My Name is Kobe Bryant

Chapter 875 The strongest offensive lineup in history!

The free market is very hot this summer.

The one who has received the most attention is the Emperor's giant, the league's number one center, Shaquille O'Neal. Currently, the Shaquille O'Neal is looking for a team that suits him among the top four teams in the Eastern Conference.

In addition, the super giant is not in free agency status. Either he has renewed his contract in advance, or he is still a few years away from the end of the contract.

Then there are All-Star players including Gilbert Arenas, Karl Malone, Jim Jackson, Amozo Mourning, Scottie Pippen, Lamar Odom, Mutombo, Rashid Ward. Rice, Steve Nash

Excellent role players also include Elden Campbell, Stephen Jackson, James Posey, Laga Bell, Derek Fisher and others

"Do we have enough salary?" Kobe sat down with Magic and D'Antoni to discuss how to get the most benefits in the free market.

First of all, Nash must be signed. D'Antoni paired with Nash is equal to the first run and gun in history.

At the same time, it is necessary to find a fourth position for Yao Ming that is most suitable for him, which can restrain Duncan and prevent Kobe from reaching the defensive gate of the fourth position.

There is no doubt that Big Book is the most suitable.

But there is still one year left on the four-year contract signed by Ben in 2000, so it must be obtained through a trade.

Coupled with whether to renew the contracts of Stephen Jackson and Derek Fisher, and how to renew their contracts, it becomes a question.

This year's salary cap is $61.5 million.

Kobe's clause back then - Kobe could sign a contract beyond the maximum salary, but it would still be included in the Lakers' salary space, but the Lakers would not have to pay additional luxury tax for this contract.

In other words, Kobe's seven-year contract of 230 million and 32.85 million per year directly occupies half of the salary cap.

Next is Ginobili's 12 million.

Bowen 8 million.

Yao Ming’s 4 million No. 1 pick contract.

Zach Randolph's $1 million rookie contract.

Okur's 800,000 rookie contract.

There are still a few rookies available to sign, but the salary cap is nearly filled.

Fortunately, Kobe's $30 million is not included in the luxury tax. Within the hard salary cap, the Lakers still have room for $20 million to operate.

In other words, the Lakers can just provide Steve Nash with a maximum salary contract of 20 million.

But is it worth it?

After signing this contract, Xiaoyu and Wu Sheng have no room to sign.

Wu Sheng at least has a contract worth more than 10 million.

Xiaoyu may be a little bit close, but it can be done with 3 million.

Magic's forehead was dripping with sweat. Kobe insisted on getting Nash, and he was not optimistic about it.

How can a point guard be as skinny as Nash?

A point guard should be more than 2 meters tall, proficient in back-up hook shots and can hit from one to five, then he can be called a point guard!

But from the time Kobe entered the league until now, all the players who valued him and played around him have performed far beyond the expectations of NBA commentators. This has to convince Magic.

sign!

Must sign!

But the largest contract offered to Nash on the market is four years and 40 million from the Suns.

He's not even as popular as Stephen Jackson on the free market.

Kobe Bryant always wants to give him a maximum salary?

Can it be lower, Boss?

Kobe rubbed his temples. Is Nash worth the maximum salary?

There is no doubt that under D'Antoni's system, he is an MVP-level player and the engine of the Lakers' strongest offensive team in history.

But there are really not many teams on the market that are optimistic about Nash.

"That's all. MAGIC gave Steve a 3+1 player option, about 15 million per year. I'll compensate him for the difference of 5 million through Mamba Sports. I don't think it's appropriate to go any lower."

"Kobe! What you're doing is against the rules!" Magic said anxiously. The Timberwolves signed such a yin-yang contract with Joe Smith, resulting in a first-round pick that was fined for several years.

Kobe rubbed his brow, feeling a little headache.

"Kobe, I'll go talk to Steve about the contract and I'll give him a satisfactory price."

"Okay, MAGIC."

"Then next, we have to discuss Stephen Jackson, the contract extension with the small fish, and do we need to target other big fish in the free market?"

In previous years, West was solely responsible for handling these matters. Kobe didn't understand how complicated these things were until West left.

Magic is another guy who likes to mess around. D'Antoni, a rookie coach, has little say compared to Magic.

Kobe can only stare at these things. At this time in previous years, he would either go on vacation with Vanessa or go to the Mamba training camp.

This year's summer league is about to begin.

03 The golden generation fights against each other, tsk tsk tsk.

It’s interesting to think about it.

It's a pity that Pelinka now has a lot of players to take care of. Otherwise, Pelinka and Magic can form a combination of Wolong and Phoenix to make himself more relaxed.

"Ben has submitted a trade request to the Pistons, but what bargaining chip should we use to exchange for him?"

Magic, Kobe, and D'Antoni looked at each other, speechless for a long time.

There is a saying that all three of them have high basketball IQs. But this kind of communication with other team management is not smooth at all.

"Why don't we call Mr. West? He hasn't found a job yet, right?"

"good idea."

. . .

"Boss, I understand." Stephen Jackson received a call from Kobe.

He's going to be traded.

He had actually been prepared for this, and even silently expected it.

He knew since the Lakers never offered him a contract extension commitment after the end of the season that this might be his last season with the Lakers.

The team also signed No. 2 pick Anthony and Korver during the offseason.

The forward position is almost saturated.

With the Lakers, he is just a starting power forward averaging 14+6+3 per game.

Although the teammates get along well with each other, as people go up, Wu Sheng is not willing to just be the fourth or even fifth leader of the team with an annual salary of over ten million.

When it comes to other teams, Wu Sheng is confident that he can average more than 20+6+5 per game!

He has wanted to be the boss of a team for a long time.

This time, the Lakers just gave him a chance.

"Stephen, I'm looking forward to playing with you in the All-Star Game."

"Boss, the Warriors gave me a four-year, 22 million contract." Xiaoyu dialed Kobe's number.

Fisher knows that this may be his last chance to get a big contract.

When the Lakers signed Nash, his starting position would no longer continue.

Instead of earning 3 million as a substitute with the Lakers, why not go to other teams to start as the main starter and get a higher contract?

Although the dozens of super VIP cards in Los Angeles are a pity, it doesn't matter. I heard that the venue in San Francisco is also very good.

Xiaoyu chose to leave.

This is the best choice for the Lakers and himself.

With reluctance, I have been with Kobe from 1996 until now.

But that's life.

On July 29, 2003, the Lakers signed 29-year-old white guard Steve Nash from the Mavericks with a 3+1 player option for 16 million per year.

On July 31, 2003, the Lakers signed and then traded. Stephen Jackson signed a three-year deal worth 40 million, and the +04 first-round pick was acquired from the Pistons in exchange for Ben Wallace.

On August 1, 2003, Anthony, Barbosa, and Korver signed with the Lakers one after another to prepare for the summer league.

The Lakers lineup has undergone earth-shaking changes!

The outside world is very unfavorable to this lineup system.

"Magic thinks that a 30-year-old white point guard still has room for improvement? West has left the Lakers. Magic's trade this summer is simply going to make the Lakers unable to lift their head for five years!"

"Why did such a young player leave the Lakers? When such a rookie joins the team, is it going to be rebuilt?"

"Kobe's peak should not be wasted in Magic's imaginary reconstruction! We need new stars! Not Nash!"

"We should use the No. 2 pick in exchange for some stars. Kobe needs immediate strength."

"Last year we were the closest team to the Spurs championship team. We were only one step away from the championship. But now? It will take us more than three years to have a chance to compete for the championship!"

"Big Ben has proven in both the Lakers and Pistons that he is just a data brush, a player with no offensive ability at all."

"Anthony will become a cancer for the team, and he will compete with Kobe for the right to shoot."

"No matter how you look at the Lakers' lineup system, you can only feel strange! Do they really have enough ball rights?"

Not many people are optimistic about this Lakers team.

Without West and Harris, the direction of this Lakers seems to be somewhat out of control.

Fans miss the days when West kept the team in order.

Now, Magic and D'Antoni are facing a lot of criticism.

Kobe was satisfied after successfully completing the signing and transaction under West's guidance.

Don't care about what the outside world says at all.

The current Lakers are the best in history in terms of offense alone, which cannot be refuted.

Defense?

Basketball is a sport where one scores more points, and the team also has three top defensive gates: himself, Bowen, and Ben. Who makes people think that this Lakers defense will collapse at the drop of a hat?

Last year the Spurs shattered the Lakers' interior defense, but with Ben this year, everything will be very different.

Set a small goal first. The team will average 130+ points per game this season.

"Hey! Boy, you are here to help me!"

Meanwhile, a classic meeting took place in Cleveland.

Ricky Davis, who was combing the furrows on the ground, looked at the rookie in front of him with a look of relief.

good! The size is great! It's my Pippen for sure!

James narrowed his eyes, murderous intent flashed through him.

People who are familiar with him will know that James is already angry at this time.

Before joining the team, James heard at the Mamba Academy how the team's veterans would treat newcomers.

James thought that since he was the No. 1 pick, this situation would be somewhat restrained.

But this Ricky Davis, he also paired himself with saying such words?

If it was James in the previous life, who had not experienced the systematic training of Mamba Academy, had a relatively peaceful mentality, and just wanted to bring an excellent living environment to himself and his mother when he first joined the league, he might have endured it.

In the previous life, James had to develop for a year before he truly became the chosen one. In the first year, both his personal performance and team record were far behind Carmelo Anthony.

But now James has a completely different mentality.

I'm here to rule this arena!

I am the king!

I will beat Kobe!

James received the most scientific and cutting-edge training early in the Mamba Academy. His adequate nutrition allowed his body to grow and develop even more horribly than in his previous life!

In training, he has competed against NBA starters and even star-level players without falling behind. This is the source of his world-beating confidence!

Familiar, so not afraid!

James has played against too many top stars, and he knows exactly how strong he is now.

What are you Ricky Davis?

Dare you talk to me like this?

A king never retreats.

It was only after Kobe faced Ceballos that he had a great rookie season.

"1 on 1, get out of my team after losing." James raised his chin.

Rule the world from this moment on.

"So James gave him a 21:0?" Kobe learned the news from Pelinka's phone call.

Extremely happy.

This is what THE KING should do!

Give Ricky Davis a year?

nonexistent!

Kobe likes James who is so sharp.

"This kid, Ricky Davis's face turned green at that time!" Pelinka couldn't laugh or cry. He never thought that James, who was very approachable at Mamba Academy and liked the GIGIGI weird and funny name, could be so aggressive in the face of provocation!

"It's time for Cleveland to know whose team this is."

Having become the absolute core from the first year, what kind of performance will James contribute? Can he lead the Cavaliers into the playoffs on his own?

Kobe is looking forward to it.

"This is your first lesson when you join the NBA." Thibodeau looked serious. He is the coach of this year's Lakers summer league. He will lead the Lakers' rookies to familiarize themselves with the rhythm of the league.

The members of the summer league are either first- or second-year rookies or fringe NBA players.

The main purpose of the summer league is to let the rookies adapt to the NBA and see if they can find some fish that have slipped through the net.

This year's Lakers summer league rookie members include Anthony, Barbosa, Korver, and Walton. Just one center is needed to complete a starting lineup.

"Defense! My team! We don’t need how fancy your scoring is! We don’t need how precise your offense is!"

"Everyone, keep an eye on your opponent!"

"All starters will play more than 30 minutes! The team cannot lose more than 80 points in this game!"

"The opponent who scores the most points will play 48 minutes in the next game! Do you understand?"

Thibodeau looked fierce. He was told by Kobe and Magic to train these new recruits.

Feel the iron blood!

Anthony was confused.

what's going on.

In the Summer League, isn't it true that before the knockout stages, the main players only play for 20 minutes?

Is Thibodeau really going to play?

This is different from what the agent told me!

And defense?