The Lakers' roster can only be described as luxurious, and nobody knows who the Nets' owner, Zhang Wei, is.
To be able to buy the Nets overnight, you must be someone who's not short of money.
However, it is difficult for the Nets to assemble a luxurious roster, mainly because of Wei Guo, whose salary alone is equivalent to that of two and a half superstars.
actually...
Some club owners will offer players a reasonably priced contract to improve their squad, but will compensate them in addition to the contract.
Zhang Wei couldn't do that. He knew very well that Wei Guo's salary was just pocket money, and even if it was pocket money, he couldn't give him a penny less. Besides, Wei Guo deserved such a contract.
......
The Lakers' record is good, but it's still much worse than expected.
That momentum during the offseason...
The Lakers are certain to have the best record in the league this season; second place would be unacceptable. Lakers fans have even made bold claims that the Lakers will break the Bulls' 72-win record this season.
Wei Guo had spoken with Kobe, and he felt that the Lakers had two problems to solve.
The first issue is bench depth. With such a star-studded starting lineup, the bench players inevitably have to be sacrificed. The Lakers' bench players are only decent with Derek Fisher; the other players are not up to the task.
The Nets also have a problem with bench depth, but Mourning has returned to the court, Collins will return in the next few weeks, and once Hill recovers from his injury, the Nets' bench depth will be among the best in the league.
The second issue is the personal conflicts among the key players.
Wei Guo didn't elaborate on this point, as he doesn't usually pay attention to the gossip surrounding other teams. However, from his conversation with Kobe, it was clear that Kobe had some reservations about Malone and O'Neal.
There is still one problem that cannot be solved.
Payton and Malone are both veterans and plagued by injuries. They have long since lost their peak competitive form and are at risk of injury at any time.
If the Lakers can't solve the first two problems, they might not even be able to beat the Nets in the Finals, let alone the Pistons.
......
For the next two months, the competition proceeded in an orderly manner.
During this period, there was only the 2004 All-Star Game, which had very few highlights.
Wei Guo once again became the All-Star Game vote leader. The Nets had two players on the All-Star roster: Wei Guo, the starting center, and Kenyon, who was selected as an All-Star reserve. However, Wei Guo only played 17 minutes before sitting on the sidelines with Britney Spears to watch the game.
On the western side.
Yao Ming became the starting center for the Western Conference, and Shaquille O'Neal once again came off the bench!
But this time O'Neal played very well, leading the Western All-Stars to defeat the Eastern All-Stars, and O'Neal also won the All-Star Game MVP trophy.
but...
It's quite interesting that Gu Tao made the starting lineup for the Western Conference All-Star Game, and he's the only rookie to be selected for the All-Star Game, mainly thanks to the support of the Chinese fans.
......
February 17, 2004, the first game after the All-Star break!
The Nets will host the Pelicans!
This was a very memorable game for the Nets because... Grant Hill is back!
Hill returned to the team a month ago.
Although the doctor said Hill was ready to return to the court, Gentry made Hill train with the team for a month as a precaution before deciding to let him return after the All-Star break!
This man was once hailed as Jordan's successor!
and...
Many fans compare Gu Tao to Hill. Gu Tao's playing style is very similar to Hill's. Fans hope that Gu Tao will live up to his price tag, but they don't want Gu Tao to suffer a major injury like Hill's.
Before the match started, Wei Guo warmed up briefly and then sat down on the bench.
"Brother Wei..."
Hill leaned closer and asked, "Am I really going to start?"
"You're an All-Star caliber player. I've never heard of an All-Star caliber player playing as a substitute."
"But... I haven't played ball for over a year."
"Let's get into the zone first."
Wei Guo laughed and said, "Don't we still have me? We can't lose the game."
Before Hill's return, the starting lineup consisted of only three players: Wei Guo, Kenyon, and Jefferson. Tyronn Lue would occasionally replace Stockton in the starting lineup. The Nets' chemistry was perfect, and they have now achieved a nineteen-game winning streak, which is the longest winning streak in Nets history.
Will Hill's return disrupt the team's chemistry?
No one dared to make a guarantee, including Hill. Many people thought that Hill could start as a substitute and return to the starting lineup after he found his rhythm with his teammates.
Only Wei Guo objected, insisting that Hill start.
Starting lineup for this match:
Brooklyn Nets: Tyronn Lue, Hill, Wei Guo, Kenyon, Mourning
Pelicans: Davis, Mashburn, Armstrong, PJ Brown, Jamal
In this way...
With Kidds, Jefferson, and Collins all on the bench, plus Stockton, if Kenyon continues to play, it would be the Nets' starting lineup from last season, except that Kidd would be replaced by Stockton. Although Stockton is a veteran, he is very experienced.
Gentry has already begun preparations for the playoffs.
The Nets could easily field four players in and four out of the starting lineup, keeping only Wei Guo or Kenyon on the court, with him coaching the starting lineup and Scott coaching the bench team.
Bingo...
Old Jin suddenly felt that the burden on his shoulders had become much lighter.
The Pelicans are not weak this season, and their record ranks in the top eight in the Eastern Conference. They have a very high chance of making the playoffs and may become the Nets' first-round opponent.
Mourning and Jamal stood in the center circle.
"Beep!!!"
The whistle blew, and the basketball was tossed into the air.
Jamal passed the ball to Davis, who dribbled it up the court, where Tyronn Lue defended him.
Davis first observed Wei Guo's position, then made a wide and sweeping change of direction, getting past Tyronn Lue and driving to the basket. He jumped over Mourning. Don't let Davis's height of 1.91 meters fool you; despite being muscular, his jumping ability is anything but weak.
Mourning was a step too slow in jumping...
"Bang!!!"
Davis bent his legs, grabbed the rim, and swayed before landing.
"Too arrogant..."
Cummings stood up and shouted, "Brother Wei, teach this bearded man a lesson!"
That's just Davis's playing style—explosive and wild... but to throw down a powerful dunk on the first basket at the Nets' home court is considered disruptive.
Davis glared at Cummings, then smiled at Wei Guo, "Long time no see, Brother Wei!"
"This kid is still so reckless when he plays basketball."
Wei Guo said, "If you calm down, your skills can still improve."
Wei Guo and Davis had faced off several times, but the most intense match was in the World Men's Basketball Championship that year. However, when the US men's basketball team met the Chinese men's basketball team, the biggest favorite to win the championship ultimately lost to the Chinese men's basketball team.
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