Chapter 570: Some Are Happy, Some Despair
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
There are only 30 teams in the NBA and anyone could become the head coach of an NBA team. Although one could not regard every head coach of NBA teams as tactical masters, one thing was for certain. Every NBA head coach had an exceptional understanding of basketball.
Nowadays in the NBA, a lot of the head coaches of teams used to be professionals, even superstar players, when they were young. They started off as an a.s.sistant coach after their retirement and gradually became the head coach of a team. They were basketball players for decades and personally witnessed the development of the NBA. They were unbelievably familiar with the NBA and their tactical thinking was the most suitable for the NBA.
The NBA was significantly different from international basketball leagues. The rules, the tactical systems, and the skills of the players were all differences. That is the reason why there has never been a non-American head coach before. Even if there were coaches with dual nationalities, they would have grown up in the U.S. and been immersed in American basketball culture. One could say that coaches who had never experienced the American basketball would never stand on their own in the NBA.
Dai Li did not really understand American basketball culture. He did not even have experience working as a basketball coach. So when news of him becoming the new head coach of the Clippers came out, all sports commentators voiced their doubts. Clearly, no one looked favorably on a person without any basketball coaching experience, even if he was Laureus World’s Coach of the Year.
…
L.A. Lakers
“Has the new boss of the Clippers gone mad? Hiring a track and field coach as the head coach! What a joke!” The person speaking was a middle-aged man around 40 years old. He was the head coach of the L.A. Lakers.
As teams in the same city, although the Lakers and Clippers could not be regarded as fierce rivals, there was tension between the two teams. The Lakers’ market was big and they were one of the NBA’s traditional powerhouses. The emergence of the Clippers did reduce the size of the Lakers’ market. To think that the Lakers would not follow news about the situation of the Clippers was unrealistic.
“This Dai Li is Laureus World’s Coach of the Year, perhaps he really has what it takes,” a person beside him said. He was the manager of the Lakers.
“So what if he was named Coach of the Year! It’s not that easy to be a head coach of an NBA team. I would say that the a.s.sistant coaches of any NBA team would be better than him,” The head coach of the Lakers grunted.
“In truth, our intelligence unit investigated Dai Li. He is the fiancee of the new boss of the Clippers,” the manager of Lakers said.
“No wonder. Looks like this new owner of the Clippers isn’t looking for results, he just wants to control the team. That’s why he appointed his own people in key positions. However, as terrible as the Clippers are right now, they have no chance of getting better.” The head coach of Lakers shook his head in disdain. He then said, “I remember not long ago there was gossip that he had been with Helen Pepe? Hard to believe he has a fiancee now. Dating two girls at once, what a player.”
Hearing that, the calculative manager of Lakers smiled.
…
Boston Celtics.
“I really want to give the new owner of the Clippers a hug and a kiss right now. He is a nepotic crony, hiring an outsider as the head coach. What a way to help us out. We should really give him a toast and celebrate!” The general manager of the Celtics looked as if he were on top of the world.
“We’re in the East while the Clippers are in the West. We don’t have any conflict of interest with the Clippers, so them playing badly doesn’t really affect us. I don’t understand. What’s the benefit ?” Someone in the meeting room asked, confused.
“Did you forget we have a draft pick from the Clippers?” The manager of the Celtics laughed as he talked. He then said, “Back then, because the Clippers wanted to have their three giants, they gave us their first draft pick, which is also the draft pick this summer. The worse their result, the higher the value of this draft pick.
“The Clippers are bad enough this year and now they got themselves an outsider to be their head coach. They will only get worse. If they sat at the bottom of the table in the Western Conference, there will be a good chance for us to get the draft pick for the three best positions! However, for the tanking teams out there, they might have to stay depressed longer cause they’re faced with a team far weaker than them.”
…
The Phoenix Suns was a depressed team.
The Phoenix Suns were currently the last placed team in the Western Conference table. They didn’t want to win. The objective of the Phoenix Suns was to tank and place last in the table so that they would earn the first draft pick. Then they could get a rookie with the potential to become a superstar.
The management of the Phoenix Suns was currently discussing Dai Li.
“Hiring an outsider to become their head coach. The Clippers clearly don’t want to win. If the Clippers get a result worse than us this season, we’ll be in trouble.”
“The key is that there is no reason for the Clippers to tank. Their draft pick belongs to the Celtics, so it would only benefit the Celtics.”
“Looks like we have to pay attention to the Clippers in the remaining 30 games. If they lose, we must also lose. If not, our last place in the Western Conference will no longer be guaranteed.”
“I really just want to find several capable a.s.sistant coaches and send them over to the Clippers. At least they would win a few more games.”
“I actually have an idea. We can question Dai Li’s coaching qualifications. We can make an appeal to the league and say that Dai Li doesn’t have the capability to coach an NBA team. It will only lower the standard of the NBA and that it is not beneficial to the development of the NBA.”
“Great idea, but if it’s just us isn’t our argument a little weak?”
“We can look for help from other teams because we aren’t the only ones trying to tank this season. The other tanking teams would also benefit, so we can create an alliance.”
…
New York. The headquarters of the NBA.
“Mr. President, we’ve received a joint appeal from the Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, and the New York Nets. They believe that the new head coach of the Clippers, Dai Li, does not possess the necessary qualifications to coach a team in the NBA. Letting him coach the L.A. Clippers would greatly diminish the strength of the Clippers, lowering the overall compet.i.tiveness of the league, which is not beneficial to the development of the league,” his deputy reported.
“The Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, and the New York Nets; none of them have been great this season. Aren’t these the teams all tanking?” The President of the NBA, Adams, smiled. He clearly understood why these teams had formed an alliance. It was simply because they were worried that the Clippers would suck too much, taking away their first draft pick.
Later, Adams lifted his head and asked his deputy, “What’s your opinion?”
“The reason these teams are making this appeal is that they are worried that the Clippers will play terribly and up their drafting plans.” The deputy paused briefly before continuing, “I believe they are telling the truth. I think that Dai Li really does not have the ability to coach an NBA team. Even the famous coaches in Europe are unable to adapt to the speed and pace of NBA games. A coach without any NBA coaching experience will never be able to coach an NBA team. I think that it is possible he will make a mess of the entire Clippers team.”
“Yeah, I’ve also thought of the things you said. Dai Li has no experience in basketball, so letting him become an NBA head coach is simply a trifling matter. If he was smart enough, he would not attempt to take control of the team but leave all the important responsibilities of being head coach to his a.s.sistant coach, Ca.s.sel. He should take it easy and become a puppet head coach.”
Adams shook his head and said, “But he won’t do that. There is no way a person capable of being recognized by the world and crowned as the Coach of the Year would be willing to just be a puppet! A person like that is sure to have a strong personality. It’s impossible for someone like him to ignore the team.”
“Mr. President, what should we do? Should we talk to the new owner of the Clippers and ask him to withdraw the head coach position from Dai Li?” The deputy asked.
“Don’t be hasty. We’ll just observe for now. The NBA is a commercial league, so it is natural for us to follow commercial rules. In principle, we cannot interfere with the decision of the owner in recruitment. The boss can hire whoever he wants and give them whatever position he desires. Besides, Dai Li is the future son-in-law of the new boss of the Clippers and it is normal for a boss to put someone he trusts in a key position of the team. The other teams also do that.”
Adams spread out his hands and said, “Of course, we can’t completely let them do whatever they want. If Dai Li turns the Clippers into a worse team, the reputation of the entire league will be affected. I want to wait and observe for a few games before making a decision.”
…
News concerning a few tanking teams making an appeal to the NBA was leaked and reported by the media.
“What the heck is this? I haven’t even taken my post and my position as head coach is already in danger. Someone is already talking about taking me off. I might just be the unluckiest head coach in the entire history of the NBA!” Dai Li sighed in resignation.
“That’s even more reason for you to not let them look down on you!” Xiao Yunan said. As she talked, she put a doc.u.ment in Dai Li’s hand. “This is a new contract for your a.s.sistant coach, Ca.s.sel.”
Dai Li took the file and he reviewed it carefully. He said, “It should be a lot easier with this new contract to recapture Ca.s.sel’s service. After all, no one ever had any problem with making more money.”
“You really want to put Ca.s.sel to good use? He might be angry with you, thinking that you’ve stolen the position of head coach from him,” Xiao Yunan said.
“Using Ca.s.sel is something I don’t have much of a choice in. There are only around 30 games left so the team cannot afford to change strategies. The chemistry between players also needs to be taken into account. We can only use the tactical system of the previous coach and Ca.s.sel is the person who is most familiar with that tactical system. That is why I need him,” Dai Li lowered his head and thought for a moment. He then said, “I have a small goal. I want to win half of the games we have left.”
“That means a 50% win rate? That might be a bit difficult. Can you do it?” Xiao Yunan sat beside Dai Li and rested her head on his body before saying, “The previous result was 16 wins and 30 losses. That’s not even 35%. The team doesn’t have any new players, how can they get a 50% win rate?”
“Other people can’t do it, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t!” Dai Li lowered his head and kissed Xiao Yunan’s forehead. He then said, “Don’t forget, I am the best coach! I will surprise everyone!”