And he also realized that Whiteside's brain was even worse than he had imagined.

Although the person wasn't bad, his brain wasn't good, and he was a troublemaking rebel.

If things continued like this, the Pelicans might really not want him.

Whiteside eventually apologized to the entire team at Williams' request, but you could tell from his expression that he was very reluctant.

This manifested in the fact that the players had all taken the bus back to the hotel, and he was the only one left in the locker room.

Tang Tian didn't leave with the team either.

He had told Demps before that he wanted to talk to Whiteside, and this was a good opportunity.

Moreover, if it didn't work this time, he planned to give up.

Although Whiteside would be very good in the future, it was really only this season for the Pelicans.

As a time-traveler, Tang Tian could easily strengthen the team with next season's draft and free agent signings. It was much easier than this.

"Let's talk. Why did you go back to the locker room early today? There's no one else here. There's nothing you can't say to me."

Tang Tian said directly after sitting down.

"It doesn't make any difference whether I leave earlier or later if I can't play."

Whiteside said.

Although Tang Tian didn't say it, his agent had told him that Tang Tian had helped him get the contract with the team, so he trusted Tang Tian.

Tang Tian was stunned when he heard this. Was this guy really brain-dead?

"Then is there any difference between you being on this team and not being on this team?"

He looked at Whiteside and asked.

Whiteside was stunned when he heard this, and then fell silent.

"You're a member of this team when you're on this team. Don't you know that your behavior should be consistent with the team? Hasn't anyone told you not to do that?"

Tang Tian was a little angry when he saw Whiteside's reaction.

Whiteside shook his head.

"..."

Tang Tian suddenly felt that some people became rebels because they liked to cause trouble, but in Whiteside's case, it was really because he wasn't very bright.

"When I was in Sacramento, I saw players do this, but the coaching staff didn't say anything."

Whiteside continued to defend himself.

Tang Tian was stunned when he heard this, and suddenly wasn't angry anymore.

Speaking of which, he had seen many players like this when he was a coach in his previous life.

A player's growth environment largely determines his future.

For example, although both were second overall picks, Durant could have the most shots in his rookie season with the Thunder, but Milicic spent his time on the Pistons' bench.

Kwame Brown might have grown up very well if he hadn't played under Jordan, and Bennett might have been a good role player if he hadn't been selected as the first overall pick.

These experiences, even the actions of these teammates that Whiteside mentioned, would affect the player's mentality and thus affect their future.

After all, players are people, not machines for playing basketball.

"I don't care what the reason is, or if you were late for training last time because someone in Sacramento set an example for you, but Hassan, I just want to remind you of one thing now."

Tang Tian continued.

He emphasized his tone when he said this, and then looked directly at Whiteside.

"You have less than 6 days left before you leave the NBA again."

Whiteside was obviously stunned when he heard this.

"The most the NBA will offer a player is two ten-day short contracts. With your current performance, the management will not renew your contract."

Tang Tian made it very clear, and Whiteside's eyes finally changed.

"So when I say 6 days, it's really 6 days. If you don't seize it, then continue to wander around in overseas leagues."

"I don't want to go to Lebanon again."

Whiteside immediately opened his mouth instinctively. He had experienced a terrorist attack when he played in Lebanon, and he would never forget that feeling.

"Then the Development League is also good. In just a few years, you can take all the bus rides you'll take in your life."

Tang Tian continued.

The Development League has low salaries, and unlike the NBA, there are no planes to ride. No matter how far away, you'll be on a bus until you throw up.

"Tang, I want to stay in the NBA."

Whiteside said very seriously.

Damn it, he finally said it. If the Pelicans' inside line wasn't really weak right now, he wouldn't have taken the time to persuade him here.

"But the coach has never trusted me. He gave me very little playing time before, and it was very fragmented. Now he doesn't even let me into the active roster."

Whiteside continued, his words full of resentment.

"Do you really think Williams was prejudiced against you when you didn't get much playing time before?"

Whiteside nodded.

Tang Tian wanted to jump up and give Whiteside a chestnut when he saw this reaction. This guy was really brain-dead.

"You get a foul every two minutes. Tell me, if I were Williams, how could I give you playing time?"

Tang Tian asked.

Whiteside stammered for a long time without saying anything worthwhile.

"Forget it, I'll help you one last time."

As Tang Tian spoke, he took out his tablet and threw it to Whiteside.

"There are some details inside about how to control fouls."

He continued, this was what he had previously organized to help Davis.

Davis was cute, but had a high basketball IQ, understood it very well, and basically controlled his fouls after half a season.

As for Whiteside, with his brain, he could only rely on fate.

"Besides this, I can't help you with anything else. You only have 6 days left to impress Coach Williams."

After Tang Tian finished speaking, he turned around and left.

This was really the last thing he could help with. He wasn't Whiteside's biological father. If the latter didn't want to improve himself, he wouldn't bother wasting his time.

The next day, the Pelicans flew to Washington to face the Wizards on the road.

The Wizards had been in a slump for several years after the trident was disbanded.

Now that the Wall-Beal twin guns had formed, plus Ariza, Gortat and a group of excellent role players, their current record ranked fifth in the East, and their strength was not bad.

The two teams fought until the fourth quarter before a winner was decided.

Evans grabbed offensive rebounds continuously next to Gortat, and Tang Tian and Davis scored one after another.

The Pelicans defeated the Wizards in one fell swoop, ending the team's two-game losing streak.

Tang Tian scored another 35 points in this game, and Davis also had 20+10 data. Evans had 4 points and 15 rebounds, continuing his rebounding obsession.

The Wizards' twin guns performed average, but Ariza was accurate, hitting 6 three-pointers and scoring 23 points.

Although he was called Iron Ariza by fans, he was accurate at times, had 3-and-D ability, and was a very good puzzle piece player.

Whiteside still didn't make the active roster. After this game, he only had the last 5 days of his career with the Pelicans left, or rather, the last two games.

One against the Mavericks, one against the Kings.

ps: There is another chapter later.