Chapter 612 Jokic's First Start (Fourth More!)

On February 20, after a long All-Star Game, the Pelicans returned to the arena one after another.

They will have their first opponent after the All-Star break tomorrow night, the Knicks.

Tang Tian was the first to arrive at the arena. He had just changed when he saw Cole coming in with a bag on his back.

The deal was only concluded yesterday, and he should have come here to get the things in his closet.

The two had a good relationship, Tang Tian got up and chatted with him for a long time.

This is the second time Cole has been traded in four years, and this time his mentality looks much better than the last time.

In the NBA, it's all about getting used to.

"Go to the Lakers and perform well. I will wait for you in the playoffs."

Before Cole left, Tang Tian spoke to him.

Cole nodded vigorously.

The last time Tang Tian said that he would have the opportunity to be teammates in the future, and they really did. This time, they will do it too.

Before the training started, the team members arrived one after another.

Head coach Williams and assistants are also here.

The training will start soon, but at this time, there is still one person who has not come.

Whiteside.

Tang Tian only realized it when he heard Williams calling Whiteside.

Why is this guy late for training again?

Because he lives far from the arena, Whiteside has been late more than once.

Tang Tian also suggested that he bought a car, but the latter has been silent.

Williams also knew this situation, and after asking Borrego to try to contact Whiteside, he then announced the start of training.

During the All-Star Weekend, the players rested long enough, and most of the training content was based on basic training such as shooting and dribbling.

According to the team's arrangement, a full-court confrontation training will be arranged in the afternoon.

Training is going well and it looks like everyone is having a good weekend.

But until the end of training, Whiteside didn't come, and Borrego didn't get in touch.

This is not only absent from training, but also lost contact!

Just when Williams was worried about what happened to Whiteside and wanted someone to visit his house, Whiteside finally appeared at the entrance of the arena.

He looked preoccupied.

The team members had already gone back to the locker room to take a shower, but Tang Tian stayed because he was chatting with Williams.

When they saw Whiteside appear, both of them froze for a moment.

They used to ask about it.

But this question made Williams' face look ugly, while Tang Tian was speechless for a while.

This guy Whiteside, after taking a taxi to the arena, he found that his phone was missing. This guy took a taxi back, and then tried to find a way to find his phone back and forth.

That's why he missed the team training all morning!

Tang Tian reached out and patted his forehead.

Isn't it normal people's way of doing it? Shouldn't they find a way to find it after training?

Whiteside's mind is indeed different from that of ordinary people!

After hearing this, Williams left with a dark face.

"Do you know that if you do this, you may be banned from the team?"

Tang Tian didn't speak until Williams left.

"can you?"

Whiteside apparently did not realize the seriousness of the problem.

And he definitely didn't read the team rules issued by the team carefully.

"Why can't you go find it after training?"

Tang Tian couldn't help asking.

"That phone is a new one I bought, and it's worth $300."

Whiteside said immediately.

After hearing this, Tang Tian couldn't help reaching out and patting his forehead again, this guy is hopeless.

If it is really suspended, the loss is not only 300 US dollars, but thousands of dollars.

But he soon felt relieved.

After all, it is Whiteside, it is impossible to think so much.

At the end of the afternoon practice session, Williams announced that Whiteside would be suspended one game from the team for missing practice.

It was excusable for Williams to be Whiteside late for training before, but he still acted in accordance with team regulations when he was absent.

On the second game day, the team only arranged simple shooting drills.

At the end of training, the players rest in the locker room.

While chatting, Borrego opened the door and came in with his new teammates.

Biyombo, 2.06 meters tall is not tall, but he looks very strong. He is a stocky rebounder in the professional arena.

Borrego led him to Cole's closet earlier.

"Cole just left in the morning, and the brand name hasn't been changed yet, but it will be changed in a few days."

Borrego explained to Biyombo.

Biyombo nodded with a smile, looking a little shy.

There are several types of blacks, and there are two representative ones, one is native to the United States, hip-hop street dance and rap;

The other is African blacks, who are lazy, shy and simple.

Biyombo looked just like the people Tang Tian had met when he went to Nigeria.

The difference is that he lacks a lazy breath.

As soon as Biyombo sat down, Aminu went over to chat.

Although the two people are not from the same country, they are both from Africa and share a common language.

"welcome."

After Aminu finished chatting, Tang Tian was the last one to go over to say hello.

"thanks, thanks."

Although Biyombo is a rookie, he also knows who the boss of the Pelicans is. Tang Tian took the initiative to say hello, and he was flattered.

"Mutombo mentioned you to me and he said you resembled him."

Tang Tian said with a smile.

"Yeah?"

Biyombo looked excited.

Mutombo is a Congolese. He is committed to promoting basketball in Africa and has also established a basketball school in Congo.

Like Ibaka, and Biyombo in front of him, they all entered the NBA because of his enlightenment.

Mutombo is synonymous with African basketball to them, just like Yao Ming was to Asia before.

Biyombo was naturally excited when he heard that Mutombo had such a high opinion of him.

Tang Tian smiled and nodded. This was indeed what Mutombo told McGrady at the retirement party.

Because of Mutombo, the distance between the two has increased a lot, and they talked a lot.

"Be prepared at all times, opportunities may come at any time."

At the end of the chat, Tang Tian patted Biyombo on the shoulder and said.

Whiteside is suspended today, Jokic should be mentioned as a starter, and Biyombo has a great possibility to be sent by Williams.

Biyombo nodded.

He didn't have many opportunities in the Bobcats, and he has to seize every opportunity when he arrives in the Pelicans.

Otherwise, by the end of the season, he will be eliminated by the NBA.

That night, the game between the Pelicans and the Knicks kicked off at the New Orleans Arena.

The Eastern and Western teams only meet twice a season, and this is the second and last time for both sides.

The last time the two teams played against each other, Tang Tian scored 40+ and led his team to an easy victory. Now that the Knicks have finished their run-in, revenge is sure to come.

Whiteside was suspended within the team, and no news broke before the game.

It wasn't until the opening ceremony that everyone discovered that Whiteside hadn't started.

Most people's faces were full of curiosity, and only then did they notice Whiteside sitting on the sidelines in a suit and leather shoes.

After all, there was no injury news before the game.

Whiteside did not play, replacing Jokic who started him, which was also the first start of the latter's Pelicans career.