Countercurrent and become a superstar

Chapter 63: If you can’t win a championship, then don’t do it. If you can’t win a championship by spending money, then don’t spend it!
Om-!
As the buzzer sounds, the red light lights up, and the game time is over.

The score was 115 to 121, and the Mavericks lost to the Suns with a 6-point disadvantage. They swallowed the first bomb of the preseason and suffered a bad start.

In this campaign, Nash played 25 minutes and scored 11 points and 9 assists. Just looking at the offensive data, his performance was fine, but the old 6 was too stupid defensively, allowing Marbury to score 33 points and 8 assists without Laga Bell. A defensive warrior who wipes his butt, Nash vividly interprets his script of "not being able to defend".

In fact, the Mavericks were undefended and didn't care how many points the Suns scored, because they were confident that they could score more points than the Suns.

It's just a pity that the shooting offensive team has too deep shooting skills. In this game, the Mavericks will not be able to grasp it.

Jamison made 11 of 2 shots and 7 of 1 three-pointers. He and Nash were Wolong on defense and Chufeng on offense. It was too difficult to score more points than the Suns.

Jamison is still not accustomed to his role after joining the Mavericks. His and Nowitzki's positions overlap. If he wants to continue to play in the starting lineup and only play the role of an off-ball shooter, it is very easy to become invisible or deceive others.

For example, in the future, Chris Bosh, the Heat's Big Three, will play at a rhythm that he is not good at, and it is normal for his state to fluctuate.

Nowitzki scored 15 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, played 26 minutes, and performed well. If the Mavericks have to find a scapegoat for the loss according to the tradition of the Mavericks, Nowitzki can be excluded first.

覃洋6投4中，三分5中3，在17分钟里进账11分6助攻2篮板，表现非常惊艳。

约什霍华德8投6中，三分2中1，罚球2中2，轰下15分4篮板2助攻，和覃洋一样表现很靓仔。

It's a pity that the firepower output of the handsome and ugly combination of Tan Yang and Josh Howard is far from enough to fill the deep hole dug by the Mavericks' defense.

As an offensive run-and-gun team, the individual data of the players are very beautiful when viewed separately, but when viewed together, including defense, it is not so beautiful.

Not to mention, in the Suns' formation, Stoudemire and Joe Johnson, a pair of second- and third-year rookies, played a lot of time, scored 38 points of firepower together, and were very talented and ready to play.

The Mavericks had no defense and were not in good shape. They accelerated the pace and played against the Suns, who had a defensive and familiar opponent. It was reasonable to lose the game.

Lu Xun once said that there is no road in the world, only when you travel many roads will you find a road.

The Suns had already gone the way the Mavericks were going, watching from a few stories high.

The Mavericks walk on one leg, and the Suns only need a slight stumble to bring the Mavericks down.

Walking on two legs makes you more stable.

……

Two days later, the Dallas Mavericks' second preseason opponent was the Portland Trail Blazers.

In recent seasons, the Trail Blazers have been a championship-level team, and they also have cash flow capabilities and a luxurious lineup.

It's just a pity that no matter how rich Paul Allen is, he doesn't want to pay for a team with a notorious reputation, a team with a top-notch luxury lineup, but no chance of winning a championship.

In particular, this summer, the Trail Blazers were squandering money, but still couldn't recruit capable stars to join. This obviously hurt the boss's heart.

If you can't win a championship, then don't do it.

If you can't win a championship by spending money, then don't spend it.

However, there are also three nails in the bad ship. Although Pippen's contract expired and he returned to the Chicago Bulls, Sabonis chose to retire, and there was no reinforcement in the free market.

The Trail Blazers' starting five are still an elite lineup.

Rasheed Wallace, Zach Randolph, Bunch Wells, Derek Anderson, Damon Stoudemire.

The Mavericks' starting five are still LaFrentz, Nowitzki, Jamison, Finley and Nash.

This game will be broadcast live on TNT radio, with Kenny Smith and Barkley as commentary partners.

"Don't blame me for being too honest. It's impossible to win a championship just by having the ability to build a luxurious lineup.

You also need to have a leading core star who can hit the championship ceiling.

The leading star of the Trail Blazers is Rasheed Wallace, and the Mavericks' leading star is Dirk Nowitzki.

Put in the Eastern Theater District, it would be no difficulty for the two of them to touch the floor of the finals.

But it’s not enough when placed in the Western Theater Command.

Their opponents are O'Neal and Duncan, and the gap in this comparison comes out. "

“It’s true, the core players in the Western Region are still too involved.

For example, Garnett of the Timberwolves, Webber of the Kings, Yao of the Rockets, Gasol of the Grizzlies, and this does not include Malone who joined the Lakers and Odom who joined the Heat.

Any insider who wins the Eastern Theater Zone is considered a king, but becomes a trapped beast in the Western Conference. There is only one ticket for the Western Conference Finals. It is really difficult to pass five levels and defeat six generals..."

The game is on!

Rasheed Wallace helps the Trail Blazers win the ball.

Then, Nash was passed.

"The 183-talented little Flying Squirrel Damon Stoudemire's strength has declined significantly, but it is still too easy to bully Nash's defense with his speed, just like walking on the street in the early morning..."

At this time, Jamison came to help defend and wanted to wipe Nash's butt.

Seeing this, Damon Stoudemire sent the basketball to the right basket. After getting the basketball, Randolph took a step and launched a one-handed dunk.

Bang-dang——!
Randolph's entire body was hanging on the basket.

2 to 0! !
It has to be said that the Trail Blazers have good draft vision. After O'Neal was poached with the 96th overall pick in 17, the Trail Blazers selected Randolph with the 01th overall pick in 19.

If Rasheed Wallace hadn't been so solid, the Trail Blazers' inside line would be extremely talented!

Hong Kong, putting aside the issue of team doctors, the Trail Blazers' draft vision is still very good.

“The points were lost so easily!
The Mavericks' defense simply isn't good enough, or what about their offense?

Nash quickly rushed to the frontcourt and played a pick-and-roll tactic with Nowitzki. Nash went in and it was about to end, and he sent the basketball into the sky..."

Bang-dang——!
LaFrentz dunked with both hands and also hung himself from the southeast branch.

Only 8 seconds had passed since they just lost a point, and the Mavericks quickly got back the lost points.

Most likely, the Trail Blazers won't defend either.

Also, the team management has begun to sell core players everywhere. Even Rasheed Wallace has been pushed to the free market. How can they still defend Der?
Boosting the pace of the game and improving the player's personal offensive data may also increase the value and sell it for a good price. Defense will only affect the height of the price.

During the transition from offense to defense, Rasheed Wallace automatically reached for the ball and singled out Nowitzki.

From the low position on the left, he raised the ball to make a two-point jump shot. When Nowitzki came close to him, he immediately collected the ball, dribbled the ball inside and broke through. Then, he reached the penalty area and used a civilian-style lob to easily knock the basketball over. Sent into the basket.

“Good shot, well done!

The Mavericks didn't draft Rasheed Wallace?

Bad review! Rasheed Wallace has everything Nowitzki doesn't have and everything he needs inside.

One year of use?
Feeling unworthy?

What if you can break out of the brutal Western Theater and let an All-Star leave?
What the Mavericks lacked last season was top insiders who could limit Duncan's insides.

If you had to choose a top insider in the league, it would be Rasheed Wallace..."

Do you think Garnett is the most suitable?
Do you want to clarify this?
The problem is you don't get a chance.

But Rasheed Wallace now has a chance to get it.

4 to 2! !
In just two offensive possessions, the Trail Blazers publicly executed the Mavericks' defensive weakness.

Whether it's point guard or center, the Mavericks are still unqualified according to the standards of competing for the championship.

Swish-!
Nowitzki accepted Shi's pass, faced the block of Rasheer Wallace, and hit a three-point jumper with his hand.

"pretty!
This is the biggest weapon Nowitzki can use to make his name as King Nowitzki in this cruel war zone in the West.

Shooting, accurate shooting from beyond the three-point line.

The style of play is soft, but he can score goals..."

Basketball is essentially a game of scoring goals.

Nowitzki's offense goes straight to the essence, and he can't do it without the title of 'King of Heaven'.

4 to 5! !
At the beginning of the game, both sides' offenses were undefended and unstoppable. The offenses were back-and-forth.

But soon, the rising morale of the Mavericks and the team's offense began to show their effect, and the game gradually steadily dominated the Trail Blazers.

"The Trail Blazers are like a salty team without dreams. They seem to be able to respond to the Mavericks offensively and can score frequently, but..."

Basketball is not an individual sport, but a team sport.

Seven minutes into the first quarter, the Mavericks used a wave of attacks to widen the point difference to 7 points.

Facing the Mavericks' attacks, the Trail Blazers did not interrupt the Mavericks' offensive rhythm and chose to continue to speed up the Mavericks' attack.

It's like if a group of unprotected infantry attacked the charging cavalry, they would only end up being chopped to the ground.

The Trail Blazers had no defense and were still playing against the Mavericks. This is the game rhythm that the Mavericks are good at, and it is also the game rhythm that Nash is best at.

Then, Nash dominated the game.

He delivered 14 points, 11 assists and 2 rebounds in the half. Under Nash's guidance, the Mavericks fired up and easily defeated the Trail Blazers. In the first half, they led the Mavericks to an 70-point lead with a score of 52-18.

"Man, come out and wash the floor!"

When Tan Yang appeared, this scene from the movie came to mind.

He shook his head. Sure enough, it would be too difficult to replace Nash as the starting point guard under Nelson's offensive-focused coaching.

In the last game, he had just played a good game, and then, he was replaced inexplicably.

In this game, Nash played smoothly. In order to better integrate the lineup, Nelson chose to play Nash and continue to stay on the court to continue the feeling of the game.

Sure enough, no matter what you do, you can't be a spare tire. Sunday... No, when is it? The advantage of taking advantage of it is never your turn. Only when you encounter a difficult bone will I think of you and let you try...

After all, Tan Yang is a professional and knows how to make himself better and stronger so that he can be surrounded by good people.

In the second half of the game, Tan Yang continued to implement his own palace fighting tactics and performed pulling, stepping and hitting tasks perfectly.

With the support of Qin Yang, Josh Howard became a handsome boy again, scoring 18 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

At the same time, Fordson, who continued to show goodwill, also got many opportunities, scoring 10 points and 9 rebounds, and performed very well.

Tan Yang's scoring has been much more restrained. He only scored 5 points, but his assists increased to 10. In terms of offensive talent, he can't compare with Nash.

But in addition to being able to organize, Tan Yang also has defense that Nash does not have.

No matter how much Nelson admired Nash's offensive talent, he was turned aside by Tan Yang's outstanding performance.

I just feel that Tan Yang is not a rookie, and his grasp of the game is a bit too strong.

In the next games, the Mavericks lost to the Kings, Pacers and Nets respectively, losing three consecutive games.

Fortunately, against the Clippers and Warriors, the Mavericks took another downgrade and won two consecutive games.

However, in the final game of the preseason, the Mavericks lost again against the Timberwolves, who had a three-headed monster.

They hit weak teams hard and were submissive to strong teams. At the end of the preseason, the Mavericks not only had a mediocre record of 7 wins and 3 losses in 4 games, but also gained a reputation as a bully.

However, in the new season's strength prediction rankings, the Mavericks are firmly ranked second in the league.

Only behind the Lakers, the Spurs in third place, the Kings in fourth place, and the Timberwolves in fifth place can't compare to the Mavericks.

As for the Eastern Theater Division, they continue to be regarded as the postmen of the championship trophy. Ranked sixth is the Nets, which has reached the finals for two consecutive years. The other teams, namely the Pacers, are just okay, and the other teams are nothing. .

Of course, the most handsome team has to be the Mavericks. The reason why they are ranked second in the league is because the Mavericks continued to upgrade their lineup one week before the start of the new season.

On October 10, just after the preseason, the Mavericks and Celtics reached a big deal that shocked the entire league.

The Mavericks sent center Riff LaFrentz, shooting guard Jeri Vershko, forward Chris Mills and a 04 first-round draft pick in exchange for Antoine Walker and Tony Delk.

The Mavericks used three dispensable coins in exchange for a top small forward who has made three All-Star teams and is only 27 years old. Last season, Walker averaged 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists per game. As a substitute, Entered the All-Star team for two consecutive years.

As a result, the Mavericks have formed a luxurious offensive star lineup that can be called Tianhu.

Nowitzki, Finley, Jamison, Nash, and Walker are all All-Star level offensive players, further possessing the strength to challenge the Lakers' F4.

For the 03-04 season, the Dallas Mavericks' 14-man roster for the new season has been released.

Centers: Sean Bradley, Mamado Ndiaye.

Power forward: Dirk Nowitzki, Antawn Jamison, Nick Fortson.

Small Forwards: Antoine Walker, Josh Howard, Edon Donajera.

Shooting Guards: Michael Finley, Tariq Wahad, Marquis Daniels.

Point guards: Steve Nash, Tan Yang, Tony Delk.

……

(End of this chapter)