one-handed ball

Chapter 252 Iverson joins

The Timberwolves' lineup is a bit large. After Pekovic is finalized, there are a total of 14 players with guaranteed contracts.In the new season, the competition within the Timberwolves is bound to become more intense.

Zheng Ke, as the only core in the team and the signature character of the team, will definitely appear at the starting small forward position. His playing time is probably within 35 minutes to 40 minutes. Then his substitute, Mike Miller, Ke The trio of Brewer and Omi Casspi will compete for the remaining minutes, and even more, at shooting guard and power forward.

There are a lot of rookies in the Timberwolves. After the summer league, McHale signed all the rookies in one go, including Ty Lawson, Marcus Thornton, Omi Casspi, Ty Gibson and Nicola Payne. Kovic.

Many people in the outside world said that McHale was crazy. As the team that won the championship last season, the Timberwolves only needed to exchange for some experienced veterans to ensure their ability to win the championship. There was no need to sign so many rookies. With the excellent performance of the Timberwolves, many veterans who have never tasted the championship have expressed their interest in joining the Timberwolves.Among them is the veteran Allen Iverson who was unsatisfactory with the Pistons last season.

In other words, the Timberwolves don't have the energy to train young players at all now, they only need old fritters to escort them.

The problem is that McHale also wanted to trade, but he couldn't find a suitable target. He originally had his eye on Tyson Chandler of the Hornets, but was preempted by the Bobcats.

Today, a group of rookies can't attract the attention of other teams at all. What they want more is Randy Foye, who is a famous player with experience in the finals like McMiller.

In mid-August, the Bulls made an offer to the Timberwolves. They were willing to send the team's backup center Brad Miller to the Timberwolves' Randy Foye and Tai Gibson.

This made McHale a little tangled. Although Brad Miller is 33 years old, he was still able to contribute 27 points and 11.8 rebounds in 7.4 minutes per game in the Bulls last season. It is a good addition to the Timberwolves' bench lineup.

Brad Miller still has one year left on his contract. It is undeniable that his coquettish small mid-range shot still makes him very popular in the NBA. For such a player, McMiller very much hopes to get it.The only concern is his recovery from injuries and his ability to maintain his form at an advanced age.

The Bulls want to send Miller away because they already have young and good big men like Joakim Noah and Aaron Gray on their team. Yeah it fits their needs perfectly.

McHale was unwilling to send Gibson away. In the summer league, Gibson's performance left a deep impression on people. His passionate dunks and outstanding offensive rebound awareness made McHale very happy. The biggest gain in the draft, so when it comes to Gibson, McHale is like a cat whose tail is stepped on.

Two days later, the official announcement of the Timberwolves and Bulls trade.

The Timberwolves sent Randy Foye, Omi Casspi and next year's first-round pick to the Bulls for Brad Miller.

After this deal, the Timberwolves cleaned up the team's somewhat cumbersome perimeter and got an experienced veteran. And most importantly, this veteran has only one year left on his contract. If the performance is not good, next year the Timberwolves can Free up a lot of cap space.

When Zheng Ke heard the news, it was already noon the next day.

He was silent. For Randy Foye, after all, they were brothers who fought bloody battles together.Although Randy Foye struggled in the playoffs, he is a truly capable person and has made great contributions to the team.McHale's seeking a deal was something he had known for a long time, and he had expected to take Randy Foye for surgery, but when this moment came, Zheng Ke still had a lot of reluctance in his heart.

Billups summoned Love, Zheng Ke, Anderson and others, and everyone did a pre-departure practice for Randy Foye.

Foye was very open-minded. He said with a smile: "I'm used to it. This is the NBA. Don't blame the coaches. This year we selected many young and potential rookies in the draft. I’m ready. In fact, the Bulls are not bad, and Chicago is a big city, so don’t worry about me.”

Zheng Ke didn't speak, but patted Foye on the shoulder vigorously.And Love has a look of reluctance. Among the Timberwolves, he and Randy Foye are the best at playing. Foye's departure made him feel the cruelty of the NBA for the first time, just like Zheng Ke's farewell. gomez.

After August, the Timberwolves announced the team training plan for the new season. In the next month, that is, at the beginning of October, the Timberwolves will start the new season training, and the preseason games are also included in the training plan.

Iverson found Zheng Ke's phone number. He hoped to join the Timberwolves, so he came to Minnesota.

The two met in a well-known local coffee shop in Minnesota. This is the first time Zheng Ke has seen Iverson since he played against the Pistons last season.

The two met and hugged, and after exchanging pleasantries, they sat down.

Looking at Zheng Ke who is now in high spirits, Iverson sighed endlessly: "The first time I saw you was two years ago."

"Well, yes," Zheng Ke's thoughts also flew back to the days when he was just reborn.

Iverson showed a playful smile and said, "Zheng, you were taught a lot by Cameron back then. I remember how many points Cameron scored in that game, 30 points or 40 points?"

"Haha, that's right." Zheng Ke smiled nonchalantly: "I just entered the alliance at the beginning, but I was so unlucky to meet you fierce people."

The two looked at each other and laughed at the same time.

Iverson shook his head, showing an unbelievable tone: "I didn't expect you to grow up so fast. To be honest, I didn't expect you to grow to this point."

"That's right," Zheng Ke generously admitted, teasing himself: "After all, no matter what aspect, talent, or appearance, I didn't have the appearance of a superstar."

"Haha." Iverson laughed: "You are really different from Yao Ming."

Zheng Ke said with a smile: "I am slightly more handsome than him."

"Haha." Ivor laughed even louder.

Zheng Ke smiled for a while, then his expression became serious, and said: "To be honest, Alan, I understand what you need very well. I'm just a lucky brat. If you were in my position, I think you would definitely do better."

Zheng Ke said these words from the bottom of his heart, and Iverson's career is ill-fated.When the 76ers reached their peak, he met the "OK" combination of the Lakers who was also at their peak. Unlike Zheng Ke, he rushed all the way to the finals and won the championship with almost no obstacles.

Hearing what Zheng Ke said, Iverson was still very happy, but after going through so much and having such an unpleasant season with the Pistons, he has taken a lot of things into account, and now he just wants to get something With a championship ring, he just wants to prove himself again in his own way.

"You are already great enough, why?" Zheng Ke asked with some incomprehension.

Iverson smiled lightly, and his lonely eyes showed his tenacious and firm basketball path: "I am eager to win, I want to engrave my name on the O'Brien Cup, I want to wear the championship banner, I want to wear the championship ring that represents the highest honor for a player, isn't that enough?"

Zheng Ke was shocked by this series of "I think". He is different from Iverson. Iverson pursues the honor of a basketball player, while Zheng Ke pursues the ultimate strength. Zheng Ke wants to become the strongest ever Basketball player, and winning these honors is to prove his strength.Although he also likes these honors, what he wants to hear more is "how powerful Zheng Ke is."

"I know that now the Timberwolves are all centered on you. What you say is more important than everything. As long as you nod, Kevin McHale will naturally not object. You are now the king of Minnesota, just like James in Cleveland. Like when I was in Philadelphia," Iverson said.

Whether to introduce Iverson?
If it was Glenn Taylor, the owner of the Timberwolves, I'm afraid he would keep nodding his head. After all, Iverson means box office, popularity, and dollars.If it's McHale, I'm afraid he will think it over carefully. Iverson's personality is too independent. Does his style of play match the Timberwolves?How much status does he have?
And now Iverson wants Zheng Ke to express his position. Objectively speaking, the Timberwolves do not lack outside players, but from the bottom of his heart, Zheng Ke hopes that Ivers will join, not because of sympathy, but because Zheng Ke hopes to offer Iverson Learn some offensive techniques.

Since entering the league, Zheng Ke has been groping and developing offensive skills by himself.Although Billups has excellent offensive ability, he is not suitable for Zheng Ke to use. Zheng Ke learned more about rhythm control from Billups.And how can other players' offensive methods compare with Iverson's?
He thought for a long time, and finally nodded his head heavily.

"I think we can try it together."

(End of this chapter)