Chapter 1 Compared to When They Defeated the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals

Compared to when they defeated the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers, after sweeping the Hawks in the Finals, didn't seem as excited as before, except for Sacre, who was still full of energy.

On the court, after hugging Su Feng and Kobe, Wade walked back to the locker room with a depressed look.

In the NBA, what is the standard for judging whether a team is successful?

Without a doubt.

Besides the championship.

The Hawks, who had made it to the Finals for the past three years, could hardly be said to have not done well enough.

But...

Judging from the Hawks' performance in the Finals this year...

Especially their 58-point loss in the first game...

If you dared to go up to Wade at this moment and say, "Congratulations, Dwyane, you've led the Hawks to another great season"...

Wade would probably punch you in the face.

On TNT, Stackhouse congratulated the Lakers on their championship and lamented, "This Finals is definitely the most lopsided series in NBA history.

The Lakers dominated the Hawks in every aspect.

Their championship was well deserved."

Meanwhile, Smith flipped through his notebook and reminded people, "After returning to the top with the Lakers tonight, this is Su's tenth NBA championship.

I don't think anyone doubts now that Su will surpass Bill Russell in total championships before he retires."

About fifteen minutes later.

At Philips Arena, under the gaze of Lakers undercover fans in the arena and countless Lakers fans in front of their TVs, Su Feng and Kobe together lifted the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, symbolizing the highest team honor in the NBA.

This was Kobe's fifth championship of his career.

It was also the Lakers' sixteenth championship in franchise history.

During the awards ceremony, Kobe, who had been relatively stable, suddenly burst into tears when he talked about Dr. Buss.

"I think Jerry is definitely watching us from heaven right now.

Thank you for everything he has done for this great team in the past.

For a long time, he guided me like a father...

And for the rest of my career, I hope I can repay him and the fans who have always supported me with my performance."

In front of the TV, Kobe's genuine emotions at this moment infected countless Lakers fans.

Then, when it was Billups' turn to speak, this veteran, who had been heavily criticized last year, officially bid farewell to the fans.

"I'm very happy that I was able to work with the two best players in the world in the last season of my career.

Together, we achieved an unprecedented 78 wins and 4 losses in the regular season.

And we also made it through the playoffs all the way, laughing to the end.

And now, I think it's time to officially say goodbye to everyone!

Next, I will return to my family and enjoy my retirement life!"

Although he was still very reluctant in his heart, Billups, 37, had already revealed to Su Feng before the start of the Finals that he would retire after winning the championship.

In response, Su Feng did not forcibly persuade Billups to play for another year.

It is worth mentioning that, after Billups won the championship with the Lakers this season...

The members of that Pistons F5 from back then...

Have all become NBA champions.

However...

Even if he's not playing anymore...

But after Billups finished his acceptance speech and retirement declaration, Su Feng said to him from the stage, "After you retire, would you consider joining the Lakers coaching staff?"

Hearing this, Billups was first stunned, then surprised.

"I'll think about it."

After pondering for two seconds, Billups did not rush to give Su Feng an answer.

However, looking at Billups' restless look, Su Feng knew...

The Lakers coaching staff would welcome another big shot next season.

In fact, the reason why Su Feng did not dissuade Billups from ending his playing career was not only because he did not want to interfere with Billups' personal choices, but also because the Lakers would give Rondo more playing time and tactical status next season to regain his status as a star guard.

This season, because Su Feng and Kobe both wanted to pad their stats...

So Rondo was undoubtedly the one who sacrificed the most on the Lakers.

But no matter how understanding Rondo is...

No matter how little he cares about personal stats...

You can't just keep him as a tool, right?

In the NBA, how to maintain the stability of the locker room is also a complex subject.

Su Feng knew that next season, both he and Kobe would have to further reduce their shots and control of the ball in the regular season.

Otherwise, over time, even if Su Feng knew how to win people's hearts, problems would definitely arise within the Lakers.

In addition, because the start time of this season's Finals was relatively late, although the Lakers swept the Hawks 4-0 in the Finals, objectively speaking, the Lakers' veterans would inevitably face more severe tests next season.

After all, he and Kobe were no longer young.

Plus, after successfully improving the NBA's best regular season record to 78 wins and 4 losses...

The Lakers players would inevitably not be able to maintain the same enterprising spirit in the regular season as they did this season...

Therefore, the Lakers' strategic focus in the regular season next season would also be destined to be very different from this season.

During the awards ceremony, after young Middleton finished his speech, Su Feng pulled him aside and said to him, "This summer, you stay in Los Angeles and train with me."

This season, Middleton did not have many opportunities to perform in the playoffs.

But among the Lakers' current young players, Su Feng was most optimistic about Middleton.

Su Feng knew very well that next season, the Lakers' young players would get a lot of opportunities to level up. Therefore, he hoped to "force growth" as much as possible this summer and cultivate Middleton into the Lakers' future locker room and team leader.

According to Su Feng's vision for the Lakers' future.

In addition to the "Fatty Duo", Middleton was also an important player on the Lakers team after he and Kobe retired in the future.

Moreover, after losing the Western Conference Finals this year, Su Feng was convinced that Logo Man would definitely strengthen the Warriors' lineup.

Therefore, Middleton's growth would undoubtedly become the key to whether the Lakers could break out of the West and complete their title defense next season.

This kid is tall and has long arms.

And he dares to fight hard in his rookie season.

In Su Feng's eyes, when he and Kobe needed someone to share the burden of strong attacks in the future, Middleton would definitely become their best helper.

"Re... really?

Can I really train with you?" After receiving the special training invitation from Su Feng, Middleton was also shocked!

As everyone knows.

In today's league, any young player who can play a little bit has been guided by Su Feng in his early years.

Therefore, when Middleton heard that Su Feng wanted him to stay in Los Angeles in the summer to train with him...

In Middleton's opinion, this was simply a benefit that could not be exchanged for a championship! (James, Anthony, Wade, Paul, Curry:?)

"I'm very strict, you have to be mentally prepared." Patting Middleton on the shoulder, Su Feng smiled.

Hearing this, Middleton, who had not yet realized the seriousness of the problem, did not know...

Ahead, waiting for him...

Would be even more terrifying than the bloody battle with the Warriors...

A living hell?

At Philips Arena, after the championship award ceremony, it was time for the "Lord of the Rings" award ceremony that the Feng fans had been waiting for.

Without any suspense.

Su Feng, who averaged 44.5 points, 15 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 3.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game for the Lakers in the Finals, was elected as the NBA Finals MVP for the tenth time in his career.

Atlanta, after winning the championship, the Lakers did not stay long, but chose to fly back to Los Angeles overnight.

The next morning, Little Buss and Kobe placed the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy in front of Dr. Buss's grave together.

On the other side, in the Lakers' general manager's office, Kupchak was reporting to Su Feng on the Lakers' next work.

"This summer, our work will focus on renewing contracts with the championship heroes.

After Chauncey retires, we need to bring in a backup guard.

In addition, Lance (Stephenson) has informed me through his agent that he hopes to leave through a trade to meet new challenges.

And DeAndre (Jordan) has the same plan."

This season, with Bogdanovic's growth, Stephenson's playing time has been further compressed.

In the regular season, Stephenson did not express dissatisfaction because the Lakers were on a winning streak at the time, and everyone had a common goal.

But as the season came to an end...

Stephenson, who wanted to get more playing time, knew that if he chose to stay with the Lakers, he would be destined to continue to be a tool man.

Therefore, shortly after returning to Los Angeles, Stephenson contacted Kupchak through his agent.

Hoping that Kupchak could trade him away.

In the NBA, these players with different personalities cannot have the same career plans.

For example, Gasol...

Because Gasol's biggest wish is to be with Su Feng.

So when the Lakers renewed his contract with him before, he even felt that the Lakers were not squeezing him hard enough.

For Stephenson, under the premise that he has already won enough championships at a young age, his biggest wish at the moment is to go to a team that can treat him as an important player, rather than staying with the Lakers.

Su Feng was not surprised by this.

Therefore, after nodding, Su Feng said to Kupchak, "No problem, as long as a team gives a suitable bargaining chip.

Then we can definitely trade Lance."

"What about DeAndre?

Are we going to let him go too?" Kupchak asked.

"Remember the Serbian young man I mentioned to you before?" Su Feng smiled.

"You're talking about Nikola (Jokic)?" Kupchak asked.

"Yes." Su Feng nodded.

"According to the reports sent back by our scouts in Europe, this kid's basic skills are not bad, but his body..." Kupchak, who had just read Jokic's scout report not long ago, always felt that Su Feng was probably going to misjudge this time.

"The body is not a problem.

Mitch, have you forgotten that Marc was also a fat man at his age?" Su Feng said to Kupchak.

Hearing this, after thinking for a while, Kupchak said, "I understand what you mean, Su...

You mean, since we need to leave a spot in the paint for Nikola in the future...

Then as long as DeAndre has a suitable bargaining chip, we can also trade him, right?"

Su Feng shook his head and said, "Mitch, I have to emphasize to you again.

We don't have to leave a spot for Nikola.

But this kid is destined to become the core of the Lakers' interior for the next ten years."

The...

The core of the interior for the next ten years?

Looking at Su Feng's expression that he didn't want to joke with himself, although Kupchak didn't know why Su Feng was so optimistic about Jokic...

But Kupchak believed that the Lakers would need to send more scouts to Europe in the future to pay attention to Jokic's growth.

"In addition, if we want to trade...

I hope you can use DeAndre to exchange a first-round pick for us.

Because after Hassan (Whiteside)'s contract expires next year, I don't recommend you renew it with him." After a pause, Su Feng continued.

"Who are we going to use this first-round pick to choose?" Kupchak asked with curiosity.

"Steven Adams."

…

ps: Dare to make it a bit longer? Trash Qiao!