Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 335 If I don't cooperate with you, I won't even have a job during the off-season.
Tang Sen flipped through the pages and found several more scouting reports.

But Tang Sen had witnessed the scouting tactics used by the players.

They downplay the important points, never mentioning weaknesses, but exaggerating strengths; even a fleeting flash of brilliance is blown out of proportion.

They make a living off this, so they have to exaggerate their abilities.

So, after reviewing several scouting reports, Tang Sen's impression of Howard was that he had incredible physical attributes and athletic ability, but no technical skills whatsoever.

Like Brown in high school, he relies purely on his talent to play basketball.

Tang Sen put down the folder, thought for a moment, and said, "David, he's a bit short."

Height is truly an insurmountable barrier.

Despite the seemingly small 1-inch difference, Kwame Brown can move up to the center position.

If Howard were to take on the center position, the effort he would have to put in would be several times greater than Brown's.

Stern was about to speak when Tang Sen stopped him with a gesture.

Regardless of how Howard is developed, he's an inside player anyway.

Townsend was simply curious about which team Stern wanted to replicate the Magic's miracle with.

He himself said he wanted Howard to go to a team like the Magic, with excellent guards and excellent scorers.

But Howard should be a top pick, and teams with strong players and excellent guards are unlikely to get the number one pick.

So where can he go?
Tang Sen quickly thought about it. The Bulls were currently last in the East, while the Clippers were last in the West.

Both teams, especially the Bulls, are not lacking in interior players.

Furthermore, there are no outstanding defenders.

Sprewell and Maggette, Tang Sen really felt that the two of them were a level below McGrady and the others.

Stern, who was working with Townsend, wanted to tell the story well, so he didn't mince words and said, "If possible, I'd like him to go to Phoenix."

Tang Sen was taken aback, not expecting Stern to mention the sun.

The Suns are currently second to last in the Western Conference, but they still have a chance to get the number one draft pick.

But why the sun?

Just because of Marbury?

Marbury is undoubtedly very strong, an All-Star level player. In recent seasons, he has averaged 20 points and 8 rebounds per game, which few people in the league can do.

He has an extremely strong individual offensive ability. Some people call him a 5-centimeter taller Allen Iverson, which is an affirmation of his offensive ability.

And despite his short stature, he has extremely strong physical attributes. At less than 1.9 meters tall, he can jump at rim level, which is among the best in the NBA.

He, along with Iverson and Francis, are considered representatives of the smaller players in the league.

As for whether he would be a good fit with a player like Howard, Tang Sen really couldn't say.

However, as commissioner, Stern's thoughts were clearly not on the players.

Stern explained his reasoning: "Don, Phoenix isn't a big city, but I think it has a lot of potential. We've done a great job developing big markets."

"The reason I pushed for the one-city-one-star plan is to develop small markets, and Phoenix is ​​that kind of target."

Tang Sen nodded.

Phoenix's basketball market is so-so, but it has the sixth largest population in the US, so it has plenty of potential.

Stern continued, "Secondly, and most importantly, Don, you probably don't know this yet, but Jerry is planning to sell the team."

Tang Sen was startled.

I really didn't know that.

What was Colangelo thinking when he decided to sell the Suns?

The overall market value of the NBA is constantly rising. Wouldn't it be a huge loss to sell a team at this time?
Stern probably guessed what Townsend was thinking and said, "There's some bad news. He has a tumor, and the disease may have changed his mind, so he wants to sell the team."

“He has already found a successor, a local Arizona entrepreneur named Robert Savor. The board is already reviewing the acquisition, and I think there shouldn’t be any problems.”

Stern said there shouldn't be any major problems, which means the acquisition is practically complete.

Tang Sen suddenly thought of Jordan.

This guy has been dreaming of becoming a team owner, but he hasn't been able to achieve it. He missed the opportunity to expand the league last year, and he missed it again this year when the Suns changed hands.
Stern continued, "So I hope the Suns can become strong, expand the market, and then use this example to show entrepreneurs who want to buy NBA teams that buying teams can be profitable."

At this point, Tang Sen understood completely.

Stern's starting point for making all decisions was always to make money.

So his move was meant to send a signal to the outside world that buying NBA teams can be profitable.

If you buy a team and then lose money, who would buy teams in the future?

Tang Sen silently felt sorry for Jordan.

I haven't been paying much attention to the news, so I don't know what Jordan did this year. This means I missed another opportunity to make money.

"understood."

Tang Sen nodded.

If Dwight Howard's performance improves, then barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Phoenix Suns should be the number one draft pick this year.

The NBA draft lottery is broadcast live; the broadcast shows the result, not the lottery process.

There's so much room for manipulation in who gets the top scorer spot.

After thinking for a moment, Tang Sen nodded in agreement.

In the future, their company's revenue will be linked to that of the alliance.

The bigger the NBA pie gets, the more income one earns.

Therefore, in terms of interests, he and Stern were in the same boat. Stern wanted to tell the story of the Suns well, to tell everyone that buying NBA teams could make money and to inflate the team's market value. So Tang Sen had no reason to refuse.

After leaving NBA headquarters, Tang Sen took Howard's file with him.

Let's ignore Howard for now.

He's all alone, and it's only early March. He still needs to build his reputation, for example, by playing in the McDonald's All-Star Game.

Then you have to decide whether to run for office.

This shouldn't be surprising. High school graduates are in high demand these days, and he's unlikely to pass up a lot of money to go to college.

So, Howard's situation can wait. The main issue is that Stern wants to expand the "one city, one star" plan, so I really need to start preparing in advance.

The first one is the trainer.

Tedsky was prepared to take it with him.

Brittenham could be used temporarily in the summer, but ultimately he should be retained by the Knicks.

But if 58 players come, that's far from enough.

There might not be that many star players, because there's the Olympics this summer.

The Dream Team will need to regroup, and some of its star players will be removed.

Tang Sen can hire Ewing and Olajuwon; they've worked together before, so it shouldn't be a problem.

However, daily training still requires a professional trainer.

A name popped into Tang Sen's mind.

Tim Grover!
As the most famous trainer in the league before him, Tang Sen wanted to invite him over for a powerful collaboration.

In fact, the two had met and spoken before, so they weren't exactly strangers.

The Knicks have now won 60 games.

Carlisle is currently walking on thin ice, meticulously managing every game and carefully orchestrating his lineup to ensure victory in every match.

With 60 wins already, everyone's appetite and expectations have been whetted, and at this point, they can't afford to lose.

The only saving grace is that there are too many useful players.

Therefore, in some games, Carlisle has started to rest Yao Ming and Wade.

Yao Ming also has statistical needs, aiming to average a triple-double and become the assist leader for the season.

These honors come with a 70% appearance requirement, which Yao Ming already meets. Therefore, Carlisle wants to reduce his appearances and lower his physical exertion while maintaining his stats.

As for Wade, he's averaging nearly 25 points per game now, which is enough to keep his Rookie of the Year honor, so it doesn't matter if he rests for a few games.

On March 20th, the Knicks will play the Bulls on the road.

This is another crucial juncture; a win here would mean 70 wins.

Carlisle, considering the Bulls' poor performance at the bottom of the league, also rested Yao Ming due to back pain.

You can't keep catching colds, that's not right.

Yao Ming then stayed in New York and didn't go to Chicago.

The home game on the 19th is against the Nets, and the game against the Bulls is a back-to-back.

Traveling to away games is exhausting. If he stays in New York, Yao Ming can have two full days of rest before the home game against the Hawks on the 22nd.

This kind of rest is really helpful.

Not only physical stress, but also mental stress can be greatly relieved by shifting your focus and spending time with your girlfriend and parents.

Tang Sen traveled to Chicago with the team.

After checking into the hotel, I specifically contacted Grover and arranged to meet him.

We arranged to meet at the coffee shop on the first floor of the hotel.

Grover arrived as promised, alone. After exchanging pleasantries, he asked Tang Sen with some confusion why he had suddenly contacted him.

The two could definitely not be called friends; they were just nodding acquaintances.

Most importantly, Tang Sen's arrival also stole his title as the NBA's number one trainer.

Of course, Grover wasn't jealous.

Tang Sen relied on his abilities; if he wasn't as skilled as others, he had no one to blame but himself.

Tang Sen didn't rush into the main topic, but chatted for a few minutes, such as asking what Jordan was doing.

"he?"

Grover chuckled, somewhat amused, and said, "Don, did you know that he's actually considering a comeback?"

Tang Sen was stunned. Really?

He's making a comeback again. How many times has this happened?

I asked Grover and found out that Jordan was trying to pull the same trick again.

He wants to buy a large number of shares in the Bobcats, not just a small amount.

But the owner of the Bobcats was unwilling.

So Jordan resorted to his old trick again, saying that if he sold me enough shares, he would make a comeback with the Bobcats.

Tang Sen thought he was forgetful; he had already been fooled once, yet he still used this method.

"And then?" Tang Sen pressed.

Grover shrugged and laughed, "What do you think? His knee hurts as soon as he touches the ball, how can he make a comeback?"

"So he gave up and is now preparing for his Asian tour to sell his sneakers."

Tang Sen nodded slightly.

That's more like it. He's already so old, over forty. He's already won enough honors. He should just retire and go out and make money.

After finishing the small talk, Tang Sen finally got down to business.

"Tim, I'd like to invite you to join my team. As for the fee, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Tang Sen extended the invitation in a sincere tone.

Grover nodded and said, "Okay."

His answer was so straightforward that it surprised Tang Sen.

"Is it weird?"

Grover picked up his coffee, took a sip, and asked in return, "All the star players are going to your training camp. If I don't work with you, I might not even have a job during the offseason."

Grover only works with star players.

This summer, all the star players went to Townsend, leaving him with no other choice.

(End of this chapter)