From sparring to superstar

Chapter 222. 220. Talk to the God of Basketball

At noon on the second day after playing the Grizzlies, Li Ao left Los Angeles with the team and flew to Houston, followed by a wave of two consecutive visitors.

Li Ao flipped through the schedule, feeling happy.

Although in addition to the opener, they also had 11 games in November, not as few as the next-door neighbor plus the first game of the opener with 15 games in the month.

But they counted the opening game against the Lakers, and there were only 6 away games in the first month, 10 home and 6 away.

The Lakers started with 6 hosts and 8 guests, and the two consecutive defending champions, the Zijin Army, were sent out to "parade" to boost box office at the beginning.

He saw that the Lakers fans were very proud to say that this was the NBA official's goal after 911/[-] to stimulate the market of the less popular teams, and to drive ticket sales during the period when the people's consumption desire was low.

The matter is such a thing, but if you insist that the schedule is arranged because of 911, then there is no need, the schedule will be announced on September 9st.

In the first half of the year, the Internet bubble burst, there was no 911/911, and the consumption desire of the Yingjiang people was also low. The main consumers of football tickets, that is, the grassroots people, had no money in their pockets.

In addition to this, when Li Ao discussed the reasons for the schedule with Vivienne and Liam, they felt that the league still wanted to help the Clippers compete for the Los Angeles ball market.

In the opening stage, most of the Lakers' games are away games, and the Clippers have 30 home games in 10 days. The more people watching the game, the higher the degree of discussion will inevitably attract the attention of more fans.

It's not to step on the Lakers, the Lakers are basically there, but to attract those fans in the greater Los Angeles area who don't like the Lakers, and passers-by fans who watch whoever plays.

In the Greater Los Angeles area, although the Lakers are the most popular basketball team, there are also many fans who don’t like them. This year’s No. [-] pick Tyson Chandler, who grew up in Hanford next door to Los Angeles, hates the Lakers very much. After he was selected, he was asked who he wanted to beat the most. He didn't say the name of the player, but he said the Lakers.

In the past, the ball market in Los Angeles was very solid. With competition, the ball market can be more active, which is good for both the Clippers and the Lakers.

The opening schedule was sweet, but in December, their schedule for the Clippers will be difficult, with 12 games, mostly away games, and a wave of 17 consecutive away games.

But in January, there were only 1 games, and most of them were home games.

Compared with last season, the schedule has been quite good.

When he arrived at the hotel in Houston, Li Ao received the news that he had won the Western Conference Player of the Week award for the first time in NBA history!

Before the start of the season, the league announced the adjustment of the awards for the new season. Starting from this season, the best of the week and best of the month awards are divided into separate awards for the eastern and western leagues.

When this adjustment was first announced, it caused a lot of controversy, and countless people complained about the certain star who did not win the best player award in the past month.

The media also bluntly stated that the subsequent decline in the gold content of the Best of the Week and Best of the Month awards was a product of the alliance's "star building".

However, NBA officials ignored the protests of the fans, and implemented the new award selection rules after the first week.

李敖首周4战全胜，场均22.5分7.5板4.75助攻1.5抢断3.25盖帽，命中率也有49%，三分命中率37%，罚球命中率88%，力压2胜1负场均35.6分的科比、3胜1负场均25.5分7助攻的纳什，拿下首个西部周最佳。

东部周最佳，被老鹰队的拉希姆拿下，2胜1负，场均30.3分12.3板3助攻2.3盖帽。

When Li Ao checked the news on the Internet to see what the media said about their Clippers' opening performance, he saw a news headline '96 Tanhua won the best of the week for the first time in his career'. He felt that this Tanhualang was too miserable. He averaged 20 per game. In the season of +10+3 and the season of 23+7+3, they never won the best of the week.

However, after seeing the following example of the best of the week after dividing the East and the West, the list of players who may win the best of the week includes Brand, Alan Houston, Pierce, Rasheed Wallace, Nowitzki...

It seems that Raheem has not won the league best of the week, which is also a normal thing.

After the player of the week award was announced, the league's division of the best player of the week and the best player of the month into the East and West has once again aroused people's discussion.

But things are a foregone conclusion, and the heat is not as high as in the preseason stage.

今天球迷们讨论得最热闹的，是加索尔面对快船队拿到6分3板1助攻1盖帽3失误这个事情。

Gasol's first 3 games in the NBA were remarkable, especially when he faced the Bulls, who were the No. 24 overall picks, he scored 11 points and [-] rebounds.

Moreover, compared with Olowokandi and Brand, the media and fans feel that Gasol has a better prospect. The No. [-] pick in the past three years cannot be the core of tactics, but Gasol can.

Unexpectedly, Gasol, who averaged 19+10+3 in the first three games, played so badly against the Clippers. Fans are very curious about how Gasol played.

After some media exposed the details of the game, some sympathized with Gasol, and some watched the excitement and didn't think it was a big deal. The topic became hotter.

Before the Clippers left Los Angeles this morning, Gentry accepted an interview and answered the matter about infinitely flanking Gasol.

"Sniping the No. [-] rookie is our tactical preparation. We know that he is the best player in the Grizzlies. As long as we limit him, we can win the victory more easily."

The fans obviously don't believe this statement, so it's called tactics?It was clear that he was bullying a rookie.

Some fans speculate-Spiderman is still grieving that the Grizzlies didn't use the second pick to pick him.

This statement has been widely recognized, and in their minds, Spider-Man is indeed such a broad-minded person.

It's okay if Gentry didn't come out to explain, and he was sympathized with his explanation-coaching Spider-Man is not an easy job, is it?Not only do you have to worry about being beaten, but you also have to take the blame.

However, even fans who sympathize with Gasol don't think there is any problem with the Clippers and Li Ao. In the world of sports competition, the weak can prey on the strong, and using basketball to abuse food on the court is what fans love to see.

...

After a short break, at 3 pm, Li Ao came to the training ground of the visiting team at the Toyota Center and practiced shooting for an hour, passing and controlling for half an hour, and running back for half an hour.

With two more passers, Bibby and Jordan, he felt that he should discuss with the coaching staff to add a little bit of his role in the cake, and maybe the shooting percentage could be raised again.

Eating cakes is actually a tactical role that requires the cooperation of teammates. If you rush in blindly by yourself, you may not be able to receive the ball even if you rush in. The passer must be in the right position.

He needs awareness and ability in this area, a tactical role, and actual combat training before he can continue to improve his ability in this area.

After a night's rest, the Clippers came to the Toyota Center to challenge the Rockets away.

When he came to Houston, Li Ao saw a lot of interesting news.

With the blessing of defending for three seconds, it is easier for Francis to break through and score, and he has become an average scorer of 20+ per game.

The old cat Mobley has also benefited a lot. Francis' breakthrough scoring has become stronger. With mid-range and long-range shooting as his main scoring method, he has more chances to catch and shoot the ball. The three-point improvement is particularly obvious. The rate soared from 35% last season to 43%.

But the Rockets have a miserable record, starting with 1 win and 3 losses, completely lacking the performance of the teams competing for the playoffs last season.

Olajuwon eventually left, and joined the Raptors in the middle class in 3 years.

Another starting insider, Maurice Taylor, is also gone this season. During the offseason, he was accidentally tripped by a passerby while going to the movies, fell to his knee, and tore his cruciate ligament.

The Rockets’ starters tonight are Kevin Cato, who averaged 4.7 points and 4 rebounds per game last season, and rookie Eddie Griffin, two inside players who should be substitutes in weak teams. Known by the media as the league's worst starting insider, Cato, who averaged 7 points and 6 rebounds per game, and Griffin, who averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds per game, are not as good as the data of a player on the inside of some teams.

The progress of Francis and Mobley is not enough to offset the loss of strength caused by the loss of the two starting insiders.

In addition, the Rockets also sent away high-quality role players such as Shandon Anderson and Matt Brad, in exchange for Glenn Rice and Kevin - willis.

There are rumors that the Rockets owner does not plan to sign any more players this season, because if they sign someone again, even if it is just another basic salary, the Rockets will have to pay taxes.

The purpose of sending away high-quality role players and returning veterans is to ensure that the salary will not exceed the luxury tax threshold after Mobley and Francis renew their contracts.

Li Ao recalled that during Yao Ming's 7-year career, the Rockets never paid a luxury tax. Instead, Yao Ming paid $10 in luxury tax in the 11-80 season after Yao Ming retired.

He remembers this because the figure of $80 is so impressive, which is the total luxury tax paid by the Rockets 10 years after the luxury tax was implemented.

At 7 o'clock in the evening, the Clippers' away game against the Rockets started.

Without Maggette, the Clippers didn't have a good defense against Francis.

Francis saw Jordan and played hard. He made 20 of 10 shots and 6 of 5 free throws. He scored 25 points and 7 assists.

But when Mobley met Li Ao, he made 24 of 8 shots and paid tribute to Los Angeles.

Kenny Thomas played well, and he was the beneficiary of losing the inside starting twin towers.

Francis fed the ball to Cato and Eddie Griffin. Neither of them could eat it. Eddie Griffin was the No. 7 pick. Francis chose to pass the ball to Kenny Thomas. He scored 11 points on 6-for-15 shooting tonight.

But apart from these three, no one else scored in double figures on the Rockets.

For the Clippers, Li Ao took the initiative to cut to the inside tonight, causing damage. The effect was good. Facing the Rockets' weak inside group, he dunked 3 times in positional battles, thereby compressing the Rockets' defense and creating a better situation for the outside teammates. shooting conditions.

李敖打了35分钟，拿到20分4板6助攻4盖帽，盖帽都是给了吃饼的卡托、埃迪-格里芬、凯文-威利斯。

乔丹拿到21分4助攻、毕比12分7助攻、小奥尼尔14分14板、大Q和皮亚考斯基都拿到11分。

106 to 92, the Clippers beat the Rockets and won 5 consecutive victories!

...

At noon the next day, the Clippers left Houston for Portland.

After arriving at the hotel, Gentry called the coaching staff and several core players to his room for a meeting.

Gentry opened: "After we finish playing the Trail Blazers tomorrow, we have 6 consecutive home games and are at home for two consecutive weeks. We must grasp this schedule and make adjustments to our existing deficiencies.

After playing 5 games, we can clearly feel that other teams have gradually adapted to the new rules, their tactics have gradually improved, and our advantage in this area is gradually shrinking.

I would like to ask if you have any ideas, and if you have any, you can give me suggestions. "

Jordan was the first to speak: "I don't suggest that we make too many adjustments. It is inevitable to understand the rules faster and take advantage of the rules. Alvin, you can't overreact. Our current rhythm is just right. I know you I want to continue to lead, but I still have too little experience. After we have a clear direction, we need patience instead of thinking about what to do, and have a long-term plan.”

Although he was reprimanded, Gentry was not angry at all, and replied: "Michael, you are experienced, I am too anxious..."

He quietly gave Doug Collins a thumbs up.

Still an experienced coach.

Originally, the team members were not called for this meeting, but Doug Collins suggested that Jordan should be called in. If there is nothing to do, find something for Jordan to do, and this guy is going to be a monster again.

Gentry agrees, but since you want to call Jordan, you should call a few more people, otherwise it seems that they are too purposeful.

"However, although we must be patient, we still have to seize this opportunity to make adjustments to the inadequacies of our tactical details. Michael, do you have any suggestions?"

Jordan was very proud of being recognized after a slap in the face. After thinking about it for a while, he said what he thought he did not do well from a tactical perspective.

Jordan is very professional in this regard, but he usually doesn't like to talk about these things. He is holding it, and now he is in a good mood, so he can say whatever comes to his mind.

This was a pleasant surprise for Gentry. From the perspective of the championship team, Jordan looked like a "prick". to a direction in which progress can be made.

Li Ao also took this opportunity to tell the coaching staff his idea of ​​getting the tactical end point role of cutting into the frame without the ball.

Gentry's eyes lit up when he heard the words: "Leo, your suggestion is very good. In fact, we are also worried about not having a strong off-ball receiving point. We have the conditions to create empty cut scoring opportunities, but after Maggette left, we The front line lacks athletic ability, and only Matt and Lafonso can take on this role, but Matt is responsible for flank cover and long-range shot containment, and only Lafonso is dedicated to this.

We are considering whether to trade a physical insider back, but rather than a physical insider, we want to bring in a meat shield center, and we are struggling with how to choose. You are playing shooting guard this season, and we actually forgot about you , We have failed in our duty.

In this case, we will temporarily cancel the plan to introduce physical fitness insiders, and we will arrange trainers for you to help you develop your abilities in this area. "

After getting the tactical role of Pie Eater, Li Ao said happily: "Then I will practice cutting without the ball in the next few days. Alvin, you guys have to prepare your tactics quickly. I won't be able to practice cutting in a few days. Your tactics have not yet get ready."

Not to mention the coaching staff, even Jordan's fists tightened when he heard this.

It's just arrogant!Madness!arrogant!

But there is no way to refute it!
His talent is good, his ability to learn new things is fast, and his speed of improvement is faster, not to mention playing back, but only looking at three-pointers. Last season, Li Ao averaged 30 three-pointer with a 1% three-point shooting rate. The media ridiculed that it's better not to think about three-pointers, just make good mid-range shots like Jordan.

As a result, in the first 5 games of this season, this guy averaged 1.8 three-pointers per game, and his shooting percentage was 35%+. In one summer, while developing the back-up to be the main singles method, the three-pointer has also become a routine. Way to shoot!

(End of this chapter)