The Clippers paid two unprotected first-round picks in 2012 and 2013, a second-round pick in 2014, plus Brian Cook, Ryan Gomez, and a $5 million trade exception to obtain Stephen Nash and Grant Hess.
Your right of first refusal to sign.
As soon as this deal came out, the entire league was shocked.
Because before, no one thought that Nash would join the Clippers.
After all, Nash is now making the last push of his career, he is heading for the championship.
But now he has chosen the Clippers, a team that didn't even make the playoffs last season.
This is incredible. Does Nash firmly believe that Jack Fan can lead the Clippers to the finals and win the championship?
When this transaction happened, many people held their heads in their hands and couldn't believe it.
Among them are Jeanie Buss, Pat Riley, and Thibodeau.
They were the next team that most wanted to get Nash, but Nash gave them an unexpected blitz and did not choose the three teams that seemed closest to the championship.
"I can't understand that Stephen Nash chose to join forces with Jack Fan in the last ditch of his career, and also brought along his old buddy Grant Hill. They obviously have better options. Even in Los Angeles, there is a greater team than the Clippers.
team."
ESPN used the word "inexplicable" as an attributive when evaluating this transaction.
After Phoenix acquired Cook and Gomez from the Clippers, they quickly waived them. They only kept three draft picks and the trade exception money. It can be said that they have done their best in this matter and fully respected them.
Stephen Nash's decision.
It can be said that one is different from the other, and everyone is happy.
The arrival of Nash and Grant Hill in Los Angeles made Clippers fans completely and completely excited. This was an unexpected surprise and an unexpected shock.
Prior to this, the most popular rumor in the City of Angels was that another team claimed that it was about to win the former regular season MVP, so that everyone felt that it was a consensus that Nash and Paul would work together.
Now, Nash joins the Clippers and joins hands with Fan Xi.
Lakers fans were wailing, but the Clippers were excited.
No matter how much Jeanie Buss and the others ignore Jack, these superstars who have played in the league for most of their lives are sober.
Fanci met Nash and Grant Hill backstage at the press conference.
"You are indeed a person who keeps your promises. These days, when I watch TV, I really thought you would never come to the Clippers."
Fan Xi said to Nash with a smile.
These days, the Los Angeles media is bombarding them with crazy publicity that Chris Paul and Stephen Nash are teaming up with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum to form a super five-star alliance.
It sounds really attractive.
And, no matter what, the Lakers, who have won three consecutive championships, have a better chance of touching the trophy than the unknown Clippers.
For Nash, this was truly a bold and extreme decision.
His brokerage team has been opposed, but he not only convinced the brokerage team, but also convinced Grant Hill.
Grant Hill was the first successor to Jordan. He became a superstar in the league when he debuted. In his second season, he surpassed Jordan to become the All-Star vote leader.
At that time, everyone thought that with his explosive power, amazing strength, and sharp breakthroughs, he would become the next ruler of the league.
We have the right time, right place, and right people.
Unfortunately, he fell in front of injuries.
And just when everyone thought that the superstar would be depressed due to injuries, Grant Hill washed away his glory and joined the Suns, rejuvenating himself next to Nash. He has transformed into an excellent wing player.
His defense, his off-ball movement, including his three-pointers, make the Suns full of combat effectiveness on the wings.
Now, he continues to follow in Nash's footsteps and comes to the Clippers.
He will greatly enrich the Clippers' third position and bring a wealth of experience to Leonard and Butler. After all, in terms of league resume, ups and downs, and knowledge and accomplishments, there will never be another small forward in the league.
can surpass him.
It is worth mentioning that when James first entered the league, many people thought that his template should be Grant Hill.
Nash smiled and hugged Fan Xi, and he said: "You promised me to win the championship in three years. I don't have many three years left, and this one only has two years left. He told me,
He said he was going to retire from golf before he was 41."
Fan Xi followed Nash's guidance and hugged Grant Hill.
Hill was born in 1972 and was the No. 3 draft pick in the league in 1994. He is older than Kidd. In fact, he is only 4 years younger than Fanci's father.
Of course Fanshie has heard of Hill's legendary story, and he is full of curiosity about this violent gentleman who talks about the piano. Like many fans, he also had the same association: If Grant Hill had not been injured, he could have achieved
What height? Will he be able to suppress the emergence of the four shooting guards behind him?
But this assumption will never lead to a correct answer.
"Hey, Jack. I watched your game. Your breakthrough is beautiful. Your first step is very similar to when I was young, but I think there are some details that can be corrected. If you need my help."
Grant Hill said gently.
He is just like the rumors, he is an elegant gentleman. Coming from a wealthy family, he is very well-educated. When NBA players were still wearing baggy jeans, he was dressed in a sharp suit.
"This is really great, Grant." Fan Xi held Hill's hand tightly, feeling joy from the bottom of his heart. Grant Hill's breakthrough was very fierce, and he was brave enough to do anything.
Under the steel jungle-like defense back then, his main means of scoring was breakthrough. This shows how powerful his breakthrough was.
Although Fan Xi's current breakthrough is already very sharp, if some fierce factors can be added, it will directly go to the next level.
For men, there is nothing more romantic than "continuously getting stronger".
Nash and Hill appeared at the press conference. They raised the Clippers' No. 13 jersey and No. 33 jersey respectively, announcing that they had officially become a member of Los Angeles.
The reporters in the audience had too many questions to ask Stephen Nash and Grant Hill and why they chose the Clippers.
Faced with this question, Stephen Nash's answer was very direct: "The only reason why I appear here is Jack Fan. Grant and I watched his performance in the finals last season. We felt that we should appear here because we can help."
He, he will be the captain who will carry us to the other side of success."
Nash didn't shy away from speaking out.
This made the reporters very strange. The ESPN reporter stood up and asked loudly: "Stephen, isn't your current career ideal not to win the championship? You no longer have time to accompany a young captain to grow up. Maybe I am a little offensive when I say this, but
You should choose the Lakers, even if it is the Miami Heat. I have always been your fan, I hope you win the championship, you are only one ring away from the Hall of Fame."
Although this reporter claimed to be a Nash fan, in fact his words were very rude and even a bit arrogant.
Nash was a little stunned. He has a kind personality and is not good at such verbal exchanges.
Grant Hill, who was sitting next to him, was also a gentleman.
At this time, Fan Xi, who was standing in the background, walked up.
His appearance made the reporters at the scene cheer.
After shaking hands with Nash and Hill, Fan Xi sat next to him and took the microphone. He said: "I should answer this question for you. Because that's what I said to Stephen on the phone. I told him that we
We will win the championship within three years.”
As soon as Fan Xi said these words, the scene was in an uproar.
Win a championship in three years?
Jack actually made such an arrogant and irreversible promise.
Looking at the league today, it seems that only LeBron James said last year that he wanted to win not four championships, not five championships, not six championships...
"Do you think the Clippers can win the championship?" the ESPN reporter asked. He desperately hoped that Fan Xi would say something even more shocking and then slap him hard in the face.
Fan Xi stared at him: "Yes. Don't you believe it?"
The reporter shrugged his shoulders, raised his eyebrows, and said disapprovingly: "I don't believe it."
"What's your name?" Fan Xi asked him.
"Greg Howard."
"Okay, Greg, I remember your name. When I win the championship, I will thank the whole world for your doubts." Fan Xi said lightly.
"That day will never come," Greg Howard said firmly.
Fan Xi did not discuss it with him anymore, but just said: "Next one."
Fan Xi took full control of the press conference.
He is like a strong leader. Stephen Nash felt the courage of Captain Jack on the first day he came to the Clippers.
He is indeed not a submissive person, he is in his own league. No wonder he can defeat the Big Three with his bare hands.
Most of the reporters then asked Stephen Nash and Grant Hill about their feelings about joining the Clippers, and whether they could adapt to Fanci's style of play...
Finally, a reporter asked Fan Xi a question: "Captain Jack, we see that the current team's lineup is dominated by experienced old players and young newcomers. Will we add some Mesozoic combat power next? And
, will we have new signings in the future?"
Fan Xi smiled and said: "I have to ask General Manager Dunleavy about this. This is his business scope. Boss Sterling did not pay this part of my salary."
The press conference ended with this joke.
The atmosphere is harmonious.
For the reporters present, today's press conference was enough for them to create eye-catching news.
The joining of Nash and Hill to the Clippers was a surprise in itself, and Fanci's announcement of the championship timetable at the press conference aroused public opinion.
"Jack, there are some things you shouldn't say." Nash returned to the backstage and carefully reminded Fan Xi: "If you don't win the championship in three years, they will mock you sarcastically."
"I have confidence in us, Stephen."
Fan Xi once again looked directly into Nash's eyes very firmly, and he said in an extremely sure and hot tone.
Nash felt Fan Xi's determination.
He decided to have a good relationship with Fan Xi.
…
Although Fan Xi claims that he is not the general manager and does not participate in the construction of the lineup.
But, after Nash's conference, he showed up at the Hilton Hotel. Kwame Brown was waiting for him there.
Kwame Brown is a well-known parallel import number one pick. He has been living in Los Angeles this offseason. He has made several connections and wants to meet Fan Xi.
He was once a member of the Lakers, but was later sent away as a trading chip. As a result, the Lakers welcomed Pau Gasol and established a three-consecutive championship dynasty.
He is still the number one parallel importer who has been repeatedly pulled out and whipped by the media.
Kwame Brown water?
There is no doubt that it is water.
But, can he play in the NBA?
Definitely can fight.
His physical fitness is very good, thick, and he can carry and block. Many Chinese fans vividly describe him as: a top center from the shoulders down.
The biggest impression that ordinary fans have on him is that he is a parallel import, has a smooth hand, is timid, and is afraid of catching the ball.
But in fact, he has become a pretty good low-post defender in the Lakers' later period.
He was selected as the No. 1 pick because his physical fitness is indeed good enough. At 2.1cm tall, he has the movement speed of a forward player, and his strength and explosive power are also very good. His current body is at the top blue-collar level.
However, his shortcomings are very obvious. Because he has only played for a short time, he only started playing in middle school, and his basic skills are very poor. In addition, his hands are very small, so his human-ball combination ability is only at the high school level, let alone catching the ball.
It's easy to lose the ball when attacking by yourself.
How could he perform with his skills in the NBA's ultra-high-speed and ultra-tempo environment? What's more, he encountered a paranoia like Jordan at the beginning of his career, and then received military training from Kobe... His self-confidence was early
There is no more.
The reason he found Fanci now is that he doesn't want to leave Los Angeles again, even though the Golden State Warriors offered him a one-year, $7 million contract.
But he wanted to talk to Fan Xi, but his management team told him that Dunleavy Sr. had no interest in him, and Jenny Buss disliked him completely. If he wanted to stay in Los Angeles, he should go to Fan Xi.
But Kwame Brown has watched Fanshie's game, and he thinks Fanchy is the same type of player as Jordan and Kobe, and he is afraid that Fanchy will also criticize him.
However, when Fan Xi met him, he brought a thick stack of video tapes, which was beyond Kwame Brown's expectations.
He just came through the back door and hoped to stay and work in Los Angeles.
Unexpectedly... Fan Xi actually walked into the room and opened an old video tape. This was even a scene from his high school days.
Kwame Brown is confused: Does he want to teach me how to play basketball?
Does he really think I still have talents that have not been released?
Fanshi did not discuss the contract with him, but talked to him about Kwame Brown's technical problems. "Actually, it was a mistake for you to be selected by Washington from the beginning. They did not have enough patience to wait for you to grow, and they could not give you anything."
It’s time for you to polish your skills and adapt to the NBA.”
"Your problem is that your brain is really weak and you can't handle complicated things. Your technique and your playing style must be strictly simple."
"Did you know? The most powerful swordsman is not the one with the most complicated moves, but the one who is best at drawing the sword. If you practice the sword-drawing technique 10,000 times a day for 10,000 days, you can become the best swordsman."
"With your talent, you should practice the simplest moves and make him perfect, and then you will become the top center in the league!"
"..."
Fanshi pointed to these video tapes of Kwame Brown’s growth records and said to Kwame Brown.
Kwame Brown is really confused.
He felt like he had been brainwashed.
Fan Xi chatted with him for almost an hour and a half.
In fact, he didn't remember anything. He only remembered one sentence: If your brain is not good, you have to practice the simplest moves and draw the sword ten thousand times!
He didn't hear a word of Fan Xi's analysis of his skills. He was somewhat hearing-impaired.
"I decided to join the Clippers, can you give me a contract?"
When Kwame Brown ended the conversation, he asked Fan Xi.
Fan Xi's goal was also achieved.
"I will discuss it with Dunleavy, but in the end I don't know whether you will get the contract or how much price you will get." Fan Xi said in a business-like manner.
But Kwame Brown has completely convinced Fan Xi. A simple-minded person like him just wants to be with a boss who has a strong personality and leadership skills, and who doesn't scold him.
Fan Xi is the boss he has been searching for for so many years.
He felt that he might be able to find a little bit of love for basketball in Fan Xi.
Instead of being humiliated every game night for an annual salary of millions of dollars, and shouting in nightmares about the basketball dream.
…
After meeting with Kwame Brown, Fancy went to another hotel where he also negotiated with another important person.
In fact, Jenny Buss was also rushing to that hotel with people at this time.
This former top four shooting guard is very much in demand.
After all, he has washed away his glory and become a good supplementary wing.