Slam Dunk: My Study Abroad Career in Northern Hunan

"Hey, Mike, you know, the Jazz's next opponent is the Timberwolves."

"The Postman and the others are going to fight against that rookie from the Timberwolves!"

On the evening of November 11, in the Bulls' lounge, the Bulls had just defeated the Kings 23:103 and won their eighth victory so far this season. Tony Cookic sat next to Michael Jordan. While struggling to take off his shoes, he talked to Jordan next to him.

Tony Cookic (208cm/89kg, selected by the Bulls with the second overall pick in the second round of 90. Although he did not immediately enter the NBA that year, he became one of Jordan's leg accessories after 94).

In today's game, the Bulls still did not have Pippen. Tony Kukic started the game and played 35 minutes. He made 15 of 6, 2 of 2 three-pointers and scored 18 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. data.

Although Toni Kukic's offensive efficiency was average, he still won today's game. Toni Kukic also had the courage to talk to "Master" Joe who was in a good mood.

When losing games in the past, Jordan was a complete locker room bomb. In the locker room after the game, almost no players dared to speak loudly. Anyone who dared to smile would definitely receive Jordan's death stare.

Jordan is in a good mood today, and Tony Cookic also wants to chat with "Master" and get to know his teammates better.

"That rookie from the Timberwolves?"

Hearing Kukchi mention the Timberwolves, Jordan also showed some interest on his face.

During this period, the most famous rookie in the league is not Tim Duncan, the No. 97 pick in who caused seven teams to compete, but the yellow man selected by the Timberwolves with the fifth overall pick. A player named Budo.

From the beginning of the season to now, the schedule is only about 1/8, but the reputation of martial arts is already very loud.

While his dazzling scoring data surpassed countless rookies in the same class, he also fell into the eyes of these old guys.

In today's game against the Kings, Jordan played 41 minutes and scored 33 points in a single game. In the previous game against the Kings, he scored a terrifying 49 points. But just like this, a man with 5 championship rings in his hand, now the league's top player The leader of the family, in terms of average points per game, is still underperformed by a rookie in martial arts.

How could such a situation not attract Jordan's attention?

Although Jordan almost never mentioned martial arts in front of the media and the public, and even sometimes when the media mentioned martial arts during interviews, Jordan would just say "not very familiar with it" to deal with it.

But the players on the Bulls team basically know that Jordan is still very interested in the Timberwolves rookie.

"Yes, the Timberwolves will play against the Jazz tomorrow."

"How about it, Mike, we don't have a game tomorrow, the day after tomorrow is a game against the Seattle SuperSonics."

"Seattle is also a Western Conference team."

"It only takes us two hours to fly from Salt Lake City to Seattle, so we have plenty of time."

"I have a friend who can help get tickets."

"Of course, if the great basketball god Michael Jordan came forward in person and said he wanted to watch a game, I think someone would send us the tickets for the best seats."

Tony Cookic smiled and said that the Bulls have won two games in recent times, and the team's atmosphere is much better than at the beginning of the season.

"You mean, go to Salt Lake City to watch the game?"

Michael Jordan raised his eyebrows and glanced at Kuqi next to him. As he said that, Jordan shook his head, trying to make Malone's Jazz more popular, but he couldn't do it.

The private relationship between Jordan and Malone is not bad, but it is not good, and the two have always been "rivals" in the eyes of the media. Jordan is very aware of his influence. He doesn't want to go to Salt Lake City to "support" the Utah Jazz. Even if his original intention is not to support the Utah Jazz, it will be over if the media hypes it.

"Don't you want to see how that rookie teaches Jazz a lesson?"

"I've paid attention to that kid. He's very powerful. I'm afraid the Jazz's outside perimeter won't be able to stop him."

Tony Cookic is a small forward, and he has also paid attention to Wu Dao, a rising star. At the same time, he has also watched Wu Dao's games on TV and has a very good evaluation of Wu Dao.

But when he heard this, Jordan sneered and said with a smile: "Can that rookie teach Karl a lesson?"

"Don't be ridiculous, the rookie scored a lot of points in the previous game, but in the game against the Jazz, I'm afraid he won't be able to perform as well."

"The intensity of the competition is completely different."

"That young team can't beat the Jazz."

Jordan had played against Malone's Jazz, and he knew very well what the Jazz's group of people looked like. He didn't think that fair and tender yellow man could lead the team past the Jazz.

The Bulls and Rodman from the Pistons were unable to limit Malone's performance. Can they rely on the young people of the Timberwolves?

Even though he struggled in the game against the Jazz, isn't it already obvious what a young man who has just entered the league can do?

The Jazz are very good at dealing with outside arrow players, very good at it!

"The Timberwolves can't win, and we can also see the level of the Jazz this year."

"What if they get lucky and win, hehehe, wouldn't that be interesting?"

"Michael, think about the postman's face, if they were beaten by a young team like the Timberwolves."

A bright smile appeared on Tony Kukic's face, and the conversation between the two also attracted the attention of some other players in the locker room.

Jordan was really moved by what Kuqi said.

They don't have a game with the Bulls tomorrow, so they just go to the game to relax, which is also a good choice.

11 month 24 day.

Nen Project Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah.

This is the home stadium of the Utah Jazz. The Salt Lake City where the arena is located is 1300 meters above sea level. It is the famous Devil's home stadium in the NBA.

Utah is a famous red state. You know, what stands out about people in red states is their "passion." Utah fans are the same, passionate.

The Jazz, who play at home, actually have a terrifying advantage in this regard.

In the evening, fans began to check in and check in. In the visiting team lounge of Nohara Arena, the Timberwolves players also began to change their equipment and prepare seriously for today's game.

The Timberwolves players had already arrived at Nohara Plan Arena yesterday. The players had a brief familiarity with the arena yesterday afternoon and this morning.

It has to be said that suddenly going from a low altitude place to a high altitude place has some impact on the Timberwolves players. The athletes' physical fitness is already good. If they just live a simple life, this level of altitude will not be felt at all.

But if you exercise strenuously, the feeling will be different for players who are not accustomed to high altitudes. When Wu Dao got familiar with the venue, he could clearly feel that he was getting tired faster than usual. He knew that today's game would be a huge test for the players' physical fitness.

The Timberwolves' team doctor is also very considerate and has prepared small oxygen tanks for the players early. If any players are physically exhausted in today's game, these oxygen tubes can come in handy.

Coach Philip brought Tom and Marbury to participate in today's pre-game interview.

And just when the two teams were attending the pre-match press conference, the venue where the match was about to take place was already filled with cheers.

After the fans took their seats, the host solemnly introduced the "special guests" of this game to the audience. At the same time, the media's cameras were also guided by the home fans from the front row of the infield. swept across the auditorium.

The camera swept across Kucic's body, and then fell on Jordan, who was wearing a loose black suit and fashionable gold earrings next to him.

Jordan appeared on the big screen and immediately triggered enthusiastic cheers. You may not be able to imagine that even in the "hostile" Salt Lake City, Jordan still has so many fans.

Of course, if the Bulls were playing against the Jazz today, there would never be such cheers. On the contrary, there might be shocking "boos". But their opponent today was the Timberwolves, and the fans still showed a certain amount of respect for Jordan who came to watch the game.

In the eyes of Utah fans, Jordan will appear at the Jazz's home court. Isn't he cheering them on?

Soon, Jazz players began to enter the stadium. Karl Malone and other players entered the stadium amidst the cheers of the audience. After entering the stadium, Malone quickly found Jordan who was watching the game on the sidelines and walked away with a smile. He went over and said hello to Jordan.

We are all people in the scene. Under the cameras of media reporters, we still need to have the most basic principles, right?

Of course, only God knows what kind of relationship the two have if they are not on camera.

After Jordan retired, he also invited Malone to appear in the "Last Dance" documentary, but Malone immediately rejected him. To say how good the relationship between the two is, it's really a matter of opinion.

After a brief exchange of greetings, Malone returned to his team with a smile, but as soon as he came back, the smile on his face disappeared, and then he actually took over the role of coach and said to his teammates:

"We must win today's game no matter what!"

"Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely cannot lose!"

The Jazz's record at the beginning of the season was only 6 wins and 6 losses, but even when facing the 10 wins and 1 loss of the Timberwolves, Malone still said this to the players with confidence, without taking the Timberwolves seriously in his words.

And just when the Jazz players gathered together to encourage each other, the Timberwolves' player tunnel opened, and a group of Timberwolves players entered the court one after another under the leadership of coach Philip.

"Uu——"

As the Timberwolves players entered the stadium, boos filled the stands.

“This is Salt Lake City!”

Jordan's eyes followed the direction of the spotlight and looked towards the Timberwolves players. Listening to the enthusiastic "boos" around him, Jordan couldn't help but sigh in his heart. He didn't know how many times he had heard such boos. times.

The reason why Salt Lake City is the league's famous Devils home stadium not only refers to the geographical location, but also refers to these fanatical Salt Lake City fans.

"The noise is really loud!"

Marbury listened to the boos around him, a smile appeared on his face, and he sighed softly. There was no tension at all between his words.

"We'll shut these guys up soon!"

Garnett, who was walking in front of the team, looked around the audience at the stadium and whispered. Suddenly, Garnett saw a familiar figure sitting in the front row of the audience not far away, and the expression on his face immediately became a little exciting.

"Hey, is that Michael?"

"Michael Jordan!"

Garnett turned his head and asked his teammates. Although he did not point to the people surrounding Jordan, Jordan was being praised by the stars at this time. There were many front row spectators surrounding Jordan and talking to him. The existence is still quite conspicuous.

Wu Dao also noticed Jordan watching the game on the sidelines. The surprise on his face flashed away, and then he said to Garnett:

"Don't look like you're making a fuss."

"You are also an NBA player, just like him. Can you calm down?"

"You don't want to rush over to him and ask for an autograph, do you?"

Wu Dao's words immediately caused the surrounding teammates to burst into cheerful laughter.

"fart!"

"It's just a pity that I can only beat Karl Malone today, not Michael Jordan!"

"Hey, Wu Dao, if I beat Karl Malone today, would anyone in the media say that I am the number one power forward in the league?"

Garnett is not only an ambitious young man, but also a guy who likes to dream.

When Wu Dao heard this, he couldn't help but stretched out his hand to squeeze the muscles on Garnett's arm, then glanced at Malone's arm from a distance and said:

"I don't know if you can knock him out, but I don't think you can withstand his elbow."

As soon as Wu Dao finished speaking, the teammates around him laughed again. Wu Dao's words not only mocked Garnett, but also Malone.

Malone's reputation in the league is not very good. In other words, Utah's bad reputation has long spread throughout the league.

Wu Dao mocked Malone for "elbowing", which also made the Timberwolves players feel happy.

Only Garnett, after hearing this, clenched his fists, showed off his biceps, and said with a smile: "I'm not afraid of him!"

The Timberwolves' relaxed team atmosphere made Coach Philip feel relieved. And Jordan was a little surprised when he saw Wu Dao talking and laughing with his teammates.

He thought that the home fans in Salt Lake City would teach the newcomer a lesson first, but unexpectedly, the newcomer seemed to have a good mentality.

"That pretty boy is the super rookie of the Timberwolves."

"Looks very happy!"

"Brian, you are the starter today. After the game starts, I don't want to see a smile on his face. (Brian Russell, 201cm/102kg, muscular man)"

"Put some intensity on that rookie!"

Karl Malone was also sizing up his opponents for today's game at this moment. Seeing Wu Dao chatting and laughing with his teammates, he felt a little unhappy and said to a teammate next to him.

After hearing this, Brian Russell touched his bald head, turned his head and looked at the martial arts of the Timberwolves, with a smile on his face and nodded.

(End of this chapter)