Junior Basketball says

Chapter 202 Consensus

Since he was replaced shortly after the start of the first quarter, Jefferson only got 12 minutes of playing time in the next game, which is very different from his treatment of more than 30 minutes in the previous three games.And to Jefferson's embarrassment, the Timberwolves eventually beat the Clippers 100-93 to exit the Staples Center.

In other words, the team's first win of the season has little to do with him. He spent most of the time sitting on the bench as a melon-eating crowd, and McHale didn't let him fight his opponent at the last minute. debut.This also made Jefferson a little uneasy. He seemed to go from the team's starting center to the dispensable one at the end of the bench.

McHale also noticed the change in Jefferson's mentality, but he couldn't help it. The reality is that the Timberwolves don't need a player like Jefferson in the starting lineup, maybe even the bench.Instead of continuing to let Jefferson waste time in Minnesota, it is better to send him to a team that is more suitable for him to play, and exchange for players that are more suitable for the Timberwolves, which can be regarded as a win-win situation.

The next game is one day later on November 11th, and the Timberwolves will have two consecutive home games. McHale has time to discuss this matter with Kahn.Before Kahn agreed to inquire about the price from other teams, he did not intend to communicate with Jefferson in advance. If Kahn ultimately opposed trading Jefferson, McHale would be very embarrassed.

After returning to Minneapolis, McHale held a meeting with Kahn immediately, and he explained his findings and ideas to Kahn in detail. His brows were furrowed, thoughtful.

When McHale stopped to drink water, Kahn said slowly: "Are you sure this is entirely a problem with Al's playing style? He is a very talented inside player, and his ability to attack inside is what we all know." needs……"

McHale shrugged: "I know, his footwork around the basket is amazing even to me, but the Timberwolves don't need such a traditional insider. I hope the team can become more impactful, conduct more and run more. , Al is obviously not suitable."

Kahn still wants to save it. After all, Jefferson was sent to Minnesota in the Garnett trade. It seems a bit of a disadvantage to send him out like this. Moreover, Jefferson's data is still good, so it is not suitable to use it as a substitute. no.

However, no matter what he said, McHale still insisted on his own judgment.Of course, it is not impossible to put Jefferson on the bench, but it will affect his career, and it will be difficult for the team to maintain the same style throughout the game.So in McHale's view, taking advantage of Jefferson's good average per game is the right choice to take advantage of the opportunity.

In the end, Kahn was persuaded, but he also said that he should not be in a hurry. He needs to listen to other teams' offers. Eagerly preparing to throw Jefferson out will only give potential trading partners a chance to lower the price, which is not conducive to the team's acquisition nice return.

McHale has no objection in this regard, and he also hopes that the team can use Jefferson in exchange for better players to further improve the overall strength.If it's some junk or a future second-round pick or something, the trade is worthless.

After reaching an agreement with Kahn, McHale began to prepare energetically for the next game against the Celtics. He planned to use a new starting lineup in this game, so that the Timberwolves might have a chance to compete with the Celtics.

When McHale announced the starting lineup for this game in the locker room before the game, almost everyone turned their attention to Jefferson, and the latter's face became a little ugly.But he didn't say anything, just silently accepted the head coach's arrangement, which also relieved McHale, who had planned to spend a lot of effort to persuade him, and he could only say sorry in his heart.

This season's Celtics are still dominated by the Big Three, and they have added "Roaring God" Wallace, who once won the championship with the Pistons, to their bench. The overall strength of the team has been further improved.But the Big Three are strong, and their physical functions gradually decline with age. What they are most afraid of is the kind of team that rushes and beats unreasonably. The Timberwolves put Ellington in the starting lineup just right. In line with this, they are least afraid of running back and forth on the court.

The Celtics, who are mainly veterans, did not expect to encounter a group of lunatics here. The Timberwolves did not want to settle down and fight with them. They kept running, running, and running throughout the game. The guys are exhausted.Rondo, the only young man on the team, is not a player who is good at scoring. This Eastern powerhouse has been suppressed by opponents.

From the first minute of the game to the last moment, the Celtics were in a lagging position. They were always beaten by the Timberwolves. This result was something that no one expected before the game. The Western Conference's belly could actually do it. Defeated the mighty Eastern Conference.

It was after this game that Kahn really recognized McHale's statement. As a young team, the Timberwolves must maintain their impact at all times. Jefferson's stern ball-handling singles in the interior is not suitable for the team's style.However, he also asked McHale to replace Jefferson at the right time, at least not to make his data look too ugly.

If Jefferson is left on the bench all of a sudden, the team's rotation is very likely to have holes, and the decline in data will reduce his transaction value, which is not conducive to negotiating transactions with other teams.McHale expressed his understanding, but it was basically not normal for Jefferson to play against the Celtics. He didn't want to see Jefferson being blown up by Garnett in the paint.

The day after the game, McHale approached Jefferson privately to inform him of the team's decision.Jefferson was very disappointed about this. He still likes the atmosphere in the Timberwolves team and is willing to grow up with this young team.Being removed from the starting lineup has actually given Jefferson some bad premonitions, but now he still feels a little unacceptable.

McHale said earnestly: "Al, you also saw the team's performance against the Celtics. You are not good enough, but your style is not suitable for the future development direction of the team. I hope the Timberwolves play You play fast-paced basketball, and you're better at grinding down opponents in positional battles. Staying here won't get you any further, and it might hinder your growth. So I hope you can understand, go to other balls The team, whether it's for you or for the Timberwolves, is a good thing."

(End of this chapter)