Chapter 1 The Start

Half a month passed quickly. As the training camps for each team gradually opened, their training camp also came to an end.

"Klay, can you make the playoffs this year?"

Tang Tian teased Thompson with a smile.

During the offseason last season, Thompson vowed to help the team make the playoffs, but the Warriors went home early to fish.

"See you in the playoffs."

Thompson's answer was straightforward.

It was obvious that after an offseason without going to nightclubs, his confidence was even more explosive than last season.

Walker didn't say anything at this time. It was still difficult for his Bobcats to make the playoffs next season.

"Kemba, try to get the team more than 20 wins. I'm optimistic that you'll score over 20 in the new season."

Tang Tian patted Walker's shoulder with a smile.

Walker smiled, reached out, and bumped fists with Tang Tian, ​​which was considered a brotherly agreement.

"I will help the team reach the Finals."

Before Tang Tian could speak, Butler said directly.

Whoosh!

This sentence startled the others.

Butler didn't even have playing time last season. Now he's thinking about reaching the Finals in the new season?

Tang Tian didn't say anything, just gave Butler a thumbs up.

It's a good thing to have high ambitions.

Walker's expression was a little complicated at this time.

He used to be the kind of player with high ambitions, but after playing for the Bobcats for a season, even the highest ambitions were worn away.

But seeing Butler at this moment, the arrogance in his bones was also aroused.

If Butler can think like this, why can't he?!

"Tang, I've changed my mind, I want to help the Bobcats make the playoffs. If not this season, then next season! If not next season, then the season after next!"

Tang Tian heard what Walker said and punched him in the chest with a big laugh.

This is the Kemba Walker he knows!

"Jeremy, be patient, mentality is very important. Be patient and be yourself, and the opportunity will come sooner or later."

Tang Tian also didn't forget to say to Lamb.

Lamb is the one most easily affected by his own mentality.

Lamb nodded. Although it had been more than a year, Tang Tian helped him break through his limitations, and he would always remember it.

"Same to you."

Tang Tian gave Drummond one last look.

"Guys, I'm going to get my second championship."

At the very end, Tang Tian spoke with the tone of a leading brother.

You still have to act cool sometimes.

But what greeted him was a burst of white eyes and envy from everyone.

Being able to step onto the stage of the Finals from the beginning is not something everyone has the opportunity to do.

It's like climbing high and looking far. If you don't reach that height, you'll never see the scenery at that height.

Tang Tian flew to San Antonio the day before the Spurs training camp opened.

Early the next morning, Tang Tian entered from the entrance of the arena. Before he reached the locker room, he saw Popovich sitting at the entrance, polishing his shoes.

"Old man, you're here on the first day?"

Tang Tian sat down next to Popovich with a smile.

"If I stay at home any longer, I'll almost forget how to draw up tactics."

Popovich said in a serious manner.

Okay, still the same mischievous old man.

Budenholzer also arrived shortly after. When he saw Popovich polishing his shoes there, he also sat down to chat about work matters.

Tang Tian didn't disturb them and got up to return to the locker room first.

There was no one in the locker room. He was the first to arrive.

The first thing he saw was the saying about hammering at the rock.

But no one had taken care of it for a season, and there was some dust on it.

He found a towel and wiped it.

After wiping, it was much brighter and became even more eye-catching.

After wiping, he walked to his closet.

Nowak's name tag on the closet had been replaced with his name.

Tang Tian, pinyin.

He started changing into his training clothes.

"Tang, you're so early."

The second person to come to the locker room was Leonard.

He looked more cheerful than before after not seeing him for an offseason.

"A few minutes earlier than you."

Tang Tian responded with a smile.

Leonard's personality was formed by his childhood experiences, which is different from innate personality.

Tang Tian's help, including the atmosphere of the Spurs, was making his personality develop in a good direction little by little.

"You two guys, did you come so early to suck up to Popovich?"

The third person to come was a bit of a surprise, it was Ginobili.

"Hey, Manu."

Tang Tian smiled and went to hug Ginobili.

It hadn't been that long since he had seen Ginobili. They had eaten together outside during the Olympics.

After Ginobili, Green, Duncan, Parker and other players arrived one after another.

Before training started, everyone on the team had arrived.

It's rare in the league for the entire team to arrive on the first day of training camp.

This kind of team atmosphere is also envied by many teams.

The Spurs' lineup has basically not changed this summer. The starters and rotations are basically all there, and even the bench hasn't changed much.

The only change is that Thomas and Diogu left, and De Colo and Baynes came.

Nando de Colo, the starting shooting guard for the French national team, a second-round pick selected by the Spurs in 2009.

A typical European white guard, 1.96 meters tall, excellent passing and shooting, but relatively poor in physical confrontation.

Aron Baynes, the main center of the New Zealand national team, a typical Australian big man who looks quite sturdy.

United States, France, China, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand…

The Spurs' 15-man roster really has people from all over the world, a standard international team.

Ginobili teased the two newcomers as before. When Budenholzer came to call them, a group of people all got up and left the locker room.

There is a long passage from the locker room to the training hall.

In the middle of the passage is the team's showroom.

Including the trophies just won last season, a total of five, are placed in the display case.

The display case uses bulletproof glass and is locked, and the protection measures are quite in place.

This is probably why after each NBA team wins a championship, the players kiss the trophy like crazy.

Because in the future, you can probably only look at it through the glass.

However, the players all stopped involuntarily, staring straight at the trophy.

The trophy has the words 2011~2012 written on it. For them, these represent the glory of the entire past season.

Popovich and Budenholzer were at the back of the team.

Seeing that the players were all staring at the trophy in a daze, Popovich walked over and shouted with a smile.

"Don't look at that one, there will be a sixth one in there next year."

When Popovich said this, the players all laughed and walked forward, retracting their gazes one after another.

This year, the Heat's strength has obviously been strengthened, and the Thunder have become more mature than last year. There are also the Clippers who signed former Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford…

The strength of all their competitors has become stronger, but their lineup has basically not changed, and it is very difficult to defend their title.

And to be honest, although the Spurs won 5 championships in 15 years, they have never defended their title.

But even so, Popovich still seems to be full of confidence in the new season.