Chapter Eighty-Four: The Time of the Great Deal

In the All-Star Game, Zhang Kong only got a total of 18 minutes of playing time, which is obviously not enough playing time compared to others. Forrest Gump Mike Brown did not explain to Zhang Kong, but Zhang Kong himself can understand part of it, James wants to stay on the court more, naturally take up more playing time, so that other people's playing time becomes less, in order to be able to balance the playing time, in order to avoid complaints, and in order to avoid the sharp wording of the media after the game, someone must be sacrificed.

Preferably, it is at the expense of the playing time of a player who is also a Cavaliers...... So, Zhang Kong himself was sacrificed in this way.

This is Zhang's understanding, at least Zhang Kong believes that Mike Brown's reduction of his playing time in the All-Star game is due to this consideration, after all, James played more than 30 minutes in the whole game. That's a lot more than the average All-Star game.

Although he was treated as a victim like this, Zhang Kong felt a little dissatisfied in his heart, but he was not unable to accept such a choice, after all, James is the core of the team and deserves such privileges. The dissatisfaction in his heart was naturally suppressed by Zhang Kong.

After the All-Star Game, the format of the East and West gradually began to become clearer. In the East, the Celtics, the Cavaliers, and the Magic are three teams that go hand in hand to form the First Army, and the Cavaliers are currently leading 42 games and standing in the position of 36-6, followed by the Celtics with 35-6 and one less game and a half-time gap, followed by the Orlando Magic with a 33-9 record in third place.

The first legion of these three teams basically formed an unshakable advantage over the teams behind them. Most of the media also estimate that the first team in the regular season this season will be selected from these three teams, and the next team will only pose a possible threat to the first team.

But there is also a variable in this, and that is the Pistons. Since beating the Purple and Gold's lavish F4 lineup in the 03-04 season, the Pistons have never won a championship again, but they have still been regular visitors to the playoffs. After Ben Wallace left the Bulls for a big contract, the starting lineup of Billups, Hamilton, and Rasheed Wallace still has terrifying power. Every team aiming for the playoffs does not dare to underestimate them, although they did not perform well in the first half of the season, but the Pistons have always been accustomed to playing in the back.

With a slight mistake, the position of the First Army was not so solid.

In addition, the Wizards and Raptors basically booked a playoff spot. Between 6 and 10, the 76ers, Pacers, Nets, and Hawks, are fiercely competitive, and the difference between wins is not too big, and it is possible to reverse and surpass at any time.

And the likes of the Bobcats, Bucks, Knicks, and Heat have already booked their seats in the lottery area for next season. Especially for the Heat, there is a good chance that they will be the vice-president after the regular season. The last champion fell to this point, I have to say that it is too surprising.

At the same time, the Heat's trade for O'Neal is already a foregone conclusion, and the Phoenix Suns have officially requested the Heat to trade O'Neal, and unsurprisingly, they are ready to use the team's main power forward, Sean Marion, as the main bargaining chip to get 'Big Shark' O'Neal.

For this deal, some people in the league are optimistic and some are bearish.

Those who are optimistic about this deal believe that although O'Neal is already in the twilight of the West Mountain, the big shark is still there, and if O'Neal joins the Suns system, it will bring the Suns their much-needed rebounding ability and low-post offensive ability. Last season, the Suns averaged the league's lowest rebounds per game, and the low-post offense was infinitely close to none.

Especially in the playoffs, when the defensive intensity has suddenly increased in the playoffs, and the small-ball tactics cannot be used, the Suns really need a low-post killer like O'Neal to open up the situation for them. That's what Suns general manager Steve Kerr thinks.

As for the general belief among the bearish faction, O'Neill, who is accustomed to attacking from the position, will not be able to fit into D'Antoni's small-ball system, and the clash between the two will make a mess of the team's tactics. Steve Cole was dismissive.

"I believe it's not a problem and the coaching staff can fix it." Steve Cole answered so confidently in an interview with Phoenix, a local newspaper in Phoenix.

Unbeknownst to him, D'Antoni was secretly furious about this deal without his consent!

O'Neal is preparing to return to the West again, which has caused a big impact on the form of the West, and no one can be sure how much power O'Neill will be able to exert after returning to the West. They also don't know if the Suns, who have acquired O'Neal, will be able to make a breakthrough in the playoffs.

But just before O'Neal's trade was confirmed, a blockbuster deal shook the West once again.

Memphis Grizzlies core player, Pau Gasol trade rumors have finally settled.

On February 1, 2008, at the first moment of the end of the All-Star Game, Kobe's face smiled brightly, as if he was the one who won the All-Star MVP.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies complete the trade. The Lakers sent Kwame Brown, Javaris Coritanton, Aaron McGee, Mark Gasol to sign, two future draft picks, and some cash for Pau Gasol and a future second-round pick

"It's a robbery!" Knowing this, Vicky immediately yelled at the media: "I think it's necessary for the league to set up a trade arbitration committee to avoid this obvious 'sending' of players." The Lakers should be grateful to the Grizzlies for putting together a championship roster for the Lakers! ”

Vicky's remarks immediately ushered in the league's sanctions, and a $20,000 fine could not force Vicky to shut his mouth, but no matter how angry he was, he could not stop this blockbuster deal

Then, on February 4, 2008, the Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns finally completed the long-rumored trade. The Suns sent Sean Marion and Marcus Banks to get Shaquille O'Neal. The return of the Sharks to the West is a foregone conclusion, and it also marks the Suns' so-called 'seven seconds or less' fast-break tactics to say goodbye to fans.

Not to be outdone, the Mavericks then sent Devin Harris, De Sangana Diop, Trendon Hassel, Maurice Anger and Keith Van Horn, plus two draft picks and $3 million, to the Nets in exchange for super point guard Jason Kidd and Malik Allen and Antoine Wright off the bench.

Under the bombardment of so many blockbuster trades, the Cavaliers' little fight naturally can't get into the eyes of the media. It was in this relatively low-key environment that Drew Gooden left the Cleveland Cavaliers, and at the same time, 'Martial Arts' Stephen Jackson officially joined the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers finally found a reliable backup for LeBron. At the same time, in order to make up for the empty interior line after Drew Lone Lamp left, the Cavaliers quickly signed veteran center Lorenz Knight as an interior substitute, Lorenz Knight is three years Chinese New Year's Eve old today, has played for the Clippers, Hawks, Grizzlies, Kings and Cavaliers A total of five teams, with rich playoff experience, although he is older, he is still in good shape, and he is a qualified interior blue-collar worker

What's more, the Cavaliers don't need him to have any special performances, and just want him to be on the court for a period of time when the main players are off the court.

As long as he can not make any serious mistakes on the court, it is enough to protect the backcourt rebound. The Cavaliers don't expect a 33-year-old interior blue-collar to do more. And Stephen Jackson, the Cavaliers have high hopes for him.

Standing six feet eight inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, he is physically strong and full of strength, can defend both big and small, and can have a good defensive effect, calm and tough on the defensive end, has a lot of steals but never blindly makes steals. Defensively, he's an individual defender and a team defender, and if he plays with James, his arrival on the defensive end can take the pressure off LeBron James on the defensive end, so that James doesn't need to defend the opposition's top scorer on the perimeter, and can put more jīng power on the offensive end.

On the offensive end, his offensive moves are not chic or elegant, giving people a childish feeling.

Stephen Jackson's offensive skills are comprehensive and diverse, such as three-point shots, breakaways, mid-range jumpers, back-to-back play, turning, and empty cuts to layups; But it's a little rough, and I don't have a good grasp of it. That doesn't stop him from being confident in the offensive end, though. His strong assertiveness on the offensive end often allows him to have a consistent offensive performance, mainly in the three-point shot and fast break. This is also the time for Stephen Jackson to show his passion.

However, equally, in turnovers and missed shots, there are often sustained xìng.

His shots require a certain amount of space, and there are almost no forced shots. His free-throw shooting level has been above 75% in recent years.

If he comes on the bench and is fully capable of leading the bench to lead the bench to steal points, it may have an unexpected effect.

All in all, whether from the perspective of offense or letting go, Stephen Jackson is like a weakened version of LeBron James, the same all-around, just not as sure as James.

This business, the Cavaliers are absolutely profitable.

Source: Forrest Gump