no shortcuts in basketball

Chapter 273 The Gardener

As the temperature in Chicago has risen, the Bulls' feel has gradually recovered, and their performance in January has returned to the level of last November.

But they are still not the most dazzling team in the league. The most dazzling team is the Warriors.

The Warriors are still undefeated in December, and their winning streak has expanded to a terrifying 12 games!

And during this schedule, their opponents include many championship teams such as the Raptors and Pacers. They even completed their revenge against the Thunder on Christmas Day.

Are they strong? Yes, this record says it all.

But they are still very hated, because it is shameful to win more goals by taking super shortcuts.

Of course, Zhan Mi and Yong Mi were happy because they enjoyed this state of "You can't stand me but you can't beat me".

"I feel like I'm in the best stage of my career. Are we the best team in the league now? I don't care about that. My only goal now is the championship." James finally expressed his gratitude to FOX Sports after being silent for a long time. In the interview, he regained his glory as a king.

It is worth mentioning that the 27-game winning streak is the second longest winning streak in NBA history, only 33 games behind the longest winning streak of 6 games.

Against this background, the Warriors and Bulls will face each other for the first time this season, becoming another focus battle after the opening game between Thunder and Yong.

"Boss, why haven't you fallen out with LeBron yet?" Anderson couldn't help but ask Xu Yong during the training session the day before the match between the two sides.

Xu Yong was stunned for a moment when asked, and then realized that Anderson was talking about Green.

"He doesn't dare yet."

"What about later?"

"Who knows?" Xu Yong smiled and shook his head.

If you study the tough guys in the NBA, you will find that they are two extremes.

Those who can play well, such as Ben and James Johnson, will not take the initiative to cause trouble or even be amiable on the court, because most people don't dare to mess with them.

This is one extreme. The other extreme is Green and Garnett. They are very verbal, but they basically don't dare to fight with others.

No, not entirely, they should be famous for bullying the weak and fearing the strong.

Garnett bullies rookies every day. Of course, he was beaten up by the team's second-round pick Rick Ricketts in the training camp. He punched him with a backhand and sent him to the hospital for seven stitches. Then he also beat him up. [Play] out of the NBA.

According to Green, at that time Pu'er was a rare rookie cultivated by the Warriors in the 2.0 era. As a result, he punched someone in the team to the ground, and also beat the latter to psychological problems.

But Garnett only dared to hide in the car when Anthony blocked the bus. Green was kicked out by Xu Yong and even dared to emphasize in the blog program that it was an accident.

Therefore, Green theoretically does not dare to take action against James. Although James can't do anything against Xu Yong, it is too easy to take advantage of Green.

Especially now that the Warriors are on a winning streak, anyone who causes internal conflicts will immediately become the target of public criticism.

"It's a pity. I thought it was a good show." Anderson said with a little regret.

"Play hard." Xu Yong reminded.

Is it a good show? Of course you have the chance to watch it.

Xu Yong, as a reborn player, has dealt with Green throughout his career. You will find that every time Green behaves is when he reaches the contract year, whether it is trash talking to Durant or that punch to Pu'er.

So if the Warriors want to trade him one day, Green will definitely not sit still and wait.

It's just that it's a bit difficult now. If James and the Warriors were compared to a young couple, they are in the honeymoon period at the moment, and Green will not stand out at this time.

When he returned home from training, Schwartz called Xu Yong and chatted with him about the latest information he had.

But it’s not about the players, it’s about the league.

Agents of Schwartz's level are no less sensitive to these news than media people, and they are even better informed.

The league is preparing to sign sponsorship contracts with gambling companies.

When he heard the news, Xu Yong's brows instantly frowned.

When did the NBA begin to decline?

From an economic perspective, it actually does not, because each broadcast contract is larger than the last, indicating that it is heading towards [prosperity].

But when did the NBA lose its original focus?

One is the change in the style of play in the small ball era. This is a chronic process. There are two main reasons. One is the [vertical take-off rule] that has already happened, and the other is the reform of 24 seconds to 14 seconds that has not yet happened.

The other is that the NBA is gradually becoming WWE-oriented, and the biggest push here is the legalization of spinach.

It may be a bit fantasy to say it, but gambling companies can become sponsors of competitive sports and then collect money from dog betting together.

But this has gradually made the NBA lose its competitive flavor and become a completely commercial game. Who else is willing to be enthusiastic about it except betting on dogs?

If someone does not fully understand the four words "drinking poison to quench thirst", then this may be a demonstration.

This is probably the reason why the bosses pushed Xiao Hua to power before, because businessmen definitely want investment returns as quickly as possible, and gambling companies can exactly meet their interests. Is there anything in the world that can make more money than betting on dogs? Woolen cloth?

On the night of the game day, the fans at the United Center were extremely emotional. Last season, the Warriors started with a 24-game winning streak, which was finally ended by the Bulls in Chicago.

And now, another Warriors team with a 27-game winning streak is delivered to the Bulls, or in other words, another golden background board is delivered.

During the warm-up before the game, the on-site photographer was looking for Xu Yong's lens.

Xu Yong is sitting on the bench under the camera, his expression looking very serious.

"This game is a huge challenge for the Bulls. The opponents they face are very strong." Over in the commentary box, after noticing Xu Yong's expression, Barkley rarely mentioned the Warriors.

"Of course, I'm not interested in this kind of team formation. It's just like when I joined the Rockets in 1993. Of course I could easily win two championships." Of course, he did not forget to add.

"So do you think the Warriors will win the championship this year?" O'Neal asked Barkley.

"Do you think the Rockets would have won the championship if Michael had not retired in the summer of 1993?" Barkley gave a very clever answer.

The answer to this question is an interesting hypothesis, but the reality is that although the Alliance does not have God now, it does have Satan.

"Whoo~"

Xu Yong took a long breath and stood up from the bench.

Thinking about it from last night to now, he felt that his plan to unseat Xiao Hua might have to be brought forward, because it is very difficult to cut off business cooperation after cooperation, especially after in-depth cooperation, it will be intertwined. May be separated.

But if he planned ahead, he would have to pay some price, which made him feel very bored and urgently needed to find a place to vent.

After the pre-match warm-up, the starting lineups of both sides were announced one after another.

Warriors: Curry, Thompson, Iguodala, James, Green;

Bulls: Beverley, Butler, Xu Yong, Anderson, Adams.

Cole started with a lineup like five, which only means one thing. He really wants to win this game.

This is completely understandable, after all, sending a gold background plate once is enough.

Adams moved the ball back to the Bulls half, and the game officially began.

Xu Yong directly caught the ball in the low post.

The match in last season's finals still seems like yesterday. Although the Warriors have an extra James, it's like adding a toy between a couple. The fun has increased, but the posture is still roughly the same.

Green's weak side shrank to help defend. Xu Yong made a fake pass in the direction of Anderson. After forcing Green back, he turned directly to the baseline. After a strong confrontation with Iguodala, he turned around and jumped up. He walked in the air and put a low hand layup to score.

What you have to admit is that in the Warriors' lineup, the only two people who can hold Xu Yong in the low post are James and Green. But if Green is guarding, Xu Yong will be like walking a dog when he is pulled outside to beat him. In last season's finals, An insulting game is a pain that Green doesn't want to look back on.

As for James, James said that he is the core organizer of the team and defense should not be his job.

"The good news is that Xu Yong's desire is very strong tonight." Barkley said excitedly in the commentary box. Xu Yong has only scored 60 points in more than two months this season. This is not like his personal style.

It's just that he said it as if James was really the toy that added interest.

But looking back, James broke through Anderson and assisted Thompson on the outside.

James and Curry are very compatible, but off-ball shooters like Thompson are really at home, because before James comes, the opponent's defensive energy will be greatly restrained by Curry. When James comes again, he simply won't feel too comfortable.

Xu Yong continued to play in the low post, and Green trapped him this time. Xu Yong passed the ball to Anderson. Anderson broke through the inside and performed a signature slow layup in the face of Green's defense.

Time and space seemed to have stopped at this moment. His movements were obviously very slow, but Green on the opposite side could not keep up with the rhythm. When Green jumped to block the shot, Anderson started the first step of a three-step layup. The result was a A grandpa-style layup.

"That shouldn't be a breakthrough layup in the NBA!" Although he had seen it more than once, Barkley couldn't help but shout with a smile.

"Man, he is the Time Lord." O'Neal gave Anderson a nickname.

But looking back, Thompson received a pass from James from the outside, attracted help and passed to Curry. Curry also made a three-pointer from the top of the arc.

This round of the Warriors gave the reason why they were able to achieve 27 consecutive victories. The system of James and the Warriors is really suitable.

The game seems to be back to last season's finals, with three points always being one more than two points.

Moreover, the Warriors continued to pinch Xu Yong, and Xu Yong also continued to distribute the ball. This time Green showed his ability to adjust on the defensive end, successfully forcing Anderson to take a shot from close range, and James turned around and grabbed the defensive rebound.

The Warriors play a fast break. The Warriors' fast break is already fast, but it is even faster with James.

In the Warriors' three-on-two frontcourt, James received Curry's return pass and performed the iconic James dunk in the middle.

After landing, James glared at the camera and made the iconic "strong" gesture.

It feels like he's trying to get back everything he lost in the East this season.

Xu Yong's face became more and more gloomy. Instead of playing in singles in the low post, he directly asked for the ball in the high post. And the moment he received the ball, he didn't test it at all, he turned around and forced it in.

Iguodala was a bit unable to keep up in the confrontation. Xu Yong was not as unskilled as James. His combination of footwork and explosive power was so perfect that Iguodala didn't have time to make a judgment at all.

After breaking through to the three-second zone, when he saw Green coming to defend him, he jumped into the air without slowing down, raised the ball towards Green and smashed it directly towards the basket.

Green felt his body go limp, as if some part of his body had shrunk, and he was knocked away.

"Oh!"

Xu Yong smashed the ball directly into the basket through Green.

James, who was supposed to come over to help defend, was standing on the weak side with his hands on his hips.

Compared with the improvement in offense, the defensive problem of this Cosmos team seems to be bigger than last season.

However, Xu Yong didn't pay attention to James, who was posing. Instead, he turned to Green, who was about to serve at the basket, and said lightly: "You are weak."

A piece of trash talk that seems to have traveled ten years. In the 2007 NCAA opener, Griffin sprayed trash talk at Xu Yong. Xu Yong turned around and gave it to Green.

But the difference from that time is that Green, who already has the reputation of being a softie, fits this sentence so well.

Green's face flushed, but the dull pain in his body reminded him to stay rational.

It's painful to lose one egg, but it's not a matter of whether it hurts or not, but whether it's a matter of being worthy of a man or not.

Back on the defensive end, Xu Yong and Anderson directly switched defenses.

However, the Warriors' positional battle was still successful in this round. Curry came out to catch the ball and attracted help from the defense. He jumped and tossed the ball to Iguodala, who cut under the basket and scored a layup.

Different from all the teams that James has been in before, as long as James was strangled, his team would be completely destroyed or at least half of it. But now, even if the Warriors do not have James, they can arm-wrestle with the Bulls. team.

More James is the icing on the cake, but less James is just as good.

A piece of hot knowledge, when James takes more shots, his outside three-point shooting percentage is not much lower than that of his predecessor, Barnes, and James' cutting is far more threatening than Barnes. On the Warriors court In the small ball game, even if you don't hold the ball, it will not affect the space.

After the goal, Iguodala retreated from the defense and directly bumped into Curry's chest to celebrate. The Warriors' morale was high at the beginning.

At this time, Xu Yong took Adams and gave him some instructions.

Then on the offensive end, he held the ball directly from the outside, and then called Adams to pick and roll.

When Adams cut the ball and Xu Yong made a pass to force Iguodala to follow, Green was suddenly stunned because he was sent to Xu Yong in a painful position in his memory.

Before Green could react, Xu Yong quickly launched an attack.

For a moment, Green felt that his unhealed wound was being torn open by something.

Xu Yong dragged past Green, broke through and glided inside to deliver the basket.

"Help defense, pay attention to help defense!" Cole shouted into the air on the sidelines.

"The air in Chicago doesn't listen to your command, Steve." Xu Yong turned to Cole and reminded him that he was full of aggression and needed to vent, not just on the court.

Cole's face tightened, as if he had been stabbed.

"Defense! Defense!"

The scene began to recall the roar of Chicago fans.

Under the camera, Xu Yong showed a murderous aura that came from a distance. They felt that their hairs were standing on end, which was the release of physical excitement.

The Warriors' offense was let go as the Bulls' defensive intensity increased amid the chants, but more importantly, Adams let Green go.

That was Xu Yong's instruction.

The five players of this Warriors team are indeed very strong. It is difficult to take into account every point, so they need to find a breakthrough. Compared with James, who has been beaten to a turtle by him, Green is a more suitable target.

So he is responsible for disrupting Green's mentality, while Adams shrinks the defense.

This worked, because Green's three-point shot, which was left open, hit the edge of the basket and almost missed.

Seeing this, Xu Yong went to the offensive end and looked for Green even more.

Greene looked like he was constipated.

He is not stupid at all. As Xu Yong knows, he is a guy who bullies the weak and fears the strong. Xu Yong's strength is obviously unparalleled in his existence. If he provokes him, he will not get any benefits. He will only be constantly humiliated by Xu Yong. .

Otherwise, why did he always go after Adams when he beat the Bulls, but never provoke Xu Yong?

You might think that his podcast is a sign of softness, but in fact he is showing his goodwill to Xu Yong: Brother, an egg is just a small matter.

It's a pity that his good intentions didn't seem to get the results he wanted.

After all, in Xu Yong's eyes, he wouldn't care about a trashy attitude.

Xu Yong changed a different posture and used a drum washing machine to turn around, but the same thing was that he passed Green.

And James still didn't help defend. Just like Xu Yong said, the air in Chicago did not obey Cole's command.

"Have you noticed that your teammates are watching the show?"

After scoring the ball, Xu Yong turned to Green and reminded him.

Green, whose face was getting redder at this time, originally didn't want to pay attention, but he turned around and saw James with his hands on his hips.

Theoretically, it is necessary for James to assist in defense, because Green, as a center, is very likely to be passed by Xu Yong.

But firstly, James always assists in defense because he has the opportunity to block shots. Blocking holes is not his habit. Secondly, if he assists in defense, it will inevitably mean letting go of his defender. Then the opponent will score more points, which will affect is his matchup data.

Of course, there are three more.

If Curry is passed, he is willing to help defend, but Green?

Green doesn't welcome him to the Warriors, so why should he wipe Green's butt?

Green's expression was particularly depressed at this time. He didn't dare to be angry with Xu Yong, but he didn't dare to be angry with James either. He could only get so angry that when he returned to the basket, he used the basket to vent his anger and punched it, which hurt him. Grinning straight.

Looking back, Green was left open on the outside again. His three-point shot after adjustment still missed the basket, which made him so angry that he also missed the air in Chicago.

But it's a pity that James is not even [real air] (real air).

The Bulls seized this opportunity to counterattack defensively. Xu Yong passed the ball to Beverley, who sent the ball into the basket before Green could turn sideways.

Then, after scoring the ball, Beverley leaned down and made the "too small" gesture that Xu Yong made to James last season.

Green almost died on the spot.

It doesn’t matter whether the Bulls are stronger this season than in the past two seasons, but their ability to kill people is even higher.

There are three trash-talking masters among the five starters, let me ask you who can withstand them!

Cole reached out and called a timeout.

After returning from the timeout, the Warriors made substitution adjustments. Pachulia came on, but he replaced not Iguodala, but Green.

Green looked a little internally injured under the camera, but there was nothing he could do about it.

But in the corner of the camera, just like Bynum's performance when Gasol was dunked, James was smiling.

Trade Green for a mobile blue-collar center, why not?

Green's attitude towards Barnes when he left on the podcast, why wouldn't James have the same attitude?

Seeing this scene, Xu Yong felt that tonight's harvest might be greater than expected.

When chatting with Anderson before, he believed that Green would not stand out now.

But for the seeds of contradiction that Green planted in his original podcast, he could be a gardener, watering and fertilizing them so that they could grow into towering trees sooner.

Maybe, maybe, Green could really punch James like that in the future?

After returning from the timeout, the Warriors did not turn into a disadvantage due to Green's dismissal, but instead stabilized the situation again.

Because after Green came off the court, James became more active on the defensive end, as if he didn't hear Cole's shout, but his reaction was delayed.

Xu Yong looked angry and funny.

I'm angry because he should have been gentler on Green if he had known James was so obvious. I'm funny because James really doesn't tolerate Green at all.

But when it comes to James' position falling, Green can't do it. There is no psychological pressure on him to squeeze Green away.

Thinking of this, Xu Yong felt that he should increase the intensity of fertilization.

When the game came to the end of the quarter, Xu Yong, who was still on the court during the stalemate, saw Green reappearing as the substitute No. 4, and he took the initiative to switch to Green. When Green transitioned with the ball, he said: "You It looks like he was the one who joined later.”

"Enough!" Greene really had enough.

"Bang!" When his mood was rising, the ball in his hand had been snatched away by Xu Yong in the next second.

Xu Yong performed an iconic 360° dunk in the fast break, just because he is a good person, which can help Green reach the top five goals after the game.

And when he returned to half court after retreating, he didn't seem to hear what Green just said. He just shook his head at Green and poured a spoonful of Yoneda Kyou: "It seems that your Warriors career has entered a countdown."

(End of this chapter)