Jim Bass Ambition

Chapter 125 Plan
Ben Wallace was born on September 1974, 9 and will be 10 years old next season.

This season, under the fast-paced offense and defense of the Lakers, Ben Wallace reached the peak of his career. Even if the team has a rebounder like Garnett, he can still grab an average of 14.1 rebounds per game, including 5.2 offensive rebounds. as many as one.This is the first time anyone has achieved this achievement since Dennis Rodman in the 97-98 season, and the average of 3.5 blocks and 1.4 steals per game adds weight to his competition for the best defensive player .

As an undrafted player, Ben Wallace has made extraordinary achievements. The premium contract signed to sign Grant Hill back then seems so worth it now.But as a short insider who relies on explosive power to make a living, as he grows older and his physical fitness declines, the speed of decline will also be very rapid.Even legendary insiders as strong as prophet Moses Malone and bone crusher Wes Unseld are no exception.

Therefore, after the end of next season, it will be the best and last chance for Ben Wallace to sign a high-paying long-term contract.

Kupchak understands this.

"So, Jim, what's your plan?"

"With the current salary rules, it is impossible for a team to have three maximum salary contracts. What do you think we should do?"

"We can try to persuade them to accept the salary reduction contract. If we can win the championship this year, I believe they will not refuse the temptation to build a dynasty." Kupchak came up with an idea.

"If we can still win the championship this year, do you think they will still value the championship ring so much in the face of the high-priced contracts offered by other teams? For many people, one or two rings is enough, but Of course, the more dollars, the better." Jim obviously has a different view on this.

"Then what? Are we doing nothing?"

Jim picks up a slice of pizza and walks around the office while eating.

Jim didn't stop until Kupchak had a tendency to go crazy, and said: "You are right, Mitch, you continue to keep in touch with the player agent who expires this year and next year, and explain our team building ideas, see Who is willing to accept our offer, I think there will always be one or two people who are willing."

"That's it?" Kupchak raised his eyebrows.

"Horace Grant and Tim Thomas are definitely not going to renew their contracts. They are in their current state. Retirement is a better option. Remember what I just said, the reverse is also true, for some people. Say, they have earned enough dollars, but they need a championship ring." Jim wrote a few names on a piece of paper and handed it to Kupchak.

Kupchak frowned, realizing that things were not simple.

"You wouldn't think Larry Bird was really kind enough to put Brad Miller and Ron Artest in a deal that he thought we'd only get for a year. It’s just the right to use it, but just this year’s right to use it is enough for us to do something. Listen to Mitch, I have a plan..." Jim moved the salary slip and draft report on the table aside, and took a A blank piece of paper with names listed on it.

After reading it, Kupchak has only one thought.

"The next three months will be very busy."

The first game of the Western Conference semifinals between the Lakers and the Spurs went on as scheduled.

Unlike the first round of open and closed matches, both sides are very familiar with each other, and the game has entered a hand-to-hand strangulation battle from the first minute.

Duncan is no longer fighting alone like last season. The old admiral put aside his almost grand slam honor and did the dirty work without complaint. Blocking, covering, and rebounding allowed Duncan to have more energy Putting it into the offensive end, the sharp breakthroughs of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili on the outside, the defense of rookie Tayshaun Prince and the cold arrow three-pointer all gave Shifo a lot of help.

Studies have shown that basket attack and three-point shooting are relatively efficient offensive methods, while mid-range is relatively inefficient because of the shooting rate.

The Spurs' conventional defensive strategy is also very simple. With two towers on the inside, especially Duncan's terrifying ability to protect the frame, the Spurs are hardly afraid of any team attacking the inside. As for the small players, their task is to block the opponent's three-pointer. Drive opponents to the paint where Duncan is, or force them to take less efficient mid-range shots.

But the Lakers have a well-deserved Spurs killer - Kobe Bryant.

Every time the Lakers and the Spurs confront each other, Kobe's precise mid-range shots will become a thorn in Popovich's heart.

This time, Popovich directly dispatched Prince to guard Kobe and asked Ginobili to defend Artest. He made up his mind that he would rather let Artest play in the low post than let Kobe do whatever he wanted. CIC.

Although he is only a rookie, after a season of training, Prince's defense is unexpectedly mature. As a small forward, he has an amazing wingspan of 2 meters.When Kobe doesn't have the ball, Prince will stick close to Kobe, constantly creating physical contact, waving his long arms to block the passing route, and when Kobe holds the ball, he mainly blocks Kobe's shooting, leaving the breakthrough route to the basket. The twin towers that can be filled at any time.

Judging from the first quarter, the Spurs' tactics have achieved certain results. Kobe only took 4 shots and hit 2 goals. On the contrary, Artest got 5 shots, but only hit one of them.

But on the offensive end, the Spurs have nothing to do with the Lakers who also have a strong defense. Tony Parker may be able to suppress Billups in terms of speed, but his poor three-point shooting has become the biggest weakness. The two-step defensive approach made Parker very embarrassed. After trying two three-pointers, he honestly began to use the pick-and-roll to break through.

Duncan is undoubtedly the focus of the Lakers' defense, and Garnett has done his part to act as the first line of defense.

Although the wolf king's wingspan of 2 meters is amazing enough, Shifo's 26 meters is even better.

Compared with Garnett, although Duncan is slightly less flexible, he has an overall advantage in strength and size.

All Garnett did was to defend the ball first, and then try to interfere with Duncan to prevent him from easily attacking the basket.

Ben Wallace acts as the second line of defense. Once Duncan forces his way to the basket, he will immediately make up the defense, and Artest will quickly recover to prevent Duncan from passing the ball to David Robinson and form an easy score. .

Under such a defensive strategy, Prince became the one who was emptied and got a lot of open shots. Unfortunately, his three-point shooting rate was not reliable, and he only made 4 of 1 shots.

The sound of iron strikes, roars, muscle collisions and referee whistles came and went one after another. At the end of the first half, the Lakers temporarily led 46 to 41, and both sides shot less than [-]%.

Obviously this series can't be beautiful basketball.

　Thank you for your support and recommendation~
　　


(End of this chapter)