fangyu who looked aggrieved, Lao Wang said angrily: "Get up by yourself, are you waiting for me to pull you?"
In this game, 105:108, the Suns narrowly defeated the Nets.
Lao Wang also played his best, not only in offense, but also in all aspects. He scored 34 points, 19 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, 6 blocks, 4 turnovers and 2 fouls.
There were a lot of personal mistakes, but the team made more mistakes, reaching 26. If it weren't for Lao Wang's very efficient offense, many rebounds, good defense, and his teammates were in good shape, we might not have won this game.
However, apart from him, no one else in the team scored 20 points. The second point scorer was Kenyon Martin. He and White Chocolate took turns feeding cakes and scored 18 points, which was a good performance.
In addition to the two of them, Zhu Fangyu scored 11 points, Josh Howard scored 12 points, and White Chocolate scored 8 points. The five main players scored a total of 83 points.
The substitutes scored 25 points, and Jamal Crawford scored 16 points alone. He was the team's third scoring point and completed the sixth man's task of grabbing points.
Dayao scored 37 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 58% from the field, and his offensive performance was not inferior to that of Lao Wang.
After the game, Lao Wang said: "Dayao, don't be proud. Today you are a guest in Phoenix. I am treating you. I didn't guard you very much. You just treat it like having a dumpling meal during the Chinese New Year. Next time I go to your place, I won't be merciful."
Already."
"Brother, don't come here. I feel good today. Didn't you guard me? I took four big hits from you, but you didn't guard me completely." Dayao said without humility.
"You are said to be fat and you are still out of breath?" Lao Wang laughed and scolded.
