Legendary star

Chapter 155 Popovich's Choice

"It was a very good game, we beat a strong Trail Blazers at home, it's a great feeling."

On May 2000, 5, after the game against the Trail Blazers, the Spurs head coach Popovich went to the post-game press conference alone, in order to avoid being harassed by reporters and to lower the pressure on the players , Since the Spurs entered the playoffs, for 28 consecutive games, Popovich went to the post-game press conference alone.

"Are you satisfied with Meng's performance? Of course, there is no doubt. Meng is a very good player. His defense and shooting have given us a great help. There is no doubt that Meng is the best rookie of the season. When the CCAV reporter asked if he was satisfied with Meng Xu's performance, Popovich gave a very positive answer.

In the basketball training field on the side of the Alamo Stadium, the Spurs star Tim Duncan is leading the Spurs to conduct additional training. Even the injured David Robinson did not leave, but sat on the sidelines to accompany him teammates.

From the second half of the season, Meng Xu's extra practice has always been shooting, either 3-pointers or mid-range shots, and Meng Xu's extra practice today is 300 mid-range shots. Although he has practiced mid-range shots for a long time, However, Meng Xu’s mid-range still hasn’t improved much, and he can only hit about 120% of his shots on the training ground. It’s the same today. He only hit 76 of the previous [-] shots. The assistant coach Mike Budenholzer also shook his head straight. If it was a little confrontational on the court, he might not even have a [-]% shooting percentage.

Seeing the somewhat contemptuous look of the assistant coach, Meng Xu also said very embarrassedly: "Mike, you should stay away from me, or I will be even more nervous."

Mario Elli, who was doing recovery training at the side, saw this scene, took a towel and walked over: "I think you are embarrassed, you are not nervous when you shoot so many lore shots, but you are nervous when you practice mid-range shots." Yarn."

"Mario, from now on you will be instructing Meng to practice mid-range shots. If you want to come up with your unique skills, you'd better teach Meng the emergency stop jump shot." Looking at Mario Elli who was doing nothing, Mike Budenholzer He pulled him to his side, pretending to be mysterious and said: "When Meng is ready to practice the CIC, I will ask Greg to give you a bonus."

"No problem, it's on me. I think I was also a pretty guy in the CIC back then." Mario Elli patted his chest, and promised Mike Budenholzer with a smile.Mario Eli's physical fitness is not outstanding, and his defense is average, but he can win the favor of many NBA teams and get a big contract. The brightest moment of Oelie's career.Although he is getting old now and has been affectionately called by some Spurs fans, he is a four-iron on the outside, but his beautiful mid-range shot is so proficient that he is still a housekeeping skill that he relies on until now.

Seeing the expressions of Mario Eli and Mike Budenholzer, Meng Xu knew that there was nothing good about it: "Smiling so sinisterly, there must be nothing good about it."

And Mario Elli ran over directly, putting his arms around Meng Xu's shoulder: "Look at you, what do you think of us, Mike wants me to give you the ability to eat, and you still say that about us, you guys How do you say that in China, what does a dog bite?"

Duncan, who was practicing free throws in the distance, ran over at some point, touched Meng Xu's head very funny, and added by the way: "It was a dog that bit Lu Dongbin. I don't know how to be kind."

"You're a dog." Looking at Duncan who had already run away, Meng Xu chased after him with claws and teeth.

Meng Xu's pursuit of Duncan was not a piece of cake. He grabbed Duncan from behind with one hand, and scratched Duncan's creaking hole with the other hand, and said in his mouth: "I told you to touch my head again." , tell you to touch my head again."

"Okay, okay, it's getting late, everyone, go back and have a good rest, there will be training sessions tomorrow afternoon." After attending the press conference, Popovich stood on the sidelines at some point, watching Meng Xu and Duncan, who were fighting on the court, and the Spurs players covering their stomachs and laughing wildly, Popovich was not at all unhappy, but had a smile on his face.

After defeating the Trail Blazers in the third game, the fourth game between the Spurs and the Trail Blazers undoubtedly became the top priority of this round of the series. The hole cards have basically been taken out, and the weaknesses of the two teams have been completely exposed to the opponent. If the Blazers win this game, it is likely to be like the Spurs and Lakers series. The tiebreaker is over, and if the Spurs win, then the Spurs, who won the match point with a 3-1 lead, are likely to eventually eliminate the Blazers and advance to the finals.

It’s just that there is still one thing that makes Popovich very hesitant, that is, regarding the shaping of Meng Xu, Popovich originally meant to wait until the offseason to make plans, but seeing Mike Budenhall After Ze started to act today, although he was very annoyed by Mike Budenholzer's behavior of bypassing himself, Popovich also knew in his heart that as his assistant, Mike Budenholzer also watched Out of the embarrassment in my heart, I want to make a decision for myself. For the long-term consideration of the team, there is nothing wrong with Mike Budenholzer's approach.The current situation of the Spurs no longer needs to be overthrown and rebuilt. It only needs to continue to reinforce around Duncan, and Duncan has also proved that he can lead the Spurs to win all the honors.

Just thinking of a player who has the potential to become another Tim, being abolished in his own hands, Popovich is frightened. After Den Holzer's discussion, Popovich has not had a good night's sleep, and will be woken up in the middle of the night every day.It's just that if once he supports Meng Xu, and the integration of Meng Xu and Duncan ends in failure, then the Spurs will inevitably fall into infighting. There have been countless precedents for this situation.

But in Popovich's heart, he still couldn't help but want to try it, and this idea is like a devil, devouring his mind every day, and reminding himself constantly in his heart every moment , Try it, try it, or you will regret it for the rest of your life.

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(End of this chapter)