So I am the god of basketball?

Chapter 109 It’s not that I can’t beat the Magic, I just can’t beat the Magic with Dream

In the first game in February, the Magic sat at home and faced the Pistons, who had two All-Stars.

Meng Lang and Grant Hill met again.

Before the game, Adidas specially arranged for two people to be interviewed together, and announced that both people would release "All-Star limited shoes" during this year's All-Star period. As soon as the news came out, it immediately aroused the expectations of all fans.

It can be said that Adidas's signings in the past two years have been "rewarding", and it has reached its peak this year.

The first and second place in the All-Star voting are both owned by Adidas. Since Nike signed Michael Jordan, when have they been so prosperous?

Coupled with the friendship between the two of them, Adidas executives are now determined to develop these two guys.

If we really want to talk about momentum, Grant Hill is still above Meng Lang.

Not only was he the "All-Star vote leader", he also led the "94 generation" in the "Rookie of the Month" award, and eventually won the "Best Rookie" award together with Jason Kidd.

Ok?

Meng Lang thought of this and suddenly reacted. If anyone had the most regrettable rookie season, it was undoubtedly Carmelo Anthony. His statistics were about the same as those of LeBron James. He had slight advantages in scoring and rebounding. It's just that his assists are a little bit behind, but his team has entered the playoffs and has a better record than the Cavaliers. Ordinarily, if he can't win "Rookie of the Year", he should be "on par with LeBron James" "That's right!"

But in the end it was a pity that he failed.

As for the rookie who won the "Best Rookie" award, who regrets it the most. Then there is no doubt that it is Hill.

Because Grant Hill, who averaged 19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game, ended up sharing this award with Jason Kidd, who averaged 11.7 points and 7.7 assists per game. Logically speaking, based on Hill's average data per game, even if it is impossible to be unanimously elected , and it is impossible to vote with Kidd.

Later, many media said that Hill chose Fila because he offended two major sneaker brands, Adidas and Nike, resulting in not enough media resources to help him support the stunt.

Regardless of whether this statement was correct or not, it reminded Meng Lang anyway.

Hill's current momentum is so strong that he must use it to build momentum for his bid for "Best Rookie of the Year". There is no way he can be on the same level as Jason Kidd this time.

Just kidding, this is the "All-Star vote king"!

But the gimmick also needs to be enough to attract attention, and with Hill's temper and character, if he is allowed to compete with Jason Kidd, it is better to let the meat bun beat the dog. There is no breakthrough from his side, then...

Start with the brand!

Adidas representatives are definitely more concerned about Hill than whether he can monopolize the "Rookie of the Year" award.

The commonly used gimmicks are basically to touch the "seniors".

For example, when the media introduced Meng Lang after the finals, they would always say that he was "the second Magic Johnson."

Having said this, everyone will understand how remarkable his achievements are.

孟浪经过他们这么一说，目光立马落在了希尔的场均数据上，场均19.9分6.2篮板5.2助攻……这要是场均再多拿个0.1分，那不就是传说中的“20加5加5”了嘛？

The future "little emperor" relied on this data to defeat Carmelo Anthony!

Later in 09, Evans also relied on this data to win the final "Rookie of the Year"!

What the LeBron James team said at the time was: After Big "O" and Michael Jordan, he was the third rookie to get this data.

Big O is the "Historical Triple-Double King", not to mention Jordan. Side by side with the two of them, need we say more about the gold content of this data?

It was through such confusion that LeBron successfully defeated Carmelo Anthony. Many fans of the "Little Emperor" even used this as an argument to refute those rationalists who said that the "Best Rookie" should belong to Anthony.

But in fact, "20 plus 5 plus 5" is nonsense!

真要说的话，大O新秀赛季的场均数据应该是场均30.5分10.1篮板9.7助攻，就差0.3个助攻，便是场均三双；乔丹新秀赛季的数据为场均28.2分6.5篮板5.9助攻……

Let's put it this way, if this "customized data" is more stringent, such as 30 plus 10 plus 9, then Big O is the only person in history who can do this, and is the "goat" of this data!

If you relax a little bit, for example, 25 plus 5 plus 5, then Jordan is the "second man in history."

Anyway, there is nothing wrong with LeBron James.

Aren’t Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan’s “20 plus 10” averages per game in their rookie seasons more dominant than this kind of data?

And James really does this kind of thing a lot!

Another example is that LeBron’s number of buzzer beaters is the first in NBA history, but what’s the reality? They also included the number of near-wins until the official gave the correct data. His position suddenly jumped to third place. The people ahead of him were none other than Jordan and Kobe.

In short, a meal of customized data.

But this customized data is really amazing!

Especially in the United States, the power of fooling the audience to win votes is definitely a leverage. Any player in the NBA who has obtained the "20 plus 5 plus 5" data will be the "Best Rookie".

Meng Lang felt that Adidas could also use an average of 20 plus 5 plus 5 per game to create a gimmick for Hill. Anyway, the average difference was only 0.1 points per game, which meant that Hill "swiped" an extra ball from time to time. If you score 2 more points, you can reach 20 games. As long as Hill wants to get "20 plus 5 plus 5", it will be easy.

As for Jason Kidd not winning "Rookie of the Year"...

You can't blame Meng Lang for this.

Who said they weren't brothers?

You must be thinking about your brother’s future and destiny first!

This was Shaq's first game back. Meng Lang won the "Player of the Month Award" gloriously. This made him feel depressed. He played for the first time in half a month and vented every time he took a shot. generally.

The Pistons' inside line was turned upside down, and in the end they won 119-100, 19 points.

Shaquille O'Neal scored 34 points in his first game back!

He has made up his mind to work hard from the first game in February to win the "Player of the Month" in February!

Otherwise, it will really be too late!

He didn't know if God was helping him. Meng Lang accidentally poked his finger during training and suffered a slight dislocation. He needed to rest for more than half a month. He was unable to play during this period.

awesome!

When Shaquille O'Neal heard the news, he felt that even God was helping him!

"Man, have a good rest. I will continue to move forward with the Magic team and wait for you to recover from your injuries. During this period, I will never let you worry!" Shaquille O'Neal even came specially to swear to Meng Lang with a look on his face. The friendship is deep and righteous, this "Li Zhuang white meat" friendship!

Meng Lang understood what the "dead anchor" said:

You don’t think that if you have a meal with me, you will be brothers forever, right? Then my brothers are not everywhere in the world!

He and Shaq actually have a similar relationship now...

Chuck Daly saw Shaq O'Neal's careless look in his eyes. He glanced at the schedule and looked worried. He also discussed with Meng Lang and the team doctor how soon he could return.

Even though the Magic team without Meng Lang hadn't played a single game yet, he was already feeling a little uneasy in his heart.

Since Meng Lang joined the team, he has never been absent for such a long time.

He had reason to worry:

The Magic's next seven games will be against the Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Pacers, and "back-to-back" games between the Denver Nuggets and the Sacramento Kings.

Not only are the opponents strong, but the schedule is also difficult. Even if there is a "back-to-back", there are 7 away games and only 5 home games among these 2 games. It also happens to be "one end and one end". Such a schedule lacks Meng Lang. He really doesn’t know what the future holds!

Originally, the Magic had only lost 3 games so far, and he thought that getting 70 wins was within his grasp, but now he feels that they have lost too many games... Once there is no hope of 70 wins, then the Magic will The locker room will immediately become ambiguous, which is a sign at the beginning of the new season.

So in the eyes of Chuck Daly, winning 70 games this season is not only a record-breaking one, but also for the stability of the team's locker room!

It's just that Shaquille O'Neal only had the excitement of leading the team alone in his eyes. He didn't pay attention at all to what schedule they would encounter after playing the Sonics. Because at this moment, his mind was filled with the opinions of the outside world during the period when he was recovering from his injuries:

"Now it seems that Shaq is not that important to the Magic!" "Obviously, this is already a dream team. As long as he is here, the combat effectiveness of this team will not be affected!"

"The 'Cobra' has almost been fed into the 'Shark' these days. Is this the Magic's outside passing ability? Isn't this where any insider hopes to go?"

"My grandma and Meng Langanfenni teamed up and averaged 2 points per game!"

……

Listen, what are these guys saying, are they really human?

This made Shaquille O'Neal, a fat man who weighed almost 260 pounds, so angry that he didn't eat dinner for several days. His influence on the Magic team has been unprecedentedly questioned during this period.

And now, he was going to recover all the doubts he had received while Meng Lang was recovering from his injuries.

Let everyone know whether this Magic team's surname is "Meng" or "O'Neal"!

only……

Facing the SuperSonics, they fought until the last moment. With Gary Payton's "three-pointer", the Magic lost their first game without Meng Lang.

This is definitely not Gary Payton's normal level. If he were to shoot this three-pointer under normal circumstances, he would not be able to make it even one hundred and one times!

But on this night, he got in!

He was speechless and had no temper at all.

This is like encountering Starks going berserk in the game against the New York Knicks. Although it is a small probability event, there is nothing you can do if it happens.

The Magic lost one of only two home games in their next seven games. Their next opponent is the Phoenix Suns.

Since the end of January, the Suns have been in very good shape and have won five games in a row, which has allowed them to climb back to second place in the Western Conference.

The Magic team, which was originally fully equipped, fought against the Suns until the last moment and won the victory. Now without an outside firepower like Meng Lang and a go-between coordinator, the Magic team encountered the embarrassment of insufficient firepower.

99 to 110, this should be the Magic's worst loss this year, losing by 11 points!

Barkley said arrogantly after the game: "If it weren't for Dream, that guy (Shaquille O'Neal) would not be my opponent at all!"

These words were like a sharp knife piercing Shaquille O'Neal's heart.

But he didn't have time to lick the wound because there were too many people pulling wounds on him.

When Meng Lang was here, with or without Shaquille O'Neal, they never suffered a losing streak. But now that Meng Lang is gone for two games, the Magic immediately encountered their first "back-to-back" this season. Originally, these people were questioning There is no need to question Shaquille O'Neal's contribution to the Magic. Everything is clear. This guy just doesn't have as big an impact as Meng Lang on the Magic.

Fortunately, they faced the Boston Celtics in the next game.

The opponent's strength suddenly dropped sharply. Shaquille O'Neal had a dumpling meal and scored 34 points and 15 rebounds, leading the Magic to end their 2-game losing streak.

This is also the second time he got this data after he won "2 plus 30" in early February.

Without Meng Lang to support and pass the ball, it is really difficult to feed Hardaway to 30 points by himself.

Of course, he admitted this in his heart, but he would definitely not admit it with his mouth. His answer to reporters was: "Dream is an important part of this team. He is no longer here, and the defense he restrained is all focused on me." I miss him very much. This is the truth, and this is also the reason why I can't adapt. I need some time to adapt to such defensive intensity. When I adapt to all this, believe me, the all-powerful Shark will Come back!"

There was actually nothing wrong with what he said.

Meng Lang agreed with what he said, including the Magic's "two consecutive losses", which were all the pain of not having him.

Hardaway cannot concentrate on breakthrough points and personal scoring as before. When he cannot pass the ball to an absolutely open player, without Meng Lang's support, he needs to consider more in his distribution; Grant does not have Meng Lang's support. His threat from the corner is also greatly reduced. Hardaway breaks through the basket and either looks for him or Shaquille O'Neal. This is his choice. The defender only needs to wait for Hardaway to pass the ball and then double-team. Effectively limiting the Magic's offense at the basket.

It was for these reasons that the Magic lost. But this group of people all have solutions to these problems, they just need time to adapt to their new roles and assume more team responsibilities.

Well, like Grant, he won't adapt to a new role. His choice is:

Wait for Meng Lang to come back!

He knew very well that Meng Lang would only rest for a total of seven or eight games. When he came back, he would still have to play as before. There was no need to adjust. In the heart of such an "old fritter", there was absolutely no hope for the past few games. Regardless of gains and losses, as long as his condition is good and he doesn't make mistakes on the court, then he will have played another good game.

They are looking at the entire season. As long as Meng Lang comes back, there is no need for him to adjust himself.

It took him a month to find his current position...

There is really no need for him to adjust rashly.

This made Shaquille O'Neal work hard to adjust himself in the fourth game and once again scored 30 plus 13, but as a result, they lost to the New York Knicks on the road. Ewing also said after the game: "It's not that I can't beat the Magic, I just can't beat the Magic with Dream!"

fnmgl!

The words "gorilla" were read by Shaquille O'Neal in the newspaper the next day, and he tore them into pieces, which was the last bit of sanity left that prevented him from swallowing them. These old guys are so bullying!

Those who didn’t know, thought they were all from Meng Lang’s gang!

But the problem now is that no matter what these old guys have in mind, under their fanaticism, the public opinion of the outside world is making Shaquille O'Neal sink deeper and deeper. No matter how he tries to quibble, one thing is right in front of everyone's eyes, and everyone can see it...

The Magic team without Meng Lang has 4 losses and 3 win in 1 games so far!

The Celtics won that game. They no longer have the ability to compete with other strong teams.

In the next game, they faced the Pacers, the second best team in the Eastern Conference. Just look at the entire state of the Magic. Needless to say, it was another defeat after the game. The Orlando media didn't want to watch the Magic lose. Such a surge.

Not only are they anxious, Chuck Daly is also anxious. Recently, he has been asking about Meng Lang's injuries much more frequently than before.

He thought that without Meng Lang, the team would decline to a certain extent, but what he didn't expect was that it would actually decline to this extent.

The swelling in Meng Lang's fingers has subsided and he has resumed normal training. Just to protect Meng Lang, he has not been allowed to officially participate in 5v5 training until now to avoid accidents.

But Meng Lang also saw the current situation. Many fans have already run outside the Orlando players holding posters, hoping that Meng Lang will come back.

If they lose this game against the Pacers again, their number of losses this season will come to 7, which is a number that is enough to threaten the Magic's goal of 70 wins. So Meng Lang agreed to Chuck Daly and come back in the next game against the Pacers.

"Are you sure there's no problem?" Meng Lang agreed, but Chuck Daly was a little worried. He was suddenly afraid of an accident.

Meng Lang's answer was straightforward: "The injured one is my left hand. I will only fight with my right hand tomorrow!"

(End of this chapter)