Chapter 1 A New Start

A week later, Tang Tian ended his trip to Nigeria and returned to New Orleans.

Not long after, the Pelicans' training camp kicked off at the New Orleans Arena.

On the first day of camp, all 14 players were present.

The Pelicans' strength in the new season was outstanding, almost dynasty-bound, and the excitement on everyone's faces couldn't be concealed.

Especially the newly added role players, who were picking up such an easy bargain, were thrilled just thinking about it.

But even with their strong roster on paper, the Pelicans' coaching staff remained strict.

Great strength also meant great pressure. Losing a single game with a lineup like theirs would likely draw a lot of criticism.

After the development of modern social media, trolls didn't care about reasons. They would criticize you if they didn't like you.

Anyway, apart from wasting their keyboards, they wouldn't suffer any other losses.

So Stevens' requirements remained strict, even stricter than last season.

After one session, apart from the Pelicans' original teammates and Butler, the other newcomers were constantly complaining.

But it also made them realize something.

Nothing was accidental. The Pelicans were able to continuously defeat the four-star Warriors and the Cavaliers to defend their title last season not because of luck, but because of hard power.

And after the training, the Pelicans' coaching staff received an unexpected surprise.

This surprise wasn't Dedmon.

They already knew in advance that Dedmon had developed his three-point shot.

What surprised them was Siakam.

In addition to his already good defense, this second-year player had made significant progress in ball-handling breakthroughs, passing, and even three-point shooting compared to last season!

Based on his current competitive state, he had a good chance of entering the team's rotation in the new season!

The Pelicans' coaching staff was surprised, and Tang Tian was also a little surprised.

He had even met Siakam in Bauchi, Nigeria, and the latter was vacationing in a national park with Embiid!

But that's the subconscious at work.

Just like his appearance there, it was a relaxing time after a summer of hard work.

For Siakam, wouldn't it be the same?

People's subconscious can sometimes lead to misjudgment.

And Siakam had enough motivation to work hard.

He was a rookie last season, and Brogdon, who joined the Pelicans with him, had become an indispensable player in the Pelicans' backcourt.

But he rarely had playing opportunities last season, spending most of his time in the Development League.

There was no harm without comparison, and this situation must have stimulated him.

After realizing this, Tang Tian suddenly felt that he could consider including Siakam in the Hard-Working Brothers training camp next year.

Before, his choice of Siakam was just based on his foresight, but now that he realized that he was a hardworking player, it was necessary to recruit him into the training camp.

This was also the biggest difference between their Hard-Working Brothers and the Wind and Dust Four Heroes: they were constantly growing.

After the training, Demps and Stevens were communicating on the sidelines.

Tang Tian went over to say hello.

That was when he noticed that Gentry wasn't there.

"Gentry's going back to Phoenix."

Tang Tian was very surprised when Demps told him the news.

Unlike Mike Brown before him, Gentry had signed a multi-year contract with the Pelicans, and it was a considerable one.

But thinking about it carefully, it wasn't too surprising.

Water flows downwards, and people strive to go higher.

As for the contract, paying some liquidated damages after resigning would suffice.

And Gentry had been with the Suns for six seasons before, so if they recruited him again, he would be more inclined to return.

Speaking of which, the Pelicans, like the Warriors a couple of years ago, were becoming a training base for assistant coaches to become head coaches.

Demps and Stevens were discussing finding a new lead assistant coach.

Gentry's departure was sudden, and finding a qualified lead assistant coach on short notice wasn't so easy.

"What do you guys think about Steve?"

Tang Tian suggested.

The Steve he was talking about was Nash.

Nash had been a consultant for the Pelicans for three years. He was familiar with the players, and although he didn't have coaching experience, his tactical understanding was really high.

Stevens nodded immediately.

He was the kind of person who appreciated capable people, just like he appreciated Tang Tian before.

"Steve probably won't accept our invitation, right?"

Tang Tian and Stevens both agreed, and Demps had nothing to object to, but he still raised his concerns.

In fact, when Tang Tian first recruited Nash three years ago, the Pelicans had plans to have Nash join the team's coaching staff, but Nash didn't agree.

The final consultant position was the result of Tang Tian's efforts and mutual negotiation.

"I'll give it a try."

Tang Tian said.

Demps nodded.

Nash was recruited to the team by Tang Tian in the first place, so it was great that Tang Tian was willing to try again.

The season hadn't started yet, and Nash was currently vacationing in Toronto with his family.

After Tang Tian made an appointment with Nash, he flew over directly.

"You want me to be the team's assistant coach?"

"Lead assistant coach."

After hearing Tang Tian's intention, Nash glanced at his two daughters playing in the distance, as well as his son who he had just had with his new wife, and hesitated.

Seeing Nash's reaction, Tang Tian was overjoyed.

If Nash had refused directly like he did three years ago, it would have meant there was no chance, but this hesitation was different.

And Tang Tian could probably guess the reason for Nash's change in attitude.

"I think you might want an opportunity to stand in the spotlight and lift the championship trophy."

Tang Tian continued.

When the Pelicans won their first championship two years ago, Nash wasn't eligible to appear at the award ceremony because he was just a consultant.

In the end, he just secretly kissed the trophy in the corner.

Tang Tian saw that scene.

For the older generation of stars, especially superstars, going without a championship for their entire career was a great regret.

Nash stared at Tang Tian for a long time.

Tang Tian's words struck his heart, hitting him right where it hurt.

"The climate in Canada isn't very friendly to children. Changing the environment to a port city would be good for the children too."

Tang Tian struck while the iron was hot.

Nash smiled at Tang Tian after hearing that.

He found that Tang Tian was really suitable to be a lobbyist.

He was persuaded by Tang Tian three years ago, and three years later he found that he was still being persuaded.

"I'll go to New Orleans."

He nodded.

After coming out of Nash's house, Tang Tian immediately called Stevens and Demps.

Demps' actions were also very fast.

Although Nash needed some time to move, the Pelicans officially announced the news the next day.

The Pelicans would sign an assistant coach contract with Nash, and Nash would serve as the Pelicans' lead assistant coach!

When this news came out, the Pelicans fans couldn't help but get excited again.

A four-star lineup, Stevens, and now Nash added, this was definitely icing on the cake!