Chapter 366 Trading Madman

Latest website: Zhang Liyi commented after the game: "Although the Knicks won, it was not easy to win. The Nets played their own tactical play, both inside lines could open up, and then created opportunities for breakthroughs from the outside. There was a lot of space, and Marbury burst out all over the place and scored 32 points."

Su Qun continued: "Compared with the ability to stretch inside, the Nets are obviously better than the Knicks. Fordson's ability to stretch is not enough, so the Knicks don't have as many opportunities to break through from the outside as the Nets."

Zhang Lianda said: "The Nets' style of play provides the league with a new idea, which is to pull out all the insides, which is very different from today's traditional style of play where the insides sit under the basket.

If it weren't for Zhao Dong's stronger mobility and ability to keep up with Yao, the Knicks might not be able to beat the Nets. The Nets are now fourth in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the digital team, the Knicks, and the Pacers. This is the reason for this internal spacing tactic. "

Su Qun said: "In addition to the tactics of stretching inside, Dayao's low-post offensive tactics are also one of the basic tactics of the Nets now. They account for a large proportion. Therefore, the Nets have a lot of room for tactical choices and can play against different types of teams. .”

Zhang Liyi nodded and said: "Yes, when faced with a strong inside line like O'Neal, the Nets can use a breakout tactic of stretching the inside line and breaking through from the outside line.

If the inside defense is not strong enough for a team, then Yao can make a big profit in the low post. He can now be regarded as a low-post offensive killer. No one can guard against his turnaround and fadeaway jumper! "

At this time, Knicks general manager Neil Grant was racking his brains, considering lineup and transaction issues.

In need of reinforcement inside, he looked at Curt Thomas of the Bulls, a tough defensive inside man who served as a substitute for Oakley and Rasheed Wallace in the Bulls.

After getting it, he can be a substitute, or he can be a starter with Fordson, and let Zhao Dong return to the third position. In this way, only one person can be strengthened to solve two positions.

At the same time, because Zhao Dong returns to the third position, the three guards can take away one of the starters to enrich the bench lineup. It can be said that it kills three birds with one stone and solves three problems at the same time.

But there is a weakness in this plan. The inside combination of Fordson and Kurt Thomas is good defensively, but not offensively.

The third position also needs reinforcements, but he has not found a suitable one. All the small forwards he is interested in cannot be traded, and those who can be traded are marginal players who can make up the numbers, like the John Wallace he currently has.

So the best solution is the one above, but he still wants to look for it. If he can get an inside man who can do both offense and defense,

That would be perfect.

This inside line can defend, attack in the low post, and shoot from a distance. It cannot be like Fordson who cannot be separated from the outside, so that the outside line cannot break through.

Such a player must be a star player, and it is difficult to find him. He has been looking for it for several days but has gained nothing.

The Spurs' Popovich contacted him and wanted to trade Ginobili, but he couldn't offer any decent bargaining chips, just two role players, so he rejected him outright.

The Hawks have a chance to get Mutombo. Although this star center has poor offensive ability, his defense and rebounding are strong enough, and his ability to protect the basket is top-notch. If he can get it, he can partner with Zhao Dong in the paint, one attack and one defense. Even better, Fordson, who is 201 centimeters tall, can definitely play the third position.

But Mutombo's salary is too high, and now the Knicks can't afford it. Although the owner, Mr. Dowland, promised to pay another 10 million in luxury tax, it is only for this season and cannot support Mutombo's subsequent tens of millions. Big contracts.

You must know that after this season, the contracts of Fordson and Stackhouse are over. They are both in their current year. Fordson will still have his second contract, and it will definitely be a big contract. Neither of these two people will be guaranteed next season. I can stay, so I can’t increase the contract load any more.

Grant searched repeatedly in the lineups of all teams and finally found a more suitable candidate, which was Heat small forward Jamal Mashburn.

Although this player has not been selected as an All-Star, he has the ability of an All-Star small forward when he is healthy.

The weakness is that there are a lot of injuries, and few can play a full season. This is a big problem.

The Heat's current lineup has no way out in the Eastern Conference. It is overwhelmed by the Knicks. Now they have strong teams like the Digital Team and the Nets. The Pacers are also performing very well this season. In addition, this year's Mashburn In the contract year, if you can get good bargaining chips, you may choose to trade.

But Grant was unwilling to trade Ginobili. He changed his mind and wanted to keep Ginobili and trade the Madman out.

Although Ginobili is a rookie, he has shown certain potential and strength. His rookie contract is most suitable for the current Knicks.

And Stackhouse, 24 years old, has performed 20+ this season, has good efficiency, and his contract is not large, only about 5 million.

Madman's contract with the Knicks is 52 million over five years. This is only his second season. After Ginobili showed his potential, the Knicks can no longer accommodate such a large contract, so sending him away is the best way.

Moreover, Madman is already 29 years old. It is better to keep Ginobili than to keep him.

"Hey, Pat..."

On the morning of the 2nd, he contacted Pat Riley and inquired about his willingness to trade.

"Sprewell just exchanged for Mashburn?" Pat Riley didn't refuse directly after hearing this.

Mashburn has always been his main small forward. Even when McGrady was traded before, Mashburn was not traded.

But this year is Mashburn's contract year. If the contract cannot be renewed, he will have to let him go, so he also has the desire to trade, as long as the chips are right.

However, after learning about the Madman contract, he rejected the deal.

The Heat's current lineup has clearly lost its championship potential. He has already had ideas to rebuild it, but the Madman is not a suitable candidate and the contract is too big.

Another thing, Pat Riley didn't like this chokehold madman.

Grant was a little disappointed. He wanted to trade Mashburn. His main purpose was to get rid of the Madman's big contract.

Rejected, he tried contacting the Bulls.

But the Bulls also refused, because the Bulls have no shortage of defenders, Tracy McGrady and Mobley are both in this position, and they don't want a big contract from a madman.

After thinking about it, he contacted the SuperSonics and wanted to trade Artest, the rookie selected by the SuperSonics this year.

"Sorry, our head coach doesn't like him."

Unfortunately, the SuperSonics didn't want a chokehold maniac, so they simply refused.

"Shet, are you going to die in your hands?"

Grant was disappointed, but after thinking about it, it wasn't too bad. The Madman's current performance is still good. Although the data has declined a bit, it is a three-back tactic and the shots have decreased. It is not that his ability has declined. Just keep it. Well, let’s talk about it in the offseason next year.

However, he still had to try his best to reach a deal, so he contacted the Western Suns.

This is his last goal. He wants to trade forward Marion, who was just selected by the Suns this year, and Rogers, the backup forward of the Suns. The Knicks are in urgent need of small forwards, both of which are.

One month into his rookie season, rookie Marion came off the bench and showed some potential, averaging 25 minutes per game, 9.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and one block. If he can get it, he can play as a substitute at the third position.

But the rookie missed four games due to injury in the first month of the regular season, leaving him hesitant.

Like Marion, the No. 9 pick in the first round, Rogers was the No. 9 pick in the first round in 1993. He is in the same position as Marion. This season, he averaged 28 minutes, 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 0.6 blocks per game. His strength is still good. Yes, in the Knicks he can play as the main small forward or as a substitute power forward.

In addition, Rogers' annual salary is only US$2 million, and Marion is also a rookie with an annual salary of US$1.55 million. Trading them can save a lot of space.

Then he contacted the Suns and presented a trade plan, one for four, using the Madman to trade forward Rodney Rogers + Marion + Rex Chapman + Kevin Johnson.

The last two are defenders, and they are about to retire. One is 33 years old and the other is 34 years old. They are both seriously injured players. They only have contracts for this season. This is the addition of two matching transactions. I plan to cut him off immediately after the trade.

He has analyzed the Suns' lineup and feels that this trade plan should generate enough interest from the Suns management.

Danny Ainge is the current head coach of the Suns. This is his fourth head coaching season with the Suns. As a member of the Celtics, he is not afraid of crazy people.

He is very clear about the madman's abilities.

The current lineup of the Suns has Clifford Robinson on the inside, who is the team's leading scoring point. Partnered with Tom Gugliotta, the inside strength is pretty good. Nash at point guard has matured and has organizational and offensive capabilities. All are good. If paired with the Madmen, they should be able to form a first-class defense line in the league. Then, with Anfernee Hardaway at forward, this main lineup will be very good. The Suns will have the chance to make the playoffs this season. strength.

"Done!"

The two sides hit it off immediately, and Grant finally completed the deal.

After this transaction, his current consideration for the lineup is Stackhouse + Ginobili on the back line, Zhao Dong + Fordson on the inside, and Marion or Rodney Rogers on the small forward. The main lineup is better than before. Reasonable, maybe a little less scoring ability.

In terms of substitutes, one of Kevin Willis, Gary Trent, Rodney Rogers or Marion is enough inside and on the forward line.

But there is one less madman on the outside, and there are only two substitute marginal defenders, which is a bit weak. Zhao Dong can only be allowed to play a dozen defenders in the substitute lineup.

The madman who was training at the training base was notified that he was traded to the Timberwolves, which felt very unexpected.

"Damn it, I don't want to go to that damn cold place!"

Very frustrated. He won a championship with the Knicks. More importantly, he felt very good here and didn't want to leave at all.

"Boss?"

He looked at Zhao Dong.

Zhao Dong shook his head and said: "The team needs to trade. Don't be stupid like before. Don't talk about you. Even if you trade me one day, I will have to leave."

"knew."

The madman nodded in frustration.

"Remember, Latrell, don't do stupid things like that when you go to another team." Zhao Dong warned.

In Sun City, Shawn Marion, who was also training, was notified by the team that he had been traded to New York. He was a little surprised.

He showed potential in the Suns and entered the team's training sequence. Unexpectedly, he was traded after playing for just one month.

But to his surprise, he was quite satisfied with being traded. Who wouldn't want to play in New York?

Not only does it have the largest ball market in the league, the highest exposure, but there are also championships to win, and then you can hang out with the Feilong boss, and you can also invest with him. Now I heard that Jordan is hanging out with the Feilong. Who in the league doesn't want to follow? Feilong is engaged in investment?

"Ha ha……"

Thinking of the wonderful thing, Marion screamed with excitement.

Sharing his interest was, of course, Rodney Rogers.

As for the two guards who are about to retire, they are not on the team and are still on the injury list.

"Congratulations, Rodney, and Sean." Nash immediately sent congratulations.

"Rodney, rookie, you are lucky to go to New York." Many Suns players said with envy.

The next day, on the morning of the 3rd, Marion and Rogers got on a plane to New York together.

During the afternoon training session, Zhao Dong met two newcomers.

He knew both of these people to a certain extent. Rogers' impression came from the accident when he was paralyzed in a car accident after he retired, and Marion, of course, because of the whirlwind Suns team.

At the same time, Marion is also famous for his ugliness, ranking among the five ugliest in league history.

Among the five ugliest players in this year's draft, there are two. In addition to Marion, there is also Baron Davis, who brings together the five ugliest players in the league.

"Boss."

Whether it is Rogers or rookie Marion, they are all respectful when meeting Zhao Dong, even more respectful than meeting the team owner.

Zhao Dong talked about the rules of the locker room, and then said: "When you play here, you must try your best. Every time you attack or defend, you must do your best. You can't be lazy on the defensive end. Do you understand?"

"Understood, boss." The two said quickly.

Nelson thought about the lineup and decided to let Marion start at small forward and Rogers as a substitute.

That night, Marion and Rogers entered the roster and participated in the home game against the Eagles.

Marion was very excited. He didn't expect that a rookie like him would enter the starting lineup of a championship team like the Knicks. He was so lucky.

Rodgers, although not starting, can accept it because he has injuries.

Except for his rookie season, he was a starter for the Nuggets and Clippers in the past few seasons. However, he was injured in the last shortened season and his strength declined significantly. Therefore, he withdrew from the Clippers' main lineup and was then traded.

For the use of Zhao Dong, because there is one less crazy man in the back line, Nelson decided to be more flexible. Against some teams that are not strong enough inside, he can let Zhao Dong play as a guard and Ginobili as a substitute, so as to rotate the guards. will be better.

With the addition of Rogers and Marion, the Knicks have basically solved their lineup problems.

After winning two away games, the Knicks faced the challenge of the digital team at home on the 9th.

The last time they lost in an away game, not only did they lose first place in the Eastern Conference, Zhao Dong also lost his first place in the MVP rankings. This time at home, of course the Knicks have to win back. The whole team has the same idea.

At 8 p.m., the two teams announced their starting lineups.

Numbers Team: Leo Ratliff, Karl Malone, George Lynch, Allen Iverson, Eric Snow

Knicks: Zhao Dong, Fordson, Marion, Stackhouse, Ginobili

In the TNT live broadcast booth, Bill Walton laughed and said: "Old Nelson really dared to use people. As soon as the rookie Marion arrived in the Knicks, he was put into the starting lineup.

But this rookie's performance is not bad. He has a very good front-up cutting ability and is good at sudden shots. His sudden dunks are very entertaining. At the same time, he is also good at mid-range and long-range shots, with a hit rate of over 40%.

The weakness is that he has not yet developed three-pointers, and at the same time he has insufficient confrontation ability and a weak ability to attack with the ball. He is destined to be unable to become the core of a team's offense.

In addition, he also works very hard on the defensive end, often rushing into the paint area to help defend. "

Matt smiled and said: "In the regular season, with Nelson's habit of boldly recruiting new players, Marion must be allowed to play and train the new players. Maybe they can be used in the playoffs.

After all, after Rogers was seriously injured, his strength and potential were no longer able to serve as the main forward of a championship-level team. He was only a substitute forward in a third-rate team like the Suns, let alone the Knicks? "

Bill Walton laughed: "This one-for-four exchange between the Knicks and the Suns is a win-win deal. The Suns got rid of two veterans who were on the injury list and strengthened All-Star level guards. The Knicks Si has strengthened his forwards and at the same time got rid of the madman's tens of millions of big contracts, which has saved wages."

Matt said: "The Suns have become more competitive, and there should be no problem reaching the playoffs this season. As for the Knicks, the back line has been weakened, but they have strengthened their forwards and their main lineup is more reasonable. At the same time, the substitute lineup is also richer.

In addition, Ginobili and Marion, two rookies, can be used by the Knicks at a low cost for several years, saving space and creating conditions for renewing Fordson and Stackhouse next season. "

In this game, the Knicks finally defeated the numbers team.

The Knicks have the same record of 17 wins and 4 losses as the Digital Team. With the same record, the Knicks surpassed the Digital Team and ranked first in the Eastern Conference and first in the league because of their total points difference.

This season, the competition in the Atlantic Division is very fierce. The Knicks, the Digital Team, and the Nets are the three strong teams ranked first, second, and fourth in the Eastern Conference. If they enter the playoffs, according to the playoff ranking rules, among the three teams Only the Atlantic Division champion enters the top three. Even if the other two teams enter the top three in record, they cannot enter the top three in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

After losing to the Knicks, the Digital Team traveled to New Jersey overnight to challenge the Nets back-to-back.

Zhao Dong specially watched this game. He wanted to see how Dayao would perform against the inside combination of Karl Malone and Leo Ratliff.

The result was very good. Malone and Ratliff could not guard against Yao. Yao scored 27 points, shot 52% from the field, grabbed 11 rebounds, and made 3 blocks.

Under Dayao's outstanding performance, the Digital Team suffered two consecutive losses, 17 wins and 5 losses, half a game behind the Knicks.