Before the completion of Radmanovich's transaction, the first thing that was officially announced was Lowry's transaction.
The Rockets did make ruthless moves at all costs. Their final bid was - Bu Xiao and Justin Reedgar in the first round.
They got more than one Lowry.
This is a multi-party transaction, and the third party that suddenly emerged was Orlando Magic.
That's right, the Magic joined the deal because, not long ago, Jamal Nelson was seriously injured and was reimbursed for the season, so the Magic needed a new master control.
In this way, they set their sights on Xiao Bu who can break through and shoot but cannot organize an attack.
For the Grizzlies, they already have Mike Conley in the point guard position, and they are naturally dispensable to Bull.
So, when Magic threw a first round, the Grizzlies accepted it decisively.
So, the deal eventually turned into: the Rockets bid for Boogie Jr. and Justin Reedgar in the first round, and got Lowry and Matt Barnes.
The Magic bid for Matt Barnesgarh for a first round and got Bull.
The Grizzlies bid Lowry and got Justin Reed and two rounds.
In Li Ke's opinion, even if he finally got Loriga Matt Barnes, the deal to wipe away tears was still confusing.
Because this season, Matt Barnes is not worth a lot of money, he deviates from the historical timeline and joins the Magic one season ahead of his basic salary.
However, because of the growth of young players such as Redick and Courtney Lee, the playing time they got was not as expected.
Even if Buffett replaced Lowry, the Rockets would have just made the first round of Justin Reedgar, and then they changed to Matt Barnes, who was not worth a lot at this time.
In comparison, the Grizzlies made a big profit in this deal, the Magic did not lose, and the Rockets lost their underwear.
However, Jonathan Feigan, the head reporter of the Houston Chronicle, gave a reasonable explanation based on the information he obtained-
"The Rockets don't need Alon Brooks' bench firepower, because there are Callandrie, Lutherhead and Brent Barry..."
"The Rockets need Kyle Lowry's organization and defense, and Matt Barnes' wing defense. This season, Rick Adelman's team has obviously changed its style. Defense is the foundation of this Rockets."
"The failure of the Christmas game proves that the Rockets' defense still needs to be improved. This deal greatly improves the Rockets' overall defense."
Seeing the Houston Chronicle's analysis, Li Ke touched his chin and pondered for a while.
"A wing defender, plus a point guard defender, and wiping tears are very targeted..."
Matt Barnes targeted Kobe and Lowry targeted Chris. The two most popular teams in the West were taken care of at this time. The Rockets' goal was self-evident, at least it was in the finals.
...
A day later, the deal for Radmanovich was also concluded.
Similarly, the final outcome of this deal was beyond Li Ke's expectations.
"Radmanovich went to the Knights? Michael, you are the enemy!"
In Boss Qiao's office, listening to Li Ke's seemingly indignant rebuke, Old Qiao spread his hands:
"At least, I saved a draft pick, didn't I?"
Of course, the enemy is a joke. Li Ke knew very well that a Radmanovich was not enough to help the Knights turn the world.
However, the Cavaliers joined the deal, allowing Jared Jack to join the Bobcats very smoothly.
Specifically, the Bobcats bid Radmanovich to Earl Boykins, and got Jared Jack and Jamaltinsley from the Pacers,
The Cavaliers bid Eric Snow and two rounds to get Radmanovich from the Bobcats.
The Pacers bid Jack and Jamal Tinsley, get Ellboykins from the Bobcats, Eric Snow from the Cavaliers and two rounds.
For the Pacers, the most important thing that can be completed is Jamal Tinsley.
This guy is seriously injured and can't play in the game. Not counting this season, he has more than $14 million in contracts in the next two seasons, so it's fine...
He even had many conflicts with the Pacers management, which had long reached an irreconcilable point, and even affected the locker room.
Rather than saying that Larry Bird helped Boss Joe, it would be better to say that Larry Bird relied on Boss Joe to clean up the difficult garbage contract of Jamal Tinsley.
For the Bobcats, although Tinsley's contract is difficult to deal with, Jared Jack, who averaged 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.0 steals this season, is so delicious.
If you want to get Jack, you have to eat Tinsley's garbage contract, which is called: there will be gains and losses.
For the Cavaliers, once the contract expires, they get a wing shooter they continue to earn, and the only problem is how much they earn.
"Do you have any ideas about Jamal Tinsley?"
Lao Qiao then threw Tinsley's problem to Li Ke.
Li Ke thought for a moment: "Save it, this deal, Earboykins and Jared Jack exchanged, we just walked away with a Radmanovich, but at the same position, we still have Jared Dudley, and we don't need further signings."
"You think it's better to stay? Well, then listen to you."
Obviously, Lao Qiao originally had some other ideas, such as cutting off Tinsley and making a vacant space...
However, if you cut Tinsley at this time, it is difficult for the Bobcats to get any discount, because Tinsley can't play the ball and it is impossible for them to agree to a discounted termination fee. If the Bobcats want to cut it, they can only cut it at the original price.
It’s better not to slap and keep it, and it may still have miraculous results in the future.
...
After the trade, Radmanovic and Earboykins had already left the team before Jared Jack even arrived.
So, starting from Charlotte Airport and passing through Los Angeles International Airport, the destination is the Chinese Bobcats on the other side of the ocean. They can only face the first Spring Festival battle in NBA history with an incomplete lineup.
In addition to thinking about how to defeat this Lakers, what Li Ke is even more confused is that-
"You guys say, whose home court is this game?"
"It should be ours, because half a month ago, we went to Los Angeles to meet the Lakers. No matter what, this game should be our home court."
"But I heard that the ticket revenue for this game is half the point?"
Lao Du, who discussed these with Li Ke, nodded and confirmed this point. Li Ke immediately felt outrageous: "Did Michael actually agree?"
"What can I do if I don't agree? Can Michael refuse David Stern? And we will make a lot more money when we go to China to play this regular season than staying in Charlotte. If you don't want to, David Stern can say one thing: next year's opportunity can be left to other teams."
When Li Ke heard the second half of Lao Du's sentence, he immediately shook his head: "Remember, Jared, in the Spring Festival battle, David Stern will exclude anyone, and will not exclude the bobcats, because I have the bobcats."
But he still agrees with the first half of Lao Du's sentence, especially the point of making money, which Lao Du said is not wrong at all.
The NBA regular season outside the mainland of America has more than just a regular season game. In Li Ke's view, it is more like an exhibition.
Use a game and the popularity inside and outside the game to show the popularity of the NBA, the popularity of these four teams participating in the Spring Festival battle, and the popularity of the stars such as Li Ke, Kobe, Lebang, and Dayao...
In the end, they can gain more fans, more sponsors, and more Americans...
Just like Bobcats, Boss Qiao did not follow the team, but rushed to China one day in advance, with the purpose of preparing in advance and attracting investment...
It was a regular flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles, but then it was a very long trek.
Halfway through the flight, Li Ke knew that this Spring Festival battle was not just a completely different regular season experience, but more importantly, almost all players' physical fitness would be overdrawn.
Thinking of physical fitness, Li Ke immediately thought of Kobe.
"Boy, this guy who likes to make irons, should be the least affected..."
Shaking his head, Li Ke also knew that although physical fitness is very important, what is more important is to perform on the spot.
Speaking of which, although the Bobcats and the Lakers were defeated half a month ago, the Bobcats did not cause much trouble after the game.
On the one hand, it was because Kobe was super amazing in that game. He did whatever he shot. The Bobcats were not tactically knocked down, but more like being beaten by an opponent in a better shape.
Of course, on the other hand, the Bobcats have been struggling this season, and it is reasonable to lose to the Lakers.
But the defeat half a month ago still affected the reputation of this Spring Festival war.
Just as the bobcats arrived at the capital across the ocean, the media, experts, and commentators’ predictions for these two Spring Festival battles were put on the table.
"Rockets vs. Cavaliers, the focus of this game should be Yao Yi's battle, but the strength between the two is extremely unequal, so in fact, the biggest highlight of this game is the mismatch between LeBron and Yao. As a center, Yao's disadvantage is that it is difficult to catch basketball. Therefore, in this one-on-one challenge, I am more optimistic about the Cavaliers."
In Bill Simmons' column, he first predicted the Spring Festival battle between the Rockets and the Cavaliers, and he believed that the Cavaliers had more advantages.
There are also expert commentators who are optimistic about the Rockets, who believe that compared to the dilemma of strong aid Radmanovic not yet joining the team after the Cavaliers' trade, Matt Barnes and Kyle Lowry have completed registration and can play in the Spring Festival battle.
The bench and the surprise are ready, so the Rockets have a greater chance.
"The Bobcats vs. Lakers, the match that half a month ago actually shows something. Sheldon's single defense is excellent, but Kobe is exactly the person he can't limit. Last year's finals, the Olympics, and the game half a month ago, all explain this."
Li Ke's single defense is still a winner. The group of brick players led by Bill Simmons do not think that Li Ke can find the feeling of defending Kobe.
So, the overall situation of the game seems to have been determined.
Unlike the Rockets vs. Cavaliers, there are few expert commentators who are optimistic about the Bobcats.
The reason is that in addition to Li Ke's single defense, the Bobcats have been struggling this season, which is also decisive.
Although the Bobcats used their record of defeating the Celtics, the Cavaliers and the Rockets, they proved that they are still the favorites for the championship.
But some expert commentators still believe that the Bobcats have long been eliminated from the popularity of the championship.
Because in the East, they can't beat the Magic, in the West, they can't beat the Hornets, and the Lakers in front of them will be the hurdle that the Bobcats can't get around.
Therefore, it is normal for bobcats to be not favored.
"These public critics all think we will lose this Spring Festival war."
After leaving the airport and boarding the bus, Li Ke looked through the relevant news reports, and then came to Lao Ai Laosha and Hua Laoer to raise this topic.
The feedback Li Ke received was also within his expectations—
Lao Ai spread his hands, showing no concern.
In fact, he didn't care, but before the game started, Lao Ai didn't want to make any promises.
Lao Shark had a serious expression and said, "Hey, I said, everyone should know how important this Spring Festival battle is. I think we must win this game, and there is no second way to go."
Hua Lao Er followed Lao Sha and nodded in a simple way: "We can't be double-killed by the Lakers in the season. This season, too many teams have double-killed us."
Li Ke showed a very satisfied smile and clapped his hands: "That's right, guys, we must win this game, not only because Shaq couldn't accept the feeling of losing to Kobe..."
Lao Sha said with shame and annoyed, and reached out to pat Li Ke.
"It's not just because we can't be double-killed by any opponent anymore."
"More importantly, the NBA regular season was placed outside the America continent for the first time. This is a historic moment. Regardless of winning or losing, we will leave a name in history. I think no one wants history to write a note in a few days - the first overseas regular season game of the NBA, the Charlotte Bobcats led by Allen Iverson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Gerald Wallace were hit by the Los Angeles Lakers led by Kobe Bryant and Paul Gasol?"
Lao Ai frowned and said loudly the next second: "Yes, if history really needs to be written, it will only be Allen Iverson leading the Charlotte Bobcats, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers led by Kobe Bryant in the first overseas regular season game in the NBA!"
"No, Allen, you forgot to mention my and Gerald's names..."
Lao Shark protested, Lao Ai spread his hands, and there was laughter and joy on the bus.
After the bus arrived at the hotel, Li Ke found Sam Vincent, said hello, and then left the hotel door.
Outside the door, the special car arranged by Lu Ning picked up Li Ke.
For Li Ke, this journey of the Spring Festival war gave him a chance to spend New Year's Eve with his family.
After driving for a while, he drove into a courtyard house within the Second Ring Road of the Capital. Li Ke met Li's father and mother who stayed in the capital for reunion.
"This Spring Festival battle is really good. At least Xiao Ke can come back to celebrate the festival."
"Watch the Spring Festival Gala together on New Year's Eve, and then on the first day of the New Year, your dad and I will watch your competition on site. Your aunts and aunts will also come..."
Chapter completed!