no shortcuts in basketball

Chapter 94 [Knight Kingdom]

At the end of the game, players from both sides shook hands after the game.

Xu Yong met Ailes, who didn't get a chance to play tonight, and the two made an appointment to have coffee together later.

It was at this time that he realized that James had already left.

It seems that the tension between the two of them is a bit big tonight.

But he didn't care too much. After all, he came to the NBA to compete for honor and improve his strength, and he didn't come here to make friends.

And what James did only made him feel bad, and he didn't want to have anything to do with the other party.

Just after the handshake ceremony here, Xu Yong saw Jordan walking towards him.

And with him came the gazes of a group of people around him.

Even after Jordan retires, his influence is unparalleled.

Especially in the United States, his influence is undoubtedly No. 1 in sports history.

Yes, not limited to basketball.

If you come to vote for the best athlete in the United States, he is definitely the number one in history.

Xu Yong didn't know what Jordan was going to do when he came here. After all, the last time the two had a row in the training hall was not pleasant at all.

But when he got close, Jordan smiled and opened his hands towards him.

Seeing this, Xu Yong didn't refute Jordan's face, and went up to hug him.

After all, the AJ he is now endorsing is inextricably linked with Jordan.

"Good job, keep going." After the hug, Jordan said some words of affirmation and encouragement to him.

Xu Yong also replied politely.

This scene was naturally also captured by the media.

Jordan encouraged fans who beat North Carolina?
This title sounds very UC.

Jordan didn't say much, and quickly left with someone.

Xu Yong can more or less guess at this time that Jordan's actions just now have a high probability to be related to his endorsement of AJ.

After all, judging from the previous experience, Jordan has very little air.

It's impossible to change his attitude just because he won once?

How could the god of basketball be a Shaking M!

……

The Cavaliers locker room.

When the other players returned to the locker room, they found that James had already taken a shower.

And James was humming and getting dressed there.

O'Neill was stunned.

Because he has worked with Kobe and Wade, he subconsciously compares James with them.

If it was Kobe tonight, he would definitely still be practicing in the arena right now.

If it was Wade, he might have taken someone to overthrow the Bulls locker room.

But how did James manage to act like a normal person and seem to be in a good mood?
"Shaq, go out for a stroll tonight? I heard that the nightclubs in Chicago are very good." Seeing O'Neill looking at him, James even asked.

O'Neill shook his head. Although he has a more optimistic personality and is more playful, he really can't go out to party at night after being killed.

"Don't worry, Shaq, this is just a regular season!" After being rejected by O'Neal, James then wrote lightly.

His words quickly attracted the attention of others in the locker room.

"We just underestimated the enemy, just tonight's game again, do you think they won us?" James asked.

O'Neill froze.

At this moment, he didn't know how to describe his mood.

Although what James said is actually true.

The Bulls won tonight because of Xu Yong, and they didn't pay much attention to Xu Yong.

Although you are the second pick, in the end you are just a rookie. Can a rookie influence the game?You really thought it was Jordan!

Then, Xu Yong scored 25 points.

This is the consequence of underestimating the enemy.

If the two teams play another game on the same spot, they will pay more attention to Xu Yong and target more, and the Bulls basically have no chance.

But it is true to say so, but it is not the Bulls who force you to underestimate the enemy!
And if you lose, you lose. Saying that, it feels like being beaten down in public, and then saying that you were just careless.

However, after hearing what James said, the old players of the Cavaliers laughed one after another.

The atmosphere in the Cavaliers locker room seemed to become cheerful at this moment.

It's like finding the reason to lose, the burden in my heart is gone, and the loss doesn't matter.

O'Neill, who has played in the league for nearly 20 years, stared at his eyes wide at this time, and this time he opened his eyes.

……

After accepting Zhang Weiping's interview on the sidelines, Xu Yong and Rose were taken by De Nagro to the team's post-match press conference.

When they arrived, the inside was already filled with reporters, and some even wanted to go in at the door but were stopped there.

Such a battle of focus, coupled with the upset after the game, the reporters would not sharpen their heads and squeeze in.

After they entered and sat down, the reporters below raised their hands in unison.

"Xu, you scored 25 points in your career debut and led the team to defeat the Cavaliers. How do you evaluate your performance?" The first reporter named asked Xu Yong.

The other reporters also looked at Xu Yong in unison.

There is no doubt that Xu Yong is the focus of the topic tonight.

"I don't think 'I' led the team." But Xu Yong's first sentence made everyone feel surprised.

Even Rose and DeNagello turned heads.

"It was Coach DeNagello who set up the targeted play, Derek was in charge of the team's main offense, Jokin was doing his best in the penalty area, and it was Lol who was defending LeBron... and I just did it. What I should do."

After Xu Yong finished speaking, the reporters in the audience nodded involuntarily while being surprised.

They don't know whether Xu Yong is really a member of such a team, or just pretending to be like this, but one thing is certain, this young rookie is not complacent after playing such a beautiful debut, which is already It is very excellent quality.

"How did you know that LeBron would choose to pass the ball at the last moment?" The next reporter's question was still Xu Yong.

The on-site reporter who asked this question burst into laughter.

James has played in the league for six years, and it is nothing new to love to pass the ball at critical moments.

"LeBron is a selfless player." Xu Yong said, he did not pull himself to the same level as James because of his lack of quality.

"So I chose to block his passing route. At that time, Anthony Parker was completely open, and that was the most likely passing route." Xu Yong said and paused, "But more importantly, I trust my teammates to protect the box."

This time the reporters looked at Xu Yong with more certainty than before.

It is mentioned in every sentence, unless he has obsessive-compulsive disorder, anyone can tell that Xu Yong is a true team player.

And really looking at the statistics, although Xu Yong scored the highest 25 points in the game, his number of shots ranked after Rose, and he also sent 4 assists in limited touch time.

These may not be noticeable at first, but they are the best proof at this moment.

"Do you think it's luck to win tonight? The Cavaliers don't seem to take you seriously. They underestimate the enemy." Another reporter asked Xu Yong.

Xu Yong frowned slightly upon hearing this.

It should be said that before he was reborn, he actually watched a lot of NBA interview clips, such as "Ask Durant why his name is KD", "Ask O'Neal that a poisonous snake bit your mother's chest, would you help suck the venom out" and so on.

But when he saw that the other party was from ESPN, he instantly understood.

"Luck will help you score a goal, but it can't help you entangle your opponent all night." Xu Yong shook his head directly.

"But the strength of the Cavaliers is stronger than yours. If they fight again, they will have a better chance of winning." The reporter continued.

"We won." Xu Yong reminded.

"I mean, if this is a playoff round, four wins in seven games, if you encounter it, the Cavaliers have a better chance of winning." The reporter continued.

"No, I believe we can still win." Xu Yong answered simply.

This answer also made the reporter finally stop asking questions.

Clearly, he's got the answers he wants.

Team, mature, and confident.

Just after this question, the reporters in the audience already had an initial but very comprehensive impression of Xu Yong, a newcomer.

……

After the press conference and walking out of the venue, Xu Yong saw Ayers who was already waiting at the door.

After he greeted Rose, he immediately went out for coffee with Ayers.

Although the two haven't seen each other for only two months, they live in different cities and have just joined the league, so they always have a lot to chat about.

In particular, the cities where the two lived were so special, one was in the gang capital, while the other went to the legendary "Ke Village".

"Do you remember the Detroit when we played in the finals? There is a smaller Detroit." Ailes couldn't help complaining when they met.

"So exaggerated?" Xu Yong has never been to Cleveland, and he has only heard that it is a small city.

"It's a declining industrial city with a small population. If you stay there for a long time, you will really miss the days in Tempe." Ayers continued to complain.

Xu Yong smiled wryly when he heard the words. It seems that Cleveland is really worse than the rumors.

"And..." Ayers lowered his voice, "The Cavaliers are really depressed."

"Repression?" Xu Yong was puzzled.

"You know when we were in the Devils, we could say whatever we wanted, but there, you were very cautious in your words and actions, and you were afraid that you might say something wrong," Ayers described.

"It's normal, Jeff. The NBA is a commercial league, and it's different from the NCAA. You have to get used to it." Xu Yong enlightened.

"No, I know that difference, but it's different there, it's more like... than a team, I don't know how to describe it, but even Shaq has to look at LeBron's eyes when he's talking. ’” Ailes seemed to have finally found the right adjective.

"Knight... Kingdom?" Xu Yong subconsciously thought of a word.

"Yeah! That's the word! You know, in a small city like that, with one of the most talented players in history, and he's really like a king on the team, and he seems to be enjoying being one." King." Ayers said bitterly.

Xu Yong was taken aback when he heard the words. He really couldn't imagine the scene Ayers described, but he couldn't help but feel sorry for Ayers. Not only did he go to that kind of place, but he didn't even have a chance to play. It was really a big deal for him to be selected by the Cavaliers. unfortunate thing.

(End of this chapter)