Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 166 Changxi, They've Got Their Eyes on You

On television, Debussyr made no attempt to contain himself, raising his arms and cheering wildly.

Granik came over and shook his hand. He only calmed down after being called twice, and then Granik hugged him tightly.

He was so excited that he wanted to kiss Granik right then and there.

The camera also focused on New York.

New York fans went wild.

They even set off fireworks that had been prepared beforehand.

Spike Lee, New York's number one fan, was also at the scene. The 45-year-old was jumping and dancing with excitement, and when the host grabbed him for an interview, he spoke without thinking.

"Just wait and see, we're back!"

"Believe me, Yao is a genius, he will help us become great again!"

"Don!"

In the footage, he even called out to Tang Sen from a distance.

He pointed at the camera and shouted, "Tang, I know Yao trains with you. Please, you must train him well. We don't ask for much, we just want him to become the next Kwame Brown!"

Tang Sen was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

That's quite a demand!

Just as he was thinking this, Duffy turned around and hugged him.

This outcome was completely unexpected for him.

He knew that Layden was very interested in Yao Ming, but the chances of getting the Knicks were too low. The only way to get the number one pick was through a trade.

To my surprise, I won the lottery.

It can only be said that the league has really stopped pretending and is determined to send Yao Ming to a major market.

But Duffy really loves this kind of alliance.

New York City has the largest Chinese population in the United States and is also a major basketball market. Despite the Knicks' terrible record, they still rank among the top cities in terms of the number of nationally televised games every year.

If Yao Ming goes there, he will definitely gain both fame and fortune.

"Congratulations."

After Duffy released him, Tang Sen offered his congratulations.

Regardless of whether there was any behind-the-scenes manipulation or not, the result is already in, and it's impossible for the league to change it now.

This result is clearly a very favorable one for Yao Ming.

The Knicks want him.

I heard Duffy mention from his former team, the Eastern Conference, in Chicago that Li Yaoming also wanted Yao Ming to play in a big city like New York.

With a large Chinese population in New York, Yao Ming's arrival could very well become a calling card for Chinese basketball and generate huge commercial benefits.

After all, it's professional basketball, so it should make money.

The competitive environment in the East is also better, unlike in the West where there are many tough players in the paint, which is also beneficial to Yao Ming's development.

Moreover, the Knicks are really willing to spend money. Allan Houston is getting old, and if they build the team around Yao Ming, they have the resources to create a good roster.

Tang Sen looked at Yao Ming, who was connecting with him live from the scene.

He was clearly somewhat surprised.

However, he expressed his high emotional intelligence, saying he was very happy with the result. He also liked the city of New York and was deeply impressed and moved by the enthusiasm of the Knicks' management when he was in Chicago.

Looking around, Tang Sen noticed Stoudemire.

This kid seems a little disappointed.

Or rather, I envy them.

Born into poverty, his desire for success was exceptionally strong.

They both participated in the draft, watching Yao Ming about to become the number one pick, or at least 100% destined to be the number one pick.

On television, Dolan stated directly that they would only choose Yao Ming.

How could Stoudemire not be envious?

Having participated in the McDonald's All-Star Game, he is also one of the top high school players in the United States and a top prospect in the draft.

Thinking of this, Tang Sen walked over and encouraged her, "Everyone's starting point is different, but what determines the end point is not the starting point, but your efforts."

Tang Sen patted his sturdy body.

This kid's talent is terrifying.

Stoudemire nodded slightly, his gaze resolute.

……

This result exceeded everyone's expectations.

There was no need to wait until the next day; that very evening, major television stations launched into heated discussions about who would win the top scholar's prize.

His words were sharp; he was practically pointing his finger at Stern and accusing him of cheating.

While a 4.4% probability isn't the lowest chance of winning the number one draft pick, it depends on the league's attitude.

They held a joint tryout, but gave Yao Ming the opportunity to try out separately for the Bulls and Knicks.

Giving the ball to the Bulls is understandable, given their truly worst record.

But what is the Knicks' record?
They were given a special opportunity for individual tryouts, clearly indicating their intention to send Yao Ming to New York.

Now they don't even bother with any acting; they just give a 4.4% probability.

Then there's no need for lotteries anymore. Just decide who you want to give it to and assign it directly.

No matter how loudly they argued, it was useless.

The NBA won't contradict itself; once they've committed a crime, they have to stick to it to the end.

Not to mention the New York Times.

"The next Kwame Brown is coming to New York. How far are we from the Finals?" Grant read the newspaper aloud in the Magic's locker room.

This is the headline of The New York Times.

They didn't even offer a defense of the inside story of the lottery.

Let's discuss directly what impact Yao Ming's arrival will have on the Knicks.

It's said that Yao Ming is now on the same path as Brown, and Yao Ming, with his greater talent, will only become stronger under Tang Sen's training.

Then we immediately started discussing the Knicks' starting lineup for next season.

Center Yao Ming, power forward Kurt Thomas, small forward Sprewell, and Allan Houston are just over 30, with at least two more years of peak performance ahead of them.

Mark Jackson is indeed getting old, so the New York Times analysis suggests that the Knicks now need an excellent point guard.

"Fuck, they've actually set their sights on Changxi."

Grant gasped and turned to look at Billups, who was tying his shoelaces.

Billups looked up, his face blank.

Grant hurriedly said, "The New York Times said that if there is any hope, they should try to trade for Kidd, but they think the chances are slim."

"Then they set their sights on Chauncey, saying that Chauncey had excellent playmaking ability, and most importantly, he wanted to become a free agent, and the Knicks could offer him a big contract that he couldn't refuse."

Grant took a deep breath.

New Yorkers are definitely not short of money.

"Chansey, you're not leaving Orlando, are you?"

Although it wasn't appropriate to discuss a trade in the locker room, Grant couldn't help but ask anyway.

Billups' importance to magic is self-evident.

Now is another crucial moment in the quest for the championship.

We don't know what will happen this year. If we don't succeed, we can try again next year.

But if Billups leaves now, the Magic will be in a real bind, wondering where they'll find such a suitable point guard.

For a moment, everyone in the locker room looked at Billups.

Ewing reacted quickly, saying, "Chansey, ignore Horace, this is your own business."

Everyone nodded.

This made Billups feel uneasy, and he said with a wry smile, "I didn't say I was leaving."

He proved himself in Orlando, shedding the label of a bust third overall pick.

Most importantly, Billups is very happy in Orlando, and he has never considered leaving.

As they were talking, Rivers, who had just finished the pre-game press conference, walked into the locker room.

"What are you talking about?" Sensing something was off, Rivers asked casually. "Nothing."

Grant said hastily, tossing the newspaper aside.

At this critical moment, we must not let morale waver.

Rivers didn't ask any more questions, but clapped his hands to attract everyone's attention.

"Everyone, I know that everyone around you is saying that you've already secured a spot in the finals, and that you're just one step away from the championship."

"But, gentlemen."

Rivers paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: "The more it comes to this, the more focused you need to be. Keep that burning desire for the championship in your hearts. Believe me, that desire will get you onto the court at your best and then you'll win that damn game."

Although I knew what Rivers would say, I was used to it.

Rivers, like an orator, used a melodious tone and passionate expressions to make people's blood boil, even when he was talking about the same old things.

"Todd MacLoach is no match for you, Kwame, take him down!"

Rivers, like a grand marshal surveying the land, proudly began to assign his generals.

That trusting look made Brown nod vigorously.

“And Tracy, no one can stop you, I mean no one.” Rivers looked at McGrady again, his face serious and his tone infectious.

"So gentlemen, win the game and tell the world that we are invincible!"

"Let's go!"

Rivers roared and clapped his hands, signaling everyone to prepare for their entrance.

Today is May 21st, the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Magic and the Nets.

Although the Nets and Pistons didn't have the epic Game 7 that Rivers had hoped for in this round, the two teams still fought to a Game 6 before a winner was decided.

In other words, the magic is similar to the previous round, with the magician having the advantage of being well-rested.

Now that it's the playoffs and the Eastern Conference Finals, Byron Scott can't afford not to make some adjustments.

He dropped Todd MacLouchi outright.

In four games during the regular season, Marc Loch has proven that despite his weight, his slow movement makes him unable to defend Brown.

So in this game, Scott put Martin at the center position.

They didn't bring in backup center Aaron Williams at power forward.

He moved Van Horn to the power forward position.

Then, this year's rookie Richard Jefferson took the small forward position.

Van Horn has absolutely no defensive ability; he's a complete defensive liability.

On the contrary, Jefferson has good athleticism. In the last round against the Pistons, he occasionally matched up against Stackhouse and defended him quite well.

"But the most important thing is offense."

Just before going on the court, Scott grabbed everyone and said, "Don't expect to completely stop Kwame and Tracy; they are stars."

"The only way for us to win is to run, run faster, and then play to our strengths and win the game through offense."

"Especially on transition offense, Jason, you have to push it."

This season, the Nets' winning formula is their fast pace and transition offense.

Using Kidd's vision and passing, they tore apart the opponent's defense.

At this pace, Mark Loach actually becomes a drag.

Kidd nodded, and when he went on the court, he couldn't help but glance at Billups on the other side a couple more times.

This guy's defense isn't bad.

Also, I wonder what point difference this guy has kept the score difference at now.

Kidd gradually became addicted to playing against elementary school students.

Because I keep losing, I always want to win.

But we just can't win.

Media reports indicate that Billups seems to be improving rapidly, even during the playoffs, he would go and play against elementary school students.

It is said that the point difference is already below 5 points.

There was no time to think, the competition began.

Rivers stood on the sidelines, his expression serious.

Because the Nets changed their lineup.

Rivers fears change because if his opponent changes, he will have to change too, but he doesn't know how to change.

The Magic maintained a controlled pace, playing the game methodically.

The advantage of replacing Mark Loach is that Martin can keep up with Brown.

When Brown set a screen for McGrady, Martin didn't lose his position and stayed close to Brown.

Billups noticed the change and passed the ball to McGrady.

McGrady stopped abruptly and turned his back to the basket.

Jefferson is indeed more agile, at least able to keep up with his own pace.

But McGrady showed no fear. He feinted left and right, noticed Jefferson's shift in center of gravity, turned upwards, and then leaped high into the air.

Brown didn't develop the skyhook, but McGrady did.

As he turned and jumped, his long, slender legs unleashed astonishing power, propelling his body high into the air.

He maintained a good posture in the air. Although his legs swung out, his upper body remained taut, as if he were sitting in a chair in the air. Then, he gently stretched out his long arms and threw the basketball.

The basketball traced a near-perfect arc through the air and plunged into the basket.

Jefferson, upon landing, was about to curse.

Putting aside the fact that he was jolted, the extent to which he leaned back meant he could only watch helplessly.

After all, this is a fadeaway jump shot, a weapon belonging to the gods.

Before his crucial game, Scott actually hoped he could stop McGrady.

If it were McGrady at the beginning of the season, Jefferson felt he could still try his best and fight back.

And now?
Their breakthroughs are sharp and unpredictable; now they've even pulled out their fadeaway jumper. How are we supposed to defend against that?

Before they could think, the Nets had already started their fast break.

Kidd dribbles and charges forward.

But as soon as it started, it crashed into Billups.

The moment their bodies touched, Kidd felt the power emanating from the other.

That's even more complete.

In the final stages of the regular season, on April 11th, the Nets played a game against the Magic.

Now, more than a month later, Kidd clearly felt that Billups' body had become much stronger.

With a curse under his breath, Kidd made a long pass to Kerry Kittles.

But it didn't work.

The Magic retreated very quickly.

Scott summarized his experiences, but Rivers didn't?
Before the series began, Rivers had discussed it with Davis and the others many times, and the conclusion was the same old strategy: they absolutely could not let the Nets get going.

Everyone must stick close to their assigned defensive position and not lose their place.

Magic has achieved this.

So when Kidd got the ball again, there was no chance left for him.

This is the most frustrating time for the Nets, because they have no offensive initiator.

Martin only knows how to catch the ball and drive to the basket, unlike Brown, who has excellent ball-handling and offensive skills.

Van Horn can only catch and shoot.

Jefferson is still too inexperienced.

Kittles has some ball-handling and offensive ability, but it's limited. He's more effective in fast breaks, waiting for Kidd to pass him the ball from beyond the three-point line, then catching and shooting.

In the end, he ran around for a while but had no chance, and his forced shot went wide.

Kidd ran away with a stiff face.

Watching the Magic players slowly dribble forward, he inexplicably sensed an air of defeat.

(End of this chapter)