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On September 25, the Raptors held a media day, and the new NBA season began.

Jermaine O'Neal is a restricted free agent, testing the waters of the free market. The Magic team offered him the largest contract, 18.3 million in three years. The Raptors matched the contract, leaving behind this potential new star inside.

The contract extension that the Blazers opened for Camby is almost the same as that of O'Neal. He is not inferior to the second place in the year, and he is very satisfied with this result.

In addition to O'Neal, the Raptors also renewed Ryan Bowen's contract with a two-year minimum salary, and signed Jumaine Jones, who was 28th in the first round, with a four-year rookie contract. The team already has 15 players with contracts. So I didn't find anyone to play the preseason. The only person under pressure is center Jerome. His contract is a non-guaranteed basic salary, and the Raptors can lay off him at any time.

The list of fifteen people is as follows.

Centers: Jerome James, Brad Miller, Kevin Willis, Kevin Cato.

Power forwards: Detlef Schramf, Jermaine O'Neal.

Small forwards: Vince Carter, Ryan Bowen, Jumaine Jones.

Shooting guards: Doug Christie, Tracy McGrady, Jeff Hornacek.

Point guards: Dell Curry, Chauncey Billups, Earl Boykins.

The Raptors have hoarded five big men with a height of more than 210m, and three forward swingmen who can play the 4th position. The inside strength is definitely stronger than last season.

For the core makeup photos, Yang Rui chose Billups, Carter, Tracy McGrady, Jr. O'Neal, and Miller. They were all selected to the Dream Team and All-Star in his previous life, and three of them were from the Eastern Conference.

All five of them were interviewed by the media, especially Brad Miller. He was only an inside substitute last season, didn't play much time, and his performance in the playoffs was mediocre. The reporter wondered why he suddenly took the position.

Miller said with a smile: "Last season, my shooting ability did not meet the coach's requirements. I practiced shooting hard this summer. He said that he would arrange more tasks for me. I am looking forward to it."

Carter was interviewed and said confidently: "I improved my offensive and defensive skills through single-handed and joint training with Tracy in the summer. I must be stronger than last season."

The reporter asked: "Who wins the most when you two fight one-on-one?"

"Almost, we can't guard against each other." Carter replied.

Maddie gave the same answer,

The agents of both sides greeted each other well. Some things should not be said indiscriminately, which will affect the image. The media never broke the news that the stars were singled out.

In the future, the issue of Kobe and McGrady's heads-up will still be talked about by fans, and it has always been a mystery. It is impossible for the two to hide and fight alone, and it is impossible for them to never have a contest. To put it bluntly, it is an unspoken rule of the NBA, leaving a sense of mystery for fans to guess, and stars are all good-faced.

The reporter asked, "Vince, do you have any personal goals for this season?"

"The mvp of the regular season is my goal, as well as the slam dunk contest champion. I want to participate in the slam dunk contest this season." Carter replied.

Yang Rui chatted with Carter a few times in the summer, and made it clear that he will arrange tactics for him, and ask him to play more aggressively this season, and don't hide when facing reporters' questions.

Carter made a bold statement. The coach can't make him a superstar, and he can't get the ball right? This season, he will be more worthy of the nickname "half man, half god."

McGrady's goal is to be an All-Star, a little more low-key. Yang Rui also talked to him. In the new season, he will still mainly play as a substitute and play staggered playing time with Carter in the first quarter. In the second quarter, McGrady is the core of the team and can shoot as much as he wants.

McGrady's three-point accuracy is slightly worse, and his defense against breakthroughs is also slightly inferior to Christie's. He wins in all aspects, and being a substitute will help the team the most.

The reporter focused on interviewing Yang Rui and asked: "Jerry, when you renewed your contract in the summer, you shouted the championship slogan, but the Raptors did not bring in big-name players. Are you disappointed?"

If the coach says he is disappointed about this kind of problem, it will be exaggerated by the media immediately, taken out of context, and create contradictions.

Yang Rui smiled and said: "Just kidding, how could I be disappointed with the Raptors lineup? We reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season. This season I will definitely take the Raptors to fight the Heat and the Knicks. We Will use offense to blow up the league and win a championship."

The reporters at the press conference were all excited. Even in the 1995-1996 season, the Bulls, Michael Jordan, and Phil Jackson, who set a record in the regular season, did not blow up the league with their bold words before the start of the game like Yang Rui.

Yang Rui's declaration is unprecedented in NBA history, but he is also the youngest coach, enough to make headlines.

The reporter asked: "The Raptors players are very young, how can they compete with those teams with more experience in the playoffs? Are you too optimistic?"

Yang Rui shook his head and said with a smile: "The joining of Curry and Hornacek has made the team stronger. They are all excellent immediate combat power, well-known veterans, plus two veterans inside, Doug Christie. The Dragons have no shortage of experience. We spent a season running in, and the young core will get better and better. Maybe I say they will have pressure, but if a team wants to be successful, it must withstand various pressures."

The reporter asked: "Who do you think is the team's biggest competitor this season?"

"There are no opponents in the East, and the Lakers and Trail Blazers in the West." Yang Rui gave a clear answer. He really thinks that there is no opponent in the East.

The reinforcement situation of each team has not changed from what he knew in his previous life. Heat point guard Tim Hardaway is one year older and defends black holes; Too big to walk Oakley.

Without the Raptors, the Eastern Conference has entered a period of decline. In Yang Rui's previous life, the Pacers would reach the finals this season. He believes that with the depth of the Raptors' current lineup, picking up the Pacers is just playing.

The reporter asked: "Aren't you optimistic about the defending champion Spurs?"

"Not optimistic, the Spurs are not strong enough in the summer, and the lineup is flawed. The Blazers traded Steve Smith, adding a three-point shooting point. He is also a star. He is more suitable for the team than Ryder. And the Lakers signed Without coach Phil Jackson, his triangle offense will maximize O'Neal's power."

The reporter asked: "Russian rookie Kirilenko has to fulfill his two-year contract before he can join the NBA. Will it affect the Raptors?"

"I will wait for him to become a free agent. For the time being, he will train in Europe. He is only 18 years old and has little game experience. Even if he is talented, the team does not need to pay liquidated damages for him."

The reporter asked: "I heard that it was your idea to introduce the 165m tall defender Boykins in the summer. What do you think of this player?"

Yang Rui said seriously: "I believe that Earl is strong enough to gain a foothold in the NBA. How much playing time he can get depends on his state and effort. I guarantee that he will get the opportunity to perform and give full play to his strengths."

The reporter asked: "What do you think are the current shortcomings of the Raptors?"

"The Raptors have no shortcomings and weaknesses. We didn't have much time to adjust last season and started the regular season hastily. This season is different. We have more time to practice tactics and play a tacit understanding. I believe the players will adapt to the new style of play, the new season, we'll show it to everyone."