One Guard

The Denver Nuggets achieved an impressive 57 wins last season, which is inseparable from Iguodala's outstanding performance. Although they failed in the playoffs, the Nuggets are still a team full of hope. Next season, if Iguodala does not opt ​​out of his contract, the Nuggets will pay him an annual salary of US$12 million. Logically speaking, Iguodala has no reason to leave the Nuggets. He has only stayed in Denver for one season, not to mention it was a good season.

But in fact, the moment George Karl encouraged Iguodala to use unfair means to hurt opposing players, his heart was no longer in Denver.

Iguodala desires victory, but he has his own principles when it comes to victory. He would definitely not do such a thing intentionally hurting someone.

George Karl's request made Iguodala hate the Denver Nuggets. He longs for a more secure long-term contract and hopes to restart his career in a different place. This place must have a broad enough market for Iguodala to plan for his business empire.

The Golden State Warriors were extremely close to Iguodala, but in the end, this low-key and powerful forward chose the Dallas Mavericks with Yiyang. Don’t people all say that you can become better if you play by Yi’s side? Now Iguodala is eager to get better.

"I can't believe we did it!" Cuban jumped up and down in his office after attending the press conference announcing Iguodala joining the Mavericks. He finally had the star player he had always dreamed of, and he met Carlisle's needs.

Iguodala is a guy who is good at offense and defense. The most important thing is that he is very willing to play the role of second or even third leader. As long as Yiyang is willing, Iguodala is more than willing to cooperate fully. He has the strength of a star, but the heart of a role player.

Compared with Howard and Jefferson, Iguodala does not have the problem of ball distribution. He can score, but he doesn't stick to the ball. He can defend, and Marion will never be the target of the opponent's attack again.

The joining of Iguodala caused joy in Dallas. This may be the most correct signing that Cuban has made in the past two years.

After Iguodala "remarried", naturally some people were happy and some were worried. The day before, the Denver media was still shouting that Iguodala's loyalty cannot be measured by money, but today, they unanimously changed their word of mouth and described Iguodala as a traitor who does all evil.

After completing the contract signing to join the Mavericks, "Denver Post" columnist Mark Krezza ridiculed Iguodala's behavior of leaving the Nuggets as a cowardly act: "The Nuggets will become less successful without Iguodala." Better. He gave up a $12 million-a-year contract for the Mavericks. We can understand that if you can't surpass the Mavericks, then become their allies."

Facing the transfer of Iguodala,

George Karl, an old man, also launched an outspoken attack.

"Iguodala is a worthless player. He chooses to use an easier way to win, but in the end he will regret it. His poor choice will only make his career worse. !”

In Denver, Iguodala became a public enemy. But Iguodala himself didn't care. He happily came to Dallas to buy a house and had first contacts with several bosses to open up his business market in Dallas. What does the Denver incident have to do with him? He is now a Dallas Mavericks player.

"Now that I'm playing on another team, I just want to focus on this team and play every game well. Carlisle and Cuban have already discussed with me the tactical issues for next season. To be honest, I think we can achieve good results. As for you asking me what Karl said about me...I can only say that it makes me scratch my head. I have no idea what the situation is and why he said that." In an interview with reporters, Iguodala also expressed his indifferent attitude. The Nuggets were unjust to him, do you still expect Iguodala to have affection for his old club?

Yiyang, who was "hiding" in Los Angeles for special training, was also "digged" by the omnipotent reporters, but this time, Yiyang is no longer the protagonist. Almost all reporters asked him to comment on Iguodala joining the Mavericks.

In fact, when Yiyang saw the news that Iguodala had joined the Mavericks, he immediately expressed his welcome to Iguodala on his social media, and then asked Duffy to help him get Iguodala. La's personal phone number and sent him a welcome message.

Yiyang is very excited about Iguodala joining, but don't expect him to have this excitement written on his face.

"We have a very outstanding partner who can help us go further next season." Yiyang dismissed the reporters with a simple sentence.

"How far? The finals?" A reporter asked loudly in front of Yiyang who had turned around and was about to leave.

Yiyang stopped and turned to look at the reporter who asked the question, but in the end he said nothing.

Finals? I thought you were going to say championship!

The addition of Iguodala has finally brought the Mavericks, which has been immersed in the game for a long time, back into the public eye. Of course, Iguodala is just an appetizer. Cuban, who had been stocking up for a long time, immediately began to spend all his money in a planned way.

One day later, the Mavericks officially announced that they had extended the contract of Darren Collison, who performed well last season, for three years and US$15.04 million. The Mavericks' strongest sixth man will continue to attack Dallas.

Although most of the players signed by the Mavericks are not "giant" figures, experts can see that every signing they make is very sensible! Carlisle and Cuban completely turned a blind eye to those who were well-known but not suitable for the team at all.

After renewing the contract, the Mavericks quickly reached a two-year contract worth $7.5 million with Iguodala's former teammate, veteran Haitian center Samuel Dalembert. options.

Although Dalembert is 33 years old, this center with an extremely professional attitude and willingness to defend is exactly the kind of player the Mavericks need. At this point, the recruitment candidates of Carlisle and Cuban have been confirmed, they are the kind of guys who are willing to defend but will not take up too much of the ball!

Defense, this has always been an issue that Carlisle has emphasized very much. Unfortunately, the Mavericks' lineup last season allowed them to rely on offense to attack higher rankings and the playoffs. This season, the Mavericks have almost reinvented themselves while retaining their core, and Carlisle can create a suffocating defensive lineup that belongs to Dallas at will. Carlisle never wanted to experience the helplessness of being powerless in the face of the Spurs' offense.

So far, the Mavericks have four defensive heroes in Gobert, Yiyang, Iguodala and Dalembert. In the eyes of the outside world, their defensive depth is enough, and it is time to recruit some offensive players.

But Carlisle doesn't think so. With Yiyang, Nowitzki, Iguodala and Collison, the team's offense actually doesn't have to worry. Next, what he needs is defensive players. Moreover, he must be a top defensive expert!

Prior to this, the Mavericks announced that they had acquired "singles king" Nick Young, the most "unconventional" player among the Mavericks' summer signings, with a one-year base salary, which made the outside world think that the Mavericks were finally starting to hoard scorers.

Nick Young is not good at defense and is not a team player. He seems to be incompatible with the Mavericks' system. In fact, signing Nick Young was Cuban's "personal preference", and Carlisle had no favorable impressions of this player who could only play singles randomly. But who makes Cuban the boss? He just likes guys who can score. However, just one Nick Young will not destroy the structure of the Mavericks. Therefore, Carlisle did not obstruct this signing too much. Sometimes, you have to make Cuban happy, right?

In mid-July, Kidd announced that he would join the Nets on a three-year contract. Only this time, his identity changed from player to coach!

Yiyang was shocked again. After Stevens took over as the coach of the Celtics, another important teacher in his life, Kidd, also officially took over.

At the press conference, Kidd also joked with reporters. "Maybe you'll switch to playing under my men tomorrow?"

During this period of training camp, it can be said that there are surprises every day. Gobert's progress makes Yiyang feel gratified, and the improvement of the team's lineup makes Yiyang eager to try. The appearance of Stevens and Kidd also made Yiyang look forward to the duel with them.

But what Yiyang didn't know was that this summer's surprise was not over yet. At this moment on the negotiating table, Carlisle is fighting for the last important piece of the puzzle for the Mavericks!

"You know, the best point guard in the world."

"You also have to know that it was the best point guard who knocked my team out last season."

"It's your previous team, you are already a free agent." Carlisle smiled, trying to make the atmosphere more relaxed.

"I thank you for your love for me, but I really have no reason to join. Except for more annual salary, you can't give me anything else." A black and strong player spread his hands. This league is also willing to provide defensive players Not many teams have players footing the bill. If it weren't for Cuban's price tag of 23 million over four years, he might not have wasted his time coming to Dallas.

"Isn't the championship attractive enough?" Carlisle directly showed his trump card.

Seeing that the other party hesitated, Carlisle immediately pursued the victory and continued. "Everyone knows that we are recruiting everywhere, recruiting good players like you. Does Mark think he has too much money? No, we are not spending this money just to join in the fun, but because we have a goal. Our goal is What? Championship!"

The dark and strong player hesitated. Although he only entered the league in 2004, he was actually only one year younger than veterans like Dalembert, half a year to be exact. This is almost the last long-term contract in his career, and it is also one of the few opportunities for him to win honors.

From an emotional perspective, my old club is certainly good. But there are many more realistic things that his old club cannot provide him.

Should I wait until four years later when I am getting older and be abandoned by my old club and spend my entire career doing nothing, or should I choose a new starting point and pursue something different?

"I...I'll think about it." The player didn't agree to Carlisle, but he didn't refuse either.

Carlisle did not force others to make an immediate decision, but showed a confident smile.

"You are a smart player, Tony. I believe you will make the best choice."

Tony Allen stood up, thanked him, and left the office. Dallas or Memphis? This is really a difficult choice.