Almighty Coach

Dai Li has already tasted the sweetness of having many stars.

Bringing a group of superstar players together is really a worry-free thing for the coach. The skills of superstar players are naturally top-notch, and their game experience is also extremely rich. Even without the guidance of a coach, they still know how to play.

Even if one person attacks with the ball while the other four are watching, Dai Li doesn't feel that there is a problem. This is how star football is played. It depends on the personal ability of the star, and it is the star to create opportunities.

In the era of the rise of the Big Three model, there was a saying that as long as one of the Big Three played well, they could beat an ordinary team; if two of them played well, they could beat a playoff-level team ; and if the Big Three play well, it will be a championship-level team.

The current NBA competition is more intense, but based on the era dominated by stars, all teams are still keen to form the "Big Three", "Big Four", and even "Big Five".

So when Dai Li learned that Lamar Vincent had been bought out, he immediately became excited. For Li Dai, the more stars the better.

When he was young, Vincent was a well-deserved superstar. He was 6 feet 6 inches tall and could play the second or third position, but most of the time, he appeared in the second position. He has been selected to the NBA All-Star team 8 times, averaging 27.6 points per game at his peak, and is known as one of the "Four Great Shooting Guards".

In terms of physical fitness, Vincent may have the best physical fitness in history. At that time, he was even evaluated as a "flying player". His nickname of "half-human, half-god" is also enough to illustrate his strength.

However, Vincent is currently 38 years old, which is definitely considered an advanced age for basketball players. Athletes at this age must not be able to fly anymore. Not only can they not fly, but their speed will also be slow If you go up a lot, your physical confrontation ability will also decrease, and some players will lose their touch, and even their pitching will become less accurate.

It can be said that when a player reaches the age of 38, all he has left is experience.

Dai Li didn't care about the 38-year-old age. To him, it was just a card to reduce his age.

Now there are more than two months left before the end of the regular season, plus two months for the playoffs, a total of four months, and Li Dai only needs to give Vincent four months. , according to the formula of the age reduction card, the age can be reduced by 9 years, that is to say, Vincent will become 29 years old in physical condition.

29 years old is the peak age for a basketball player. At that time, Vincent was still a superstar "flying and playing"!

...

Lamar Vincent didn't plan to go to Boston at all. He stayed in his rented luxury apartment with peace of mind, and waited for his agent to contact him.

He said he was waiting with peace of mind, but Vincent was very worried inside. He is already 38 years old, and it is already a miracle that he can continue to play. Compared with when he was young, his body and state have already declined seriously. , He can't soar into the air like he did when he was young, he can't engage in fierce physical confrontation like when he was young, and he can't even keep up with the pace of defense.

A 38-year-old veteran was bought out in the middle of the season. Finding a new club is not easy.

According to NBA rules, during the regular season, after a player is bought out, there will be a 48-hour clarification period. During this period, other teams can directly claim his contract. If no one claims after 48 hours If so, even after the clarification period, the player becomes a free agent and can sign with any team.

Vincent doesn't think there will be a team claiming him, because his salary this season is 3 million U.S. dollars, which is higher than the basic salary, so the team that wants to claim him must have at least 3 million U.S. dollars in salary space, or There are special cases for transactions of more than 3 million US dollars.

Halfway through the season, those teams with cap space are weak teams that can't make it to the playoffs. They just need to play badly. There is no need for a player like Vincent, so how can they waste 3 million US dollars!

As for strong teams, Vincent's experience may be needed, but there is not enough salary space. It is almost impossible for a team that does not pay extravagance these days to become a strong team.

For Vincent, the best outcome is to wait until the end of the 48-hour clarification period and sign with a team with a basic salary. After all, basic salary signings are not subject to salary cap restrictions.

Vincent doesn't know how much market value he still has. After all, for a 38-year-old veteran, it is not an exaggeration to say that his grandma doesn't love his uncle.

"I don't know if I can still play this season." Vincent sighed softly. In his heart, if he can go to a team that has a chance to win the championship, that would be great. If he is lucky, he can win a championship and make up for the regrets in his career. Even if he retires next season, Wen Center also has no regrets.

Of course, Vincent also knew that this possibility was not great. Halfway through the season, the teams that have the chance to win the championship have already finished running in. At this time, they will not change the lineup easily, unless a player in a certain position is injured, they may sign new players.

"A young team like the 76ers is also good. The team has the strength to enter the playoffs, and may even go far in the playoffs. Maybe they will need my experience."

Vincent was thinking about it when the manager called.

"Is there any good news? It hasn't been 48 hours yet, maybe someone has claimed me?" Vincent asked.

"Don't be kidding, at this moment, how can there be a team willing to spend 3 million wronged money." The agent's voice changed, and he continued: "However, there is a team that is willing to give you a veteran's basic salary after the clarification period. .”

"Who is it?" Vincent asked immediately.

"Los Angeles Clippers! Their general manager just contacted me today." The agent replied.

Vincent didn't answer, as if thinking about it.

If the team claims it, Vincent has no choice. He has no way to refuse. Whichever team claims him, he has to join that team. But other teams offered new contracts, so of course Vincent could choose not to sign. Vincent even had an idea that was up for grabs.

It's just that Vincent couldn't understand why the Clippers chose him. The current Clippers lineup is very neat, with strong players in every position, and no one was injured. The key is that the Clippers have several players of their own generation, all of whom are veterans who have been battle-tested, and they do not lack game experience.

Experience is the only thing Vincent, a 38-year-old veteran, has. A team that does not lack experience has no reason to sign Vincent.

Finally, Vincent asked, "What conditions did the Clippers offer?"

"The manager of the Clippers told me that their head coach personally promised that he will give you a rotation position." The agent said.

"Rotate? That's not bad." Vincent was a little moved. As a player, at 38, he doesn't want to sit on the bench like a mascot and wave a towel, he wants to play.

I only heard the agent go on to say: "The head coach of the Clippers also said that if you want, you can play more than 20 minutes per game."

"More than 20 minutes?" Vincent was startled, this was something he hadn't thought of. After all, he is 38 years old. Even in the previous team, he could not get such a long playing time, and it is difficult for his 38-year-old body to support such a long game. But having said that, it is really cruel to let a 38-year-old guy play more than 20 minutes.

Vincent was a little undecided, so he asked his agent, "What's your opinion?"

"I suggest you try it. Although the head coach of the Clippers is not a basketball coach, he is very good at training older athletes. He has rejuvenated many older athletes. If you go to the Clippers If so, maybe you can also get back to the state of your youth." The agent said.

At this moment, Vincent suddenly remembered that he had contacted Calabi of the Clippers a few months ago, and at that time he also congratulated Calabi on his second career. (see Chapter 604)

At this moment, Vincent was really moved.

...

The news that Vincent signed with the Clippers with a basic salary did not cause much repercussions. After all, he is a 38-year-old veteran. Although he is very famous, he is already a strong man in his twilight years and can't make any waves.

What's more, before the trade deadline, several big trades broke out in the league, involving the leading stars of several teams. This is a trade that can change the playoffs. The matter of joining the Clippers was covered up.

Dai Li felt that he had got the last piece of the puzzle for this season. When the trade deadline is reached, there will be no more trades this season. If the team wants to strengthen and adjust the lineup, they can only find it in the free agent market. The free agent market has always been open. If there is a big fish The words were transferred away by Dai Li long ago.

Dai Li did not arrange Vincent into the starting lineup, nor did he plan to adjust the current starting lineup. This is not because Vincent is not capable enough to make the starting lineup. Vincent, who has recovered to a 29-year-old body, has the opportunity to compete for the league's No. 1 shooting guard, and it is more than enough to play the starting lineup.

In Li Dai's plan, Vincent will be the first firepower on the bench. The previous game against the Warriors exposed the weakness of the Clippers' bench lineup, which is the lack of a super scorer.

In the Clippers' rotation, although Osef is an all-round fighter, he is not a top offensive player; Calabi can shoot, rebound and block shots, but he is not an offensive insider. As for the rookie Kumar, although he is very talented , but after all, he is too young, and it may take another year or two of experience before he can be used as a core player.

Therefore, Li Dai needs someone with super scoring ability as the end point of the rotation lineup, so that the Clippers' rotation lineup has strong firepower.

Vincent was clearly an excellent choice.

At the beginning of the birth of the shooting guard position, it was for scoring. No team in the league will let a player who cannot score at the 2 position, and the worst must be a 3-D player. Vincent, who used to be a superstar, naturally does not lack scoring ability, and he is also the kind of player who is proficient in all scoring methods.

More importantly, Vincent is the kind of leader-level player, leading the Clippers' rotation by him can have the final effect, which is what the Clippers' rotation lacks.

It is no exaggeration to say that with the addition of Vincent, the current rotation of the Clippers may be much stronger than most teams' starting lineups.

...

After the All-Star Weekend, Vincent also came to the Clippers to report. Although his teammates are old acquaintances, he still needs to integrate into the team as quickly as possible.

On the second day after coming to the Clippers, Vincent received a physical training plan. In Vincent's view, this physical training plan was only more targeted and far less miraculous than he imagined.

The same is true for the training effect. After a few days of training, Vincent can't feel any improvement in his body function. His body is still 38 years old and has no signs of rejuvenation. This makes Vincent start to have feelings for Li Dai. question.

Li Dai still looked as steady as Mount Tai, and he also showed full confidence. He hasn't used the age reduction card for Vincent yet, so Vincent's physical condition has naturally not returned to youth.

In March, the first game of the Clippers was at home against the Eastern powerhouse Boston Celtics, and in this game, Vincent will also be on board the Clippers jersey for the first time.

Before the game started, Dai Li used the age reduction card for Vincent, making him return to 29 years old.

The Celtics are also a team with a tactical system, and the Celtics' lineup is not weak. Although it is not as terrifying as the Warriors, most of them are full of All-Star players.

This kind of team with stars and a system is the last opponent the Clippers want to encounter.

If you just play star football, today's Clippers are definitely NO.1 in the NBA. If you encounter a team with a tactical system, the Clippers can also rely on the star's personal ability to defeat the opponent.

But this kind of team with a perfect combination of tactical system and star player characteristics will give the Clippers a headache.

Moreover, the Celtics have a very rich talent pool. In the past two years, the Celtics can be said to be one of the most successful teams in the NBA. Three years ago, they were a lottery team. During the year, they signed big-name stars, acquired several young players through trades, and the rookies they selected also showed their value. The current Celtics have experience, strength, and vitality of young people. The lineup can be said to be perfect.

At the beginning of the game, the two sides still focused on probing. It was not until about eight minutes later that the two sides gradually replaced substitute players.

With one and a half minutes left in the first quarter, Vincent was finally substituted.

Vincent made his debut on behalf of the Clippers for the first time, and he was still facing his "old owner".

Before that, Vincent was sent to the Celtics as an extra in the trade, but the Celtics have a lot of talents in the second and third positions, so they directly bought Vincent out. From this point of view, the Celtics can also be regarded as Vincent's old owner.

The Celtics' talent pool at the second and third positions is very abundant, and it can even be said to be very crowded. This also makes the competition among players very fierce, so every player on the field is working hard. I hope they can Give the trust of the head coach to stand out in the fierce competition.

In this case, the 38-year-old Vincent has become a soft persimmon in the eyes of Celtics players. He is regarded as a defensive loophole on the court. Even if the coach does not say it, he will focus on Vincent special body.

What's more, the Celtics coach Arnold is not a dry meal, he is a first-class tactical master in the league, so the moment Vincent came on the field, the Celtics coach Arnold had already made tactical arrangements. Whether it's a pick-and-roll or a pick-and-roll, no matter who is facing Vincent, they must attack this point without hesitation.

The Celtics decided that Vincent was old, slow to react when defending, and couldn't keep up with his steps, so they used him as a breakthrough.

...

In front of Vincent is a young guy, he was the No. 3 pick last year, this year he is only 20 years old, almost half the age of Vincent.

But Vincent knew that the young man in front of him must not be underestimated. In his rookie season last year, this young man had already behaved like a mature star, and he almost won the best rookie. In fact, with his performance It can be called the best rookie, but his competitor is so good that he missed this honor.

"In time, this young lad may become a superstar in the league." Vincent thought to himself.

At this time, the young guy on the opposite side had already received the ball. Facing Vincent, he suddenly changed direction and made a breakthrough, obviously intending to forcefully pass Vincent with his body.

Vincent immediately put all his focus on defense. He also knew that his 38-year-old body, no matter in terms of speed, agility or footwork, could not compare with this 20-year-old boy. , I really can't help it.

However, what Vincent didn't expect was that he seemed to be able to keep up with the 20-year-old strong guy in front of him!

To be precise, Vincent's movement is more agile than the strong guy.

"Huh? Can I keep up with him? No, I'm faster than him! Is it because his speed is too slow?" Vincent thought to himself.

The young man on the opposite side was also very surprised. Although he is not the kind of player with explosive athletic ability, he still has confidence in his physical fitness. At least he should not lose to a 38-year-old guy.

Vincent was a little annoyed that the continuous change of direction breakthrough did not shake Vincent, so he directly chose to make a breakthrough and attack the basket. This kind of breakthrough layup is one of the scoring methods he is best at.

With a height of 2.03 meters and a wingspan of 2.11 meters, this kind of physical condition is perfect for a basketball player. Coupled with his excellent physical fitness and superb skills, his breakthroughs are often scored with a dunk.

But today, Vincent defended very well, leaving him no room for dunks, so he could only choose to layup.

The ball was thrown onto the basket and flew to the highest point, just when the ball was about to reach the highest point, a big hand suddenly appeared and slapped the basketball fiercely.

"It's covered! This can be covered!" The young man was already in his heart. After he landed and looked closely, he suddenly found that it was Vincent who covered him.

"He can jump so high!" The young man gasped.

At the same time, a replay of the scene just now was shown on the big screen at the scene. Vincent jumped high and served a big hot pot, which was almost at the top of the basket.

"Oh..." The fans at the scene let out bursts of shouts, followed by screams.

"My God, it's Vincent, he can jump this high!"

"At the age of 38, he can still jump so high. Vincent started working hard on the first ball today!"

"I think it's better for Vincent not to play like this. He is already so old. If he still dances like this, he will be easily injured."

The fans talked a lot, but Vincent had a strange feeling.

He didn't find it strenuous at the height just now, but this was also what made Vincent feel strange. If it was placed ten years ago, this height was just a child's play for him, and he could easily complete it, but now, even if he tried his best, he would not be able to jump to this height.

Vincent recalled it carefully, the jump just now, he just completed the block action by conditioned reflex, and he didn't try his best, but from jumping to block to landing, this set of actions was completed On the contrary, Vincent felt a very stretched feeling.

Just like when I was young!

"Could it be that after these days of training, I've returned to the state I was in when I was young?" Vincent looked at his hands inexplicably, and the confidence in his heart gradually began to sprout.

...

Vincent holds the ball, breaks through, takes off, and dunks.

And it was a dunk by one person!

When Vincent jumped to the highest point, he vaguely felt that the basket was parallel to his line of sight.

Vincent is no stranger to this kind of perspective, and in the first decade of his career, Vincent often enjoyed this perspective parallel to the basket.

Today, at the age of 38, he enjoys this perspective again.

"Bang!"

The ball was dunked into the basket, and the entire backboard was shaking constantly when it followed.

"Oh, oh, oh!" The audience erupted again, especially the audience sitting behind the basket, who most intuitively felt the shocking visual effect brought about by this dunk. They couldn't help standing up and screaming. There was a roar like a beast.

"My God, this is not dunking, it is flying! To see this ball, today's ticket price is worth it!" The commentator was a little speechless with excitement.

The big screen at the scene, as well as the director of the broadcasting party, kept showing this wonderful dunk. A 38-year-old player can still fly and make such a dunk. It is definitely the top five shots of the day.

However, after only two rounds, Vincent made an empty cut to the basket and directly completed a two-handed dunk after receiving the ball.

This kind of fancy movement can be regarded as a performance in the dunk contest. If it is used in a normal game, it will even be a bit provocative to the opponent.

But at this time, when Vincent made such a move, no one thought he was provoking his opponent. People only saw a 38-year-old veteran telling the world with his actions that he is not old yet, and he can already look like a young man. When playing like that, he also tried to fly.

Vincent is still a little unsatisfied, he wants to fly a few more times!

As people commented, he was "flying and playing"!

Or in other words, the so-called "half-human, half-god", but tonight there is no "half-human", only "half-god"!