NBA: Goat is actually me

Chapter 167 I treat you as a brother, but you?
After Meng Jin left the court, Jordan stepped up and scored 16 points in the final quarter, helping the Bulls defeat the Chicago Bulls and achieve their sixth consecutive victory.

The first thing Bill Laimbeer did after he woke up from a brief shock was to ask about Meng Jin's condition. When the people around him said that Meng Jin was fine, Bill Laimbeer almost fainted again. Did I take that punch in vain?

The Pistons coaching staff also found it incredible after watching the video replay. They felt that Meng Jin was simply a superman. From the video replay, it seemed that Meng Jin's foot was sprained 90 degrees at the time, but he walked off the court as if nothing had happened.

The Bulls team doctors also examined Meng Jin repeatedly. What surprised them most was that Meng Jin's ankle was not injured, and there was not even any swelling!
After the game, teammates returned to the locker room and expressed concern for Meng Jin's ankle. No one would be fine after being padded like that, unless he was not a human being.

When the teammates returned to the locker room, they saw that Meng Jin was a real jerk.

Meng Jin said that he was not completely unharmed. He had just punched Bill Laimbeer's mask and scratched his hand.

"Meng, Tim and I just discussed it, and we think it's necessary to change your shooting habits, which may help you."

During training the next day, Meng Jin's personal trainer Greg found him.

"How to change?" Meng Jin asked.

Although Meng Jin is immune to injuries, the pain cannot be eliminated. Moreover, if he can remain unharmed every time he is tripped, it will be hard not to arouse other people's suspicion.

"Lift your right leg up when you shoot," Greg said.

"Lift your right leg up?"

"Yes, like this."

Greg Sam demonstrated it to Meng Jin, and Meng Jin understood it immediately. The movement was similar to McGrady's scissor kick.

“Doing this will put some distance between you and your opponent in the air and help you stay balanced,” Greg continued.

Meng Jin nodded, indicating that he agreed with Greg's suggestion. When Meng Jin kicked his long legs forward, any normal man would feel dangerous and uncomfortable. He could force his feet forward, but he would have to give up his testicles in exchange.

The next day, Meng Jin did not receive any additional punishment from the league. The NBA headquarters turned a blind eye to Meng Jin's boxing moves, and the Pistons did not appeal, so the matter just passed.

When playing back-to-back against the Pacers, Meng Jin showed off his newly improved pull-up shot. In this game, the Bulls lost to the Pacers 117 to 121. The loss had nothing to do with Meng Jin's improved footwork. Meng Jin's shooting percentage tonight was still online, above 50%. Jordan's 45% shooting percentage was also acceptable. The Bulls lost because of Reggie Miller.

At the beginning of the game, the Bulls used the single-point blasting strategy from the previous games. On offense, Meng Jin held the ball and played one-on-one, and on defense, Meng Jin and Jordan took turns to take care of the Pacers' outside core Chuck Person.

查克-珀森第一节6中0，得分挂零，不过步行者比分倒是没有落后，雷吉-米勒手感火热第一节6中5，三分3中2加上2个罚球拿了14分。

Bach adjusted the strategy in time and let Jordan defend Reggie Miller in the second quarter, but the effect was not good. Reggie Miller was not the kind of ball-holding outside player. He was the kind of marathon outside player. In the offensive rounds, he usually took Jordan for two laps, and then used the screen to catch the ball and shoot.

In the third quarter, Meng Jin's switching defense to Reggie Miller was also mediocre. Reggie Miller played hide-and-seek with Meng Jin. He knew Meng Jin too well and knew his defensive range. Reggie Miller would not easily shoot without creating a safe distance.

There were several offensive rounds where Reggie Miller ran laps frantically and then refused to shoot after receiving the pass because he felt he had not completely gotten rid of Meng Jin. He would rather pass the ball than give Meng Jin a chance to block the shot. Reggie Miller was very clear-headed. He knew that blocking a shot meant more than just preventing the opponent from scoring. It could boost morale while also undermining the confidence of his opponents.

Meng Jin was very annoyed by this style of play. Reggie Miller only took four shots in the third quarter, but it consumed a lot of his physical energy and patience.

Reggie Miller played like a mad dog for three quarters. Even the Pacers' on-site commentator was worried that his shooting percentage would drop in the fourth quarter due to exhaustion. Most Bulls fans thought the same. They felt that this skinny guy just wanted to show off in front of Meng Jin and Jordan. He used all his strength in the first three quarters and he would definitely not be able to perform well in the fourth quarter. However, Reggie Miller broke everyone's doubts with his actions.

Reggie Miller not only did not show any signs of weakness in the fourth quarter, he even ran more actively than in the first three quarters.

Jordan and Reggie Miller have a grudge, and Meng Jin is the rookie of the same class whom he has always wanted to surpass, so Reggie Miller was particularly excited when playing against the Bulls. He became more and more courageous in the final quarter and made 7 of 5 shots, including a near-game-winning three-pointer in the last 17.8 seconds.

When the nearly buzzer-beating three-pointer went through the net, Reggie Miller danced with excitement. Although it was just an ordinary regular season game, he felt that he had defeated the whole world. This game was broadcast live across the United States, and Reggie Miller knew that the scene of him defeating the Bulls' double guns would be played repeatedly on TV. Nothing could make him more excited than this.

With the Bulls' last attack ending hastily, the Indiana Pacers won the home game 120-117!

Reggie Miller made full preparations for this victory. He hasn't touched his girlfriend for more than half a month. You know, this is a very difficult thing for NBA players with overflowing hormones.

Reggie Miller has always had a theory that Meng Jin is very strong, but he can be even stronger if he doesn't touch women. Women are obstacles to the progress of athletes. Reggie Miller talked to Meng Jin about this in private. Unexpectedly, Meng Jin did not refute him. Meng Jin stared into Reggie Miller's eyes and said, "Reggie, maybe you are right. I can be stronger without touching women, but at the same time I will lose happiness."

Reggie Miller was speechless. He and Meng Jin were not the same kind of people and did not understand Meng Jin's happiness, but he knew that he was the happiest that night.

Reggie Miller grinned at the camera. This game was broadcast live across the United States. Reggie Miller tried every means to show himself. Tonight he scored a game-high 46 points with his simple jump shot. This skinny boy also entered the fans' field of vision for the first time. He looked inconspicuous and his playing style was not eye-catching, but he had a kind of magic that attracted the fans' attention.

"Meng, what do you think of Reggie Miller's performance tonight?"

"He played well tonight, but his celebration needs to be improved. He looked like a little girl who stole a Michael Jackson concert."

The reporters all laughed after hearing this and relayed the original words to Reggie Miller.

Reggie Miller was not angry. It was normal for good friends to joke and argue. Reggie Miller smiled and said, "No, no, no, he was jealous. He was jealous that I scored the winning goal."

After the game, Meng Jin did not return to the hotel. He went directly to Reggie Miller's house. The two had not seen each other for a while.

"You completed the buzzer-beater live on the national broadcast. You must be so happy now," said Meng Jin.

Meng Jin knows Reggie Miller very well. He is a performative person. The more spectators there are, the more excited he gets and the better he plays. If every game was broadcast live across the country, Reggie Miller's level would be a level higher than it is now.

"The drinks and wine are all in the refrigerator, help yourself."

Meng Jin was right. As soon as he got home, Reggie Miller couldn't wait to turn on the TV and tuned to the sports channel. He wanted to see his highlights and listen to how the commentators discussed him. "Sorry, I stole your limelight tonight." Reggie Miller said while watching TV.

"It doesn't matter. Everyone has to eat dumplings during the New Year," said Meng Jin.

"What are dumplings?" Reggie Miller turned around and asked.

"Who doesn't have to eat turkey for Christmas?" Meng Jin said it in a way that Americans could understand better.

The way they get along is different from Pippen. They are a bit competitive and often argue with each other.

"Come on, Meng, you're just being stubborn. It's a fact that you lost tonight, it's a fact that I scored more than you tonight, and it's also a fact that I scored the buzzer beater against the Bulls tonight." Reggie Miller laughed.

Reggie Miller felt that Meng Jin would definitely not be able to defeat him before the next time.

As a result, Meng Jin slowly opened his palm, pointed at one of his fingers and asked, "Reggie, do you know what this is?"

Reggie Miller looked confused: "Ring finger?"

Meng Jin shook his head and said, "No, this is a championship ring."

"Eggs!" Reggie Miller leaned back and slumped on the sofa, indicating that he would go to sleep if he talked about this topic.

Meng Jin laughed out loud. He had a championship ring and a FMVP trophy, which made him always invincible in the bickering with Reggie Miller and Barkley.

Reggie Miller waved his hand and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's not talk about this anymore. Meng, can you give me a few pairs of your third-generation sneakers?"

Meng Jin frowned and said, "No, no, no, I won't give you my MJ III. I won't give you the chance to kill me wearing my sneakers."

Reggie Miller said with a look of disappointment: "Are you serious? When did you become so stingy? You have changed."

Then, Meng Jin changed the subject and said, "I will directly help you produce a pair of signature sneakers. How about calling them the Runner Generation? Or the Shooter Generation? The Marathon Generation? Any name is fine. You can come up with a name yourself."

Reggie Miller thought Meng Jin was joking with him, rolled his eyes and said, "I want to call it the turkey generation, no, the dumpling generation."

Meng Jin spread his hands indifferently: "It doesn't matter, as long as you can sell the sneakers and don't make me lose money."

Looking at Meng Jin's serious expression, Reggie Miller felt something was wrong: "Wait, Meng, what you said is not true, right?"

Meng Jin nodded: "Yes, I can sign you. I also plan to do so. You are flamboyant enough on the court. Fans will like players like you."

A few days ago, Meng Jin completed the contract renewal with his own sneaker brand Nautica. One of the conditions was that he would have an independent studio, be able to design his own sneakers, enjoy a higher share of the sneaker revenue, and have the right to sign NBA players.

After much deliberation, Meng Jin decided to make Reggie Miller his first signed player. Before that, Meng Jin considered Grant, but inside players have never sold shoes, and his position in the Bulls is too far back. No fan would be willing to buy shoes for a marginal player. Meng Jin also considered Pippen, but Pippen's situation was similar. Although his statistics were better, Pippen's popularity was too low. This was related to the Kings' record, his playing style, and his personality.

After much thought, Reggie Miller is a good choice. He will definitely grow into an All-Star player in the future. Moreover, his unyielding character can easily cause conflicts with others on the court. Only conflicts can create topics, and only topics can create traffic. Meng Jin started to think like a capitalist before he became a boss.

Reggie Miller frowned and thought, I treat you as a brother, and you want to be my boss?

"How are you going to sign me?"

Reggie Miller just asked tentatively, but he didn't expect Meng Jin to be prepared. He blurted out: "4 for 40 years, % to % of the net profit of the shoes."

4 for 40 years was not considered high in the 90s. NBC just signed a new 4-year, $8.9 million broadcasting contract with the NBA two months ago, which means that the salaries of most players will increase significantly in their next contracts, so the players' endorsement contracts will naturally increase as well.

"make a deal."

Reggie Miller agreed without a second thought. The most attractive part of this contract is the signature sneakers. You know, in this era, only superstars are eligible for this. The profit from the sneakers is also very attractive to Reggie Miller. It feels like being his own boss. The more he sells, the more he earns.

For Meng Jin, this contract is definitely not a loss. 4 for 40 years is nothing to him. If Reggie Miller's shoes sell well, he will make a fortune.

The loss affected the atmosphere within the Bulls, but not greatly. After all, they had just experienced a six-game winning streak before the loss. On January 1, the Bulls slaughtered the weak Hornets on the road. This year, they introduced Gilliam to strengthen their inside strength. However, Gilliam is not the kind of player who can make the final decision. He is a high-level blue-collar worker who needs to be led. What the Hornets lack is a leader, a big core with the ball.

On January 1, the Bulls defeated the Clippers 13 to 141. Today, the Clippers went head-to-head with the Bulls. They wanted to bet that the Bulls had no bullets in their gun tonight. As a result, the Bulls took out a Maxim heavy machine gun tonight and directly mowed the Clippers into a sieve.

When Meng Jin made all 7 shots in the first quarter, Los Angeles fans vaguely felt that this game would not be easy.

But when Meng Jin scored 31 points in the first half, many fans quietly took off their Clippers jerseys, took out their popcorn buckets, and began to appreciate Meng Jin's performance.

孟进永远不会让球迷失望，他今晚27投20中，高效砍下50分11篮板5盖帽5抢断4助攻。

乔丹29投15中，也砍下了41分7助攻4篮板。

The two accounted for 96 of the Bulls' 56 shots. The most terrifying thing is that this is the norm in the Bulls' games. Many old coaches and retired players began to judge the Bulls' way of playing. Head coach Bach not only did not block it, but enjoyed it. He even generously stated in an interview that not every coach is so lucky to have both Jordan and Meng Jin at the same time.

The media gradually understood why Bach was able to control the Bulls locker room and why he was able to coordinate the conflicts between Meng Jin and Jordan. Collins would never be able to learn this mentality in his lifetime.

(End of this chapter)