Slam Dunk: My Study Abroad Career in Northern Hunan

"float?"

"Oh. I see."

Wu Dao's words were not difficult to understand, and Garnett grasped Wu Dao's meaning instantly.

Although Garnett didn't know why Wudao targeted the big yellow man, as Wudao's "brother", Garnett naturally would not refuse such a small request.

From a distance, although Yao Ming was very tall, Garnett did not show any fear.

He didn't think he would lose to a player who hadn't even entered the NBA yet.

As one of the core players who helped the Timberwolves win the championship, Garnett was full of confidence in front of everyone at this time. (Although he has always been like this)
For the entire morning, Coach Philip and his assistant coaches were assigning various training tasks to the players participating in the training camp.

The training intensity that these players in the training camp undergo is the same as that of the Timberwolves' in-team training. It is indeed as Coach Philip said, this is an opportunity for the other side to experience the intensity of NBA team training.

But Coach Philip also knew that monotonous group training would not satisfy the scouts and reporters who came to watch the game.

The performance of players in training cannot fully reflect their true strength on the court.

After all, basketball players have to speak through basketball games.

In the afternoon, after about an hour and a half of rest, the training camp participants who had experienced the Timberwolves team meals gathered in the stadium again.

After a morning of training, most of the players felt deeply tired.

The lunch break did not allow them to recover their physical strength quickly, and all the players participating in the training camp did not know whether they could withstand the afternoon training content.

Yao Ming is a big man. Even though he had received good training since he was a child, after experiencing a morning of torture, he realized how terrifying the training intensity of the NBA team is.

Fortunately, he is a player trained in the era of "Three Obediences and One Major", and he can keep up with the overall training intensity.

If he couldn't even stick to these simple basic trainings, he would be a disgrace to himself.

What Wu Dao was worried about did not happen after all. Yao Ming's physical condition was very outstanding. The scouts and reporters who were watching the training on the sidelines also saw Yao Ming's performance. In private exchanges, they all expressed their recognition of this big man, Yao Ming.

"After a morning of training, I think you all have a preliminary understanding of the training intensity of NBA teams."

"As for this afternoon's schedule, we won't continue with those boring technical trainings."

"For basketball players, everything they practice on the training ground will eventually be used in the game."

"The purpose of training is to enable players to perform better on the court. If you want to perform well on the court, you need to work hard off the court."

"This is the first time we meet, and I don't know much about your personal characteristics."

"Well, in order to deepen our mutual understanding, I have specially prepared a practice match for you this afternoon."

"I think you should be very interested in the strength of our Timberwolves team, right?"

"For you, being able to play against NBA players is also an extraordinary experience in your career."

“I hope you will gain something from the upcoming practice matches.”

After gathering all the players in the training camp, Coach Philip looked at the tired faces of the players and smiled brightly.

He knew very well what the scouts and media reporters on the sidelines wanted to see, and he would naturally not forget to arrange a training match.

Sure enough, after hearing what Coach Philip said, the scouts and media reporters who were originally listless all became energetic. Even the students on the court showed eager expressions on their faces when they heard that they had the opportunity to compete with NBA players.

Newborn calf.

These guys are not afraid of the reputation of NBA players. Their goal is to enter the NBA, so naturally they will not miss such a rare opportunity.

If they can beat NBA players on the training ground, I think the door to the NBA league will be open to them.

Everyone knows that their chances of winning are very slim, but that doesn't mean they don't have such expectations in their hearts.

After hearing the news, Yao Ming in the queue immediately turned his gaze to Wu Dao who was sitting on the sidelines.

As both of them are of the yellow race and are of similar age, Yao Ming naturally regards martial arts as his opponent, so martial arts becomes the goal to be pursued, even though they do not play the same position at all.

Feeling Yao Ming's gaze, Wu Dao also showed a faint smile on his face. He gently poked Garnett who was sitting next to him and said with a smile:
"Kevin, I saw the boy's eager expression."

"I was thinking of challenging you."

"You don't want to be defeated by a player who hasn't even made it to the NBA yet."

"If you can't beat your opponent, I can't imagine how the media reporters watching the game on the sidelines will report on you."

From Garnett's position, it was actually difficult for him to tell whether Yao Ming was looking at Wu Dao or at himself.

After hearing what Wu Dao said, Garnett's thoughts were naturally diverted by Wu Dao.

"Oh, how is that possible?"

Garnett curled his lips and let out a light shout, not taking Yao Ming seriously at all.

How could someone who hadn't even touched the NBA floor possibly beat him, who was at the NBA ceiling? Although Garnett didn't dare to brag in front of the media that he was the league's No. 1 power forward, in his heart, Garnett always boasted about this identity.

Of course, Garnett may not be worthy of the title of "the league's best power forward" now, but in the future, he may not be worthy of it.

In short, under the stimulation of martial arts, Garnett has already firmly remembered the player Yao Ming in his mind.

Barkley, who was standing by, heard the conversation between Wu Dao and Garnett and couldn't help but glance at Garnett, feeling that this kid was too easily provoked.

After Coach Philip announced the training match in the afternoon, he asked the players in the training camp to warm up by themselves, and he came to the sidelines to select the Timberwolves players to play a training match with those players in the training camp. Players of the level of Wu Dao and Kevin Garnett would not easily step onto such a field.

This kind of exhibition-style game is actually not suitable for stars of Wudao's level. Not only is it of no value, but it will increase the risk of injury to the players.

But... Wudao obviously doesn't think so.

He wanted to use Garnett's fame and his own fame to increase Yao Ming's exposure.

Wu Dao does not ask Yao Ming to have the advantage over Garnett, because Garnett, who has been tempered in the NBA for several years, is simply not comparable to Yao Ming at this stage. He only asks Yao Ming not to be beaten too badly by Garnett.

As long as you can do this, it's enough.

Coach Philip originally wanted to select the Timberwolves' substitute players to play training games with those young people.

But after Wu Dao's suggestion, Coach Philip changed his mind.

Wu Dao's way of persuading Coach Philip was also very simple. He just let the Timberwolves' starting players play for more than ten minutes and show their faces in front of the media reporters, which would be considered as encouragement to the young players.

At the same time, we will also bring Barkley, a new player to the Timberwolves, to see if the Timberwolves' main lineup next season can be compatible.

Wu Dao's words hit the mark exactly what Coach Philip wanted. He actually wanted to see with his own eyes what kind of chemical reaction the team would produce after Barkley joined the team.

Although the players in the training camp cannot cause much pressure on their teammates, but as long as they play the training matches, they can always see some tricks.

Of course, Coach Philip is also not planning to send out all the main players, which would be too cruel for the players in the training camp.

After listening to Wudao's advice, he sent Wudao, Barkley and Garnett to the court, and then he selected Chris Kyle and Ben Wallace to assist Wudao and the others.

Without Tom and Marbury, although the Forest team's lineup cannot be said to be full of main players, these players can be considered star-studded. Even if they are put directly on the NBA arena, it may not be difficult for them to make the playoffs.

It will definitely be a strong opponent for the young players in the training camp, enough for them to see the vastness of the NBA!
Martial Arts' opponents are also very particular, so it is natural for Coach Philip to take good care of his own players.

The No. 210 player for the student team is Timberwolves rookie Tyronn Lue. As for the center, it is naturally Yao Ming, who is expected by many scouts and reporters on the sidelines. Joining them is Oak Hill junior Desagana Diop (104cm, 17kg, years old).

As for the second and third positions, they are Jamal Tinsley (191cm, 88kg, 20 years old, a prep student at Iowa State University, 01th overall pick in the first round of 27) and Maurice Peterson (201cm, 94kg, 21 years old, Michigan State University, 00st overall pick in the first round of 21)

Wu Dao didn't have a clear understanding of college players. When he walked into the court to warm up, his eyes were also looking at his opponents. His gaze casually swept over players like Jamal Tinsley and Morris Peterson, and his expression became indifferent and calm.

I guess there is no way these people who can't even name themselves can enter the NBA.
Ultimately, Wu Dao underestimated the influence and appeal of Coach Philips. Almost 60% of the players who were able to participate in their training camp will be able to play in the NBA in the future.

It's nothing more than the difference between high and low draft picks. The talent of each player has been verified by many scouts.

The good thing about players in the United States is that every player will meet countless scouts during his career. The possibility of a talent being buried is very small. If you can't play well in such an environment, it only proves that your talent and level do not meet the standards of the NBA.

The warm-up time passed quickly. Under the expectant gazes of reporters and scouts on the sidelines, the players who had completed the warm-up took their positions on the court, ready to start the game.

The player who participated in the jump ball for the Timberwolves was naturally the tallest Garnett. As for the trainee team, Yao Ming and DeSagana Diop, who did not speak the same language as the other players, looked at each other, and both had the idea of ​​going to the center line to prepare for the jump ball.

Although Desagana Diop is obviously not as tall as Yao Ming, he also hopes to get this opportunity to show himself in front of the media reporters. This is the case for players who grew up in the American environment. The quality of humility is useless here. All players who want to stand out must compete.

"Hey! You, come here!"

Just when the scene was becoming a little awkward, Garnett's voice suddenly caught everyone's attention.

He pointed his finger at the tall Yao Ming, then pointed at the floor in front of him.

The English he used was very simple. Of course, even if Yao Ming did not understand the meaning of Garnett's words, he could still understand his expression and gestures.

At this time, Garnett behaved like a street gangster, acting like a boss and letting Yao Ming come in front of him to receive a "lesson".

After seeing this, Desagana Diop stopped fighting and quietly went to a position further back and stood still.

"."

When Yao Ming stood in front of Garnett, Garnett could clearly feel that the light from the spotlight was somewhat blocked.

The oppressive feeling brought by Yao Ming's physique can be clearly felt even by players like him.

Yao Ming's height is taller than Luke Longley, who Garnett faced. He is 223cm tall. This is the physical test data of Yao Ming when he was in the Shanghai Sharks. After putting on shoes, his height reached 226cm. In the future, his height with shoes even reached a terrifying 229cm.

Even a fearless player like Garnett felt suffocated when facing Yao Ming.

"so tall?!"

Garnett raised his head slightly and looked at Yao Ming in front of him, with a fierce expression on his face.

In this way, he completely dispelled the hesitation and fear in his heart and regained his confidence.

"Beep——"

After the Timberwolves assistant coach who acted as the referee blew the whistle, the training game officially began.

The basketball was thrown high into the air. Just as Garnett was about to jump, Yao Ming in front of him suddenly stood on tiptoe, and then put his big hand directly under the basketball and pushed the ball to the backcourt.

"."

Garnett didn't even have time to burst out his jump before the basketball was taken away by someone.

Only then did he deeply feel the malice brought to him by his height disadvantage.
"Hey, Kevin, come on!"

When Wudao saw Garnett lose the jump ball, he secretly laughed at him.

(End of this chapter)