basketball boulder

Chapter 198 "Kidney" Fighter

Fans think so, let alone the coaching staff of the two teams.

Especially the Heat, the Heat lost the match at the beginning of the season.

So in this game, Riley is very eager to win.

But just the day before the game, coach Spoelstra found Li Lei mysteriously.

"Remember Carter's transfer?"

Coach Spoel asked.

Li Lei is a little puzzled, what does Carter have to do with us?

During the offseason last year, Carter forced the Raptors management, hoping to get strong support.

It's a pity that the Raptors are in Canada, and they are out of the country. No star is willing to go.

Carter was also disappointed and decided to leave the Raptors.

It didn't take long for the media to spread the news that Carter was passive, absent from games and training, and forced the management.

The Raptors management has no choice but to seek a deal.

Finally, on December 2004, 12, the deal happened.

The Raptors sent Vince Carter to the Nets for Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams, and two future draft pick swap rights.

"Is the team interested in Carter?"

Li Lei thought to himself.

But immediately denied it.

The Heat are in good shape now, and there is no need to make such a big change.

Besides, a star of Carter's level is not easy to change.

Seeing that Li Lei didn't speak, and Spoelstra didn't beat around the bush, he said directly, "We are in contact with Mourning, and he intends to return to Miami."

Mourning?

Li Lei understood.

The biggest problem for the Heat this season is the No. 1 and No. 5 positions.

Wade can be a cameo at No. 1, so it's not a big problem.

But at the 5th position, it has not been able to find a suitable substitute for O'Neal.

Mourning is a good choice.

Besides, Mourning is the former team spirit of the Heat, which can not only enhance the team's strength, but also attract more fans, absolutely making money without losing money.

It's just, Shiba, why are you asking me?

Shiba continued talking.

It turned out that there was a story involved.

In the 1992 draft, the Magic selected O'Neal with the first overall pick.

The Hornets immediately selected Mourning with the second pick.

As the No. [-] pick and No. [-] pick in the same year, and in the same position, and they were both in the Eastern Conference, the two immediately began to compete.

From the best rookie to the All-Star starter, the two had a great time fighting.

But O'Neal is always a winner, so he has always looked down on Mourning.

For example, when the rookie contract ended, when O'Neal and the Magic talked about contract renewal, his reason was: Mourning signed a contract worth [-] million yuan!
O'Neill's original words are: If you bought a BMW with a sum of money, how much do you think the Bentley is worth?Obviously, I'm a Bentley and Mourning is just a BMW.

Since his rookie season, O'Neal felt that Mourning was a guy who didn't know the heights of the sky and the earth.

In the first year, O'Neal scored 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.5 blocks.

Mourning has 21 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.5 blocks, which is also the data of a super center.

In the selection of the best rookie, O'Neal received 97.96% of the votes, crushing Mourning with 2.04%, and won the best rookie trophy.

But Mourning was not convinced. He felt that he was also eligible to be elected, and questioned whether O'Neal really had the skills to play basketball.

In this way, the two often quarreled, and O'Neill even wanted to fight with Mourning, and the two were almost incompatible.

This is what the Heat's management is worried about. They are afraid that O'Neal will not accept Mourning, and if there are conflicts within the team, they might as well not sign Mourning.

Spoel told Li Lei about this because he wanted Li Lei to find out about O'Neal first. After all, Li Lei and O'Neal have a pretty good relationship.

After the day's training, Li Lei and O'Neill were chatting on the sidelines.

O'Neal is going to hold a party before the All-Star Weekend and invite Li Lei as a guest.

Naturally, Li Lei would not refuse.

Taking this opportunity, Li Lei asked, "Shaq, I heard that the team plans to find you a helper?"

O'Neal was in a good mood: "Oh! That's great. I don't have to play for so long every night."

Li Lei probed: "I heard that the team contacted Mourning."

O'Neill was taken aback, and Li Lei became nervous when he saw it. This guy really is still hostile to Mourning!
But at this moment, O'Neal actually smiled: "Alonzo is a very capable and tough guy. He can help the team and me. It would be great if he could come."

Li Lei breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that O'Neill does not exclude Mourning.

Later, Li Lei reported O'Neill's attitude to the coaching staff.

The coaching staff officially started the plan to introduce Mourning.

But this is not something that can be done in a day or two.

Mourning's team wants to negotiate a buyout with the Raptors, depending on whether the Raptors are willing to let go.

Then there is the physical examination. Mourning has suffered from kidney disease for the past few years, and whether he can pass the physical examination is also a problem.

Also, even if Mourning is obtained, how much combat power the veteran still has is also a question.

But it's a good start!
……

2 month 13 day.

The Heat ushered in a strong opponent, the San Antonio Spurs, at the American Airlines Center.

For the preview of the "Finals" in the eyes of fans, the NBA officials also attach great importance to it, and the overwhelming publicity began a week in advance.

A duel between the leaders of the East and West.

The first team in the league vs the second team in the league.

The No. 1 O'Neal in the league vs. Duncan, the No. [-] player in the league.

GDP vs LOW.

Even before the game even started, the ratings had already exploded.

Many Miami fans who did not get tickets gathered in the large plaza outside the American Airlines Center to wait for the start of the game, unwilling to leave for a long time.

The Heat also presented all fans with a home team jersey.

And promise: as long as the Heat can win today, all fans present will be presented with a hamburger and Coke.

Before the game, Zhang Weiping and Su Qun, who were team reporters for the Heat, also interviewed Li Lei.

"Stone, what do you think of this game?"

Zhang Weiping asked.

Li Lei seriously analyzed: "The Spurs are very strong. They were the champions in 03, and their GDP portfolio has become more mature. This will be a big trouble."

Zhang Weiping nodded: "Then what do you think is the probability of the Heat winning?"

Li Lei shook his head with a smile, instead of directly answering the question, he said to the camera: "We have never lost at home this season!"

Zhang Weiping and Su Qun were taken aback for a moment, and then burst out laughing. Li Lei is full of confidence!

Again, competitive sports need self-confidence!
Li Lei's statement before the game also made the Chinese fans in front of the TV confident.

Entrance ceremony.

The visiting team goes first.

Spurs: Rasunestrovich, Duncan, Bowen, Ginobili, Parker.

Then came the home team.

The entire arena erupted into cheers like a tsunami.

(End of this chapter)