Legendary star

Chapter 214 To Be Jordan Or To Be A Magician

"Meng, in fact, I have always wanted to talk to you, but I always don't know where to start." On November 2000, 11, after the Spurs defeated the Lakers at home, they defeated the Jr. Bulls and Grizzlies, after the end of the game with the Grizzlies, the Spurs returned to San Antonio. Next, the Spurs will play against the Jazz, Wizards and Supersonics at home.After a day of training, Popovich called Meng Xu, who was doing extra training in the gym, to his office.

In the Spurs' two games against the Mavericks and the Grizzlies, the Spurs' team continued to slump, and the shooting percentage in both games failed to exceed 38%.Facing the crazy double-teaming of the Mavericks and Grizzlies, Duncan made a total of 30 of 11 shots in these two games. Duncan and other players were similar, especially Derek Anderson, who was 8 of 1 in one game and 15 in one game. Even so, the Spurs finally defeated the Grizzlies and Mavericks with difficulty, and achieved a 5-game winning streak this season, and the hero of these two games was Meng Xu. In these two games, Meng Xu 3 points in one game and 26 points in one game. In the game against the Mavericks, he scored 28 points in a row in the crucial fourth quarter, helping the Spurs to reverse the Mavericks. It is precisely because of his outstanding performance in these games, Meng Xu was nominated for the player of the week for the first time in his career. Although he eventually lost to Stephen Marbury, who averaged 15 points and 35 assists per game, Meng Xu averaged 9 points per game in these 3 games. Points, 28.3 rebounds, 7 steals, 4.3 assists, and 3 blocks are undoubtedly very good, especially in the game against the Grizzlies, Meng Xu had 2.3 points, 26 rebounds, and 9 assists. 5 steals, 7 blocks, and scored the third 5*3 data in his career.Although Meng Xu's playing time and performance have been restricted all the time, it is undoubtedly a certainty that Meng Xu's data will usher in explosive growth this season. Qi also felt that he couldn't delay any longer, and that he should have a good talk with Meng Xu.

Seeing that Meng Xu lowered his head and did not speak, Popovich picked up the coffee on the table and took a sip: "Meng, do you think that I am restricting your development as the outside world said? Is it deliberately suppressing you? Maybe in your heart, I have become a villain now?"

After hearing Popovich's words, Meng Xu was startled for a moment, and then raised his head. To be honest, Meng Xu does have some such thoughts now. As his strength becomes stronger and stronger, Meng Xu naturally also I can hope to get more opportunities, including the time of possession, the number of shots, etc., but to Meng Xu's disappointment, the Spurs have not yet formulated targeted tactics for themselves, and the unique tactics are not only against The affirmation of a player's ability is still a direct expression of the player's status in the team.

"No." After Meng Xu shook his head, he fell silent again.Although there is a little resentment in his heart, Meng Xu can't feel the slightest hatred for this coach who brought him into the league and cares about his growth all the time. He can only hope through hard training and outstanding performance on the court. to impress him.Moreover, Meng Xu can also clearly feel that although the team's coaches deliberately restrict themselves tactically, Duncan continues to create opportunities for himself on the court. For Duncan's behavior, Meng Xu is grateful Still grateful.

"Meng, what kind of player do you think you should be?" After hearing Meng Xu's answer, Popovich also breathed a sigh of relief. There are too many enemies and betrayals in this league. Qi is also afraid now that if he is not careful, this kind of scene will happen to him.Meng Xu, who is just 20 years old this year, is now in the second stage and has no own opinions on some things. During this time, the outside media are overwhelmingly targeting him, saying that he is deliberately suppressing Meng for the stability of the team. Xu, for his behavior of deliberately suppressing Meng Xu's playing time, even a certain high-level executive in the league cryptically criticized him in a call with him.

"What kind of player to be? Jordan?" Like most teenagers who like basketball in this era, Meng Xu's idol has always been Jordan, so when Popovich asked this question, Meng Xu also subconsciously said out.

"No, no, no," after hearing Meng Xu's answer, Popovich immediately shook his head: "Meng, you are different from Jordan, and you will not become a player like Jordan. Compared with Jordan, You are more similar to Elvin Johnson, you are a natural team player." Meng Xu's playing style is far from Jordan, and Meng Xu wants to be Jordan, no one can stop him, but if Meng Xu becomes Jordan , what should Duncan do?Let Duncan, who is at his peak, help Meng Xu?Don't even think about it, and compared with inside players, outside players are inherently weak, and players who belong to the same system, with the same upper limit, the lower limit of inside players is higher, which is why in the NBA In the draft, the big man's pick advantage is more obvious, which is why Olajuwon was able to overwhelm Jordan to become the No. [-] pick.

"Magic Johnson?" It is undeniable that although the magician is also very strong, Meng Xu never thought that he would become a player like the magician, and when he thought of the magician's AIDS, Meng Xu felt a little uncomfortable.And in Meng Xu's heart, I can sacrifice for the team, or change for the team, but I will not give up my original intention, nor will I give up my dream, never will.

"Maybe you can give it a try. Starting tomorrow, you will replace Avery as the team's main point guard." After Popovich finished speaking, he put the unfinished coffee on the table, his hands no longer I trembled a little on my own.He was afraid that Meng Xu would refuse, and he was also afraid that he would fail. If this attempt failed again, the Spurs would inevitably be pushed to rebuild.

"Well, I will change my style of play to adapt to this new position and the team's new tactics." Meng Xu nodded. There was no way for Meng Xu to refuse Popovich's request.Prior to this, Meng Xu had always been a small forward in the Spurs, and occasionally played a few shooting guards. In the Spurs system, both small forwards and shooting guards had a very low status, especially small forwards. It is the role of an engineer.The point guard is different. Whether it is a twin-tower tactic or a combination of internal and external tactics, the point guard is very important in it.

After chatting for a few more words, Meng Xu left Popovich's office in a daze. Every time he changed positions, someone had to make sacrifices. Forward Chucky Brown was traded by the team, and when he was playing shooting guard, Mario Elli would be on the bench. team, and now he is going to play point guard, so what about Avery?Thinking of this, an ominous premonition suddenly rose in Meng Xu's heart.

"Let me bet this one last time." Seeing Meng Xu's leaving back, Popovich took out a fax from the drawer and signed his name on it.

When Meng Xu came to the club early in the morning on the second day, he found that there were two familiar figures missing in the locker room, and the two missing people were Avery Johnson and Antonio Daniels. His premonition came true Yes, just last night, the Spurs used the main point guard Avery Johnson, and Antonio Daniels, who has performed well this season, from the Nuggets in exchange for backup center Liv LaFrentz and veteran Terry David s.Antonio Daniels is better. This guy’s idea this season is to collect data and then go to other teams to get a big contract. Now he has left the Spurs and went to the Nuggets who lack perimeters. It is a good thing for him. matter.And Avery Johnson is different. Johnson has played for the Spurs for a total of 2 seasons. This one is full of players who are going to retire in San Antonio. Maybe this is the business they often say, whether a player will stay or not. Most of the time, it is beyond the control of the individual.

The current main point guard for the Nuggets is Nick Van Exel, who is similar to Iverson, has excellent offensive methods and a strong desire to attack, so the head coach of the Nuggets, Dan Isel, has always Want to push him to the shooting guard position like Iverson of the 76ers, but the Nuggets currently lack an orthodox point guard who can replace him.At the same time, with an all-star center like Antonio McDyess in the team and a hoard of 6 insiders, although Riff LaFrentz has a good potential, he has never been given the opportunity to display it.In the offseason, the Nuggets wanted to trade Liev LaFrentz for Avery Johnson of the Spurs, but they were rejected by the Spurs. Only a month later, Popovich took an Antonio Daniels to complete. With this deal, although the Nuggets are suspected of taking advantage of the fire, it is a win-win deal in any way. The Spurs got the coveted insider, or two, and the Nuggets also got the point guard they needed. And an excellent perimeter backup.

The Spurs' imaginary opponent has always been the Lakers, so in order to deal with O'Neal in the playoffs, Popovich wanted to hoard a few insiders during the offseason. After all, even if you want to kill the sharks, you must have enough manpower.But this summer, free agent insiders are very scarce, and the Spurs have no draft picks, and those teams that have hoarded a large number of insiders ask for too much money, and they want the main players of the Spurs. Sign a center.However, less than half a month after the start of the season, the Spurs ushered in two insiders. Of course, the price the Spurs paid for this was not small.After Avery Johnson left, the Spurs were left with an orthodox point guard like Derek Tiar.Perhaps Popovich should consider again, where to get a point guard.

　Thank you for the monthly pass that the factory guard said, thank you.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)