NBA Legends Manager

Chapter 445 A Legendary Life

After this game, neither the Cavaliers fans nor the Cavaliers players had any confidence. The depth of the Pelicans' lineup had already suffocated them. They thought Anthony Davis was strong enough, but Jokic, a second-round pick, was even stronger.

In the previous life, many people discussed the question of who is better between Jokic and Davis. In fact, these two players really can’t tell who is better. If it is the core of the team, Jokic is obviously the better one. In the 2018-2019 season, Jokic led the Nuggets to the second record in the regular season, while Davis could only lead the team to fish.

But if you are the second player in the team, or if there is a team building core in the team, Davis is the better one. Davis' ability to assist defense, frame protection, small defense, and even low-post singles can bring unimaginable help to the team. On the contrary, Jokic is weak in these aspects, especially in pick-and-roll defense.

So as far as the current Pelicans are concerned, there is no doubt that Davis is the more suitable one.

Although fans have already expected the final result of the fourth game, fans are still paying attention to this game, because after this game, the Pelicans continued to refresh their own history, winning 6 consecutive championships, tying the ancient record Celtics' six consecutive championships!
In this game, after Davis returned, the Cavaliers were crazily suppressed throughout the game. With Davis as a defensive madman, Presti directly went online on the defensive end and thoughtlessly pinched the ball holder, forcing them to make mistakes. In the first quarter alone, the Cavaliers made 6 turnovers!
This is the role of Davis. After the attack on the line, even if the ball is passed down the inside line, it can quickly help the defense back. This is why in the previous life in the 2017-2018 season, the Pelicans were able to sweep the Trail Blazers 4:0. At that time, Davis, Holiday or Rondo were flanking Lillard.

In the second quarter, Presti took Jokic.The Cavaliers are still at a loss for Jokic's high-level support. The Cavaliers adjusted and wanted to play a pick-and-roll, and replaced Jokic to play, but the Pelicans still have Antetokounmpo and Green.

The Cavaliers don’t feel good on the perimeter, but the Pelicans are the exact opposite. For the Pelicans, the Cavaliers’ defense is like letting them practice shooting. The Cavaliers focused on Curry at the beginning. As a result, Thompson and Paul George scored consecutive goals. Later, they defended one and one.
And what makes the Cavaliers most uncomfortable is that the Pelicans' pick-and-rolls have fragmented the Cavaliers' defense. The Curry/Thompson/Paul George and Davis pick-and-rolls, the Cavaliers can't solve them.

At halftime, the Pelicans have led by 18 points!
In the second half, Presti put on Curry, Thompson, Middleton, Paul George, Davis, and played magic ball. After only 4 minutes in the third quarter, the point difference came to 25 points!Curry, Thompson, Middleton, and Paul George all shot together, and Davis also easily scored inside.The Cavaliers called two timeouts in a row to no avail.At the end of the three quarters, the score difference was as high as 30 points!
In the fourth quarter, it completely became garbage time. In the end, the Pelicans beat the Cavaliers 127:101, swept the championship 4:0, and created an NBA miracle of 6 consecutive championships!

Just when fans all over the world exclaimed Presti, the miracle created by the Pelicans, Presti's interview shocked people,
Facing the reporter, Presti said calmly, "My coaching career is gone. From today onwards, I will no longer be the head coach of the Pelicans. Steve Kerr will be the head coach of the team. I will also hand over the affairs of the team to Miles. From now on, I will spend my time with my family."

Presti's interview caused an uproar. People didn't expect that Presti would suddenly announce such news. Pelicans fans were also dumbfounded. They left messages on Presti's Twitter, begging Presti not to leave, and Silver was even more confused. Presti is undoubtedly the most popular and topical person in the NBA. Presti's departure will definitely affect the ratings of the NBA.

Presti's sudden announcement of departure made the matter intensified. People no longer paid attention to the draft, free market, etc. They completely focused on Presti. Even during the championship parade, the fans held signs asking Presti to continue coaching.

Seeing the intensifying situation, Presti had no choice but to hold a press conference. Presti said: "I am a father now. Whenever I see my child's smile, I feel that my troubles disappear. I want to see him pick up the spoon one at a time. I want to see him stand up for the first time. I want to see him run for the first time. I want to witness everything about his growth.
During my coaching period, I missed too many of his firsts, and I don't want to miss them again, but I can assure everyone that when the team needs me, I will stand up. "

The fans heard Presti's heartfelt speech and finally accepted Presti's departure, and then people began to refocus their attention on the team.

This offseason is destined to be uneven. With Presti's departure, many teams finally breathed a sigh of relief. They felt that the opportunity had come. Durant, who was about to leave, signed a contract with the Thunder for one year.

After the regular season, the Pelicans still achieved the first record under Cole's coaching, but people with a discerning eye can see that the team is not as good as before. After entering the playoffs, the Pelicans played not easy at all.

At this time, the fans of the Pelicans went crazy @presti, of course Presti came out again and gave advice to Cole, and then the Pelicans won 4 games in a row and entered the finals again.
In the finals, the Pelicans once again easily defeated the Cavaliers and won the championship. Although Presti did not coach this game, Presti won two games in a row after giving advice to Kerr in the Western Conference Finals.

The offseason before the 17-18 season was too lively. Paul George finally jumped out of the contract, but the Pelicans did not renew his contract and joined the Thunder as a free agent, while Durant joined the Pelicans as a free agent.
And the Pelicans also traded Jokic, who is known as a top center, in this offseason, in exchange for not protecting the first round. I heard that this was instructed by Presti, which makes it difficult for many fans to understand, and many fans think that Presti has lost his magic.

But when the 18-19 season ended and the Pelicans won the championship, Ryan Williams, who was the top pick, actually belonged to the Pelicans!On the other side, although Jokic is excellent, he can only guarantee the second round at most, not to mention that a big man like Jokic does not sell tickets.

Presti was once again pushed to the top, and people sighed: "Even though Presti is no longer in the league, it still affects the structure of the league. The Pelicans are now like a sophisticated instrument, functioning benignly."

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Decades later, New Orleans has developed into a holy land of basketball. The statue of Presti outside the New Orleans Arena has attracted basketball fans from all over the world, as well as people who work in basketball to visit and take pictures.

Presti has become a historical icon of the NBA and an icon of all those who work in basketball.

In 2046, during the centennial celebration of the establishment of the NBA, 70-year-old Presti was invited to give a speech on the stage. When Presti stepped on the stage, everyone stood up and applauded.

This period of NBA history has been dubbed "The Era of Presti."

(End of this chapter)