I’m Really Playing Basketball

With O'Neal's visit to Phoenix, Phoenix, which was a little transparent in the league for a while, instantly became the focus of the league.

There is nothing that can be done about it, because O'Neal is so domineering now.

Don't look at the fact that O'Neal led the collapse of the strongest team in history for the second time last season, which dealt a huge blow to O'Neal's reputation. However, the aspect of O'Neal's reputation that was hit was not his strength.

When playing against the Cavaliers in the playoffs last season, O'Neal's dominance was still very strong.

Breaking through the strongest zone defense in history, is this a joke?

The area where O'Neal has really been knocked down in this series is his luck.

In one round of the series, there were three Miller moments and one Chen Xiao moment. This was incredible luck.

So, now, O'Neal is still the league's No. 1 center. Maybe the league's No. 1 man is already Duncan, but O'Neal's No. 1 center in the league, the position of the top three in the league is still very stable.

And this is why the Suns are willing to pay everything for O'Neal, almost emptying their team, and trading Marion and Joe Johnson for O'Neal.

You know, Marion and Joe Johnson performed quite well last season.

Marion can average 19+9 per game, and Joe Johnson has made rapid progress, growing from a rotation player averaging less than 10 points per game to a quasi-star player averaging 17+4+4 per game.

Therefore, in order to get O'Neal, the Suns really paid a lot.

But, I have to say that the Suns management must be satisfied seeing their team grow from an unknown team to the most watched team in the league.

Although it is indeed very painful to send Marion and Joe Johnson, but with O'Neal, coupled with the team's future, Stoudemire, who averaged 21+9 per game in the NBA last season, the Suns' current combat effectiveness must be better. Even stronger last season.

The combination of O'Neal + Stoudemire not only gave reporters and media across the United States great hope, but also made the Sun's management see great hope.

Let's put it this way, the Suns' inside combination is definitely the strongest inside combination in the NBA now, and in the entire Western Conference, it is definitely the strongest existence.

And more importantly, O'Neal and Stoudemire are very suitable.

And this is why O'Neal joining the Suns will cause such a sensation in the league, especially in the Western Conference.

This inside combination is so strong that the naked eye can see.

In this small fish pond in the West right now, it's hard to imagine any team that could pose a threat to the Suns next season.

According to NBA experts and celebrities, as long as they surround O'Neal and Stoudemire with a few passable perimeters, the Suns will book the position of the Western Conference champion next season.

This definitely cannot be considered a boast.

At least, that’s what players on many Western Conference teams think.

For a time, the strong Western teams such as the Timberwolves, Lakers, Kings, and Mavericks were under great pressure.

Of course, the Cavaliers are now under as much pressure as the strong teams in the West.

Faced with O'Neal and the Suns' infuriated and deliberate destructive behavior, the Cavaliers are now taking action.

Of course, the Cavaliers would not be willing to send Crawford and Darius Miles to the Suns for free.

Although after the Suns offered Crawford and Darius Myers such a contract, it is impossible for the Cavaliers to use them even if they match, but the Cavaliers can seek opportunities to sign first and then trade.

Let's see if there are teams in the NBA willing to pay some price for these two people. The Cavaliers' requirements are not high, even a first-rounder.

Facing a desperate plan like the Suns, the Cavaliers certainly cannot sit still and wait for death.

It's impossible to send them to the Suns for free.

Therefore, after O'Neal announced that he was joining the Suns, Chen Xiao gritted his teeth and asked the team to renew the contracts of Crawford and Darius Miles.

The contract of 5 years and 60 million matches Crawford and the contract of 5 years and 55 million matches Darius Miles.

When the Cavaliers announced that they had extended contracts like this with two of the team's young players, the entire NBA was stunned.

Although the whole world knows that the Cavaliers did not want the Suns to take advantage by renewing these two players with such contracts, is this too cruel?

O'Neal and the Suns.

Wonder Boy and the Cavaliers are even more ruthless!

"Shaq, our offer fell through."

Phoenix City, the hotel where O'Neal stayed, there was no frustrated expression on O'Neal's face when he got the news from the Sun.

Crawford and Miles have good abilities and great potential. He wants to get these two people, but he has no intention of getting them.

"The Cavaliers renew Crawford and Miles, whether they use it themselves or sign first and then trade, it is doomed that they will not be able to supplement strong fish in the free market this season."

O'Neal finished speaking extremely calmly, and the Suns staff next to him was shocked.

Too cruel!

The whole world knows that because of Jordan's stupidity, he cleared up 11 million garbage contracts for the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers have a lot of room to sign powerful free agents this season.

But with O'Neal doing this, the Cavaliers really can't sign big fish in the free market this year.

After Crawford and Miles renewed their contracts, the two occupied the Cavaliers' 23 million salary space, plus James, Chen Xiao, Chandler and Diop, Mo, Al Jefferson, With the salaries of Diaw, Korver, and Barnes in their rookie contracts, the Cavaliers' salaries are close to filling their 43 million salary space.

It is impossible for the Cavaliers to continue to sign big names in the free market. The Cavaliers now only have a full middle-class contract and some basic salary special contracts available.

Moreover, because of what O'Neal did to the Cavaliers, not only was it as simple as not being able to sign big names in the free market, but also regarding the contracts of Crawford and Darius Miles, the Cavaliers would definitely not dare to use them next season!

If they are used, Chandler's contract renewal will definitely be handled according to these two people, so Chandler must be renewed with the maximum salary.

Therefore, although the Cavaliers match the Suns' contract, they must be sending them away to minimize losses.

In other words, the Cavaliers, who entered the showdown last season and were thriving, were not only unable to sign anyone, but also faced disbandment due to O'Neal's actions.

Originally a thriving team, O'Neal made it look like this!

"After this fat man disappeared from the world for a while, he actually became so sinister and vicious?!"

The Suns staff looked at each other in confusion around O'Neal. Faced with the complicated looks of the Suns staff around him, O'Neal didn't care at all.

If you are betrayed by the person you have always regarded as your father, if you encounter a scene like last season's playoffs, you will grow up and you will become darker.

After being betrayed by Phil Jackson and the poisonous snake, O'Neal now feels that he is no longer the innocent child he used to be.

He, Shaquille O'Neal, grows up from now on!

Ignoring the strange looks from these people, O'Neal plunged into the hotel's rehabilitation center.

It's a real rehab center, not some other weird place.

I don’t pick up girls, I don’t drink fat house happy water, I don’t eat and drink a lot, I don’t indulge in nightclubs, I just take care of my body like crazy every day...

This is how the Suns staff felt about O'Neal after they came into contact with O'Neal during this period.

"Is this person really the legendary big shark?"

"have no idea……"

All the Sun staff were stunned and shaking their heads.

If it weren't for his appearance, to be honest, they really didn't believe that this man was the legendary O'Neal.

Because not only his heart has become sinister and cunning.

And people have become thinner.

That's right, O'Neal, after the playoffs last season, lost weight for more than 2 months and even lost weight!

The 32-year-old O'Neal looks more energetic than the 31-year-old O'Neal last season.

Chen Xiao naturally didn't know what happened in Phoenix City.

In order not to let O'Neal and the Suns take advantage, the Cavaliers gritted their teeth and matched the contracts of the Suns for Crawford and Miles.

After the match, the two players, who are now on vacation, returned to Cleveland to meet Chen Xiao for the 'last time'.

Crawford and Myers are not fools. The fact that the Cavaliers matched such an outrageous contract means that their fate with the Cavaliers and Chen Xiao ends here.

To be honest, although the two of them had been tortured by Chen Xiao for a season and had been thinking about escaping from Cleveland, but, to be honest, when they really wanted to leave here, the two of them were still a little reluctant.

Of course not because of reluctant Cleveland.

What is there to miss about this place in Cleveland?

The main thing is that I don't want to part with Chen Xiao.

After bidding farewell to Chen Xiao, Crawford and Miles looked at the sun above their heads with blank expressions on their faces.

"Now I can finally get out of the clutches."

"Now I can finally let the birds fly in the sky."

"But……"

"My heart is empty."

Crawford and Darius Miles looked at each other with wry smiles on their faces.

"It's really a blessing to be his teammate."

"It feels so safe to be by his side..."

But now, this happiness and security are leaving them.

Thinking of this, Crawford and Miles took a deep look behind them at the same time.

Then he gritted his teeth and turned to leave.

And when the two of them didn't know it, the person they were thinking of was watching them upstairs.

"Brother, have a good trip."

Watching the two silhouettes disappear into the two cars in the distance, Chen Xiao closed the two windows in front of him.

After matching Crawford and Miles, the Cavaliers began to sell these two players who played very well in the Cavaliers last season.

The performance of Crawford and Darius Myers last season was very good, and they were really good. One offense and one defense, very distinctive. They were unhappy and mindless. One only attacked and the other only defense.

There is such a performance base.

There are many teams interested in them.

However, there are more teams that are interested, but not many teams are willing to take over the big contracts of these two people.

For example, Miles, after the Cavaliers matched the contract, the Trail Blazers were very interested in Darius Miles.

And they are also willing to take over Darius Myers' five-year, 55 million contract.

The relationship between the Trail Blazers and the Cavaliers is very good, and the two teams even worked together in this year's draft.

The Cavaliers exchanged the 18th pick for the Trail Blazers' 15th pick, which was regarded as taking advantage of the Trail Blazers.

This time, since the Trail Blazers have needs and the Trail Blazers are interested in Miles, the Cavaliers have no intention of taking advantage of the Trail Blazers and the Lions are opening their mouths.

The Trail Blazers' bargaining chip against the Cavaliers is next year's lottery-protected first-round pick + one of the three options of Raheem/Damon Stoudemire/Ratliff.

Rahim only has the last season of his contract left, and the Trail Blazers have no patience with him anymore.

The same goes for the little flying squirrel.

Ratliff, on the other hand, still has four years of garbage contract, and the Cavaliers will certainly not choose him.

It can be said that the Blazers' offer is very sincere.

If the Cavaliers get Raheem or Flying Squirrel, they can not only get rid of this garbage contract next season, but also gain immediate combat capability this season. Rahim and Flying Squirrel still have immediate combat capability.

Last season, Raheem mainly played as a substitute for the Trail Blazers. He averaged about 20 minutes per game and scored 10 points. He looked average, but he averaged 20 points per game when he started in the Hawks last season. .

The Flying Squirrel started every game for the Trail Blazers last season, averaging 13.5 points and 6 assists per game. He is a very qualified starting point guard.

Flying Squirrel or Raheem, which one should you choose?

Both of them can start, and both can play as the sixth man left by Crawford. It can be said that they are both players that the Cavaliers need.

In the end, the Cavaliers chose Raheem.

Because Raheem proved last season that he can play as the sixth man.

As for the Flying Squirrel, he has been a starter for most of his career.

Finally, after matching the contract of Darius Miles, the Cavaliers announced a deal with the Trail Blazers. The Cavaliers used Miles + cash from the Trail Blazers in exchange for Raheem, the No. 1 pick in 1996, and Raheem, the No. 1 pick in 2005. The Blazers' lottery-protected first-round pick.

After resolving Darius Myers' contract, the Cavaliers next need to resolve Crawford's contract.

Crawford's five-year, $60 million contract is larger than Darius Miles' contract, but similarly, there are more teams interested in Crawford's contract.

Although Crawford can't defend, his offense is indeed outstanding.

Next to Chen Xiao and James, he can not only be a shooter, but also a singles player. At the same time, he is only 24 years old, and he seems to have hope of becoming the next Kobe?

If Myers' offense doesn't make him a star player, then Crawford's offense and his age really have many people looking forward to it.

Therefore, when the Cavaliers decided to trade Crawford, many teams still asked about the price.

Although Crawford's contract is large, it is still worth the gamble to trade it for a first-round pick.

The question is, are the Cavaliers willing to take just one first-round pick?

Of course it's impossible!

It would be a favor for the Blazers to use a lottery-protected first-round pick to acquire Miles.

How come two first-round picks are needed to trade for Crawford, who is worth more than Miles? And they are the kind of two first-round picks with lottery hopes!

Of course, if Crawford can really develop into an All-Star player in the future, both lottery picks will be very worthwhile.

But if you can't become an All-Star, you're trading two promising lottery picks for a player with a crappy contract.

This is a bit of a loss.

To be honest, if Crawford hadn't broken the Cavaliers' salary structure, the Cavaliers would actually be willing to accept Crawford's five-year, 60 million contract.

Crawford's market price is between 8 million and 9 million.

A premium of three to four million is acceptable.

But for players like the Cavaliers, this is really not a question of millions. The top four players of wealthy teams such as the Lakers, Knicks, and Trail Blazers have no problem getting such contracts, but the Cavaliers cannot.

Therefore, it can only be sent out.

Among the teams interested in Crawford, there is no doubt that the most sincere is the New York Knicks.

The New York Knicks are willing to trade first-round picks in 2005 and 2007 + Penny Hardaway for Crawford.

The New York Knicks' two first-round picks are unprotected.

The other first-round picks traded for Crawford all came with lottery protection, which is a bit unsatisfactory.

Although the Knicks' Penny Hardaway's contract is considered a junk contract, the Knicks' two draft picks are still very attractive.

After the Knicks acquired Crawford, the lineup of Marbury, Crawford, Alan Houston, and Garcourt Thomas was still very strong on paper.

Therefore, this is also the reason why the Knicks dare not add lottery protection.

Historically, the Knicks gave away two unprotected first-round picks in order to acquire Eddy Curry from the Bulls. Last season, Crawford performed better than Eddy Curry.

The Knicks feel that they got Crawford, and the value of the future first-round pick is not great, so they are very confident. Well, the Knicks are always so confident.

The Cavaliers feel that even if the Knicks get Crawford, they may not be able to make the playoffs, so these two first-round picks are of great value, so they are willing to trade.

In short, after the Knicks sent this offer, the Cavaliers have decided to accept it.

And just when the Cavaliers were preparing to accept the offer from the New York Knicks, an extremely attractive offer for Crawford was placed in front of the Cavaliers.

Seeing this offer, not only Cavaliers general manager Paxson was shocked, but Chen Xiao was also shocked.

"Houston Mosaic is willing to trade Francis for Crawford + Diop + the Cavaliers' first-round pick next year!"

To be honest, Francis is still very powerful in the NBA now. Whether it is popularity or strength, he is definitely at the All-Star level.

As long as the Cavaliers get Francis, the Cavaliers will transform from a two-star team into a Big Three team.

And more importantly, the Cavaliers will get the team's coveted starting point guard!

In this way, the Cavaliers will complete their reconstruction in an instant.

Chandler, Raheem, James, Chen Xiao, Francis, isn't this starting lineup very exciting?

Last season with the Mosaics, Francis had the worst statistics of his career because of Jay Williams.

Obviously, the point guards of Jay Williams and Francis cannot coexist. Both of them need a lot of ball possession. At the same time, both of them have some problems in defense.

Under such circumstances, many people are speculating that Mosaic will trade one of Jay Williams or Francis during the offseason of this season. However, what people did not expect is that the final Mosaic team actually chose Francis. .

Many people thought Mosaic would trade Jay Williams.

"Why did Mosaic choose to keep Jay Williams instead of Francis?"

Just when Cavaliers general manager Paxson was about to give up on agreeing to trade with the Knicks, Chen Xiao stopped the excited Paxson with this question.

"Jim, wait a minute."

After Chen Xiao stopped Paxson, he took out his mobile phone and dialed the number of his old friend Jay Williams.

Regarding the fact that Mosaic wants to trade Francis with the Cavaliers, it is obvious that Jay Williams does not know.

Jay Williams knew the Mosaics picked him last, passing on Francis.

But it's unknown whether Francis will be used in a trade with the Cavaliers.

So after hearing Chen Xiao's inquiry, Jay Williams pondered for a moment and then told Chen Xiao something that outsiders didn't know.

"Chen, Francis is a very strong player, and he is definitely better than me now, but I don't recommend you trade him, because last season our locker room always smelled some other strange smells, I think you should understand I mean."

"..."

Other strange smells...

After Jay Williams finished speaking, Chen Xiao understood it almost instantly.

"Thank you, Jay."

After finishing the call with Jay Williams, Chen Xiao returned to the general manager's office of the Cavaliers.

At this time, everyone was waiting for Chen Xiao's decision.

"Jim, end the deal."

"..."

Paxson's eyes widened, James and Carlisle looked at Chen Ling with the same curiosity and surprise.

On the other side, in the general manager's office of the Houston Mosaics, Dawson was also at a loss.

Just now Paxson looked like he was about to trade with them, why did he suddenly change his mind?

And he terminated the transaction with them so decisively?

Could it be that there is an inner ghost, and the fact that Francis has been infected with twitching has been exposed?

But, shouldn’t this be the case? !

Most of the rest of the Mosaic team knew that Francis smoked marijuana, but the others didn't know.

However, what Dawson didn't know was that even if it was smoking marijuana, Chen Xiao couldn't accept it.

After the team meeting was over, Xiao Zhan was very curious about why Chen Xiao rejected Francis. Chen Xiao didn't hide anything, except that he didn't tell Xiao Zhan that it was Jay Williams who told him, and everything else was said.

"It turns out he was addicted to marijuana..."

It's a pity for Xiao Zhan, Chen Xiao can't accept it, but he can accept it.

However, Xiao Zhan, who is now proficient in Chinese history, is willing to respect and understand Chen Xiao's culture and habits.

It's just that Xiao Zhan didn't know Chen Xiao's attitude towards marijuana at this time, which almost saved the future of James and the Cavaliers.

Back to the Crawford trade.

After rejecting Mosaic's deal, the Cavaliers reached a deal with the Knicks.

The Knicks traded Penny and unprotected first-round picks in 2005 and 2007 from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Crawford, the Cavaliers' third-leading scorer.

So far, the Cavaliers have solved the problem raised by O'Neal.

Seeing that the Cavaliers sent Crawford and Darius Myers away, O'Neal snorted with satisfaction.

"Want to rise?"

Hum, continue to sink!

ps: First update, please vote and subscribe! ! !