Bishop of the Devil

If you know your mistakes and can correct them, there is no greater good.

Since Jacobsen's apology was so sincere, Richard definitely had no need to pursue the matter further.

After all, it’s not easy for these young men...

Of course, for those who are stubborn and never admit their mistakes, such as Williams, Richard will definitely not be lenient and must do what needs to be done.

…

In the game against the Suns that night, all the Pistons' main players were present, but they didn't do anything excessive on the court. It was considered a friendly game against the Suns.

The Suns' lineup is really not bad.

Some players are even at a level that would make Richard jealous.

Marbury, Marion, Penny Hardaway and one-on-one Joe.

Among them, Marion and singles Joe are the players that make Richard jealous...

Richard has been thinking about Marion and wants to get it.

But I never came across any suitable opportunities.

Now that Marion has completely risen, the chance is even slimmer...

Although Marion is only the second-leading scorer on the team at the moment, in fact, in terms of on-court performance and data, Marion is the leader of this Suns team.

He averaged 21.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. The statistics are terrifying.

This is truly a top-notch presence on both offense and defense...

Who doesn't like a player like this? The Suns are not fools, so how could they be willing to sell Marion.

I'm afraid the Pistons won't be able to agree even if they exchange Nash for Marion.

At least the Pistons have to add Oku...

…

As for Joe Johnson, he is currently only playing a half-substitute and half-starting position with the Suns, so Richard has a chance to get it.

It might not even cost much.

…

After the game, Richard walked onto the court and shook hands with the Suns head coach and chatted with each other.

"Coach Li, congratulations, the Pistons have a chance to compete for the championship today." Frank Johnson said with a smile on his face.

Richard smiled and waved his hand: "It's still early, the players are too young now, so take your time."

"On the contrary, your Suns' current lineup is doing well. If we can get another reliable insider, I think there is a chance to break into the top half of the Western Conference."

After hearing this, Frank Johnson shook Richard's hand excitedly. He simply couldn't agree with Richard's words anymore.

Did you see it? If the Suns can't improve their record, that's not the reason why Kidd left at all.

But the team lacks reliable insiders...

These are words spoken by Richard himself. Could anyone question Richard? !

"That's right, that's right! Coach Richard, you are really too wise to express my troubles!"

"We really lack a reliable insider right now. Hey, I really envy you..."

"With such a good eye for selection and so many powerful inside players in the team, I am so happy!" Frank Johnson gave Richard a small pat on the back.

Richard burst out laughing, "Take your time, there is no rush in team building. If there is a shortage of centers, then select good prospects through the draft and then train them yourself. If that doesn't work, you can also do it through trades." Well, the road is made by people anyway, and there will always be a way to solve the problem."

I'm afraid even a fool can see Richard's purpose now...

This guy is paving the way for a trade with the Suns for Joe, and first making Frank Johnson aware of the Suns' problems.

"Yes, you are absolutely right, Coach Richard!"

"To be honest, I admire you very much. You are definitely the strongest head coach in this league."

"Every word you say is my inner thought."

Frank Johnson almost regarded Richard as his confidant at this moment, because every word of Richard's words spoke to his heart.

In tonight's game, the Suns didn't lose much, just by a seven-point margin.

"The problem before us as the Suns right now is how to introduce a qualified inside player."

"From tonight's game, you can also see that the Pistons' inside line has been pressing us."

"Of course, strengthening the inside line does not happen overnight. I also had a chat with Coach Richard just now and it was very fruitful. I hope that in the days to come, we can strengthen the inside line-up as soon as possible."

At the Suns' postgame press conference, Frank Johnson said something puzzling.

But anyone who cares can still hear what Frank means.

That is, team building takes time. The management must not be in a hurry to fire me. I have already established a relationship with Richard. In the future, it is possible to get an insider from Richard...

A new head coach is definitely walking on thin ice, and he is very cautious in everything he says and does.

…

Waiting for the Pistons' post-game press conference, Richard praised the Suns' Jacobson, saying that this kid knows his mistakes and can correct them, and he will definitely gain a foothold in the league in the future.

He also praised the head coach of the Suns, saying that he is a very thoughtful head coach and will definitely lead the Suns to achieve good results in the Western Conference in the future.

The reporters in the audience were surprised. Did Richard take the wrong medicine today? He was so gentle and praised the Suns several times in a row?

Is this still the same Li Dapao who catches anyone and sprays them?

They felt that it must not be that simple. There must be some conspiracy. Is Li Dapao trying to trick someone?

…

If there is any conspiracy, it is certainly not true, but Richard really wants to make a deal with the sun.

That is to exchange Okur for the Suns' single Joe. Of course, it is impossible to exchange it alone, and the Suns have to pay the price of plus draft picks.

Under normal circumstances, Okur's strength is good, but in terms of rank, he is far inferior to Joe in singles. Even if Okur is used in singles for Joe Johnson, Richard will definitely not lose.

It's just that the potential of singles Joe has not yet been tapped, and Okur has already emerged. In addition, the inside is more valuable now, so if the Suns want Okur, a high-quality insider, they will only exchange it for a singles Joe. , is obviously not enough.

Now that Richard wants to beat Joe alone, and wants to steal other people's draft picks, he has to be kind to others and show some goodwill to them.

…

Of course, before trading Okur, Richard will give Okur as much playing time as possible and try to make Okur produce good statistics.

After the next game with the Trail Blazers, you can start to fatten up Okur.

Try to get a deal done with the Suns before the All-Star break.

Richard is not worried at all about whether the Suns want Okur. As long as Richard reveals his thoughts on trading Okur, there will probably be many teams in the league who take notice.

The Suns are currently short of a center. It would be strange if they are not interested. They won't be left to Richard's control when the time comes.

…

Next, the Pistons will face their strongest opponent so far this season, the Portland Trail Blazers.

This is a team built by Richard himself. Although the current lineup has changed slightly compared to when Richard left, the overall framework is still there.

They are still one of the strongest teams in the league.

Although the Pistons also played the Trail Blazers twice last season, they were always playing on the fly because Yao Ming had not yet joined the team.

Now that Yao Ming has joined the team, Richard can no longer paddle. He wants to use the Trail Blazers as a touchstone for this Pistons.

Look at the gold content of this piston.

…

The Rose Garden Arena is now filled with countless fans.

Richard is back, their Portland enforcer is back.

Although Richard is now coaching another team, Portland fans will never forget the glory that Richard brought to the Trail Blazers.

High above the arena, a jersey with Richard's name on it hung high, which seemed quite inconsistent...

But the fans also feel quite normal, and the Portland enforcers deserve this honor.

"Richard, welcome home!"

"Portland Enforcers!"

“The door is always open to you!”

When Richard entered the stadium along with the Pistons, the entire Rose Garden Arena erupted, and countless fans cheered wildly at Richard.

Richard also waved hello. He was still quite sentimental about this place that he had been fighting for for five years.

"Coach, I didn't expect your popularity in Portland to be so high." Yao Ming said in surprise.

"It's normal. When you can lead the Pistons to create a dynasty, you can still enjoy such treatment even if you leave the Pistons." Richard said with a smile.

"Okay, tonight's opponent is the Portland Trail Blazers, one of the strongest teams in the league!"

"I'm afraid you all know where they are strong!"

"In this game, Dayao, you and Clark must be tough!"

"Believe me, if you can't toughen up, you will definitely be tortured miserably by those two guys..." Richard said with a faint smile.

"Don't worry, coach, I'm no worse than the two of them. Yao Ming is definitely better than the two of them. We will definitely not lose to the two of them tonight!" Clark patted his chest, quite confident.

With the Trail Blazers off to a super start with six consecutive wins, the Pistons are also full of confidence.

The Auburn team has been a super inside team that has been famous in the league for a long time, but newborn calves are not afraid of tigers. Yao Ming and Clark really are not afraid of the Auburn team.

Yao Ming also looks confident now.

Richard smiled and nodded: "Yes, this is the new guy brought out by Richard, let's play well on the court!"

"Gerrard, Bell, you must defend well. The Blazers' outside attack firepower is also quite terrifying. Don't give the opponent a chance to explode!"

Ginobili is gone and Nowitzki is gone, but the Blazers' perimeter lineup is still quite strong.

Reed and Stackhouse's outside offensive firepower is quite good.

Stackhouse is okay, mainly because Reid has grown quite well now, and he has become the outside core of the powerful Trail Blazers team.

Currently, the Trail Blazers are averaging 21.7 points per game, second only to O'Brien and ranking second on the team!

As for the bearded Davis, with current statistics of 20.7 points and 9.8 assists, he is already one of the top first-position players in the league.

Even sometimes, in direct conversations with Kidd, the bearded man never lags behind.

As the referee blew his whistle, the starting players from both sides began to take the field.

All fans are attentive, waiting for the start of this super battle.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see how strong the Pistons are this season. I am afraid that the Nets, currently the number one team in the Eastern Conference, are no match for this Pistons.

It can be said that the Pistons are the strongest team in the Eastern Conference right now!

As for the Trail Blazers, although they did not reach the finals last season, that was for a reason. Their hard power is still the top in the Western Conference.

The duel between these two super powers from the East and West can definitely be regarded as a super battle.

Seeing the starting players from both sides starting to take the field, Richard felt a sense of heroism in his heart.

These two teams were built by themselves, and they are now the top super powers in the league.

Who else in this alliance can have such ability besides myself? !