"In fact, if there is no injury risk, Amare will be a top-paid player no matter where he is."

After joking, Duncan then said seriously.

"That's what I told him, and that sentence finally made him accept my suggestion."

After Duncan finished speaking, Lin Ying remembered something.

Historically, Stoudemire opted out of the player option in 2010, when he had just helped the team reach the Western Conference Finals again.

At 28 years old, he is at the peak of his career, and he has helped the team achieve good results and performed well. This kind of player theoretically has a stable maximum salary.

But the Suns were only willing to offer Stoudemire a five-year, 95 million contract that was slightly less than the maximum salary, and were not willing to give him a six-year maximum salary contract.

Even because of this, Cole, the team's general manager and a huge fan of Stoudemire, chose to resign.

The final result was that Stoudemire signed and then traded 5 years for 100 million to join the Knicks.

The reason for this incident is actually the same as what Duncan said, Stoudemire's injury risk.

The same reason as when the Mavericks gave up on Nash.

But the difference is that Taiyang made this decision with the support of the medical center.

Thinking back to what Dr. Carter said before, it is easy to draw a conclusion:

Suns executives asked Dr. Carter for his opinion on Stoudemire's contract extension, and Dr. Carter relied on his own judgment to predict that Stoudemire would likely suffer another major knee injury, which ultimately led the Suns to make the decision to lower the price.

, also led to a series of subsequent reactions.

But now that Stoudemire is willing to change his playing style, many things will definitely become different.

At least next summer, Stoudemire will most likely renew his contract with the Suns with a maximum salary.

Then the possibility of him winning the championship with the Suns will naturally increase.

"Oh right."

Just when Lin Ying opened the car door and got out of the car, reached into his pocket and took out his mobile phone to call Dr. Carter, Duncan stopped him again.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Ying looked back.

"Come on, I'm optimistic about you, the future is yours."

"..."

For a moment, Lin Ying wanted to burst into rage, rush into the car, press Duncan on the chair and rub him for a while.

But after looking at Duncan sitting in the cab, he gave up.

"Why do you say that suddenly?"

he asked politely.

"Didn't you notice? You are trying to make your teammates better, which means you have planned a blueprint for yourself, and there must be a championship in it."

Duncan said with a smile.

He still had the last part to say, although he didn't think the Suns had much hope.

But the first half of what he said was true, because Lin Ying was indeed a little different from the one he knew before after arriving in the sun.

Lin Ying smiled.

Worthy of being a PhD in Psychology.

"Gone."

He didn't answer, but reached out and patted Duncan's car roof, leaving Duncan with a straight back.

…

The next night, ATT Arena.

Fan attendance was average.

Unlike the Suns, where every home game is packed, the Spurs' attendance has always been low due to the lack of entertainment.

And although the Spurs and Suns are old enemies, to Spurs fans, the Suns are just one of the opponents they have defeated in the past and continue to defeat, so their nature is naturally low.

However, in terms of TV ratings, the attention this game attracted was surprisingly good.

In addition to the Suns' style of play being highly entertaining, Lin Ying also contributed a considerable part.

He, the Spurs nemesis who is so powerful in San Antonio, must be a highlight to watch against the Spurs?

Then there is the relationship between him and Duncan that is both enemy and teacher.

However, in a private villa in Denver, someone smoking a cigar and hugging a black girl turned on the TV early to watch the live broadcast.

In addition, the pre-game shots showed Stoudemire looking a little nervous and eager to try.

This seemingly ordinary regular season seems to hide many extraordinary elements.

The opening ceremony ended and the rosters of the two teams were announced.

Spurs: Parker, George Hill, Richard Jefferson, Duncan, Antonio McDyess

Suns: Nash, Richardson, Grant Hill, Lin Ying, Stoudemire

The game started quickly, and Duncan jumped to get the ball for the Spurs.

And when he reaches the frontcourt, Duncan holds the ball in the low post and prepares for a single.

Everything has two sides. The Spurs were eliminated from the playoffs early last season due to Ginobili's absence, which gave Duncan enough rest time.

After getting enough rest, the impact of plantar fasciitis on Duncan has been basically invisible.

For the Suns, Stoudemire is guarding Duncan.

He took precautions very seriously.

What a serious method, to put it simply, it means more physical contact.

In the past, Stoudemire's defense basically didn't like physical confrontation, and then he would wait for you to pass before jumping up to challenge you.

Although the method is different, it is similar to Camby. They are both the kind of players who block a lot of shots but have a hard time defending.

"Pay attention to your center of gravity! Pay attention to turning around!"

Big Ben was there on the sidelines applauding Stoudemire.

Needless to say, in addition to Stoudemire's personal defensive will, this change also lacks the role of "this master".

Duncan turned twice and found no chance.

Stoudemire's confrontation is actually not bad at all.

Duncan gave the ball directly back to Parker, and then pulled out for a pick-and-roll.

He won't waste too much energy on one offensive attempt.

A pick-and-roll, Parker faked a jump shot...

Stoudemire flew away.

"Don't jump! Don't jump!"

Big Ben jumped anxiously on the sidelines.

Although this is actually extremely normal.

A player who has never been known for his defensive focus in his career, but suddenly becomes a defensive master one day when he wants to defend, that would be hell.

Parker rushed to the basket, but he did not get a direct shot.

Because Lin Ying's help arrived.

One top defense and one assist defense, this was the Pistons' double-Wallace defensive operation model back then.

Moreover, Lin Ying, who was taught by Da Ben, also grasped the essence.

In the past, Lin Ying also assisted in defense, but the timing of assisting in defense was a little too early.

You can't really see it when guarding Anthony, but defenders who can help defend the ball are very worried about the opponent passing the ball.

Therefore, the timing of assisting defense is very important.

Lin Ying's time to help defend is just right, basically when Parker enters the direct attack range.

At this time, Parker felt very uncomfortable. If he directly attacked the frame, he would probably be blocked by Lin Ying, and his pass would be intercepted because he was too close to the basket and there was too little space.

Finally, he took the initiative to get close to Lin Ying and unleashed his ultimate move, spinning top for a layup.

Unfortunately, this move was also blocked by Lin Ying. In the end, Lin Ying almost missed the shot because of the bounce, but the ball was obviously deflected.

"Dang!"

The basketball hit the hoop.

In the next second, Stoudemire returned to the basket, jumped high and grabbed the defensive rebound.

Relying on the cooperation of the two, the Suns played a successful and beautiful defense!
To be continued...