Washington, the same coffee shop again.

After only chatting for half an hour, Wang Shuo and D'Antoni felt like they had met each other at a late date.

The two of them talked in a congenial manner and had many ideas that resonated with each other.

The two talked about various offensive details from the tactical framework. Wang Shuo used a few pieces of chocolate he had just bought this morning as chess pieces, and the table in front of him and D'Antoni as a chessboard to lay out a lot of his special plans for D'Antoni.

Offensive routine designed for the Wizards.

"Here, why don't we add another pick-and-roll near the baseline?" D'Antoni asked, already fascinated.

"Indeed, if we add another pick-and-roll here, as soon as the inside player in the middle follows up, we will have a chance to face the opponent's basket directly." Wang Shuo, who was inspired by D'Antoni, replied after thinking for a while.

Basketball tactics are ever-changing, but they are ultimately inseparable from the pick-and-roll.

As the saying goes, if you play well in the pick-and-roll, you won't have any trouble attacking.

In the new season, whether they are trying to help Boss Joe sit in the low post or using three-pointers from the outside to open up space, the Wizards must rely on a large number of off-ball pick-and-rolls when attacking.

In D'Antoni's view, although Wang Shuo's approach is wild, as long as there are players suitable for this set of tactics, this wild approach will definitely open the eyes of his colleagues.

"This offensive tactic of yours must have an inside man who can support you in the center. Do you have a suitable candidate?" D'Antoni has watched the Wizards' games this season, and he is convinced that there is currently no such person in the Wizards team.

An inside player who can shoulder such a heavy responsibility.

Wang Shuo nodded, "As long as the results of the draft lottery are good, I will definitely find a way to get the management to choose Pau Gasol."

Hearing this, D'Antoni's eyes suddenly lit up.

Unlike most American coaches, because he coached in Italy in his early years and D'Antoni himself is Italian-American, in addition to the NBA, D'Antoni has always paid attention to European basketball.

"I have watched his game, and he has a very high basketball IQ, flexible pace, and soft touch. If we can select him and let him strengthen his three-point ability at the top of the arc and two bottom corners, he can adapt to the NBA's three-point shooting in advance.

Line, he will definitely be able to make a big difference." D'Antoni said excitedly.

As expected, the heroes saw the same thing.

In Wang Shuo's view, it is a pity that Gasol's future three-point ability will not be developed until later in his career.

In fact, in Wang Shuo's eyes, whether it is Gasol or Yao, who will enter the NBA next year, his playing style can be slightly optimized.

They don't need to shoot a lot of three-pointers in games like real shooters or "soft emperor" Embiid, because seven-footers like Gasol and Dayao take too many three-pointers.

Many problems will arise.

However, Wang Shuo seemed to think that there was no problem with occasionally sneaking in one or two shots, and if he hit, he would save his energy, and if he didn't hit, he would retreat quickly.

So, now is the time to bring Boss Qiao, the biggest gambler, to the gaming table, and have a thorough game!

After this cheerful chat with D'Antoni, the Wizards management quickly completed the signing process with him.

The annual salary of US$500,000 is not high for D'Antoni, who already has certain qualifications. The main reason is that D'Antoni did not bargain much, because for D'Antoni, who is in the settling period, what he values ​​​​more is the upcoming salary.

This experience of working with Wang Shuo.

He is optimistic about the tactical framework that Wang Shuo has designed for the Wizards, and sincerely feels that Wang Shuo can definitely make a difference in the NBA, so he is willing to make certain concessions in terms of personal treatment.

As for why the Wizards only offered D'Antoni an annual salary of $500,000...

In fact, it’s no wonder that the Wizards’ management is stingy.

Because your head coach’s annual salary is only US$1 million, you can’t let the assistant coach’s salary be higher than the head coach’s salary, right? (Note 1)

Moreover, from the perspective of Wizards management, Boss Qiao’s face accounts for half of Wang Shuo’s annual salary of US$1 million.

…

On the 10th, as the NBA playoffs of the 2000/01 season gradually heated up, the Wizards management also drafted a trial training list and asked Wang Shuo if there were any players he liked and wanted to add to the list.

players.

Generally speaking, from April to May every year, after the draft roster is officially announced, most NBA teams will invite their favorite players for individual trials.

Of course, before the results of the draft lottery are officially released, in addition to the teams that are already determined not to get high picks, teams that are likely to get high picks will first invite players whose draft prospects are not promising for individual trials.

.

Because for teams that are likely to get high picks, especially the top three picks, they don't need to carry out so many calculations and intrigues in the draft.

Just like the 2003 draft, before the draft lottery ceremony came out, do you think LeBron James might fly around most of the United States to participate in workouts with various NBA teams?

After the draft lottery results came out, since the Cavaliers directly revealed their cards, other teams would not go out of their way to invite James for a trial training.

Therefore, the majority of the trial training list drafted for Wang Shuo by the Wizards management headed by Unseld are players who are not optimistic about the draft market predictions.

Wang Shuo had no objections to this list, but at the end of the phone call with Unseld, he hoped to add a player's name to this draft list.

"No problem, I will ask my assistant to contact his agent later. Oh, by the way, when do you want to arrange the trial training?" Because Wang Shuo's request was not excessive, Unseld did not

reject.

"As soon as possible, because we still have a lot of work to do next." Wang Shuo replied.

About two hours later, Unseld called again and formally determined the trial training time with Wang Shuo.

As a result, Wang Shuo immediately dialed Boss Qiao's mobile phone number as soon as he hung up the call with Unseld.

But compared to Boss Qiao, who regarded him as his little brother a few days ago, the "old gangster" he is today not only has an impatient tone, but also has a very bad attitude.

have to.

Wang Shuo counted with his fingers and guessed that Boss Qiao was probably engaged in "charity" again.

But no matter whether Jordan is impatient or not, Wang Shuo must bring him to his gambling table first.

"Michael, do you remember that rookie I mentioned to you before?" Wang Shuo, who was not intimidated by Jordan's impatient attitude, said with a smile.

"What's wrong?" After calming down for a few seconds, Jordan suddenly remembered that he would make a comeback in a few months and gradually calmed down.

"On the 15th of this month, he will come to participate in our trial training. I hope you can come to the trial training site by then." Wang Shuo said.

Jordan: "..."

no!

Dude, I'm spending millions of dollars this second. Why did you call me specifically for such a trivial matter?

On the phone, just as Jordan was about to blurt out "I don't have time," Wang Shuo interrupted him, "I heard someone say that he grew up watching your games and chose to play basketball because of you.

I think if I can see the first man in basketball history and the only eternal legend in the NBA in this trial, he will definitely be able to give his best performance and show his true strength."

hiss!

Tsk!

The first person in basketball history.

NBA's only eternal legend.

snort!

Do you think I, Michael Jordan, am the kind of person who likes people to suck up to me?

USA, Las Vegas. After hanging up the phone with Wang Shuo, he put on his sunglasses and suit and looked at his lover beside him. Jordan's expression suddenly became serious, "I'll have a cruise party in Miami in two days."

I won’t go.”

The lover was a little puzzled and said: "Why, didn't we agree?"

Jordan said sternly: "I have more important things to do."

The lover was puzzled and said: "What can be more important than our good time?"

Jordan pulled his collar, pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, and said, "The NBA needs me."

The lover felt aggrieved and said: "But you have already retired."

Jordan smiled and said: "So, now, the NBA's only eternal legend is going back."

What an international joke!

Does Jordan care about others flattering him?

What he clearly cares about is that as the top senior in basketball, if he doesn't go, the young player who is going to try out will be disappointed, thus affecting his future development.

look......

He, Michael Jordan, is so senior and amiable.

i’m back!

Get ready for cheers and applause, NBA!

…

On the morning of the 15th.

Wang Shuo, who took a special look at the almanac before going out, was almost frightened by the words "Everything is not appropriate" on the calendar.

But after calming down, Wang Shuo forgot these four words.

Because as we all know, feudal superstition is very harmful to people.

Hehe, what a joke, in China, if you are useful, you are the Dragon King, but if you are not, your temple will be demolished!

Therefore, what does it mean that everything is inappropriate?

In Wang Shuo's opinion, everything is clearly going well today!

Arriving at the Wizards' training facility on time, Wang Shuo found that after greeting everyone, many players had already begun to warm up on the court. When he turned his eyes, he noticed the player he had temporarily added to today's trial list.

As a young man, he knew...

Now.

now.

In this bet called "Betting on the Wizards' Luck," he has already put his first chip, Gilbert Arenas, on the table.
Chapter completed!