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The players reported to Washington on the same day, held a press conference, showed off their new jerseys and accepted interviews with the media.

Yang Rui came to welcome everyone and made comments for everyone. They were all full of praise, which made everyone very happy.

The history of the Wizards has quietly changed. Yang Rui had great power and unceremoniously turned away several veterans who wanted to join.

The first to bear the brunt was veteran Charles Oakley. He could hardly play anymore and thought of the Wizards playing alongside his old friend Jordan.

The Wizards still had a spot, and Jordan wanted to sign Oakley, but Yang Rui made it clear that this guy would cost the Raptors the chance to build a dynasty. If he didn't like him, even O'Neal's grandma wouldn't sign him. (O’Neal’s grandma: It’s time to discuss Lao Shen’s place in history.)

Jordan had no choice but to give up. He found that Yang Rui only seemed to be nice, but was just as stubborn as him. He believed that one thing was difficult to change. If such a person dislikes anyone, there will be no room for relief.

Jazz veteran small forward Brian Russell also wanted to join the Wizards, but was rejected by Yang Rui on the grounds that Russell could not run and his system did not need veterans with poor athletic ability.

Yang Rui reserved the fifteenth man spot for Barnes, and no one else could take it away. Even if Barnes doesn't come in the end, he still has other candidates, such as swingman Anthony Parker, who currently wants to return to the NBA.

In Yang Rui's previous life, Parker was an excellent role player and an off-ball player who was good at shooting three-pointers. However, he only returned to the NBA in 2006 and joined the Raptors.

As the 21st pick in the first round of 1997, Parker suffered consecutive injuries in his first three years in the league and became a famous glass man. Later, he was forced to move to Europe. His current level is not good, so Yang Rui is more inclined to sign Barnes, who is brave in defense.

The next day, Yang Rui made an appointment with the new players to conduct a test at the arena, mainly to examine the players' three-point ability. The test results made him a little disappointed.

David Wesley and Donyel Marshall are fine;

Although not every position is accurate in shooting, there are at least three points where open three-pointers are guaranteed.

Alston and Bell can shoot three-pointers, but they are unstable, especially from the bottom corners.

The only accurate point for Maggette's long-range shot is between 50 and 70 degrees on the right side. He can hardly shoot from other positions. He can only make do with mid-range shots. He has not yet reached his peak at this time.

Gerald Wallace is even worse. His mid- and long-range shooting is completely unreliable, and his ability to break through with the ball is also poor. Fortunately, Gerrard is a hard-working player and he will continue to improve.

Jordan also participated in this training, his mid-range shooting was stable, and he had no hope of three-pointers. At his age, it is impossible for Yang Rui to let Jordan spend a lot of time practicing three-pointers.

The rookie did not participate in the test. In the summer league, Boozer performed well. His anti-cannon-style shooting is now accurate, and he is very threatening when catching the ball in the middle after the pick-and-roll. Stoudemire is not good at shooting. He is good at hitting the basket with his body. He can break through the frame and his first step is very fast. He is not like an inside player.

The others who didn't come, except Hamilton, were even worse at shooting. Tyronn Lue can shoot but won't get much playing time, so he can only be a marginal player.

Yang Rui arranged a task for everyone to take time to practice long-range shooting during the holidays, and determined the head coach's shooting point, announcing a holiday.

The only good news is that Jordan did not get angry at the players, and the Wizards did not have a three-point shooting spot last season. Hubert, the most accurate, averaged 1.1 three-pointers per game. Even if the shooting rate was as high as 45.2%, it was still a drop in the bucket.

This is just training. The fundamental reason why Jordan was angry last season was that the Wizards kept losing.

On the way back to the hotel, D'Antoni was a little worried: "Jerry, it was easy for the Raptors to win the championship last season because they relied on many shooting points from beyond the three-point line, which attracted the defense to help the stars create strong attack opportunities. The Wizards' current lineup encounters the opponent's contraction." , it will definitely be difficult to fight, we have to find a way."

Yang Rui nodded. "I know it would be fine if we could improve our shooting percentage in the regular season. Having only two stable three-pointers is really a headache, but this is the best lineup."

There are two stable three-pointers. Marshall's three-point shooting percentage was less than 40%, while the Raptors' overall three-point shooting percentage last year reached 40.8%.

D'Antoni asked: "In addition to the trainer, there are only two of us in the team now. Do you have to find another assistant coach? If you find a retired player who is good at shooting as an assistant coach, can you solve this problem and improve the strength of the team? "

Yang Rui clapped his fists and said with a smile: "Mike, you are so right. It would be a good idea to find someone to teach shooting. Is there anyone available?"

D'Antoni smiled and said: "Yes, Jeff Hornacek, I don't think there is any retired player who can shoot better than him, and he is an acquaintance, so he should be interested."

"Well, he is indeed the best candidate..." Yang Rui paused. "Mike, do you know where I can buy knee pads? They also have chest pads and the like. If I go to Salt Lake City to ask for them, I might get beaten up."

"..."

Yang Rui took a deep breath. "Before going to Salt Lake City, let the scouts investigate what Jeff has been busy with recently and whether he is willing to be an assistant coach."

The front office staff easily found out about Hornacek's current situation. He didn't do any work and was idle at home. The Jazz once invited him to be the team's shooting coach, but he declined.

Yang Rui called Hornacek. "Jeff, how are you doing?"

"Hi Jerry, I'm fine."

"What have you been busy with lately?"

"I'm just busy with the little things in life every day. I heard that you recently joined the Wizards. Did you come to me about basketball?" Hornacek asked with a smile.

"Well, there is only Mike as an assistant coach in the team now. I need to find another assistant coach. Are you interested in working together again? Let's win the championship together." Yang Rui got straight to the point.

"I am interested, but I have to ask my family if they are willing to go to Washington. I have only retired for two years." Hornacek said with a wry smile.

The two started chatting. After retiring, Jeff Hornacek has been busy. He spent time with his family in Salt Lake City, picking up and dropping off his daughter. He also served as a volunteer at children's basketball games and coached Abby's team.

In his daily life, he has to clean up the backyard, garage and rooms at home; during the school holidays, he also has to take his two children on a trip. He is really too busy, much busier than when he retired. When he was playing, he could do nothing about many miscellaneous things, but now he can't.

Hornacek complained: "If conditions permit, I really want to disappear for a month and have a good rest."

Yang Rui knew there was something going on and said with a smile: "Why don't you just join the Wizards? I plan to lead the Wizards to win the championship in the next two years. As long as I succeed, I will often praise your role in the team. It won't be long before you become a regular head coach." You are still young and there is no reason to retire so early. Is housework what you should do? You are wasting your talents."

Hornacek thought for a while and smiled: "If you can convince Abby to move to Washington, I will join the Wizards. I don't know how to live with my family, especially Abby is still young."

"This... I have to think about it carefully and I will find a way."

Hornacek can't let go of basketball. Now his father is still a coach. He stays in Salt Lake City purely for his family.

Yang Rui knew that to solve this problem, he had to start with his family.

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