I'm the Next Kobe Bryant
"The biggest mistake Logo made in his life was not keeping me"
The Grizzlies missed out on their future superstar
《……》
《……》
…
On November 28th, the Trail Blazers' 15th game day of the season arrived.
At 7:30 in the morning, in the restaurant of the Golan Hotel in Memphis, Liu Xiu was flipping through a pile of newspapers in front of him.
He took a big bite of the bread... "These media are reporting on this warden so actively at this time, right?"
Such topics will definitely be forwarded by the American media, and the imperial court will definitely actively provide video sources.
He is not very popular, but he has always been a hot topic.
Kobe, logo man, draft pick, trade...
This matter does not need any processing or polishing. It will become a hot topic once it is translated and released directly.
Besides, how could the American media not polish it? He wrote everything he didn't even know.
In fact, at the beginning, he didn't even think about the thirteenth pick.
Liu Xiu and Su Qun have known each other for a long time and know each other's interview style.
When Su Qun asked him about being traded, he certainly didn't want Yao Ming's extremely friendly and official answer.
That's Yao Ming, not Liu Xiu.
After being selected and then being traded the day after, the normal response should be to make the former club, who had been with him for less than 24 hours, regret it.
Just a normal answer.
Who knew that as soon as this sentence was spoken, the mission came!
"Logo Man Jerry West, an NBA general manager on the road to becoming a god. The host is full of resentment about being traded, and is eager to make the Grizzlies and Logo Man regret it... Special mission: Your retribution is that I trigger it..."
He does have this idea - to make the Grizzlies regret it and the logo man regret it in the future.
And the rewards...
"I am your reward:
Prerequisite: The host must publicly state that he will become the 13th pick in the first round that makes Logo Man regret. (Completed, congratulations to the host for receiving the reward: Bounce +1, the host's bounce rating has been raised to 75.)
The first stage:
Goal 1: In the next game against the Grizzlies, the host's points, assists, and rebounds must all be higher than Bonzi-Wells.
Objective 2: In the next game against the Grizzlies, the host needs to help the team win.
Reward: Kobe Bryant's 2007-2008 version of low-post single-player turnaround jump shot training method (first-class) (adaptive).
Another first-round pick, the 13th pick, has an expanded set of post-up skills that is simply irresistible!
He is now worried that his strongest skill cannot be further strengthened. After learning Tianzun's post-up play, he only improves the details. After all, he is a power forward, and a power forward with outstanding athletic ability.
Now there is finally a solution!
Liu Xiu was certain that the imperial TV station would definitely broadcast this interview as they also had to consider the ratings.
…
"The Trail Blazers should be the ones to regret it. They traded me for a cocky villain. They will definitely regret it... I will kick that rookie's ass hard!"
After the morning preparations, while having lunch, Liu Xiu saw the Grizzlies small forward Bonzi Wells being interviewed.
As for why it was Bunch-Wells, Liu Xiu was not surprised, just like he was not surprised during the mission.
Because the Trail Blazers traded him back for Bonzi Wells.
Now, he says he wants to make the Grizzlies regret it, and the only player people are looking for to compare him to is Bonzi Wells.
Things have come to this, and Liu Xiu chose to work hard to complete the task!
This is also about face...
Liu Xiu did not take this task or this opponent lightly at all.
Now, the Trail Blazers are fifth in the Western Conference with 9 wins and 5 losses, while the sixth in the Western Conference is the Grizzlies with 9 wins and 6 losses!
After lunch, Liu Xiu immediately returned to the training ground's lounge and took the time to study tonight's opponent...
"Kevin, you see, I said that our warden is definitely an ambitious and goal-oriented player."
"What's the point of having ambitions and goals if you don't train hard?"
"I haven't seen anyone train as hard as he has and improve as fast as him."
“…”
"Whether he is wasting his talent or not, as long as he can perform well and help the team, that's enough. We don't have the power to change a person's lifestyle, right?"
After Maurice Cheeks finished speaking, he saw Kevin Pritchard's face full of disapproval, but he didn't care.
This is his own coaching philosophy, and he cannot force others to accept it.
As for what Liu Xiu has done now, even Kevin Plitt would not be surprised if he saw that interview.
This is what Liu Xiu would do!
Will this affect the game?
Based on their understanding of Liu Xiu , it is impossible.
Even if it affects the game and brings side effects, then just don't let Liu Xiu play. It's not a big deal...
But there's one thing... Maurice Cheeks said, "Kevin, what do you think of tonight?"
"It's a bit too early, but if it's just a special case, you are the head coach and you have the final say..."
…
…
At 5 o'clock in the evening, Liu Xiu once again began his warm-up work that made even the veterans feel painful.
At 6:30, the Trail Blazers players finished their warm-up. Dale Davis asked Liu Xiu, "Warden, do you want to play until you are 50?"
"Why do you say that, brother thug?"
"You take such good care of your body that you start paying attention to the details of warm-up at the age of 21. If it's not for the purpose of playing until you are 50, what is the reason?"
"Good idea, I will try to play until I am 50."
After joking for a while, Dale Davis got down to business: "Jace, don't underestimate Bonzi Wells. You should also be careful of his double-teaming during the game. Although his performance immediately declined after he got the big contract, he is actually very strong. If he hadn't been traded, it would not have been easy for Zach to secure the starting position so quickly. Wells can play from the 2nd position to the 4th position..."
Like the coaching staff, teammates were not surprised when they saw the news about Liu Xiu's interview.
Liu Xiu was not a very generous person. He seemed to care about nothing, but he was just purely lazy and simply didn't like training.
The desire to win, face... these are what Liu Xiu cares about a lot!
The other teammates didn't think too much and just played the game. However, Dale Davis, as the big brother of the team, still gave Liu Xiu some advice.
…
"Starting? Me?"
It's time to go on court, and Maurice Cheeks announced tonight's starting lineup.
I thought it was just a formality like usual, just reading out the previous starting lineup and that would be it, but the first name that was read out, which was the point guard's name, made Liu Xiu ask out loud in surprise.
"You don't want to start?"
"No, of course not. I was just curious about how I suddenly became a starter."
"It's just temporary. We are about to enter a new round of rotation and tactical adjustment practice. Anyone can come off the starting position or start."
"oh……"
Liu Xiu understood, and the other players also understood. In this game and the next one, Liu Xiu would start.
As for the saying that anyone could be replaced by the starting position, no one would take it seriously... Oh, some people still take it seriously. The high school outlaw is now full of fighting spirit.
No one objects to this. If the Flying Squirrel plays as a substitute, the strength that Liu Xiu, Jeff McGinnis and Derek Anderson can show is not that different. Any of them can start.
The mood is really complicated! Liu Xiu is eager to become a starter, but at this stage, it is more advantageous for him to play as a substitute than as a starter. He needs more games to understand the opponent and accumulate experience...
The coaching staff entered the field first after making arrangements, and the players had to wait.
Liu Xiu received a system prompt!
"The host is about to play in an official NBA game as a starter for the first time. Congratulations to the host for receiving a special gift package, which has been automatically used."
"Congratulations to the host for receiving the gift package: Special Card: 1 Super Performance (First-Class), 10 All-Round Nutrition Candied Haws, Random Physical Fitness +1 (Used, Bounce +1)."
The sudden reward scared Liu Xiu!
Liu Xiu saw that his bounce rate had become 76.
When I completed the prerequisites for the task yesterday, I also got a random attribute +1, which increased my bounce, and it was the same this time.
'The lower the physical fitness, the easier it is to get a random result?
Also, it seems that strength and stamina are both acquired through training, while speed and jumping are increased directly...'
After some speculation, Liu Xiu focused his attention on the first reward - outstanding performance.
"Superior performance (first-class): Based on the host's current playing style, the host's overall strength will be temporarily raised to the first-class level (ability rating 85-89). The ability raising is mainly based on basic skills and techniques, based on the host's basic skills and technical strengths, and based on the most impressive basic skills and techniques that the host has demonstrated on the court."
"Oh my goodness..."
…
…
"CCTV, CCTV, welcome to watch the live broadcast of the Portland Trail Blazers' away game against the Memphis Grizzlies brought to you by CCTV Sports Channel. I am Sun Zhengping. Today we have once again invited Coach Zhang Weiping to comment on this game with me..."
Zhang Weiping has a headache. This partner is a football commentator! Every time we have a headache...
There was no scheduled live broadcast or additional broadcast of tonight's game in the United States; but in China, it happened to be a Thursday, and the game originally scheduled for live broadcast was not a popular game, so the court TV station decisively changed the live broadcast schedule.
David Stern would love to!
David Stern was also convinced! He had thought of so many ways to help Liu Xiu build momentum in the Chinese basketball community, but the response was not great.
But Liu Xiu didn't expect that the response he received would be so strong.
Apart from anything else, Liu Xiu's performance among these rookies is definitely not bad.
The thing is that the Grizzlies selected Liu Xiu first, traded Liu Xiu, and Liu Xiu played later.
But many Chinese people felt after hearing Liu Xiu's words that Liu Xiu fought so well, but he was treated so unfairly in the United States...
We all share the same hatred and the same enemy, and now we feel like we are in the same situation.
Turning our attention back to the court, players from both teams have already entered.
When Liu Xiu entered the venue, he received the warmest welcome - the loudest boos!
When they first met, Liu Xiu was quite unpopular with the Grizzlies fans.
Originally, the Grizzlies didn't pay much attention to the rookie Liu Xiu. During the draft, fans were surprised why a Chinese guard was chosen. But the next day, there was no negative emotion anymore - the 13th pick in the first round actually got a first-class forward who was in the prime of his career.
After that, no one paid much attention to him until Liu Xiu scored 34 points and got a triple-double against the Kings, and then Grizzlies fans remembered this rookie again.
But that's all.
Because Bonzi Wells is really good! In 15 games so far this season, Bonzi Wells has averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He is an important part of the Grizzlies and one of the reasons why the Grizzlies are in the playoffs.
As for Liu Xiu, apart from those two highlights, his performance was average, not bad, but not particularly good either.
When it came to keeping Liu Xiu and getting Bonzi Wells, the fans chose the latter.
This choice is too simple. Even if Liu Xiu may have a better future, Bonzi Wells brings the present! They are expected to make the playoffs for the first time in team history!
As for Liu Xiu, he originally had no idea about the Grizzlies. They were just a team that selected him.
When I mentioned the Grizzlies during the interview, it was just because that's what interviews are about and the mission.
For the Grizzlies players, except for Troy Bell who had seen him during the draft, this was the first time for other players to see him in person.
But now, at the Grizzlies' home court and feeling the hostile atmosphere, Liu Xiu's thoughts changed.
When he came into this atmosphere, he instantly understood why there were so many seemingly unreasonable grudges in the NBA.
In the world of competitive sports, this kind of thing is simple…
He just wanted to shut up the fans here! He wanted to embarrass the person on the opposite side who had been staring at him since he entered the stadium!
Normally, he wouldn't think this way, but today...
"System Boss, use your superb performance!"
"The host uses the special card: Super Performance (First-Class), which will temporarily raise the host's strength to 85-89 based on the host's own characteristics, with the bonus range being random...
The host has successfully used the Special Card: Superior Performance (First-Class), temporarily increasing the host's strength to an ability rating of 88.
Because the host once made 5 of 5 three-pointers in a single game, the fixed-point three-point catch and shoot is a bonus point.
Because the host's low-post back-to-the-basket singles is the host's strongest skill, low-post back-to-the-basket singles is a bonus point...
…
…
Muscle memory is being added..."
"Host's overall ability rating: 88. Athletic ability: speed 88, strength 90, jumping 79, flexibility 93, physical strength 92. Basic skills: three-pointer 85 (catch-and-shoot three-pointer), mid-range shot 74, layup 92, ball control 92, passing accuracy 88, turn 81, stride 69. Techniques: low-post back-to-back 91, dribble-after-shooting 72, accelerated layup on the move 76, front-body change of direction 77..."
At this moment, Liu Xiu quickly reviewed all the skills he knew in his mind . When he came to his senses, he didn't feel any difference, but it seemed... very different!
Liu Xiu took a ball, walked onto the court, and tried a three-pointer... It felt very different! It was like the last time he copied the "sniper shot" and adjusted it for two seconds before slowly shooting it out, but this time he could shoot at a normal speed, and his control over the ball was even better!
"The others have only improved slightly, only physical strength, three-point shooting, and low-post back-to-the-basket have improved greatly... That's right, 88, a first-class star, having two or three first-class or top-notch skills is almost enough, and he is no longer inferior to the bearded man..."
Liu Xiu shook his head and devoted himself to the last few minutes of warm-up before the game, trying to adapt himself quickly!
…
The pre-match preparation time ended and the referee signaled the two teams' starting lineups to come on the field.
Trail Blazers starting lineup: Liu Xiu, Reuben Patterson, Wesley Person, Randolph, Rasheed Wallace.
Grizzlies starting lineup: Jason Williams, Mike Miller, Bonzi Wells, Lorenzen Wright, Gasol.
Liu Xiu came to the technical desk to apply magnesium powder, and the system prompted him to choose the copy object of the "Great Magician".
Under normal circumstances, he would definitely choose the opponent's most powerful low-post back-up player, Bonzi Wells, and the fat stick Garland, to add a superposition bonus. Now...
"Mike Miller, match rate 65%... characteristic conversion talent: catch-and-shoot expert."
"Great Magician: Game Status: Copy Target: Teammate: Zach Randolph. Opponent: Mike Miller. Characteristic Conversion Talent: Catch and Shoot Expert. Bonus Effect: When the host catches the ball and shoots, if he shoots directly without dribbling, his shooting speed will be increased by 25%; when the host stands still and catches the ball and shoots, if he catches the ball and shoots in a wide open position, he will definitely enter a hot shooting state."
This bonus! It's great! It's what Liu Xiu wanted! He clapped his hands vigorously and ran onto the court...Bonzi Wells, who came to the technical table and wanted to provoke Liu Xiu, took a mouthful of magnesium powder...
Coming to the court, Tianzun took his teammates aside for a final conversation.
Liu Xiu once again looked at the other team. It was really full of talent! After the logo man joined, this team seemed to have changed into a different team.
The opponent's starting lineup is already very strong, and the bench lineup also includes five main rotation players: Battier, James Posey, Stromile Swift, Earl Watson, and Bo Otero.
"Memphis Grizzlies, 15 games, 9 wins and 6 losses, 96.1 points per game, 91.6 points allowed per game..."
The game was about to start, Tianzun and Gasol came to the center circle. At 7 o'clock in the evening, without a second's delay, the referee blew the whistle and threw the ball into the air... Tianzun easily won the jump ball over Gasol's head, and the Trail Blazers attacked first!
Liu Xiu received the ball and moved forward, while White Chocolate stayed on the center line.
He has a ruffian look on his face, a buzz cut with alpaca-style bangs, and weird animal tattoos on his arms... He doesn't look like a good guy at first glance!
The Grizzlies' market has been getting better and better in recent years. Is it because of their record?
no!
The Grizzlies' performance has really picked up this season, but ticket sales this season have only increased by 6% compared to last season. In the 2000-01 season, the first year that White Chocolate joined the Grizzlies, ticket sales in the second half of the season increased by 30% compared to the first half, all because of White Chocolate's performances.
But now...Liu Xiu had just advanced across half court when White Chocolate began to press defense in the middle!
"Jason Williams, 28 years old, 185 cm, 86 kg, PG, ability rating 81, offense 75, defense 85, passing ability 86...average 10.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.8 steals..."
Liu Xiu had already entered the game state the moment the referee blew the whistle to start the game. He was not affected by the sudden fierce pressure and pushed forward steadily with White Chocolate.
White Chocolate's defense would be very difficult for most point guards to deal with. He has good mobility, quick reactions, and is sticky... but Liu Xiu is a natural counter to this type of defensive player!
As soon as Liu Xiu reached the top arc, his teammates started to move in tacit understanding. Wesley Person came to the top arc to receive the ball, Tianzun moved to the left sideline, Randolph went to the right baseline to receive the shot or rush for the ball, and Reuben Patterson waited for the run... leaving the low post on the left free for Liu Xiu!
Under the circumstances tonight, Liu Xiu has a chance and everyone is willing to let Liu Xiu fight.
Winning is of course the top priority, but Liu Xiu's low-post back-to-the-basket attack is one of their team's best offensive weapons when he encounters a skilled defender, especially a skilled defender under 190 cm tall .
It’s just that Liu Xiu usually plays as a shooting guard, so he has fewer opportunities to attack in the low post.
Liu Xiu did not refuse. He passed the ball to Wesley Person and went straight to the low post on the left side of the three-second zone, received the ball, and leaned against White Chocolate.
Feeling the skillful force from behind, Liu Xiu was stunned for a moment - is this still the same White Chocolate?
It only took a moment of distraction for Liu Xiu to attack from behind!
The Grizzlies players have developed trust in White Chocolate's defense after playing almost one-fifth of the game this season. In just over half a season last season, Hubie Brown completely transformed White Chocolate into an outstanding point guard who is definitely a qualified starter even if he plays for a championship team.
but……
The teammates saw that Bai Chocolate was pushed up by Liu Xiu and seemed to be flying!
Gasol was ready to make up for the defense, but when he pulled back, Liu Xiu had already turned around, squeezed past White Chocolate and made a layup!
Amid the boos from the fans at the scene, Liu Xiu, who scored the goal, and his teammates high-fived while retreating.
White Chocolate knew there was a power gap, and he had studied Liu Xiu. His improvement on the defensive end did not come out of thin air, but was the result of a lot of hard work.
Of course, talent is the most important thing.
After studying Liu Xiu's back-to-the-basket performance, White Chocolate felt that it could limit him to a certain extent, at least creating opportunities for Gasol to make up for the defense.
But Liu Xiu's back attack was even more powerful than White Chocolate expected!
Better timing, better movement, quicker turns, smoother movements from grabbing the ball to making a layup...
To others, Liu Xiu's post-up play may seem no different from usual. However, as a genius with extremely good defensive talent who was able to go from being a difficult defender to a first-class defender within a year at the age of 27 or 28, White Chocolate could clearly see that Liu Xiu's post-up play this time was significantly improved compared to the one in the video of the previous game!
Unbelievable!
When the Grizzlies attacked, White Chocolate advanced across half court and then passed the ball to center Gasol who was in the high position, and then he honestly opened up the defense.
Liu Xiu followed Bai Chocolate. This guy has shot 37.1% from three-point range so far this season and averaged 1.9 three-pointers per game.
White Chocolate has always made a lot of three-pointers. Since his rookie season, he has averaged 2, 1.8, 1.3, 2 three-pointers per game each year... and his hit rates were 31%, 28.7%, 31.5%, 29.5% respectively... This season, there has not been much change in White Chocolate's three-point ability. What has changed is his shot selection, from mostly random shots before to most of his shots now being spot-up three-pointers or three-pointers after pick-and-rolls.
White Chocolate allows teammates to play 4 vs. 4 slowly.
Gasol lobbed the ball to Bonzi Wells, who was low on the left side of the paint next to Wesley Person.
The stick hit fiercely, swiftly and violently, completely different from the look of Liu Xiu's back-to-the-basket, with excellent explosive power, strong bounce speed...a beautiful back-to-the-basket, turn around and quickly jump to make a layup!
Cheers broke out at the scene!
Liu Xiu just scored one and Bonnie Wells immediately returned one!
Bonzi Wells took a few steps like O'Neal and shouted to Liu Xiu who was running back to receive the serve: "Rookie! This is a back-to-the-basket shot!"
Liu Xiu received the serve, protected it, and responded in confusion: "Who are you?"
The Korean's trash talk was blocked by Liu Xiu, and he was hurt!
Bonchi wanted to press the defense throughout the court, but Liu Xiu was very steady in protecting the ball, so he had to give up and run back quickly.
Liu Xiu crossed half court and Wesley Person had already pulled out.
But Liu Xiu saw the opponent's defense move - White Chocolate retreated to the free throw line, and Gasol was also moving...
Liu Xiu instantly judged the opponent's defensive intention - let him go to the low post, White Chocolate went around the front, and Gasol guarded the middle.
Excellent early move.
Liu Xiu still passed the ball to Wesley Person.
Just when the Grizzlies were ready to launch defense, they saw Liu Xiu, who had just passed the ball, standing still - reaching out for the ball from the right side of the top arc!
Wesley Persson was stunned for a moment, but still passed the ball to Liu Xiu.
The coach on the sidelines was confused. Was this just a joke?
The other teammates were just as confused, but suddenly they reacted... Randolph and Tianzun both rushed to close range, and sure enough, Liu Xiu made a three-pointer!
An exceptionally smooth three-point shot, and exquisite control of details...
Liu Xiu received the ball in a wide open space and made a three-point shot!
Watching the ball fall into the basket, the teammates were not too surprised, they just found it interesting - in games that attracted attention, Liu Xiu always seemed to play well and his touch was particularly good.
There is one thing... Why do you have to pass the ball first and then shoot it? Can't you just shoot it directly?
Wesley Persson's eyes lit up as he retreated - the Warden was sending him data! If it didn't go in, it wouldn't matter. But if it went in, wouldn't he have an assist? A sure win!