Chapter 186 Advice from a Friend

“I know, but some things, even if I know them, I have to do them.”

Kobe said with a firm look.

Tang Tian looked at Kobe and quickly understood what he was talking about.

The team, full of ambition during the offseason, had turned into this mess in the new season.

And Kobe would be even more upset than anyone else, because he was the only one who had experienced two F4s.

The last F4 team ultimately fell in the Finals, and this F4, now it looked like they might not even make the playoffs.

A person like him, how could he be willing to accept two consecutive failures.

Now Nash was injured and unable to play, Howard looked to be in poor form, he had to play that way, otherwise, failure was imminent.

“I know, you just want to win.”

Tang Tian said.

Wasn’t Walker just like Kobe, single-mindedly wanting to win when he was at UConn.

“It’s good that you know.”

“So as a friend, I have two suggestions.” Tang Tian continued.

The Lakers were now in a dead end, so even though Kobe had just won back Vanessa, he hadn't listened to her.

Just like Kobe himself said, he was now a person stuck in a dead end.

To really convince Kobe, he had to break it, or at least make the Lakers' dead end more dynamic.

“Suggestions?”

Kobe looked at Tang Tian.

If it had been before, Kobe probably wouldn't have listened to Tang Tian's suggestions.

But after the matter of winning back Vanessa, just like Vanessa said, Tang Tian was the only person he was willing to listen to.

“First, and I think it’s something you have to do, is find a way to get the management to trade for a defensive guard.”

Tang Tian said directly.

“D'Antoni's bombing offense with the Suns was successful, in addition to Nash, what is easily overlooked is that they had a top defensive player on the outside who could clean up Nash’s messes, Raja Bell, you should be very familiar with him.”

Kobe nodded, Raja Bell, one of the "Kobe stoppers," had even choked him before.

In his mind, on the list of defenders he recognized, Bell was very high up.

“But the Lakers don’t have that now, and you can’t play that kind of role either, so no matter when Nash returns, or how he returns, the team must need someone like that.”

Kobe nodded, Tang Tian was making a lot of sense.

The current Lakers, Metta World Peace was originally playing the role Tang Tian was talking about.

But unfortunately, Metta World Peace was too old, and he was getting blown by people on the defensive end when he played the three.

“So find such a person, and when Nash returns, let him start with you, Nash, you, a defensive swingman, Metta World Peace, Howard, this is the minimum configuration for D’Antoni's system to work.”

After Tang Tian finished speaking, Kobe stared at Tang Tian blankly.

He suddenly felt that he had known Tang Tian for nothing during the offseason.

Tang Tian’s analytical skills, even if he didn’t play basketball anymore, he could be a head coach or general manager in the future!

Might as well go all the way and see the Buddha to the West.

After seeing Kobe nod, Tang Tian continued to speak.

“I can tell you who such players are, who can be obtained at a small cost, and who have the possibility of being traded.”

Kobe nodded, indicating that he was listening.

“The Cavaliers' Shaun Livingston, he returned from a major injury, but his organization and defense are still there, he can partner with Nash in the backcourt, and you play the three.

The Cavaliers' CJ Miles, he was a very good wing defender with the Jazz, you should have matched up against him too, and he can also shoot three-pointers.

The Hornets' Aminu, he is a very good defensive rookie, but he is not valued in the Hornets.

The Suns' PJ Tucker, he just came back from overseas last season, he is a severely underrated defensive wing, and he has very good mental attributes.

These players are all on teams with bad records, and their contracts are not high, and they are not very valued, it is not difficult for the Lakers to get them.

You just need to talk to the management, and I believe it is entirely possible to trade for one or two of them.”

After listening to Tang Tian, Kobe’s eyes widened.

Damn, are you a player or a manager!

You know more than many teams' professional managers!

But after being excited, he shook his head with a wry smile.

"What's wrong? Do you think the Lakers don't have chips? These people aren't worth much now, even if there aren't equivalent players to trade for them, a second-round draft pick can get it done.”

Tang Tian said.

Honestly, if it wasn't because the Spurs were already strong enough, and he didn't have the ability to speak to the management like Kobe, he would have already suggested that the team trade for these quality role players.

“No, it’s some situations with the team. Mr. Buss is very ill now, and his two children are fighting for control of the team. Jim and I have a good relationship, but Jeanie and I have a very bad relationship. Before their fight has a result, nothing I say is useful.”

Tang Tian told Kobe the truth, and Kobe also told Tang Tian the truth.

Tang Tian felt a headache when he heard this, the Lakers really were a mess right now.

“Your second suggestion?”

Kobe then asked.

Tang Tian shook his head with a wry smile, if the first suggestion couldn’t be done, then the second suggestion wouldn’t be of much use.

Kobe probably knew what Tang Tian meant and didn’t press him.

“Lunch should be almost ready, let’s go eat.”

Tang Tian nodded.

The two of them drove the car back to its original position and then went upstairs.

The lunch was very rich, the most lavish meal Tang Tian had seen since he transmigrated.

Halfway through the meal, Kobe's phone rang.

He originally wanted to hang up, but he answered it after taking a look at the caller, said sorry and then went out.

The two daughters were eating and playing on the side, Vanessa didn't say anything at this time, but looked at Tang Tian, as if asking for the result.

Tang Tian shook his head.

The hopeful look in Vanessa's eyes immediately turned helpless.

If Tang Tian and she couldn't convince Kobe, then there would really be no one in this world who could convince him.

Tang Tian didn't say anything either, many things couldn't be forced.

Perhaps Kobe was destined for that ending.

After a while, Kobe came back, but compared to when he first went out, his face was full of smiles, and it was obviously the kind of smile that came from the heart.

“Tang, now the first suggestion you gave me can be implemented, so what’s the second suggestion?”

Kobe said directly.

The phone call just now was from Jim Buss, and he only said one thing in the phone call.

He and his sister Jeanie Buss had reached an agreement, he would be in charge of the team for 3 years, and if he could lead the Lakers back to glory in these 3 years, then he would become the complete person in power of the team, otherwise he would have to withdraw from the family battle after three years.