Pick Westbrook

Chapter 97 The Ultimate Equalitarian Eagles (recommended monthly ticket please)

Li Lai still remembers that in his previous life, Villanueva won a five-year 5 million contract with the Bucks.

You must know that the maximum salary of the second contract of a rookie player this season is only 1200 million, and Villanueva's contract has far exceeded that of most teams' starters.

Of course, this contract must be a bit of a premium, because at that time the Bucks were in a desperate situation and extremely scarce potential talents, so they won Villanueva with a slightly higher contract.

The current situation of the Bucks is naturally different from that of the time.

Li Lai is very clear that for the long-term development of the team and maintaining competitiveness at all times, he needs the team's salary situation to be extremely reasonable, at least not to have bad or rubbish contracts.

Although the Bucks now have 3 junk contracts, fortunately, there are enough players in the rookie bonus period in the team, so there is no big problem.

But in the long run, it's definitely not a good thing.

Hammond continued to persuade: "Thanks to our offensive system, Villanueva averaged 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists per game this season. Although his offensive efficiency is very good, his contribution on the defensive end is negligible. Tester often wiped his ass, and I don't know how many loopholes will happen on the court.

More importantly, it is not that there is no substitute for this type of player, so there is no need to rush to win at this time. "

The NBA's trade deadline is Thursday in week 16, usually the week after the All-Star weekend.

In other words, if the Bucks don't renew Villanueva in advance these days, they can only wait until the off-season.

Li Lai thought for a while and said: "The team is now entering the playoffs, and the players need to go to the field without any worries.

So in any case, Villanueva's contract must be resolved before the trade deadline. "

Hammond heaved a long sigh, but he also understood that the team needs people's hearts and cohesion most at this time, and Villanueva has always been a very down-to-earth player. Hammond is very clear about this. During the summer league, Villanueva Newa even came to the team to report for the game.

If you want to say that you are satisfied, Hammond really can't find any faults in Villanueva.

"So what should the contract amount be?

I can't follow your temperament in this matter. The salary of the team must be controlled within a reasonable range. This is my job as the general manager of the team. "

Hammond shook his big belly, and it was rare for him to be stubborn.

After all, this is not a low-priced contract like that of Austin Crosher and Andre Ingram back then. A few million dollars is not a small amount. It must be signed too high and it will have a great impact on the team. May become negative equity.

On the contrary, Li Lai admired Hammond's attitude when seeking a job in his position.

"5 million in 3500 years, as long as it does not exceed this salary."

"What?!!" Hammond exclaimed, the price is really too high.

You must know that the average starting salary of the league is only a little over 500 million, and this salary has reached an average salary of 700 million.

Holloway let out a chuckle from the side, and thought to herself: Why are all the difficulties solved? Isn't this Li Lai still a prodigal rich second generation, who only knows how to spend money if he has money.

Hearing Lingling's laughter, Li Lai turned his gaze over curiously, and Holloway quickly looked at him with a straight face and pouted his nose.

Hammond, who couldn't resist Li Lai, agreed to the contract, but it was only the Bucks' highest price. As for the specific amount at that time, Hammond planned to have a good discussion with Villanueva's agent.

The Bucks' Eastern Conference campaign continues.

This time the opponent is the Eagles, the fifth in the Eastern Conference.

"Under the leadership of singles Joe Johnson, Eagle King Josh Smith, and Al Horford this season, the Eagles have gradually shown the majesty of a strong team."

"They already made it to the playoffs last season, and they fought the defending champion Celtics in seven games in the first round, and even nearly knocked them down."

"It's a very strong team."

Speaking of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season, Tyronn Lue is still fresh in his memory.

At that time, who would have thought that the Eagles, which were only ranked eighth in the Eastern Conference, would be so fierce, almost making the Big Three of the Celtics the biggest joke in the league.

Especially in singles, Joe did not lose in the matchup with Paul Pierce, and even had a faint advantage in stabilizing the opponent.

Li Lai was equally impressed with the Eagles, because they are the most egalitarian team in the league.

And their head coach, Mike Woodson, is definitely underestimated by everyone.

This guy studied under the famous coach Larry Brown and has a deep understanding of NBA defense. A large part of the credit was due to the fact that the Pistons' iron barrel formation was so indestructible.

While coaching the Eagles, Woodson gradually passed on his successful defensive experience in the Pistons to these players, so he was able to lead the Eagles out of the predicament and become a strong team in the East.

"The Hawks are a team very similar to the Bucks, and they have six players averaging double figures per game.

Moreover, their individual defense and the team's overall defense are very good, with almost no obvious weaknesses on the court. "

In Tyronn Lue's view, the Eagles are not a half-baked team like the Raptors with such and such problems, they are very strong.

Li Lai said calmly, "But they don't have any stars."

Tyronn Lue was stunned, Joe Johnson, Eagle King Josh Smith, Al Horford, aren't they considered stars?

These three players are not bad.

Li Lai continued: "I'm talking about absolute stars, or superstars."

"With such a team that is keen on egalitarianism, who do you think should hand over the ball to the last 4 minutes of the game?"

"Who is the one who can steadily lead the team to win the game?"

Tai Lunlu was startled, and quickly remembered a person's name, and Li Lai immediately said the name.

"Joe Johnson?"

"His singles ability is indeed very strong, but it is still a bit short. If Artest is allowed to defend, I am even confident that he will have a clean sheet in the last 4 minutes!"

So in Li Lian's view, the Eagles are egalitarian in success and egalitarian in failure, which is why they will introduce Jamal Crawford in the future.

After all, in the entire history of the NBA, except for the Detroit Pistons in 2004, no team has won the championship without a superstar.

So Mike Woodson wants to replicate the legend of his mentor, which will be very difficult.

"Of course, even then the Hawks are already very strong, so it will be a tough game tonight."

on the field.

Li Lai shook hands with Mike Woodson.

Unlike other head coaches who belittled Li Lai because of his youth, Mike Woodson took Li Lai seriously.

"The Bucks' offensive tactics are arranged very cleverly. I hope we can limit your offense in this game."

Li Lai also respected the opponent and said: "I will try my best to break the Eagles' defense and will not let you down."

Game start.

Regular starters for the Bucks: Westbrook, George Hill, Artest, Villanueva and Yi Jianlian.

Hawks starting lineup: point guard Mike Bibby, shooting guard Joe Johnson, small forward Josh Smith, power forward Marvin Williams and center Al Horford.

Midline jump ball.

EasyLink is the first to take the lead.

Westbrook advanced with the ball, and the Eagles immediately launched a zone defense.

Except for Mike Bibby, who was defending Westbrook, the rest of the players were all within one step of the three-point line.

Tyronn Lue looked at the defense and said with horror: "They even counted Westbrook's recent three-pointers.

It's just that this defense is different from those teams that were afraid of us shooting three-pointers in the past. They even took the initiative to give us one step to shoot? "

Li Lai watched from the sidelines, sweating profusely. Even though he had expected that the Eagles' defense would be good, it was beyond his expectation that it was so oppressive.

The Bucks are not afraid of the three-point defense of other teams, because they have Westbrook and Yi Jianlian. They only need a high pick-and-roll or double pick-and-roll, and the bottom line without the ball to cover the bottom line, and they can immediately get rid of such a defense.

So no matter how other teams restrict the Bucks' three-pointers, Li Lai can quickly find a solution.

But now it's different!
The Eagles occupy a lot of space inside the three-point line. It is difficult for the Bucks to intersperse and move to drive the defense. Moreover, neither Yi Jianlian nor Villanueva has strong low-post singles skills, so it is difficult to punish their defensive formation in the penalty area. , so that only outside players can shoot.

Li Lai shook his head firmly.

If you fight like this, you will definitely lose!
Because of the formation of the Eagles, the Bucks didn't even have a chance to grab a rebound after shooting, and could only bet on their own touch.

The Eagles are not a weak team. It may be possible to win one or two quarters of the game with a betting feel, but will the Bucks players feel good throughout the game?
"Damn it! It's a pity that I don't have a super shooter in my hand. Otherwise, if the Eagles dare to let me go, I can shoot and shout Buddha on the spot!" Li Lai was a little out of breath for the first time.

On the court, facing such a defense, Westbrook also felt great pressure. He took the initiative to signal Yi Jian to catch the ball and asked him to move to a super long position outside the three-point line.

Al Horford kept up steadily and did not give Yi Jianlian a chance to make a super long shot.

"Even ultra-long three-pointers are counted by them!"

At this time, the court space has been slightly opened, Yi Jianlian lowered his center of gravity and prepared to break through, but he was almost intercepted by Horford after only one step forward, and firmly blocked him from beyond the three-point line.

Al Horford's defense is not weak, and the Bucks' offense is blocked.

Artest tried to ask for the ball in the low post of the penalty area, but the defender in front of him was the same steel-framed Eagle King Josh Smith, and it was difficult for him to get stuck in the position.

All the offensive tactics of the Bucks were exhausted, but they were all restrained by the Eagles.

At this time, George Hill stood up, caught the ball decisively, faced Joe Johnson's defense, and after shaking his crotch several times in a row, he chose to take a step back and shoot a three-pointer.

At this time, only he dared to vote!

call!
Hollow outside the basket!

Blue Outer Hollow! ! !

(End of this chapter)