Chapter 324: What the hell is a white bear? I can stand shoulder to shoulder with Duncan
After playing six preseason games together in China, He Zhongqiu has been observing these teammates, observing their condition, mental state, and attitude towards the game.

Jordan told him that the defending team needs to pay attention to several aspects, and if any one of them is not done well, it may lead to serious consequences.

One is injury.

As a team that successfully defended the title, the old players have fought for a season and the new players have also fought for a season, so injuries are inevitable.

As far as he knows, among the main lineup, Varejao and Josh Howard have some injury problems, while Battier and Nash are still good.

On the bench, Rahim is a hidden danger, Tyronn Lue was also injured last season, and Crawford and Rajabell have no problems for the time being.

Although Michael Finley's physical condition has declined and he can only play for more than 20 minutes per game, he does not have any major injury problems.

Second, internal conflicts.

During the Bulls' second three-peat, Pippen and Rodman had a huge conflict over the second place.

But that was just one of the contradictions. According to Jordan, the Bulls had too many contradictions and conflicts at that time. It was so serious that before they won their sixth championship, the management publicly told him that they would trade Pippen and fire Phil Jackson.

He thinks this aspect of the problem is okay, and there are no conflicts in the locker room under his management.

The management is also okay, Scott Layden is in power, the boss makes money and wins championships, and he is very confident in Scott Layden.

Third, after winning the championship, the team may lose its aggressiveness.

Defending the title is difficult, and winning three consecutive championships is even more difficult. For the team leader, winning three consecutive championships is extremely tempting, and he may not lose his enterprising spirit after defending the title.

But for other players, especially those role players, defending the title, let alone winning three consecutive championships, has little appeal to them.

For example, Robert Horry has won five championships, including three consecutive championships, but he is still a role player and still cannot get a big contract.

The team's honors are mostly won by the leaders and have little to do with the role players. They care more about how much playing time they have and whether they can produce good statistics.

He is most concerned about this aspect of the problem. If the players don't play hard and are unwilling to fight, the problem will be very serious.

Last season, he discovered that Nash had this problem and was lax on defense, but it was later corrected.

As a team leader, especially a team leader facing three consecutive championships, you need to pay attention to these aspects and deal with them in a timely manner.

"guys……"

At this time, he stood up and spoke.

Everyone looked over and stood up, including Ewing and other coaches.

"This season is very important for the team. We cannot afford to lose the three consecutive championships!"

"The regular season is about to begin, and I hope everyone realizes the importance of the three-peat."

“Everyone must cheer up and fight hard for the three consecutive championships and give it their all.”

"I'm talking about everybody, all the players including me."

"I will never allow anyone on the team to hinder the three consecutive championships. If anyone doesn't want the three consecutive championships, who dares to slack off, who doesn't play hard, stand up and tell me now."

As he spoke, the entire locker room immediately became tense.

Especially the newcomers who just joined the team, Michael Finley, Raja Bell, Abdur Rahim, Tyronn Lue, rookie David Lee, etc., were so nervous that sweat started to appear on their foreheads.

"I need public statements from everyone. I want to see your attitude and your commitment to this season."

"Steve, let's start with you."

With these last words, He Zhongqiu turned his gaze towards Nash.

Nash felt a huge pressure hitting his head, and so did the entire locker room.

At this time, Rick Carlisle and President Scott Layden walked to the door, stopped, and did not come in.

"Wolverine, don't worry, I promise I will do my best."

Nash knew very well that if he didn't play hard and didn't defend hard, he might really be traded, so he made the guarantee immediately.

There are many stars in the league who want to join the Knicks, including some good point guards. However, he has no defense and has major flaws, so he is not irreplaceable.

For example, during the last playoffs, Jason Kidd next door didn't go fishing. Instead, he ran to Madison Square Garden to watch the game every few days and even chatted up President Scott Layden. Wasn't he eyeing his position?

He Zhongqiu said unsatisfiedly: "Steve, your voice is not firm enough. I hope you can shout it out, shout it out at the loudest voice to express your determination."

Nash was stunned. Wolverine, you’re not done yet, are you?

"Hurry up, Steve, you are the core of the outside line and one of the leaders of the team." He Zhongqiu immediately praised Nash.

"Oh my god, how come I didn't know I was one of the leaders?"

Nash complained in his heart, but under the coercion of He Zhongqiu, he had no choice but to yell at the top of his voice: "I promise..."

Led by Nash, one player after another made their promises, shouting until the veins on their necks popped out. The locker room was filled with fighting spirit and willpower.

Many staff members heard the roar and didn't know what was going on, so they rushed to the locker room to watch the excitement, including owner James Dolan who had just arrived at the base.

"The Wolverine leader's locker room is the most stable in the league and is as solid as a rock." Rick Carlisle praised in a low voice.

James Dolan echoed: "Yes, with the Kung Fu King in the locker room, the Knicks' determination to win the championship will not waver for a hundred years."

Rick Carlisle and others laughed so hard when they heard this, but they didn't dare to laugh out loud for fear of disturbing the locker room.

At noon on the 27th, because tomorrow was media day and there was no training in the afternoon, He Zhongqiu took a shower at the training base and prepared to go home.

As soon as the car drove out of the underground parking lot, he received a text message from Liu Yifei with an address asking him to pick her up there.

Not far away, two minutes later he saw Liu Yifei standing on the street.

"Lao Liu, get in the car."

"Ah."

He continued driving, and Liu Yifei turned her head to glance at him from time to time.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Liu Yifei looked ahead, her face suddenly turned red, and she said faintly: "Master monk, you kissed me, is that all?"

This made He Zhongqiu sound as if he had abandoned her after having an affair with her. He was so embarrassed that he laughed and said:

"Lao Liu, we are all adults. Are you asking me to take responsibility? But I am already with Sister Xue."

"Then why did you kiss me?" Liu Yifei's eyes turned red instantly.

"Well, I drank too much that day. I apologize!"

He Zhongqiu simply parked the car by the Hudson River, but was speechless for a moment.

"Mom said that Sister Xue wants me to be your concubine." Liu Yifei said with a blushing face.

"Didn't I tell you before that I'm in strong health and your sister Xue can't handle me alone. She needs help." He Zhongqiu said awkwardly.

"Bai Bingbing and Tang Yan have become Sister Xue's helpers?" "Yeah."

"Mom also said that Sister Xue brought you and me together before."

"You were only fifteen or sixteen at that time, how could it be possible? Later, Sister Xue and I got together. I couldn't possibly let Sister Xue down for you."

"Master monk, please send me back now. I just want to ask you something." Liu Yifei said with a gloomy expression.

When we arrived in Changdao, we parked the car outside the Liu family’s townhouse.

Liu Yifei hesitated before getting off the car, but still said, "Big monk, I don't know if you like me or not, but I think I like you."

He Zhongqiu was stunned, and when he reacted, Liu Yifei had already gone in.

He scratched his head vigorously. After what happened, it seemed that the idea of ​​taking Lao Liu as a concubine was indeed not a feasible idea. So he decided to give up.

He now has some feelings for Liu Yifei, but it is impossible for him to give up Sister Xue because of Liu Yifei. Sister Xue's position in his heart is completely different.

October 10th, the Knicks' new season media day.

In the past, media days were held at the training base, but now that it is so close to Madison Square Garden, it was held at the Garden.

We took promotional photos in the morning, and after lunch, it was time for media interviews.

"Crack, click, click..."

When He Zhongqiu and his teammates, dressed in suits and ties, walked in, flash lights lit up everywhere.

The host gave face and the first person to be turned over was Zhang Heli. He smiled and asked:
"Mid-Autumn Festival, the Knicks' goal in the new season is definitely to win three consecutive championships. The new season's lineup is also good. Which teams do you think will be the Knicks' strongest opponents?"

He Zhongqiu said: "In addition to the Knicks, the teams recognized by the media as championship-level teams include the Heat and Pistons in the East, and the Spurs and Mavericks in the West. They are all very strong and will be the Knicks' strongest opponents."

The next questioner was from the Washington Post, who asked, "Wolverine, there are three championship-level teams in the East and only two in the West. Do you think the East is stronger than the West?"

He Zhongqiu thought for a while and said, "I think so. The Lakers are no longer good, and neither are the Timberwolves and Kings. There are not many strong teams in the West."

"Wolverine, do you think the chances of winning three consecutive championships are high?" The third reporter who asked the question was a local reporter, who asked with anticipation.

He Zhongqiu showed a hint of murderous intent in his eyes and said, "What I said just now was just polite words. In fact, I think we will be unstoppable."

These powerful and murderous words quickly spread throughout the United States and the world through the Internet and major media.

The first person who was not convinced was Wade of the Heat. He said in an interview with the media:
"We will challenge the Knicks! We want to let Wolverine see our strength and let him know that this league is not just about him and the Knicks."

The second person who was dissatisfied was the rookie No. 1 pick Bogut, which no one expected.

After Bogut was selected as the No. 1 pick, the media compared him to former Bulls center Luc Longley because he is Australian, which made him very angry.

He told the media on the spot: "Big White Bear is nothing compared to me. I can be compared to Duncan."

This sentence made him famous overnight.

"Wolverine is too arrogant. I don't think he is much better than Duncan. He should be more humble."

This sentence made him truly famous.

Not only did he become famous, but he also broke out of the entertainment circle, the boxing circle, the fighting circle, the basketball circle, and the entire sports circle.

Many people from other circles have expressed their opinions on various occasions. For example, Dwayne Johnson smiled and said to the media:

"Wolverine is really too arrogant. He knocked out the Korean guy in two seconds. I think he should give Bogut more time."

"NBA No. 1 pick Bogut, a man who vowed to make Wolverine more humble, I admire his courage," said Tom Cruise.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how this rookie will make Wolverine more humble," Barkley laughed.

"Wolverine is about to lead the Knicks to a three-peat, so I'm also looking forward to how Bogut will humble him," Jordan said.

Bogut felt a little numb when he saw celebrities from various circles standing up to criticize him.

I just want to stand out and attract attention. Do you big stars have any need to bully a rookie like me?
He Zhongqiu didn't pay attention to these. He was a rookie who was nothing. When facing media interviews, he didn't want to answer any relevant questions at all. He skipped them all. If he answered any one, he would lose.

The 29th is the Rockets' media day.

During the offseason, Yao Ming's agent and management negotiated again and again, and finally the management compromised and allowed Yao Ming to lose weight, reduce low-post offense, and change his playing style.

This is actually very rare, because when Dream had a conflict with the Rockets, the Rockets' owner and management did not compromise, and even threatened to trade Dream.

So in fact, there is already a big rift between Yao Ming and the Rockets management.

Dayao's side is also very clear about this.

Another thing is that Yao Ming and McGrady both asked the management through their agents to strengthen the team, and the Rockets did make some reinforcements.

Point guard Bob Sura retired, and management signed streetball king Al Thornton with a mid-level contract to strengthen the number one position.

In addition, the power forward position is played by the extremely talented Swift, who was the second pick in the 00 draft and is a guy who can fly in the sky when playing basketball.

They also found this year's undrafted player, 198 cm tall Hayes, to play the power forward position.

Seeing these reinforcements, the Yao-McGrady duo feels that their hopes of getting past the first round this year are going to skyrocket, so much so that they may not even make it to the playoffs.

"Mid-Autumn Festival, this season, we are probably in trouble."

Dayao called He Zhongqiu to seek comfort.

"So what?" He Zhongqiu asked.

"Alas, the reinforcement is too poor. As for McGrady, I talked to him and his injury recovery is average." Yao Ming said.

He Zhongqiu comforted him, "Reinforcement depends on luck. For example, our team's general manager told me that before the trading window opened, a lot of All-Stars in the free market begged to join us at a minimum salary.

Your team is so rubbish that even if the general manager kneels down in front of them, they still don’t want to join. There’s nothing they can do because they don’t have the strength!”

"You fucking bastard!" Dayao cursed with gritted teeth.

He Zhongqiu continued, "And McGrady, I heard he was born with some disease. His peak years with the Magic were pretty much his best years, but his physical potential has been almost exhausted in those years. I think you shouldn't count on him."

"Then what do you think we should do?" Dayao asked.

"How much luxury tax did you pay this season?" He Zhongqiu asked casually.

"I don't know, but I heard the total salary is 6900 million," Yao Ming said.

He Zhongqiu praised: "The luxury line is 5700 million, and they paid 1200 million in luxury tax, which is much better than the Spurs. The Spurs' total salary is only 6290 million, and they are only 600 million short of luxury tax."

"How much did you pay?" Dayao asked curiously.

"About 300 or 400 million." He Zhongqiu said.

"Damn it, it's so good to be rich!" Dayao cursed.

He Zhongqiu corrected him, "It's better if the boss is generous. Doesn't your boss have money? Invest a little more and play one or two more rounds of the playoffs, and all the costs will be recovered."

(End of this chapter)