Time has entered July, and Zhang Zhiyuan’s next home is still unavailable.
However, with Garnett's official announcement, the media's attention has turned to the Celtics.
On July 2, the Celtics and Timberwolves reached a deal.
The Timberwolves sent out their star player, 10-time All-Star, MVP winner, and 4-time rebounding champion Kevin Garnett.
Received Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomez, Ratliff, Telfair, two first-round picks in 2009 from the Celtics, and some cash.
One for seven, this is Garnett's card.
If you use this cash to sign two more undrafted draft picks, it’s like one for nine.
However, even though it was one for nine, the Timberwolves still lost money.
Among the players exchanged, except for Al Jefferson, the others were of no use.
Ratliff is even more negative, averaging 2.5 points per game and earning an annual salary of more than 10 million.
The Timberwolves want him purely because his contract expires next year, so the Timberwolves can free up a lot of salary space to complete their reconstruction.
As for the Celtics, it depends on whether the new Big Three can win the championship.
If you win, it's a small profit. If you don't win, it's a loss.
Not only was a lot of money wasted, but many players were lost and the future was overdrawn.
"Of course it's the championship, that's our only goal."
Angie laughed.
Garnett, Ray Allen, Pierce, if such a lineup can't win the championship, he doesn't know what else to do to win the championship.
Last season, Pierce averaged 25 points per game, Ray Allen averaged 26.4 points per game, and Garnett averaged 22.4 points and 13 rebounds per game.
If they can be stacked up, this is the trio with the most firepower in the league currently.
"I've never been more excited. This is the team I want. This is the team-mate I want. I can't wait to start the new season."
Garnett laughed happily.
He never felt that Kobe, Duncan and others were better than him, he just felt that they had good teammates.
Kobe had O'Neal by his side, Duncan had David Robinson by his side, and later Parker and Ginobili. As for him, he only had garbage like Ricky Davis and Olowokandi around him.
Who is Cassell? Who is Sprewell? Garnett said he can't remember clearly.
Seeing Garnett so happy, a reporter made trouble and said: "Kevin, the three of you are all the top players in the league. Do you think it is inappropriate for the three of you to get together as a team? For other teams
Not fair."
"Those who say this must be jealous of us. Who would refuse a better teammate?"
Garnett said disdainfully.
"Yes, your former teammate Zhang, Zhang Zhiyuan. There are reports that Zhang rejected the Suns' invitation because the Suns' lineup was too good. He said that he would never join a team and he likes challenges. You are now with Allen,
Paul, is it because you are afraid of challenges?"
Ex-teammates? Ex-enemies are more or less the same.
Garnett's face suddenly turned pale. He originally hated Zhang Zhiyuan, and the two were openly mortal enemies.
Now that Zhang Zhiyuan's remarks happened to ridicule him again, he became even more unhappy.
"I don't care about his nonsense, he always likes nonsense. I like challenges, but I also like strong teammates. This is not a conflict."
Garnett said.
"This is a bit of a conflict. Your teammates are so strong, so what else can be a challenge?"
the reporter asked.
"******"
Garnett cursed in his heart.
At this time, Anji took the microphone and said: "Kevin, Ray and Paul are all pursuing dreams and championships. This goal is very cool. As for Zhang's words, who knows if he just said it casually, maybe he can do it
Show us how to defeat us by leading the team independently without joining forces with the stars."
Garnett was overjoyed when he heard this. What Angie said was so beautiful.
But he was not satisfied yet. Garnett added: "Don't be so harsh, he can join forces with a star, and then we will wait for him in the finals, if he can enter the finals."
People who supported the Celtics laughed and applauded. At this time, they had grown to the point where they no longer considered anyone an opponent.
Of course, this is understandable.
Garnett, Ray Allen, and Pierce, three top players in their prime, come together to form the strongest trio in the league, and there will never be another combination that can compete with them.
gdp? No.
Sun Gemini? No.
Pistons Five? No.
Wizards Trident? A joke.
The Big Three of the Nets? Is Richardson considered a giant?
...
The Celtics formed the Big Three and the league was shocked.
Fans called the NBA finale, no team can compete with the Celtics.
Originally, if Zhang Zhiyuan went to the Sun, he would be able to have a tit-for-tat confrontation.
But the Celtics shamelessly shouted to Zhang Zhiyuan from a distance, telling him not to join forces if he had the guts.
This operation really made Zhang Zhiyuan's fans laugh out loud, mocking them as having catatonia, fearing Zhang Zhiyuan's sniper attack.
Celtics fans quickly defended themselves, but Angie's words were really not easy to wash away.
In the end, Celtic fans could only say harsh words: "Stop talking nonsense. If you have the guts, don't join a team. He should stop trying to win the championship."
Ever since, Zhang Zhiyuan was lying on his back.
Fans have been asking questions on his account, asking if he would stick together like Garnett.
"I will never form the Big Three. I will allow myself to join forces with one star at most, but no more."
Zhang Zhiyuan responded and cut off some escape routes.
At least he can no longer go to the Suns, Mavericks, Nets, Spurs, or Nuggets.
"cool."
"This is the kind of idol I like. He faces challenges head-on, never backs down, and never sticks together."
"Who is a tough guy and who is a softie? In fact, the conclusion was already drawn last season."
Zhang Zhiyuan's fans like this declaration very much, it is so domineering.
As for whether they can beat the Celtics without teaming up, they really haven't worried about that.
Zhang Zhiyuan's label is arrogance. The fans who like him now have this attribute to some extent and are not intimidated by the Celtics' Big Three.
The Celtics formed the Big Three, and many players, coaches, and commentators also stood up and expressed their opinions.
"There is no problem. Jordan also needs good helpers. The Bulls are also the Big Three, and then they established a dynasty."
Celtics star McHale said.
"They are destroying the balance of the league, which is very unfriendly to small ball markets. It will widen the gap in team strength and make the game less exciting."
Buckley interpreted it from a fairness perspective.
"In the future, if you can't beat me, just join a team. As long as you can team up with Kobe, James, Duncan, and Nash, you won't be short of championship rings."
One commentator said.
Overall, the majority of people are opposed to the Celtics forming the Big Three.
However, this objection is meaningless.
The NBA is a place that only depends on victory and defeat. As long as the Celtics win the championship, those opponents may become lickers again.
There are many people who understand this principle.
Therefore, after a day or two of complaining, fans shifted from the topic of whether it was appropriate to form the Big Three together to the topic of 'who can stop the Celtics'.
"Maybe the Spurs can, they have the GDP combination and Popovich."
A suspected Spurs fan left a message.
"Oh, is it the GDP that was beaten to tears by Zhang? Is Zhang planning to go to the East? I think the Spurs should study how to break out of the West."
"The Celtics are nothing. Can they get past the Cavaliers? Last season, the Wizards' trident was defeated by LeBron alone."
A James said.
"I predict that the Celtics will defeat the Cavaliers 4-0, and after the first game James will give up like he did in G7 of the Finals."
A Zhan Hei mocked.
James was criticized by many for losing his fighting spirit in Game 7 of the Finals, but fans have not forgotten it so quickly.
"That's better than you bunch of clumsy dogs."
"If you have the guts, James, don't stick together."
"James will never join a group."
...
"I think none of the existing teams can compete with the Celtics. Now it depends on whether there are any new major transactions. In fact, I think the biggest variable is Zhang. He can greatly change a team.
The strength of the team. So, where will Zhang go?"
After going back and forth, the fans returned to the original topic and began to wonder about Zhang Zhiyuan's next career.
Now the burden of sniping the Celtics falls on him. He is the hope of all Kaihei.
At the same time, Zhang Zhiyuan and Swift were playing golf with Phil Jackson and Jenny Buss.
Jackson casually swung a shot and asked, "What do you think of the Celtics' Big Three?"
"We should be able to break through the first round."
Zhang Zhiyuan said lightly, and Jackson laughed when he heard the words.
The outside world is discussing who can prevent the Celtics from winning the championship, but in Zhang Zhiyuan's eyes, this combination has difficulty even advancing to the second round.
No matter how arrogant Zhang Zhiyuan's words were, at least his aura of not taking the Celtics seriously had already killed countless people instantly.
"Impossible, Zhang, you can't talk nonsense."
Jenny Buss thought Zhang Zhiyuan was joking.
"Well, I think they can enter the finals, but the process will definitely be difficult. Basketball is not simply about piling up stars, not to mention that their team has a fatal weakness."
Zhang Zhiyuan said.
He remembered that the Celtics' road to winning the championship that year was not smooth, and it could even be said to be stumbling.
In the first round against the Eagles, they were forced into a tiebreaker and almost lost to eight.
In the second round, they played the Cavaliers, but James led a group of crooks and beat them 3-3. In the tiebreaker, they only won by one point.
If veteran P.J. Brown hadn't stepped up and hit two key shots at the last moment, or if James' free throws hadn't been so accurate, the Celtics would have been in trouble.
The Pistons advanced 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals and did not show their overwhelming strength.
In the finals, I was lucky enough to meet Kobe, who averaged 40.4% from the field, and won 4-2. If Kobe was a little more accurate, the Celtics would be inferior.
At that time, the Celtics were a bit like Kakashi, almost 50-50 with everyone else.
Call it strong, it's pretty strong, but it feels like it's just average.
"What's the Achilles' heel?"
Jackson asked.
"Rivers, besides telling Garnett how terrible the consequences will be if they don't win the championship, can he also arrange any subtle tactics?"
Jenny Buss and Jackson laughed again when they heard this. These words were too damaging.
However, when I think about it carefully, there seems to be nothing wrong with it.
Rivers just likes to give some impassioned speeches when the team is lagging behind. Sometimes the team continues to fall behind, and sometimes the team can reverse it.
However, is there really a causal relationship between this reversal and his words? This cannot be falsified and will probably remain a mystery forever.
"So which team in the West do you think can compete with them?"
Jenny Bass continued to ask.
Zhang Zhiyuan thought for a while and said: "This mainly depends on which team I will join."
"...."
Jenny Bass.
She still doesn't know Zhang Zhiyuan well enough and is not used to Zhang Zhiyuan's way of speaking.
"How about the Lakers? You or Kobe versus the Celtics, which one has a better chance of winning?"
Jackson asked.
"I guess Garnett will have to go home crying."
Zhang Zhiyuan was naughty for a moment, and then said very seriously: "In fact, Kobe and I are very compatible. He mainly scores inside and in the mid-range, while I prefer the outside. Our two shooting ranges almost cover the entire half.
He has a strong scoring ability and can ensure firepower, but sometimes he tends to get hot-headed. But I am always calm and can deliver a fatal blow to my opponent at critical moments."
In fact, Zhang Zhiyuan is humble. It's not that he and Kobe are compatible, but that he is a good guy who is compatible with everyone.
As long as his teammates don't fall too far behind, he can use props to take over the game at critical moments.
Jenny Buss was very happy to hear Zhang Zhiyuan's words, which showed that Zhang Zhiyuan intended to return to the Lakers.
"but."
Zhang Zhiyuan added: "His and I have incompatible personalities. He is more serious and I am more casual. Even on a stage like the Western Conference Finals, I will mess around and sometimes cause mistakes. This kind of thing, Kobe
I'm afraid he won't like it. He and I are on the same team, and sooner or later we will have a fight."
"No, no, no, as long as he can win, Kobe can tolerate everything from you. He is extremely eager for the championship now, and he has also matured a lot, knowing that he can't do it by himself."
Jackson said.
"Really? Phil, I'm young, you can't fool me."
Zhang Zhiyuan smiled.
Jackson laughed, he made no more promises, he understood what Zhang Zhiyuan meant.
No matter what he says, it can only represent him. The key is to see Kobe's stance and Kobe's sincerity.
After ascertaining Zhang Zhiyuan's attitude, Jackson was already very satisfied, and he thought it was a good idea.
Then the four of them started chatting about other topics and took a few swings.
That night, Phil Jackson found Kobe and revealed Zhang Zhiyuan's attitude to him.
"What does he mean?"
Kobe asked.
"It's very simple. He is waiting for you to invite him. He will only come to the Lakers if you personally promise to him that you can get along well with him."
Jackson explained.
"Is it that simple?"
Kobe smiled. Isn't it just a verbal promise? It's trivial.
"If you just want to trick him into coming to the Lakers, it's very simple. But if you want to keep him in the Lakers, it's not simple at all. I believe you have also seen some of his games. He does not return to defense, but drives the ball alone to attack from time to time.
Inexplicably provoking opponents and not following the coach's tactics...
Can you tolerate all this? If you can't do it, then don't invite him at all. If you come back, you will have conflicts every day. He was able to quarrel with Tracy in the Western Conference Finals, and he is also a very willful person."
After Jackson finished speaking, Kobe fell into silence.
He carefully recalled Zhang Zhiyuan's game and found that there were indeed a lot of deliberate show-offs and cool behaviors.
He doesn't like this.
However, he really needs help.
"He is still very reliable at critical moments, isn't he?"
Kobe figured it out, as long as Zhang Zhiyuan doesn't let up at critical moments and can win, it's enough.
Jackson smiled: "Of course, this is his greatest value."
In the end, Kobe decided to deign to invite that bastard.
There is no way, the adult world is so helpless, you can't have your cake and eat it too.
The next day, Kobe invited Zhang Zhiyuan and Swift to his door, and he and Vanessa greeted them at the door.
"Vanessa, do you have a gun at home?"
Zhang Zhiyuan asked.
"No, why do you ask that?"
Vanessa asked curiously.
"I'm afraid Kobe will kill me, after all, I've offended him before by writing songs."
Zhang Zhiyuan said, Kobe shrugged helplessly, while Vanessa laughed. Of course she also knew that song.
"Maybe you can write another song mocking O'Neal and Kobe will forgive you."
Vanessa said.
"This is a good idea. I've wanted to punish that damn fat guy for a long time."
Zhang Zhiyuan talks about people, talks about ghosts, and mocks O'Neal, without any pressure at all.
This time Kobe also grinned widely, and his resentment towards Zhang Zhiyuan instantly disappeared a lot.
Everyone entered the room and after chatting for a while, Kobe obviously lost his patience and went straight to the topic. "Zhang, go back to the Lakers and deal with the Celtics together. This will become a good story."
"Aren't you afraid that I will sing and ridicule you every day after I return to the Lakers?"
Zhang Zhiyuan joked.
"As long as we can win, you can sing. At worst, I'll ask Vanessa to prepare a few more pairs of earplugs for me."
What Kobe means is, as long as you can win, I will bear it.
It is actually not easy for the arrogant Kobe to say such things.
If this had happened two years ago, he would have been willing to fight alone and would not be down to anyone.
"Don't worry, Zhang. The media's coverage of Kobe is biased. He is still very easy to get along with."
Vanessa helped persuade.
This is pure nonsense. Zhang Zhiyuan does not believe that Kobe is easy to get along with, but he is not worried. He is confident that he can control Kobe. Because he is young, he can be willful.
But Kobe can't delay it any longer. Kobe is already 30 years old, has played in the league for 11 years, and his peak period has only been in these few years.
If we don’t win the championship in the past few years, there will be no hope in the future.
If the two have a dispute in the future, Kobe will definitely give in, unless he doesn't want to win the championship again.
"Okay, as long as you swear now and pass the ball to me five times per game from now on, I will go to the Lakers."
Zhang Zhiyuan said.
"No problem, but you also have to promise, you have to put in two."
Kobe said.
"You are looking down on me, can you raise your standards?"
Zhang Zhiyuan complained. A 40% hit rate is considered a requirement?
Everyone laughed.
"I can't wait to get back on the court."
After getting Zhang Zhiyuan's affirmative reply, Kobe seemed very excited. He felt that the championship was secure.
Both Zhang Zhiyuan and Yao Ming can win the championship, but he doesn't think he will be worse than Yao Ming.
"You can go and throw a thousand balls to vent, and we can sit and drink coffee and enjoy it."
Zhang Zhiyuan joked.
"Shooting training is too boring, why not play one-on-one."
Kobe said.
"How is it possible for me to leave two beauties to challenge you alone? It's better to play 2v2 together."
Zhang Zhiyuan complained.
Matching men and women, playing ball will not be tiring.
"This is a great idea."
Vanessa said.
Watching on the sidelines is definitely better than joining in. Vanessa felt that Zhang Zhiyuan was very considerate and did not neglect Swift.
In contrast, Kobe hasn't taken her to play ball with him for a long time.
"All right."
Kobe said with some regrets that if a beautiful woman joins in, he cannot let go and fight, which will take away a lot of fun (torturing Zhang Zhiyuan).
They came to Kobe's training room, where Zhang Zhiyuan and Swift were on the team.
Kobe generously threw the ball to Zhang Zhiyuan, allowing them to attack first.
Zhang Zhiyuan handed the ball to Swift, blocked Kobe himself, and then Swift made a jumper and the ball went in.
"Is it cool? I think I can play wnba."
Swift laughed.
Not to mention, Swift's height is definitely enough. At 180cm, she can even play the No. 2 position in the WNBA.
Then Kobe's team attacked and Vanessa also made a shot but missed.
After a few rounds, Kobe became a little anxious because they were falling behind.
Afterwards, Kobe stopped passing the ball to Vanessa and focused on attacking himself.
On the other hand, Zhang Zhiyuan has been interacting with Swift, constantly asking Swift to vote, so that she has a sense of participation.
After missing several long-range shots in a row, Swift wanted to go to the basket and take a shot.
Seeing Swift trying to pass by her, Kobe couldn't help but step forward to defend, and Vanessa slapped her forehead.
At this time, Zhang Zhiyuan made a direct foul and hugged Kobe, not allowing him to move, and shouted: "Hurry up, hurry up, good job."
“Perfect fit.”
Swift.
Kobe: "..."
Vanessa was envious from the sidelines.
As the game continued, Zhang Zhiyuan discovered that Vanessa had not shot for a long time, so when he was dribbling the ball, he deliberately let go and slapped the ball into Vanessa's hands.
The acting is a bit bad, but Vanessa understands it instantly.
But she still happily picked it up and shot it.
"Good guy, even Kobe can't steal my ball. Sure enough, only beautiful women can beat me."
Zhang Zhiyuan said.
"Nonsense, it's easy to steal you."
After saying that, Kobe really actively tried to steal Zhang Zhiyuan.
"..."
This time it was Zhang Zhiyuan's turn to be speechless.
After a few more rounds, Swift patted the ball and passed Vanessa. Vanessa also wanted to imitate Kobe and guard against it.
Zhang Zhiyuan went over again and hugged Vanessa: "go go go."
"..."
Kobe Bryant.
It shouldn't be intentional, it shouldn't be intentional.
Kobe just thought that Zhang Zhiyuan was too involved in playing, but he still decided not to play ball with Vanessa in the future.
Neither Vanessa nor Swift were athletes, and they only played for less than ten minutes before they left the field and became spectators.
Zhang Zhiyuan was forced to duel with Kobe.
Of course, he would not waste his hatred value on such an occasion. He could only use his true strength to fight Kobe. The result was that he was tortured miserably. This was the result of using the attribute chain.
After a season of training, his abilities in all aspects have actually improved, but it is obviously not enough to challenge Kobe Bryant alone.
After Zhang Zhiyuan and Swift left, Kobe couldn't help complaining: "I suddenly felt a little worried about my decision. I didn't feel that he was very strong in the one-on-one challenge just now."
Vanessa held her forehead: "You think everyone is like you. He obviously didn't use his full strength. They are just here to play. It's better for you to treat the game as a competition."
At this moment, Vanessa was a little envious of Swift.
With a boyfriend like this, you will definitely live a happy life and will not lack for fun.
...
After settling Kobe Bryant, Zhang Zhiyuan officially negotiated a contract with the Lakers.
The benefits that should be striven for cannot be less.
First of all, it must be the maximum salary, which is the most basic respect for him.
What's more, Zhang Zhiyuan's maximum salary is not expensive. Because he has only played for a short period of time, his maximum salary can only be the lowest level.
Starting salary is 14 million, with an annual increase of 5%.
The contract is for 5 years, about 80 million for 5 years.
There is no dispute between the two parties, but Zhang Zhiyuan requested that a clause be added to the contract.
He can buy out his contract and leave the Lakers at any time.
This is just in case, if there is a conflict between the Lakers and Kobe and the management favors Kobe, he can run away at any time.
"Zhang, why do you need to add this requirement?"
Kupchak was confused.
He can still understand Kobe's request for a trade veto, because it is to prevent him from being traded to a team he doesn't like.
But with Zhang Zhiyuan's conditions, he seems ready to run away at any time. When did the Lakers become so unattractive?
"It's not important. What's important is that I want it."
Zhang Zhiyuan said.
"Wouldn't this be bad? If you suddenly leave the Lakers, the impact will be too great."
Kupchak said.
"If I was happy with the Lakers, why would I leave suddenly? If I want to leave, what's the point of keeping me by force?"
Zhang Zhiyuan's explanation did not satisfy Kupchak, but Kupchak had no choice but to agree.
Jackson and Kobe both stepped in to help pave the way for him. If he still couldn't sign Zhang Zhiyuan, it might not be as simple as running away with a bucket. Jackson and Kobe could strangle him to death.
In the end, the two parties finalized their intentions for the contract.
As for the official signing of the contract, we still need to choose a suitable day.
As Zhang Zhiyuan comes into contact with Kupchak, his whereabouts have become increasingly confusing.
Gradually, the fans became a little impatient, and there was a sound that Zhang Zhiyuan was playing a big name.
Zhang Zhiyuan had almost reached the right moment, so he posted an update.
[On July 10th, I will be a guest on tnt, chatting about basketball with Barkley, and announce my decision by the way. Welcome to tune in on time. 】
As soon as the news came out, fans finally had a clue.
Now there is no need to wait any longer, we will find out on the 10th.
