Almighty Coach

In the Clippers conference room, the management is discussing Ronnie's contract extension.

"Yesterday morning, Ronnie's agent came to me again and asked about the contract extension. I told him that the team is considering it. Regarding Ronnie's contract extension, we have delayed it for a long time. I I think it's time to fix this issue."

It was a white man who was speaking, his name was Johnson, and he was the new general manager of the Clippers.

When Dingtian Group took over the Clippers, the management of the Clippers has always been in a state of shortage of personnel. The original general manager of the team was the former owner. After the Clippers changed hands, the former general manager He just resigned, so in the second half of the season, Xiao Yunan, the CEO, has been temporarily in charge of the general manager of the team.

It is impossible for Xiao Yunan to hold two roles all the time, so not long ago, the Clippers hired Johnson as the general manager of the team, and Xiao Yunan can also focus on the work of CEO.

Johnson was also an NBA player when he was young. Although he was not a superstar, he won a championship ring with the team. After retiring, he worked in the management of many NBA teams. With many years of experience, he can be regarded as an NBA player. He is an expert, and he is also a more suitable candidate that the Clippers can find for the position of team manager at present.

Johnson is one of the top three new officials. He really wants to make some achievements immediately to get the team's recognition. Renewing Ronnie's contract at a relatively low price is obviously an opportunity for him to perform.

I only heard Johnson go on to say: "Ronnie's agent asked for a five-year contract extension of 125 million U.S. dollars. This price is indeed a bit high. I am sure that Ronnie's renewal price will be overwhelmed by the five-year 100 million U.S. dollar contract." .”

"The price of 100 million US dollars in five years is still too high." Dai Li shook his head first, and then continued: "Next season, Wood's maximum salary will occupy the team's 35 million salary space, and then it will be taken away by Ronnie. If it is 20 million, it will be difficult for us to have any big signings."

The salary cap of the NBA next season is 99 million U.S. dollars, and the luxury tax threshold is 125 million U.S. dollars. If the total salary of the team exceeds this figure, the luxury tax will be paid. The current Clippers are a team in the rebuilding period, so naturally they will not pay the luxury tax. Since there is no requirement for the team's performance, it is best to control the total salary near the salary cap, and the team can save more money.

The Clippers are still carrying Wood's rubbish maximum salary contract. If Ronnie is renewed for another 20 million, the team's salary space will only be more than 40 million, which is tantamount to completely blocking the Clippers. With room to continue to operate, the Clippers can only sign some basic-salary players at most.

"It seems that our coaching staff thinks that Ronnie is not worth so much money." Johnson looked at Dai Li, and continued, "But last season, Ronnie scored 19+5+3 after all. There has been a big improvement before. I think it is acceptable to renew such a player with 100 million in five years. If his data can improve in the future, and even enter the All-Star lineup, our renewal You will be rewarded handsomely.”

Dai Li shook his head: "Ronnie's statistics have improved, but this is based on the fact that he has become the core of the team. Many tactics are specially arranged for him. In fact, his shooting percentage and shot selection, and He has not improved, and he has shown a dominant level on both ends of the offense and defense. In many cases, he also focuses on his own data, and does not create opportunities for other teammates. This is not what a team leader should do. So our coaching staff believes that Ronnie has reached the ceiling, and he is not worthy of our training."

Johnson naturally knew that Dai Li was actually the son-in-law of the team owner, so instead of arguing with Dai Li, he chose to compromise.

So Johnson went on to say: "Since the coaching staff thinks the price is too high, then according to the renewal terms we negotiated with Ronnie before, 90 million in five years, I will work hard to negotiate with him toward this goal."

"Actually, I think the price of 90 million for five years is still too high." Dai Li shook his head again, and he continued: "We selected Kumar this year, and I think he is more talented than Ronnie." If you give him two years, he can completely replace Ronnie. And recently I have been investigating strikers among free agents, and I hope to find a replacement for Ronnie in the free market.”

"Coach Li, the free agent you're talking about, shouldn't it be Ossef?" Johnson asked.

"He is indeed an option." Dai Li nodded.

"Coach Lee, I know Ossef is training in your training center, but I don't think Ossef will be able to return to the court! That troubled guy, and now he is addicted to drugs, he is disabled !” Johnson said.

"Ossef has quit drugs." Dai Li replied.

Johnson shook his head disapprovingly: "Once an athlete is contaminated with that thing, it is impossible to return to the field. At least among the addicts I have seen, no one can really stay away from drugs."

...

Dai Li and the new general manager Johnson had disagreements, and the meeting ended unhappy.

After the meeting was over, Dai Li sat alone in the office, thinking about the team's development path for the next season.

"Osef has too much black history, and it is understandable for Johnson to question him."

"As for Kumar, he is still a rookie. He has never played in the NBA. It is normal for Johnson not to trust him."

As the head coach of the team, it is not a good thing to disagree with the team manager. Li Dai revealed a trace of sadness between his brows, and then rubbed his temples.

There was a knock on the door suddenly, and after Dai Li called out "Come in", Wood walked in.

"Wood, what do you need from me?" Dai Li asked.

"Coach Li, I want to communicate with you about the recent training situation." Wood sat down, hesitated for a few seconds, and finally said: "Coach Li, I can feel that your training is very effective. It's recovered a lot and my knee is much better than before, but I also know that my knee has been damaged too much and it's impossible to go back to how it was before."

Dai Li thought for a while and asked, "Did the recent training effect not meet your expectations?"

Wood didn't answer, but from his expression, it was obvious that Dai Li had hit the mark.

According to Dai Li's previous promise, Wood's knee can be restored to the state when it was not injured, but now it seems that the effect of this recovery is a bit slow, and even in the foreseeable future, so Wood has already thought of giving up.

Dai Li couldn't help laughing.

Wood's knee has been damaged many times, and most of the damage is really irreparable. This is equivalent to the fact that part of the knee function has been disabled. To get Wood's knee back to the past, you need to use athlete patches.

Since an athlete patch can only last for 12 months, Dai Li didn't use the athlete patch on Wood right away. He hoped to wait until the start of the season before using the athlete patch. And now Wood seems to have no patience to wait.

"Wood, our training has just started. I don't think it will be effective until early September. Don't you think it's a pity if we give up now?" Dai Li asked with a smile.

Dai Li's confident smile infected Wood, but he still seemed a little uncertain.

However, Dai Li changed his voice and asked, "Wood, tell me why you became a basketball player in the first place?"

"Because of Michael." Wood replied without hesitation.

"I almost forgot, you are from Chicago. You should have been a child when Michael created the Bull Dynasty twice?" Dai Li continued to ask.

Wood nodded: "Michael really had a great influence on me. In fact, in Chicago at that time, and even in the entire United States, Michael was the idol of every child or teenager. We dreamed that when we grow up, we can become professional like Michael. Basketball player, become the 'basketball god.' I think if it wasn't for Michael, I probably wouldn't be playing basketball, I'd be like a normal guy, go to college, get a normal job after college."

"Later you were selected by the Bulls. I guess you must feel that you are one step closer to your idol?" Dai Li smiled casually: "It seems that he is not only your idol, but also your role model. , I guess you must really want to be a player like him."

"When I first entered the NBA a few years ago, I did take him as my goal, but the longer I stayed in the NBA, the more I realized how great he was back then, and maybe there is no other player in the world. People can surpass him." Wood sighed.

"So you don't intend to catch up with your role model anymore? Although you are still far away from your role model, you may not achieve his achievements in your life, but you have always been on the road to catch up with him. And now You realized that it was impossible for you to surpass him, so you gave up?" Dai Li asked solemnly.

"No, I didn't give up!" Wood said without hesitation.

Dai Li's voice became serious: "Since you haven't given up on chasing your example, why are you still sitting here? You should be sweating profusely on the training ground now. Your leg injury is like this. I think you can completely Recovery, but you seem to have no confidence in this, in fact, there is a possibility in front of you, even if it is only a slight possibility, but you have worked hard, you have tried, even if you fail in the end, you will at least not Will regret it!"

...

Wood left Dai Li's office, but the back of Wood when he left still appeared in Dai Li's mind.

Because of the power of role models, Wood embarked on the path of basketball. Although Wood will never surpass that "God of Basketball", that "God of Basketball" has already established a belief in Wood's heart. Dai Li Believe me, a person with faith will not give up easily.

Suddenly, Dai Li had a bold idea in his mind.

"Wood needs to use an athlete patch to restore it to the past. There should be many players like Wood in the NBA. Anyway, a sheep is also released, and a group of sheep is also released. Or just play a big one?"

Thinking of this, Dai Li picked up the phone and dialed the number of the team's data analysis team.

"I'm Dai Li. I need a list. I want a list of players who have declined or retired due to various reasons in recent years. It is best to be a star or a superstar. I want the best players. Don't miss anyone!"

Ask for a guaranteed monthly ticket, thank you everyone.