Chapter 987
The Lineup Takes Shape! Old and young, cats and dogs with tomatoes and potatoes!
"Using familiar faces instead of newcomers is a good thing." Lin Tian nodded and said, "Anyway, we don't lack star players right now. Instead of spending money on those washed-up old guys or guys we've never worked with before, it's better to play it safe and use people we're more familiar with!"
库普切克被去年的最佳总经理夸了一顿，然后立刻笑着继续道：“然后我用300万签下了09-10赛季场均还能轰下14+10的射手型内线特洛伊·墨菲，我觉得他和你很搭。”
Lin Tian was quite familiar with Troy Murphy. This guy played a similar style to Okur, but he was a bit softer than Okur. Okur had some ability to defend the paint and one-on-one in the low post, while Murphy didn't have any other strengths besides rebounding and shooting.
A 211cm tall big man who played in the NBA for 10 years only had 3 seasons in his career with an average of more than 0.5 blocks per game, which is enough to show how unreliable his defense is.
While his defense was truly lacking, Murphy was undeniably a formidable offensive player, averaging a double-double for five seasons in his career. Except for his rookie season, he averaged over 10 points per game in every season, and in particular, he shot over 40% from three-point range for three seasons in his career.
In his best season, he averaged 2.3 three-pointers per game with a 45% shooting percentage, making him an absolutely reliable long-range shooter.
However, this guy suffered a serious injury last season and only played 30 games in total. He was passed around between three teams and only averaged 3 points and 2 rebounds per game. The season before last, he was an excellent center who averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds per game and had a multi-million dollar annual salary.
After the amnesty clause was introduced this season, this guy became one of the first players to be amended by the team, and was pulled back from the amnesty player pool by Kupchak for 300 million.
It can only be said that this guy is too old, his playing style is too one-dimensional, and his defensive ability is completely negative. There are really too few teams that need him and are willing to use him. No one is willing to give him too many opportunities. Otherwise, this guy would not have been cut and could have been acquired for only 300 million.
"Then, because we want to sign you and give you the highest possible contract, and a first-round contract would take up about 300 million in salary cap space."
"So we sold our first-round pick early and traded it for three second-round picks, which also helped us fill the players we were missing."
"Who did you choose?" Lin Tian asked with a smile.
"Actually, I didn't pick him. We only found out you were coming after the draft, so someone else picked him. And there was only one rookie this year, Will Barton from the University of Memphis."
“He’s the one I specifically wanted. This guy can defend, he can press the basket, and he’s physically strong and fast. Although his ball-handling and shooting abilities aren’t great, he can run fast breaks. I think he’s a perfect fit for you!”
“It really suits me. I like playing with players at the two and three positions, including Murphy, who is also my type.” Lin Tian nodded, indicating that Kupchak had done a good job.
Neither of them realized that, unknowingly, they were actually subtly reversing the natural order of things.
Kupchak, a general manager with many years of experience, actually looked like he was asking Lin Tian, a young man, for advice, and Lin Tian naturally felt like a teacher and senior.
Lin Tian, speaking in a superior's tone, kept encouraging Kupchak, which actually made Kupchak feel a sense of pride and joy.
The atmosphere between the two was truly peculiar.
"As for the other two second-round draft picks, which are for next year and the year after, do you think we should trade them for this year's rookies to bolster our team, or trade them for some veterans?"
“Let’s bring in new players. We don’t have the salary cap space or players to trade for veterans. It’s too complicated and completely unnecessary,” Lin Tian said. “Did you bring this year’s draft roster?”
"I brought it!" Kupchak immediately took a piece of paper from his bag and handed it to Lin Tian, then added, "We have all of our future first-round draft picks in our own hands, and we can trade them if needed!"
"The boss has already given instructions."
"There's no need," Lin Tian said with a smile. "If the four of us—me, Kobe, Kevin, and Andrew—plus the other players, still have to sacrifice the team's future to win a championship, that would be too embarrassing."
"From now on, we'll be laughed at every time we go out. We'll just make a few second-round picks and replace them with more second-round picks to bolster the roster, and that'll be the end of it." Lin Tian said as he looked at the paper, casually scribbling a few lines on it.
"I've watched these guys compete in college games, and they seem pretty good. If we have the chance, let's get them all here."
"And then? Is there anyone else you'd like to bring to the team? I'll do my best," Kupchak continued to ask.
“Matt Barnes, this guy followed me from the Knicks to the Bobcats, and his contract expires this year. Ask him if he'd like to come to Los Angeles. If he does, the biennial exception would be a good option for him. We need a starting small forward, don't we?”
"Small forward? Then Kevin..." Kupchak was stunned for a moment, almost thinking that Lin Tian was going to trade Durant.
"Play the power forward position! There aren't any heavy big men in the league right now. He's tall enough to play center, so he can handle the power forward position without any problems. Besides, we'll definitely be focusing on fast breaks and transition offense, so having too many big men won't be of any use."
“But…” Lin Tian was enjoying himself, but Kupchak couldn’t help but ask, “Shouldn’t we talk to Phil?”
Kupchak's words finally made Lin Tiancai realize what was going on.
I've only been a head coach for a year, and I'm already used to it.
They started planning tactics and lineups as usual.
It's gone too far! It's gone too far!
“I’m used to it.” Lin Tian patted Kupchak on the shoulder and said, “Then go and discuss it with Phil. That’s all my advice. You should listen to him for the specifics.”
"By the way, don't tell this old fox anything like I gave you this kind of advice or say anything more."
"From what I know of Phil, if he knew I had a habit of interfering in lineup arrangements and tactics, we would not be able to find him in at least half of our training sessions. He would be absent and then dump everything on me."
"Don't even think about it!"
After Lin Tian finished speaking, without waiting for Kupchak's reply, he patted him on the shoulder again, like a senior encouraging a junior to do a good job, before turning around and walking towards Kobe.
"Dead earthworm, are you dead or not? If you're dead, I'll have someone collect your body. If you're not, get up and continue." Lin Tian walked over and stretched out his foot to rub Kobe's stomach.
"FUXX! I refuse to believe I can't beat you!" Kobe opened his eyes and angrily shouted, "We're going to box! I've trained hard! I won't lose to you!"
“Sure, boxing it out. I’ll bring 15-pound gloves, you don’t need to.” Lin Tian said generously, “Do you have a boxing ring here?”
"I'll take you to the boxing ring! And you don't need to let me win, we won't wear gloves, we'll fight bare-knuckle!" Kobe was full of confidence, indicating that he would not accept a handicap.
"Then I think you're tired of living." Lin Tian rolled his eyes and said, "If you fight me bare-knuckle, you really won't be able to compete next season."
Lin Tian's words were chilling, and even someone as stubborn as Kobe couldn't help but shudder.
He thought of Tyson, who was knocked out by Lin Tian in the octagon many years ago.
Although Lin Tian ultimately defeated Tyson using a wrestling technique, the two had been exchanging punches in the first few rounds.
Lin Tian... is not at a disadvantage.
Kobe swallowed hard. He was just stubborn and liked challenges, but he wasn't a suicidal idiot.
"Then I'll wear protective gear, and you wear boxing gloves. If I win this time, I'll consider it a half-win for you, and I won't take advantage of you!"
What a great idea to count half a time!
This guy actually fantasized that he could win!
Lin Tian ignored Kobe and had Kobe lead the way to their family's fighting room.
These next few days, Lin Tian will have to properly groom Kobe.
In the new season, he will be the leader of the Lakers.
Wherever I, Lin Da Guanren, am, I am the boss. No matter if you are Kobe or the Black Mamba, you have to obediently shrink back!
Of course, Lin Tian never intended to subdue Kobe in this way, because fighting can easily lead to trouble.
Lin Tian's idea was to use basketball, one-on-one games, and his performance on the training field to win over Kobe and make him obediently become his underling.
But who knew that on the first day of training together, Lin Tian came to Kobe and Kobe couldn't contain himself and said, "Let's have a game!"
Then?
What happened next can't be blamed on Master Lin.
Kobe started it; it's always Kobe who starts it. They have CCTV footage to prove it.
Don't try to smear someone's reputation out of thin air.
……
Time flies by.
In the blink of an eye, the NBA officially announced the resumption of the season, and more than a month has passed since it announced that everything would continue as usual. Training camp is about to begin.
For more than a month, Kupchak has been working hard to assemble and fill the team's roster, and he has done everything he could.
First, there was a small-scale draft pick trade. Kupchak traded a future second-round draft pick plus some cash to the Rockets for this year's 40th overall pick, small forward Chandler Parsons. After he joined the team, the Lakers became the league's number one team of handsome men.
Parsons, Kobe, Lin Tian, and Durant – four of the NBA's top handsome men have come together on one team. Among them are the standard white tall, rich, and handsome man, the rare handsome young man Kobe among black men, the Hollywood leading man-level super handsome man Lin Tian, and the uniquely melancholic handsome man Durant.
The number of female fans for this team is bound to increase significantly.
Parsons was the helper that Lin Tian asked Kupchak to find. Before he started his fraud career, this guy was definitely one of the most practical, reliable and cost-effective players in the league.
He plays intelligently, capable of cutting, fast breaks, passing, and shooting. He has a superb touch and top-notch basketball IQ, making him the perfect plug-and-play all-rounder.
In addition, Kupchak used a future first-round draft pick to acquire Isaiah Thomas, who is 60th overall in this year's draft and claims to be 175 cm tall, from the Kings.
Assassin was definitely the biggest overlooked talent in this draft. He was the best 175cm player on the planet, or even the best 170cm player. At his peak, he could average 29 points per game and lead his team all the way to the conference finals. It's just a pity that he was born at the wrong time and played with injuries, which ruined his career.
Although Isaiah Thomas's subsequent actions and constant attempts to gain sympathy caused many people to dislike him, it is undeniable that when he was healthy and before he became completely arrogant, he was definitely a good player!
In addition to the two second-round pick trades, Kupchak also used the biennial exception to acquire backup center Josh McRoberts from the Pacers. He is a short center with explosive athleticism and some basketball IQ who can do finesse work such as handoffs and screens.
Then Kupchak listened to Lin Tian's advice and decisively acquired Barnes. He then searched the free market and assembled the players he needed.
Next came the main event: Durant, who had been waiting for a long time, was officially renewed with a maximum contract. After everything was settled, the Lakers' roster was finally finalized.
Centers: Andrew Bynum, Troy Murphy
Power Forwards: Ronnie Turiaf, Josh McRoberts, Earl Clark
Small Forwards: Kevin Durant, Matt Barnes, Chandler Parsons
Shooting Guards: Kobe Bryant, Will Barton, Jason Kapono
Point Guards: Lin Tian, Isaiah Thomas, Andrew Godlock
At first glance, this lineup is quite intimidating, with four All-Stars or even top-tier stars who are considered the face of the league. But upon closer inspection, apart from these four, the rest are either fringe players who have been in the league for many years without achieving anything, second-round picks who haven't even started playing yet, or washed-up veterans who have been abandoned due to injuries.
Logically speaking, the starting lineup of this team is definitely strong, with each of the four star players capable of holding their own or even playing multiple roles. However, their bench is truly insignificant.
It was a truly appalling sight.
This is why, when this lineup was formed, some people immediately suggested that Durant should be benched as the sixth man to fill the bench firepower. As for the starting lineup, with Kobe and Lin Tian, the firepower is definitely enough!
Of course, the Lakers team completely ignores these irresponsible recommendations circulating outside the team.
Are you kidding me? We just signed a promising young player to a five-year max contract, and you're putting him on the bench to fill in the gaps in our offense?
That's bullshit!
Even if Durant were willing, the Lakers' management wouldn't!
There were even some voices suggesting that Kobe should step aside and play as the sixth man.
The Lakers did address these concerns internally.
Phil Jackson swore during an interview.
He made the person who made the suggestion put their head into a cesspool and then lick it clean with their own tongue.
The fact that an old man could utter such disgusting profanities shows that Kobe's status on the Lakers was quite extraordinary.
Regardless of the Lakers' internal situation, the outside world is not particularly optimistic about their roster.
The most significant message is that before the season started, their championship odds were only fourth in the Western Conference, behind the Mavericks, Hornets, and Warriors, and on par with the Phoenix Suns, a team that was already past its prime and could hardly play anymore.
They are only slightly better than the Nuggets, who were considered to have lost their competitiveness because Billups' serious injury ended his season prematurely.
If we add the traditional Eastern Conference powerhouses, the Bobcats, the Celtics, and the Cavaliers, the Lakers would only rank seventh in the championship odds.
Although this ranking is not low, and such rankings before the start of the season do not have much practical significance, it is enough to show that the Lakers are not favored.
The reason for this is, of course, that Lin Tian, who has just returned to the court, is already 38 years old. No matter how amazing his performance was in last season's finals, he has not played a game for three years and is well past the age to play basketball.
Yes, it's not that they've passed their peak, it's that they're past the age of playing basketball!
The youngest player on the team, Parsons, was born in 1988, while Lin Tian was born in 1973!
The two are 15 years apart in age, which is considered a father-son age gap in the simple and honest United States.
Becoming a father at 15 is perfectly normal here.
In addition, Kobe's performance declined significantly last season. Injuries to his knees, shoulders, fingers, and other areas caused him to move away from his peak and begin his decline.
The team has four star players, but the two with the highest value and the biggest spot are both veterans. On the contrary, Durant and Bynum are more anticipated, and we look forward to seeing what kind of progress they can make in the new season.
If the four star players are in this state, then the remaining players are mostly old and young, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them mediocre or incompetent.
So while everyone is looking forward to Lin Tian returning to the court, many are not optimistic about the Lakers' all-in strategy.
Many people even stated directly: This was a contract signed for commercial reasons!
Lin Tian + Lakers, their combination will definitely maximize the interests of both the team and the individual!
But as for the team's record and fighting strength...
It's not worth mentioning; it's simply not worth mentioning.
In short, the general public is not optimistic about this team that was hastily formed during the offseason.
But the Lakers themselves are certainly not skeptical of themselves.
This team has no shortage of guys who are bursting with confidence.
On the first day of training camp, which was also the team's media day and a meeting with new players, the Lakers guys started firing on all cylinders.
Phil Jackson squinted at the reporter and said, "You shouldn't ask me these questions. You should ask Lin and Kobe. They will give you more direct answers. As for this old guy, all I can say is: I am full of hope for this season!"
"Of course I'm nervous too, and I think Mickey is just as nervous. I feel there's a high chance we'll both be replaced by someone on our team. Our positions are hanging by a thread!"
The person Jackson was referring to was, of course, Lin Tian, last season's best general manager and championship-winning coach. Jackson's joke made the atmosphere around him quite relaxed, with laughter coming from time to time.
But Kobe wasn't in the mood for jokes. As usual, he pursed his lips, looking utterly bitter: "Last season, I really played like crap. I think last season was the worst, most garbage season I've had since the beginning of the new century! But this year, we won't lose! And I won't lose either!"
"This year, we will make another run for the championship! We are ready!"
We will crush anyone who stands in our way!
If Kobe's championship declaration was just a routine slogan, then Lin Tian's statement was truly arrogant, implying that he regarded the entire league as nothing.
"Lin, have you spoken with Kobe, Durant, Bynum, and the others? Was the communication smooth?"
"I trained with Kobe for a month. We were already familiar with each other, and now we're even more so. But to be honest, I haven't talked to Kevin yet. He's very busy this summer. But thankfully, training camp has started, and we'll communicate well together to have a good season."
"So, when the interview session is over and the three of you meet up, what are you planning to say to them?" (End of Chapter)