Don't talk trash to him.

Chapter 51 Agent 99

“Welcome to Indiana!”

On the training ground, Suwan also met Rick Carlisle.

As a representative of the academic head coach, Carlisle's only problem in coaching may be that he lacks authority and therefore cannot control his players. This was the case when he coached the Pacers. Later, when he became a "champion coach" in the Mavericks, he was also fired because he could not control Doncic.

But leaving this aspect aside, his understanding of tactics and ability to build a lineup are both top in the league.

Anyway, Paul Silas is not even a foot better than him in this regard.

Rick Carlisle also had a good impression of Suwan. Not only during this meeting, but also in the opening game against the Cavaliers, Suwan left a deep impression on him. Before the game, he stood on the technical table and threw magnesium powder. During the game, he sent Stephen Jackson to the bench. It was hard for him not to be impressed by such a newcomer.

Suddenly learning that he would be coaching such a talented newcomer, Rick Carlisle locked himself in a small dark room early in the morning and watched Suwan's games over and over again. The more he watched, the more he felt that this was a "treasure boy" full of infinite possibilities.

Within a few minutes, other members of the Pacers arrived in twos and threes, and training began.

Tomorrow the Pacers will host the Seattle SuperSonics at home, which will be the Pacers' last game in November.

It was also Suwan's debut as a Pacers player.

In order to better integrate him into the Pacers' tactical system, Rick Carlisle arranged for Suwan to practice tactics with the starters after warming up. He then arranged for Stephen Jackson, who is still suspended, and O'Neal to lead the team to play a training game with the Pacers' starting lineup tomorrow.

He was surprised to find that somehow everyone was full of energy today.

He was very familiar with this atmosphere. Before the Palace of Auburn Hills incident, the atmosphere within the Pacers was like this:

Positive and full of fighting spirit.

However, after the Palace of Auburn Hills incident, the team suffered a devastating blow and the atmosphere became lifeless.

Su Wan’s arrival actually had such an effect?

He didn't know what happened in the locker room. Not only did he not know, there were no outsiders in the locker room at the time, only the Pacers players. According to the unspoken rules of the locker room, what Su Wan did and said would not be leaked out of the locker room.

This was also the reason why Su Wan acted without any scruples at that time.

Things that surprise Rick Carlisle continue to happen:
The training match had just ended when a figure walked in from the door of the training room, with heavy footsteps, a serious expression, and...

That eye-catching No. 23 Pacers jersey!
Ron Artest?

He actually came to training?
Rick Carlisle felt something was wrong, nine out of ten times wrong.

But he couldn't tell what was wrong!

The others also looked at each other in confusion, obviously not expecting that Artest would come to training.

Su Wan was also a little surprised.

But if you think about it carefully, Artest also has the attribute of a "prodigal son".

He's not a completely indifferent jerk.

The key is……

Inspire his sense of responsibility!

It seems that Su Wan's words have aroused his sense of responsibility. ——Some people are like this, kicking him will make them understand everything.

Sure enough, after warming up, he took the initiative to find Su Wan: "Tell me, what can I do now to help this team?"

When he spoke, his eyes were erratic, and he didn't dare to look Su Wan in the eye. Maybe he was a little embarrassed, and his hand scratched his cheek unconsciously.

When people feel guilty, they tend to do a lot of small things!
Su Wan said: "It's very simple, just be my sparring partner!"

"What, you want me to be your sparring partner, are you kidding?" Artest's face was full of resistance.

Su Wan patiently analyzed the situation for him: "There will be no other changes to the Pacers this season. Who do you think is most likely to fill your vacancy among the remaining players?"

"You can do it?" Artest didn't believe it.

Su Wan also admitted that he is indeed unable to replace Artest now, but as long as he continues to gain zone value, he can continuously improve his potential in all aspects. Under the sparring of Artest, the "Best Defensive Player of the Season", he believes that once the playoffs begin, even if he still cannot replace Artest's entire role on the defensive end, he can definitely shoulder the heavy responsibility on the offensive end.

What the Pacers lack is exactly offensive ability!

So he said confidently: "As long as you are willing to be my sparring partner, you will soon know without me saying anything whether I can do it or not!"

"......" Artest didn't say anything, but you could tell from his flickering eyes, don't make a noise, he is thinking!
"Okay, I promise you, but I promise, I won't let you go!"

After struggling with himself for two or three minutes, Artest agreed.

Su Wan didn't intend to waste time: "Then let's start now!"

Watching the two people's fierce bullfighting, Rick Carlisle was surprised by Artest's enthusiasm. In his memory, Artest was not an easy person to get along with. When he first came to the team, Artest was very repulsive to him.

Other players who knew what was going on in the locker room were even more surprised.

Reggie Miller looked worried, he was afraid that the two men would start fighting again.

Su Wan was so immersed in the bullfight that he completely ignored the gazes of others.

Artest is worthy of being the winner of last season's "Defensive Player of the Season Award". His defensive strength is among the top two, if not the best, among the active outside players.

Especially one-on-one, no screens, no pick-and-rolls...

Facing him, Suwan found it difficult to dribble without "The zone" mode.

Artest's tough confrontation caused his movements to become stuck or deformed from time to time.

The first round of bullfighting is over.

11 to 21.
Failed!

Su Wan felt his whole body numb.

Artest looked at his grinning face and smiled smugly: "How is it? Chinese rookie, can you still hold on?"

Single-man defense is his forte. How about Tracy McGrady, the league's "scoring champion" for the past two years?
It’s preventable!
He thought Su Wan would definitely back off.

But ten minutes later, Su Wan took a sip of Gatorade and put the cup down: "Continue!"

After two more rounds, Su Wan looked at his chest covered with bruises and grinned slightly, not sure whether he was happy or in pain.

Artest got an ice pack from somewhere and handed it to him: "Kid, put it on, or you won't blame me if you don't perform well tomorrow."

Then without waiting for Su Wan to say anything, Artest left in a huff.

The back looks a little flustered.

Sure enough, a tough guy with a soft heart is often the one who is embarrassed.

The next afternoon, Rick Carlisle was interviewed and was surprised to find that many reporters were waiting for him. This was something he had never encountered before. When the interview officially started, he realized that they all wanted to know how Suwan and the other Pacers players got along during the first day of training.

"I know that people outside say that I am a flamboyant person, and the old guys on the Pacers will definitely dislike him, but in fact, you are all wrong. I integrated very smoothly and even got along well with Ron. We have a very good relationship!"

Hearing him say this, the Indiana reporter felt vaguely uneasy.

no……

Is it really a good thing to play well with Ron Artest?

Thanks to her better media relationship with Su Wan, Irene was qualified to interview Su Wan alone in the locker room.

Before she could ask a question, Su Wan asked her a question first: "Erin, aren't you the Cavaliers' team reporter?"

Irene: "You are no longer with the Cavaliers, how can I still stay there? I applied to my superior for a job change, and he agreed very readily!"

Su Wan nodded, indicating that the interview could begin.

Erin didn't rush to start the interview, but told him a piece of news: "Do you know? Now the Pacers fans call you Agent 99!"

"why?"

Su Wanneng understood No. 99, it was his number.

Where does this "agent" come from?
Irene reminded him, "Didn't you say that helping Indiana win the championship is your mission? It makes them feel like you are an agent on a mission."

"All right!"

Su Wan is quite satisfied with his first nickname in the NBA.

(End of this chapter)