Chapter 41: The Gentleman Thief

  The American Dream, every American has an American Dream in their heart, and every American believes that as long as they work hard, are diligent, and courageous, everyone can achieve success. Young people believe it, middle-aged people also believe it, some people have been chasing from youth to middle age, although the dream may not come true, but they will still continue to believe, this is the cornerstone of American society's prosperity.

  "Mike, the coffee here is really good. Do you come here often?" Zhuang Fei picked up the cup of coffee on the table and took a sip, looking around at the surroundings. This coffee shop had a typical Italian style, even the music playing in the store was not American native music.

  "Yes, I've gotten used to living in Italy, and coming back to the US is still a bit of an adjustment. It's not easy to find an Italian-style coffee shop in Denver, so I usually come here to drink coffee and listen to music," McDaniels said somewhat wistfully. He's a typical dream chaser, similar to Zhu Fang in some ways. Zhu Fang had a high reputation in the NCAA but was willing to give it up for the NBA. Similarly, McDaniels had a high reputation in Italy as a player and coach, winning championships and completing a grand slam. However, he gave up everything in Italy to return to the NBA and pursue his ultimate basketball dream. But when he got back to the NBA, he found it wasn't what he wanted - he wasn't even a team coach, nor a scout or trainer, just an administrative manager. In his free time, he also works as a broadcaster for TNT. For someone with ambition, this is a waste of precious time in life. Fortunately, there's been some recent movement, and the team is about to make some big changes - McDaniels might even become the interim head coach."

  "I heard that Denver has already prepared to make you the head coach, which should be a dream come true for you, Mack. Are you not satisfied with the head coaching position of the Denver Nuggets?" Zhuang Fei said with a smile.

  "It's not that simple," De Antony shook his head, and his expression became even more gloomy.

  The team wants to make him the head coach, which is a very exciting news for him. Although he can't get a formal contract, being an interim coach is also acceptable. The person sitting in front of him didn't start from being an interim head coach? However, just recently, the team's appointment completely confused him. The team announced that Dan Issel would be the chairman and general manager. Who is Dan Issel? For Nuggets fans, he is a very familiar figure, the creator of the first "Black Eight Miracle" in NBA history, the legendary coach of the Nuggets. With Dan Issel's departure, the Nuggets gradually declined. However, Dan Issel has returned, although it's as chairman and general manager, but everyone knows that he will not be just a general manager in the future. DeAntoni may be an interim coach, but he won't last long, even during his tenure, he will be a puppet-like figure. To put it bluntly, he is Dan Issel's substitute before he thoroughly understands this team, and as soon as Dan Issel thinks the time is ripe, he will be discarded.

  If he can still be happy with that, it would be strange. This is also one of the main reasons why Zhuang Fei is confident that he can invite him. Although DeAndre is famous in Italy, this is the NBA, and the Italian league is not the NCAA. He has nowhere to go except for the Nuggets, and now Zhuang Fei is willing to give him a choice.

  "Mr. Zhuang, I know why you're here to see me, but if I may be so bold, I'd like to know what kind of position you have in mind for me, a scout?" Actually, someone had come to ask him before and the position offered was indeed that of a scout. However, De An Tony's ambition wasn't in that direction.

  He shook his head and asked again: "Coach? To be honest, I don't understand the specific training of players very well, nor can I take on the role of coach for the team."

  "Mike, you misunderstood. If it was for a scout or coach, would I have come to Denver specifically to find you? The Timberwolves' scouts and coaches are not bad."

  "Mack, I'd like you to be the team's offensive assistant coach"

  There are many types of coaches in the NBA, and assistant coaches can be divided into offense, defense, and singles. As expected, it's easy to understand. In Zhuang Fei's Dynasty System Evaluation, DeAntoni's ability reached 85, and his potential also reached A-level. Of course, most of his values are concentrated on the offensive side.

  De'Aaron Fox was stunned, Zhu Fei was inviting him to join Zhu Fei's team. In the NBA, there is an unwritten rule that each head coach's team, including their assistant coaches, are chosen by themselves. Generally speaking, if a head coach is fired, it also means that their assistants will be fired together. Of course, some assistant coaches belong to the team rather than the head coach.

  Now Zhai wants DeAndre to be his team member, that is, his personal assistant coach.

  DeAndre' Liggins was somewhat surprised, having heard of George Karl's reputation as one of the most famous head coaches in the US. Being a member of his team would definitely bring high exposure and good development opportunities. Rather than wasting time in Denver, it's better to follow a "famous coach" like Karl. After gaining some experience, he can even start his own business. Assistant coaches for NBA famous head coaches are in high demand.

  This again plunged DeAntoni into contemplation, whether to become the head coach of the Denver Nuggets or to become Jokic's assistant coach. Amidst the contradictions, a sentence from Jokic completely dispelled his doubts.

  "Mike, I've recently become very interested in run and gun, I heard you're quite knowledgeable about it."

  "What? Runhuan? You said you're interested in Runhuan?" De Antoni thought he had misheard, his face excited as he stared at Zhuang Fei, as if he wanted to swallow him whole.

  "Yeah, I think you should have some understanding of my style. When I was in Vicksburg, I played a three-point offense. After Duncan left, I played small ball lineups. Actually, last year in the NCAA, I played run-and-gun tactics." Run-and-gun tactics are not unfamiliar terms, but as the inventor of this tactic, crazy experimenter Old Nielson used to use it frequently in the Warriors. However, due to traditional thinking, there aren't many people who study small ball tactics diligently, but D'Antoni is definitely one of them.

  "In the next season, I can let you be in charge of the team's specific attacking tactics"

  After listening to Zhuang Fei's words, D'Antoni swallowed his saliva and was willing to let him directly take charge of the team's offense. This is much more attractive than an assistant coach, which means he can test some of his theories in an NBA team. Although he could get the head coaching position in Denver, this head coach has no freedom at all. Moreover, as a fan of running and gun tactics, D'Antoni also had a good impression of Zhuang Fei.

  "I'm willing to join your team, but I'm curious, you've already made great progress in the triangle offense, why start a new tactical experiment again? As far as I know, Garnett should be able to do what Duncan can do, honestly, you can just stick with the triangle offense"

  "The triangle offense requires too high overall tactical awareness from players, and there are not many coaches who can teach the triangle offense tactics. Apart from Phil Jackson's assistant coach, only my former assistant coach is capable of doing so. If he was willing to come with me to the NBA, I wouldn't be here looking for you. Do you understand what I mean? In my opinion, although the run-and-gun tactic has not achieved success in the NBA, I think it can bring a championship to the team just like the triangle offense."

  Is it the same as a triangle offense? Zhuang Fei surprisingly compared running and gunning with the triangle offense, which moved D'Antoni. Although he wasn't Zhuang Fei's first choice, just because of Zhuang Fei's words, he had no reason to back down. He wanted to prove that Zhuang Fei's view was not wrong, and running and gunning was no worse than the triangle offense.

  Zhuang Fei nodded at De An Tony's gritted teeth, De An Tony was settled, but the other one wasn't that easy.

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