Jim Bass Ambition

Chapter 399 Produced by the Lakers
The first half of the season is relatively peaceful. For the team, it is necessary to adjust the off-season lineup and evaluate the team based on the record to determine whether the goal of the second half of the season is to compete for the championship, compete for a place in the playoffs, or be poor. To compete for the No. [-] pick, and then adjust the lineup or uniform group according to this goal, carry out targeted reinforcements, or sell potential players and draft picks.

For the fans and the media, from January to the trade deadline, the most interesting thing is to track various trade rumors. All fans fantasize that the home team they support can be like in the game, Make some incredible deals and become the favorites in one fell swoop.

But it's been a tough time for players, especially players whose names are often the subject of trade rumors.They are likely to be sent to another team in another city without any prompting or explanation.Many players were still playing in the first half, only to receive news during the intermission that they had been sent 1000 miles away.

Usually, the team that gets a new player through a trade will have the management pay to book a long-term room in a hotel so that the player has a place to stay, and then wait for the player to find a place in the new city and resettle.

At present, in the Lakers, Odom and Artest are shrouded in rumors. Turning his head to look to the other side, he just didn't see the rookie David Lee and his outstretched hand. This scene was caught by the media and interpreted, and finally became "Odom ignored the rookies in the team, There's an undercurrent going on inside the Lakers."

"It is undeniable that many people play for achievements and good results, but more people play for making more money. Compared with the championship rings that can only be placed in the showcase, the temptation of US dollars is obviously much greater. What, Mitch, what did you play for?" Jim clicked X on ESPN's news page and closed his laptop.

"Me? I just happened to be good at playing. Back then we made a lot less money than today's players, you know..."

"So I have to thank David Stern, yes, although the guy is always calculating, but there is no denying that he has made the impact of the entire league several levels. At this point, we all start from him. There's a benefit there... It's a bit far away, Mitch, you have played ball, when you are in the middle of trade rumors or other messy information, what do you do? What do you think?"

"Some players, they will take this matter as a motivation, because being involved in the trade rumors proves that they are valuable in a certain sense, and they will play harder to show their value, and even in a certain way. To a certain extent, their performance will affect the decision-making of the management; of course, there are also some players who will show an extremely self-conscious attitude when they are troubled by rumors, and they will think, 'Fuck him, anyway, I won't I’m playing here, what does winning or losing have to do with me!’ Such players will definitely affect the chemical reaction, they don’t care about their teammates, but in the final analysis, the entire NBA is a business.” Kupchak said sincerely.

Jim nodded but said nothing.

"So we have always been telling the truth to the players, no matter what the content is, put yourself in their shoes, the players don't want the management to say beautiful things, but do the opposite behind the scenes. 20 years ago, social It’s not as easy for the media, but now, at the first sign of trouble, players can find a lot of stories and answers they want on the Internet,” Kupchak continued.

Jim admits that even in later generations, Kupchak signed those two super junk contracts that can be said to have ruined his reputation in his first life, and it cannot cover up Kupchak's excellent trade negotiation skills, whether it is Paul Garcia For a big deal like Saul, use Cook and Maurice Evans to trade with the Magic to get Ariza, or send Radmanovich to get a small operation like Shannon Brown, or four-way talks to get Germany White Howard only paid the price of a Bynum who hasn't played much since then and two second-round picks. Both first-round picks were eventually kept in the hands of the Lakers.Shot when the shot should be made, never procrastinating, is the style that Kupchak inherited from Jerry West.

Fortunately, I have my own checks now, so that there will be no operations that seem extremely stupid in hindsight.

As for now, if Odom and Artest's state continues to slump, maybe it's time to talk to them.Jim decided to believe in Don Nelson and the adjustment abilities of Artest and Odom. In his impression, these two players still have a strong desire to win.

In the first game of the new year, the Lakers sit at home and face the Utah Jazz, which has completed a transaction some time ago.

It will be the first appearances for the visitors at Staples Center by Anderson Varejao, Kyle Korver and Andris Nocioni.

After joining the Jazz, who was short of major generals, these three players immediately showed a good level.

The Jazz has no reliable players inside. Anderson Varejao quickly became the Jazz's main center. A much-needed addition to the Jazz, he and Deron Williams quickly formed a rapport, making up for Kirilenko and Gerald Wallace's lack of screening ability, allowing Jerry Sloan The pick-and-roll tactics he is good at have been reborn; Kyle Korver has shown top-level shooting ability, which reminds people of the frightening "dead light gun" Jeff Hornersay on the second position of the Jazz 10 years ago As for Andris Nocioni, the Argentine's comprehensive skills and hard-working style of play quickly made up for Matt Harpering's vacancy.

For the Lakers, they sent a few players whose rookie contracts were difficult to renew after the end, in exchange for much-needed inside meat shields and defensive champions. The teams hitting the playoffs have brought a lot of supplements, and it can be said that each takes what they need.

Before the game started, Korver and others deliberately came to the sidelines and chatted with Jim. The general idea was that although Salt Lake City was not as prosperous as Los Angeles, they had a different mentality when they were just traded away. The Jazz quickly entered the rotation, and even started the lineup, which can be regarded as an improvement in their careers.

"I think there's going to be a new catchphrase around the league soon, 'The Lakers make it!'"

(End of this chapter)