The invincible kryptonite of basketball

"What do you think? What if it's not possible? What will we do then? You'll be in charge?!"

Before Buford could speak further, Holt asked directly.

Buford shuts up, then wants to slap himself, why should he keep talking.

Popovich didn't say a word at this time. Although Tang Tian was very confident, no one could guarantee that Tang Tian would be able to develop the ability to hold the ball.

Even in his more than 20 years of coaching career, he has seen players whose ability to hold the ball continues to improve, but he has never seen a player who can grow from scratch.

It's like never seeing a big man who can't pass the ball suddenly become a master of support.

"And have you considered that Leonard's contract will expire in two years?" Holt then asked again.

"Compared to Tang, he has the ability to hold the ball, his physical condition is better, and his upper limit is higher. Are you going to sign Tang with a maximum salary and then let him go?"

Neither Popovich nor Buford spoke.

What Holt mentioned is indeed a big problem. Tang Tian's poison contract will start to enter the maximum salary in two years, and Leonard's four-year rookie contract will also end by then.

It is impossible for the Spurs to offer two maximum salary contracts at the same time to keep wing players, unless they throw away all GDP.

But that's not realistic at all, not to mention that they will soon have to deal with the contract extensions of Ginobili and Splitter.

So Holt's thinking is very clear. Without paying the luxury tax, it is impossible for them to match this four-year contract.

Of course there is another way, first use it for 2 years, wait for the next two years before trading Tang Tian.

But a role player with a maximum salary is not something that can be sent away.

Seeing that Popovich and Buford were silent, Holt stood up with a sigh, walked to Popovich and sat down.

"Greg, I know Don has done a lot for this team and you have a great relationship with him, but you've been here for over 20 years and you know what's going on here and we can't afford a high Luxury tax, this is business, we have to make a trade-off between emotion and business."

Popovich also sighed after listening.

In fact, there is no right or wrong here.

Tang Tian has his own pursuit, and the team also has pressure from the team.

If they were in Los Angeles or New York, this kind of thing would never exist.

"And if you want to be more open, we still have Leonard, Green, and Manu can still play. Our wings are enough. If we can't do it, let RC go to the market to find a substitute. The team's strength will not be lost much. of."

Holt saw that Popovich listened to his words, and then lowered his tone.

Popovich nodded.

With Holt's hard and soft words, he can only choose to compromise.

The reality lies here, and it is not something he can control as a head coach.

And Holt's words are indeed reasonable. Although Tang Tian left, Leonard Gagreen and the Spurs' flanks are still very strong.

Coming out of Holt's estate, Popovich was in a daze looking at the scene outside the car.

After today, there will be no boy who also loves red wine to drink with him.

When he got home, he went straight to his basement and began to rummage through his collection.

"Dad, what are you doing?"

Popovich's daughter Jill saw that he hadn't come up for a long time, so she followed him.

"Where's my bottle of 1874 Jefferson?"

he asked without looking back.

"Since when did you have an 1874 Jefferson?"

Jill said suspiciously that he had never heard Popovich mention it.

"Yes, Tim and I drank it back then."

Popovich is still flipping.

"Back then? That guy Tim can drink?"

Jill felt even more clouded, she really didn't remember it happening.

"Yes, in 2000, he wanted to go to Orlando. I drank Jefferson wine with him before he agreed to stay."

Popovich turned around at this time and said.

Jill was speechless for a while, 2000?That was all 13 years ago, who remembers where it was put.

"What are you looking for?"

Jill saw that her father's posture must be found out, so she also came over to help.

"I'm looking for it... to drink with someone."

Popovich paused and said.

"Manuna old man wants to leave the team?"

Jill said in surprise.

If she remembers correctly, Ginobili's contract just expired this year.

And the only one who can make Popovich use that level of wine is Ginobili.

"No, a boy, a good boy."

Popovich said with a laugh.

Chapter 4 Fourteen: Bad Old Man (Second)

Jill saw Dad's eyes and quickly understood.

That good boy should be very important to Dad.

She didn't ask again.

The two almost searched the entire basement before taking out the bottle of wine in the innermost corner.

There is still half a bottle of wine left, but the value of this half bottle may be higher than the combined value of all the wine in the basement.

"Finally found you, help me book a ticket to New York tomorrow."

Popovich picked up the Jefferson wine and said happily.

After signing the offer contract with the Pelicans, Tang Tian continued to turn around and train with his hard-working brothers.

This day ended the training, and Walker and the others went back to the apartment talking and laughing.

As a result, they were stunned as soon as they reached the door.

A dusty old man stood at the door, holding a bottle of red wine in one hand, and a bag of dried fruit that went with the wine in the other.

Seeing Tang Tian and the others coming, the old man showed a kind smile.

That expression seemed to say, you are finally here.

"Bobo..."

"Kemba, let's go, didn't you say you would practice with me at night?"

Before Walker finished speaking, he was dragged back by Butler.

Owen and Thompson also reacted, and after saying hello, they also turned around and left quickly.

"Old man, why are you here?"

Tang Tian didn't expect Popovich to come at this time, and it was obvious from his posture that he came to drink with him.

He said and went to the door to open the door.

"see this."

Popovich didn't answer Tang Tian, ​​but shook the wine in his hand.

From a distance, you can smell the strong aroma of wine.

A few of these wines have been stored for five or sixty years.

"The 1874 Jefferson you've been wanting to drink."

But Tang Tian was still shocked when Popovich announced the year of the wine.

Popovich, actually got this wine!

But after being shocked, he also realized something.

After drinking for 2 years, I didn't drink Popovich's wine, but Popovich found the ball at this point in time.

As long as you are not too stupid, you will know what that means.

At least, looking at Popovich's dusty look, it's certainly not for celebration.

He's going to New Orleans next season.

"Then I must drink more. It's best to finish it, or I will lose a lot."

Tang Tian guessed it, but still acted very happy.

Popovich laughed.

After opening the door and going in, the two of them sat down and chatted while drinking.

"Peter gave it to me in my first year as a coach. I don't know where the guy got it. I only had a drink at the time."

Popovich was talking about the origin of this bottle of Jefferson wine.

A wine of this level must have its own story, especially now that half of the bottle has been drunk.

"In 99, when the Spurs won the championship for the first time, I had a drink with that old guy David (Robinson)."

Sure enough, without Tang Tian asking, Popovich told the story by himself.

"Then in the summer of 00, that guy Tim wanted to go to Orlando, and I spent a quarter of a bottle to keep him."

When it came to this, Popovich's expression was obviously bleeding.

"Tim still wants to go to Orlando?"

Tang Tian asked curiously.

"Yes, that guy was almost sugar-coated by those guys in Orlando. Yes, they used Tiger Woods to kidnap him. Fortunately, this bottle of wine made him stay."

Popovich laughed out loud as he spoke. He was still sipping lightly, but took a big sip.

"But I know, he never thought about leaving San Antonio."

Putting down the wine glass, Popovich said with emotion again.

"He's that kind of guy, he's just a big naughty kid who never grows up."

Tang Tian didn't say a word when he heard this, and took a big sip from his wine glass.

"Yes, he is that kind of person."

After hearing that Duncan wanted to use retirement to save himself salary space, he had already made a decision based on emotion.

As long as the Spurs match, he will wait 2 more years.

Duncan, is why he made this decision.

But now it's not a matter of whether he is willing to wait, but a matter of the Spurs' unwillingness to match.

"It's fine to go out, San Antonio is too small for an old man like me, not for a young man like you."

Popovich seems to have figured it out, too.

Even if he really convinced Holt, it would be difficult to deal with Tang Tian and Leonard's possession of the ball in the future.

Just like Carter and Tracy McGrady back then, it is not so difficult for the two top wings to stay at the same time.

"This is the best result for everyone. Tim can play for a few more years. Leonard and Green also need a bigger stage to play."

Tang Tian followed suit.

He also looked away, there are no permanent teammates in the NBA, and friends will not become strangers just because they are not on the same team.