Author: Feng Yuanhua

284, new season

"Hi, Wang, long time no see!"

"Long time no see, Michael."

…

September 30th is the time when the Sonics gather for the new season and the start of training camp.

As soon as I arrived at the training hall, I saw Michael Reid.

"Michael, I heard that you went back to the gym to train during the offseason. How about it? Can you perform better next season?"

Hearing this, Michael Reid smiled and said: "I have nothing to do, I just practiced three-pointers."

NBA players all like to take vacations during the offseason, but that doesn't mean everyone is like that.

Especially for those players who are on the verge of unemployment.

Take Michael Redd, for example. As a rookie with the 43rd overall pick, his job is not secure.

Competition in the NBA is fierce.

Last year, because of Reuben Patterson and Quentin Richardson, and Brent Barry, Michael Reid didn't get many opportunities.

In addition, he has not fully adapted to the rhythm of the NBA, which also made his performance average.

He averaged 7.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, which can only be said to be quite satisfactory.

If you want more playing time, you have to train hard. After all, pie will not fall in the sky.

Vacation? Purely overthinking.

Michael Reed, a rookie with this draft pick, has a salary of three to four hundred thousand dollars a year.

Such a sum of money, plus taxes, can indeed make a family live a very good life.

But it is impossible to spend without scruples.

Not to mention, most of the contracts for rookies at this pick are only guaranteed for one year.

If you don't perform well enough, you may lose your job the next year.

"Come on, Michael, I believe you can do it."

Wang Hao is still very confident about Michael Reed. After all, this is an All-Star level player.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Michael Reed joined the U.S. team roster.

You know, this is Team USA!

The fact that Michael Reed can become one of them is a great illustration of his strength.

It's just that he hasn't adapted to the rhythm of the NBA yet.

In college, Michael Reed was also a shooter, a quality shooter from beyond the three-point line.

But after arriving in the NBA, the three-point line moved back, and many people were unable to adapt immediately.

Unless you start to consciously try the NBA three-point line before participating in the draft.

But the problem is, Michael Reed is not qualified.

During college, he had exhausted all his energy in order to enter the NBA.

At this time, he is not qualified to adapt to the three-point line in the NBA.

However, after one season, he will adapt as soon as possible.

The two of them chatted and soon entered the arena. By this time, many people had already arrived.

Nowadays, Wang Hao naturally does not need to rush early, he can just come according to the normal time.

"Earl, hello!"

"Brand, it's nice to meet you."

…

As the core of the team, in addition to playing basketball, he also needs to assume some leadership responsibilities.

For example, help newcomers adapt to the team, or help the head coach convey tactical intentions.

Of course, this job is mainly undertaken by Gary Payton, who is the team's locker room leader.

I have to say that it is definitely a good thing to have a responsible veteran player leading the locker room.

First of all, the locker room is more stable and no one dares to cause trouble.

Secondly, various activities will not be overdone, such as teasing newbies.

This is Wang Hao's third season in the NBA, and he has never seen anything too extreme.

At most, it's just carrying a bag.

Last year, as a second-year rookie, Wang Hao didn't have anyone carry his bag, but this year he can.

He chose Brand Haywood. This big guy followed behind him, and he was very intimidating!

If we really talk about age, Heywood is actually one year older than Wang Hao.

Before the final time arrived, all the personnel finally arrived and the coaching staff was in place.

The first thing in the new season is naturally the physical test.

Through physical testing, we can better understand the player's status and then arrange a better training plan.

Don't think that physical examination is not important, in fact, it is very important!

Because not all players can strictly demand themselves during the offseason and maintain their condition.

You know, professional athletes consume a lot of energy due to a lot of exercise, which leads to a large food intake.

The amount of exercise you can do requires you to move and exercise. If you don't take the initiative to exercise, the amount of exercise will naturally decrease.

But the question is, if the amount of exercise can be reduced, can the amount of food be allowed?

This is obviously impossible.

This has led to many professional athletes reducing a lot of exercise after retiring and quickly gaining weight.

Just like Yao Ming and Nvzhao Sun and Moon.

Therefore, it is incredible that Jordan can still maintain such a state and even come back to play three years after retiring.

The same goes for professional athletes, who are most afraid of gaining weight during the offseason.

Sure enough, when everyone stepped on the scale, more than half had problems with their weight.

It would have been possible to complete the movements due to weight gain, but it is actually very dangerous to forcefully complete the movements at this time.

There is even a risk of injury.

Paul Westphal was not polite and took charge of this aspect personally, and no one dared to resist.

Not to mention small roles like Jelani, even Ewing and Gary Payton are steadily losing weight.

During the physical test, Wang Hao's various performances naturally attracted the attention of the coaching staff.

However, Wang Hao exercised some restraint. After all, physical examinations were not necessary.

Some things don't need to be put on paper.

He knew he was faster and could jump higher, and then he showed it in the game, and that was enough.

Training camp is open, and the Sonics have also started training mode.

Although there are a lot of veteran players in the team, there are still many training sessions on related tactics.

As for the reason, it is naturally to let the newcomers adapt to the tactics as soon as possible.

Of course, the most important thing is that the SuperSonics have made some changes compared to last season's tactics.

Last season, when facing the Lakers, especially in the playoffs, the SuperSonics were still at a disadvantage.

We lost once last year, how do we win back now?

The first is naturally the overall strength of the team, and the performance of the superstars.

Other than that, it's tactics.

Appropriate tactics are actually the way to best utilize a team's strength.

So, Paul Westphal made a change.

Of course, this actually has Wang Hao's considerable contribution. After all, the entire team's tactics revolve around him.

In the NBA, there are actually two types of coaches.

One is to stick to one set of tactics from beginning to end, and play according to his tactics no matter where he goes.

In this case, everyone on the team must obey the tactical role.
To be continued...