The Legend of the Hungry Wolf in Basketball

Chapter 64 [Trading?Who to trade? 】

At the press conference, Jackson expressed his satisfaction with the performance of his disciples in this game.Kobe is the leader of the Lakers, outstanding as always, and Ye Feng also scored many key goals in the second half.

Jackson didn't say a word about stealing the ball. This is his sophistication. He will have different explanations for the same thing, and he can play a balancing role among players.With him reconciling, the Lakers will not fall apart.

Ye Feng said in an interview: "Kobe has attracted the Bobcats' defensive focus, and they can only send Carroll, the worst defensive player, to stare at me. The group of big brothers will definitely beat me up together. Later, Wallace defended me, and we started to play outside, and the combination of inside and outside was very good, so we won."

These remarks seem to be flattering Kobe, but also mentioned a key issue, the combination of internal and external.The most talked about in the news in the first few games is that Kobe shot too many shots, which affected the team's internal and external integration.

What Kobe said in the interview was a universal reply, thanks to his teammates for their help, the offense was smooth, the Lakers caught the opponent's loopholes, etc...

After the press conference, Ye Feng caught up with Kobe and said lightly: "Kobe, I hope you can understand one thing. What I said in the locker room was not just for you shooting too many shots, but also for the team's victory. I I’ve always admired your game and learned a lot from you, and I appreciate that. But you don’t have to take [-] or [-] shots every night to win.”

Kobe glanced at him and said coldly, "Are you teaching me a lesson? Who do you think you are?"

Ye Feng looked at Kobe, smiled and said: "Ye Feng, a handsome guy, nicknamed Hungry Wolf, who may be the best rookie of the year, I thought I was like this, what do you think?"

After speaking, he didn't care about the astonishment on Kobe's face, and without waiting for an answer, he turned around and left with big strides.

He felt very happy.In the past, the Clippers teammates used him as the core to pass the ball to him throughout the game, but that was Jackson's arrangement. It was a group of big brothers who consciously helped him score points and find confidence.Today is different, he feels like a real leader.

He doesn't think he's at fault.The game also proved that his thinking is correct. If teammates make mistakes, they should point it out, and Kobe should thank him.Wouldn't it be weird if a player played [-] seasons and still acts like a child on the court?If Kobe can change a little bit, it will be good for him personally and for the team.

After leaving the arena, Ye Feng and Ariel went to the snack bar, and told Ariel what happened today.Ariel sighed: "You really dare to say these words? I think you must have offended him."

Ye Feng said disapprovingly: "When I encounter this kind of thing in the future, I will say what I want to say. This is for the good of the team."

Ariel smiled and said, "What are your plans for tomorrow? Come out and play?"

The Lakers have a holiday, Ye Feng has nothing to do, but he already has an appointment. "Gabriela has an audition tomorrow and invited me to watch it. Interested? It won't be long."

"Okay. I want to see her acting skills too."

The next day, "Zen Master" Jackson entered Kupchak's office early in the morning, wanting to discuss the contract renewal with Ye Feng.

The two sat on the sofa facing each other. The secretary brought tea. After closing the door, Jackson said softly, "Mitch, tell us about your plan first. I'm afraid our ideas will not be the same."

Kupchak stroked his thinning white hair, and said lightly: "Before the start of this season, we hoped to trade Gasol with the Grizzlies. At that time, Wallace had just become the manager of the Grizzlies. He gave us an answer. The Grizzlies are willing to send Gasol, provided that there must be Ye Feng in the chips."

Jackson smiled wryly: "Do you think Gasol is better than Ye Feng? He is indeed a very capable inside player, but he can only be the second master. Ye Feng has great potential and is improving rapidly. In five years, he may become a capable player." A top star comparable to James. Who would give up James for Gasol?"

Kupchak frowned and said, "Didn't you say that you hope Gasol can come to the Lakers to strengthen the team's low-post singles and high-post support capabilities? In this way, Odom will serve as a backup power forward, which can ensure the offense of the backup lineup." Fluency, we can hit the championship this season."

Jackson shook his head and said sternly: "This season, I can hit the championship. What about the future? Kobe is already 30 years old. Ye Feng will definitely surpass him in 5 years. Ye Feng is a player who can be trained to become a leader. Replace him The ones who suffer must be the Lakers. Of course it would be better if Gasol came, but Ye Feng must also stay, I suggest signing a high-paying long-term contract with him.”

Kupchak let out a long sigh. "It's easy for you to say. We don't have so much salary space. Bynum's contract will expire next season. To renew his contract, he must have a high salary. If Gasol is included, we will have a year's salary. How much luxury tax do you pay?"

Jackson lightly said: "As long as we trade Kobe this summer, don't renew Vujacic, and don't renew Odom next year, we can save salary space. Kobe can also be exchanged for a good player and a first-round pick. If Selecting a good rookie in the draft, I am confident to use this as a team to build a dynasty again. This also avoids the problem of core aging. The core lineup of Ye Feng, Gasol and Bynum can at least Dominate the league for 5 years."

Kupchak's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? You want to trade Kobe for Ye Feng? He is now the flag of the Lakers. Who do you think the reason for so many fans watching the Lakers game is? We managed to keep him in the summer, and now we have to trade him to Where to go? Bulls, Mavericks? Knicks? Even if you want to trade him. The team record is good, he may not necessarily go. I can understand O’Neal before you asked to trade Kobe. Now for a rookie, you actually want to Send Kobe away, do you hate him so much?"

Jackson frowned. It wasn't hard to tell that Kupchak was firmly on Kobe's side, even though Kobe called him an idiot in the summer. "Mitch, I don't hate Kobe, but I like Ye Feng's potential. Can you take a long-term view? His personal ability is not strong enough, but he is only 19 years old, and his potential is comparable to Oden and Durant. We Do you want to let go of such a young man for nothing?"

Kupchak sighed: "Yeah, he has great potential. But looking at his relationship with the Sterling family, do you dare to say that he will not leave the Lakers in the future? Is he willing to play here? If this season ends , he only accepted the offer for a one-year short contract. Even if we choose to follow up the offer to keep him, he can only stay for one year. After another season, he will be a completely free agent, and he can go wherever he wants. This year he still has High transaction value, nothing next year. Do you still think I am short-sighted when I look at things this way?"

Kupchak saw through this relationship, so he wanted to trade Ye Feng out.Grizzlies manager Chris Wallace insisted on using Ye Feng as a bargaining chip, but he also had another purpose.

Jackson thought for a while, and could only admit that what Kupchak said made sense.It's only blame that the uniform team underestimated Ye Feng's progress speed, if they start signing with him for three years, they don't have to worry about these things.He would not give up easily, and asked, "Mitch, I'll talk to Ye Feng and ask him what he thinks. If he is willing to stay with the Lakers, are you willing to trade Kobe?"

Kupchak said with a smile: "I can think about it, but Kobe is not willing to be traded away, so it's useless to say anything. I have to think about the team's salary space."

Jackson nodded, he will try to persuade Ye Feng, but the key to the problem is still Kobe.

(End of this chapter)