Basketball: Starting from the Rodman template

Chapter 148 The draft, and the rough waters before the storm
After Woody trained with Stephen Curry for about a week, the 04 draft arrived as scheduled.

Since this year's draft picks were already given away in last year's trade for Wade, the Miami media did not pay much attention to this draft.

of course……

This is their original idea!
Now something went wrong:
The template of Dwight Howard, the "biggest No. [-] pick" in this draft, has leaked out. He is called "a combination of Kevin Garnett and Stoudemire" by more media.

When this matter spread to the outside world, the Miami media had to pay attention to Howard.

After all, when Woody participated in the draft last year, his template was "Kevin Garnett and Stoudemire."

Howard's template is the same as Woody's. Do you think they can't pay more attention to it?
You must know that Woody made a big noise last year. Even the "Proud of Heaven" LeBron James was stepped on by him. This rookie season directly became a "phenomenal rookie."

As a result, in the 04 draft, a newcomer appeared who had the same template as Woody's candidate last year!

and……

This guy also chose to participate in the draft right out of high school.

Many media regard him as the "Second Generation Woody".

With this title alone, it is destined that the Miami media will pay more attention to him:
What the hell, just "Woody II"?

Could he be the "next Woody"?
Woody is so good there is a next one?

The doubts from the Miami media floated along the network cable into the 04 draft.

Woody watched this year's draft with Stephen Curry.

When David Stern announced the official start of this year's draft, Woody seemed to be back to this time a year ago.At that time, he was sitting on the sidelines, nervously waiting for the moment when his fate would be decided.

At that time, he did not expect that his first season in the league would be so exciting...

"With the first pick in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic selected...Dwight Howard!"

As David Stern read out the first name.

Woody's eyes were drawn back to the TV:
A "big smiling boy" with dark skin and a slender figure, like a growing sapling, stood up from his seat and hugged the excited family members next to him.A guy in a suit and tie who looked like an agent was talking in his ear.

This is this year's "No. [-] pick" Dwight Howard!
This wasn't the first time Woody had seen him. He had been making headlines all over the newspapers recently.

Especially the photo of "kissing the basket" leaked from the training ground, which became popular in the entire American basketball circle.

It is rare to see a player as tall and tall as him who can jump as well as he does.

Of course, this is theoretically speaking. In the past three years, one player has appeared in each draft.

In 02, it was Amare Stoudemire.

Affected by the "Three High School Elites", Stoudemire ended up with the ninth pick in the first round.

But another reason for him is that although he was also a high school student participating in the draft, he took a year off from high school due to a leg injury. By the time he graduated from high school, he was actually 19 years old.

After he won the "Best Rookie" award, he paved the way for Howard. As early as a year ago, when the media predicted Howard's draft pick, they said that even high school students can participate in the draft. A view on top five picks.

Now with Woody's phenomenal rookie performance, he has become the undisputed "number one pick" in the draft.

On May 5, the Magic had just confirmed their "No. 13 pick" and immediately announced:
"Howard is our only target!"

Because of this incident, it also caused a lot of conflicts within the team:

Tracy McGrady said directly: "If you choose a high school student, trade me immediately!"

Although the Magic's record this season is not good, McGrady still became the final "season scoring champion". He was also the second player to win the "scoring champion" for two consecutive years since Allen Iverson. talk……

But it still can't stop the Magic's determination to choose Howard!

At this moment, the Magic general manager sitting in the backstage room did not look relaxed or happy because the team confirmed that Howard was selected.He knows very well that what he needs to do this summer has just begun.

Stephen Curry watched Howard shake hands with David Stern and asked Woody next to him: "Woody, do you think he can be the next you?"

Woody looked at his curious expression and asked instead, "What do you think?"

Stephen Curry thought about it seriously and said firmly: "Of course not!"

Are you kidding me, can such a "silly guy" compare to my Woody brother?

"I don't know which pick I will be selected by then..." Looking at Howard, Stephen Curry unconsciously thought of his future, and his eyes began to sparkle with imagination.

on site.

Dwight Howard walked down from the center of the stage and was surrounded by a bunch of reporters.

The reporter’s first question was similar to the question Stephen Curry asked Woody:
"Dwight, congratulations on becoming this year's No. [-] pick. You should know that many people think you are the next Woody. Do you think you will become the next Woody?"

Howard said happily: "I don't want to be the next Woody, I just want to be the first Dwight Howard!"

talk...

So familiar!
His words continued: "I'm actually looking forward to my first match against Woody. I also want to know what kind of player this person who keeps comparing me to him is!"

Howard's words made the reporters' eyes light up:
I didn't expect that!
This "number one pick" has done such a big job as soon as he entered the league!

The look in Howard's eyes when he looked at them was quite satisfying.

He had been holding this breath for a long time.

Not that Woody provoked him.

But...

Since last year, he has been compared with Woody by the media, especially since January this year. As long as he performs well, he is called the "Second Generation Woody".After all, he is a genius, right?
Geniuses...are always a little angry!

Other players are said to be "the next so-and-so" every day. The key is that this person has only just entered the league and has not yet fully demonstrated his own flag. I am afraid there will be some thoughts of competition.

Not to mention Howard!
He had been holding back saying this in front of the media for a long time.

I finally got what I wanted tonight...

Woody also received a task from the system at this time:

"Genius' arrogance destroys the plan!" "The new champion is obsessed with his name as 'Woody II' and is trying to break the outside world's impression of it. The host should extend a 'helping hand' to help him break the outside world together. impression!"

The general tasks are divided into two aspects:
It made the media feel that he was overestimated, and it also made Howard feel that he was "high"!

This not only convinced the media, but more importantly, convinced Howard...

This summer, I will be more motivated to develop my singles ability with the ball!

He must produce more explosive statistics in the new season. Otherwise, how can Howard correctly realize how honored he is to be able to use Woody as his template?
Early the next morning, Howard's remarks immediately went "out of the circle". Major media rushed to report on it, and many of them caused a sensation.

The Orlando media was naturally supportive, praising Howard as "ambitious" and "ambitious."

The Miami media was full of sarcasm, mocking Howard for "looking higher than his head":
"I just became the No. [-] pick, and I haven't proven myself in the NBA. You know, there are also parallel imports among the No. [-] picks in the NBA!"

"Don't want to be the next Woody? You do want to be the next Woody! Is this what you said you can become if you want to?"

"When you can be like Woody in the new season and lead the team to the Eastern Conference finals and win the best second team and the best defensive second team, it won't be too late to say this, right?"

……

As for the media outside of Miami media and Orlando media, some are optimistic about Howard, and some are questioning Howard.

But whether you are optimistic about Howard or skeptical of Howard, one point of view is the same;

It's not easy for Howard to perform like Woody in his rookie season!

Putting aside whether he himself has that ability, Tracy McGrady's style of play will definitely affect the Magic's team building with Howard as the core.In addition, the NBA will cancel the "hand touch" rule in the new season, and outside players will usher in their own "spring sky."With McGrady, they believe that few head coaches will give up the strategy of using McGrady as the core of the team.

and so……

If the Magic don't send McGrady away, I'm afraid Howard will have to start from a "blue-collar insider" in the new season!

Although Woody's rookie season was almost a "blue-collar" style of play.

But the "blue-collar" style of play is very different from the "blue-collar" style of play.

Let’s talk about the final end of this fast break!
Woody was responsible for finishing most of the Heat's games.

In this aspect alone, Woody can score six or seven points in every game.

If McGrady is still with the Magic, can Howard get these points?
This is only one aspect...

These discussions have obviously affected the relationship between the Magic and Tracy McGrady.

In just two or three days, news came out that McGrady and his team had submitted their application to the Magic management, hoping that the team could trade him this summer.I heard that the word "unbearable" was used when we met.

This news is like the breeze before the storm.

It soon turned into a strong wind!
It's not just the Magic's side that's in turmoil.

In Dallas, Cuban and Nelson, the "old partners" who have worked together for many years, are also having a very heated discussion.

Last summer, the "five-core offensive system" run by Cuban ultimately "failed in scientific research."But this did not dampen the enthusiasm of Cuban, a businessman. Instead, he became more and more courageous, hoping to do something big again this summer.

Among them, he had serious differences with Nelson regarding Steve Nash's contract extension.

What Nelson means is to resolutely sign the contract. No matter how much it costs, the contract must be renewed.

Cuban only wanted to give him a five-year contract worth 5 million, and he even shouted at Nelson: "Just for your brother's sake!"

Originally, Old Nelson was simmering with anger because of this guy's random interference in intra-team transactions last year. When he saw that his beloved disciple was only worth so much money in this guy's eyes, he stopped working at that time. He patted the table and said directly: "If you If I don’t renew Steve’s contract, then my coaching career with the Mavericks will be over!”,

These words frightened Cuban for a moment, but he was only stunned for a moment. For the sake of the big picture in his heart, Cuban still gritted his teeth and insisted on his opinion: "Nash is only worth so much money!"

At Staples, general manager Kupchak also made the first call to Shaquille O'Neal's agent team after the Finals.

As the season ends, Shaquille O'Neal only has the final year left on his big contract.

For a superstar of his magnitude, he naturally has to discuss contract renewal earlier!

After all, if we can reach an agreement, we can maintain the stability of the team for the next four to five years; if we can't reach an agreement, of course, we will have more time to deal with this matter to ensure that the Lakers will not be greatly affected by this.

Shaquille O'Neal's team gave a two-word answer to the contract extension:

Top salary!

Kupchak also gave a two-word reply:

negotiable...

The call ended quickly without any fuss on either side.

But after the call, Kupchak's expression turned serious.

The current atmosphere is here. Their first phone call was actually a test by both parties. Now that the test is over, Shaquille O'Neal's attitude is very clear. They want to renew his contract with the maximum salary.

Ordinarily, considering Shaquille O'Neal's dominance at the basket, a maximum salary is not excessive.

The problem is that Shaq is already 32 years old.

Even if he is still worth the maximum salary in these two years, what about another two years?

Especially now, the core problem is that the "OK" combination has not won the championship for the second consecutive year.

Shaquille O'Neal's various toe injuries are also hidden dangers.

These combined make the Lakers afraid to gamble on a maximum salary contract...

Of course, there is another very important reason:
Ordinarily, Shaquille O'Neal won the "three consecutive championships" for the Lakers. Even if he is not his "biological son" and was adopted from the "stepmother" Magic Team, it is normal to be given a maximum salary contract to support him in retirement.

But who made him have a bad relationship with Kobe?
The next "hot chick" in Los Angeles is Kobe Bryant!
The thinking of "rich families" is always in the future...

Therefore, Kupchak will definitely not agree to Shaquille O'Neal's maximum salary contract.

The reason for the interview was that I wanted to give it one last try and renew Shaquille O'Neal at a slightly compromised price.

If it’s not that expensive and it’s a little risky, you can still try it for two more years!
(End of this chapter)