Legendary star

Chapter 16 Francis' Challenge

"Hey, Steve, did you read the newspaper this morning?" Charles Barkley, who was doing physical training in the Houston Rockets' training hall, waved a newspaper and shouted at Steve Francis, who was doing shooting practice. .

"Charles, don't disturb my training, please. My hand feeling in the first two games was terrible. If this game is still like this, I think the coach will kill me." After a wrong shot, Francis directed Barkley grumbled.As the No. 11 pick this year, the Houston Rockets paid a huge price to trade him from the Grizzlies. Francis is also under tremendous pressure on this, although he averaged 5 points, 5.5 assists and 19 rebounds in the previous two games stats, but the 6-of-[-] shooting rate is not flattering, which is the main reason why Francis has been practicing shooting these days.

"Just finished a game yesterday, and there's another one tonight, so we need to relax, don't we, Steve." Barkley stopped his physical training and pulled Olajuwon to Francis.For veterans like Barkley and Olajuwon, intensive competitions coupled with harsh training, their physical fitness cannot support at all. Barkley is a little better. For his dream of a championship, he is still doing his best. Competition and training, but Olajuwon is different. With two championships in hand, he has no desires at all, and he is really old, so Olajuwon’s attitude towards the game now is to paddle as long as he can. , That's exactly the case. Barkley is somewhat dissatisfied with Olajuwon. Originally, he came to hug Olajuwon's thigh, but in the end he became a thigh.

"I'm different from you old guys. I'm full of energy now, and I'm going to compete for the best rookie of the year." Francis said jokingly.Barkley and Olajuwon are old superstars in the league. For other young players in the team, let alone joking with them, even standing with them, they dare not show their atmosphere. It has been accumulated for more than ten years. Prestige is not built.Francis is the designated successor of Olajuwon by the team. In addition, Olajuwon and Barkley have always taken good care of him, or relied on him. Habit.

"It's not big or small." Hearing Francis calling him an old guy, Buckley was also a little embarrassed. If he had to put aside the jokes made by Francis in the past, Buckley wouldn't take it to heart, but for some reason, when he heard the word "old guy", Buckley An inexplicable sadness welled up in Li's heart, did he really get old?Glancing at his growing body, Barkley also shook his head and left.

"Hakim, did I say something wrong?" Looking at Barkley who was leaving, Francis looked at Olajuwon aside like a child who made a mistake, and asked in a low voice.

"We are all old, maybe this season, maybe next season, we will leave the game, but for Charles, his dream has not been fulfilled, his pursuit has not been realized, so... don't take it to heart, You are the future of Houston, it's up to you to help Charles realize his dream. But, hurry up, I'm afraid Charles won't be able to wait too long." Olajuwon patted Francis's Shoulder.

"Definitely, I will definitely bring Charles and Houston a championship." Francis clenched his fists and swore inwardly.

The "suffocating Spurs" and "historical defense" picked up the Sports Illustrated that Barkley dropped on the ground, and the headlines on it were the Spurs' two-game winning streak this season, following the 81-64 victory over the 76ers in the first game , yesterday the Spurs beat the Warriors 93-68 again, limiting the opponent's scoring to less than 70 points in two consecutive games, while his rookie Meng Xu averaged 5 steals per game in the steals leaderboard Ranked first, Sports Illustrated also quoted the original words of ABC commentator Michaels, detaining the titles of historical defense and one of the best rookies this year on Meng Xu's head.Francis is also very clear about the pissing nature of these media. When you gain power, they can lift you up to the sky, and when you perform badly, they will definitely trample you on the ground like ****.Even so, seeing Sports Illustrated's praise of the Spurs and Meng Xu, Francis is still a little envious. He has been the target of criticism from the media these days. Not ideal. The big title of "most overrated rookie" in this draft has been held by some media, especially the Canadian media, and they can't shake it off.

"I'm the best rookie of the year, Meng Xu, right? In tonight's game, I'm going to blow you away. I want to let you see what is historical-level defense and what is historical-level offense." After reading the contents of the newspaper, Francis' fighting spirit was also aroused, but Francis did have such confidence. After all, Francis was also the steal king of the entire ACC league during his college years. His average steals and total steals were the highest in the entire ACC league. Moreover, he was selected to the first team of the best team and the first team of the best defensive team in the ACC league, and Meng Xu was just a substitute for Wake Forest, who was at the bottom of the ACC league.

. . . . . . . . . . .

"Ah Choo." Meng Xu, who was taking a nap in the hotel, instantly felt a chill sweeping over his body.

"The host triggers the system to perform an immediate task. Do you want to check?" At this moment, Anna's voice appeared in Meng Xu's ear.

Entering the system space, Meng Xu's face immediately darkened when he saw the new random task appearing on the big screen.

Immediately after the task: Francis' challenge.

Task level: B level, due to a newspaper's praise of the host, Francis's fighting spirit was aroused, and he wanted to compete with the host.

Mission call: Help the Spurs beat the Rockets in the upcoming game while defending Francis to 10 or fewer points.

Mission reward: unknown.

Mission penalty: location.

"Your sister's Francis, how did I offend you?" Meng Xu cursed with a black face, no wonder he sneezed just now, it must be Francis who was speaking ill of him behind his back.

"This is just a B-level task, and Francis is not Iverson. As long as you perform normally, I believe you can complete the task." Looking at Meng Xu with a melancholy face, Anna Xiaoluoli continued to encourage her.

"I'm not worried about this. Popovich only allows me to play ten minutes a game. If Francis takes ten or twenty points while I'm on the court, I won't cry."

"It's up to you. Popovich, while stubborn, is not a rigid coach."

(End of this chapter)