Chapter 718 The New Season Begins!

"The new season is coming!"

In the luxurious villa in Los Angeles, the old Bass family was having a dinner party.

Magic, West and other Lakers management were all present.

This is not so much a banquet as it is Old Bass’s outlook for the new season.

"Are we sure to win the championship in the new season?" Jim Bass asked excitedly. He knew that this team would be his in the future, and the more honors the team wins now, the more wealth he will have.

"This." West was a little embarrassed. He must win? I'm afraid only fans can say this.

"There is a high chance that we can win the championship, but it is not without surprises. Michael Jordan and others are not easy to deal with." The magician came out jokingly to smooth things over.

"Jim, injuries, luck, penalties, status, and other factors will all affect the team." Bass said.

"But I heard that there seems to be some problem with Shaq's condition?"

"There seems to be a problem." West smiled bitterly. Although the team won the championship, he felt that there was a lot of pressure this year, as if he was walking on a tightrope.

He began to understand how hard-earned Michael Jordan's three consecutive championships were. When you win the championship, you should be the strongest. No one can allow you to make mistakes, and when the team has problems, it is difficult to accept.

Shaq has gained weight. This problem may not have been a big deal in the past two years when the Lakers did not win the championship. The season is long and there is plenty of time to lose weight.

But this year, when the world's spotlight is on the Los Angeles Lakers, all small problems and problems will be infinitely magnified.

Now, countless negative news about the Lakers has spread to the outside world.

Kobe was obsessed with fishing and high school girls.

OK discord, O'Neal is jealous of Kobe's FMVP trophy.

O'Neal has gained weight and his status for next season is in doubt.

Third boss Eddie Jones did not receive a contract extension and will leave the team at the end of the season.

Etc., etc.

These trivial things have been dug up by the media and magnified infinitely.

And these are what the Bulls have encountered before.

The Bulls survived these, and Jordan overcame these, so with three consecutive championships and two consecutive five championships, he is also on the road to becoming the first person in history.

It is precisely because of these hardships that the five-time champion seems so great.

Now, these difficulties have come to the Lakers.

If they can overcome this hurdle, OK will become the strongest duo in history. If they cannot overcome it, then...

"Jerry, you're a little unsure, aren't you?" The magician pulled West to the corner.

"Yeah." Jerry West smiled bitterly. Before the start of last season, he was full of confidence, but now he is full of anxiety.

"Jerry, you can always trust Kobe."

On October 15, 1998, the preseason started.

The Lakers will face the Sacramento Kings at home in their first game.

"Curt, how does it feel to be the head coach?"

Before the game started, the Lakers players happily found Rambis, whom they once loved very much.

"Not bad." Rambis adjusted his suit. This was his first game as a head coach, although it was only a preseason game. He is also very cautious.

"Xiaopi, do you have a wink? Give us a whole glass of water!" Xiaoyu bullied Pierce arrogantly.

Pierce shuddered, and the profound memory engraved on Pierce's mind made him pick up a glass of Gatorade and hand it to Kobe.

"Hey! You are my little brother now!" Weber snatched the Gatorade from Pierce's hand and drank it all in one gulp.

The Kings have welcomed many new players this season. The biggest name is of course the league's second-leading forward Chris Webber.

Then there is Pierce, who was selected with the seventh overall pick this year. This was Rambis's forced selection against all the opinions.

Originally, the team owner planned to choose Jason Williams, but in the end White Chocolate went to Philadelphia to serve as Iverson's substitute.

Peja Stojakovic, who joined the league with the 14th overall pick in 1996, also landed in the NBA after completing his contract with Greek League club Thessaloniki in Europe.

In Peja's final European season, he averaged 23.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game in the Greek League and 20.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in the top European League across Europe. assists.

And hit an unforgettable last-second three-pointer against Olympiacos to win the game 58-55. Complete the kill! Ending Olympiacos' five-year reign as Greek league champions.

With such an achievement, Peja, who landed in the NBA, still attracted a lot of attention.

Rambis's lineup today is a lineup of Vernon Maxwell (the Rockets' starting shooting guard for the second consecutive championship), Peja, Pierce, Webb, and Scott Pollard (the 19th pick in 1997).

"Not playing point guard?" Byron Scott's eyes widened on the sidelines. This was completely incomprehensible to him.

"Byron, this is the difference between you and Curt." Harris raised the corners of his mouth.

What kind of point guard can hold the ball in front of Kobe? The alliance probably does not exceed five people.

There certainly is no king.

This lineup of Rambis is interesting.

Not surprisingly, Weber will take up 80% of the team's ball rights. Who will give the remaining 20% ​​to?

Harris' eyes drifted to the rookie player with a butt as big as Barkley's.

Curt has really grown up.

Rambis organized the team's team building policy with Webber as the absolute core and Pierce as the second core.

This couldn't be more true in Kobe's opinion.

"Are the Kings going to enter the playoffs this year?" Kobe asked. If they enter the playoffs, they will definitely be at the bottom, and the Lakers will definitely be at the top.

Maybe in the playoffs, I can continue to torture this guy Pierce.

"O'Neal lost the jump ball!" The commentator on the sidelines couldn't believe it. The big shark grunted and struggled to take off, but he actually lost to the white center on the opposite side!

"What? I beat O'Neal?" Even Scott Pollard was a little confused.

"Fake, that damn fat guy." The corner of Kobe's mouth twitched slightly. This damn fat guy would do this every summer after winning the championship. Kobe was used to it.

Pierce advances with the ball!

"Sure enough! It's Pierce! Curt, do you want to train the next Pippen? Or a combination of Pippen and Barkley?"

Pierce and Webber pick and roll!

Since it is a preseason game, the Lakers' defense is relatively lax.

Weber caught Bowen and then pressed Bowen to catch the ball.

Singles from beyond the three-point line!

Continuous shaking!

Face frame breakthrough!

Weber played like a small forward, hitting mid-range pull-up jumpers!

Hit!

"That's it! This season, I want to dominate the league!" Weber, who was in the middle two, waved his fist.

In the next moment, Kobe dribbled the ball across half court. Vernon Maxwell was ignored by Kobe Bryant.

At the LOGO, snipe!

"Uh-huh."

The new season begins!

First goal! LOGO SHOT!

Weber's face turned purple.