NBA: Back to 97, to be the Jagged Bishop

Chapter 173 Cultivate an Alliance President
As time approaches mid-February, almost two-thirds of the season's schedule has been completed.

The annual NBA All-Star Weekend is here again.

For the All-Star lineup in previous years, before the voting results came out, Kumbu could basically guess the results.

But this year's results have completely exceeded Kumbu's expectations.

Even if he had to imagine it [-] times, he would never have imagined that Dampier would be the starting All-Star center in the Eastern Conference this year.

That's right, Dampier was selected by the fans as the starting center for the Eastern All-Stars, beating Mourning, Ewing, Big Ben and Uncle Mu.

His vote count was as high as 180 million, Mourning and Da Ben both had only 130 million, and Ewing and Uncle Mu were even less, they only had around [-] votes.

Under normal circumstances, Dampier's entire career spanned 16 years without a single honor.

It's true that he doesn't have any honors. He hasn't even been selected to the best rookie team. As for Zhou Best and other honors that have been produced in a year, he also hasn't won any.

And now in the hands of Kumbu, who has only played for half a season, he has become the starter of the Eastern Conference All-Star.

Kong Bu felt a sense of accomplishment in his heart.

The rise of Dampier has nothing to do with his own system at all. It is an all-star starter who has been cultivated by himself alone.

On the one hand, Dampier's data is really not bad. He averaged 19 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game in the second team of the Raptors. Among the balanced offensive and defensive centers in the East, he is no worse than anyone else.

On the other hand, Dampier just beat Malone badly, which made his reputation reach the point where it cannot be added.

Strong enough tough enough self-confidence, making Dampier very popular among fans.

However, his selection into the starting lineup must have at least half of the credit of Nash. Without Nash's help, his stats would have shrunk by at least one-third.

The eastern center is Dampier, and the two forwards are Dazhi and Daba.

Da Zhi was selected as the starting All-Star forward, and no one can fault him. Currently, Da Zhi is averaging 26 points, 9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals per game.

In particular, the competition for the power forward position in the East is not fierce. It is simply unreasonable for Dazhi not to start with this data.

As for the bus, his statistics are not particularly eye-catching, but the record of the Raptors is good enough, and he also has the full support of the Chinese fans, so it is not surprising that he was selected as the starter.

The starting backcourt in the East is Tracy McGrady and Payton, which is also uncontroversial.

McGrady is now the league's No. [-] shooting guard. After Jordan retired, no one can compete with him for this title.

As for Payton, last season's MVP and FMVP took out various best teams, and he is the No.1 in the league today.

As soon as the Eastern Conference starting list came out, other teams could only sigh and smile wryly.

There were five players in the starting lineup, but apart from Da Zhi, the other four were all from the Raptors.

How powerful is this!
Never before in NBA history has a team started with four All-Stars.

Even Da Zhi was already labeled as Kong Bu, and everyone knew that he was Kong Bu's favorite student.

It is equivalent to saying that the five players in the starting lineup are all from Kumbu.

Not only the starting lineup, but also many Raptors players on the bench.

Big Ben, Nash and Carter were all selected as substitutes.

Counting the four starters, it means that the Raptors have seven players who have become All-Stars today.

There are only 12 players in the big roster, and Odom, who was newly traded, is now also included in the big roster.

More than half of the Raptors' players are serious All-Stars.

The fact that the other five were not selected does not mean that they do not have the strength of an All-Star.

For example, Maggette and Marion, this combination is full of impact and has a variety of defensive styles, which can defend against all types of players.

If any big team can get this pair of strikers, they can take off immediately.

It's a bit embarrassing that Pierce was not selected as an All-Star, but he is also the starting small forward of the Raptors' first team, and his strength cannot be weak.

The bearded Davis is more miserable, no matter whether he is in the first team or the second team, he has no place in the first team, so he is now the Raptors' drinking fountain watchman.

One must know that he is the No. [-] pick, and it is indeed a bit miserable to be reduced to this level.

Comb can't help it, because whether it is compared with Payton or Nash, Davis is far behind.

As for Odom, who just arrived, there is no place for him in the Raptors.

However, Odom's strength is indeed strong enough, at least before his brain has no watts, he is one of the top combo forwards in the league.

Has a basket, rebounds, and pass control ability. His style is a bit similar to Kukoc, but the basket is not as good as Kukoc, and he is worse than Kukoc in other aspects.

Before the start of the regular season, Comb promised the Grizzlies that they would get a decent player this season.

Now that the All-Star weekend is approaching, it means that the door to the trading market is about to close.

The Grizzlies did not urge him, but since Combe had promised, he must do what he said.

His plan was to send Maggette to the Grizzlies.

Without the three-point calibration device, Maggette's lack of a basket is infinitely magnified, and being placed in the second team is a bit of a hindrance, slowing down the team's offensive rhythm.

And in the first team, he did not surpass Pierce's strength.

So it's just right to take it out and trade it, and then put Odom in the second team, so that it will be the real peak Suns lineup.

Previously, Maggette was targeting Boris Diaw, and Brother Diao had organizational skills that Maggette did not have.

Now Odom's style is more like a hanger, which will make the second team's power to a higher level.

The All-Star lineup in the West is not far from what Combe remembered.

O'Neal, Duncan, Garnett, Kobe and Kidd, and the Utah Shuangsha were not selected for the All-Star this year, and they did not even select a substitute.

The popularity of their combination has declined extremely in recent years, and they were able to get more than 97 million votes for the All-Stars in 100.

After three years, Malone has only 40 votes this year, and Stockton is even worse, with only [-] votes.

With so many votes, it's definitely a no-brainer.

If it was left in previous years, even if they did not start, they would definitely be qualified as substitutes. After all, the qualifications are there, and the data and team record are not bad. Select them.

It's a pity that today is not what it used to be, and the coaching staff of any team doesn't want to do such a thing that blatantly provokes Kumbu.

You must know that the coaches' votes are not anonymous, they are all voting records that can be found out.

I voted for Malone or Stockton on my side, can Combe not take it to heart?Do you still want to make a deal with Kongbu in the future?
This year, the Raptors can be selected for so many All-Stars, and there is also a reason for this. Anyway, it is just a vote, and it is quite cost-effective to use it to pay Kumbu.

After all the All-Star lineups were released, Combe contacted the Grizzlies general manager Stu as soon as possible.

"Old man, I'm here to give you a present."

Combe said with a smile.

Stu breathed a sigh of relief, "Kong, I've been waiting for your words for half a year."

"During the past six months, I've been thinking day and night, just waiting for you to take the initiative to call me."

"God, you finally haven't forgotten our grizzly bear, and I, an old buddy in suffering."

Stu was also in a hurry. Seeing that the gate of the trading market was about to close, there was still no movement from Kong Bu, so it was no wonder he wasn't in a hurry.

Now after receiving the call from Kong Bu, he feels much more at ease.

"Old man, I gave Corey Maggette to you for free, and it's not much use to keep it in my hands."

Kong Bu said indifferently, as if giving the Grizzly two catties of rice.

Stu is going crazy, give it away for nothing?
Corey Maggette's popularity is high and his strength is quite strong. In the first month of the game, his three-point shooting percentage was as high as 43%!

Although I don't know why he didn't shoot later, some people said that he offended Kongbu, and Kongbu stopped shooting three-pointers for him.

But he is capable of three-pointers and not weak, that's for sure.

In addition to the three-pointer, Maggette's breakthrough and defense are outstanding.

The value of such a player is so sensational that Stu never dreamed that he could get Maggette for nothing.

With the rise of guards, the value of some top guards is actually not inferior to the insiders.

If Maggette is really thrown on the trading market, it will definitely trigger a mad rush from all teams in the league.

A rookie whose salary is almost negligible, strong and popular, is an excellent signing target whether it is reinforcement of a rich family or rebuilding of a weak team.

"Kong, I really don't know what to say."

"The bargaining chips that our Grizzlies can use are Raheem and Bibby. I guess you don't like these two."

"As for draft picks, if you want, I can at least give you two first-round picks."

"You'd better ask for chips. If you give it away for nothing, I'm really sorry."

Kong Bu shook his head and said, "Old man, you helped me solve Hu Weidong's contract problem before, and I haven't thanked you properly yet."

"Taking advantage of this opportunity, don't talk so much. This is my wish."

Stu was overwhelmed with gratitude. He didn't expect that there would be such a "fool" as Combe in this intriguing alliance.

Before Kong Bu helped old Fitch so much, he wondered if there was some kind of relationship between the two that was unknown to outsiders, or there was some shady deal.

Now he feels that he is treating a gentleman with the heart of a villain, and Kong Bu is a real gentleman, a real gentleman, and the real kindness of a drop of water is reciprocated by the spring.

"Kong, I recognize you as a brother."

"In the future, in this alliance, no matter what happens, I will stand by your side without any conditions, no matter whether you are right or wrong."

Stu makes a promise of his own.

Combe laughed loudly, "Old man, you can't talk nonsense about this. If Stern hears it, he will definitely be upset."

"But I'm more curious about your career plan. You don't really want to stay in Vancouver, do you?"

"You used to be a high-level player in the league. When the Grizzlies are officially on track, will you go back to succeed Stern?"

Kong Bu is a typical question of knowing what to do.

He has always had the ambition of cultivating a league president, and it happens that Stu is the best candidate.

"Brother, there is nothing to hide between us."

"When the Grizzlies are officially on the right track, of course I still want to return to the position of the league management."

"But Adam Silver has a higher chance of succeeding Stern than me."

"Don't look at Stern who is a little bit cold on him now, but he is a gentleman. This is an advantage that I can't match."

"Of course I also want to be the president of the league, but it's a pity that I don't have a pair of Yutai parents?"

Stu said with a wry smile.

Kumbu was stunned, he didn't expect Xiao Hua to be messed up by himself, fell out of favor with Stern, and turned out to be the first successor to the president of the league.

It makes sense when you think about it. There are a total of 29 teams in the league, of which there are [-] major or minority shareholders of the teams, who are of Jewish descent.

Who will take over the position of the president of the league is not decided by Stern, but by the votes of the owners of the league's teams.

One is Stu, a white man, and the other is Silver, a Jew. You can think of who the bosses will vote for with their big toes.

"Is there no other way? Old buddy, the relationship between Xiao Hua and I is not harmonious, and I still look forward to your success." Kong Bu said painfully.

He had already offended Xiao Hua to death, and when Xiao Hua came to power, he might not know how to deal with Kong Bu.

Kumbu is not afraid. After all, Stern is still in his prime, and he can still manage the league for at least ten years.

After more than ten years, Kumbu didn't know how much Kumbu's net worth had been accumulated. Even if he couldn't make it in the NBA, he could live a comfortable life.

Stu was touched again.

"Kong, the possibility cannot be said to be completely non-existent."

"Then we can only break through one by one. There are more than 20 teams in the league. As long as I can get the support of the owners of [-] teams, won't I be able to take the position?"

"At least now we have the support of the Grizzlies and the Raptors."

Stu laughed.

Kumbu nodded. That's a good point. Anyway, there are still more than ten years before Stern's resignation. After such a long time, he and Studo should pay attention to this aspect. It doesn't seem too difficult to get [-] teams.

On the second day, the two teams made official announcements. The Raptors and the Grizzlies traded. The Raptors sent Corey Maggette and got a 2003 second-round pick from the Grizzlies.

Stern didn't block this deal, and maybe he didn't want the Grizzlies to continue to be such a fool.

For a while, Kong Bu's phone was almost rang.

Some Lao Deng who have a good relationship complained about Kong Bu on the phone, but they didn't come to them for such a good thing.

Kumbu can't laugh or cry, if you are qualified to become the president of the league in the future, I don't mind giving you a few stars.

The Grizzlies took such a big advantage, and made the teams realize that there is absolutely no harm in befriending Kumbu.

Maggette was sent out casually, and the second-round pick was probably taken out on purpose because he didn't want the deal to be too ugly.

If you can send Maggette, then you can send Marion, Davis, and Odom.

In the next few games, whether at home or away, Kumbu can receive gifts from the opponent's coach.

The Rolex alone received four or five yuan. I don’t know where they got the news that Combe likes Rolex.

Combe really doesn't have any special feelings for Rolex, but he just doesn't hate it. Since someone else gave it to him, there is no reason not to accept it.

(End of this chapter)