The Way of the Center

"Look at this kid, he's so strong! When he grows up, he will be an excellent basketball player like you, Ann!" Aldridge smiled and looked at the little baby in Catherine's arms. This little guy had piercing eyes There is a god, and the limbs are shaking constantly. It seems that the little baby seems to be born to be an athlete.

"What's his name?" Ricard beside Aldridge asked An Jie while making faces to amuse the child.

"serene."

"An... Xian?" Another twisted Chinese pronunciation, which made Ricard difficult. Thinking back when An Jie joined the Cyclone team, he had to call An Jie's name clearly for a week.

"Anxiang, it means that the child will be safe and healthy for the rest of his life." An Jie repeated it patiently, and explained the meaning of the name to everyone.

"So gentle? I thought you would give your child a crazy name." Lillard deliberately joked with Anjie. After all, this guy's fierce appearance on the court and his fatherly love It looks like two completely different people.

"You can also call him Little Cromwell, the French name Catherine gave him." Seeing that the three guys couldn't remember her son's name for a long time, Ann shook her head helplessly.

"Little Cromwell, I like this name, and it's easy to pronounce." Aldridge carefully picked up the child from Catherine's arms. Now, this guy can finally call Xiao Baobao's name fluently.

Cromwell, which was the surname of Catherine's dead mother. Westerners always like to use the names of their deceased relatives on newborn children to commemorate the deceased. But An Jie said that An Xiang will definitely become a Chinese citizen in the future, so Catherine only uses one surname as a nickname for her son.

"Can I play with my little brother?" Ricard's little daughter stood shyly behind her father.

"Of course you can, Abigail, as long as you are careful, because my brother is still very fragile." Ricard squatted down and said softly to his daughter.

It seems that this guy, like An Jie, belongs to the master who can turn his face and deny people immediately on the basketball court. Otherwise, how do you explain the huge contrast between these two people on and off the court?

In the evening, the three people who came to see the children were also invited to stay at An Jie's house for dinner. Big Beard cooks himself and prepares a table of sumptuous dishes for everyone. Among them, there are Chinese dishes and French dishes. An Jie is even thinking about whether to get Big Beard to serve as a chef consultant in his own restaurant.

At the dinner table, the "Big Four" of the Blazers, who hadn't been together for a long time, unknowingly talked about work.

After all, the time has come to the end of September, and in one month, the new nba season will start soon. Their nerves can no longer relax, after all, new challenges are coming.

"Next season, LeBron is likely to bring us huge troubles. This summer, Paul George broke his leg during the training of the U.S. national team and was reimbursed next season. In this way, looking at the entire Eastern Conference, I'm afraid it's really true. No one can stop the Cavaliers. If we can reach the finals next year, I am afraid it will be much more difficult than this year." Rickard's serious discussion shifted the topic of everyone from children to work.

"It's not just the finals. Next season, we will have a lot of difficulties if we want to break out of the West. The Golden State Warriors performed amazingly last season. God knows what those guys will grow into this year! That guy Kobe Bryant He will come back this year, and he will never give up his pursuit of the championship, absolutely not." An Jie took out his mobile phone and looked at the summary of this summer's transactions.

Although there are no earth-shattering big deals in the West, in general, every team has been strengthened to a certain extent.

In contrast to the Portland Trail Blazers, their lineup remains the same as last season, and even because of winning the championship, the Trail Blazers don't even have a draft pick this year. No one goes, and no one enters. Next year, many players of the Trail Blazers will renew their contracts, and Olsi dare not recruit any more stars for the sake of safety.

Use this year's championship lineup to continue to face the challenges of next season. This is Nell Olsey's plan. In fact, there is nothing wrong with doing so. Generally speaking, teams with good results, especially championship-level teams, usually rarely change their lineups too much. In this way, everyone will panic, for fear that they will be the next guy to pack up and leave. The current lineup of the Trail Blazers is indeed still very competitive.

"That LeBron guy really set a precedent. For the championship, he can do anything. The Big Three of the Cavaliers sounds quite interesting." Lillard is gearing up for the upcoming season. expect.

"It doesn't matter, whatever they want to do, as long as we do our best, the Trail Blazers are still one of the most dangerous teams in the league! Well guys, we shouldn't talk about business at the dinner table. Come on, do this One glass! After this glass of wine, we will have to endure another season of prohibition!" An Jie took the lead in raising his glass, leading everyone to drink.

The wedding anniversary has passed, and the World Cup has also played well. The training is as high-quality as ever. Now, my son was born safely. It seems that Anjie had a perfect offseason this offseason.

After letting go of all worries, An Jie can finally continue to prepare for the new season with peace of mind. There is still a championship, and the Trail Blazers will complete their three consecutive championships and create a dynasty. The establishment of the first dynasty involving a yellow-skinned guy is quite an achievement.

The last leisure night was spent slowly in this happy atmosphere. After tonight, An Jie will be ready for battle again.

Take care, son, your father will let you see what it means to create a miracle this year!

※※※

Old Ivan unlocked the big lock and pushed open the door of the Blazers home locker room. Although it has not been used for several months, the locker room is still clean and spotless.

Ivan pushed a trolley into the dressing room, and hung the clothes on the cart in the locker one by one.

Looking at the names on the cabinet, old Ivan knew that no one left the Trail Blazers this summer. The group of guys who brought countless joys to people will gather together and continue to fight for another year.

Lillard, Aldridge, Iguodala, Matthews, Batum, Courtney Lee...Ivan hung up these jerseys skillfully. In the end, only the locker room was left. Ivan has not opened the cabinet in the middle.

Taking out a huge No. 00 jersey, Ivan walked to An Jie's locker. Before you know it, the kid is about to start his seventh year in Portland.

He hung up Anjie's game jersey and training jersey separately, and patted the ash on them. Everyone is still there, and the most important thing is that Old Ivan is very happy that Anjie can wear the Trail Blazers jersey again and continue to fight!

"Tap." Just as old Ivan was staring at An Jie's jersey in a daze, the door of the locker room was suddenly pushed open.

It's only seven o'clock in the morning, old Ivan turned his head in surprise, who would come to the locker room so early? However, when he turned his face away, he only saw An Jie smiling and waving at himself.

"Morning, old Ivan, you cleaned the locker room pretty well." An Jie didn't forget how bad it was the night they won the championship.

"You bastards, I've never seen champagne wasted like you in my life. Fortunately, that kid Iguodala has a conscience and left a bottle for me. Otherwise, I wouldn't be bothered to help you clean the locker room Well." Old Ivan has worked in the Moda Center for nearly ten years, and has always gotten along very well with these big guys. That's why he and An Jie can talk unscrupulously like friends.

"Hahaha, I'm sorry Ivan. Maybe this season, we will come again?" An Jie sat in front of his locker with a smile, and he began to prepare to change equipment.

"If that's the case...you can do it! I'm willing to be busy for the championship!" Since the Drexler era, the old Ivan has been a diehard fan of the Trail Blazers. This is also the reason why he never tires of this job.

Playing for the team he likes, although the way of playing is different, but Ivan is equally proud.

An Jie didn't say anything after that, he changed his clothes, jumped a few times, and then walked towards the training ground after a long absence.

Seeing An Jie's back gradually walking away, old Ivan couldn't help thanking God.

Thank you for letting Anjie parachute into Rose City. As long as he is there, Portland is full of confidence every season!

"By the way, old Ivan!" Before entering the locker room, An Jie suddenly turned around and called Ivan.

"This year, I will also leave you a bottle of champagne!" After speaking, An Jie walked into the training ground. Afterwards, old Ivan could only hear the clatter of the basketball and the hardwood floor.

Old Yi grinned and frowned. This old guy's smile is as sweet as a child who just got candy...

The pace of the new season has gradually come, whether Anjie can create a dynasty of his own. All this, we can only wait and see.