I'm not really a role player

Chapter 249 Goodbye to the Curry Family
Compared with the Bobcats, the Rockets' record of 23 wins and 8 losses is only slightly better.

But unlike the Bobcats, the Rockets are favored.

The reason is that the Rockets have changed their core and they need to run in, but judging from the games in the first two months of the season, the Rockets have run in well.

Billups basically did what McGrady could do, and Richard Hamilton also made the Rockets' outside firepower more sufficient.

Of course, more importantly, the overall composition of the rocket is more reasonable.

Point guard Billups, shooting guard Richard Hamilton, small forward Shane Battier, power forward Luis Scola, center Yao.

Substitutes include Carl Landry, Aaron Brooks, Luther Head, Chuck Hayes...

The three cores are either a top center like Dayao, who ranks among the top three in the league, or a powerful faction like Billups and Richard Hamilton.

Most of the role players have a skill, and there are defenders like Shane Battier on the wings. The depth of the bench is very reassuring, plus head coach Rick Adelman.

Such a rocket is of course highly favored.

……

The Bobcats attach great importance to this first home Christmas game in history, and the huge advertisements in the Charlotte Airport Expressway, urban areas, and stadium areas have long been replaced with basketball themes.

On the outer wall of the Time Warner Center, there is one of the most representative poster advertisements——

Li Ke stood in the center, holding the basketball in both hands, looking straight ahead domineeringly, behind him were all kinds of Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, reindeer, Santa Claus with white beard...

On both sides are Lao Sha, Lao Ai and Hua Er Er standing sideways...

No matter what others think, anyway, Li Ke felt very happy when he saw this poster.

The C position of the poster station can no longer surprise and delight him, but with the absolute C position, everything is different.

In addition to the poster advertisements all over Charlotte, Boss Joe also left a row of front row seats, and then sent out a bunch of invitations.

For Old Joe, this is a good opportunity to expand the Charlotte ball market, and of course he will not let it go.

Finally, there is the Bobcats training hall. Sam Vincent started to make targeted adjustments in a serious manner like in the playoffs.

"We are going to change the starting list for the past half month..."

In any case, as long as the Bobcats' goal is to win, in this game against the Rockets, it is impossible for Vladimir Radmanovic to start at the fourth position.

Because the Serbs must not be able to withstand the impact of Scola.

But adjusting the starting lineup at this time is the deal that Li Ke thought of.

In the past half a month, Radmanovic mentioned that after starting the game, the statistics are not bad. The scoring average has increased to 10.8 points, plus 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.9 steals. Radmanovic's value has reached his peak.

It stands to reason that there should be some progress in the transaction.

"DeAndre, you will be the starting power forward for this game..."

In the training hall, Sam Vincent immediately announced that the starting player to replace Radmanovich was not Chris Humphries, but Jordan Jr.

Little Jordan was stunned, and Li Ke was also surprised.

But after thinking about it, he thought it was reasonable.

"Although your position will be in the fourth position, on the defensive end you need to face Yao, use your speed and agility to go around and defend Yao..."

Chris Humphries can also defend around the front, but this season, Dayao will rely more on his height and tonnage to bully opponents who are much smaller than him.

Therefore, considering all things considered, the best choice can only be Jordan.

"With Yao killed, the only remaining threats to the Rockets are Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton. Sheldon, get rid of Chauncey Billups, no problem?"

"Of course, Sam."

Sam Vincent's focus is still on the defensive end, there is no way, he really has no other tricks on the offensive end.

……

After the tactical class, during free training time, Li Ke deserted, ran to the office area, and found Boss Qiao.

"I have already talked to the management of the teams where the trade targets are located. It is not going well, but there is some progress..."

The progress that Boss Joe was talking about was——

He chatted with Danny Angie, and Danny Angie was very enthusiastic because KG asked him to make changes. At this time, the Celtics were indeed looking for a trade window.

But after a detailed chat, Boss Qiao hung up the phone very straightforwardly.

"Danny Angie is very sincere. He told me that Lagalondo is not for sale, so we quoted prices to each other. Well, I don't need to say more about my quotation. Let's talk about Danny Angie's bid, Lagalondo Garay Allen..."

"Ray Allen? Can Gentleman Ray also be traded? Who does he want?"

Li Ke interrupted and messed with Boss Qiao, Boss Qiao raised his eyebrows helplessly: "You."

"Me?" Li Ke shook his head, the ending needs no further description.

"Then Kyle Lowry. At the beginning, everything went well. My bids were Radmanovic, Earl Boykins and a second round. The targets were Greg Buckner and Kyle Lowry."

Boykins and Buckner are tools to balance the salary, so the core of this deal is that Radmanovich adds a second round and replaces Kyle Lowry.

The Bobcats' starting forward was replaced by the Grizzlies' backup point guard, and they also got a second round. It stands to reason that such an offer is very sincere.

but……

"The Grizzlies asked for a first-rounder. They even expressed their disinterest in Radmanovich and were willing to accept Er Boykins plus a first-rounder in exchange for Kyle Lowry."

"Just give him the first round."

Li Ke knows the value of Lowry. The Bobcats can get Lowry in the first round, and the Bobcats have made a lot of money.

"I hesitated for two days, and when I bid again, I learned that we had a competitor."

"Competitor? Who?"

"It's our opponent in the Christmas war."

"Rocket? Darryl Morey of the day!"

The Rockets joined the competition, and Morey seemed to be very optimistic about Lowry. For this reason, he did not hesitate to bid for a first-round plus a young player, just to get Lowry.

"Add a young player in the first round? I think we can give it too."

Li Ke swears, but Qiao Boss shakes his head. Obviously, Li Ke and Qiao Boss have very different evaluations of Lori.

"The Spurs directly rejected George Hill's trade proposal, as did the Suns, but the Pacers, Jared Jack's deal, can be pushed down."

Li Ke frowned, Jared Jack should be the worst choice, but looking at Boss Joe's attitude, he seemed only interested in Jack.

Because Larry Bird's asking price is not outrageous.

"Larry Bird only needs a second round of Garade Manovich, but the problem now is that the salary is difficult to balance..."

Rondo, George Hill and Goran Dragic have already passed, Lowry's price has been raised too high, and Jared Jack's salary is difficult to balance. The situation is indeed a bit awkward.

"Michael, if you leave Lagalondo aside, my first choice is still Kyle Lowry, he is the point guard that best meets our requirements."

Boss Qiao frowned and hesitated in various ways. Li Ke knew that this deal would be really difficult to complete in a while.

Before leaving, Li Ke finally reminded: "Maybe Michael, you can try to use Radmanovich to find a multi-party trading opportunity."

Radmanovic's value is still very high. A tall shooter in the third and fourth positions can be regarded as a relatively rare player in this league.

But in the Bobcats, this type of player, there is a Jared Dudley.

Therefore, the value of Radmanovich is not high for the Bobcats.

"A multi-party deal? Who would want Radmanovich..."

Boss Joe scratched his head, thinking about many possibilities.

……

The Rockets arrived in Charlotte the day before Christmas. They played an away game, and the Rockets brought their families with them.

For Li Ke, he spent a Christmas Eve full of laughter and laughter.

"Brother Yao, Sister Li, although today is New Year's Eve for Westerners, it's rare for us to get together. Let me offer a drink..."

"Brother Yao, we will be opponents in tomorrow's game, but today, we are still compatriots. Let me offer a drink..."

"Brother Yao, let me give you a drink..."

Li Ke didn't know how many glasses he raised until, for the umpteenth toast, Dayao finally couldn't help it: "Even though it's Gatorade, you can't drink like that, are you trying to burst my bladder so that I can miss tomorrow's game?"

"Hey, happy..."

Li Ke scratched his head and smiled.

He really felt that this opportunity was very precious, and it was very likely that there would be no next time.

As for the rest, he really didn't think much about it.

"Speaking of which, this opportunity is really rare. If I remember correctly, during the Spring Festival war, you people from the Lake are in the capital, right?"

"Um……"

"We are in the magic capital with the knight, and we are far and wide, so we should not be able to get together."

Dayao raised his head to the sky and raised his glass full of Gatorade:

"Well, let me offer a glass..."

A meal of Gatorade, drinking until midnight, means no training the next day, otherwise...

Anyway, Li Ke and Dayao talked eagerly all night.

Li Ke understands Dayao's determination to hit the O'Brien Cup, and he also knows that this season will most likely be Dayao's last season.

"Come on, Brother Yao, I hope you can get what you want. Although, in the playoffs, we still have a certain chance to become opponents..."

……

In the Christmas game in the evening, the eyes of the whole United States gathered on the four venues in North America.

The Los Angeles Lakers host the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New Orleans Hornets host the Orlando Magic, the Houston Rockets host the Charlotte Bobcats, and the Boston Celtics will visit Madison Square Garden.

In these four games, the heaviest should be the Lakers vs. Cavaliers.

For Chinese fans, they can see the Great Sage playing against the UAE in this game.

For American fans, it may be difficult for 23vs24 to appear in the finals, but the Christmas match can still satisfy their desire and curiosity.

Hornets vs. Magic, Bobcats vs. Rockets should be on par. Of course, the first choice of Chinese fans will be Bobcats vs. Rockets.

In the end, the Celtics' away game against the Knicks should be the least interesting of these four games, although David Stern will appear in Madison...

……

At the Time Warner Center, before the game, Li Ke met Curry and his son again.

"Hey Dale, Merry Christmas...and these little guys behind you, Merry Christmas..."

Stephen Curry frowned when he heard Li Ke call him "little guy".

Because his age is even a few months older than Li Ke.

But beside him, Seth Curry and Sidel Curry accepted the title calmly, because Li Ke took out three gift boxes.

"These are three iPhone 3G mobile phones, Stephen, Seth, and Schidl, each of you has one, as for Dell, it's not for you..."

"Why?"

Dell Curry spread his hands, expressing his doubts, Li Ke smiled: "You are too old, Dell."

Li Ke was joking, Dell Curry shook his head and smiled, but Li Ke turned his gaze to Stephen Curry.

"I saw this driver at Davidson College, and you're doing great, Steph, so, are you ready for the draft?"

Li Ke knew the answer, but Stephen Curry replied with a stinky face, "I don't know."

Although Stephen Curry did not cooperate, Li Ke had Dell Curry's help: "No, he knows, he just doesn't want to say it.

Stephen is already a junior, and there is not much help Davidson College can provide him. Therefore, regardless of the results of this March Madness, Stephen will participate in this year's draft. "

"Then I will start looking forward to next year's NBA, by the way, Stephen, are you interested in staying in Charlotte?"

Stephen Curry frowned, he heard Li Ke's subtext, but he really didn't want to be teammates with Li Ke, and he didn't think the Bobcats could take out his draft pick.

So, he wanted to shake his head, but on the other side, his father Dell Curry helped him back: "Of course, Stephen is willing to stay in Charlotte. No one will refuse hometown basketball."

No one would say no to hometown basketball?Lebron, who decided on the second, gave a thumbs up.

Li Ke secretly complained, but in the real world, he stretched out his right hand, facing Dell Curry: "I will talk to Michael about next year's draft. By the way, I would like to be teammates with Stephen."

Stephen Curry frowned, secretly said: "I don't want to..."

Of course, Li Ke didn't know what Stephen Curry was thinking at the moment. He waved his hand and said goodbye to the smiling Dell Curry, the dark-faced Stephen Curry, and Seth Curry and Siddle Curry who called Sheldon's brother one after another.

Li Ke returned to the court and began to meditate:
If Boss Joe really vetoed Kyle Lowry's deal, why not bet on next year's draft...

Curry, Harden, Westbrook, one of them, the reconstruction of the Bobcats is completely completed.

The only question is, where will the pick come from...

"Don't think about it too much. The prerequisite for Curry to join the Bobcats should be the failure of Lowry's transaction. Therefore, before the transaction is confirmed, everything is empty talk."

Li Ke turned his gaze back to the court.

The packed Time Warner Center resounded with cheers, surrounded by fans in costumes. The rival Houston Rockets were menacing, but the Bobcats were also ready to fight.

In the next moment, the Christmas war was about to start.

(End of this chapter)