The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 595 - 239: This "Chosen One" is Really Bizarre!

Chapter 595: Chapter 239: This "Chosen One" is Really Bizarre!

Su Wan’s conversation with Cohen was quickly reported in the press.

On September 15th, the training camp began, and the other Pacers players arrived at the arena early, but they all waited in the locker room.

By now, they had learned that the new General Manager had called Su Wan, advising him not to participate in international competitions. Everyone knew what that meant.

Now the new owner had dinner with Su Wan, and they all wanted to know what changes the new season would bring.

Su Wan took in the expressions of everyone:

"What I know for now is that we’ll work together for another year. Of course, I can’t guarantee what exactly will happen, but there is one thing I can tell you clearly, if anyone gets traded in the new season, the next second after you leave the team will be when I leave the team!"

"I’ll definitely request a trade!"

His words moved all the Pacers players.

They understood what Su Wan meant:

He would do his utmost to ensure that everyone still played for the Pacers this season!

"My only goal is to take home the Championship Trophy!"

"Even if it’s the end, I hope it’s a happy end!"

With those words, Su Wan set the tone for the new season.

During the training camp, everyone was exceptionally serious.

Rick Carlisle was initially worried about the team’s atmosphere in the locker room because of the management change and various rumors, but now it seemed he worried too much.

After all, with Su Wan there, the team’s atmosphere would not be easily disrupted.

Not even during such a tumultuous time!

This summer, the Pacers ultimately didn’t make any significant strengthening moves.

Plus, Anthony Parker was poached, leaving the team short one more player in the rotation.

However, judging by the results of the training camp, the Pacers’ strength had not decreased but increased.

First was the further development of Afflalo, who could perfectly replace the departing Anthony Parker.

Even in terms of understanding with others on the Pacers, there wasn’t a problem.

Anthony Parker’s role in the Pacers wasn’t complex and did not require him to shoulder complicated tactics.

Then there was Shaquille O’Neal, who after last season’s adaptation and a summer of rehabilitation, was more agile and not noticeably sluggish on the court. Most importantly, he overcame the psychological hurdle and was no longer afraid to exert force and make movements.

Marc Gasol’s growth was another factor.

Body fat percentage had always been a big problem for Marc.

But this summer, he maintained his physique very well, and his core strength improved. During training matches, he faced Zach Randolph several times, giving the "Big Grizzly" a hard time.

And being able to hold your own against the "Big Grizzly" means you can hold your own against most of the big men in the League!

Because of different reasons, the rise in strength of these two big men meant that the Pacers could keep Shaquille O’Neal on the bench most of the time this new season, only having him play in critical battles.

Shaquille O’Neal had only one comment about this:

Nothing could be better!

He was even more pleased when Rick Carlisle decided to reduce his daily training load to keep his body healthy.

For "Sharks," that was damn "heavenly"!

So, when Rick Carlisle announced that Shaquille O’Neal was not in the starting lineup for the new season, he wasn’t upset.

Shaquille O’Neal was very clear about what stage of his career he was in.

This summer, he had actually planned to retire.

But then he thought, what if Kobe won another Championship Trophy? Would he be overshadowed by Kobe again?

Considering Kobe’s age and the Lakers’ lineup, he felt it was essential to cling to Su Wan’s coattails for another Championship. Then he could retire.

And besides...

Having gotten ahold of the coattails, if he only won one Championship Trophy, wouldn’t that be too much of a loss?

He had laid it all on the line to join the Pacers.

On October 10th, the Pacers’ first media day for the new season arrived.

Many of the media’s questions were related to the Pacers’ new owner.

News of Su Wan’s lost privileges had also slowly spread out, shocking most of the media. Barkley bluntly said, "The Pacers’ owner is crazy," and hearing these rumors, a large number of Pacers fans gathered outside Conseco Arena once again.

Therefore, many questions were also about next summer. People wanted to know if Su Wan would opt-out of his contract, if he would leave Bolis.

But Su Wan only accepted questions related to the new season.

As for off-court topics, he just said, "Wait until next summer, and you will know!"

On October 14th, the preseason of the new season began.

Rick Carlisle gave Afflalo plenty of playing time, and Billups was also helping him find his scoring touch. Throughout the preseason, he performed especially well, averaging 18.6 points, with a three-point shooting rate of 46.6%!

His eye-catching success made external media exclaim, "Why does the Pacers team always dig up such quality role players?"

The "New York Times" answered this question before the "Indiana Starlight News" did: "Because the Pacers have Su Wan!"

Indiana media were sensitive:

Don’t New Yorkers have their own players?

Why are they always focusing on other people’s players?

What angered them more was...

On December 26th, the Pacers faced the New York Knicks away.

This was the Pacers’ last preseason game of the new season.