The No.1 Anti-Fans in Basketball-Chapter 596 - 291 Bottled Baishishan_2

But Guy, as the season progressed, saw his tactical status steadily decline as the team focused on developing Wiggins and Waiters, and now it was even worse than when Hansen was around.

Both of their contracts were set to expire that summer; Randolph negotiating a satisfactory contract was not a problem, but Guy’s prospects were doubtful.

Although Pera was wealthy, he had no sentimental attachment to the Grizzlies team—there was no chance he’d engage in "merit basketball."

Even if they could ultimately renegotiate, the contract would be significantly less than the previous one.

After a few drinks, Guy also revealed his inner thoughts—he no longer wanted to stay in Memphis.

"Do you want a championship, or money?" Hansen asked directly.

If it was a championship, he could actually bring Guy to the Cavaliers.

Although the Cavaliers also faced salary pressures that summer with Irving’s large contract kicking in and TT and JR facing renewal, paying the luxury tax was not an issue since Gilbert was willing to do so for the team.

Guy’s addition would be a significant reinforcement for the Cavaliers; his individual skill exceeded Tucker’s by far, and he could also lead the bench unit.

"Money," Guy’s response was as straightforward as ever.

But this choice was quite normal—29, in his peak years, already with three rings, his focus at this stage would naturally be on making more money.

Hansen didn’t suggest where Guy should go, but he did give him an idea—to emulate James.

Although James’s skills had declined, the business capabilities of his team were commendable.

Last season, James had signed a 1+1 contract with the Lakers, and it would likely be the same this season.

Guy could follow suit, giving himself more flexibility.

And next year was a prime opportunity to earn big, with overpriced contracts flying around.

With Guy’s skill level, as long as he found a team with good prospects and produced appealing stats, securing a contract similar to his last wasn’t out of the question.

Despite Guy’s current modest numbers, his strength was greater than "history" would suggest; let him join a weaker team and scoring 20+ would be a breeze.

Guy took this to heart.

He must have been in touch with other teams behind the scenes, as he blurted out:

"Then I’ll become a real King!"

The day after getting sloshed, Hansen received a call from Griffin.

Jokic had been "snagged" by him.

Upon hearing the news, Hansen bade farewell to Guy and the others and then returned to Cleveland.

When Hansen saw Jokic at the Quicken Loans Arena, his expression said, "I knew it."

Jokic wasn’t quite the keg Griffin had described the previous year, but his physique was very close to what Hansen remembered.

Especially up close, the visual impact was even more intense than in a live game broadcast.

That chubby appearance, as the fans would say, was a classic "keg of bottled water!"

And Jokic looked distressed upon seeing him, as if wronged by the gods.

Hansen turned to Griffin and inquired about Jokic’s current weight.

Boy, a straight 300 pounds, or 136 kilograms—almost catching up to peak O’Neal!

Griffin also explained why Jokic looked so troubled.

The guy was brooding over not being able to race horses.

Hansen didn’t pay too much attention to this. After all, Jokic was still nothing yet; once he made a name for himself, he could race however he wanted during the off-season.

Hansen then summoned Conningham to test Jokic’s current level.

Quite soon, Hansen was shocked.

Because Conningham simply couldn’t guard Jokic.

Though Jokic appeared much bulkier than Conningham, he still hadn’t played a single NBA game.

Conningham, however, was an NBA rotation-level player, known primarily for his defense.

Hansen had imagined Jokic being repeatedly cut through, but his post moves, especially his back-to-the-basket solo play, were very mature.

Now, looking back, it was a very wise decision to let Jokić continue his training in Serbia.

Jokić turned out to be much stronger than Hansen expected and was immediately able to help the Cavaliers.

Of course, the prerequisite was that he had to lose weight.

"He suffered quite a bit, his biggest pastime was drinking Coke, consuming 3 liters a day, but under the trainer’s guidance, the amount steadily decreased until on the plane to Cleveland, he drank his last can," Griffin continued as he recounted the interesting stories he heard from the trainer.

This sounds a bit like an internet addict trying to kick the habit.

"The team has already communicated with him and will replace it with protein drinks."

Due to Hansen’s concern, the Cavaliers took quite an interest in Jokić.

"However, before coming here, I heard from the trainer that he wasn’t very confident about playing in the NBA," Griffin added, somewhat surprisingly.

"After today, his mindset will change," Hansen thought as he watched Conningham being "bullied" by Jokić, which reminded him of Yao Ming.

Yao knew he could play in the NBA when he outplayed Tyson Chandler, who had been selected third overall in the draft, in their matchups.

After playing for a while, Hansen let Jokić switch with Conningham, allowing Conningham to attack and Jokić to defend.

It was at that moment that Jokić’s weaknesses were exposed.

Jokić couldn’t keep up with Conningham.

He was too slow, his lateral movement was poor, and even his physicality was lacking, his bulk did nothing but cushion himself.

Losing weight and gaining muscle was urgently needed.

Fortunately, that wouldn’t be a problem, considering Hansen had one of the world’s best fitness trainers by his side.

After a brief "trial training," Hansen took both Conningham and Jokić out for a big meal.

Jokić felt aggrieved about the interrupted horse racing, and Conningham felt wronged after being roughed up by a rookie.

Hansen specifically chose an Eastern European cuisine restaurant.

Upon entering the restaurant and smelling the wafting aroma of meat, a smile finally spread across Jokić’s face.

Especially after sitting down and seeing the familiar dishes of beef, sausages, and cheese in front of him, his eyes began to sparkle.

"Has the team arranged a place for you to stay?" Hansen asked as Jokić started to dig in.

Jokić paused his eating, shook his head, and then replied in his somewhat awkward English, "But they gave me some advance on my salary so I could look for a place."

"Let Dante accompany you, it’s easy to get ripped off here if you don’t know your way around."

"Okay, boss." Conningham nodded in agreement before Jokić could respond.

Despite being overwhelmed in the training facility earlier, it was evident that he liked the big guy.

Jokić looked at the juicy meat still in his hands, then at Hansen, and said, "Thank you."

"No need to thank me, I’m like you, a foreigner playing in a foreign land."

Hansen was creating a moment of empathy, and since he had pulled Jokić out from the horse races, he needed to offer some form of compensation.

Of course, he also knew well what Jokić needed most at that moment.

After all, in his past life, he had been through it all in the United States and knew the challenges an international player faces when coming to play in the United States.

From on-court competition to off-court challenges such as language, diet, and culture, these were no less daunting than challenges on the court.

This was one of the main reasons why Yi Jianlian didn’t make it in the NBA.

After all, people aren’t machines; many off-court issues can impact on-court performance.

Jokić, taken aback, seemed to finally realize something, nodded vigorously at Hansen, and then tore into his meat with gusto.

Jokić enjoyed flaunting his meat, but after feasting, his face turned sour.

It was because Hansen began discussing his upcoming training regimen after the meal.

In addition to a rigorous 996 schedule, his diet would also be controlled.

Looking at the empty plates in front of him, Jokić felt like he had just drunk his last Coke on the plane and had just had his last meal.

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