Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 294 Who wouldn't want McDyess on a minimum salary?
Hakeem Olajuwon nodded slightly.

Tang Sen sensed that he wasn't that interested.

Unlike Ewing, he not only felt indebted to Townsend, but also had a special affection for the Knicks.

Hakeem Olajuwon did not.

If the Rockets asked him to come out of retirement, he might consider it.

But New York.

Is it really just a matter of a few hundred thousand US dollars?
After thinking for a moment, Tang Sen suddenly waved to Chandler.

Chandler ran over quickly.

"Tyson, say hello," Tang Sen reminded him.

Don't just look; young people should be polite.

Chandler hurriedly greeted Olajuwon and Ewing, addressing them as "sir."

Hakeem Olajuwon nodded slightly, but his expression softened considerably.

Tang Sen pointed at Chandler and said, "Hakim, really, you have no idea how stupid this kid is. I've taught him your Dream Steps countless times, but he just can't learn it."

"Of course, it's also possible that I didn't teach him well. Since you're here now, why don't you teach him and show this kid what the real Dream Steps are?"

Tang Sen had a vague feeling that Olajuwon might be feeling a little awkward.

He is the real deal, and Dream Steps became famous because of him.

As a result, I started teaching it myself.

After I taught Yao Ming, Yao Ming used it, and then the media said this.

They say Yao Ming's style is like a Chinese dance.

It has a kind of "smashing the pot after finishing the meal" feel to it.

As he spoke, Tang Sen secretly winked at Chandler, "Silly boy, say something."

Chandler realized what was happening and hurriedly spoke up, looking distressed: "Mr. Olajuwon, indeed, I don't know why, I just can't learn it."

Hakeem Olajuwon glanced at Tang Sen before saying, "Alright, let me see what's wrong with you."

He then walked onto the stage and gestured for Chandler to demonstrate.

Tang Sen secretly chuckled.

He had actually guessed Olajuwon's thoughts correctly.

Sure enough, a retired legend like him deserves to be treated with respect.

Everyone has vanity.

Moreover, Tang Sen felt that Hakeem Olajuwon had a bit of a knack for giving pointers.

After seeing Chandler demonstrate several times, he couldn't resist, so he put on his jacket, tossed it to Tang Sen, and personally went on stage to give him pointers.

"Footwork, look at my right foot, pay attention to the direction your toes are pointing, because you're going to move in that direction next, but your defender doesn't know that, so that's the secret."

Hakeem Olajuwon patted his right leg, telling Chandler where the key point was.

He really did teach, and he taught in great detail.

Unlike Jordan, who would probably just say, "You idiot, you can't even do something this simple."

Most importantly, Olajuwon talked about what Townsend wanted him to teach him: experience.

Or, to put it another way, it's a battle of offense and defense under the basket.

In Tang Sen's view, physical strength is fundamental in interior battles, but aside from these factors, psychological warfare is the key.

In the paint, offensive and defensive battles, setting aside superhuman monsters like Shaquille O'Neal, are really not about who is stronger or taller.

All the techniques you practice so diligently are for one purpose: to make your opponent unable to predict your movements.

This is only the first stage.

An even more sophisticated approach is like Hakeem Olajuwon's, which leads opponents to make misjudgments.

This experience in how to play the game is what Tang Sen believes is the most important thing for players like Chandler to take the next step this season.

They need to practice hard, but their comprehension ability also matters.

Clearly, Chandler's comprehension was not quite there.

His thought process is linear and divergent, straightforward and not particularly "intelligent".

This intelligence is not simply IQ, but rather a way of thinking and the ability to adapt.

Yao Ming is very smart.

Kwame Brown also has a bit of cleverness.

They learned quite well, but Chandler, it felt like he was missing something.

Just like in front of him, Chandler's steps were precise and standard; Tang Sen had already mastered his basic skills.

But he lacks change, or rather, he can't change if you want him to.

"Why?"

Hakeem Olajuwon was getting worked up and questioned Chandler in a rather loud tone, as if to say, "How come you can't teach me?"

Chandler looked embarrassed and was already sweating profusely.

Tang Sen walked over and called a halt, then waved to Bender in the distance, summoning him over.

“Hakim, give him a try, he’s learning too.”

Tang Sen felt that Bender might have a better grasp of the concepts.

Hakeem Olajuwon sized up Bender; at least the kid's build was similar to his own.

When Bender started showing off his low-post footwork, Olajuwon perked up, nodded slightly, and thought Bender was interesting.

He stepped forward and demonstrated against Bender.

I tried it twice, and then I let Bender do it.

Bender really did a great job; he showed the changes Olajuwon wanted.

Even if the movements aren't quite skillful, the meaning is there.

However, issues with movement and physical fitness can be addressed through training.

However, without the awareness to avoid misleading others, one will definitely not be able to practice well.

"Tang, this kid is not bad."

Hakeem Olajuwon patted Bender on the shoulder and praised him.

Tang Sen laughed and said, "So Hakim, you're the one who has to teach him. I've been teaching them for a whole season, and they still haven't learned it."

Bender felt a pang of guilt.

Tang Sen never properly taught them the Dream Step; he only taught them the basics.

Tang Sen said sincerely, "Hakim, these players are quite talented. If they develop and achieve success in the future, it will all be thanks to you."

The words "It's all thanks to you" made Hakeem Olajuwon smile slightly, and he nodded in agreement.

Once Olajuwon is dealt with, the trainer setup is complete.

As previously agreed, Hakeem Olajuwon would come three times a week, and the team would cover his food and lodging expenses.

Then, over three months, he received $50 from the Knicks.

Of course, Dolan paid for it.

All training this summer started, and the team paid for players like Tedeschi's salaries.

Anyway, his $20 million was fully guaranteed. After the morning training session ended, Tang Sen didn't linger. He said goodbye to Tedsky and left early.

Brittenham asked curiously, "Where is Tang rushing off to?"

During regular training sessions, Tang Sen would wait until all the players had left before leaving himself.

Tedsky smiled like an aunt and said, "To the hospital."

Brittenham suddenly realized.

Today marks exactly one week since Hamon's surgery.

She underwent ligament reconstruction surgery, taking a section of her own hamstring tendon.

If we follow the orthopedic doctor's advice, then it's definitely better to start exercising as late as possible, and for the first month, you should stay in bed and not move at all.

However, according to the experience and views of professional sports medicine experts like Tedsky, it is better to start rehabilitation training as early as possible.

Because this is how cruciate ligament ruptures are repaired now, and in order to return to the court, rehabilitation training must be carried out in advance.

You have to endure the pain, otherwise your muscles will atrophy if you lie down for too long.

So today, Tang Sen is going to the hospital to help Harmon with his first post-operative rehabilitation.

When she arrived at the hospital, Hamon's teammates happened to be there to visit her.

After they left, Tang Sen noticed that Harmon's expression was somewhat gloomy.

With her absent, the Liberty's backcourt offense has been greatly weakened, and they seem to have lost their last few games.

If things continue like this, they might not even make the playoffs.

Hamon would definitely feel guilty.

Tang Sen helped Hammon sit up and then said, "It's okay. Our Knicks are so strong, but we still lost this year. Everyone is disappointed, but that's how the game is. There will always be unexpected events."

"All we can do is pick ourselves up and keep working hard. Focus on your rehabilitation training, and once you've recovered, I'll teach you a few tricks that will definitely make you even better and lead the team to the championship."

Hamon nodded and said shyly, "Thank you."

"Then let's get started."

Tang Sen told her to sit down and then reminded her that it would hurt a lot.

Harmon gritted his teeth and said it was okay, but a simple bending and stretching motion made him break out in a cold sweat from the pain.

Take it slow and keep going.

Tang Sen can't help her either; the pain she's enduring now will be rewarded in the future.

Tang Sen also simulated her rehabilitation plan many times in the simulation space.

The system can show the extent of her ligament recovery, which is the best training plan during the 22-day recovery period.

So no matter how painful it is, you have to persevere.

After about half an hour of rehabilitation training, Hamon was soaked in sweat and lay on the bed panting heavily.

She suddenly grabbed Tang Sen's hand and said thank you again earnestly.

She knew it was rare that a top trainer in the entire league would take the time to help her with rehabilitation training.

"Get some rest."

Tang Sen patted the back of her hand, said goodbye, and left.

Like Wade, Tang Sen saw a reflection of himself in Hammon, which is why he was willing to help.

On the way back, Tang Sen was also thinking about Wade's situation.

This summer, Wade's development is crucial.

Houston is gone. Even if he's not the best player, he can still average over 20 points per game.

Wade must develop and become a replacement for him. He needs to start with 20+ points and then train for a season to reach 30+ points, matching the level of McGrady and Kobe.

Otherwise, this year's path to glory might have been cut short halfway.

the next day.

After the morning training session ended, Leiden found Tang Sen.

The football betting market opens on July 16th, ten days to go.

Leiden sat down and said, "Tang, there's a problem now, which is the team's salary."

Tang Sen asked him what happened to his salary.

Could it be that the "poor man's line" has been triggered?

With Houston gone and McDyess's contract bought out, the team is full of rookies with shockingly low salaries, possibly even triggering the "poor man's line".

Tang Sen hasn't calculated the exact figures, but it's certainly possible.

It's funny to think about it.

Even the mighty Knicks have to worry about triggering the "poor man's line" (a metaphor for financial hardship).

Tang Sen was wrong; it wasn't a problem with the "poor man's line."

Bender's contract expires this year, so he's renewing it.

Leiden plans to offer him a contract with a starting salary of 700 million.

Although the Knicks don't have his Bird rights, they currently have salary cap space and can offer him a large contract.

With this contract signed, the Knicks' salary cap has now exceeded the poverty line.

"It's Antonio," said Leiden. "We planned to buy out his final year of his $1350 million contract for ten million, but he disagreed."

Tang Sen said, "Then just lay him off."

Is it really that much more than 350 million?
Layden shook his head and said, "It's not about the money. It's that Antonio himself doesn't want to buy out the contract. He wants to play for us and says he's recovered very well."

"And I'm also thinking about another question: if we cut him, will he join an Eastern Conference team, like the Magic, and then cause us trouble?"

Layden can understand why McDyess wants to play for the Knicks.

The Knicks are currently a championship favorite, and McDyess is a veteran with many years of experience. Pursuing a championship shouldn't be a problem for them.

The latter point is what Leiden is more concerned about.

If McDyess is bought out, he will definitely be aiming for a championship and joining a championship team.

For example, the Magic, and the Lakers.

He could even join as a franchisee with a base salary.

No one would take on McDyess for 13 million, but who wouldn't want him on a minimum salary?

Even if he is at risk of injury, how much can he really lose?

Moreover, McDyess previously had a high-flying, high-flying style of play, but he also had a precise mid-range shot.

With knee problems, he can definitely switch to a floor-based style of play. After all, he used to be a 20+ level player. Even if he were to take a 50% cut, signing him for a base salary would still be a huge win.

"Scott, you're planning to keep him here, aren't you?"

Tang Sen understood somewhat.

It's definitely not a matter of aiding the enemy or anything like that.

It seems that Layden had other ideas. For example, he scouted McDyess, thought he could still play, and was reluctant to buy him out and give him away.

Sure enough, Leiden gave an awkward smile and asked Tang Sen if he could give a comprehensive assessment of McDyess's condition.

Just like we did for Hill's rehabilitation last year, let's see how he's doing.

(End of this chapter)