Chapter 238 Apply for a trade! Diamonds and dreams!
Scola wanted to apply for a transaction, but it actually took more than a day or two.
This idea has already sprouted since Shen Fei took over the Rockets and the team underwent a major overhaul.
This is not difficult to understand.
Just imagine, a 30-year-old power forward who scored 16.2 points and 8.6 rebounds last season should have reached his peak.
But Scola not only lost his main position without being affected by any injuries, but even dropped to the end of the bench.
Some young people who were just starting out were ranked ahead of him as soon as they entered the team.
No player with any ambition would be able to tolerate this.
Scola naturally also talked to Mark Jackson about this.
But the new coach's attitude is also very clear - you can play if you want, and perform well in training. If you play better than your opponent, you will have a chance to play.
Scola was overjoyed after hearing this and was sharpening his skills to show off his talents in the team training games.
And his opponent is Griffin, who was reimbursed for the entire season just after entering the league.
At the beginning, Scola was very confident in himself.
A 20-year-old kid who has never even played in an official NBA game, no matter how talented he is, how strong can he be?
With this idea in mind, Scola ushered in his first matchup with Griffin.
The result...
All I can say is that the ideal is very full and the reality is very skinny.
Griffin used his explosive physical talent to directly crush the Eagles from Pampas on the offensive end.
After the first match, Scola had some doubts about his life.
But he relied on his firm Taoist heart to convince himself that today might be Griffin's big breakout, but it was not his true level.
Ever since, in the training match the next day, Scola once again stood on the court with confidence.
And then... it fell apart again.
The next third confrontation, the fourth confrontation...
The situation is basically the same. Griffin can always push Scola to the ground and rub him on the offensive end.
The only difference is that when Scola is in good condition, he can compete with Griffin.
But after several confrontations, Diamond also understood the gap in strength between the two.
In addition, Griffin is still so young, while Scola is already in his thirties, and the gap between the two sides will only widen.
Scola had no choice but to hand over his starting position and watch the newcomer take over.
This caused him a lot of frustration, and he even thought he had regressed during the offseason.
After being reduced to a substitute, Mark Jackson had a long talk with him.
During the conversation, the young coach also told him that the main position should be taken by those who are capable, and how much time substitute players get depends more on what the team needs.
In other words, functional players like Tucker and Anderson will become the coach's first choice.
Scola, on the other hand, is the kind of player who is somewhere between a "vital oil" and a "star", so he is ranked further back in the rotation.
Diamond was miserable about this, but couldn't refute it.
Since then, the Rockets have made rapid progress and topped the league, so Scola has no reason to complain about playing time.
But the idea of "applying for a trade and going to a team that can give him playing time" has gradually sprouted in his mind.
The trigger for Scola's visit today was actually yesterday's game between the Rockets and the Cavaliers.
In last night's game, Scolari came on as a substitute and performed very well.
Moreover, he was surprised to find during the game that the opponent's players were not only inferior to Griffin, but also much weaker than Tucker and Anderson.
This made Scola begin to re-examine his own level.
[Is it just that my teammates are too strong? At the power forward position, am I still better than many players in the league?]
The more Diamond thought about it, the more it made sense.
[I am obviously only 30 years old, and I have not suffered any injuries. There is no reason why my strength suddenly declined significantly!]
With this idea in mind, Scola got up early today and came to Shen Fei specifically to submit his resignation.
"Boss, I still have dreams and fuel. I don't want to waste my peak years on the bench, so..."
"I want to apply for a trade and go to a team that can give me playing time!"
Scola said solemnly.
Shen Fei looked at the other party with a smile, his expression was calm and not surprised.
He just felt that it was somewhat of a coincidence that he wanted to use Scola as a trading chip yesterday, and the other party came to apply for a trade the next day.
"Don't worry, Louis, everything is negotiable."
Shen Fei comforted him.
"I know that your goals for this season are very ambitious and you need a strong team to support them."
"But there are enough good players in the team now. Even if I am missing, it will not affect the overall situation."
"This is my fourth year with the Rockets. I dare to pat my chest and say that I have done every task assigned to me by the coach seriously and to the best of my ability."
"Including...the assignment of having me on the bench."
By the end of Scola's words, his eyes were a little red.
Obviously, the veteran has feelings for the Rockets.
After all, since arriving in the beautiful country in 2007, Houston has been his only "home".
But now, this family no longer needs him... This situation is somewhat disappointing.
"Let's do this...I'll give you an accurate answer."
"Both the team and I respect your decision very much. Then I will start looking for a suitable team and try to send you to the right place."
Shen Fei looked into Scola's eyes and said seriously.
Hearing the big boss's reply, Scola's heart dropped.
"In the recent period, you still have to train hard so that you can go to your new club in excellent condition."
"When necessary, I will let Mark arrange some playing time so that other teams can better see your value."
Shen Fei continued.
"I see!"
"Thank you, boss!"
Scola said excitedly.
Obviously, Shen Fei's good attitude was somewhat beyond his expectation.
In Scola's impression, this young boss looks easy-going, but is terrifyingly calm, always giving people an elusive feeling.
When Kevin Martin, another "former veteran" of the Rockets, applied for a trade, he was rejected.
Although Shen Fei did not reject Martin's application at that time, his attitude was very tough, which made the latter fearful.
Before leaving, Martin had complained to Scola, so he was a little worried before the diamond arrived today.
[Fortunately, the boss seems to be in a good mood today.]
Scola thought in his heart.
After the two reached an agreement, Scola left with satisfaction.
Shen Fei breathed a sigh of relief: "It's not bad if you want to leave, otherwise it will be more troublesome when it comes time to clean up the elders."
He is not a hard-hearted person.
It's just that sometimes, for the benefit of the team, Shen Fei will choose to cut through the mess quickly.
Conscientious veterans like Scola and Shane Battier will also be a little unbearable when making transactions.
"Okay, let's focus on the game first and prepare to treat Oden."
Shen Fei murmured.
Tomorrow, the Rockets will continue to sit at home to face the challenge of the Warriors.
At that time, many players will return to their hometowns and play against their old clubs.
Shen Fei had foreseen that there might be some verbal quarrels between the two sides before the game, and the media would come out to fan the flames.