On the 14th, the Warriors played their first Ga against the SuperSonics in Shanghai.
If Zack’s arrival completely derailed the NBA’s original historical trajectory in this current tiline, then the SuperSonics are definitely that train on a new track—they’ve already headed towards a new, unpredictable destination.
The SuperSonics assembled an astonishing roster this sumr. Centered around Yao Ming, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, they also have quality role players on the wings like Jas Posey and Maurice Evans. Plus, they’ve got Nick Collison and Chuck Hayes ready to co off the bench. According to ESPN, aside from a slightly weaker point guard position, this team is nearly perfect.
With the aging Gary Payton and Earl Watson, the SuperSonics’ star-studded lineup does have a small flaw. But in the NBA, a truly flawless "Galactic Armada" is impossible. So, without exception, experts, dia, and even neutral fans all see this SuperSonics team as a strong contender for the championship this coming season.
However, compared to their roster, the biggest change for this SuperSonics team is probably off the court. After successfully bringing Yao Ming from Houston to Seattle through that grand plan, SuperSonics owner Howard Schultz didn’t conspire with David Stern to bring in Clay Bennett, the Oklahoma businessman, as Zack rembered.
This change is destined to rewrite the SuperSonics’ team history. It ans that many SuperSonics legends, including Payton, won’t beco "rootless wanderers" as they did historically. Furthermore, SuperSonics fans won’t have to shoulder the bla for the team’s forced relocation.
Indeed, in Zack’s past life, SuperSonics fans were arguably the most wronged group of people in the world. They were never the culprits behind the SuperSonics’ relocation, nor were they the ones who prevented the KeyArena’s renovation.
Since acquiring the SuperSonics, Schultz had to pay a hefty annual rent to the local governnt to lease KeyArena. NBA Commissioner David Stern even publicly stated that the SuperSonics’ lease agreent with KeyArena was the worst in the league’s history. By the 21st century, KeyArena’s facilities simply couldn’t keep up with the tis, which ant the SuperSonics couldn’t profit more from ticket sales. The most direct economic impact was that Schultz lost nearly $60 million in the five years after acquiring the team.
Because of this, Schultz and Stern historically tead up to pressure the Washington state governnt. The league hoped the local governnt would respect the long-term lease paynts the SuperSonics had to make for KeyArena and agree to renovations to upgrade the arena. As supporters of the SuperSonics, why would fans disagree with renovating the arena? Weren’t they the ones going to KeyArena every night to watch gas? Weren’t their ticket sales helping the SuperSonics pay that rent?
In fact, every SuperSonics fan, just like the team, desperately wanted the local governnt to improve their ga-watching environnt as soon as possible. However, during that final pressure campaign, the Washington state governnt successfully incited the taxpayers of Seattle. Not every Seattleite attends SuperSonics gas, so when these taxpayers, who had no connection to the SuperSonics, learned the governnt planned to use their tax money to renovate the arena for those "damn basketball fans," how could they not be upset?
It was this incitent by the Washington state governnt that made Stern and Schultz completely lose faith in Seattle. The Washington state governnt completely ignored the reasonable demands of the league and the SuperSonics, and through off-court public relations, transford what should have been a landlord-tenant dispute into a conflict between neighbors and a tenant.
In this grand farce, the SuperSonics were the tenant. KeyArena and the state governnt were the landlords. The fans and taxpayers were the two neighbors living next to the tenant. Because the fan-neighbor would co to the tenant SuperSonics’ ho every day to play, the fan also paid the tenant a considerable "food expense" (ticket sales) daily.
But suddenly, one day, the tenant’s pipes burst. So, the SuperSonics, as the tenant, wanted the landlord to help fix the pipes. However, the landlord ignored the tenant’s reasonable request. Even when the SuperSonics, the tenant, said they’d pay half the cost of the repairs, the landlord still refused. Finally, the exasperated tenant said, "Fine, can I just pay for the repairs myself?" But the landlord still said no, stating that the reason for their refusal was fear of affecting the taxpayer-neighbor.
The SuperSonics, as the tenant, were utterly confused. But then, the landlord successfully stirred up a war between the taxpayer and the tenant by claiming that repairing the pipes would cause the taxpayer’s house to leak. And the fans, who ca to the tenant’s house to play every day, unfortunately beca the scapegoats for the taxpayers after the tenant (SuperSonics) was forced to move. The taxpayers’ reason for this was that since repairing the pipes would also cause the fans’ houses to leak, it was just one tenant (SuperSonics) leaving, right? "You should thank us, we helped you get rid of a big bad guy!"
This is the truth behind SuperSonics fans getting blad historically. (Note ①)
But in this life, they won’t be scapegoated. Because Yao Ming’s arrival provided the SuperSonics with imdiate economic benefits. Plus, they instantly beca championship contenders, so this sumr, the local governnt has, in principle, agreed to their request to renovate KeyArena.
Moreover, Schultz has even bigger ambitions than just renovating the arena. After successfully bringing in business giant Steve Ballr, Schultz wants to eventually build a truly dedicated arena for the SuperSonics. Will the Seattle local governnt approve the construction of this new arena?
The answer is yes. Historically, one of the reasons against the state governnt renovating the arena and building a new one was that a large number of environntalists ca out in droves, exaggeratedly claiming that renovating and building a new arena would harm Seattle’s local environnt. Yes, Pri Minister, that tiless political satire, tells you that, generally speaking, this is just a common tactic used by politicians abroad when they don’t want to spend money.
In reality, as long as the SuperSonics can bear the cost of building a new arena themselves, actively boost Seattle’s local economy, and satisfy the appetites of Commissioner Smith or Commissioner Howard... then the local governnt will only cheer for the construction of a new arena.
Zack read a lot of news about the SuperSonics this sumr. He never imagined that his presence would trigger such a massive butterfly effect. And in a way, he also caused the Oklahoma City Thunder he rembered to cease to exist. Yes, if the SuperSonics don’t move, then Oklahoma will naturally have to wait until the NBA’s next expansion to potentially get an NBA team.
On the evening of the 14th, in the Ga played in Shanghai, neither the Warriors nor the SuperSonics played at full strength. Warriors head coach Mike Malone deliberately put more players on the court to practice tactics. Rick Carlisle, who officially took over as the SuperSonics’ head coach this sumr due to the Pacers’ tanking, also wanted to test different player combinations.
However, during the brief clash between the two teams’ starters, Zack still fully felt the true strength of this SuperSonics team. There’s no doubt. This is a team that is almost unguardable in half-court sets. Even Zack wouldn’t dare to charge into the paint against the twin towers of Yao Ming and Kevin Garnett. Furthermore, Garnett, playing alongside Yao Ming, has seen a positive improvent. Since Yao Ming handles the low post, Garnett doesn’t need to gain weight as he did historically, which will very likely extend his peak performance as he ages. And Ray Allen, who successfully gained two powerful inside teammates, is bound to shine in this "new Big Three" system.
In the ga, the "new Big Three" didn’t even need to gel, they already found their respective positions. Yao Ming was responsible for punishing the opposing defense with his absolute height in the low post. Garnett was responsible for high-frequency pick-and-rolls with Ray Allen at the high post, and using his comndable passing to feed Yao Ming. Ray Allen was responsible for consistent scoring from the outside, and when necessary, launching audacious attacks with his pull-up jumpers while dribbling.
Although the SuperSonics didn’t show their full strength in the two Gas played on the 14th and 17th, after returning to Oakland with the Warriors after the Gas, Zack had already tagged them as a "deadly threat."
The two Gas concluded successfully. The Warriors finished the remaining four preseason gas with a 2-2 record. Matt Barnes, on whom Malone had placed high hopes, shot a dismal 3-for-22 (including the two Gas), with 0-for-12 from three-point range. Besides his comndable defensive effort, his shooting touch could only be described as "ice-cold." And Baron Davis, who claid during preseason training camp that he’d figure out Malone’s tactics in just a week, thoroughly exposed his "B-Diddy" (Big Daddy BS) nature.
In the NBA, nicknas are never wrong, only given to the wrong people. The always boastful Davis undoubtedly shot himself in the foot with his terrible preseason performance. For this, Zack even gave Davis a new nickna:
—Clumsy Baron.
In short, as Mike Malone summarized, through this year’s two Gas and four preseason gas, the Warriors have successfully identified their problems. As for what the problems are? Well, of course, it’s... everything’s a problem, everywhere’s a ss, nothing’s working right.
"Why can’t we execute our usual training content in gas?"
It turns out that completely changing a team’s playing style in the NBA is far more difficult than Mike Malone initially thought. Over the 102 gas they played last season, the Warriors’ players had gradually ford a set mindset. This mindset caused them to habitually revert to their old playing style whenever the ga situation changed. Basketball gas are dynamic, with no two possessions ever being exactly alike. So, whenever players need to adjust to changes, they’ll instinctively choose the playing style they’re most comfortable with to solve problems.
Just as Ro wasn’t built in a day, Mike Malone’s tactics also need ti for the players to gel. But the Warriors can’t afford the cost of gelling in this season’s Western Conference. As the regular season approached, Mike Malone beca increasingly agitated in daily practices.
"You idiot, can you run to your spot as I asked?"
"Moron! You’re a damn moron! How many tis do I have to emphasize that’s just a fake screen, a fake run?"
"Get back to your position! That’s not where you should be standing, can you even play basketball?"
Unlike Montgory, Mike Malone has never been a mild-mannered head coach. However, on the practice court, as Malone’s shouts grew louder and his insults towards Warriors players (excluding Zack) beca more frequent... a new crisis lood just before the regular season began.
"I can’t take it, I’m a goddamn champion! But him? He was just an assistant coach for the Cavaliers last season. Why does he get to call an idiot all the ti?"
"Agreed! We’re about to receive our championship rings at ho, he has no right to criticize for not knowing how to play!"
"He’s treating us like robots! But we’re living, breathing people! In a ga, there are always tis we need to improvise, how can we always follow his tactics perfectly?"
When an ambitious, talented young coach who doesn’t know how to rein in his temper ets a group of players who already have championship rings... it’s clear that Mike Malone’s current prestige and authority aren’t enough to support his coaching style.
Even though Zack had helped Malone out of sticky situations in practice multiple tis, Zack also had to consider the long-simring resentnt of his teammates. Zack knew very well that his teammates wouldn’t be able to accept Malone’s coaching style in the short term, so he had to find a way for Malone to actively integrate into the team.
"I know they can’t accept my communication style right now, but don’t they know the regular season opener is in two days?" Malone said, looking frustrated as Zack found him alone.
Hearing this, Zack said, "Mike... it’s true the regular season is starting soon, but they’ve never slacked off in practice."
Malone grew more disheartened, saying, "I appreciate their effort in practice, but that’s not the content and details I’m looking for..."
Seeing his expression, Zack said, "Since we can’t achieve the content and details you want for now, why don’t we just set up the frawork first?" After a pause, Zack added, "When I was in college, Coach Skip Prosser once told that no team can undergo a complete transformation after just one practice. Therefore, as long as we can build the frawork you want, the details and content can be filled in slowly."
Malone pondered for a long ti, then said, "The frawork isn’t a problem now, and the players accept their roles... but we’ve been practicing for so long, we can’t just completely ignore our practiced tactics during gas, can we?"
Zack smiled, "I’m not saying completely ignore them, but I think right now, within the frawork you’ve established, we should let the players play in the way they feel most comfortable."
In Zack’s opinion, the reason Malone couldn’t get the results he wanted was precisely because he was overloading the Warriors players, including himself, with too many complex high-level tactics. It’s no exaggeration to say that any single one of the high-level tactics Malone designed for the Warriors would be enough for an NBA team to digest for half a month. Keep in mind, the variations and subsequent developnts of these high-level tactics are virtually endless. So... it’s not that Malone’s tactical designs are flawed, but rather that he’s too eager for the Warriors players to perfectly execute these incredibly complex high-level tactics.
There’s no helping it. The current Mike Malone isn’t the "Zhuge Malone" who will have been honed over many years in the NBA. In Zack’s view, he’s just making a mistake that most young coaches make. That is, he simply hasn’t realized that even the best tactics need to be executed by the players on the court.
"I understand what you an. I also know there’s resentnt towards in the team right now, but they can’t just rest on their laurels and not listen to my commands and arrangents, right?" Malone said, looking up at Zack with a wronged expression.
In that mont, Zack fully understood Malone’s feelings. But there were so things Zack simply couldn’t help Malone with. Because Malone, at this mont, with no achievents to his na, was coaching a team that was about to receive their championship rings.
From the opening of preseason training camp until now, Malone’s understanding of basketball and his tactical reserves had truly opened Zack’s eyes. Zack believed in Malone’s coaching ability and was confident that his success in his mories was no accident. But in the NBA, for Malone to showcase his coaching talent, he had to learn how to get along with players.
November 1st.
The 2006/2007 NBA regular season opener officially began. The defending champions, the Golden State Warriors, hosted their first opponent of the new season at Oracle Arena:
—The Dallas Mavericks.
As the banner symbolizing the 2005-06 season’s highest team honor was raised to the rafters, alongside the championship banner from thirty-one years prior, the swirling golden tide at the arena almost instantly broke through the emotional defenses of Dirk Nowitzki, who witnessed the entire flag-raising ceremony.
As the star player of this Dallas Mavericks team, this season marked Nowitzki’s ninth season in the NBA. The younger Nowitzki of the past certainly couldn’t have understood why champions are champions. But now, no longer young, he had never felt such a mix of envy, jealousy, and profound regret for the precious years he had personally wasted.
The mont the banner was raised, a strange, wrenching pain twisted in Nowitzki’s chest. It hurt so much he could barely breathe, tearing him apart from the inside, burning him up. Friends co and go, but only the championship banner flies in the wind.
And on the Warriors’ bench, Mike Malone also largely understood in that mont why his usual commands weren’t as effective as he’d imagined. Because before he coached this team, they were already champions. In front of these Warriors, what right did he have to not rein in his temper? What right did he have to criticize these champion players?
"Mike, you have to actively integrate into this team, instead of making the team adapt to you."
Although Zack truly had high hopes for Mike Malone, if Malone consistently failed to integrate into these Warriors, then what Zack had said to him previously was far more than just advice.
Zack’s words were both advice and a warning. Because if necessary, who’s to say the Warriors couldn’t get a new head coach?
And thinking of this, Malone, whose face instantly paled and broke out in a cold sweat, couldn’t help but turn his gaze to the man who was about to receive his championship ring at center court...
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