NBA: Back to 97, to be the Jagged Bishop

Chapter 414 The new season opener
In previous years, before the official start of the season, Kongbu would let the team play a dozen preseason games, but this year he simply stopped playing.

The preseason thing actually means nothing.

There is no point in playing well, because the preseason itself has no gold content, and it is impossible for the opponent's core players to perform well in the preseason.

And if you don't play well, it can easily affect the confidence of new players.

Anyway, there is no benefit from playing it. In this case, why should Kongbu play it? It is better to wait for the main game and play directly to give fans all over the league a surprise.

The time has come to October 10, the New Jersey Nets' first game of the 17-2006 season.

This time Stern gave Kongbu a lot of face and arranged for the Nets to play the opening game at home.

The opponent is also very interesting. They are the New York Knicks, a hundred kilometers away from the Nets.

This may be the first time in the history of the Knicks that they have played a season opener and they are not at home.

After the offseason, the Knicks' lineup has changed little.

Center Howard, power forward Zhi, small forward Marion, shooting guard Mobley, there is no decent point guard, almost the same as last season.

But their coach was replaced by someone who made Kongbu dumbfounded.

Larry Brown!

That's right, after being kicked out of the NBA by Combu, Larry Brown was almost unable to even gain a foothold in the NCAA, because Combu said that he would never select an NCAA player named Larry Brown in the draft.

After two years of silence, James Dolan may have been too angry with Kong Bu, so he invited Larry Brown to the Knicks.

Kongbu couldn't laugh or cry because he thought Dolan's operation was too stupid.

Just to make himself sick and angry, and then get Larry Brown to the Knicks, he never thought about whether this would cause some serious problems.

For example, Dazhi's relationship with Kongbu is well known. The two of them are so good that they wear a pair of trousers. Dazhi's father is regarded as Kongbu's spokesperson in the country. All of Kongbu's domestic operations are through Lao Wang.

Larry Brown's hatred for Kongbu is absolutely overwhelming. Can he be so pleased with it?
Dazhi also has a bad temper, and there is no trace of sand in his eyes. If Larry Brown dares to look down on him or weaken his tactical position, Dazhi will definitely not let him go.

The conflict between these two people will definitely break out sooner or later, unless Larry Brown changes his gender and is willing to pretend to be a grandson in front of Dazhi.

……

"Kombu!"

"Kombu!"

"Kombu!"

When Kongbu led the Nets into the stadium, the New Jersey fans at the scene chanted Kongbu's name crazily.

Garnett was even more surprised. He originally thought that the fans at the scene would shout at him loudly. After all, he may be the biggest star in the history of the Nets. However, the fans at the scene seemed not to notice him at all, only Kongbu was in their eyes.

Garnett is actually very nervous about joining the current Nets.

When Kongbu abducted him, he said something that made Garnett think that he would cooperate with Duncan and other stars to win the championship.

Then after actually joining the Nets, he was also waiting for Kongbu's trading operation, but in the end there was no operation at all, and there was no sign of Duncan anywhere.

This made Garnett worried. He didn't know if Kongbu had any follow-up plans. Otherwise, would he really have a chance to win the championship with this lineup?

After Kombu entered the court, he looked at Larry Brown next to the Knicks bench with an expression full of disdain.

If he hadn't angered James Dolan, Larry Brown would definitely be in exile, and he wouldn't be able to find any job in the NBA.

Dazhi walked over slowly and chatted with Kongbu before the game, which was his habit for the past seven or eight years.

"Brother Kong, I heard from my dad what kind of basketball school do you want to set up in China?"

"Do you really want to do such a thankless thing?"

Dazhi couldn't quite understand why Kong Bu did this, especially when he learned that Kong Bu spent millions of dollars every year on this school.

He knew that Kong Bu wanted to lay a solid foundation for the Tianchao men's basketball team, but in Dazhi's view, the price was too high.

“Of course you have to do it, not only do it, but you also have to do it with concentration.”

"Dazhi, when you are in the offseason, go to my school and be a coach for a few days to shock those kids and let them know that as long as they work hard, they can become superstars like you."

Combe said with a smile.

Dazhi nodded shyly. Even though he had been in contact with Kongbu for so long, he was still a little embarrassed every time Kongbu praised him.

"By the way, one more thing. I have the last year left on my contract with the Knicks. I want to leave as a free agent after finishing this season."

"I am completely desperate for the Knicks team. I didn't believe in fate before, but now I firmly believe that the Knicks really have no chance of winning the championship."

"If your Nets are short of the fourth position then, I will go to your Nets."

"If you are not in need, I will go find Dayao."

Da Zhi's words shocked Kong Bu. What a joke, he actually wanted to find Da Yao. If these two people join forces, I am afraid that the management of many teams in the Eastern Conference will have sleepless nights.

Kongbu also knew that Dazhi was completely disappointed with the Knicks. After playing for the Knicks for so many years, he had never been able to win a championship.

Boss Dolan is not reluctant to spend money, but the money has never been spent wisely.

For example, when Thomas Sr. resigned this time, Dolan was only willing to give Thomas Sr. 3 million for three years. Then after Thomas Sr. left, Dolan turned around and gave Larry Brown a five-year, 1000 million contract.

Dazhi felt that if Dolan was willing to offer Thomas Sr. such a contract, Sr. Thomas might be able to stay in the Knicks.

He really couldn't think of a reason for Dolan to replace Thomas Sr. with Larry Brown.

In this league, besides Kongbu, the person that Dazhi is most grateful to is Old Thomas.

When he first joined the Knicks, some veterans bullied him. In the end, it was Thomas Sr. who helped him out and helped him establish his position as the absolute leader of the team.

Without Thomas, Dazhi would have had a very difficult time with the Knicks.

Now that Thomas Sr. is gone, and with this lineup giving him no hope of winning the championship, he certainly has thoughts of leaving.

"The new season has just begun, let's wait until the end of the season."

"Go back quickly. I see Larry Brown's face is turning green. If you don't go back, be careful he puts you on the bench."

Kongbu glanced at Larry Brown not far away and joked with Da Zhi.

"He dares! If I lend him some courage, he wouldn't dare mess around in my team." Dazhi's tone was full of confidence.

Not long after, the referee blew the whistle to start the game.

Although the Nets are Kongbu's team, and Kongbu specializes in transforming weak teams, facing a super power like the Knicks, the Nets fans at the scene did not have high expectations for tonight's game.

In the jump ball session, Da Zhi won the jump ball.

After Mobley got the ball, he controlled the frontcourt. Da Zhi ran out of the three-point line to respond and received the ball from Mobley.

Because the Knicks really don't have a point guard, Da Zhi's current style of play is more of a point forward.

Seeing Da Zhi holding the ball, Garnett hurried forward to defend closely.

He has been fighting against Da Zhi for many years. Garnett is quite experienced in defending Da Zhi.

After being closely followed by Garnett, Da Zhi had no room to directly shoot a three-pointer. He made a gesture to Howard under the basket, asking him to come out from the basket and raise it to the high post to help him pick and roll.

Howard quickly ran out from the basket and set up a pick-and-roll near the free throw line.

With the help of Howard's pick and roll, Da Zhi got a good shot and scored two points.

Garnett frowned. Although the outside world has always called him the best defensive player in the league, there is no one.

But since the Knicks got Howard, it has not been so easy for him to defend the Big Zhi.

The main reason is that Dazhi has the ability to hold the ball. After Howard mentioned the pick-and-roll in the high post, Dazhi can use Howard's strong body, and the pick-and-roll effect is very good.

"Kid, hold on to him and don't give him the opportunity to easily get up to the high post and do a pick-and-roll."

Garnett said to his inside partner Ade during the offensive round.

Garnett is now in his thirties, and he is indeed qualified to call Ade a child.

Adelaide felt helpless, how could he go up against Howard with his body? Garnett asked him to go up against Howard, which was almost the same as asking Runbo Ba to get rid of Tang Seng and his disciples.

In the Nets' offensive round, Rondo held the ball and looked for opportunities on the outside.

The next second, Rondo glanced at Roy, and then Roy started to rush forward without the ball, and Rondo's passes also followed.

Roy, who was rushing forward, comfortably received Rondo's pass. Facing Mobley's defense, he made a sudden stop, turned around and leaned back, and easily hit two points.

The ball was passed well and Roy attacked well. The whole process was extremely smooth.

Even Garnett couldn't help but applaud.

In the Knicks' offensive round again, Dazhi still held the ball from the outside, and then called Howard for a high pick-and-roll.

Ade wanted to stop Howard, but unfortunately he was a freshman in this grade and was not strong enough, so he could not stop Howard.

Fortunately, Dazhi didn't score the goal. After the rebound appeared, because Howard mentioned the high position, Adebai picked up the rebound.

When it comes to the Nets' offensive round, this time it looks like Rondo and Roy are still working together in the backcourt.

However, when Roy rushed forward, Rondo's ball was not passed, but found Garnett's position.

Ade also hurriedly came out to do a high pick-and-roll, helping Garnett block Da Zhi's defensive space, allowing Garnett to get a chance to hit the mid-range shot and score two points.

There were two offensive and defensive rounds at the beginning. The center players on both sides acted as tool men, setting pick-and-rolls for their own boss at the fourth position.

It seemed like a very ordinary start, but the Knicks directly called a timeout.

Kongbu was very curious. They had only played two offensive and defensive rounds. Although the Knicks were two points behind, this kind of backwardness could not be said to be behind. He couldn't understand what Larry Brown did so quickly. Call a timeout.

Due to his status, it was difficult for Kongbu to go to the Knicks bench to eavesdrop.

Fortunately, the Nets had enough thorns. Kongbu pulled Rondo to his side and whispered a few words. Rondo, who was so dark and thin that he had no sense of presence, sneaked into the opponent's bench and listened outside.

"Is there something wrong with my offensive choices? What's the problem?"

"My two shots at the beginning were all taken after the pick-and-roll was in place. No coach would have said there was a problem with my offensive choices."

The Knicks generals formed a circle, and Dazhi stood in the middle, questioning Larry Brown condescendingly at this moment.

After Larry Brown called a timeout, the first thing he said when he saw Dazhi was that there was something wrong with his offensive choices. Dazhi was immediately detonated and caught Larry Brown and questioned him.

Dazhi had been the boss of the Knicks for so many years, and he was so powerful that he could make Larry Brown's heart tremble when he questioned him with just a few words.

But this guy is a thief. He cleared his throat and said, "Wang, your strength is not absolutely suppressed by Kevin Garnett, but our center position is different."

"The opponent's center is just a rookie. As long as you pass the ball to Howard, I believe he can beat the opponent."

There is absolutely nothing wrong with what I said.

Just because he couldn't find fault, Da Zhi became even more angry. Why did it sound like he had become a ball tyrant who dominated the ball?

He is the boss of the Knicks. He takes two shots at the beginning to find his touch. Is this a problem?

If Larry Brown didn't say this, Da Zhi would definitely look for opportunities to play for Howard as much as possible in the next time.

But Larry Brown said this, which made Da Zhi extremely dissatisfied. After giving Larry Brown a fierce look, he sat on the bench and stopped talking.

After returning to the court again, Dazhi simply broke the pot and continued to ask Howard to come out for pick-and-rolls, and then various singles.

Howard hated Larry Brown in his heart. He had been very happy to cooperate with Da Zhi. After all, Da Zhi had good passing ability. A center like Howard needed an inside partner like Da Zhi.

Last season, he was able to eat a lot of food from Dazhi. However, after Dazhi talked to Larry Brown tonight, he felt that he was determined not to pass the ball to Howard.

Without Dazhi's pass, Howard would have no chance to make a shot. All he can do is grab some offensive rebounds and then play a second offense.

It's a pity that offensive rebounds are not so easy to grab. Under normal circumstances, top blue-collar centers only get four or five offensive rebounds in a game, which is good.

Even if Howard can grab seven or eight offensive rebounds tonight, he will not take more than 10 shots.

Soon after the first half ended, the Nets held a six-point lead. The advantage was actually not big, mainly because Da Zhi felt really good tonight and had already scored 27 points in the half.

The Nets' player with the best statistics is naturally Garnett, who scored 16 points and 6 rebounds in the half.

Next was Roy. He also scored 13 points in the half. He was a master of pull-up play. He made pull-up jumpers and pull-up turnaround jumpers. They were so lethal that the Nets fans were dumbfounded.

They were originally a little regretful that Carter could not continue to play for the Nets, but now they no longer regret it at all. This young Roy does not seem to be much worse than Carter.

(End of this chapter)