After the game against the Timberwolves, Adrian stayed in Los Angeles for two days, and then flew to Orlando to prepare for a physical examination. When the plane landed at Orlando International Airport, through the window of the plane, Adrian could clearly see
, thousands of Magic fans holding slogans and wearing blue striped home jerseys of the Magic team artificially formed a sea of blue at the Orlando Airport. Various slogans all said welcome Adrian.
Words to Orlando.
"It's really... quite grand."
When Adrian got off the plane, thousands of fans burst into uniform cheers. This obviously rehearsed move proved that at least it was not entirely a spontaneous act by the fans.
, there must be a hint of the Orlando Magic Club mixed in.
This also makes Adrian feel more at ease. At least the management of the Orlando Magic is willing to painstakingly create such a scene for himself. Obviously the management still attaches great importance to him. Especially the management of the Magic is not like the Lakers.
It's so complicated and weird, of course, he doesn't have to worry about being ignored by the Magic.
He signed autographs with enthusiastic fans, took photos with them, and talked with them. There were also two enthusiastic female fans who rushed out of the crowd and forced their hands on Adrian.
A bouquet of roses. Adrian quickly put the small card with the phone number in the flower into his sleeve, and then continued to take photos with the enthusiastic fans while holding the bouquet.[
After two hours of such busy work, Adrian left the airport with the help of airport security. But when Adrian arrived at the Amway Center, he was not the only one to greet him, head coach Stan Van Gundy.
In addition to Stan Van Gundy, there is an old white man with silver hair who has turned completely white.
Team general manager Otis Smith also came together.
"Adrian, I'm so glad that Ni is finally here. We've been waiting for you for several days." Even though they were still far away, Otis Smith stretched out his hand and greeted him warmly.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Smith. It's really rude of me to keep a senior waiting for me."
"Haha, this is just a joke. Although I am very old, I will never forget the day you came to the Magic. Ed, can I call you Ed?".
"certainly."
"Okay Ed. This is our head coach, Mr. Van Gundy. I think you will be able to work together very well in the future."
"Yes, Mr. Van Gundy is an excellent head coach. I believe he will definitely allow me to bring out the best in me." Adrian said with a smile. In fact, he didn't know Stan Van Gundy very well at all.
Adrian actually had no idea what kind of guy the fat, middle-aged white man with a beard was.
"Adrian, I think you will definitely like Orlando next."
Adrian didn't know whether he would like Orlando. But at least on the first day he came to Orlando, Adrian felt the attention from the Orlando Magic, and even had some unexpected joys.
"Kwame, are you here too?" When Adrian entered Orlando's infirmary, he saw a tall figure who was very familiar to him.
"I didn't expect it at all." Kwame Brown had a bright smile on his face: "I only found out from the news that you were also traded to Orlando. You know, I was very excited when I heard the news.
.”
"Ed. We are going to play ball together again."
The arrival of Kwame Brown was a complete surprise for Adrian. He was abandoned by the Lakers, flew halfway across the United States to Orlando, and was reunited with a former friend. This feeling is really amazing. Asked
After meeting Otis, Adrian understood the reason.
After losing Howard, the Magic naturally need to make some reinforcements in the interior. We can't expect to get a super center like Howard, but at least he can get rebounds stably and protect the team's basket.
inside line.
After looking at all the players in the league, Otis Smith finally set his sights on the Grizzlies. To be precise, Kwame Brown. He hoped to persuade the Grizzlies to waive Kwame Brown.
So that the Magic can sign Kwame Brown.
There are not many difficulties in this matter. Kwame Brown was not originally part of the Grizzlies' reconstruction plan. In addition, after joining the Grizzlies, without Adrian's support and ball-playing, Kwame Brown's performance was once
It's very bad, which makes the Grizzlies look down on this 'parallel import No. 1 pick'. Even if they don't buy out, the Grizzlies have no plans to renew the contract with Kwame Brown after the end of this season.
After discussion, the Grizzlies bought out Kwame Brown's contract, and the Orlando Magic immediately extended an invitation to Kwame Brown. Of course, the Orlando Magic owed the Grizzlies a favor, so there will be more to come.
The Orlando Magic had to suffer some losses due to Nelson's trade.
This deal was actually concluded before the details of Adrian's deal were announced. Although the deal was delayed until now, the intention of the contract has actually been reached long ago, and there are no more details to be dealt with.[
In addition, Nielsen's transaction has also gone through the process.
The replacement of core players is completely different from the replacement of role players. If you only change one role player, you only need to let that player integrate into the team's inherent tactics. But the replacement of core players represents everything the team has insisted on in the past.
Tactics and concepts will be negated, which means that the entire team's tactical execution will undergo huge changes. It also means that some personnel must be cleared due to conflicts in position and role. For example, the team's starting point guard Nelson.
The result of Adrian's arrival is that Nelson will definitely need to give up his starting position, and it is obviously too wasteful to use Nelson's ability as a substitute. This is Nelson's contract year again, and he is obviously unwilling to accept the substitute position.
Otis Smith obviously can't let him come on the bench after trading Howard for Adrian. Since Nelson is unwilling to accept the bench position, leaving is Nelson's only option. It just so happens that the Grizzlies are facing Jameer Nelson
He was very interested, and Otis Smith also wanted to send Nelson away. The two sides hit it off immediately, and a deal was reached between the Magic and the Grizzlies. The Orlando Magic sent Jameer Nelson to the Grizzlies.
Marc Gasol's signing rights and a first-round draft pick.
Although the deal will not be officially announced until after the All-Star Game, the league has already approved the deal, and Nelson has left the Orlando Magic and flew to Memphis to undergo a physical examination.
The Orlando Magic suffered a loss in this deal, at least it seemed they did. They sent away Jameer Nelson, the team's starting point guard, only in exchange for Marc Gasol's signing rights and one game.
The draft pick of the first round, Marc Gasol was also selected in the second round. Although he was considered to have great potential, he was also considered to be only as good as the second round. At this time, there was no one
It is believed that Marc Gasol has the potential to grow into a first-tier superstar in the league, and the Grizzlies' reconstruction is also centered around Rudy Gay.
The league's transactions are generally like this. Sometimes you suffer losses and sometimes you take advantage. Human relationships are very important in the league. Agents like Morey who always want to take advantage are very unpopular in the league. If the advantage is taken by you,
If one person takes it all, what will the others do?
But Adrian, who knows the future development, understands that the Magic have made money, and they have made a lot of money. When Marc Gasol plays and becomes one of the most reliable interior defensive gates in the league, the Memphis Grizzlies will probably
I regret that my intestines are blue.
Taking advantage of Adrian's physical examination, Otis Smith took the initiative to discuss the topic of team building with Adrian. In fact, he did not have to do so. How to trade and build the team is the job of the management.
He just invited the head coach to discuss it out of respect for the head coach, but Otis Smith felt that he needed to discuss it with Adrian and listen to Adrian's thoughts.
After all, in the next few years, if nothing else happens, Adrian will be the first core of the Magic. This status allows Adrian to get involved in the team's transaction level.
Otis feels that the team's interior still needs reinforcement.
In the past, when they had Howard, the Orlando Magic never had to consider the inside problem. Except for Yao Ming, the nemesis, Howard could remain strong on both offense and defense when facing most inside players in the league. Plus, with the addition of Warcraft
His physical fitness is extremely strong, he plays long enough and rarely suffers injuries. Therefore, the Magic have not even thought about finding a powerful substitute for Howard.
Now that Howard is gone, Otis suddenly feels that his team's inside line is too weak. Lewis is strong in offense and weak in defense, and the others are not useful.
"If you want to start the center, let Gortat try it. I have watched him play, and I think if he is given enough playing time, his performance will definitely be very good." Adrian hesitated for a while, and finally proposed his own
Opinion: "As for the substitute at the power forward position, I think Tony Barty can be used to try to trade for Paul Millsap of the Jazz. Although he is a bit short, he is really good at rebounding and playing basketball.
He is very passionate and his inside attack is quite good. Of course, these are just my personal opinions."
To be honest, Adrian was already ready to give up this season after being traded to the Magic. But now it seems that the Magic's strength is not very bad. As long as they make some small transactions, they can definitely put together a team that can impact the NBA.
