NBA: Goat is actually me

Chapter 11: Pippen was fooled

In the evening, Meng Jin invited Pippen to eat something together to replenish his energy.

Pippen accepted it happily. Firstly, he was in a good mood after winning the game, and secondly, he thought Meng Jin was a nice person and they could get along well.

"Scottie, together we can definitely sweep the entire Portsmouth Invitational."

"cheers!"

After touching one, Meng Jin continued, "I observed today that there are many scouts who come to watch us play. This invitational tournament is a very good platform. Seize the opportunity, just like I did in the NCAA finals. One game made everyone remember me."

Hearing the words NCAA and finals, Pippen couldn't help but feel envious: "I wanted to go to the NCAA Division I, but no one gave me a full scholarship."

Meng Jin did not give Pippen time to feel sad, and immediately responded: "We have to look forward. The college days are over. Next we have to think about how to enter the NBA."

Pippen became even more worried after hearing this, with a bitter face: "I'm afraid I won't perform well. I'm very slow to warm up. Very."

Meng Jin thought for a moment from Pippen's perspective: "Scottie, you are excellent, but your worry is justified. There are only three games in the invitational tournament, and it is not easy to make everyone remember it."

“That’s a point that makes me anxious.”

"All anxiety comes from self-doubt. Why do you doubt yourself? Because you don't quite understand what you want to do. Listen, Scotty, you have to play your own characteristics, without reservation."

"What should I do?" Pippen asked bluntly.

Meng Jin looked directly into Pippen's eyes for help, thinking that after so much preparation, he was finally getting to the point.

"Pass the ball to me."

"Pass the ball to you?"

"Yeah, Scotty, I noticed you pass the ball pretty well."

Hearing the compliment, Pippen smiled embarrassedly: "You figured it out. I played point guard all the time before college. I was very short when I was a kid, and I grew taller when I went to college."

Meng Jin looked at Pippen with more certainty: "Good, very good, play to your strengths. Imagine, a 203cm passer appeared in the scouts' field of vision, what would those guys say? God!? I saw a new magician!"

Pippen was enlightened: "You are a genius, Meng!"

"I'm not a genius, I'm just good at discovering the strengths of people around me." Meng Jin sighed and said, "Sometimes I really envy you. I'm terrible at passing the ball, so I basically don't pass the ball. I know what it means to play to my strengths and avoid my weaknesses. I never do things that I'm not good at, so my goal on the court is very clear, grab rebounds, advance, and try to convert every pass of yours into assists!"

"Meng, to be honest, it's really comfortable to play with you. We can cooperate with each other on the offensive end and work together to lock down the opponent's core on the defensive end." After hearing this, Pippen drank the beer in his hand in one gulp.

Meng Jin: "We are very similar. We both started from the same humble beginnings but have talents that most people don't have. This must be God's will, allowing the two brothers to be together on the same team, fight side by side, and fulfill their dreams together."

After saying this, Meng Jin secretly looked up and glanced at Pippen. The boy's eyes were already a little moist.

After the meal, Pippen felt that he had a half-brother in this world, and he and Meng Jin felt that they had met too late.

Meng Jin felt that the next game was a sure win because Pippen was fooled by him.

The next day, at the same time, the game started.

Meng Jin continued to show his talent and made a devastating block on the defensive end.

Two rounds later, Meng Jin hit another mid-range shot on the offensive end.

Mid-range is still not Meng Jin's regular offensive method, but it has improved significantly compared to the finals.

At that time, Meng Jin would never shoot, but now he will definitely shoot if he is in an open position.

In this game, Meng Jin took 3 mid-range shots and only made 1. Although the hit rate was a bit touching, at least he shot with confidence.

This is a good start for him.

After finishing the meal last night, Meng Jin was much more relaxed when shooting. He knew that even if he missed the shot, Pippen would continue to pass the ball to him.

Meng Jin did not disappoint Pippen's expectations. In addition to shooting, he seized most of the shots in this game and scored 30 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals.

Pippen had comprehensive statistics of 13 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds.

In this way, they successfully won the second game.

Both were very satisfied with their performance.

Meng Jin scored points, Pippen made assists, they both have a bright future! In the last game of the invitational tournament, the two still played with all their strength.

The two should focus on the defensive end first. This is Meng Jin's idea. It is more stable and easier to disrupt the opponent's rhythm.

Once the opponent loses their touch on offense for a few consecutive rounds, they will also become absent-minded on defense.

Meng Jin's tactics were very effective, and they successfully blocked the opponent's outside line in the first three minutes.

Some players have already started to complain that these two are simply cheating. How could the organizers put two tall players with high height, long arms and high mobility together at the same time?
The organizers said that the grouping is random and absolutely fair, and there is no favoritism or fraud.

Meng Jin didn't take many shots in the first half and only scored 8 points, but he had a terrifying 4 blocks and 3 steals.

Pippen became the team's main attacker, scoring 15 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in the first half.

During the halftime break, Meng Jin repeatedly brainwashed Pippen, telling him to be comprehensive and to play to his strengths.

Obviously, Pippen listened and increased the number of passes in the second half.

Meng Jin's touch was average tonight, and several of his layups bounced out of the rim, but thanks to Pippen's unremitting efforts, his score was still raised to 20+.

Meng Jin was very touched, and felt that the dinner that day was not in vain.

Finally, with the joint efforts of the two, the team won the third game.

With three wins and impressive statistics, Meng Jin feels that his chances of entering the NBA this year are higher.

Meng Jin checked the information and found that Rodman was selected by the NBA when he was a freshman because of his outstanding performance in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. In addition, the number of rounds in the 1987 NBA draft had not been reduced and there were a total of seven rounds.

In a word, it can be summed up in two words: there's hope.

Meng Jin was in a good mood: "Scottie, I'll invite you to the bar tonight."

"Meng, you are such a generous fellow!"

"You're so generous? I'll call you a girl for you."

"Meng, can I have two?"

"One black and one white? No problem."

"Meng, I originally had 11 brothers and sisters, and now you are the 12th."

Just as Meng Jin was picking up his bag and preparing to leave the stadium, he was suddenly stopped by a group of people.

Then, a simple trophy was stuffed into Meng Jin's hands.

At this moment, Meng Jin realized that the Portsmouth Invitational actually had an MVP.

Meng Jin never expected that the first MVP he would win in his life would be the MVP of the Portsmouth Invitational.

Meng Jin opened the system and took a look. MVP did not bring him any rewards. It turned out that the value of this trophy was still a bit low.

But this trophy is still meaningful, at least it proves that Pippen had assisted himself before assisting that boiled egg.

In addition, the trophy can attract the attention of more teams. The game videos of the Portsmouth Invitational are public. If a team appreciates Meng Jin's performance, they will invite him to participate in the tryout, which will increase his chances of entering the NBA.

After the awards were presented, the organizers asked Meng Jin to speak.

Meng Jin had no preparation for this part and could only say whatever came to his mind.

"I would like to thank the organizers for the invitation, my teammates and coaches for their support, and this wonderful journey. Obviously, I opened everyone's eyes."

Meng Jin said this and turned and left.

Many scouts keep short records, and a player's personality is also a factor in determining their draft position.

"Meng, you're so cool." Pippen came up to him.

"Just telling the truth."

Meng Jin hooked his arm around Pippen's back and walked out of the Churchland High School basketball hall.

(End of this chapter)