Bishop of the Devil

Sloan naturally knows the value of Millsap. Such a combo forward is simply a panacea on the court.

Although the current statistics are not particularly outstanding, once he is given sufficient playing time, Millsap can easily produce All-Star level statistics.

The most critical thing is that Millsap entered the league in 2006, and the contract he signed with the Buccaneers did not end until the summer of 2010...

With strong fighting ability and cheap salary, such a player is simply too tempting.

Not to mention the Jazz, the Spurs and Lakers are also coveting Millsap right now. These two teams have little salary space, but there is definitely no problem in swallowing a rookie contract.

The Spurs' lineup is short of players on the forward and defensive lines. Only Bowen is reliable. Millsap can play as a power forward or a small forward. His key character is also low-key. Popovich likes this kind of player the most.

Of course, the real reason Popovich likes it is that it is cheap, and it is almost free until the summer of 2010...

As for the Lakers, Odom is currently playing small forward, and he is good, but Odom is more suitable to play on the bench and stagger his playing time with Kobe.

If they can get Millsap and put Odom on the bench, this lineup will be a bit invincible.

After the team got Gasol, Kobe called Richard and asked about Millsap.

Richard certainly cannot agree to sell Millsap to the Lakers or Spurs.

He can sell Millsap to any team in the league, but he cannot sell it to the Spurs, Lakers, Pistons and Celtics.

Because after these four teams get Millsap, they may really threaten the Pirates' dominance.

So no matter what, it is absolutely impossible for Richard to sell Millsap to these teams.

On the contrary, the Jazz are a potential choice for Richard, because the Jazz are currently very strong, but even with Millsap, they are definitely no match for the Pirates.

After Richard traded Millsap to the Jazz, he was able to muddy the muddy waters in the Western Conference.

The more powerful teams in the Western Conference, the more difficult it will be for the Spurs and Lakers to break out of the Western Conference, because teams like the Jazz will consume their energy in the playoffs.

Richard is open to trading Millsap to the Jazz.

"Old man, let me tell you everything about trading Millsap." Richard said with a sincere face to Sloan, who was sighing.

"Huh? Tell me, Li, if we can finalize this deal, we will be grateful to you." Sloan said with surprise.

He could also feel Richard's sincerity. It seemed that Richard really wanted to make a deal with their Jazz.

Richard was startled. Jazz was grateful to him? It would be nice if they didn't curse themselves...

When it comes to who Jazz fans hate the most, Richard will definitely rank first on the list.

Although under normal circumstances, the Jazz did not win the championship, but how did the fans know this? In their opinion, it was Richard, the devil, who ruined their chance of the Jazz reaching the top.

"Forget it, I don't expect you, Sir, to be grateful to me."

"My bottom line is a top-10 pick, plus an optional first-round pick. I think if you Jazz work hard, it's still possible to get this bargaining chip." Richard gave it to Sloan. Pointed out a way.

The Jazz use their own first-round pick, add some chips, and find a weak team in exchange for a top-10 first-round pick. This is a bit difficult, but the Jazz can still do it.

Coupled with the Jazz's own first-round pick, they can get the coveted Millsap.

"Seriously?!" Sloan looked surprised and looked directly at Richard.

Richard nodded solemnly. He did not follow Sloan in circles. The chips he mentioned were the chips he wanted.

"Are you sure?" Sloan asked again.

The reason why he asked Richard so continuously was because he wanted to get a definite answer from Richard.

If the Jazz trade the top ten picks from another team and Richard doesn't trade, then Sloan will be cheated.

The Jazz want a top-10 pick. Although they may select a high-quality rookie, what if they don't? That will affect the overall strength of the team. After all, this top ten pick was not picked for nothing. Sloan needs to use chips to exchange.

"Jerry, my old man, I don't have to lie to you about this kind of thing."

"But I hope you can do it as soon as possible and not take too long."

Sloan nodded and agreed with a face full of surprise. Richard didn't need to tell him about this kind of thing, they would definitely do it quickly.

After all, after getting Millsap, they also have to go through a certain amount of running-in.

…

In this game against the Jazz, the Pirates won easily again. O'Neal was rested tonight. Oden got the starting opportunity and scored 30 points and 12 rebounds.

After winning this game, Richard has led his team to 23 consecutive victories, but he still hasn't been able to get the winning streak he wanted to start.

But Richard is not in a hurry. As long as he keeps winning, this reward will definitely be his.

If 23 games doesn't work, then it will be 33 games. If it still doesn't work, win 73 games. If it doesn't work, win the whole season. Richard really doesn't believe that he won't get this reward.

Now with the upgrade of the team's lineup, Richard feels that the team already has a considerable advantage against the Spurs.

As for the Lakers, Richard has not played against them yet, and the situation is unknown...

However, these two are Western Conference teams and only need to play two games. Even if they lose all four games, the Pirates can still have a jaw-dropping record.

…

By mid-December, Richard finally ushered in the most valuable game, against the Spurs.

The result did not exceed Richard's expectations. The Spurs' current inside lineup is no longer what it used to be. The Spurs' original inside advantage is now gone.

Duncan can definitely still get some advantages, but the advantages are almost negligible.

The Spurs' strength remains almost unchanged compared to last season, while the Pirates have improved a lot.

Originally, the Buccaneers could defeat the Spurs in the finals, let alone their improved strength now.

After defeating the Spurs, the Pirates are still undefeated. Such a terrifying record has already made fans label the Pirates a championship.

The happiest person in the entire Pirates team is not Richard or the team's original lineup, but O'Neal, who joined the Pirates this year.

"God, I can't describe how I feel right now!"

"We actually started playing nearly 30 games without losing a single one. Can you imagine? This is simply a miracle that even God cannot do!" At the post-game press conference against the Spurs, O'Neal was called out by Richard Brought to attend the press conference.

Before the reporters could speak, O'Neal continued to talk to himself.

"The only thing I regret now is that I didn't play for Richard earlier. God, if we could join forces earlier, we would probably have at least ten championship rings by now!" O'Neal stretched out his hands...

The reporters in the audience rolled their eyes. Would you like to serve Richard earlier? Have you, O'Neal, forgotten about your fight with Richard a few years ago?

Have you forgotten that you asked Richard to challenge him?

Even in the previous offseason, you said you were unhappy about being traded to the Pirates and unhappy about playing for Richard!

Now that you have played less than half a season, you are starting to feel really good?

However, even if these reporters were secretly criticizing, they still had to give the Sharks face and did not expose O'Neal on the spot.

And they think O'Neal's words are actually correct. If O'Neal and Richard formed a team at their peak, it would be really scary. There might actually be ten championships now.

The most dominant inside line in history, with the amazing coach Richard, and four All-Star level outside players casually recruited, the championship is guaranteed.

Richard sat aside and laughed. In fact, there are many benefits for O'Neal to stay in the team...

Apart from anything else, he is really good at activating the atmosphere in the team. Although he has a bit of a venomous mouth, he has no evil intentions and is not the kind of player who likes to bully others.

The newcomers in the team also respect O'Neal as a veteran, especially Oden. Under O'Neal's experience, his on-field performance has become much more mature. He respects O'Neal quite a bit.

If it were left to other top picks, with this kind of strength, he might not be able to satisfy the substitute position.

But Oden had no complaints and worked conscientiously as a substitute for O'Neal.

It can also be seen from this that Auden's character is really good and he is very satisfied with Richard.

…

After defeating the Spurs, the annual All-Star voting will begin again.

This year Richard's plan is to ensure that the team has four All-Star players. Judging from the current situation, it shouldn't be difficult.

Milicic, Paul, Roy and O'Neal will definitely be selected, there is no doubt about it.

These four are all the most important players in a certain area of ​​the league.

Milicic plays power forward. The most powerful forward in the league is the Spurs in the West. The strongest power forward in the East is definitely Milicic. Even if Garnett comes to the East, his current popularity and status I'm afraid I can't keep up with Milicic.

Milicic is too young, and with his amazing passing skills from time to time, his popularity is frightening.

Paul is now the strongest organizer in the league, averaging far more assists per game than Nash.

And Paul's defensive strength at the No. 1 position can almost be regarded as the best in the league. After all, the old Kidd is old.

Roy is the league's scoring leader. In a sense, he is the player with the strongest offensive firepower in the league.

O'Neal is the most important veteran in the league who is over 35 years old. There is no one...

If these four players cannot make the All-Stars, it would be really unacceptable.

The bottom line is that these four can make the All-Stars. As for whether Granger or Oden can make the All-Stars, it depends on their luck.

…

On December 29, fans in the Eastern Conference will face their most anticipated game.

The Buccaneers host Green Key.

In the previous schedule, the Pirates played against Green Kai once, and Green Kai lost miserably...

However, in that matchup, the Big Three of Green Kai were not yet formed. This was the first time that Green Kai faced off against the Pirates, the dominant force in the East, after forming the Big Three lineup.

Richard is quite looking forward to this game. Although he knows that Green Kai cannot beat the Pirates, he also wants to see Green Kai in this Big Three lineup.

"Coach, would you like to comment on our lineup?" Before the game started, Pierce walked up to Richard with a smile.

"Yes, Angie did something personal this time..." Richard said with a smile.

Pierce smiled bitterly. Of course he knew that Richard and Anji were not getting along with each other. It was quite normal to hurt Anji at this moment.

Richard said that the lineup of Green Kai was good, but he was not talking nonsense. The two giants introduced by Green Kai were quite scientific.

An inside man, Garnett, and a shooting guard, Ray Allen, do not conflict with Pierce's position, and the playing style of these three people is also a perfect fit. Ainge's signing is indeed quite impressive.

The only thing is that the substitute lineup is a bit scummy...

In fact, this season is almost the only chance for Green Kai to win the championship. If they cannot win the championship this season, let alone the Pirates, they will not be able to defeat the powerful players in the Western Conference.

The reason is very simple. These three giants are all veterans over 30 years old. They are all on the tail end of their peak years. Their strength is definitely getting worse year by year, and the chance of winning will become smaller and smaller.

However, Richard would definitely not say such words to Pierce. Now that Pierce was enjoying his success, Richard couldn't bear to attack him.

…

Garnett was warming up and saw Richard talking to Pierce, and sighed secretly.

He was full of fear of Richard, and even he didn't know where this fear came from.

…

"Dududu!" The referee blew the whistle to start the game, and the starting players from both sides began to appear.

O'Neal, Milicic, Granger, Roy and Paul, Richard did not rely on others and came up with the strongest starting lineup of the Pirates tonight.

The Green Kai's starting lineup is Perkins, Garnett, Pierce, Ray Allen and the alien Cassell.

Cassell previously played for the Clippers. He joined the Green Kai lineup a few days ago and served as Green Kai's starting point guard...

There is no doubt that Green Kai's point guard position is a huge shortcoming. They could have had Rondo.

But now Rondo has been intercepted by Richard...

In other words, the strength of this Green Kai team may not be as good as that of Green Kai under normal circumstances.

…

From the beginning, Paul took advantage of Cassel's slow movement and directly used Milicic's pick-and-roll to successfully throw down the field.

Then in Green Kai's offensive round, Ray Allen shot a three-pointer from the outside, but unfortunately missed, and the rebound was grabbed by O'Neal under the basket.

The second-fat Perkins is not considered a newcomer. He entered the league in 2003. Although he has played in recent years, he has been a substitute for most of the time. Even if he is a starter, his playing time is less than 25 minutes.

A skinny camel is bigger than a horse. Even though O'Neal is old now, he is far from being able to compete with the fat man.