basketball pope

Chapter 191 [Goal - Destroy the entire alliance! 】

Chapter 191 [Goal - Destroy the entire alliance! 】

On September 9, the Raptors held a media day and the new NBA season began.

Jermaine O'Neal is a restricted free agent, testing the waters of the free market, and the Magic team has the largest contract for him. The Raptors matched the contract for 3 years and 1830 million, leaving the potential star inside.

The extension contract opened by the Blazers for Camby is almost the same as O'Neal Jr. He is no worse than the second place in the year and is very satisfied with the result.

In addition to O'Neal, the Raptors also renewed Ryan Bowen with a two-year base salary, and signed Jumaine Jones, who was No. 28 in the first round, on a four-year rookie contract. The team already has fifteen players under contract. So I didn't find anyone to play the preseason.The only person under pressure is center Jerome, whose contract is a non-guaranteed minimum salary and the Raptors can waive him at any time.

The 15-man list is as follows.

Centers: Jerome James, Brad Miller, Kevin Willis, Kevin Cato.

Power forwards: Detrev Schramf, Jermaine O'Neal.

Small forwards: Vince Carter, Ryan Bowen, Jumaine Jones.

Shooting guards: Doug Christie, Tracy McGrady, Jeff Hornacek.

Point guards: Dell Curry, Chauncey Billups, Earl Boykins.

The Raptors have hoarded five big men with a height of 210cm or more, and three forward swingers who can play the 4th position. The inside strength is definitely stronger than last season.

For the core makeup photo, Yang Rui chose Billups, Carter, McGrady, O'Neal Jr., and Miller. He was selected for the Dream Team and All-Star in his previous life, and three of them were the starters of the East Team.

All five of them were interviewed by the media, especially Brad Miller. He was only an inside substitute last season, and he didn't play much time. His performance in the playoffs was average. The reporter wondered why he suddenly took the position.

Miller said with a smile: "Last season, my shooting ability didn't meet the coach's requirements. I practiced shooting hard this summer. He said that he would arrange more tasks for me. I am very looking forward to it."

In an interview, Carter said confidently: "I improved my offensive and defensive skills through a one-on-one match with Tracy in the summer. I must be stronger than last season."

The reporter asked: "You two heads up, who wins more?"

"Almost, we can't defend each other." Carter replied.

McGrady gave the same answer. The agents of both sides greeted each other well. Some words should not be said nonsense, which will affect the image. The media never broke the news about the singled out of the star.

In the future, the issue of Kobe and McGrady's one-on-one victory will still be talked about by fans, and it has always been an unsolved mystery.It is impossible for the two to hide in secret, and it is impossible for them to never compete.To be honest, it is an unspoken rule of the NBA. It leaves a sense of mystery for fans to guess. The stars are all good face.

The reporter asked, "Vince, do you have any personal goals for this season?"

"Regular season MVP is my goal, as well as the slam dunk contest champion, this season I want to participate in the slam dunk contest." Carter replied.

In the summer, Yang Rui and Carter talked a few times, and indicated that he would arrange tactics for him. He wanted him to play more aggressively this season, and he should not hide and tuck when facing reporters' questions.

Carter has made a bold statement, can't the coach want him to become a superstar and shirk the ball by himself?This season, he should be more worthy of the nickname "half-human half-god."

McGrady's goal is to be an All-Star, and to be a little more low-key.Yang Rui also talked to him. In the new season, he will still play as a substitute and stagger the playing time with Carter in the first quarter.In the second quarter, Tracy McGrady is the core of the team and can make a shot.

McGrady's three-point accuracy is slightly worse, and his defense against breakthroughs is slightly inferior to Christie's.

The reporter focused on interviewing Yang Rui and asked, "Jerry, when you renewed your contract in the summer, you shouted the slogan to win the championship, but the Raptors did not introduce a big-name star. Are you disappointed?"

If the coach says that he is disappointed, it will be exaggerated by the media, taken out of context, and created conflicts.

Yang Rui said with a smile: "Just kidding, how could I be disappointed with the Raptors lineup? We already reached the Eastern Conference finals last season. This season, I will definitely take the Heat that the Raptors played, and the Knicks can't find North. We Will use the offense to blow up the whole league and win the championship.”

The reporters at the press conference were all excited.Even in the 1995-1996 season, the Bulls who set a record in the regular season, Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson were not like Yang Rui.

Yang Rui's declaration is unprecedented in NBA history, but he is the youngest coach, enough to make headlines.

The reporter asked: "The Raptors are very young. How do you play against the more experienced teams in the playoffs? Are you too optimistic?"

Yang Rui shook his head and smiled: "The addition of Curry and Hornacek has made the team stronger. They are all excellent immediate combat power, famous veterans, plus two veterans in the inside, Doug Christie, fierce The Dragons have no shortage of experience. It took us a season to work together, and the young core will get better and better. Maybe I say that they will have pressure, but a team has to withstand all kinds of pressure to be successful."

The reporter asked: "Who do you think is the team's biggest rival this season?"

"There are no opponents in the east, but the Lakers and the Trail Blazers in the west." Yang Rui gave a clear answer, and he really believed that there were no opponents in the east.

The reinforcement situation of each team has not changed from what he knew in his previous life. Heat point guard Tim Hardaway is one year older, defending the black hole; the core of the Pacers is Miller, Rose, inferior to the Raptors outside; the age of Knicks Ewing Too big to go to Oakley.

Without the Raptors, the Eastern Conference has entered a period of weakness. In Yang Rui's previous life, the Pacers would have reached the finals this season.He believes that with the depth of the Raptors' current roster, clearing the Pacers is just playing.

The reporter asked: "Aren't you optimistic about the defending champion Spurs?"

"I'm not optimistic, the Spurs don't have enough reinforcements in the summer, and the lineup is flawed. The Blazers traded for Steve Smith and added a three-point shooting point. He is also a star, and he is more suitable for the team than Ryder. The Lakers signed Under coach Phil Jackson, his triangle offense will maximize O'Neal's power."

The reporter asked: "Russian rookie Kirilenko has to fulfill his two-year contract before joining the NBA. Will it affect the Raptors?"

"I will wait for him to become a free agent. For the time being, he will exercise in Europe. He is only 18 years old and has little experience in the game. Even if his talent is outstanding, the team does not need to pay a penalty for him."

The reporter asked: "I heard that it was your idea to introduce the 165CM guard Boykins in the summer. What do you think of this player?"

Yang Rui said sternly: "I believe that Earl's strength is enough to gain a foothold in the NBA. How much playing time he can get depends on his state and effort. I guarantee that he will have the opportunity to perform and develop his strengths."

The reporter asked: "What do you think is the current shortcoming of the Raptors?"

"The Raptors have no shortcomings or weaknesses. We didn't have much time to run in last season and started the regular season hastily. This season is different, we have more time to practice tactics and play a tacit understanding. I believe the players will adapt to the new style of play. Season, we'll show it to everyone."

(End of this chapter)