Slam Dunk: My Study Abroad Career in Northern Hunan

Chapter 680 The perfect bull!
After the Timberwolves easily defeated the Spurs, the pressure in this month's game was much less.

Because the opponents they need to face next are not the top teams in the league.

The Timberwolves first defeated the Nuggets at home with a score of 102:76, and then the next day, they defeated the Grizzlies from afar back to back with a score of 94:72.

In these two games, Wu Dao's playing time was slightly compressed by coach Philip, and he basically clocked out in two quarters or two and a half quarters.

The storm caused by the game between the Timberwolves and the Jazz has not completely subsided. After that game, the management of each team in the league seemed to be vigilant and became abnormal in the use of their stars. cautious.

Especially those teams that are aiming for the playoffs. When facing some teams that are not very strong, or those teams that are very good and relatively weak, the strong teams in the league will often hit hard. Attack, but when facing strong teams with similar levels, the game will be more restrained.

He will hide his own stars and use them.

Stars have less playing time, and this situation will naturally affect the league's ticket sales. This situation quickly attracted the attention of the NBA.

After several rounds of discussions, the league did not sit back and let this situation continue to develop. Then at the end of the month, the NBA raised the existing penalty standards for flagrant fouls to a certain extent.

Fines increase and suspensions increase.

"When fans talk about our current Timberwolves a few years from now, they won't care about what a glorious team history we have created."

Among them, the most obvious feeling is actually players of Wallace's type. During the game, Wallace would even have the illusion that the "leaders" of the teams competing against the Timberwolves were untouchable at all? !

But they are star players of some of the more famous teams in the league today. These star players are important assets of the league and need to be well protected.

Nowadays, the league has only slightly expanded the scope of star whistles.

"Coach Phillip, every time we win a game now, we are creating team history!"

The referees in the league are given a small list compiled by the league, and all players on the list need to be taken care of by the referees.

"As long as we secure the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference, we will automatically gain a seeding spot in the playoffs."

In the last few days of March, the Timberwolves defeated a series of teams such as the Mavericks, Suns, Clippers, etc., hitting a winning streak, and then entered the regular season finale with a rainbow of momentum. stage in April.

"After tomorrow's game against the Pacers, there will be an away game against the Bulls."

These reforms and new rules of the alliance were officially released at the end of March.

"From the current stage, as long as we can maintain first place in the Western Conference, there is no pressure at all to pass the first round."

"In this way, we can ensure our condition to the greatest extent and at the same time reduce the risk of injuries."

"I brought you together to ask, which game do you want to try to win?"

Moreover, after several days of training, the referees also learned a new standard for whistleblowing.
When star players compete with each other, they can whistle how they want, and for the sake of viewing, the scale of the whistle can even be appropriately relaxed.

"Why? We played well in both games. Wouldn't it be better to strive for victory?"

This kind of operation is actually not unfamiliar to referees. In the past, they tended to favor star players more when calling penalties. When certain players started walking or did not explain their steps cleanly, the referees would turn a blind eye. Close one eye.

At the same time, the league also instructed the referees to intensify some calls for fouls against the team's stars.

But when a team's role players compete with another team's star players, it is necessary to "appropriately" protect the "safety" of the star players, especially during the regular season.

But in fact, before the end of the month, the referees had already made some changes in the way they whistled.

This is a strong team led by Reggie Miller, and it is playing on the road. It is a big challenge for the Timberwolves.

As the regular season comes to an end, he now needs to think carefully about the next playoffs.

"Kevin, this is for the longer term."

Of course, in order not to reduce the intensity of the game, the bias of the star whistle will not be too obvious. It is mainly aimed at some big moves that are obviously directed at people.

"The opponents in the two consecutive games are teams of this level. My idea is that we can selectively give up one of the games."

For these "battle-tested" referees in the league, grasping the scale is not a problem at all.

What is the list?

In fact, they are not the "big villains" in the alliance.

"Our schedule at the beginning of this month is actually quite stressful."

Garnett asked with a puzzled look on his face. He is a straight person and has many twists and turns in his mind, but not many. And he is an energetic person, psychologically speaking, whether it is a game against the Pacers or a game against the Bulls.

On the plane, just as the Timberwolves players were closing their eyes to prepare for tomorrow's game, coach Philip cleared the cabin of the crew and gathered the players together for a small meeting.

"We have played a total of 73 games and won 60 games. Our current record is No. in the Western Conference."

At the beginning of the month, the Timberwolves players boarded a plane to Indiana. They will play an away game against the 4-2 Pacers on April 50.

"In the playoff schedule, we will face the bottom team in the Western Conference in the first round."

He wants to win both games!
"I've made it very clear to you why."

However, Wallace is a player who has been in the professional arena after all. After a period of adapting to the game, he quickly found the referee's standards for whistleblowing, and his condition quickly improved.

"Based on the record, in the games against the Pacers and Bulls, if we give up one goal and compete for a victory, we can stabilize our current position at the minimum cost."

I give the referees this small list in the hope that they can take care of it.

Simply put, it is a star whistle.

Coach Philip stood in front of the players and analyzed the current league situation for them.

"The history of the team is irrelevant."

"Choosely give up a game?"

"They will only remember if we won the championship!"

"Strategicly giving up a game is the prerequisite for my discussion with you."

"All you have to think about is which team you want to win."

Coach Philip's words made the Timberwolves players couldn't help but talk among themselves.

"Can't we strive for them all? Coach, you know, we are players, and for us, winning is the most important thing."

"Aren't you asking us to match-fix?"

"Whether it's a battle with the Pacers or a battle with the Bulls, we can exert 100% combat effectiveness in order to win!"

Philip's more determined words actually did not shake the players' desire to win.

However, Coach Philip simply ignored the opinions of the other Timberwolves players, waved his hand, and interrupted:
"I tend to give up on back-to-back games against the Bulls."

"We are more confident in trying our best to win the game against the Pacers."

"Wudao, what do you think? Tell me." As Philip's words fell, the players' eyes turned to Wudao. The cabin also became quiet.

They are all young and vigorous people, and the martial arts of their teammates can certainly understand their thoughts. Of course, coach Phillip's plan cannot be said to be wrong. It can only be said that it is the coach's idea that has been carefully considered by a shrewd coach.

But...not what the players think.

Feeling the gazes of his teammates around him, Wu Dao showed a gentle smile on his face. He spread his hands seemingly casually and replied with a smile:
"Coach, is it too early for us to talk about this now?"

"Of course, in principle, I don't think there's anything wrong with what you said."

"But are you looking down on the walkers?"

"I think it would be better if we focus on winning the Pacers first."

"Although we have defeated them, their strength cannot be ignored and they can pose a huge threat to our Timberwolves."

Wu Dao did not firmly express his agreement or objection, and changed the topic ambiguously, not wanting to talk more about this matter.

As for what he thinks?
To put it simply, Wu Dao does not think that he will lose to others now!
"Hmm" After hearing Wu Dao's words, Coach Phillip had actually roughly figured out Wu Dao's thoughts, but Wu Dao had already talked about it to this extent, so there was no need for him to force Wu Dao to express his position.

Following the topic of martial arts, Philip nodded and said, "What you said makes sense. Even if you have to choose one of the two and give up a game, the game against the Pacers always starts first."

"In that case, let me tell you about the game against the Pacers first."

Coach Philip took advantage of the short time on the road to briefly explain to the players how they should play in tomorrow's game against the Pacers.

He actually didn't talk much about the detailed tactics. He focused more on emphasizing to the players how to play tomorrow's game.

In the game against the Pacers, coach Philip decided to use Garnett's inside attack as the team's first offensive option.

In addition to Garnett, Cherokee Parks and Stanley Roberts were also entrusted with important tasks by coach Philip.

The team's supply system around the inside is their decision to play the Pacers.

The reason is actually very simple, because the Pacers' internal strength is not outstanding. They are a team characterized by fast-paced offensive and defensive transitions.

There is no such thing as a true big center.

Coach Philip's strategy is actually very targeted.

The players' attention began to focus on tomorrow's game, and no one mentioned the previous topics again.

The evening of July 4.

At the Conseco Arena, home of the Pacers, players from the Timberwolves and Pacers entered the stadium amid warm cheers from the audience.

Although it was an away game, when the Timberwolves players entered the stadium, the cheers from the stands were no lighter than when the Pacers players entered the stadium before.

Unknowingly, the Timberwolves have accumulated a huge fan base.

Wu Dao stood in the stadium and looked towards the stands. He could see many fans wearing Timberwolves jerseys and holding banners and slogans.

Such a sight fascinates Martial Arts.

"From student player to NBA star player."

"This section of the road looks so short!"

Wu Dao slowly withdrew his gaze, secretly thought to himself, gathered his mind, and focused on the competition.

"Beep——"

As the players from both teams entered the court and completed their positions, the buzzer sounded to start the game.

As Reggie Miller's three-point shot was blocked from the air by the fast-pursuing Martial Arts, the cheers of the fans at the scene suddenly broke through the dome.

The timer on the basketball stand counted down to zero, and the game between the Timberwolves and the Pacers came to an end.

111: 108.

The Timberwolves narrowly defeated the Pacers by three points.

In the stadium, Martial Arts fell back to the ground covered in sweat, and his jersey was completely soaked with sweat. Looking at Reggie Miller in front of him with a slightly confused look in his eyes, Wu Dao breathed heavily, made a slight fist with one hand, and raised his arm towards the audience above the stands.

The cheers were deafening, but they had nothing to do with Reggie Miller.

These cheers were for completing the winning goal and sealing Reggie Miller's counterattack.

"Even now, you can still jump so high?!"

The cheers from the sidelines brought Reggie Miller back to reality. He turned his head and looked at the scoreboard, and couldn't help but utter a question.

The game between the Timberwolves and the Pacers was very intense. There was no suspense until the end of the game.

Wu Dao was keeping an eye on Reggie Miller throughout the game. This off-ball master was able to slip Wu Dao enough in this game.

But in the end, Wu Dao and his Timberwolves won!

At the last moment of the game, Wu Dao was still able to chase Reggie Miller and even blocked his three-pointer from one meter away. Wu Dao's physical fitness made Reggie Miller even more frightened.

"Just this amount of exercise?"

"Still a long way to go!"

After Wu Dao gasped and replied with a chuckle, he was surrounded by the rushing Timberwolves players in the center, celebrating the victory.

Reggie Miller looked at Wu Dao who was surrounded by players and walked lonely to the lounge.

"I seem to be really old."

Feeling his sore legs, Reggie Miller walked into the dark tunnel and disappeared from the sight of the fans.

"Very good, just as planned, we have cracked the Walkers' hard bone!"

"There are no serious opponents at the beginning of this month."

"The opponents in the middle of the month should make some appropriate trade-offs."

"We will be able to play in the playoffs at the end of the month!!!"

Philip is planning the next game in his mind and is very optimistic about the prospects of the Timberwolves.

However, Wu Dao, who was surrounded by his teammates at this time, and Coach Philip were not of the same mind.

"I heard that Pippen has recovered from his injury a long time ago."

"To me, defeating a complete bull is the only value!!"