Tang Tian had finished his analysis, but he couldn't solve all the problems at once.

Although Demps had asked him about signing the 15th player, it was just a favor.

Before achieving results that satisfied the management, his suggestions were just that—suggestions. They wouldn't necessarily act on them.

The changes to the core players also needed to be approached at the right time.

He'd start with Davis first.

Davis and he were the ones who determined the lower limit of the team.

"Ad, have dinner with me later. I'll introduce you to someone."

Training ended, and Tang Tian called Davis over and said to him.

"Okay."

Davis didn't ask anything, just nodded.

Tang Tian thought his simple and cute personality was pretty good, at least he didn't have to waste time explaining anything.

At a well-known local Western restaurant, besides Tang Tian and Davis, there were two other people dining: Prokopio and Van Tate, an assistant coach for the Pelicans.

Davis didn't know what was going on, but that didn't seem to matter.

Prokopio had a wide network of contacts, and he and Tate already knew each other, so Tang Tian didn't need to introduce them.

After some conversation, Tate basically knew what Tang Tian wanted to do.

NBA assistant coaches weren't just one; each coach had a clear division of labor, and each team was slightly different.

Like the Pelicans' lead assistant coach, Borrego, who was responsible for the team's entire tactical system.

And the assistant coach Tate, who Tang Tian invited today, was responsible for the team's shooting training.

Although the Pelicans were a small-market team in a small city, as Williams had said when he recruited Tang Tian, Benson was still a boss who was willing to spend money, and the team basically had all the necessary configurations.

"Ad's hand shape is very large, and his wingspan is long. He is very suitable for Kevin Durant's shooting style. Perhaps because of his weight, his long-range shooting is not so stable, but his weight makes him strong in confrontation, and mid-range is his advantage…"

Prokopio was indeed a professional trainer, and he started analyzing Davis' physical data.

What he said left Tate nodding without saying a word.

"…he can become an excellent shooter, working high above like Kevin Durant."

This was Prokopio's final conclusion.

Although Tang Tian didn't analyze it as thoroughly as Prokopio, he knew this conclusion as a transmigrator.

Davis himself felt more confident after hearing it, and he was also very happy.

If he wanted to grow further, this was a step he had to take.

The coaching staff hadn't thought of it yet, but Tang Tian had thought of it for him first.

After sending Davis and Tate away, Tang Tian took a taxi home.

As soon as he got in the car, a notification popped up on Twitter.

Woj, who he followed, had just posted a new message.

The league had just announced the results of the Pelicans' and Clippers' conflict.

Barnes was suspended for an additional 2 games and fined $15,000 for his flagrant foul.

Metta World Peace was suspended for an additional 3 games and fined $25,000 for his flagrant foul.

This result was much better than Tang Tian had expected.

He originally thought that with Metta World Peace's actions, he would be suspended for at least 5 to 10 games. It seemed that Stern had really given him enough face this time.

Tang Tian called Metta World Peace and asked him to have dinner together after training tomorrow.

Metta World Peace was suspended and fined because of him, so he would definitely pay the money, and it wasn't just a matter of paying the money.

He had to thank him in person.

There was some truth to the saying that men build relationships through playing games or fighting.

When he got home, Woj had another notification, which turned out to be that the Clippers were dissatisfied with the league's punishment and had appealed to the league.

You should know that Barnes wasn't even fighting at that time, he was just being beaten one-sidedly, and he was beaten a bit miserably.

Suspending him for only 3 games was simply unacceptable to them!

When Tang Tian saw this, he suddenly felt like laughing.

Damn, I didn't even feel dissatisfied when I was crippled, and you still have the nerve to appeal?

However, this kind of protest was basically useless. In Stern's 30-year career as president, he basically never went back on his word.

Once a decision was made, it was final.

The next day after training, he and Metta World Peace went to dinner together.

On the way there, Woj had already sent out a message.

The league would not change the penalty results.

It was a simple message, but it made Tang Tian laugh.

It wasn't just China that was a society of connections, it was the same abroad. Who told him he had a good relationship with Stern?

"Charity, give me your card number, I'll pay your fine for you."

Halfway through the meal, Tang Tian said to Metta World Peace.

"No, no, that's not my style. If it were someone else who was flagrantly fouled like that, I would have taken action too."

Metta World Peace was really loyal.

An NBA team was like a company, and teammates were colleagues. There weren't many people in the league who would stand up for their colleagues like that.

"When I was on the Spurs, I also took action for my teammates, one punch, suspended for 2 games."

Tang Tian said with a smile. He had punched Kenyon Martin for Ginobili back then, and that was the only two games he had missed in the previous two years.

Metta World Peace looked at Tang Tian in surprise when he heard this.

He didn't expect that Tang Tian, who seemed to have a good temper, would get angry for his teammates.

"Looks like we're the same kind of people."

After a while, he said.

Tang Tian nodded with a smile.

There were big differences between people, but some commonalities in personality made them the same kind of people.

"At that time, all my teammates on the Spurs wanted to pay my fine for me. I refused at first, but in the end, I was persuaded because I knew it wasn't about the money, but a feeling and affection."

Tang Tian continued.

These words weren't empty words, but real ones.

Although he only stayed on the Spurs for 2 years, some of the culture there inevitably influenced him.

For example, the rock theory, the head-patting, butt-slapping, and the idea of carrying guns and shouldering burdens together.

"Okay, then I'll accept your kindness."

Metta World Peace could feel that Tang Tian's words were sincere, so he didn't refuse anymore.

"Now we're friends, right?"

Tang Tian continued.

Metta World Peace nodded with a smile. People who had fought were definitely friends.

"As a friend, I forgot to give you a gift when you had your birthday before, so I'll make it up this time."

As Tang Tian spoke, he took a box from the chair next to him.

"Beats.By.dr.dre's latest headphones. Although it's not as good as the one you're using, it should be good too."

He was much more articulate than Austin Rivers. What he said made Metta World Peace feel much more comfortable.

And from Metta World Peace's eyes, he could tell that he liked the gift very much.

"No, the Ferrari you gave me for Christmas was luxurious enough, I can't accept this."

However, his first reaction was to decline.

Tang Tian was already going to help him pay the fine, so it wasn't appropriate to take these headphones.

Although this thing wasn't as good as a Ferrari, it was still worth more than ten thousand dollars.

"Christmas is Christmas, and birthdays are birthdays. I said we're friends, is it okay for friends not to give gifts for their birthdays?"

Monty Williams was famous for his interpersonal skills, but Tang Tian's communication skills were even stronger than his.