Chapter 23
The summer league ended with Wang Mian's leisurely days. Wang Mian and his teammates returned to Los Angeles on the team's chartered plane.
"Boss, it's a pity that you didn't continue to fight. Without you, we were beaten up too badly.”
On the plane, Larry Nance Jr. said gloomily.
As Wang Mian did not continue to play in the later games, other than Larry Nance Jr. and Clarkson, the rest of the team were all draft picks this season, and their strength was very limited.
Therefore, they did not win any of the remaining four games…
Wang Mian, who had returned to Los Angeles, did not rest. He immediately participated in the team training session organized by the Laker during the offseason.
At the same time, this was also Wang Mian's first time meeting the team's legend, Kobe Bryant.
Before he was selected, Wang Mian had received a message from Kobe congratulating him on joining the Laker.
However, this was the first time Wang Mian had seen him.
Kobe, as a legend of the Laker team, had played for the team for 19 years. This year was his 20th year.
Due to his injuries, his condition had been declining. Everyone knew that he was not far from leaving the Alliance.
As soon as Wang Mian entered the training ground, he heard the sound of a basketball hitting the ground.
Kobe was sweating profusely as he practiced dribbling on the court. It was obvious that he had been training for a long time.
At this time, Larry Nance Jr. also arrived at the stadium. He walked to Wang Mian's side and stared at Kobe. However, it could be seen that his expression was a little nervous.
It was the nervousness of a rookie meeting a legendary veteran.
Wang Mian didn't feel anything. He just admired Kobe very much. Even at his age, he was still the first to come to the stadium to train.
"Everyone, get ready. The team match will begin immediately.”
Coach Byron Scott called everyone in the arena together.
"In next season's game, we will use Kobe and Wang Mian as the core of the team's inner and outer line. We will form the strongest inner and outer line combination and reproduce the glory of the 'OK' period!”
"So in this match, Wang Mian, you and Kobe will be on the same team.”
Wang Mian nodded. Naturally, there was no problem. It was the same who he formed the core with!!
However, everyone on the team knew that with Kobe's current state, it would be difficult for him to be the core of the team next season.
The coach's arrangement was more to give face to the legendary superstar.
There was only one true core player for the next season, and that was Wang Mian!!
Next, the group match began. Clarkson, Kobe, Nick Young, Wang Mian, and Larry Nance Jr.
It was against the substitutes led by Louis Williams and Julius Randall.
There was naturally no suspense about the outcome. Wang Mian had killed everyone in the training match, scoring crazily on the offensive end and snatching countless offensive rebound.
The defense also guarded the inside line, making the inside line a no-fly zone.
After the training, Kobe took the initiative to look for the head coach.
"I'm already old. The core of next season will be Wang Mian. I will help the young people grow. It's time to pass on the crown of the Los Angeles Clippers.”
Kobe's temper had become very easygoing as he grew older.
He knew that his declining form was already suitable for him to continue to be the core of the team.
The most important thing at the moment was to let the young players grow and help the Laker get back on track.
Therefore, he took the initiative to admit that the core of next season would be Wang Mian to avoid confusion in the team's offensive tactics.
Scott was surprised to hear Kobe say that.
After all, Kobe was a person who was extremely confident in himself. How could he voluntarily give up his core position?
However, when he thought of the strength that Wang Mian had shown, he felt that it was not surprising. After all, everyone could see Wang Mian's potential and knew that he could lead the team better.
As a veteran who had been in the Alliance for so many years, Kobe had some insight.
However, this training game also exposed some of the team's problems on the defensive end.
As Wang Mian was guarding the inner line, there was no need to worry too much.
But because Kobe was getting older, his horizontal movement speed began to slow down after his injury.
It would be fine if they could last for one or two rounds, but it would be difficult to maintain their high intensity for a long time.
At the same time, the point guard Clarkson was a hothead. He was not good at defense and liked to attack recklessly. He was not a good point guard candidate.
Byron Scott was also considering how he should strengthen the team's lineup in the coming period.
。。。
After training.
Wang Mian took the initiative to look for the team's general manager and coach to give his opinion on the team's lineup.
"I have two very good candidates."
Just as General Manager Pelinka and Byron Scott were feeling troubled, Wang Mian took the initiative to voice his thoughts.
"Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart of Boston. Their styles are very suitable for the current team.”
The Celtics 'Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart were both point guards with strong defensive abilities and good passing skills.
Both of them had the standard of the best defensive lineup.
However, its weakness was also obvious. Its ability to attack on its own was weak.
However, with Kobe and Wang Mian, they didn't have to worry about their offensive ability. What they needed most now was defense from the outside.
"The defense of these two players is very tough. They are very suitable for the current team.”
"But if I don't see your Celtics releasing players, I'll try to meet them.”
If they could add these two Celtics players, they could make up for the biggest shortcoming of the current team.
The next day, the management immediately contacted the Celtics to negotiate a deal.
The Los Angeles Clippers were willing to give up Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson because Randle had great potential and was a player the Celtics desperately needed.
In the end, after a round of bargaining, the two sides successfully reached a deal.
The Clippers traded Randall and Clarkson for Bradley and Smart from the Celtics, a deal that satisfied both teams.
In the time that followed, the Laker carried out several trades, cleared the garbage contracts, and tinkered with the team's lineup.
They had originally planned to continue hoarding draft picks next season, but after seeing Wang Mian's performance, they completely changed their minds!
It was impossible to ruin it!
It was impossible for him to ruin it again in this lifetime!
With Wang Mian, he had to do something in the new season!!
PS, please do everything. Thank you, benefactors!
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]