"If you really want to compete for the championship, then I will briefly analyze what changes the Rockets need to make."
Mark Jackson flipped through his notebook and said.
After receiving a call from Shen Fei yesterday, he began to study the Rockets' lineup.
Although it was unclear at the time what goals Shen Fei wanted him to achieve, Mark Jackson had already made a detailed analysis on how to improve the Rockets' strength.
Shen Fei nodded, as if he was all ears.
"Looking at the current lineup, the team's biggest problem is that there are too many functional players and a lack of top talent."
"In the starting lineup, Aaron Brooks, Kevin Martin, and Luis Scola are all strong offensive and defensive players; Yao Ming in the inside is both offensive and defensive, but his lateral speed is slow."
"In other words, except for Sean Battier at the small forward position, the defensive abilities of the starters are very average."
"On the other hand, Courtney Lee, Chuck Hayes, and your newly introduced Tony Allen among the substitutes are all good defensively, but their offensive ability is insufficient."
"I don't know much about the situation of the four rookies, as well as McGrady and Tucker, so I won't talk about it for now."
Mark Jackson analyzed it one by one.
Shen Fei nodded after hearing this.
What Mark Jackson said makes sense.
The Rockets' current lineup can be summed up in one sentence - if you can attack, you can't defend, and if you can defend, you can't attack!
The flaws in the lineup are the reason why the Rockets have been on the edge of the playoffs in the past two years.
"Actually, the Rockets have a natural advantage in competing for the championship, and that is having a center like Yao Ming!"
"This year the Heat have formed a Big Three, and they are definitely the most powerful contenders for the championship. One of their main players, James, has a major weakness, which is that he is easily restricted by tall centers."
"As long as Yao Ming can stay healthy, the paint guarded by him can greatly restrict James from hitting the basket and force him to take more outside shots."
"So, if we want to compete for the championship, I think we need to introduce at least one super star and some players with both offense and defense."
Mark Jackson suggested.
Shen Fei smiled slightly when he heard this.
Super star?
If McGrady can be restored to the level he was seven years ago, he can definitely fill this role.
As for players who are both offensive and defensive, Paul George definitely counts as one.
Of course, Shen Fei will continue to strengthen through transactions in the future and find more suitable players.
"Don't worry, I said, I will provide everything you need."
Shen Fei vowed emphatically.
As he spoke, he stood up and stretched out his right hand.
Mark Jackson saw the other party's confident look and chose to believe it.
As a result, he stood up excitedly, held Shen Fei's hand with both hands, and said excitedly: "Happy cooperation!"
"Let's make history together!"
Shen Fei said with a smile.
The two signed a contract on the spot in the restaurant, and Mark Jackson officially became the Rockets' new coach.
............
Early the next morning, all the Rockets players came to the Toyota Center Arena to prepare for the upcoming new season.
However, due to Adelman's sudden departure, the Rockets were still without a head coach at this time, and assistant coach Lucas temporarily took on the task of organizing training.
At this time, on the court, the players were warming up in twos and threes.
"Yao, do you feel that you have been training particularly well recently?"
Little Steel Cannon-Kyle Lowry asked.
He has a baby face and likes to laugh, giving him a warm and innocent feeling.
"I also have this feeling!"
Dayao responded with a smile.
Recently, he has reduced the amount of training in accordance with Shen Fei's requirements and only practices fixed-point three-pointers every day with his assistant.
What makes Yao Ming feel strange is that he only practices for about an hour every day, but the results are extraordinary!
In the past half month, his three-point shooting level has improved a lot, and now he can stabilize his shooting rate at more than 80% when no one is guarding him.
You know, Yao Ming only recently started seriously training three-pointers!
The effect of this training is already terrifying!
"It used to take at least a week to practice a footwork from unfamiliarity to proficiency to mastery, but now it can be done in one day!"
"Yao, do you think I'm enlightened? Hahaha?"
Lori asked with a smile.
The two were chatting happily when the door to the arena suddenly opened.
Shen Fei appeared in front of everyone with a middle-aged man.
Everyone looked over in unison.
Shen Fei often comes to observe training during this period, and everyone is familiar with it, but who is the middle-aged man next to him?
"Hey, isn't this Mark Jackson? He was my teammate back then."
Yao Ming said in surprise.
But Jackson has retired a long time ago, and now he appears in the arena again. Could it be...
"Let me introduce to you, this is Mark Jackson, the team's new coach."
Shen Fei introduced with a smile.
"Pa bang bang~"
The Rockets generals applauded and expressed their welcome.
Mark Jackson smiled and nodded to everyone as a greeting.
"Next, everyone must cooperate with Mark's work and train hard according to his requirements."
Shen Fei gave serious instructions.
Everyone nodded.
"Okay, then I'll leave this place to you. If you need anything, please feel free to contact me."
Shen Fei turned to Mark Jackson and said.
After that, he left the arena.
After settling the coaching matter, Shen Fei returned to the office in a happy mood.
The next goal is to wait until the first game of the summer league is over and bring Griffin back to Houston!
............
After Shen Fei left, Mark Jackson immediately started training for the first time in his coaching career.
"Kids, put the basketball on the ground. We don't need it right now."
"Today's training has only one content - lateral movement!"
Following his order, the Rockets generals began lateral training.
Lateral movement is the basis of defense, and it is rumored that this is the first item in every training session for Kobe Bryant.
"I don't know what the previous coach required of you."
"But in my team, whoever slacks on the defensive end will be sent to the bench to reflect. No one can be exempted. Do you understand?!"
Mark Jackson asked loudly to the constantly moving players.
"clear!!!"
The Rocket generals replied in unison.
On the sidelines, Yao Ming wiped his sweat with a towel while watching his teammates train.
Shen Fei has already informed Mark Jackson about his situation.
Therefore, just when Dayao was about to follow the training, he was called to stop and was directly asked to leave the field.
But looking at his teammates sweating profusely on the court, he suddenly had a feeling - with a new manager and a new coach, this Rockets team seemed to be different!
"Shen Fei said he wanted to win the championship this season, he couldn't be serious..."
Yao Ming murmured to himself.
............
The news of Mark Jackson's appointment was quickly announced on the Rockets' official Twitter.
Fans flocked to the site and commented:
"It's over, this season is completely over. Although the Rockets were full of injuries last season, with a legendary coach like Adelman, they could at least compete for a playoff spot. Now it's better, they have found a rookie who is coaching for the first time. I’m convinced by the coach.”
"Mark Jackson has a brilliant career, but that doesn't mean he can be a good coach. This signing is too risky. Isn't it a decision made by the new manager?"
"That's him! That young Chinese guy, I think his name is Shen Fei. As soon as he took office, he signed a yellow-skinned little guard, and now he has found such a coach. Does he really understand football?"
............
Overwhelming doubts filled the comment area.
This gave the Rockets' media director, Powell, a headache, and in the end he had to temporarily close the comment area.