Compared with the Bobcats, the Rockets' record of 23 wins and 8 losses is just a little better.

But unlike the Bobcats, the Rockets are highly favored.

The reason is that the Rockets have changed their core and they need to run-in. Judging from the games in the first two months of the season, the Rockets have run-in well.

Billups basically did what McGrath could have done, and Richard Hamilton also made the Rockets' outside firepower more.

Of course, more importantly, the overall composition of the Rockets is more reasonable.

Point guard Billups, scoring guard Richard Hamilton, small forward Sean Bathier, power forward Louis Scola, center Yao.

There are also Carllandri, Aaron Brooks, Lutherhead, Chuck Hayes...

The three core players are either top centers in the top three in the league like Yao, or powerful players like Billups and Richard Hamilton.

Most of the role players have a skill, and there are defenders like Sean Bathier on the wings. The depth of the bench is very reassuring, and head coach Rick Adelman.

Such a rocket is naturally highly favored.

...

The Bobcats attach great importance to this first home Christmas battle in history. The huge advertisements on Charlotte Airport Expressway, downtown, and gymnasium areas were replaced with basketball themes very early.

On the exterior wall of the Time Warner Center venue, there is the most representative poster advertisement—

Li Ke stood in the center, holding the basketball in his hands, looking straight ahead with domineering looks. Behind him were all kinds of Christmas outfits, Christmas trees, reindeer, and white-bearded Santa Claus...

On both sides are old sharks standing on the side, Lao Ai and Hua's second...

No matter what others think, Li Ke feels very comfortable when he sees this poster.

The C position of the poster station can no longer surprise or be happy, but in the absolute C position, everything is different.

In addition to the poster advertisements throughout Charlotte, Boss Qiao also left a row of front seats and sent a bunch of invitations to the outside world.

For Old Joe, this is a good opportunity to expand the Charlotte market, and of course he will not let it go.

Finally, there was the Bobcats Training Hall. Sam Vincent began targeted adjustments in a serious manner as if he was in the playoffs.

"We want to change the starting list for the past half month..."

In any case, as long as the Bobcats' goal is to win, the starting lineup in the fourth position against the Rockets cannot be Vladimir Radmanovich.

Because the Serbs will inevitably not be able to withstand Scola's impact.

But adjusting the starting lineup at this time is a transaction that Li Ke thought of.

In the past half a month, after Radmanovic mentioned that he had made good data, with averaging 10.8 points per game, plus 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.9 steals, Radmanovic's value has reached his peak.

Logically speaking, there should be some progress in the transaction.

"Dandre, you will be the starting power forward of this game..."

In the training hall, Sam Vincent immediately announced the starter of Radmanovic, not Chris Humphreys, but Jordan Jr.

Jordan was stunned for a moment, and Li Ke was also surprised.

But after careful consideration, he felt it was very reasonable.

"Although your position will be in the fourth position, you need to play against Yao on the defensive end, and use your speed and flexibility to defend Yao around the front..."

Chris Humphries can also defend against the front defense, but this season, Yao will rely more on his height and tonnage to bully opponents who are much smaller than him.

Therefore, considering the whole thing, the best choice is Jordan Jr.

"Strike Yao to death, the only threats left by the Rockets are Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton. Sheldon, kill Chauncey Billups, is it okay?"

"Of course, Sam."

Sam Vincent's focus is still on the defensive end. There is no way, he really has no other moves on the offensive end.

...

After tactical class and during free training, Li Ke was absent, ran to the office area, and found Boss Qiao.

"I have talked to the management of the teams where the trading targets are, but it has not been very smooth, but at least there is some progress..."

The progress mentioned by Boss Qiao is-

He talked to Danny Angie. Danny Angie was very enthusiastic because KG asked him to make changes. At this time, the Celtics were indeed seeking a window for trading.

But after a detailed conversation, Boss Qiao hung up the phone directly.

"Danny Angie is very sincere. He told me that Lagarondo is not a non-sale product, so we quoted each other. Well, I don't need to say more about my offer. Let's talk about Danny Angie's bid, Lagarondo Garay Allen..."

"Rae Allen? Can Gentleman Lei also trade? Who does he want?"

Li Ke interrupted and messed up Boss Qiao, who raised his eyebrows helplessly: "You."

"Me?" Li Ke shook his head, the ending no longer needs to be described.

"There was Kyle Lowry, and at the beginning, everything went well, my bid was Radmanovich, Earboykins and a second round, and the target was Greg Buckner and Kyle Lowry."

Boykins and Buckner are tool players who match their salary, so the core of this deal is Radmanovich plus a second round to exchange for Kyle Lowry.

The Bobcats' starting forward replaced the Grizzlies' substitute point guard, and even took a second round. Logically speaking, such a quote is very sincere.

but……

"The Grizzlies asked for a first round, and they even expressed their uninterested attitude towards Radmanovich and were willing to accept the deal with Earboykins plus a first round for Kyle Lowry."

"Just give it to him for the first round."

Li Ke knew the value of Lowry. He could get Lowry in the first round of a bobcat, and the bobcat made a lot of money.

"I hesitated for two days, and when I bid again, I learned that we had a competitor."

"Competrator? Who?"

"It's our opponent in the Christmas battle."

"Rockets? Gou Ri's Darryl Morey!"

With the Rockets joining the competition, Morey seems to be optimistic about Lowry, so he bids for a first round of a young player just to get Lowry.

"A young player in the first round? I think we can give it too."

Li Ke was convinced, but Boss Qiao shook his head. Obviously, Li Ke and Boss Qiao's evaluation of Lowry was very different.

"The Spurs directly rejected George Hill's trade proposal, and the Suns are the same. However, the Pacers and Jared Jack's trade can be pushed down."

Li Ke frowned. Jared Jack should be the worst choice, but judging from Boss Qiao's attitude, he seemed to be only interested in Master Jack.

Because Larry Bird's asking price is not outrageous.

"Larry Bird only has one second round Galadmanovich, but the problem now is that it is difficult to match the salary..."

Rondo, George Hill and Golandardragic have passed, Lowry's price has been raised too high, and Jared Jack's salary is difficult to match, and the situation is indeed a bit embarrassing.

"Michael, if Lagarondo is aside, my first choice is still Kyle Lowry, who is the point guard who best meets our requirements."

Boss Qiao frowned and hesitated. Li Ke knew that this transaction would be difficult to complete in a short while.

Before leaving, Li Ke finally reminded: "Maybe Michael, you can try Radmanovich and find an opportunity to trade multiple parties."

Radmanovic is still of high value. A tall shooter in the third and fourth positions is considered a relatively scarce player in this league.

But in the Bobcats, this type of player, there is also a Jared Dudley.

Therefore, the value of Radmanovich is not high for the bobcats.

"Is it a multi-party transaction? Who would want Radmanovich..."

Boss Qiao scratched his head and thought about various possibilities.

...

The Rockets arrived in Charlotte the day before Christmas. The Rockets brought their families with them on the road.

For Li Ke, he had a laughing Christmas Eve.

"Brother Yao, Sister Li, although today is the New Year's Eve for Westerners, we rarely get together. I'll bring you a cup..."

"Brother Yao, we will be our opponents in tomorrow's game, but today, we are still fellow compatriots, I will bring you a cup..."

"Brother Yao, I'll bring you a cup..."

Li Ke didn't know how many cups he brought, until the countless times he raised the glass, Yao finally couldn't help it: "Although it's Gatorade, you can't drink it like this, are you trying to burst my bladder so that I can miss tomorrow's game?"

"Hehe, be happy..."

Li Ke scratched his head and smiled.

He really felt that this opportunity was very precious and there was a chance that there would be no next time.

As for the rest, he really didn't think much about it.

"Speaking of this, this opportunity is indeed rare. If I remember correctly, in the Spring Festival war, are you Lakers in the capital, right?"

"Um……"

"We and the Knights are in the Demon City, all over the world, probably won't be able to get together."

Yao raised his head to the sky and raised his glass full of Gatorade:
To be continued...