Basketball Legends: Strikers Are King

"very good."

Bird nodded, confirming that the goals of the management and head coach were consistent, and then opened another topic.

"Next, let's talk about something more specific."

Bird hinted wildly with his eyes.

Um?

Vogel was a little surprised. Didn't the president promise not to interfere in team management?

"Just treat it as small talk. After all, this is also related to the team's operation in the off-season."

Bird was prepared and explained with a good reason, and Vogel did not question it again.

The off-season is indeed the best time for all teams to show their operations.

In particular, after Tony Parker, Nowitzki, Horford and Durant, who were originally expected to appear in the free market in 2011, all renewed their contracts with their home teams in advance, and the schedule was reduced due to the lockout in the 2011-12 season, all players

The team is focused on the summer of 2012.

Compared to Paul and Deron, who may use player options to opt out of the last year of their contracts, the current No. 1 center who still has one year of contract and has many conflicts with the Magic is undoubtedly the target of all teams.

The Pacers also have a slight advantage in the form of Roy Hibbert, who has become a restricted free agent.

If the Magic is willing, the Pacers can use Hibbert to acquire Howard in a sign-and-trade deal, which is equivalent to free prostitution.

As we all know, no one is not interested in free prostitution.

If the Magic is unwilling, the Pacers can sign back Hibbert as a supplement. After all, a blue-collar center averaging 12.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game is still very scarce.

Understanding the needs of the team or head coach and conducting targeted operations in the free market is something that all qualified managers will do.

"Frank, do you have any idea about the composition of the team?"

Bird planned to find out more.

The extra chat forced Vogel to give up on his preparation and start thinking seriously.

At first glance, the current composition of the Pacers is very healthy. Granger is the only one with a salary of more than 10 million, but it is only in the early 10s.

Even excluding West, who has $8.28 million, the other three starters are still on rookie contracts.

Not to mention the backup trio of George, Qi Tian and Hansbrough all have super-quality rookies worth 850,000, 540,000 and 1.99 million.

"Basically not."

Vogel was determined to tell the truth,

"I am very satisfied with the composition of the team. If we can find a qualified backup center for Hibbert, it will be the greatest help to the team."

"Of course, West can be used as the center if not."

We only need to add a backup center, but that's not a high priority.

Bird understood what he meant.

He asked the first question:

"What do you think of George Hill's contract extension?"

George Hill, who was traded from the Spurs with a first-round pick, will face a contract extension this summer, and the contract of Collison, the team's original starting point guard, will also expire next year.

Whether and how to renew George Hill's contract will affect Collison's status in the team.

After all, no one would spend a lot of money to re-sign a top-paid defender and then let him play as a substitute, right?

"George's performance is very good. He has a very good understanding of the team's tactics and can maximize the abilities of his teammates."

Bird was a little surprised. Collison could also do this.

Vogel’s next words showed his bias:

"George's advantage is that he is a combo guard and is more stable offensively."

George's advantage was obviously Collison's disadvantage. Bird nodded and made the decision to find an opportunity to trade Collison in the summer and strengthen George Hill.

Using a starting point guard to reinforce the interior is very luxurious, but it is very suitable for the current Pacers.

Is this the end?

Vogel felt that today's conversation was over and planned to leave.

After all, it was already eight o'clock in the evening.

But Bird did not intend to let him leave like this. Instead, he looked at the ornaments on the table and said softly:

"So, Frank, what do you think of Danny?"

"Grizzle?"

Vogel was shocked to see what Granger meant.

Bird smiled and reassured him:

"Just talk, you know, we didn't perform well against the top teams."

Indeed it is!

Vogel immediately knew this was the aftermath of the team's consecutive losses to the Knicks.

Otherwise, Bird would not have such a big objection to losing to the Heat and Bulls.

"Actually, I have to bear a lot of responsibility for the failure the day before yesterday and yesterday..."

Bird waved his hand to interrupt his review, and said anxiously:

"Didn't I tell you, let's just talk!"

You're already in a hurry, how can you still call this a casual chat?

Vogel knew this well and quickly made up for Granger:

"Actually, the performance of the team's forward line is not much different from that of our opponents. We mainly lost in..."

"alright!"

Bird interrupted the coach again, looked up at Vogel, and said word by word,

"I am the team president, and I don't want the team's upper limit to be limited because of a certain person."

Vogel was speechless.

The Pacers are a defensive team. As long as they have a mature defensive system to cover the bottom line, the lower limit will not be too low.

But fans and management look at the team's upper limit, and the upper limit of a defensive team can only depend on the team's big brother.

The Bulls are an example. Thibodeau helped the team build a defensive system, and Rose led them to soar.

Can Granger take the team to the top?

Vogel knows it's difficult.

His performance against James Anthony has said it all. The 25 points per game averaged in the first two seasons may even be Granger's peak. Next year, Granger will be 30 years old.

"but……"

Vogel felt a little uncomfortable. When he was an assistant coach, he had been training with Granger and was promoted to head coach. It was only with Granger's support that he could succeed.

"Why."

Bird spoke first.

"I'm very optimistic about Danny's strength, and I trust him, so I brought you up."

"It's just based on the current situation. Look at you, why are you taking it seriously?"

After confirming the head coach's attitude, Bird did not intend to delve further into this topic.

No matter how bright the skylight is, there are still areas that cannot be illuminated. In fact, they also need areas that cannot be illuminated as a buffer to avoid conflicts.

Vogel quickly adjusted his mood and said:

"The current Pacers are built on Danny. Even if his performance is not good, he can still rely on uniting his teammates to bring out the team's strength."

"I don't think replacing Danny is a good choice."

"Of course, Danny is the boss of the team."

Bird disagreed, but still agreed,

"The Pacers in the next few years will still rely on the leadership of you and Danny. I will fully assist you."

"I hope so."

Feeling chilled by the capital, Vogel quickly ended the conversation with Bird and walked out of the office.