Legendary star

Chapter 62 Rookie Challenge (2)

"Mr. Su, I think there must be something shady about this year's All-Star voting." In the press box of the Oakland Arena, several reporters from CCTV were introducing the scene of today's game to the domestic audience. Today's game is also the first time The live broadcast was broadcasting domestically, and during the interval between advertisements, Shang Song, who was carrying the camera, also complained to Su Qun and Sun Zhengping beside him during the moment of rest.

"I think so. With so many fans in China, it's impossible to have only 35 votes." Sun Zhengping also echoed.

After the Christmas game between the Lakers and the Spurs was broadcast on CCTV this year, domestic fans knew about Meng Xu for the first time. It turned out that there was another Chinese in the NBA. As for Xu's votes, because CCTV specially selects the games that Meng Xu performed well to broadcast, and adds Meng Xu's handsome face, Meng Xu has also quickly accumulated a lot of popularity among domestic fans. For the All-Stars, the enthusiasm of domestic fans to vote is also very high.

After the NBA received these emails and e-mails from across the ocean, David Stern was pleasantly surprised but also very worried. Although the current All-Star Game has entertainment elements, it is still a very formal game.

Within a month of the voting, Meng Xu not only surpassed veteran All-Stars such as Glenn Rice and Charles Barkley, but even surpassed last year's MVP Karl Malone, ranking first among all forwards in the Western Conference. The third place among players, second only to Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan, this also makes David Stern very headache. If Meng Xu can play the data of Brand or Francis, then all these There is no problem. David Stern will not only be happy to see the results, but also create momentum for Meng Xu, but Meng Xu is only a player who averages 3 points and 9 rebounds per game. If such a player enters the All-Star starter, then the public opinion will definitely not Will let it go.

So after David Stern racked his brains, he came up with a solution, that is, all the emails from China are not counted, and only the votes in the United States and the ballots mailed directly from China are counted. Even so Meng Xu finally won 35 votes, ranking fifth among all Western All-Star forwards. After depriving Meng Xu of his All-Star qualifications by disgraceful means, David Stern is also thinking these days Then, how to make up for this little guy.

For this year's Rookie Challenge, the NBA also specially invited Magic Johnson and Kenny Smith to serve as on-site commentators.

"The strength gap between the two sides in this Rookie Challenge is probably the biggest in the past few years." Kenny looked at the centers Todd McCloch and Riff Zlavron who were preparing to jump the ball. Smith shook his head and said with a smile.

"Yes, the first-year side has no advantages in any position, and the center position obviously suffers a lot. And the second-year side, the personnel distribution is more reasonable." Johnson said, scanning around the players on the field.

"Brother, today's game is just for entertainment, so there's no need to work so hard." Michael Dixon, who was clung to by Meng Xu on the court, said helplessly.

"Uh." Seeing Michael Dixon say this, Meng Xu was a little speechless. After all, it was a regular game. It's not good for you to ask me to let go so blatantly.

"Brother, let's save face. We're all rookies. Why bother each other? Anyway, we won't be fighting for long. Let's check each other's statistics." Michael Dixon poked Meng Xu with his arm, with some Discuss with Meng Xu in a pleading tone.It’s not that Michael? Dixon doesn’t take this game seriously. In fact, in the two games against the Spurs this year, he was defended quite badly. He scored 11 of 3 in one game and 9 of 2 in one game. Michael Dixon with 18.5 points averaged only 8 points per game in the two games against Meng Xu, and made as many as 5 turnovers in each game.

Michael Dixon, who was originally ashamed, still wanted to defeat Pierce and Nowitzki with the help of teammate Mike Bibby, and win this year's Rookie Challenge MVP, but when he saw that he was facing When Meng Xu was there, most of his anger was relieved immediately.

"Okay." Looking at Michael Dixon's silly expression and remembering what Popovich told him before the game, Meng Xu nodded and agreed.

"Brother, thank you, thank you." After Michael Dixon finished speaking, the whistle for the start of the game was also blown. Reeve Zlavron overwhelmed Todd McCloch without any suspense and grabbed the first wave possession of the ball.

After Mike Bibby took possession of the ball and advanced across the half court, he directly accelerated and rushed towards the basket. Francis did not try his best to defend. After Mike Bibby broke into the penalty area and encountered Brand who was filling in, he did not forcefully choose a layup. Or shoot, but pass the basketball back to Michael Dixon behind him. Unlike other teammates, Mike Bibby and Michael Dixon belong to the Grizzlies, and there is quite a tacit understanding between the two.

Facing Meng Xu who was one meter away, Michael Dixon shot directly from outside the 3-point line. Meng Xu also subconsciously rushed over. Although he was a little nervous when he saw Meng Xu who rushed over, Michael Dixon was still steady. Steady hit the ball.

Clearly dissatisfied with Francis' defensive attitude, Brand yelled at Francis after Michael Dixon shot, telling him to pay attention to defense.After Francis glanced at Brand, he completely ignored him, curled his lips and dribbled the ball and ran towards the frontcourt.

Different from the All-Star Game, the Rookie Challenge is much lower level, and it also focuses more on entertainment. At the beginning of the game, both sides are perfunctory in defense, trying to play good-looking basketball to please the audience. fans, perhaps at the last moment of the game, this kind of game can be called a real game.

After the All-Star Game, each team will sprint for the final ranking in the playoffs, so most coaches don't want their players to spend too much energy on this kind of game. Before Meng Xu came, Popovich also specifically told Meng Xu to protect himself, not to get injured, and not to consume too much energy, because the Spurs will go to the away game against the Cavaliers the day after the All-Star game.Presumably, Francis must have heard these words from his coach.Only the Bulls, Grizzlies, these teams that are destined to only compete for the No. [-] pick, will let the players play regardless.

(End of this chapter)