Capítulo 1347: Chapter 539: The Birth of a New God!

“Isn’t that guy crazy?”

The next day at noon, while Zhang Yang and his team were waiting at Oakland International Airport, they saw the news on TV about Green’s comments after last night’s game, and he couldn’t help but vent.

This alternate version of the ‘Green formula’ also made Zhang Yang feel like a thunderbolt had struck him, leaving him charred on the outside, tender on the inside.

Even if the Tsunami Combination isn’t the strongest in the league, it’s definitely the second, and this trio isn’t incapable of winning a championship.

Zhang San thought that they took advantage of the ‘first correct opening of the Three Giants,’ and the Warriors had no experience in dealing with it, so they could only face it head-on.

And even in a head-to-head match, as long as Thompson can get hot, the Warriors won one game, and Thompson playing like a superstar in the playoffs isn’t a rare occurrence.

Also in Game 2, if it weren’t for his own 25 points in the last quarter and overtime, the Warriors could have won that game too, and the series score could very well be 2-2 or even 1-3, instead of the current 3-1.

Though it looks like the Lakers hold all the advantages, Zhang Yang, as a participant, knows how tough the games have been.

Given a year for the Warriors to gain experience, Zhang Yang believes that even if the Lakers’ ‘correct opening’ strategy becomes more refined the next year, playing against the Warriors will be harder than this year.

How could Green say something like that?

He’s not the only one who thought so. Lately, he’s seen news talking about how Kerr’s tactical knowledge reserve is lacking, his on-the-spot adaptability is insufficient, and he only follows the ‘tactical legacy’ proven by the Zen Master, Gentry, and Mark Jackson. Hardly anyone criticized the Tsunami Combination’s performance.

So when Green’s remarks were exposed, everyone was shocked—the media, fans, experts, and legends… collectively blasted Green.

Currently, aside from the Warriors, there’s no team in the league that can match the Lakers. Green’s words could potentially push the Warriors into an irrecoverable situation, making the Lakers the sole dominant power just like the Celtics in the 60s!

Indeed, the Lakers found a lifeline from the collapse after Kobe’s retirement, Gasol going to San Antonio for money, and Bazemore, Ellington, and other key role players going for big contracts. The foundation of their new dynasty arose from the ruins, largely because Durant joined the Warriors, facilitating the ‘Compton Three Giants’ formation.

But this is something the media can say, fans can say, Lakers players can say, but absolutely no one from the Warriors can say.

Curry is the cornerstone of the Warriors, but Durant is the strongest individual player on the team, and even Warriors fans acknowledge this.

Early this morning, Green held a press conference to apologize to Durant, but as the saying goes, things once said are like water spilled out; they can’t be taken back.

Hearing Zhang Yang’s complaints, all his teammates focused their attention on him.

They all viewed the Warriors’ internal conflict as entertainment, naturally taking pleasure in a competitor’s misfortune. When a rival team has problems, they’re naturally happy to see it.

But Third Brother didn’t look happy, almost as if he was blaming Green?

Harden seemed to understand, responding, “I heard from Kevin that ever since he joined the Warriors, Green hasn’t been friendly to him. I suppose it might be a contract issue. Green is entering his contract year next season, and Kevin joining the team will definitely impact Green’s contract renewal.”

Contract year? Zhang Yang recalled that Green was a second-round pick in 12 and signed a max contract in 15… No, that’s the original situation.

He checked on his phone and indeed found it different from his memory!

In his memory, after the Warriors won the championship in 15, they gave Green a basic max contract at that time, starting at 25% of the salary cap, over five years, slightly over 80 million.

But here, since the Warriors didn’t win the championship in 15, Green, despite having impressive regular season stats of 11+8+3 and playoff stats of 12+9+5 in 14-15, only got a 3-year, 30 million renewal contract.

Last season, in the first year of his new contract, Green’s stats reached 14+9+7 in the regular season and 15+9+8 in the playoffs.

That 3-year contract has a player option, meaning Green could opt out after this season, and based on last season’s performance, he could have secured a basic max contract, similar to what Harden and DeRozan are getting here, around 100 million over four years or even 140 million over five.

But after Durant joined, Green’s stats fell to 10+7+7 this season, and apart from his top-of-the-arc passing, Durant has completely overshadowed him in almost every other area.

Even in rim protection, although Durant’s taller height makes his stance less stable than Green’s when defending, his efficiency is still better, giving him significant advantages from height, making him virtually the center in a small lineup.

Green claims to play from 1 to 5, but Durant actually handles everything from the 1 to the 5 position.

And Green’s foreseeable move this season is to opt out and seek a new contract. The market price given by the media ranges between 15 and 20 million, a far cry from the max salary valued at the end of last season, before Durant joined.

Having understood the situation, Zhang Yang sighed, “It’s about the money, then. It makes sense. Spotting a fortune is deeper than a grudge for killing one’s parents, what a pity.”

Harden also lamented, “Yeah, such a wonderful opponent. Playing against Kevin with Curry and Thompson as teammates was just like playing against you before, so enjoyable, plus we could win!