A year ago, May 20, 2008.

The day before the start of the Trail Blazers vs Lakers Western Conference Finals.

After the training was over, everyone went back early to rest.

Only Cannon and Wayne stayed in the locker room, and they had to do something unspeakable alone.

Cannon sat across from Wayne with a serious expression.

Wayne stared at Paul, trying to put on a calm appearance.

"You know, it's going to be hard in this series. After all, Gasol is not available for the moment to play. Wayne spoke first, after all, he was the one who wanted to have this conversation.

"Hmm...... But we're going to win, right? ”

"We've got to win because of the time that's left for us...... Not much. Now, Wayne opened the skylight.

The team didn't renew Paul's contract early, and Paul knew why.

Because he had just been named to the All-Star team, triggering the Wayne clause.

To renew the contract, that is to renew the contract with a maximum salary of 30%.

This means that the three of the Trail Blazers will take up nearly 90% of the team's salary space.

This is an extremely unhealthy salary structure for the team.

Naturally, the team will not rush to renew the contract, not because of Paul. Allen is reluctant to spend money on luxury tax.

But he once experienced "thinking that he could succeed by throwing money" knows better than anyone that some things can be done without throwing money.

Running a team well is far from a simple matter of numbers such as being reluctant to pay the luxury tax.

If teams like the Knicks and Lakers can never fail if they are willing to pay the luxury tax, then teams like the Knicks and Lakers can never fail.

But that's not the case, and it's much more complicated than that.

First of all, the first question, the NBA plays the game of human sophistication.

That's right, people are sophisticated.

The players and coaches in a team can only perform if they are close to each other.

The completion of Paul's contract extension means that Paul's salary will be higher than Wayne's.

Although they are all 30% of the maximum salary, the salary of different renewal years is also very different.

Wayne is the MVP, and Paul is just his deputy. Paul is paid more than Wayne? Will Wayne have an idea?

This is the first thing the Trailblazers need to consider.

Don't look at the fact that Cannon and Wayne are getting along very well now, but don't forget, Kobe and O'Neal also got along very well in the first place. The Lakers never expected that the two would end up turning against each other.

And the key point of Shaq's departure at the beginning, in addition to having a bad relationship with Kobe, was because his salary was lower than Kobe.

As the saying goes, one mountain cannot tolerate two tigers, unless there is one male and one female.

If you're like a sister-in-law, you don't have to worry about these problems.

But Paul ......

He's an extremely competitive guy and he's a guy who needs the ball to be effective.

In these two ways, he and Kobe Bryant are very similar.

How is it different from Shaq? Wayne is also an international player.

Is there something special about international players in this league? Because very few people would want to be a deputy for an international player!

Why is Cuban so willing to spend money, but the Mavericks still don't have any particularly big-name players willing to join?

Very simple? Because Dirk is an international player!

The same? After Paul has grown up completely, he doesn't necessarily want to be Wayne's second-in-command for the rest of his life.

OK Combination to build a dynasty are all scattered? What's more, it's a trailblazer who just won a championship.

So, for the sake of the team? To stabilize Wayne, exactly? The Trailblazers are not afraid to act rashly at the moment.

It's fine not to make a fuss, but if it really breaks up in the end and makes Wayne unhappy, the Trail Blazers are the ones who have the most to lose.

Relationships are the thing? It's unclear.

Jordan and Pippen seem to be such a beepping combination? In fact, there are many contradictions behind it.

And the second question is - Paul's health and strength are not worth a 30% salary cap.

Paul was injured at a critical moment in the playoffs last year, and Paul also had an injury in the regular season this year.

Although they were not major injuries, they showed that Paul was indeed vulnerable.

Giving Wayne 30% of the maximum salary, the Trail Blazers did not hesitate, because Wayne has already proven his strength as a leading star.

But what about Paul?

Maybe he's a good young man? But is he really worth a 30% cap salary?

The Trailblazers are also not confirmed.

The last question, also Paul. Allen's biggest concern – the combination of Paul and Wayne? How high can the ceiling be?

Leave Paul with 30% of the maximum salary, and the salary space is all locked? It means that the pioneers have no chance of trial and error, and can only go all the way to the black.

Because in such a situation, even if you have to change the lineup in the future? It's also a small change.

But what if this lineup can't succeed?

After Wayne led the team to the championship last season? Paul. Alan is desperate for a back-to-back championship? Or even build a dynasty!

If you miss a player like Wayne, you don't know if there's a chance to build a dynasty.

So, Paul. Aaron's cost of trial and error is limited.

How many 5 years can a player's career have?

How long can the peak be?

If this combination doesn't work out, the team will need a period of pain to change when both Wayne and Paul expire under contract.

After seven or eight years of delay, is the window for the pioneers to establish a dynasty still there?

For all these reasons, the Trail Blazers did not renew Paul's contract early.

They're still on the sidelines, waiting to see how the season goes.

If Wayne + Paul can still win the second championship without Gasol, it will be the best.

If you can't take it...... Then you have to weigh whether the second 30% cap salary is worth it.

Of course, these things have not been discussed by the team with Paul, after all, they are relatively sensitive topics.

At this time, it is a matter of looking for trouble.

Everyone is an adult, although they all understand, but there is still a big difference between that membrane and not poked.

But Wayne knew that an escape was not the way to go.

This kind of thing has to be faced sooner or later, and holding it in your heart and not saying it is more likely to cause suspicion and contradictions, which is not conducive to unity and trouble.

Therefore, today, Wayne wants to make it clear with Pao'er.

“...... We don't have much time left, but until then, I hope we can work together to leave something behind. No matter what happens in the future, at least don't leave regrets now.

Hey, I've never played in the finals with you, and I've never lifted the O'Brien Cup with you.

Chris, let's create a glory that belongs to us together.

I...... Want to win with you once! ”

Winning once with you is a promise between Wayne and Paul.

Commitment between men.

Now, May 19, 2009.

It's the same Western Conference Finals, it's the same against the Lakers.

The first quarter ended with the Trail Blazers leading by eight points.

Almost all the fans were proud of Wayne and Paul's magical performance in the first quarter of the game.

On both ends of the floor, Wayne and Paul have done the best.

Paul had six points, three assists and two steals in the first quarter.

Wayne had eight points, three rebounds and two blocks in the first quarter.

If it weren't for Kobe Bryant's three-pointer 5.8 seconds before the end of the first quarter, the Lakers would have fallen behind by double digits in the first quarter!

Although the Trail Blazers' performance in the first quarter of the game was perfect, completely suppressing the defending champions.

But Cannon and Wayne, who were resting on the bench, were not complacent.

The failure to win the title last season meant that this season was almost the last chance left for them to fulfill their promise.

That's why Wayne averaged 40.7 points per game in the Western Conference semifinals to advance as safely as possible.

That's why Paul is so excited today.

Although I know that I will talk about the renewal of my contract in the summer, I will decide the follow-up of my career.

But Pao'er can do it without distractions, and let's do the special Lakers first!

Definitely, definitely, to win together once!

We must leave this father and son in the history of the NBA...... The legend of the brothers of one heart!

"Way, Chris, Gasso, take a break after the start of the second quarter. Kobe Bryant had just played a full quarter and was definitely going to rest at the beginning of the second quarter.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, it is like a few minutes of rest for you. ”

Carlisle roared loudly, not because he was angry, but because in this noisy scene, communication was basically only by roaring.

The Trail Blazers nodded their heads, and Carlisle turned to look at the two rookies who were about to play.

At the end of the first quarter, Dragic and Jordan Jr. didn't play much, and the game was over before they could see anything.

But then, they had to withstand the Lakers' comeback to hold on to the advantage.

Therefore, it is inevitable that Carlisle will have to say a few more words to them.

On the other hand, the Zen master did plan to let Kobe Bryant rest for a while. At the same time, let Yao Ming also rest for a few minutes.

Because he believed that Bynum was enough to kill the man named DeAndrew. Jordan's guy is up.

Although Jordan Jr. was selected at the end of the first round, he is also very famous in the circle.

After all, the fact that he sat in the small green room until the end of the first round can be said to be well known.

The Zen master knew that Little Jordan was a guy who had nothing to show for himself.

He had barely played in the playoffs and had few impressive performances in the regular season, apart from a couple of free throw-threes.

That's it, how can it be compared to a talented player like Little Shark?

The Sharks are also very confident, playing the role of sixth man this season, averaging 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

At the same time, 1.3 blocks can be sent.

As a substitute, the performance was pretty good.

Although the playoff numbers have shrunk significantly, that doesn't affect Bynum's honey confidence.

The Zen master wants to see how long the Trail Blazers' rotation lineup can last.

After the start of the second quarter, the big men of both sides were almost off the court.

On the Trail Blazers' side, the five players on the court are Dragic and Toney. Allen, Parker, Tucker and Jordan Jr.

The Lakers went on Fisher, Vujasic, Ariza, Odom and Bynum.

Among them, P.J. Tucker was the first to appear at the beginning of the second quarter.

The Zen master also pushed his glasses, what is this Tucker?

That's right, for Tucker, who didn't have many opportunities to perform before, the Zen master is very unfamiliar.

In the first quarter of the game that just ended, the Trail Blazers' bench No. 4 was also Outlaw and not Tucker.

But Carlisle didn't think Oterlo was good enough at rebounding protection, so in the second quarter, he finally replaced the short forward who was favored by Sir Bar.

When Tucker came out, Sir Ba, who was sitting in the dressing room, couldn't help but stand up.

Well, even if a player is suspended and can't play, he can sit on the sidelines and watch the game.

But the coach is banned for a worse time, because he doesn't have to play in the first place, so if the coach is banned, he can't even go to the sidelines.

So today, Fliggy can only sit in the locker room and watch TV.

Barkley stared at the TV, and for some reason, suddenly tensed.

It seems that it is himself who is going to be tested.

"Gotta get it for me, stinky boy......" Sir Ba muttered.

The game started, and the Trail Blazers attacked first.

Dragic passed the half steadily, and the old fish put on a good stance for the first time.

He thought to himself, this grade bastard can't be so powerful!

Dragic confronts the old cuckold and calls Tucker to come up and cover.

Dragic immediately bypassed the cover, and the old fish was speechless, damn it, have you been using cover to hit a veteran in the face?

In the playoffs, there's nothing to be ashamed of.

Since your pick-and-roll is a weakness, of course it is...... Catch and beat to death!

Tucker isn't tall, but he's wide enough......

The old fish was really blocked by Tucker.

Dragic didn't have stage fright after borrowing cover to get the opportunity, and made a pull-up jump shot in the middle distance!

The old fish straightened his arms and interfered, but Fischer, who was 185, was a full six centimeters shorter than Dragic.

Therefore, this time the interference is not too tight.

And just like that, the Slovenian gently pushed the ball out in the air.

Bynum stretched out his arms and stuck the stunned little Jordan behind him, ready to grab the rebound handsomely.

However, the basketball went directly into the net, and the Trail Blazers offense played!

"Can I be persecuted by another person!?" The old fishmen are stupid, and they are persecuted by Paul in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, he was still persecuted by a first-year rookie, and the key was a second-round show?

I don't have any gaming experience like this!

After Dragic scored, he didn't celebrate, but Pao'er stood up and yelled at everyone on the bench: "What are you doing in a daze? Rise up and applaud! ”

Everyone looked at the cannon at each other, and then they all stood up and applauded for love!

"Rub!" Bryant, who had just taken two breaths, felt as if he had been pressed into the water again.

The score difference has been stretched to double digits again, so you can have a snack!

There's no way I'm going to play 48 minutes, folks!?

Soon, though, Bryant regained his composure.

It doesn't matter, the Lakers just need to get one.

After the old fish attacked, he handed the ball to the real point guard Odom.

Odang looked at Tucker, who was much shorter than himself, and prepared to break through on his own.

So, he made a triple threat and immediately accelerated.

"Ah, boy!" Sir Ba's ass is clamped tightly while watching TV, and the sense of substitution is too strong!

Tucker didn't disappoint Sir Ba, who had been on defense since high school.

He used to defend Anthony in high school, which made him famous.

Tucker quickly moved sideways, and then took Odang down hard.

The moment Odham hit Tucker, his expression was groaning.

This...... Are the current outside players so hard?

Soon, Tucker forced Odom to stop.

There was no way, Odom had no choice but to give the ball to Tieza.

Tiezha caught the ball in the middle range and pulled it out, and Parker's reaction was half a beat slower, which allowed the Lakers to score the ball.

Although the ball went in, Odom was still scared and trembled.

Good guy, what did you eat to grow up, so much strength!?

I can't bump it open!

Fortunately, the ball went in, otherwise it would have been another exciting night with Kobe Bryant tonight.

The Lakers barely narrowed the margin to single digits, and the Zen master thought that it should not be difficult to continue narrowing.

However, the Trail Blazers' offense remained unhurried.

Dragic controlled the tempo well, and he didn't play like a first-year rookie at all.

After crossing the halfway line, Dragic separated the old fish with one hand and waved at Tucker with the other.

Keep up the block!

Odom smiled, you rookie egg, who do you look down on?

Let you fight once, and you can still fight a second time?

Sure enough, this time, when Dragic bypassed the cover and threw off the old fish, Odom behind the old fish immediately made up for it.

A confident smile appeared on his face.

Small!

See how I ravage you...... Huh?

Odom thought that he and the old fish could hold Dragic, but Dragic passed the ball back without looking back.

Odom and Lao Yu collectively took a small question mark, and outside the three-point line, Tucker, who received the pass, was unmarked.

"Can he shoot three-pointers? Can't you? Seeing Tucker shoot without hesitation, Odom prayed in his heart.

However, it is not possible to defend by prayer.

For the past three years, Tucker has been working three-point shooting.

Nowadays, not to mention a shooter with a lot of beeps, but the big vacancy is still very certain.

Tucker catches the ball and shoots three points into the net.

The Lakers' narrowing of the point gap was stretched to double digits again!

"Good ball, it's okay, boy!" Barkley watched the intracranial orgasm, and Tucker's offense and defense really didn't disgrace him.

Odom watched the basketball go into the net, and the sweat was running down his forehead.

Adam swallowed and looked to the bench.

Sure enough, Bryant was sitting on the bench, staring at him with a vicious look.

Odom exclaimed in his heart, "Oh! ”

Listen to my explanation, boss, I missed people to fill in for the old fish!

Bryant stared at Odom in death, then turned his head to look at the Zen master again.

Hehe.

The Zen master also frowned.

Zen doesn't panic, he panics!

He certainly didn't expect the Trail Blazers to be so tough with a rotation lineup after losing three important rotations.

stunned that the Lakers did not narrow the point difference.

Kobe Bryant shook his head, so don't fucking underestimate Wayne's team!

At this time, Kobe Bryant shouted: "Phil, I'm ready to go!" ”

After speaking, he walked to the technical desk on his own.

The Zen master didn't say much, and now ......

It really can only be used to let the main force return early.

However, the Zen master did not call a timeout, but waited for the dead ball to make a substitution.

At this point, the Lakers attacked, and the ball was played to the small sharks.

The little shark is against little Jordan, that's called a self-confidence.

Don't say it, the names of these two goods are quite bluffing, and they are both sharks and Jordans.

The little shark sat two steps inside with his back in the ball, and then turned his back to break through.

In the process of breaking through, Bynum also gave Jordan Jr. an elbow very secretly.

The Lakers have put a lot of thought into developing Bynum before, and his skills have improved quickly in all aspects.

But if there's one technique he's improved the fastest, it's undoubtedly elbowing!

This guy's elbow is stealthy and ruthless, and with good training, the final force is the next big killer on the court.

Little Jordan ate an elbow, and that breath suddenly didn't catch up.

But...... Little Jordan was still clinging to Bynum and didn't take half a step back!

This elbow is really not delicious, but little Jordan is used to it.

Usually in training, Sir Ba, Wei Ge, and Birdman, they are all elbow-to-elbow friends.

In almost every training session, little Jordan will be elbowed to death, and he wants to die......

Unexpectedly, this ability to resist hitting has been practiced, and it can also come in handy in the game......

Little Jordan was beaten the most viciously every day, and he became the thickest armor.

So, under the defense of Jordan Jr., Bynum's casual layup was directly covered.

Kobe Bryant, who was sitting on the technical table, covered his forehead, and the ball couldn't be watched!

None of them are useful!

After Jordan Jr.'s block, Dragic's keen sense of smell allowed him to pick up the basketball.

Then, in advance. Dragic sees the right moment and slams the ground hard from a distance!

The basketball slashed through the crowd like lightning and into the restricted area.

At this time, people found out that Tony had cut in, and Dragic was guided with precision!

Toni dunked the ball and scored easily.

There was jubilation in the Rose Garden, I thought I was at a disadvantage to rotate the lineup, but I actually beat the Lakers' rotation to the ground!

The Zen master stood up, and he had to suspend the game.

It's just untenable.

Next, the main lineup must go up and narrow the score as soon as possible.

But......

On the Trail Blazers' side, Wayne, Paul, and sister-in-law are also ready!

Even if the Lakers' main force is on, it may not be able to narrow the point difference!

Wayne stepped forward, hugging and high-fived every teammate who came off the court.

Then, he turned to look at Paul and his sister-in-law excitedly: "Let's go, it's time for us to go up and make them completely desperate!" ”

Vegomore is fist-blowing, and the Lakers are gone!