Min Congda received a call from Mike Malone, in which he briefly asked Malone, a few questions.

For example, his willingness to work, his views on the team's tactics, and what expectations and thoughts he has for coming to work for the Clippers.

Mike Malone was vague in his answer, as he wasn't quite sure if he wanted to work for the Clippers.

Min Congda was quite satisfied with his vague attitude, and what he was most afraid of was ambitious guys.

Of course, a person's ambition cannot be easily judged by a conversation of three or two sentences.

Didn't a "careerist" like Kerr just rely on "pandering" to Min Congda and blended into the rotten team of the Clippers?

Therefore, Min Congda still has to arrange an interview for Mike Malone to determine whether he is a suitable candidate for the Clippers.

According to Min Congda's idea, this person is the best to come and not come, and it will not have any positive impact on the team.

can satisfy Tyronn Lue, the two partners make do with the team, and can pull down after season after season.

In the past, Min Congda has always wanted to get some characters who are sabotage and have a negative impact to ruin the team's tactics and atmosphere.

But as he gradually gained experience in the NBA, Min Congda found that the NBA coaching circle is a very closed circle, with poor mobility, and everyone is an acquaintance.

It's quite difficult for you to find an outsider or a live haunter to muddy the waters, and the system won't allow him to find a random sweeping old man as a coach, otherwise he would have done it a long time ago.

Therefore, he only pursues reactive power is merit now, you can come, I will give you food to eat, don't give me a blind toss.

Just like Lao Jin, Lao Jin knew that he didn't have much talent in command and tactics, so he calmly assisted and did some daily chores.

Raise your hand in a meeting and say something ambiguous, like those old office oilers, eat and wait to die, that's the best.

But looking at the whole league, there are not many coaches who eat and wait for death like this, because the competition in the coaching industry is indeed extremely fierce and cruel.

Talents like Lao Jin and Lucas are half because the Clippers have not recruited people well in the past, and half of them have been raised by Min Congda in recent years.

Min Congda thought to himself, I'll see if this Mike Malone is worth raising for me.

The interview was scheduled for after Christmas.

The Clippers have had their ups and downs during this period, with Christmas games hosting the Lakers at Staples Center.

It's the traditional Los Angeles derby again, and this time the Clippers lived up to the expectations of the fans, beating the Lakers on the road.

Despite losing a few games in December, they still hold on to their position in the West, three wins separating the second-placed Thunder.

It's still very stable.

It's just that the process of beating the Lakers was not so smooth sailing, and the game was quite intense, and the two sides fought until the last moment.

The reason why the Clippers were able to win was not because the players hit key shots at critical moments, but because the Lakers made mistakes in the final period.

Bryant's two forced misses, as well as Chris Paul, who had no mistakes before the game, allowed the Clippers to win the game.

But if Bryant Bryant made one of his two shots, or if Paul didn't make a mistake, the Clippers would likely have accounted for it.

To put it bluntly, the Clippers won, but not pretty.

Steve Kerr's departure does still have a big impact on the Clippers.

Min Congda saw it in his eyes and was happy in his heart, and he thought that if this trend continued, the state of the Clippers would only get worse and worse.

By the time the playoffs come, maybe they won't be the Lakers' opponents.

Min Congda couldn't help but think of Yang Ruosi, who came to the Clippers to be a Chinese teacher in the media department.

After this little unlucky guy came to the Clippers, the Clippers' golden body was immediately broken.

Immediately following the instability of the record, there are also some injuries in the team, and there is a tendency to go downhill.

It seems that metaphysics is really useful!

As for Mike Malone's interview, Min Congda is scheduled for after Christmas.

He will take this interview very seriously to make sure Malone does not have a positive impact on the team.

When the time comes, it can also add an expense to the team, and by the way, gag Tyronn Lue's mouth.

This guy has complained a lot recently, and he always feels that there is a lack of assistants around him, and the coach is not comfortable.

Isn't that nonsense, was that the former head coach? Cole feeds you.

On December 27th, two days after the holiday, some light rain fell in Los Angeles in winter.

Min Congda arranged the interview at the training center, and he wanted to examine Mike Malone more comprehensively.

Before Mike Malone came over, Min Congda also learned about his background.

Not surprisingly, he is a second-generation coach, and his father has been working in the NBA for more than 20 years and has always been an assistant coach.

He has a good reputation in the league, and according to James, he was very diligent when he worked on the team, starting as a video analyst, and often staying up all night editing videos and making reports.

He has a good personal relationship with the players, and he is good at encouraging the players and mingling with the players.

These are all deductions for Min Congda, but seeing is believing, and you still have to meet to verify it.

But what Min Congda didn't know was that Mike Malone had also done the same preparation before attending the interview.

He approached Steve Kerr and asked for some inside information on the Clippers, as well as Min Congda's personality, preferences, and more.

Cole is a smart guy and he told Mike Malone a few points:

First, don't be very diligent, Mr. Smart doesn't like people who are too introductory.

Second, don't show too deep obsession with victory, and be lighter.

Third, try to be as honest as possible, don't be soft on what you should be treated, Mr. Smart likes to give more money.

It must be admitted that Cole is a very observant person, and he sums up some of Min Congda's characteristics very well.

But Mike Malone is even more strange in his heart, he has also worked in the NBA for more than ten years, and he has never heard of such a general manager.

It's understandable that I don't like involution, and Mike Malone was too involuted when he was a Cavaliers.

Mike Brown had to remind him to come home early, or you would be working like crazy and what would you do with other colleagues.

But don't be obsessed with winning, is this still an NBA coach?

In a cruel place like the NBA, paranoia can survive.

Still hoping for more money? Here's what's going on.

It's good if the general manager doesn't lower the price, and he likes to give more money.

Malone took these words to heart, and after discussing them with family and friends, he thought the Clippers were a good place to go.

Most importantly, he wants to learn and see the job, which he wants.

The specific time of the meeting was scheduled for noon on the 27th, and Min Congda entertained Mike Malone in the cafeteria of the training center.

Marlon wore a well-prepared tweed suit today, shaved his beard, and repaired his hairstyle to give himself a good image.

But he overlooked the fact that Los Angeles in December was far less cold than Cleveland.

On the contrary, the temperature was quite high today, so he was eating in a straight suit in the restaurant, feeling a little hot, and sweating straight out.

At noon, Min Congda invited Ma Long to eat Chinese food, and the hot Sichuan food made Ma Long even hotter.

Malone doesn't understand, I'm here for an interview, but why are you inviting me to dinner?

Min Congda took the initiative to explain, "In China, eating is the best way to meet. I don't know if the food today is to your liking, if not, I'll let the chef make it for you. ”

The canteen of the Clipper Training Center is about to be turned into a state-owned enterprise guest house by Min Congda, and you can eat anything you want here.

Malone politely refused, and at the same time tidied up his neckline, it was so hot, but he was embarrassed to take it off.

Min Congda chatted with Ma Long with a pair of ideas, and it was just some homely things at first.

Slowly the topic shifted to basketball-related, and Malone played a twelve-point mental response.

"What are your thoughts on the current state of the Clippers? You know, there's been a bit of a hiccup in the team lately, we've not had that much momentum in the league, what's the reason? ”

The Clippers are the focus of the league, and Mike Malone is certainly always on the lookout.

Based on his observations, he believes that the number one reason why the Clippers are being hindered is actually the impact of injuries.

The Clippers have had some injury problems with several of their main players recently.

This is unavoidable in the long regular season.

The second reason is that other teams have started to study and snipe the Clippers.

The Clippers' offense is indeed sharp, imaginative, and groundbreaking.

But any tactic will be studied and targeted, especially the tactical system of the championship team.

When Mike Malone was in the Cavaliers, he was already desperately thinking about various ways to deal with the Clippers.

Moreover, the Cavaliers' victory over the Clippers on December 1 set a good example for other teams.

Of course, Mike Malone would not have imagined that the person who came up with this trick would sit across from him.

The first two reasons are more objective reasons, and the third reason is the Clippers' own problems.

Mike Malone believes that the Clippers lack a tough enough defense.

Last season, they won the championship with a groundbreaking offense and a resilient defense.

To be honest, the Clippers' champion had a bit of an unpopular feeling of stealing chickens, taking advantage of his unpreparedness, and finally reversing the game.

If they are to be competitive enough for a long period of time, to deal with injuries in the long regular season and to deal with new opponents on the rise, they will have to have a very solid, tough defensive system.

In basketball, defense doesn't deceive you, defense allows you to have a solid base.

Mike Malone has already thought about these things in his head.

But when he tried to say it in pieces, the second principle that Cole had told him flashed through his mind:

Don't be overly obsessed with victory, and be lighter.

"That's right, the wind is light, what to analyze, this is a test for me."

Thinking so in his heart, Mike Malone put away all these thoughts and said: "Victory and defeat are common things in soldiers, and it is normal to lose momentum temporarily, so you don't need to be too persistent in analyzing a temporary loss." ”

Saying this, Mike Malone is still quite apprehensive in his heart.

What the hell is this answer, not to fool people?

Unexpectedly, there was a glimmer of brilliance in Min Congda's eyes.

This kind of foolish statement is very much in line with Min Congda's appetite.

Min Congda thought to himself: "This Mike Malone has the potential to be a liar!" ”

He suddenly added a big score to Malone in his heart, from a little hesitant before, to slowly began to like this guy a little.

And Mike Malone felt more and more hot while feeling Min Congda's satisfied gaze, and beads of sweat flowed down his neck.

By the time he finished eating, Mike Malone felt his back soaked, which made him very uncomfortable, but he was embarrassed to take off his coat.

Afterwards, the two went to the training ground together to see the Clippers players in practice.

Min Congda wants Mike Malone to get involved and comment on the Clippers' practice and investigate him further.

"Oh Mike, why are you sweating so much? Do you feel hot? Take off your jacket when it's hot, you're welcome. ”

"It's okay, it's okay...... Well, it's really hot, and it's really warm in Los Angeles in December. ”

"The training center is closed, it is already hot, and the air circulator in the stadium is broken today, it is not ventilated, and everyone is hot."

I see, Mike Malone is no longer reserved, and took off his coat, the shirt inside has been soaked with sweat, and the clothes on his back and chest are sticking to the flesh, which makes Malone a little embarrassed.

Min Congda smiled: "You are very similar to Riccelle, you are easy to sweat, which means that you are in good health." ”

Malone smiled awkwardly, he felt that he was in a bad state today.

And I just ate Sichuan food, which is spicy and spicy, and my stomach is still a little uncomfortable.

Under the superposition of multiple debuffs, Ma Long's thinking is sluggish.

Min Congda asked him some questions, and Ma Long was expecting Ai Ai.

The answers were vague and ambiguous, and Malone didn't even know what he was talking about.

This interview was nothing short of a disaster in Mike Malone's interview career.

At the beginning, he interviewed as a video editor for the Knicks and an assistant coach for the Cavaliers, and his performance was quite good.

Mike Malone thought to himself, "Forget it, let's find a job for another team." It's a pity that I can't find out a lot of the Clippers' secrets. ”

At this time, Min Congda suddenly asked, "By the way, Mike, do you have any requirements for your salary level?" ”

Ma Long was stunned for a moment, thinking to himself, how can he talk about salary well?

"Uh..."

Marlon thought about what Cole had said again, Smart likes to give more money.

Ma Long thought to himself, this can't be Kohlkeng Laozi, right? How can a general manager like to pay a high salary?

But I didn't have much hope, Ma Long was heartbroken, and said: "I hope to get the same salary as the head coach, because other teams have invited me to be the head coach." ”

Malone is telling the truth, but normally speaking, you want to take the same amount of money as the head coach, so you should be the head coach, why do you come to me to interview assistant coaches.

From an interview point of view, this salary requirement is 0 points, and the team will not give an assistant coach the same salary as the head coach.

As a result, Min Congda nodded slightly, patted Ma Long's shoulder, and said, "Your request is not very reasonable. However, for the sake of a talent like you, I am willing to pay this price for you to stay. So, come to work tomorrow, I will arrange someone to take care of your accommodation, transportation and other issues. Mike, remember, enjoy basketball with the Clippers. ”

(End of chapter)