no shortcuts in basketball

Chapter 160 2011 Trade Deadline
Thibodeau did not treat James differently. He gave James playing time second only to Xu Yong.

James also seized the opportunity to get some data.

But when the game came to the final quarter and the two sides resumed high-intensity confrontation, James was forced to become invisible again.

To paraphrase fans on social media at this time: When you don’t have the skills, you can’t even play in the All-Star Game.

The intensity of the game in the last quarter was very high, jumping directly from the playoff level to the finals level.

The strengths of both sides are equally matched, and at this time, tacit understanding becomes the key to the outcome of the game.

The tacit understanding between the Bulls trio in the East is obviously better than that in the West.

However, at the final moment of the game, Kobe showed his competitiveness, hitting three consecutive goals and launching a counterattack with a strong personal touch. He narrowed the point difference to 30 points in one round 2 seconds before the end.

Thibodeau called a timeout.

When the timeout came back, the opening scene was repeated, with Xu Yong posting up Kobe in the high post.

At this time, Durant on the Western Team wanted to come up to help defend, but Kobe signaled him back.

At this time, Kobe Bryant scored the most points on the Western Conference team. He scored a game-high 26 points on 14 of 37 shots.

If the Western Conference wins, then Kobe will undoubtedly be the MVP, and he has the most 4 All-Star Game MVPs currently.

So his choice will be respected by everyone else in the Western Conference.

Xu Yong got the opportunity to play Kobe one-on-one.

This goal is very critical. If he doesn't score, with Kobe's current state, there is a high probability that he can tie the score in the next round and drag the game into overtime. Then the Eastern team will ruin the good situation all night.

The scene was filled with fans cheering each other.

Jordan sat up straight.

Thirteen years ago, the young Kobe challenged him in the All-Star Game and was talked about by fans.

但很少有人关注那晚的结果，他18投10中拿下23分6板8助攻，拿到率领东部队轻松击败了西部队。

而科比科比16投仅7中拿到18分6板1助攻。

There are not so many fairy tales in reality, but what happened in front of him at this time was very fairy tale-like.

Xu Yong started back hitting, and he cleverly used his weight to force Kobe to sink his center of gravity.

Kobe didn't dare to cut the ball easily at this time. He just maintained his defensive position, like a Black Mamba ready to attack.

At this moment, Xu Yong suddenly turned over and leaned back.

This choice was very sudden. Although Kobe reacted, but because the center of gravity was pressed, the movement of getting up and jumping up was obviously slow.

Xu Yong met Kobe in the air and completed the shot steadily.

"Shh!"

At the critical moment, he showed no mercy and directly raised the knife and dropped it.

There was an uproar from the audience.

They didn't expect that the final goal that decided the winner would look so "simple."

The camera once again showed Jordan in the audience. Jordan was smiling and applauding Xu Yong's goal just now.

Xu Yong realized the true meaning of turning around and leaning back with the ball he just played: the great path leads to simplicity.

Although complicated and fancy forward swings are more enjoyable to watch, they not only consume physical energy but also give the opponent a chance to destroy your attack.

On the contrary, the simpler and faster the move is, the real killer move is.

Of course, the premise of all this is talent. Xu Yong's size, his physical fitness, and excellent shooting speed can achieve such an effect.

Kobe's expression at this time was also quite helpless.

The final result of tonight's duel is that the waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves ahead, with each wave getting higher than the last.

The Western team failed to hit the last three-point shot, and the score on the court was finally fixed at 148 to 144.

The Eastern team defeated the Western team by 4 points and won this exciting All-Star game.

In terms of statistics, for the Western Team, Kobe Bryant had the highest score on the team with 37 points and 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Durant had the second highest score on the team with 34 points, and Gasol had 17 points and 7 rebounds.

东部队这边，徐永拿到了东部这边最高的34分，外加8板4助攻2抢断2盖帽，詹姆斯有20分12板6助攻的准三双，罗斯拿到15分4板12助攻的两双数据，韦德14分4板2助攻，姚明10分8板。

Shortly after the game, the All-Star Game MVP was awarded.

"Satan! Satan!"

Shouts erupted before Stern announced the result.

And when Stern actually delivered the trophy to Xu Yong, the cheers at the scene were overwhelming.

Just like there is a difference between MVP and MVP, there is also a difference between All-Star Game MVPs.

Xu Yong is the All-Star Game MVP tonight, competing with Kobe from the beginning to the end, and he deserves it.

In other words, compared to what the media blows out, this kind of real recognition by fans is the real gold content.

Xu Yong delivered a very humorous acceptance speech after receiving the trophy.

"My agent told me before the game that this trophy was worth $100 million. I got excited when I heard it. It was a full $100 million."

The first words he spoke elicited bursts of laughter from the audience.

Because of the off-site commercial value, $100 million is actually not that much for Xu Yong now.

"I have to thank all my teammates on the Eastern Team. Without their support we wouldn't have won tonight's game. Of course without their support, I wouldn't have had as many shots."

Xu Yong's second sentence won not only a burst of laughter, but also a burst of applause.

True humor is often the truest words spoken in a humorous way.

"Of course I have to thank Coach Thibodeau, my coach. You don't know how happy it is to play under your own head coach in the All-Star Game."

This time, the whistle on the scene could not be stopped.

Too real, but too funny.

But outside the camera at this time, James' face was burning, and his fist could not be harder.

His experiences before and after the All-Star Game made him a living comedian.

If he had known this, he might as well have been invisible.

Windhorst really did a great job once again.

"Of course I have to thank our opponent tonight, Kobe..."

When Xu Yong mentioned Kobe's name, the scene was filled with cheers from the fans.

Kobe's performance tonight was absolutely perfect, and if the Western Conference team hadn't lost the game in the end, Kobe would be a well-deserved MVP.

Kobe felt the cheers of the fans and smiled and extended his hand in response.

Although he is very competitive, the All-Star Game is just an entertainment event after all. The outcome is not that important, as long as the process is exciting.

"Kobe is the best opponent. If I can choose, I will share this honor with him." Xu Yong continued.

His words also triggered another burst of cheers from the audience.

Sharing MVPs is not uncommon in the All-Star Game, having happened five times before.

But it has never been shared with an opponent before. "You can choose this way." At this moment, Stern on the side said to Xu Yong.

When O'Neal only scored 2009 points in 17 and was able to share the All-Star Game MVP with Kobe, you knew that this honor was more entertainment-oriented.

Or in other words, it comes from how topical it is.

After all, few people would actually include the All-Star Game MVP when competing for honors.

Hearing Stern's answer, Xu Yong was surprised and hurriedly called Kobe over.

In the end, the two men lifted the trophy that symbolized MVP together amidst the standing applause of the fans at the scene.

This scene was frozen, and it also made this year's All-Star Game full of topics.

Even at the same time when the two toasted, some fans had already listed a series of numbers on social media. 2 times 3 equals 6, and 2 plus 4 also equals 6. This is the best inheritance.

James: Obviously I am also No. 6!
James really had murderous intentions towards Xu Yong at this moment.

You didn't even choose me for sharing!

When we meet in the playoffs, don't blame him for being ruthless.

After the awards ceremony, Swift went directly to the stadium to find Xu Yong.

And at this time, she did not shy away and behaved intimately with Xu Yong.

This is basically an official announcement of their relationship.

……

The All-Star Game has come to an end, and the topic of the All-Star Game continues.

Xu Yong is undoubtedly the biggest winner.

Not only did he win the Shooting Stars championship as the top vote-getter and the MVP of the All-Star Game, he also became a hot topic in the United States because of Swift.

To paraphrase some people, Xu Yong managed to become the most popular female singer in the United States with just his sophomore year. Coupled with his achievements in the arena, he was promoted, raised his salary, and married Bai Fumei. Is it a true portrayal of the peak of life?

Of course, fans are not only paying attention to some news about the All-Star Game at this time, because this year's trade deadline market is also more lively than ever.

And this excitement is the same as the previous offseason, and it still has something to do with the Heat's big three.

Because after the Heat's Big Three announced their team-up, many teams were actually half in ruins.

After all, this kind of lineup that has never been seen in history is just like when you encounter a cheat in the game. Most people's first reaction is that you will win this round, let's wait for the next round.

But when the season really started, they found that the Heat's Big Three seemed to be just that.

Even the record in November, not to mention becoming a benefit to the Eastern Conference, even the teams in the Western Conference were eager to play with them immediately to highlight the achievement of "defeating the Heat's Big Three".

Or to use another metaphor, when you encounter a tiger and are too scared to move, the tiger suddenly shows a chicken foot, and you are naturally not afraid anymore.

Therefore, many teams, especially those in the Eastern Conference, are looking for reinforcements.

Among them, the Knicks and Nets, who pursued the Big Three last summer, are the most active.

Especially the Knicks, they are only an official announcement away from getting Anthony.

Of course, it's not just this kind of team that is in the middle of the Eastern Conference. Several teams at the top are also trying to strengthen.

The Heat are trying to improve their point guard strength, and as the season progresses, Arroyo is gradually losing his starting position in the Heat.

The Bulls are not idle either. After Thibodeau adjusted the starting lineup, the team only has O'Neal and Gibson at power forward. This configuration is obviously a little thin.

Especially since O'Neal Jr. has begun to have some injury risks after starting the starting lineup, reinforcements are also imperative.

In the Bulls' first training session after the All-Star Game, the players were full of enthusiasm.

The All-Star Weekend is a watershed. The Bulls have basically set their tone for the championship. Who wouldn't be full of motivation on a team competing for the championship?
Even O'Neal trains very diligently. Of course, only Xu Yong knows that this guy is not only for the fifth championship, but also for his delicious food.

But one person in the group looked noticeably depressed.

Tony Allen.

Allen originally came to Chicago because of Thibodeau and the starting commitment, but as the season progressed, he not only lost his starting position, but even fell out of the rotation, playing very little playing time.

This is the cruelty of the NBA. Those so-called promises are only temporary and can only be achieved if one's own hard power is strong enough.

And there is another thing. It does not mean that if Xu Yong opens his eyes and sees good players, he will definitely be able to play well in a different environment.

A player's performance is affected by multiple factors such as the team's style of play and competition within the team.

And at this stage of his career, it will be difficult for Allen to re-develop his offense.

So now, along with the Bulls reinforcement rumors, Allen has frequently become a trading chip for the Bulls.

This is not because Allen must be traded, but because of the salary structure of the Bulls, there are not many players in the lineup who can be used as trading chips.

Allen's annual salary of 300 million is very valuable in trading.

The relationship between Xu Yong and Allen was going well. After seeing the pressure on the other party, he went over to chat with him for a while.

To be honest, the current situation is not necessarily a bad thing for Allen to trade.

After all, he signed a three-year guarantee contract. If he changes to another team and has more stable playing time, he will have a chance to win the next better contract.

Just look at Noah's situation. Noah is now a starter in the Western Conference All-Stars, and his next contract is scheduled to pay a maximum salary. For the player personally, this result is definitely better than staying with the Bulls.

"Besides, you may not leave." Xu Yong comforted him with a smile at the end.

Thibodeau still likes defensive players, especially Allen. Although he has shortcomings, he still has a lot of room to play in the playoffs.

Of course, these comforts from Xu Yong only made Allen relax temporarily, and his pressure will not disappear before the deadline actually arrives.

Time flies, and the trade deadline is here in a blink of an eye.

This year’s deadline truly embodies that saying: deals are flying everywhere.

First, the Knicks, Nuggets and Timberwolves made a three-way deal. The main body was the Knicks and the Nuggets. The Knicks paid Felton, Gallinari, Chandler, Mozkov, E A large number of players such as Dee Curry and Anthony Randolph, plus the first round in 2014, were exchanged for Anthony, Billups, Williams, Carter, Backman, and Corey Brewer.

As Xu Yong knew, Anthony still came to the Knicks and became teammates with Stoudemire, and there was another competitive team in the Eastern Conference.

Immediately afterwards, the Nets also took action. They sent Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, two first-round picks and cash to the Jazz to get Deron Williams.

Then the Celtics sent Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Thunder for Jeff Green and Nenad Kostic.

Immediately afterwards, the Heat and Bulls also made operations one after another.

The Heat acquired Jeff Ayers from the Cavaliers in exchange for Jamal Magloire and a future first-round pick.

Xu Yong was a little confused when he saw the news.

Although he can understand the original intention of the Heat's trade, because in addition to the point guard problem, Haslem has also been troubled by injuries this season, and the Heat are short of people at the power forward position.

And Ayers has played well after getting the chance with the Cavaliers this season.

But why Ayers again?
This is just leaving the tiger's mouth and entering the wolf's den again!

But he hasn't recovered from this, and the next transaction of the Bulls also surprised him.

The Bulls, Rockets and Grizzlies reached a three-party deal. The specific contents of the deal are:

The Rockets traded Sean Battier and Ish Smith for Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll and a first-round pick (from the Grizzlies).

The Grizzlies received Kyle Korver, James Johnson and Ish Smith in exchange for Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll, and a first-round pick.

The Bulls traded Kyle Korver and James Johnson to get Shane Battier.

(End of this chapter)