So I am the god of basketball?

Chapter 9 The training match is coming

An afternoon passed during the training match, and the college student sparring group became more familiar with each other. Especially to Meng Lang, a relative stranger.

In addition to playing Fategou, Meng Lang gave them the feeling in the next few training games, as Hardaway said:
  Shooting is really good!

This time, even Houston nodded in approval, thinking that Meng Lang was a pitcher on the same level as him.

However, that's what Meng Lang felt.

There is still a gap between his shooting and Houston's, especially in terms of resistance to interference. Fortunately, Meng Lang had his own advantages, such as grasping the situation and choosing the right time to take action.

Coupled with the "Gou Dao" style of play.

He has more presence on the court than Houston.

On June 6, Meng Lang and the others had been in the training camp for about half a month, and they were already very familiar with each other.

That night, they also made an appointment to watch the NBA draft together.

92 is recognized by the media as the "big year for the draft."

Some media even believe that the quality of this draft can be compared with the "84 Golden Generation".

Because this class has the "super big guy" Shaquille O'Neal, who has been rare in the NBA for 50 years. ——Representatives of all lottery teams who participated in the lottery in May carried their own jerseys with Shaquille O'Neal's name on them, so as to express their determination as soon as they won the "No. 5 pick" . The degree of madness is evident!
  He was also undoubtedly selected by the Magic with the first overall pick in the first round.

Looking at Shaquille O'Neal with David Stern, Grant Hill seemed to think of the scene of playing against this guy in the past, and sighed with lingering fear: "If he is not the number one pick, who can he be!"

Meng Lang nodded secretly. There are so many "number one picks" in the NBA. No matter how many times they are selected, they will always be the first choice for all teams in the league. One of them is Shaquille O'Neal.

Later, the popular saying among fans that "if you have Joe, choose Joe, if you don't have Joe, choose shark" is enough to prove the destructive power of this "big shark".

After the "No. 92 pick", the Hornets, holding the second pick in the first round of [-], selected the future "fifth of the top four centers" Alonzo Mourning.

Georgetown still has two talents in cultivating insiders. In the past, there were Ewing and Mutombo, and now there is Mourning, all high-ranking rookies. The name "cradle of insiders" was not given a new label until 96 by that man.

Then the third pick in the first round!
  The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted...

Christian Laettner!
  Even sitting in front of the TV, Meng Lang could hear obvious cheers.

It is estimated that most of the cheers came from white fans.

Leitner is their pride!
  Leitner's popularity was really high during this period.

All white people are proud of him.

And he hopes that like "Big Bird" Bird, he will make a name for himself in this predominantly black league.

Not to mention Duke fans, they directly regarded Laettner as Duke's "Jordan"!
  Especially some girls' shoes. Looking at Leitner, who was wearing a handsome suit at the moment, he was afraid that he would just open his legs.

It is worth mentioning that Laettner's pick is also the best result achieved by a player from Duke in recent years. This university has never produced a "number one" pick. This is very different from what Old K has always emphasized about the team. relation.

So many fans later called Old K the "Popovich of the NCAA."

He is a good hand at picking up the honor of his own players!
  This embarrassment was not broken until 99 by Elton Brand.

But there is no need to demonize him because of this. Isn’t Kyrie Irving’s “superstar ball” a good shot?

The key is to look at the player's own personality and playing style.

Grant Hill and Battier, if you ask him to be selfish, he won't be able to be selfish. This is determined by his personality and has nothing to do with who coaches him.

If you really want to say it, the head coach of North Carolina also emphasizes the team. Michael Jordan basically served the team for three years at North Carolina, but he still became the future "God of Basketball."

In short, choosing Duke in this era definitely has more advantages than disadvantages.

If nothing else, the exposure is much better than other universities.

The Mavericks selected Jim Jackson with the fourth pick, which is the first "J" of the Mavericks' future "3Js". Next, they will successively win Jamal Mashburn, who beat Meng Lang to death in the wild court, and Jason - Kidd.

From the perspective of selection, there is nothing wrong with the Mavericks management's vision. These are all high-quality players, among whom Jason Kidd is also a future "Hall of Famer."

But who would have thought that these three people would fight over a woman and eventually fall apart...

With the 11th pick in the first round, Meng Lang saw another player he was very familiar with wearing a Rockets cap:

A strong contender for the title of "the strongest role player in NBA history", the future "seven-time champion" Robert Horry.

His career cannot be said to be great, but as an ordinary player, he can be called the "biggest winner". It can be said that among the many players positioned as "team puzzle" in the NBA, there is no one more successful than him.

With the 17th pick in the first round, the Seattle SuperSonics took Doug Christie, the future "Gorgeous King" outside guard.

With the 24th pick in the first round, the Warriors took Latrell Sprewell.

He's the "madman" who strangles his head coach as soon as he gets involved, and retires if he doesn't get a multi-million contract and says, "Without a multi-million contract, it's not enough to make enough money to support the family"!
  Each familiar name proves the quality of this draft...

Meng Lang's heart was already flying. Seeing these people shaking hands with David Stern one after another under the spotlight, he couldn't help but think that a year later, he would also stand on this big stage that he had always dreamed of in his previous life. ——After entering the training camp, he is even more looking forward to this matter becoming a reality!
  Several other people's eyes also flickered, obviously looking forward to this "fish leaping over the dragon's gate" moment.

However, this is normal. Meng Lang knows very well that among the people around him, the one with the lowest pick is also in the lottery.

He is the true "proud son of heaven".

There is no doubt that they will lose.

Three more days later, as the morning training was coming to an end, Chuck Daly appeared with the coaching staff and brought them news: The "Dream Team" had arrived at UCLA one after another! We should be able to play a training match with them tomorrow.

"Adjust your condition, guys! If you win, it will be enough for you to brag about for three years!"

Chuck Daley proved with his actual actions why he is the top coach in the NBA. In one sentence, the college training group was almost on fire.

On the way back to the hotel, Hardaway shouted: "I think we can really win! We have been training together for two days, and they have just gathered..."

"Dream Team"?
  What I am playing is the "Dream Team"!
  The others did not speak, but the fighting spirit in their eyes showed that Hardaway was their "mouth substitute" at the moment.

The emergence of the Dream Team has also resulted in a group of NCAA college athletes who had hoped to represent the American men's basketball team this year missed the opportunity to play for their country. In the past year, the college players union has had several troubles. It's a pity that it all ended in vain several times.

Now that they are given such an opportunity to prove themselves, how could they not be careful?
  "Huh? Look, it's Big Bird. Should we wait for him?"

Entering the hotel elevator, sharp-eyed Bob Hurley noticed Larry Bird checking in at the front desk and whispered hurriedly. Others followed the sound, and Larry Bird had already completed the formalities and was walking towards the elevator.

Meng Lang, who was standing against the elevator door, stopped the door that was about to close, and his eyes fell on Larry Bird:
  His trademark golden curly hair, chubby round face, and somewhat outgoing walking posture make him full of aura.

When he entered the elevator, everyone in the college team unconsciously held their breath.

Larry Bird smiled slightly at Meng Lang, responding to his kindness in helping to block the elevator door. Meng Lang also twitched his lips in response to the current "number one small forward in history" in the league.

The aura of "Big Bird" is really powerful.

The elevator was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

When he was about to leave, he suddenly turned back and looked at the people behind him. Some looked directly at him, while some avoided his gaze.
  "I hope you young kids are ready, we're going to kick your ass, if only you were in the NBA now, not just once."

The college students were dumbfounded and didn't know what to answer. They just watched Larry Bird walk out of the elevator, as if they couldn't believe that Larry Bird was talking trash to them just now.

"Larry Bird was talking trash to us?"

"OMG, is this true? Tell me, I'm not dreaming!"

"I can actually make a big bird talk trash at me!"

And when they reacted, they murmured to each other excitedly.

Meng Lang looked a little speechless when he saw them like this. Where is the promised “dream team”?

Why can't Larry Bird talk trash to these people?
  Is the G-spot so weird?

Or am I not perverted enough?
  At this moment, Meng Lang felt out of place. But we can also tell from the reactions of this group of people, what kind of legends are the "Dream Team" people?

All basketball players are eager to play against it and are proud of it.

At noon, Meng Lang and others were resting in the room. There was a sudden knock on the door. Meng Lang happened to come out of the bathroom and opened the door.

What he met was a pair of surprised eyes.

The owner of the eyes was a tall white man, much taller than Meng Lang. His handsome appearance made him look like a "fugitive prince" from a certain European royal family.

Meng Lang recognized him at a glance. He was none other than the "Beautiful Man" Christian Leitner whom he had just seen on TV a few days ago.

Leitner looked at Meng Lang and was stunned for a moment, then asked, "Isn't this Grant Hill's room?"

Hill probably heard the sound and walked out: "Yes, Steve, long time no see!"

He hugged Leitner warmly.

Leitner then also learned Meng Lang's identity, his eyes narrowed, and he shouted with dissatisfaction: "Duke Blue Devils, how can there be Asians?"

Hill was a little embarrassed and hurriedly explained: "Meng is very strong. You should be very clear about Mike's selection criteria, Steve."

"Ha~" Leitner sneered, but he didn't continue to say anything, as if this person didn't exist. He mainly came to see Hill, they hadn't seen each other for a long time. After chatting for a few words, he was ready to leave. But before leaving, he looked at Meng Lang again, "Don't let Duke become a shame because of your existence, Asian!"

He still couldn't help it.

How can the Duke Blue Devils have Asians who can’t play basketball? This is something he cannot accept!
  Meng Lang replied calmly: "Before you become the shame of the dream team, I won't... By the way, in my opinion, Shaq is indeed several times better than you."

He believed that Meng Lang was not worthy of being a Duke Blue Devil, and Meng Lang retorted that he was not qualified to be on the "Dream Team."

Leitner understood the implication of Meng Lang's words and was furious. He shouted, "What did you say?"

"I said you are too good. Without Grant, you are nothing!"

Meng Lang continued to "export".

This time Laettner was even more "pained" because before Hill came to Duke, he led the team for two years and did not win a championship.

Seeing that he was about to "run away," Hill quickly stopped him and dragged him out of the room.

When he came back, Leitner had already left. Hill looked at Meng Lang apologetically: "Meng, don't mind, Christian is just a spoiled child."

Meng Lang shook his head. He knew very well what kind of person Leitner was, so he had expected his attitude and was not surprised.

Besides, he didn't suffer any loss, so there was nothing to worry about.

After the afternoon training, the coaching staff officially decided on tomorrow’s training match between the college student training group and the “Dream Team”.

On June 6, Hardaway knocked on the door early in the morning and shouted excitedly: "Guys, get up, get up, get ready for a big fight!"

Hurley, who was woken up, complained speechlessly: "I hope the Dream Team can deal with him severely today!"

Hill wiped his face and said: "Yes, he will challenge the Dream Team today, and he will die miserably!" He, who has always been good-tempered, couldn't help but complain. It can be seen that Hada at this moment How noisy Wei is.

"Hahaha, you are indeed too excited to sleep!"

Hill ran to open the door. Hardaway's words made him feel the urge to slam the door. He could only keep saying silently in his heart: I am a gentleman. Gentlemen cannot behave rudely. You must understand that there are always some idiots in this world who deserve to be beaten. , but it’s impossible to beat them all up.

But when he was actually heading to the arena, even Hill's eyes were full of anticipation, he was finally going to play against the Dream Team!
  There was a big difference outside the arena today. Many reporters gathered outside the arena early.

In fact, Chuck Daly had already said that the first game between the "Dream Team" and the college training group would not be open to the public, and interviews would have to wait until the end of the game, but these anxious reporters still chose to come in advance. Even if it's just waiting outside the arena, they're willing to do it. The excitement of this game is too high. Squatting outside the arena, you might be able to get some amazing material.

Soon they discovered that they had come to the right place.

Because in the sparring group of college students entering the gym, why...

Is there an Asian?

Who is he!
  A group of people quickly took out their mobile phones or ran as fast as possible towards the announcement phone booth next to them, hoping to learn about the Asian man through their own channels.

As reporters, their keen intuition told them that this should be a very gimmicky news.

There was a commotion outside the venue.

In the arena, the college student training group watched the "Dream Team" assembled and "talking and laughing", looking at the familiar faces, thinking about their legendary stories in the NBA, and some people's breath It gradually became unsmooth.

This is not bad, some people's bodies tremble slightly unconsciously.

Meng Lang felt better, because he knew that he should not get a chance to play. He still remembers what Old K told him the day he first arrived at UCLA, telling him not to be stressed and to read more and learn more.

These words have expectations for him, and at the same time they are inoculating him, telling him that his status is equivalent to "accompanying the prince to study", so that he can be mentally prepared, and even if he cannot play, he must act with a normal attitude. treat.

He was not surprised by the reaction of his teammates at this moment.

Yesterday, just Larry Bird made everyone in the elevator breathless. Now, an entire "dream team" stood in front of them. There was no abnormal reaction, but it was something abnormal.

During the warm-up, Meng Lang could feel the strong eyes of the "Dream Team" staring at him. You don't even have to look at it to know that it's definitely Leitner. Meng Lang turned his head and returned a provocative look, making Leitner even more unable to hold on to his anger.

What Meng Lang didn't notice was that Chuck Daly on the sidelines also saw this scene, and a smile appeared on his lips.

"Okay, get ready to play!"

Old K walked to the college sparring team and called out the names of the starting players who would be playing later: Eric Montrose, Chris Webber, Grant Hill, Alan Houston, Hurley;
  As expected, Meng Lang lost the election.

However, after saying his name, Old K patted Meng Lang on the shoulder with a ball and said earnestly, repeating what he told Meng Lang on the first day: "Watch more, learn more..."

Full of expectations.

"Am I playing against Jordan?"

The lineup was determined, and Lao K began to arrange it in more detail. When he heard that he was going to face off against Michael Jordan, the number one player in the league today, Hill couldn't help but shout out.

Old K looked at his "promising" disciple, rolled his eyes, ignored him, and continued to assign people to others who needed to be guarded.

"Also, you must play more European in this game..." Old K gave an example, "Bobby, you have to keep dribbling and breaking through. The purpose is not to get a layup, but to distribute the ball to the outside. Shooters Alan Houston and Jermall Mashburn!”

"Chris Webber, Eric Montross, Rodney Rogers, you have to fight fiercely at the basket and act like a mature inside man like Sabonis!"

"including you……"

Old K returned to Grant Hill.

"You also have Anfernee Hardaway. You must focus more on breaking through the basket and creating pressure for the dream team!"

Grant Hill's mind was already focused on Michael Jordan. He looked at Meng Lang nervously and asked in a low voice: "Meng, do you think I can put pressure on Michael?"

"certainly……"

Meng Lang added another sentence in his mind:
  Isn't it just you who puts pressure on Michael Jordan?

The entire college student sparring team will give the "Dream Team" a loud slap in the face!

(End of this chapter)