NBA: Start by torturing Jordan and add points to upgrade

"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

"MVP! MVP! MVP!"

Inside the Conseco Arena, the Dream Team 5 and the opposing Puerto Rican team were warming up, when suddenly the atmosphere exploded! Nearly 20,000 fans let out earth-shattering roars and shouts!

The Puerto Rican players were all from small places. In their domestic league, they usually had a full house with 3000 spectators per game. They had never seen such a scene before. The cheers of the fans frightened many of them and they looked around to find the source of the chaos.

"Calm down! Everyone, calm down! Keep warming up!" A bald guy who looked to be in his early 20s clapped his hands vigorously, reminding his teammates not to pay attention to things that had nothing to do with them and to keep warming up.

This young guy is also the calmest and most collected guy in the entire Puerto Rican team.

In other words, he was almost the only one in the team with flaming eyes and a look of readiness to kill at any time.

Lin Tian, ​​who had just walked into the stadium, smiled and waved, greeting all the fans in the stadium!

For him, this is like going home!

The fans are so enthusiastic! I haven't seen Indiana for a long time. It's such a great place!

After sitting comfortably in the front row, Lin Tian made eye contact with the short man.

That guy was not afraid of Lin Tian's reputation at all, and he did not retreat at all. He even made a wait-and-see gesture to Lin Tian. Then he turned around and continued warming up.

Lin Tian recognized who this guy was at a glance.

Carlos Arroyo!

A point guard who hasn't made much of a name for himself in the NBA.

But this guy led his team in Athens in 2004 to defeat the invincible Dream Team, creating one of the biggest upsets of that year!

A cold-blooded, belligerent and aggressive guy.

If the next two teams have a chance to meet in the knockout stage, this guy will definitely be an opponent that Lin Tian needs to focus on defending.

"Lin, I heard that you have done a big thing in Europe." When Miller, Carter and Big Ben heard the cheers of the fans, they knew who was coming, so they came over and greeted Lin Tian immediately.

"I'm here to cheer you on. You have to cheer hard later. It will be embarrassing if you lose the game."

"Losing has nothing to do with me. I'm just a mascot. I come here to sit on the bench and help the team gain some local popularity." Miller shrugged his shoulders easily. He was right. He only played for a total of 9 minutes in the first two games. He was just here to make up the numbers.

"Me too! The loss has nothing to do with me. George doesn't like to use a purely defensive center. He would rather use two power forwards than let me play." Big Ben felt a little aggrieved. His playing time in the first two games ranked 11th on the team, which was just a little more than Miller.

The only one of the three who started was Carter. As usual, he showed his big white teeth and said happily, "Long time no see, Lin."

"Which team did you join? I've been running around in Europe for three months and haven't paid any attention to NBA news." Lin Tian and Carter high-fived and started talking about the most heartbreaking topic.

"I haven't joined any team yet." Carter's big white teeth disappeared immediately after hearing this. He said in a low voice, "I still hope Larry will work hard. I told him that I can accept a contract with an annual salary of 800 million US dollars."

"If it really doesn't work, it's okay to go lower."

"This kid." Miller shook his head helplessly and said, "I've been trying to persuade him for a whole summer. I told him to get the damn money! I told him to get the maximum salary. Larry was even willing to cooperate with him in a sign-and-trade deal, but this kid just didn't want to."

"He insisted on waiting."

"So, you want to hear my opinion?" Lin Tian looked at Carter. After Carter nodded, Lin Tian said, "Then go get the money, take as much as you can! If Larry can get your contract done, he won't let you wait until September. If he can't get it done before, he won't be able to get it done later!"

"But." Carter bit his lip and wanted to say more.

But Lin Tian interrupted him again: "You play basketball to make money. If you don't make more money while you are young, what will you do when you retire? Are you still going to fly around the world and do odd jobs to make a living?"

"My principle has always been to take as much money as I can while I can!"

"But Reggie gave up a lot of money! He lost at least tens of millions of dollars!" Carter plucked up his courage and finally came up with a counterexample.

"He's doing it for the championship, what about you? You've already won three championships, why are you still staying here and getting paid less? Besides, Reggie didn't get paid less after winning the championship! He even got more! He was making $3 million a year last season! Is he worth $900 million for his lousy performance?"

"Bullshit! It's not even worth 300 million!"

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm here!" Miller's eyes widened and he said dissatisfiedly, "I've scored so many key goals in the playoffs! How come I'm not worth 900 million? There are many teams in this league that want to pay me 1400 million a year! I'm just too old and don't want to move anymore."

"Vince, just treat it as bullshit. Anyway, if you ask me for advice, it's to get a maximum salary! Then while you can get the maximum salary, find a team that suits you! Didn't Jason contact you before? What did he say?"

"He still welcomes me to go there, and Al has already gone! 4 million for 3000 years! Al has joined the Nets." Carter casually mentioned Harrington's next home. This guy's market value was not as good as Carter's, so as soon as he received an offer that met his expectations, he left quickly.

"Learn from El!" After Lin Tian gave Carter his final suggestion, he had no chance to continue speaking for the time being.

Iverson and Marbury, two guys who are always complaining about everything, are here.

"Lin! You actually went running? You are a lazy guy, you are insulting basketball!" Marbury said aggressively as soon as he came up: "You don't work hard on basketball, you focus on boring things."

"If you don't respect basketball, basketball won't respect you! You will definitely lose miserably this year! You will definitely not win the championship this year!"

As soon as Marbury finished his provocation, Iverson next to him said: "To be honest, Lin, I consider you to be a good friend, but your behavior really disappoints me!"

"I thought we could meet in the finals and have a real fight! But I heard that you didn't practice basketball or train with the team for the whole summer? You spent all your time running?"

"You're done! My experience tells me that you're done! I think there's a high probability that we won't meet in the finals! There are many strong teams in this year's competition, and you could fail at any time!"

“I hope you don’t fail before us!” Lin Tian shrugged his shoulders easily, not taking the words of the two little guys to heart at all: “And I think you might lose the game today!”

"Today? Lost?" Marbury snorted. "Lost to whom? That Bolivia on the other side?"

"It's the Baltic Sea! You need to go to school, Stephen." Iverson pointed out Marbury's mistake.

"It's Puerto Rico!" A voice suddenly came. Lin Tian looked back and found that it was Arroyo who had an unhappy face and angry eyes. "Our country is not big, and our population is less than 300 million, but the name of our motherland is Puerto Rico!"

"You two bastards, you better remember this name, because we are going to give you your first crushing defeat in this tournament!"

"Pfft!" Marbury laughed without restraint: "This is really the funniest joke I have heard tonight! Okay kid, I remember it! It's pineapple bread, right?"

"Whatever you want." Arroyo snorted and said, "After you lose, you will remember this name. All of you Americans will remember this name!"

"I'm optimistic about you." Lin Tian leaned back in his chair and said, "I'm optimistic that you can win this game! I'm serious!"

"Thank you!" Arroyo nodded at Lin Tian, ​​and without saying anything more, he turned around and left the scene.

Then, Lin Tian noticed that this guy gathered all the players on the team together and was mumbling something.

Needless to say, they were definitely telling their teammates that they were being looked down upon and underestimated.

Then, there is a high probability that Puerto Rico will burst out with a powerful force and defeat the US team in one fell swoop!

Marbury and Iverson, two bulldogs, looked at Arroyo's back and muttered almost at the same time: "Don't know what's good for you!"

Then the two of them looked at Lin Tian again and said almost at the same time: "Just wait and see! Don't let me down!"

Then the two of them turned around like the twins and went back to their own half to warm up.

"The tacit understanding between these two guys is so good?" Lin Tian looked at the backs of the two men. If these two guys had any chemical reaction, then this American team would be incredible!

"What a bullshit tacit understanding! When the two of them are on the court together, they never pass the ball to each other! I bet that since the formation of the team, these two have never given each other even one assist!"

Miller snorted and said, "If the US team loses again this time, these two guys who don't cooperate at all will definitely be the culprits!"

"I know football!" Lin Tian gave a thumbs up and said, "Vince, you have to take more responsibility."

"What's the point of taking on so much responsibility?" Carter rolled his eyes and said, "I'm too lazy to run now. You don't know how many times I ran to an open position according to my previous habits, but I couldn't catch the ball or wait for a chance."

"Then I found that standing still on the wing not only saves energy but also makes it easier to catch the ball, so now I basically just stand still!"

Listening to the complaints of Carter and Miller, as well as the aggressiveness displayed by Iverson and Marbury, Lin Tian finally understood that this American team was not born with the winning gene!

There are problems with the idea of ​​forming this team and the selection of players.

Who is so good as to let Marbury and Iverson start together?

If they start at positions 1 and 2, there's no point in playing the game!

But Lin Tian also understood Carl's pain. If these two people were not allowed to start, it would be uncertain whether the game could be played well.

There is no need to fight at all!
Difficult? Then don't do it!
If these two guys are on the same team at the same time, then either they both DNP and aren't used, or they have to be used together, otherwise these two will overturn your table in a minute!
But no need?

If it were Larry Brown or Phil Jackson, they would probably dare to do the same, but Karl doesn't have the guts to use them.

Just grit your teeth and make do with it, what else can you do.

If it doesn't work, wait until we meet China, Yugoslavia or some other top team, and then find a way to stagger their playing time!
Well, that’s what Carl thought, we’ll talk about it later!
If we play like this, didn’t we win the first two games easily?

Among them, the German team is still recognized as a team with the strength of the top four! Didn’t they lose to us by 20 points?

Anyway, Karl felt that Germany had been defeated, so there was no need to change the formation or use his brain to beat Puerto Rico. Just a few rounds of gunfire would win the game, right?

Carl's contempt and completely non-targeted approach obviously spread to the players on the team.

The atmosphere of the American team is very relaxed at the moment. Some are showing off their dunks, some are showing off their dribbling, some are stretching while lying down, and some are chatting.

There were people doing all kinds of things, but not a single one was warming up according to the rules.

Well, it’s not that there is none, there are two.

Big Ben and Duncan are simulating a one-on-one under the basket at this moment, one is making a hook shot and the other is stretching his hand to defend.

The only thing that's not quite right is that if Ben was on defense and Duncan was on offense, the picture would be much more harmonious.

I don’t know what kind of magic potion Big Ben gave to Duncan to convince him to practice hook shots with him!
However, Lin Tian didn't care how Ben convinced Duncan. He just silently remembered one thing in his heart.

Next season, we must not allow Big Ben any opportunities to play one-on-one in the low post!

This guy can definitely show off his hook shot!
I must stop him from thinking this! I must!
In sharp contrast to the chaotic American team, which is doing all kinds of things, is Puerto Rico. They are as rigorous as an NCAA team, doing layups, passing, running and warming up in an orderly manner.

At least in terms of the level of preparation, Puerto Rico is completely superior to the US team!

Lin Tian was extremely relaxed and daydreaming, waiting for the game to begin.

The referee on the scene didn't let him wait too long. He quickly walked to the center circle and signaled the players from both sides to come forward and prepare for the jump ball.

"Brother Lin, do you really think Puerto Rico can win?"

After the American team left, Yao Ming couldn't help but look at Lin Tian curiously.

Based on his understanding of Lin Tian, ​​Lin Tian is definitely not the kind of person who would bring everyone to watch the competitor's game before the game to understand the opponent's strength.

He is not the kind of person who just arrives at a place and meets and greets old friends, watches them win a victory and then celebrates happily.

Lin Tian: What? I’m not a good person?
Dayao: Anyway, this doesn’t fit your personality!

"Whether we win or not is uncertain, but I feel that the American team will definitely fail, maybe today, maybe tomorrow. I have a very strong feeling: we may not even meet them in this World Championships!"

"Really? I don't believe it." Yao Ming shook his head. The American team! They pushed us to that point two years ago, and now you say they will lose to Puerto Rico?

"Want to take a gamble?" Lin Tian turned around and looked at the group of players from the Chinese team and made an invitation.

Unexpectedly, a dozen strong men shook their heads at the same time in tacit agreement to refuse.

No bet, no bet. We don’t want to bet with you, Brother Lin!
Who doesn’t know you, the casino bully!
Tch, boring!

Lin Tian yawned, then leaned back in his chair and started watching the game.

The US team was in pretty good shape at the beginning. It was as if Iverson and Marbury had agreed that each of them would control the ball for one round without fighting or competing. There was no connection or chemistry between them at all. When one of them dribbled the ball, it was as if the other was not on the court.

With this style of play, it’s absolutely no problem to beat weak opponents, but if you meet a strong team, you’ll definitely be in trouble!
At the beginning of the game, the US team relied on individual abilities to gain some advantages, but as the game progressed, Puerto Rico suddenly started to play zone defense!
As soon as this zone defense came into play, the American team immediately lost their ability to play!
Iverson and Marbury would often be surrounded by 2-3 people when they broke through, and they couldn't find any chance to shoot. Garnett's support at the free throw line could give the team some help, but the US team's touch was not very good tonight. Not to mention that they missed a single shot from beyond the three-point line, but their shooting percentage was really not worth mentioning.

On the other hand, Arroyo was obviously stimulated by Iverson and Marbury. He played aggressively tonight! At the same time, Arroyo, who is more adapted to international competitions, has a better understanding with his teammates, and is more capable of double-team defense, played better than Iverson and Marbury!

Break through and shoot outside, pass the ball, encourage teammates, and keep running!
Arroyo put in a top performance tonight that surprised everyone!
Under Arroyo's leadership, although Puerto Rico fell behind by 10 points at the beginning, they relied on their own efforts to prevent the score from widening and gradually narrowed the score!

With 4 minutes left in the third quarter, Arroyo dribbled past Iverson and made a mid-range jump shot!
55: 54!

Puerto Rico takes the lead for the first time tonight!

Although Marbury reversed the score again with a 10-point shot less than 3 seconds later, everyone saw it.

The American team might be in trouble tonight!
The game continued, and both sides officially entered the life-and-death stage!
The entire Puerto Rican team fought hard, and everyone was like a chicken with its blood pumped up. They defended frantically and constantly attacked the rebounds. They used their frontcourt rebounds one after another and their extremely tough zone defense to block the American team's offense time and time again, and repeatedly fought for the opportunity for a second attack for themselves.

In the last minute of the fourth quarter, Arroyo stepped up again and dribbled the ball from the top of the arc to challenge Marbury.

"You know, Stephen, I once regarded you as my goal and idol! We are both small guys, and I have wished countless times that I could play like you!" Arroyo said this and suddenly increased the pace of his dribbling!
Continuous changes of direction and footwork, followed by a sudden double-cross dribble to shake off Marbury's center of gravity, a lateral jump step to create distance, and then a direct 3-point shot!
"Shh!"

After a crisp sound, Arroyo made a 3-pointer!
The score between the two sides is 85:80!

Puerto Rico leads by 5 points!
"But now I don't need to worship you! I can beat you! I can beat everyone! Now, can you remember the name of my country? Can you remember my name? I am Carlos Arroyo! From Puerto Rico!"

Arroyo's shouting went unanswered, and Marbury quickly turned around to catch the ball, then dribbled quickly toward the frontcourt.

Time was running out for the US team! He was in no mood to respond to Arroyo's trash talk, but rushed to the front court, then suddenly stopped, ignoring Carter who was frantically waving his hands to indicate that he had missed the ball, and forced a shot from outside the 3-point line against the defense!

"Boom!"

After the dull thud, the Puerto Rican team secured the rebound again and the basketball was back in Arroyo's hands.

"I have imagined countless times playing against you in the NBA, and I have imagined countless times that I would beat you!" Arroyo faced Iverson this time, and he continued: "I think tonight is the chance for my dream to come true!"

After saying that, Arroyo accelerated again, holding off Iverson and charging all the way toward the heart of the American team. Then, he suddenly stopped before Garnett's help defense came up, raised his hand and made a signature jump shot to score another 2 points!
87: 80!

The American team only has 30 seconds left!
After the goal was scored, Carl quickly called a timeout, but everyone knew that the US team could only wait for a miracle.

The entire Conseco Arena fell silent at this moment, and the fans couldn't believe what was happening before their eyes.

How could a country that we had never heard of defeat us? Defeat our invincible dream team? And their leader was just an undrafted player last year?

This is impossible! Absolutely impossible!

But no matter whether the fans believe it or not, Arroyo, standing in the middle of the field and roaring wildly, will always bring them back to reality.

It was this ordinary little guy, who had no outstanding speed, wingspan, jumping ability and talent, but he beat two top guards, Iverson and Marbury, and shone the world on this night!

24 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds!

Arroyo's stats tonight were amazing! After this night, the whole world will know that a 188cm short guy from Puerto Rico led his team to defeat the Dream Team!

After the timeout, the US team missed the next 3-pointer, and after Puerto Rico protected the rebound, the US team did not commit any more fouls, as there was not enough time left for them to use the foul tactic.

They pressed full court, they wanted to steal the ball.

But Arroyo's dribbling was surprisingly steady. Facing the blockade, he quickly dribbled the ball across the frontcourt, then found his teammate who was left open and passed the ball to him.

Then there was another burst of rapid conduction.

The American team was running around but couldn't get the ball at all!
That's too late.

Time is running out.

"Buzz!"

After a buzzer sounded, the Puerto Rican team, which did not choose to attack, committed a 24-second offense violation.

But that doesn't matter anymore.

There are only 3 seconds left in the game!
The American team lost!
After losing to the Huaxia team two years ago, they lost again!
"See, I said they would lose. This little guy played really well! Mr. Liu, you can learn from him! His pick-and-roll, passing and grasp of shooting timing are all great!" Lin Tian said as he turned around and looked at Liu Wei who had just been selected for the national team.

"I think you're no worse than him! Both of you have average talent but a good sense for shooting, and you have a reckless heart. You're the type who dare to shoot and take responsibility at any time."

"Brother, are you praising me?" Liu Wei said with a bitter face. What does average talent mean?

I'm so talented! There aren't many point guards in the whole of China who are more talented than me.

Lin Tian: Then why don’t you compete with Iverson and Marbury?
Forget it, brother, you are right! It is just average, it is really average!
After such an extremely unexpected and frustrating loss, the players of the American team no longer had the spirit and arrogance they had at the beginning of the game. They walked off the court in despair and headed towards the player tunnel.

Coincidentally, the position Lin Tian chose was right next to the player's tunnel.

"Well played Allen! Some great breakthroughs!"

"Stephen, it's a pity that you made that 3-pointer at the end. You almost saved the team!"

"Paul, you waved the towel well today! Although you didn't play much, you still contributed your strength!"

"Sean, smile! Be happy. You look more handsome when you are happy!"

"Tim, it's okay, you go first! Kevin, I haven't seen you yelling much today, is your throat uncomfortable?"

Why did you sit near the players' tunnel? Why did you choose this seat specifically?

Isn’t it all for this bite after the game?

Happy! Very happy!
Lin Tian gave almost indiscriminate "encouragement" to all members of the American team. Although these encouragements basically did not receive any surface response, Lin Tian was still very happy!
As long as the meaning is conveyed!
In particular, in places where no one can see, the system is broadcasting loudly!

Although they are all experience, although Lin Tian is not lacking in these so-called experiences at all now.

But happiness is irreplaceable!

Super happy!

The American team lost!

This is definitely the biggest news of the first stage of the World Championships!

Although this did not affect the US team's 2-1 record in entering the semi-finals, they lost!

Still lost to a little-known country like Puerto Rico.

This is definitely enough to turn the entire American basketball world upside down!

At the very least, within the next two days, the entire American sports community, without any respect left, madly criticized the American team!
"This is not a team, but 12 players who happen to be on the court at the same time!"

"No coordination! The era of sweeping the world with personal ability alone is long gone!"

"The reason they lost to Huaxia is because they have Lin. What about losing to Puerto Rico? Is Arroyo also the next MVP?"

"Marbury and Iverson should take full responsibility! They were completely beaten by Arroyo!"

"What is George Karl doing? He is indifferent to the team's poor performance!"

"The team has been full of flaws since its establishment! The failure of this American team may have been doomed long ago!"

"Let the people who deserve to play play, not the famous ones!"

"Fame can't determine victory or defeat, why not give Miller some opportunities?"

"If we let Iverson and Marbury start together again, we will continue to lose!"

The crazy criticism and criticism undoubtedly put more pressure on the American team and made them feel worse.

Their journey in this World Championships is destined to be extremely bad!

The opposite of the American team is of course the Chinese team!
In the last game of the first stage, the Chinese team finally got their leader Lin Tian back. Lin Tian, ​​who started the game, did not give the Lebanese team any chance. He scored 10 points and 3 assists in the first quarter, telling everyone that he did not waste his time on basketball.

In the following games, Lin Tian played more and more easily, and the score difference was widened to 30 points in two quarters. In the second half, Lin Tian only played for 3 minutes. After the score difference was widened to 40 points, he walked off the court with ease. Judging from his appearance, he will definitely not play again tonight.

He scored 18 points, 19 assists and 9 steals in 4 minutes!
In his first game back in the national team, Lin Tian showed a near-perfect form, leading the team to a 50-point victory over little brother Lebanon, and entering the second round of the rematch with a record of 2 wins and 1 loss!
Although both teams had 2 wins and 1 loss, the moods of the Chinese team and the American team were completely different!
On one side, everyone was overjoyed and determined to launch another offensive against the championship, while on the other side, they were dejected and were being chased and scolded by fans all over the United States!

In the second round, the United States and the Chinese team are still not in the same group.

In the second stage, the Chinese team will face three teams: top team Yugoslavia, African powerhouse Angola and European powerhouse Spain!
As for the American team, they will successively face the Pampas Eagles Argentina, the perennial enemy Russia and the Oceania dark horse New Zealand.

The first match to start is the United States VS Argentina!

"Let's go and take a look?" Lin Tian immediately became excited when he heard that they were playing against Argentina!

Before the training was over, he pulled his teammates to go watch the game.

"Let's go after training!" Jiang Xingquan said with a dark face: "No matter what the situation is, train hard and then go to watch the game!"

So, because of this training, by the time Lin Tianle ran to the Conseco Center happily, the game between the two sides had already been more than halfway through.

53: 33!

The gap between the two sides reached 20 points!
More importantly, the team leading now is Argentina!
After losing to Puerto Rico in the previous game, the US team is now 20 points behind Argentina!
The entire Conseco Center was like a funeral, so quiet without a sound, and the fans were all numb.

No, how could we lose like this?
Losing is simply illogical!
"You're here?" Lin Tian had just sat down when Bird came over from somewhere. "One good news and one bad news. No, for you, both are good news."

"Oh?" Lin Tian was a little curious. Could there be good news for Bird today?

"The first good news is that the Argentine played really well! I decided to bring him to the team next season! Manu Ginobili, do you still remember him? He was the second-round pick we selected in 99!"

"Remember, bring him here. I like him very much." Lin Tian nodded, and then couldn't help but look at Ginobili, the absolute core of the Argentine team on the field, who was still the Pampas Eagle rather than the Pampas Vulture.

Long hair fluttering, so chic and elegant!
Manu with hair, so nice!

"Another good news for you is that we will most likely lose again tonight. This group of trash played so badly! A bunch of scum!" Bird shrugged his shoulders, sat next to Lin Tian, ​​with a conflicted look on his face.

He wants to see Ginobili beat the United States so that the Pacers will have an extra tough player next season.

But he also wanted the American team to turn the game around and not lose again.

Pain! (End of this chapter)