The Way of the Center

After the Asian Championships, all men's basketball players participated in a celebration banquet organized by the Basketball Association. The whole banquet was bureaucratic, and the players simply couldn't let go, let alone celebrate their achievements frantically.

After the banquet, the national team announced its dissolution, and the men's basketball players officially ended their trip to the Asian Championships. After that, Anjie stayed with his parents at home in China until the end of August. Like last year, in September, the holiday is basically over, Anjie must rush to the United States to deal with some things, and then will join the Thunder team.

In fact, the Chinese national team will still have the Stankovic Cup to play, but after the Asian Championships have already won the championship, they did not pay much attention to the Stankovic Cup. So Anjie and Yi Jianlian were able to leave the national team and report to their respective NBA teams.

Yi Jianlian's performance last season was quite satisfactory, except for too many injuries, everything is steadily improving. But for his main position, this pre-season training camp will be very important to Yi Jianlian. The Nets are a rebuilding team in which everyone has equal opportunities.

Although Anjie is definitely the main center of the Thunder that can't be beaten, it does not mean that he can relax in the pre-season training camp. To know the goal of the Thunder this season, but to hit the playoffs. If you cannot adjust your state to the best, it is difficult to achieve expectations.

Of course, the impact of the playoffs is not an issue for Anjie alone. As the general manager of the team, Presti's reinforcement of the team is undoubtedly the top priority that affects the performance of the Thunder.

First of all, after missing James Harden, Presti listened to Jeff Van Gundy's suggestion and chose Andrew Morris, his teammate from Angel College, with the seventh high overall pick.

In fact, Presti didn't want to choose Morris at the beginning, because this guy had suffered serious injuries in college, and he played more on his body, and his talent was far inferior to Anjie. But Jeff Van Gundy still retained his suggestion. He thinks Morris is a good instant force that can help the team make the playoffs.

"I admit that Morris may not have much room for growth in the future. After all, his body is almost developed to the limit. But he is willing to do dirty work on the court and is very good at defense. Plus A strong body, if he can join the team, our weak inside line will be greatly strengthened." A defensive blue-collar inside line is exactly Van Gundy's favorite Anjie assistant.

When Presti drafted Andrew Morris, Serge Ibaka was almost desperate. A guy who coincides with his position is selected, which means Presti has given up on himself.

He tried his best to prove his strength in the Spanish league, but in the end did not get any rewards, which made Ibaka's mood during that time very low.

But on the first day the free agent market opened, Ibaka received an offer from the Thunder.

Presti bought out the Spanish team's contract and signed with Ibaka for four years, a standard rookie contract. In this regard, for the first time someone from the Republic of Congo was brought to the NBA stage.

Many people don't understand Presti's approach. With Anjie and Morris, why would he sign another Ibaka.

Yes, for the starter, his approach will only make the Thunder appear crowded inside. But for the entire team, this signing has no problems at all.

In addition to starting, the team's bench is also a link that must be reinforced. You can't start with a smooth start, but as soon as the bench comes up, you can give up the advantage. Choosing Morris and signing Ibaka at the same time was to prepare for the inside line of the second team.

These two guys are rookies, and they are definitely willing to accept the arrangement of playing on the bench. In this way, not only can it promote a healthy competition between Morris and Ibaka, but it can also strengthen the bench.

After letting go of Robert Swift and Marrick Rose and the others, adding the original Nick Collison and Nenad Korstic, the Thunder's internal strength rose instead of falling.

In addition to these two guys, Presti also signed some outside players. For example, the former high school genius Sean Livingston, such as the experienced 37-year-old veteran Kevin Ollie. However, the strength of these guys is really not comparable to Morris and Ibaka, so these signings by Presti did not cause much discussion.

Of course, when someone comes and someone leaves, Atkins, a veteran who used to support An Jie in the locker room, did not renew his contract with the Thunder. For example, at the end of the season, An Jie’s good assistant Robert Swift also chose to go to Europe Play ball.

Those who are at a disadvantage will be eliminated by stronger guys sooner or later, and so on, this is the status quo of NBA's survival.

Presti’s Thunder lineup is temporarily finalized. After all, the Thunder have too few trading chips, so he can only strengthen the lineup through free agent signing and draft.

But these are secondary. Whether the Thunder can make the playoffs or not depends on how the Thunder three players play in the new season.

Just when Presti had finished his work for a summer and was thinking of the third thunder, Anjie also flew from China to the United States. The first stop is naturally Ames.

Since the last trip to China, the busy Anjie has never had time to meet Catherine. Now that the holidays are finished, the new season is about to start.

During the period before the start of the training camp, Anjie decided to stay with Catherine for a while. After all, after the start of the season, the two have to live apart the two places again.

During the time in Ames, Anjie and Catherine had a very sweet time. After all, Xiaojie is better than newlyweds, and both of them cherish the time they spend with each other very much.

After Catherine's identity was exposed, she also became half a public figure. And her stunning debut in the All-Star Game also made many scouts notice the nba player's girlfriend.

"Model?" Anjie looked at Catherine in surprise, her golden hair and blue eyes were still so charming.

"Yes, the people from the img model agency have already contacted me. I want to hear your opinion." Catherine and Anjie were sitting on the bank of the river. The future of these two young people has become clearer and clearer.

"Img?" An Jie didn't understand the circle of models at all.

"Img company is one of the largest model agency companies in the world. Do you think I am suitable to be a model?" Catherine said and stood up.

"Of course you are the most beautiful in my eyes, but, do you like this profession?" Anjie made enough money to support Catherine for a lifetime, and he was fully capable of making Catherine a housewife like Peggy. But if that's not the life Catherine wanted, then of course Anjie wouldn't force it.

"It's not like you like it or not, it's just that you can wear many, many beautiful clothes if you are a model." Catherine smiled at An Jie, her idea is really simple.

"I want to try. After all, you have achieved such great success. I don't want to lose to you." Catherine leaned on Anjie's shoulder, very strong and full of security.

"Then let go and try it honey, I believe you can do it, just like you believe me."

He is of Chinese and American race, slender and full body, and possesses the appearance characteristics of American and Chinese at the same time. With so many advantages, it is not impossible for Catherine to become successful halfway through.

A week passed quickly, and the two had to say goodbye again. Only now, Catherine is not as sad as before. Because she knew that this big boy would always think of herself and return to her.

...................

On September 16, the pre-season training camp of the Thunder officially opened. Since Anjie has already honed in the Asian Championships, he still did not go to this summer league.

However, Westbrook, Morris and Ibaka all participated in the summer league and performed well.

When Anjie walked into the long-awaited Chesapeake Energy Arena training field on the afternoon of the 16th, many players were already warming up on the field. Some of these faces are still those people, and some are very strange.

"Hey Ann! How did you come here!" Westbrook was the first to find An Jie, and when he heard Westbrook's yelling, everyone looked towards the gate.

"How was your vacation Russell, hey Morris, I heard you played well in the summer league. Oh, have you seen Kevin, why hasn't that guy arrived yet." At this moment, An Jie felt himself It's like going home. He greeted people casually, which felt even more cordial than facing his compatriots in the national team.

"Your big brother is awesome. We will definitely be able to make the playoffs this season." Westbrook pointed to Morris, and Morris proudly showed off his muscles to Anjie. That guy is bigger than before.

"Let's say it, the general manager must have chosen him." An Jie was excited when he thought that he would be partnering with Morris again in the new season. This is a dream come true.

"And my new friend, to introduce you to him. His defense in the summer league made me almost think he was possessed by you." Westbrook led Angel through the crowd and came to a corner. . Here, a muscular black player is practicing shooting alone.

"Hey, Serge, come and meet your new friend!" Westbrook is a familiarity, and he seems to have a good relationship with everyone.

When Ibaka heard someone calling him, he stopped his hand movement and turned to look at the yellow-skinned center who had shined last season.

"Hello, my name is Serge Ibaka, I am glad to meet you." Although Ibaka has learned Spanish well, his English level needs to be improved. So far, he can only say hello to people.

"My name is An Jie, I am very happy to play together." An Jie did not shake hands, but punched Ibaka on the chest. An Jie also learned a lot about the habits of foreigners.

After that, more and more people came to the training ground, and it became more and more noisy. Because the roster of each team has not yet been determined, so the crowd is normal. After all, a training camp and pre-season game ~www.NovelMTL.com~ the entire league will lay off more than a hundred people. At the official start of the season, before layoffs, it is okay for a team to participate in training.

The Thunder's three and the newly joined team Ibaka and Morris quickly became one. Presti in the office on the second floor saw this scene and nodded in relief. The rookies dissatisfied each other and displeased each other. This was his biggest concern before.

Morris has a strong personality, but with Anjie, he won't go to other people to single out or something.

Serge Ibaka came to the United States to play for the first time. He was unfamiliar with his place and naturally had to lower his posture.

When a man in a black suit pushed open the gate of the training ground, the whole training ground immediately fell silent.

"It seems that you are very energetic! The intensity of this training camp is not small, you are ready!" It is Jeff Van Gundy, who also officially completed the rendezvous with the team!

"Come on, I'm still worried that the intensity is too weak and I will get back to my state!" Westbrook replied with a smile, and Van Gundy responded with a smile.

Although some role players have changed a lot, the Thunder is still the Thunder team familiar to Van Gundy. In the second season of working with these guys, Van Gundy is full of confidence!

With 47 wins, people say that Van Gundy has created a miracle. Bringing a "bad team" composed of three rookies at the core to almost enter the playoffs is a feat that no one else can accomplish.

Is it really a miracle? No, that is a manifestation of the strength of the Thunder! The playoffs should have belonged to Van Gundy and the Thunder!

"Guys, get ready! We only have one goal this season!" Van Gundy raised a finger.

"Playoffs!" The three Thunders replied at the same time. They clap each other skillfully. The journey of the new season has already begun! (To be continued.)