Chapter 614 Defending?
Marbury returned to New York and was welcomed by Knicks fans and the New York media.
"Congratulations, Stephen!" Li Ba called immediately after knowing about it.
"Thank you. Hammer, we will be opponents next season, and I will shoot your basket with a shot." Marbury laughed.
"Haha, come on then." Li Ba laughed.
Another person who left the Suns was Joe Johnson. He signed first and then switched to the Eagles. He also signed a big contract, worth $70 million in five years.
Chandler also signed first and then traded to the New Orleans Hornets, 3+1, 43 million in 4 years, which is also a big contract with an annual salary of tens of millions.
Posey was traded to the Mosaics.
And the most concerned thing in China also happened, Yao Min joined the Lakers.
The 6-year super contract of 111 million US dollars made Chinese fans cheer.
At the same time, the Spurs announced the introduction of Michael Finley and traded forward Troy Murphy from the Warriors.
This Murphy is 211 cm tall, weighs 110 kg, and has a three-point shooting percentage of 38.8%. Last season, he averaged 15.4+10.8 per game. He is very strong, and the Spurs' inside line has been greatly strengthened.
At the same time, the addition of Finley also replaced the Spurs' scoring ability at the second and third positions.
With the signing of the Spurs, the media have speculated that Duncan is likely to choose to renew his contract with the Spurs.
In the evening, Li Ba went to the Xiangcheng community to have dinner.
After the meal, Liu Xiaoli went into the room to rest, and he teased Liu Yifei in the living room.
This girl is good at everything, but she is too quiet and seems to have no vitality, so he likes to tease her from time to time.
At this time, he received a message from Dayao and made a phone call.
"Dayao, Bill Duffy is doing well. With such a big contract, he's not much smaller than me."
"It's a lot of pressure!" Dayao said over there.
"Dayao, I have to talk about you. The ball is played by five people. What pressure do you bear alone? The Lakers wrote in the contract that you must win the championship for it? The boss over there is Kobe, The pressure belongs to him, don't take it on yourself."
Li Ba said.
"You're right." Dayao said.
"Come back quickly when you're done, Coach Liu is waiting for you." Li Ba said.
"Oh, he hasn't scolded me these days, has he?" Dayao said a little nervously.
"He doesn't swear when he gets off the training ground." Li Ba laughed.
"That's fine, I'll be back in two days, let's take a breather here first. Damn, he scolded me badly." Dayao said.
Li Ba laughed out loud and hung up the phone.
"Big hammer, Dayao went to the Lakers?" Liu Yifei, who was sitting beside him, asked.
I don't know when, when there were only two of them, Liu Yifei stopped being called Brother Iron Hammer and called Big Iron Hammer.
"$111 million in six years, he has made a fortune, and he will treat him when he comes back in a few days." Li Ba laughed.
"Wow, close to 20 million dollars a year?" Liu Yifei's mouth opened wide.
"Generally, his off-court income is also a lot, and he must have 100 million yuan a year." Li Ba laughed.
Liu Yifei stuck out her tongue.
Li Ba was about to tease the girl again, when the phone rang again, and when he saw that it was Frank, he immediately connected.
The two exchanged a few words and got to the point.
Frank introduced the lineup of the new season to Li Ba, which is what the team boss and the core on the field need to know.
He told Li Ba that this season, the main lineup and substitute lineup are obviously not as good as last season, from defense to offense.
The team currently has 12 players under contract.
Inside players, a total of 5 people, Li Ba, Dazhi, David Lee, Kurt Thomas, Antonio McDyess.
Outside players, a total of 7 people, Marion, Battier, Tony Allen, Payton, Barbosa, David Wesley, Lagabel.
After listening to these lists, Li Ba pondered for a while, and then said with a smile: "It's not good enough. There are not enough insiders."
"Yes, we have become weaker, and other teams are strengthening. It is really a pity that Stephen's departure has a great impact on us." Frank said.
"Everyone has aspirations, he wants to come back to New York and play for his hometown team, we need to understand. But, Frank, this season's lineup, I don't think we are weak, we are still strong."
"Why?" Frank didn't understand.
"Because I will be stronger." Li Ba said confidently.
"Oh, that would be wonderful."
Frank let out a strange cry, expressing his joy and excitement, but suddenly some bad feelings arose in his heart.
He continued: "Let me introduce you to the situation of the players. At present, there are only 12 players on the contract, which is close to the salary cap, so the lineup will continue to be adjusted.
In terms of inside players, Kurt Thomas, 206 cm, weighing 104 kg, played the fourth and fifth positions, averaged 36 minutes per game last season, and played 11.5+10.4 data. He has a good low-post defense, a tough style, and a mid-range shot Yes, a good blue collar. He only has an annual salary of 4 million next season, which is very good.
My plan is, on the inside, you, Kurt Thomas, will start. On the front line, Marion is in the third position, Battier is in the second position, and Payton is in the first position. Of course, he can't play much time. David Wesley and others are on the bench. This starting lineup is also very strong defensively. But in terms of offense, it is not as good as when Stephen was there last season, there are at least 20 points vacant, which is very serious.
So, Hammer, you need to invest more on the offensive end this season. The team needs you to open the situation in the low post. "
Li Ba smiled and said, "How much scoring space have you prepared for me?"
Frank laughed and said, "Average 20 points per game, you have to do it."
"It's no problem." Li Ba smiled.
In the regular season last season, he averaged 16.1 points per game. This season, he should have no problem averaging 20 points per game.
His wrist has been much more flexible in the past few days, and the muscles, ligaments, and joints have changed.
To put it simply, the wrist can be pressed down, and the arc of his shooting will not be as straight as before.
If he can get double 20 points and rebounds, and if he is not given the regular season MVP next season, he will scold those scoring guys one by one, just like Coach Liu.
Frank continued: "The team got the Hornets and Eagles' first-round picks next year through a sign-and-trade deal this time, but they have the top three protections. Adding our own, we will have three first-round picks next year. The lineup will be younger. Of course, the strength may also decline, you have to be prepared."
He felt Li Ba's expectations for this season, so he reminded him.
"I think we are equally competitive this year, but the No. 1 position may be too old and we need to find a younger main point guard." Li Ba said.
"This is for sure. Jerry has been doing it. Of course, he also has considerations. He hopes to use three first-round picks next year to select a potential point guard."
Frank said.
"That's fine, this year's lineup is not too bad, we will try our best to complete the defense." Li Ba said.
"You have so much confidence in defending your title?" Frank said in surprise with a thump in his heart.
He had some bad feelings just now, and now it has come true.
Because he knows that the management did not go all out to strengthen the lineup for defending the title. The team actually hopes to use these two seasons to train new players and prepare for the next few seasons.