407: Chapter 407 is skippable (NBA fans can join the discussion).

In the evening, Chen Cheng took Anna to the arena.

Zou Yu, Eleven, Xing Lu, and Ming Zhen did not go. They didn't understand the game, so there was no point in going.

After entering the arena, Chen Cheng met this elegant middle-aged man with a square face, broad forehead, and thin-rimmed glasses.

After some small talk, they sat in the seats next to the Nets player bench.

Chen Cheng knew they would likely be in the front row, so he very craftily wore a black mask. Anna wore one too.

This made Boss Cai a bit puzzled, but he didn't ask.

The game started, and the 76ers won the tip-off to gain possession.

After receiving a pass from a teammate, Simmons took the initiative and scored with a three-step layup.

Boss Cai had a smile on his lips and asked, "Chairman Chen, what do you think of this lineup of mine?"

Chen Cheng was stunned. The starting lineup on the court was Euro God, Dinwiddie, Harris, Prince, and Allen.

Watching the players running on the court, Chen Cheng thought seriously for a moment, smiled, and said, "Since Boss Cai asked, shall I talk about both the pros and cons?"

Boss Cai had just taken over the Nets this season and was full of ambition, so he nodded, "Of course."

Chen Cheng smiled and shook his head, commenting on the Nets' current starting lineup while watching the game.

"In terms of advantages, the offensive firepower is sufficient. Euro God, Harris, and Prince—the shooting ability of these three can cover from the arc to the corner, forming the prototype of a five-out lineup, which can greatly optimize offensive spacing."

"On the defensive end, Allen's rim protection in the paint is good."

"The disadvantages: Euro God and Dinwiddie both need the ball in their hands, but their off-ball compatibility is lacking. Ball distribution is chaotic, making it easy to fall into a stalemate of isolation plays."

"On the defensive end, with this lineup, Euro God's defensive efficiency is average; he lacks physical toughness despite his firepower, making him easy to target. Harris has slow lateral movement and is poor at defending pick-and-rolls. Prince plays the four in name, but at under 100 kilograms, he struggles to defend heavy forwards."

Chen Cheng looked at Boss Cai and smiled, "This lineup has fierce firepower, but there are issues with ball distribution, and there's a lack of height and weak individual defense."

"In summary, it's probably a borderline playoff team."

In reality, this starting lineup on the court was the Nets' current core framework.

Of course, once the second brother Du returns, the firepower will be even stronger, but that's a matter for next season.

Boss Cai didn't expect Chen Cheng to be so familiar with every player on the court.

He smiled, "It seems you have been watching the games, Chairman Chen."

Chen Cheng just smiled, "I watch occasionally."

Actually, he hadn't watched in a while.

He just looked at the player profiles for both sides of this game before leaving.

Just then, Simmons got a steal on the court and executed a one-handed dunk.

The crowd immediately erupted in thunderous applause, and the on-site DJ picked up the tempo.

Simmons at this stage was decent, considered a qualified franchise player.

Boss Cai's eyes lit up as he watched Simmons's thunderous dunk.

The Nets were trailing 13-18 by 5 points, but Boss Cai wasn't in a hurry and continued chatting with Chen Cheng.

"Chairman Chen, what do you think of Simmons?"

Chen Cheng immediately had an expression like he'd seen a ghost. Could it be that Boss Cai was already enamored with Simmons at this time?

Later, he even pulled off the masterpiece of trading Harden for Simmons.

Chen Cheng thought about the logic behind Boss Cai's move. Could it be that he wanted to implement a fast-break style from the very beginning?

Although Simmons declined in the following seasons, at least until this season, his fast-break ability was historic.

Plus, firing Atkinson and bringing in Nash, the master of run-and-gun, as head coach...

Chen Cheng's mouth twitched. No wonder the Nets couldn't win that damn trophy.

After thinking for a moment, he said bluntly, "Not great."

"Oh?" Boss Cai asked, confused, turning his head to look at Chen Cheng.

At the start of the first quarter, Simmons got the first points with a layup, and just now he ignited the arena with that thunderous dunk.

Why is it "not great" in your opinion?

Chen Cheng scoffed, "His scoring method is one-dimensional. He relies too much on fast breaks and second-chance points, and he barely scores in half-court sets."

"His shooting percentage is heaven-defying. Before him, I wouldn't have dared to imagine that a number one overall pick could enter his third season in the league before hitting his first career three-pointer."

"His physical talent looks flashy, but his flaws are irreparable."

Boss Cai frowned, "What about extra shooting practice?"

Chen Cheng shook his head, "It's not like it's his first day knowing his shooting percentage is bad."

"If he could practice it, he would have done it long ago. There has been some progress, but it's been three seasons, and his free-throw percentage is comparable to Grandma O'Neal."

"But he doesn't have the dominance of Grandma O'Neal."

"As he ages, the fast breaks he relies on will also see a decline in efficiency."

"The single weakness of a low free-throw percentage can be used to target him mercilessly with the 'Hack-a-Shaq' strategy."

"Of course, if he were a blue-collar worker with a low salary, it would definitely be worth it, since he can defend from position one to five on the defensive end."

Chen Cheng scoffed again, "But he is a number one draft pick, and his paper stats for the past two years have been decent; he will definitely want a max contract later."

He spread his hands, "What's the point of having a max-contract player who can't shoot?"

Boss Cai was also stunned for a moment. Looking at Simmons trading baskets with Dinwiddie on the court, how did he suddenly become worthless?

After a long while, Boss Cai smiled, "It seems I should have met Chairman Chen earlier."

Chen Cheng laughed, "Isn't now the perfect time?"

Boss Cai also laughed, "Any suggestions for next season?"

There was no hope for this season; the team already knew that.

Chen Cheng had long realized that Boss Cai was using basketball to test him.

Chen Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Can you give me a tablet?"

Boss Cai was taken aback for a second, then immediately turned his head and waved to the team staff.

Soon, the tablet was delivered to Chen Cheng's hands.

Chen Cheng explained while drawing on the tablet.

This was the most suitable plan he could think of based on his Heaven's Eye.

"Trade Euro God for Brogdon, Turner, and future assets. Do not accept long-term bad contracts."

"What?"

Boss Cai's eyes widened at Chen Cheng's first sentence.

Chen Cheng didn't care and smiled, pointing at the "sleepwalking" Euro God on the court, "This guy is strong on the offensive end, but he's too emotional."

"He wants to be the leader, but he lacks the emotional intelligence."

"Basketball is a game for five people. A player who occupies a lot of ball possession but cannot unite his teammates is simply a cancer."

"Uh..." Boss Cai himself couldn't hold it in; not long ago, this guy was unhappy with training and refused to communicate with teammates.

Boss Cai thought for a moment, "So, your plan is to make the second brother Du the core?" He frowned as he spoke, "His Achilles tendon..."

Chen Cheng's mouth twitched. You already signed him and are paying him for nothing, and now you're doubting it here?

"You've already signed him, so you can only hope his sickle is still sharp."

Chen Cheng smiled and continued to talk about his team-building plan.

"Draft Desmond Bane, or consider Devin Vassell."

"Resign Joe Harris; this is a must. A top-tier shooter is what the second brother Du needs most, and you might need to offer a multi-year contract."

"4 years for 70 million is reasonable."

"Try to re-sign Jeff Green on a veteran minimum or part of the mid-level exception. He's experienced, can play multiple positions, and has a good relationship with the second brother Du."

"..."

[Yan Zu, if you were reborn as the Nets' General Manager, what trades would you make?]