Chapter 552 [Build a Male Model Team, Get an Insurance]

? During the offseason, Guo Xu invited the whole team to have dinner together and chose the best steakhouse in Phoenix.

He planned to give a valuable gift to thank his teammates and coaches for their help this season. If they did not cooperate and the tactics were not centered around Guo Xu, no matter how capable he was, he would not be able to average 15 assists per game.

In addition, giving gifts at this time can also boost the team's morale and make teammates work harder in the playoffs.

Everyone gathered at the arena first, collected gifts, and then took the bus to the restaurant together.

Guo Xu carefully prepared a (Brioni) suit for each person, which was customized according to their body shape. The coaching staff also had one, and the team kept the sizes on file.

It is the brand that ranks highest in the three indicators of exclusivity, social status and self-improvement. It is also considered to be the brand that can bring the greatest value space to brand pricing. Known for its customized suits, it has been a luxury product for a few European aristocrats and wealthy people from the beginning.

Since the 007 movies in the Pierce Brosnan era, it has been the top agent's royal brand. There are a large number of celebrities and national leaders who like this brand's customized suits.

Guo Xu explained: "This gift is to celebrate the victory of this season in advance. It doesn't matter the away game. This is our jersey when we play at home. Everyone wears it together."

Many people laughed. Guo Xu’s gift of high-end suits before the game was really unique. It’s very touching just thinking about it.

When everyone wears crisp suits and enters the field one after another dressed like a group of ace agents, it will definitely boost morale. Guo Xu wants to build the team into a "male model team" in the playoffs.

In fact, good personal appearance does not necessarily require handsomeness. As the saying goes, "a man depends on his clothes and a horse depends on his saddle." As long as he is well groomed, even an ugly person can be a handsome man. It’s easy for football stars to be fashionable. They have no financial pressure and can afford high-end clothes. They don’t even need to hire a stylist. They can just read fashion magazines occasionally.

In Guo Xu's previous life, there were many examples of ugly men being praised in the NBA. James and Westbrook were often called handsome men because of their clothes, but when they took off their clothes, they were just James and Rafael.

The most classic negative teaching materials are "Schoolbag Du" and "Migrant Workers Du". No matter how many times he has been in the All-Star Game and won several MVPs, he can't hide his diaosi temperament. He has no blind spots in his offense on the court and his off-court clothing is hopeless.

Everyone was chatting and eating, the atmosphere was very lively, and everyone was full of confidence in this playoffs.

There are also people who are unhappy,

Second-round picks and fringe players James Jones and Steve Blake can't laugh.

They all suspect that they will leave the NBA after the season. They may not be able to make the 13-man roster for this playoffs. If they do, they will not have a chance to prove themselves and can only watch the water cooler.

The Suns players have maintained good health again this season. During this period, some missed a few games due to minor injuries, but they were able to play in the playoffs. When the players are healthy, there will be fierce internal competition.

Both of them signed 2+1 contracts, and the third year is a team option. The Suns can waive them without any cost.

There is no data this season. If a marginal player is laid off, he can only participate in the summer league, and then go to other teams to try out and play preseason games in order to earn a basic salary.

At the end of the dinner, coach D'Antoni announced the playoff roster. The two players not included in the roster were Anderson Varejao and James Jones.

Ariza was selected based on his eye-catching performance on the defensive end. The coaching staff is ready to let him play in garbage time. They only see that he is not inferior to Josh Howard in defense and can occasionally break through and catch the ball.

Under the supervision of the coaching staff, Ariza has been practicing long-range shooting for a season, preparing to develop into a 3D player. His assisting style is to cut through like Marion, catch the ball and directly hit the basket. It is not his task to attack with the ball. . His muscles have become stronger, he has only gained muscle without gaining weight, and he has maintained good mobility.

As soon as he heard the result, Jones' face suddenly fell, and Varejao was also very depressed. They usually trained very hard but did not get the rewards they wanted.

Fortunately, D'Antoni immediately told the marginalized people another piece of good news. "Don't worry about the players who are not on the big list and the fringe players. Here I can guarantee that no rookie will be laid off or traded in the summer. You have proven your strength."

Hearing this, everyone on the edge breathed a sigh of relief.

Varejao didn't have the pressure of being eliminated. He was selected by the Suns at the end of the first round and signed a four-year contract. However, he felt that his ability was not bad, so he still couldn't accept the result.

D'Antoni talked to him alone before leaving and gave him the answer.

"Anderson, you performed well this season, but we have too many insiders. You lack playoff experience. Even if you are selected for the roster, you will not get a lot of playing time. I guarantee you will have a chance to prove yourself next season. Practice mid-range shooting in the summer, as long as you can ensure that you can shoot from one position in the middle."

"I understand, thank you." Varejao sighed, knowing that his shooting could not meet the requirements of the coaching staff.

The live team doesn't need Varejao to cut to the basket after the pick-and-roll, there are Nene and Stoudemire; there is no need for him to defend the pick-and-roll, Haslem is better at this; Diop is better as a meat shield, pull If Kukoc can shoot three-pointers...

In short, the Suns are full of talents inside.

There is no need for Guo Xu to say hello, and the management will not lay off people casually. Even marginal players who have not had a chance to play have developed a tacit understanding with their teammates after running in for a while. When someone is replaced, they have to get back in touch and slowly integrate into the team.

After this season, Diop will be a restricted free agent. It is easy for a meat shield center to find a job and he is likely to be poached with a high salary. Joe Johnson is definitely leaving, and the Suns need someone to take their place.

The Warriors tried to acquire Varejao in the mid-term, but the Suns management rejected it. He has the ability to become an important rotation player on a weak team, but he can only be a marginal player in the Suns.

James Jones also has specialties. He is accurate in three-pointers and active in defense. However, his comprehensive ability at small forward cannot compete with others. He is short and inexperienced at power forward. He is also a forward who can shoot three-pointers. The coaching staff prefers to bring veteran Kukoc.

Kukoc is in good form. In his short playing time, he can not only score by himself, but also assist his teammates in passing the ball to create opportunities. This is something that Jones cannot do.

In Guo Xu's previous life, Jones benefited from the Auburn Hills Palace War. In the 2004-05 season, he averaged 17.7 minutes per game with the Pacers, scoring 4.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, and shooting 39.6% from the field.

what does that mean? Even if no one is available to the Pacers, Jones can't produce statistics. It's normal for a person like him who has a single role and can only catch and shoot to be a marginal player.

His peak statistics in his previous life were obtained in the Suns. He scored 9.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 23.6 minutes, shooting 41.8% from the field, and his three-point and two-point shooting percentages were always about the same.

After two seasons as a fringe player, Jones, one of several draft picks after the second round, has become the league's famous "human victory cigar." As long as he plays, it proves that the opponent has been slaughtered.

His professional attitude has always been very good. He will work hard to participate in defense when he comes out, and he will use his only specialty on the offensive end, catching and shooting. The coaching staff has a good impression of him.

At this time, no one except Guo Xu knew Jones' true value, even he didn't know it himself.

After the end of next season, even if Jones is still a marginal player with no data, Guo Xu will propose to the management to renew his contract. After all, this guy is a person with overlord luck. With him, Guo Xu feels that the championship is very stable, as if he has won the championship. A safe bet.