I am the Warden Chapter 15 Just a suggestion
October 13th, the Trail Blazers have a game today, but at 8 o'clock in the morning, Liu Xiu was still learning basic skills with Derek Anderson.
Liu Xiu estimates that Derek Anderson's comprehensive basic skills and basic techniques, which have reached an extremely good level, will be of great help to him in his rookie season.
Derek Anderson had a subtle feeling today, he didn't know if it was an illusion - this rookie's spirit was a little different!
He is still mostly casual, but there seems to be a hint of urgency and sharpness in his eyes.
Derek Anderson doesn't think there's anything wrong with this. This is what a rookie should be like.
Derek Anderson thinks these urgency and sharpness are too little.
…
Liu Xiu and Randolph felt that they were out of tune with the other kings around them...
"Jace, it's a good thing you came to our team, otherwise I would have become a dinosaur."
"Dinosaur? You're not ugly."
"In the photo of you and I standing together, my mom told me that I'm ugly and shouldn't stand next to you... Who told you about your appearance!?"
Randolph was so angry that he jumped up.
Randolph took a deep breath, indicating that he was not angry, and after calming his wounded heart, he said, "If you were not here, I would be the only one who would not train. I am so sorry."
Liu Xiu tilted his neck and looked up at Randolph, and said, "Would you train well if I wasn't here?"
"Of course not..."
After complaining for a while, Randolph decisively changed the subject and asked, "Are you going to have lunch with the center in your country later?"
"Yes, he is a big star in our country, and I used to like watching his games." The " before" Liu Xiu mentioned was when he was a junior high and high school student in his previous life, watching the national team's games.
Randolph nodded, not noticing anything was wrong.
There are more and more international players in the NBA. Randolph knows that many players who are not doing well in the NBA may be big players in the international arena and top stars in their own country.
At last summer's FIBA Basketball World Championships in Indianapolis, the world's major basketball powers gave American basketball stars a good shock.
At 10:15 in the morning, the Trail Blazers started a tactical training session and ended it at 11:10. Most of the players stayed for additional training, only Liu Xiu and Randolph left.
The Trail Blazers are an amazing team. Except for a few individuals, most of the players work very hard.
"Didn't the Clippers come yesterday? Why didn't you meet last night?"
"I was learning defense with Dell yesterday evening, so I didn't have time."
Randolph understood - Liu Xiu was not familiar with the Chinese player from the Clippers. Although he liked him, he was not a loyal fan.
If this is the case, based on Randolph's understanding of Liu Xiu, Liu Xiu will definitely give priority to his affairs when arranging his time.
…
Liu Xiu and Randolph chatted for a while, then drove to the agreed restaurant where they had reserved a table in the morning.
Liu Xiu arrived at 11:55, just as he expected. Ten minutes later, Wang Zhizhi arrived... because he had agreed to meet at 12:15.
When Wang Zhizhi arrived, he happened to see a group of waitresses queuing up to take a photo with Liu Xiu...
It would have been fine if they took a group photo, but Wang Zhizhi saw a waitress take a photo and then went to queue up again...
Looking at Liu Xiu's face, Wang Zhizhi felt what it meant to be handsome and do whatever you want.
"Brother Wang, you are here, come over here quickly..."
Liu Xiu finally found a savior. After shouting in Mandarin, he said to the waiters, "My friend is here. Can I take a photo with you guys next time if I have a chance?"
Liu Xiu was very polite, and the guest who brought Liu Xiu was the manager of their restaurant, so the waiters had to disperse.
After sitting down, Liu Xiu took the initiative to say: "Hello, Brother Wang, my name is Liu Xiu."
Wang Zhizhi quickly responded: "Just call me roughly..."
As he spoke, Wang Zhizhi got stuck.
Calling the other person Liu Xiu is too unfamiliar.
If he was called Xiaoxiu... In the United States, Wang Zhizhi had no status in the basketball world. I heard that Liu Xiu had no experience in domestic basketball and only started playing basketball in college.
That's called a big show?
Wang Zhizhi felt that this title was a bit improper.
Liu Xiu immediately saw Wang Zhizhi's dilemma and said with a smile: "Then I will call you Da Da Ge! You can just call me by my English name. My English name is Jess, and my elders call me Xiu'er. Every time I hear Xiu'er, I feel desperate."
"Oh... okay." Wang Zhizhi is a person with social anxiety, although his level of social anxiety is not high, but when he meets someone like Liu Xiu, it is really hard for him to communicate with him... He can't keep up the conversation!
He really didn't expect to call Liu Xiu "Xiu'er".
After ordering the dishes, Liu Xiu looked at Wang Zhizhi. He had started looking at him since Wang Zhizhi came in.
He has a very good height and wingspan, and a good frame, but this body of flesh is a bit... a waste of talent!
This body shape is rounder than many tanky centers... But Liu Xiu clearly remembered that Wang Zhizhi should be a technical and space-type inside player with excellent mobility.
Wang Zhizhi was frightened by Liu Xiu's stare. He wanted to find a topic to talk about, but he finally managed to say it: "Jes, you are such a good person. You agreed to take photos with those waiters."
Liu Xiu realized that his gaze was not polite enough, so he retracted his gaze and replied, "My family education taught me not to be rude to ladies. They politely asked for a photo, and I happened to have time, so I didn't refuse."
“…”
Wang Zhizhi was so desperate, this... he really couldn't respond!
Fortunately, the appetizers and salads were being served at this time, so there was no need to talk for the time being.
One good thing about Western food is that there are only a few things to eat for a main meal, and there isn’t much to choose from, which makes it quite friendly to people with decision-making difficulties.
As the dishes started to be served, they could talk about some topics related to the dishes. Liu Xiu had been busy sizing up Wang Zhizhi and thinking about problems before, but now that he had come to his senses, he took the initiative to find light-hearted topics to talk about in these areas.
It was just a lunch, I just wanted to get to know you.
Moreover, if he can join the national team in the future, Wang Zhizhi will definitely be one of the best players in the national team. Even if we don't have to become close friends, it's always a good idea to have a good relationship... Wang Zhizhi is down and out now, and many domestic players avoid him like the plague. Liu Xiu knows that Wang Zhizhi will definitely stand up again in the Chinese basketball world.
After a while, they had almost finished their meal and were considered full. Since there was a game tonight, they only drank one-third of a glass of table wine.
Seeing that the dinner time was about to end, Liu Xiu thought about it and felt that he should say something: "Brother Dazhi, I have a question."
"what is the problem?"
After the meal, Wang Zhizhi finally felt a lot more relaxed. As a person with social anxiety, after the meal, when the dinner was almost over, Wang Zhizhi finally felt like chatting.
"From what I remember of your playing style in the Bayi team, it doesn't seem to match your current body shape."
Wang Zhizhi thought for a moment and said, "Because I have an excellent height and wingspan, and my frame is suitable for gaining weight. After I came to the United States two years ago, my trainer and agent suggested that I gain weight to compete with centers for playing time. When I entered the NBA, Nowitzki was already an All-Star and played nearly 40 minutes in each game..."
At this point, Wang Zhizhi fell silent.
In 1995, he was named the "Best Center" in the World Youth Championship.
In April 1996, he performed brilliantly in the Nike Summit Tournament co-organized by the University of North Carolina. At that time, six NCAA Division I basketball teams wanted to invite him to play in the United States, but he already had one season of A-League experience. Even if he played in a youth team, it would not be a big problem, but the formal professional league would not be enough.
In August 1996, he blocked a shot from David Robinson at the Atlanta Olympics. Georgia Tech tried to negotiate with the NCAA to recruit Wang Zhizhi, but the Chinese Basketball Association refused before the NCAA refused.
In 1999, he participated in the draft and was selected, but still could not go to the NBA.
It was not until 2001, when Wang Zhizhi was already 24 years old and his best growth period had long been wasted, that he came to the NBA...
After a moment of silence, Wang Zhizhi smiled bitterly and said, "Gaining weight did not improve my performance in the NBA as much as my trainer and I expected. Instead, it affected my technical performance."
"and you……"
Liu Xiu was about to ask another question, but stopped after saying just two words.
Wang Zhizhi was already talking, and seeing Liu Xiu's reaction, he said, "When I first arrived in the United States, I weighed only 114 kg. Six months later, I weighed 124 kg, and now I weigh 126 kg. This not only affects my skills, but also my mobility. I haven't lost weight yet, and you can probably guess why. There are still NBA teams that want me because they like my 214 cm tall, 126 kg body shape."
Liu Xiu nodded: "Brother Da Da, the reason why you don't lose weight is that you are worried about losing the opportunity to play in the NBA after losing weight?"
Wang Zhizhi nodded.
Although he is three years older than Liu Xiu, Wang Zhizhi now tells Liu Xiu everything.
Noticing the change in Wang Zhizhi's way of speaking and the progression of his emotions, Liu Xiu became more daring to speak:
"You had concerns before, but now you don't have to worry so much. According to the news I heard, the Clippers should choose to buy out your contract. They gave up renewing the contract with Olowokandi for Kaman. They also have Eli, a good backup center, and Polynice can play a role in some games. Even if the Clippers keep you, your chances will not be better than last season..."
Speaking of this, Liu Xiu feels that Wang Zhizhi's agent Jeff Schwartz couldn't be more awesome.
In the 2001-02 season, Wang Zhizhi averaged 5.6 points and 2 rebounds per game. Jeff Schwartz helped him get a three-year, $6.2 million contract with the Clippers. Although the third year is a team option and is not guaranteed, the $3.99 million in the first two years is higher than the second and third year salaries of many first-round picks!
Liu Xiu’s analysis is the same as what Wang Zhizhi heard from his agent!
Wang Zhizhi felt very disappointed.
Seeing this, Liu Xiu quickly said, "Brother Dazhi, I just have an idea. The ancients once said that there is no construction without destruction. The market demand for meat shield centers is getting smaller and smaller. Now you are only 26 years old. If the Clippers want to buy out your contract, I think you can lose weight to a weight that is more suitable for you to play to your strengths, and maybe you can regain a foothold in the NBA. Even if you leave the NBA, if you get yourself back to a weight that can better play to your strengths, you will have a better market in Europe or in China... Only the NBA has a natural demand for meat shield centers because of O'Neal."
…
The meal with Wang Zhizhi was not a pleasant one for both the host and the guests, and Wang Zhizhi felt a little heavy-hearted when he left.
Liu Xiu returned to the Rose Garden Arena after lunch. Although he had a game in the evening, Liu Xiu still chose to train in the afternoon and learn the training methods of assisting and defending from Dale Davis.
Defense means being in the right place at the right time and making the right move.
Blocking and stealing are not necessary for defense, moving into position is more important.
An hour and a half later, Liu Xiu had gained 1,000 healing points and learned the defensive training methods of Dale Davis, a defensive star who was an All-Star in his prime.
Dale Davis asked, "Jace, you have a game tonight and you're still training like this. Aren't you worried about not having enough energy? You've been training all the time, I'm just giving you instructions."
Liu Xiu smiled and replied, "It doesn't matter. I don't think I will play much tonight. Playing against the Lakers was an unexpected situation. It will be difficult for me to get 20+5+5 again."
Dale Davis hesitated for a moment after hearing this, but still asked, "Jace, what happened? You seem to be worried today."
"Uh... thug Davis has now turned into a caring big brother?"
"If I can't beat you, I'll beat you to death!"
"Okay, okay, you're awesome. It's nothing serious. It's just... this, this, this, this, this..."
Liu Xiu did not mention the name, but repeated the content of his communication with Wang Zhizhi in the afternoon. Of course, he was not asking whether Dale Davis's idea for Wang Zhizhi was right or not, but asking whether he, as a junior and a rookie, should give such advice.
After listening to this, Dale Davis thought for a moment and asked, "Jace, do you want to be good friends with him?"
Liu Xiu thought about Wang Zhizhi's personality and the communication process when they first met... He shook his head and said, "If possible, it would be good to be friends. If not, it doesn't matter, but the relationship cannot be too bad."
"But you want to help him?"
"right."
"Then you don't have to worry. Even if he is unhappy now because of what you said, if the advice you gave is really good and useful, then it is definitely better to say it than to keep it to yourself."
After hearing this, Liu Xiu reorganized his thoughts and suddenly understood - he just wanted to give Wang Zhizhi some advice, and he didn't know if it would really be useful, but he knew that if Wang Zhizhi didn't change, his NBA career would soon end, and the direction of change was not the wrong direction...
It doesn't matter if he really offended someone. He didn't think about any reward or becoming good friends with the other party. He just wanted to meet, have a meal, give some advice, and fulfill a wish.
…
…
Not interested in the evening's game?
Of course not. At 4:30 pm, before warming up, Liu Xiu took out a box lunch and ate it decisively...
"The host has eaten the all-purpose nutritious lunch box, and his physical strength has been restored to the best state. (Note: Regarding the calculation of physical strength for the simulated training, the physical strength restored by the all-purpose nutritious lunch box is not included. The physical strength consumed by the host in the future will be included in the calculation of physical strength for the simulated training.)"
On game days, pre-game training, games, etc. will basically consume most of the physical strength, so Liu Xiu chose to learn from Derek Anderson and Dale Davis on game days.
Learn all about these two first, then consider learning about other teammates.
Some of them still need to be learned quickly. For example, Tianzun, when no one is around, will take the initiative to show Liu Xiu a devilish smile... I don't know when Tianzun will be traded away.
Before, I couldn’t think of how to make friends with Rasheed Wallace, but now the way is open.
…
"Yalic, ability rating 75... Big Q, ability rating 80... Maggette, ability rating 88... Brand, ability rating 91... Kaman, ability rating 76... Wow, this starting lineup is not inferior to us in terms of individual ability..."
At 6:40 in the evening, at the Rose Garden Arena, the preseason game between the Trail Blazers and the Clippers is about to begin.
Although his playing time will not be stable and his teammates' sense of competition will be stronger, Liu Xiu is still fully prepared.
After entering, Liu Xiu can check the Clippers' player detection report.
The opponent's starting lineup is very strong, the bench lineup is also very good, there are many good players, most of whom are high-ranking players in recent years.
But Liu Xiu didn't think the opponent was strong at all... On the 10th, the Clippers with such a lineup were slaughtered by the Nuggets by 35 points in Denver, suffering a crushing defeat of 75 to 110.
This game was also an absolute upset. Although both teams are from Los Angeles, there is a huge difference between the two teams. The Clippers' presence is not as strong as that of the infamous Trail Blazers.
Even in China, the popularity of this game is not high, just like the lack of popularity of the match between Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi last season... If the two Chinese players meet in the NBA a few years later, the attention will definitely explode, but at that time, there is no such thing as a "China Derby" in the domestic NBA, and the incident of Wang Zhizhi not returning is in a banned state in China, so there is some attention, but it is not that high.
This made Liu Xiu feel relieved. If he really wanted to hype up the "China Derby", he could build a complex villa with just his toes.
The game started at 7 o'clock in the evening.
The starting lineup of the Trail Blazers is still Damon Stoudemire, Reuben Patterson, Travis Outlaw, Randolph and Rasheed Wallace.
The Flying Squirrels played harder tonight, but Maurice Cheeks became increasingly dissatisfied.
The Flying Squirrel played hard and still regarded himself as the absolute core. This was not a problem before he became addicted to drugs and alcohol, but now his body has been depleted for a long time, and he still played as the absolute core... The Flying Squirrel played for more than 7 minutes in the first quarter and was replaced by Jeff McGinnis.
The Flying Squirrel's points and assists seem pretty good, but this is only a preseason game, and the opponent is the Clippers. If he really plays against a playoff-level team... that would be really tough.
In the second quarter, Liu Xiu started the game... and appeared earlier than in the previous game!
As soon as he came on the court, Liu Xiu received healing points from Little Flying Squirrel and Jeff McGinnis.
Liu Xiu was very satisfied, and then continued to do what he could on the court.
Playing with Liu Xiu were the extremely versatile Derek Anderson, Travis Outlaw and Randolph, who had a high level of tacit understanding with Liu Xiu, and Rasheed Wallace at the center position.
Liu Xiu's presence on the court was far less than in the previous game against the Lakers. It's not that the Clippers are stronger than the Lakers, but it's a height issue.
The Clippers used Marko Jaric, who was mainly a shooting guard, to play point guard. With a height of 201 cm, Liu Xiu had to sit and play... It was very stressful. Although Randolph was also shorter in height than the other players in the same position, the opponents he faced were usually five or six centimeters taller than him, while Liu Xiu's height difference was more than ten centimeters.
Therefore, Liu Xiu would pass the ball, appear in the appropriate receiving position, grab rebounds when he had the chance, and use his body to make a shot when his teammates were unable to open the scoring, without doing anything unnecessary.
Seeing that Liu Xiu only scored 2 points and 1 assist in half a quarter, Damon Stoudemire was very happy when he was substituted , and felt that he had won the competition!
But in the second half, Liu Xiu started again...
During the halftime break, Maurice Cheeks' coaching staff evaluated all the players in each position in the first half, providing a comprehensive and detailed evaluation.
At the point guard position, Derek Anderson and Jeff McGinnis were both rated average.
Damon Stoudemire, who played for 13 minutes in the first half and scored 11 points and 5 assists, was mostly rated D or even F!
It’s not that his strength is not as good as Derek Anderson and Jeff McGinnis. When it comes to how to score, how to dribble past opponents, how to pass the ball... the two of them definitely can’t catch up with the Flying Squirrel.
But! With the current strength of Little Flying Squirrel, it would be too miserable to build a team around him.
On the contrary, Liu Xiu, who played for 6 minutes in the first half and scored 2 points and 1 assist, received grades of B or even A in several aspects!
With Randolph and Rasheed Wallace, the team must play around these two. The coaching staff clearly saw that Liu Xiu's actions on the court were doing just that!
