Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 253 You should go play in the NBA
The Knicks had a lot of people in attendance at this year's All-Star Weekend.

Let's not even talk about Yao Ming.

Chandler was selected for the Rising Stars Challenge Sophomore Team.

After losing to Mason in the 01 Slam Dunk Contest, Swift chose to compete again in his last year in the contest.

And the NBA gave him the opportunity he wanted.

Houston, on the other hand, signed up for the three-point contest.

He already had a good three-point shooting ability, and after training hard with Tang Sen all summer, he improved his release speed and increased his shooting range.

He's also on the three-point list this season.

Then this year's All-Star Game added a new event: the Skills Challenge.

The NBA has extended an invitation to Chauncey Billups, the championship-winning point guard.

He agreed.

Furthermore, Tang Sen saw media reports that the NBA's original plan for this skills competition was to refer to their elementary school training program, with four invited stars leading elementary school students to compete and see who had the smallest point difference.

Playing ball with a group of elementary school students is full of surprises, so it's bound to be very entertaining.

It also aligns with the All-Star Game theme, focusing on interaction with fans.

Ultimately, the league abandoned the plan.

First, playing four matches would take too long.

Secondly, there are too many uncontrollable factors, and children's physical strength is limited, making standardization impossible.

But Tang Sen was actually quite curious; it would be very interesting to bring this training method onto the field.

On February 8th, the Philips Arena, the home of the Hawks, was a star-studded event.

In the afternoon's Rising Stars Challenge, the entire Knicks team was present to support Chandler.

However, Chandler, being a center, has limited opportunities to perform.

Ultimately, the freshmen, without Yao Ming, unsurprisingly lost to the sophomores.

Last year's second-round pick, Arenas, scored a whopping 30 points and won the MVP award.

Later, the skills competition began.

By this time, the stadium was already packed with star players.

Yao Ming was massaging Billups' shoulders to loosen his muscles.

Not far away, Kidd was also stretching his shoulders.

Their eyes met, and sparks seemed to fly between them.

To this day, Kidd has not completed the elementary school challenge.

Billups remains the only point guard personally certified by Townsend to have completed this training.

So occasionally, the media will bring up this matter again to provoke Kidd.

Kidd said he didn't care, but he was still uncomfortable inside.

Especially since both of them are in the East, they are direct competitors.

Not to mention this is the first-ever NBA Skills Challenge, and the trophy is quite large.

Tang Sen was pulled to sit down with Larry Bird.

This guy seems to be really going back to the Pacers' management; he's been especially enthusiastic towards Tangsen.

I reckon he's like Jordan, wanting to poach me to the Pacers.

He's mentioned Carlisle quite a bit, probably trying to poach him as well.

Some media outlets now refer to Townsend and Carlisle as a golden duo.

A training master and a tactical master, a perfect duo.

Bird returned to the Pacers, hoping to bring the team its first NBA championship.

After the documentary "The Road to Glory" aired, such voices increased.

The trading deadline is fast approaching.

Rumors about the deal are flying everywhere.

Then some media outlets from various teams suggested that the management should stop making reckless moves, such as acquiring certain players one minute and making epic reinforcements the next.

Why not just poach Townsend and rebuild like the Knicks?

Even Dolan became much more enthusiastic.

She had previously invited me to a costume party.

Tang Sen was busy and didn't have time to go over.

While Barkley was talking to Bird, he ran over, grabbed Tangsen, and asked if he thought Billups could win the Skills Challenge.

This is going to incite conflict.

However, Townsend will definitely side with Billups.

He glanced at Larry Bird beside him; with the king of swagger sitting next to him, it would be inappropriate not to show off a little.

After a moment's thought, Tang Sen said, "Of course, if Changxi loses, I will withdraw from the exhibition match later."

Upon hearing this, Bird immediately became anxious.

"No way, Tang, I still want to see you and Michael compete."

Yesterday at a press conference, when Jordan was asked why he participated in the exhibition game, he revealed that the reason was simple: he wanted to play against Tang Sen.

Because he had lost to Tang Sen in a one-on-one fight.

Many people know that professional trainers also have top-notch ball skills.

But the fact that Tangsen was able to beat Jordan in a one-on-one match is still quite astonishing.

That's Jordan, after all.

If it weren't for this, would Bird have made a special trip here today?

“How about this?” Bird’s eyes darted around and he said, “Tang, let’s make a bet between Chauncey and Jason. If I win, you can quit your job and come to the Pacers.”

Barkley, standing nearby, gasped slightly, his face displaying an exaggerated expression of having caught a big story, and looked eagerly at Tang Sen.

If Tang Sen resigns, half of New York will collapse.

Tang Sen looked at Bird with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

Aren't you afraid that Leiden will come and fight you to the death?
"Okay."

With the matter already discussed in front of the camera, what does Tang Sen have to fear?

Billups knows his fundamentals best.

Bird's eyes lit up, and he jumped up.

"Larry, what are you doing?" Barkley asked hurriedly.

Without saying a word, Bird went straight to massage Kidd's shoulders.

Barkley immediately went to interview Billups.

It's being broadcast live across the entire US; this is going too far.

If it weren't for concerns about the impact, Barkley would have liked to ask Raiden, who was far away in New York, if he was panicking.

Billups panicked upon hearing about the bet between Townsend and Bird.

Bird, that king of showmanship, has hardly ever lost.

Looking at Tang Sen not far away, Billups quickly said, "No matter what, I will win the championship."

I originally thought it didn't matter whether I won or lost.

Now, we have no choice but to win.

As soon as the news spread, the star players at the scene cheered wildly.

Jordan, standing in the crowd, was immediately intrigued. "Is this how you poach people?"
Barkley and ESPN's live host Stuart Scott flanked Tangsen, asking him if he was serious.

Seeing that the two were getting more and more outrageous, Tang Sen had no choice but to say, "I said I would only resign if I lost. I personally trained Changxi, and I know I won't lose."

Bird, who was not far away, heard this and silently cheered Kidd on.

Marbury was the first to take the court.

He dribbled the ball, easily bypassing four obstacles, then took two attempts to make a bounce pass and two shots before making the basket, ultimately finishing in 41.9 seconds.

With this score, it feels like I'm going to be eliminated immediately.

Payton followed closely behind.

It was the first time for all of them to participate in such a project, and none of them had specifically trained beforehand, but Payton's basic skills were clearly better.

I did it all in one go, and it took me 31.3 seconds in the end.

Bird's eyes lit up, and he encouraged Kidd again.

“30 seconds, Jason, don’t let me underestimate you,” Bird yelled.

If Kidd performs exceptionally well in the 4-to-2 elimination round, Billups will be eliminated.

Kidd silently rolled his eyes. What does your bet with Tang Sen have to do with me?

And if they win, Tang Sen might actually get a job with the Nets. "Jason will be eliminated."

Tang Sen then made a prediction.

After Payton ran the run once, Tang Sen realized that 30 seconds should be a crucial dividing line.

Kidd's performance was certainly not as good as Payton's.

The reason is simple: he's tall, and he's never been a fast point guard.

Sure enough, Kidd also got it right in one take, but his time came to 33.2 seconds.

"Fake."

Bird cursed under his breath; he had a feeling Kidd was going to lose.

Billups is about to enter the game.

He turned his head and glanced at Tang Sen on the sidelines.

Tang Sen gave himself a thumbs up.

Billups took a deep breath and rushed out.

Layup, dribble past obstacles.

The speed was fast, the movements were fluid, and the hard-earned basic skills came into play.

All the shots were completed in one go, and the result came out as the final layup was finished.

30.7 seconds.

Billups excitedly waved his arm and high-fived Yao Ming and Houston as they came to greet him.

Bird simply buried his face in his hands in frustration.

He lost; Kidd has been eliminated.

"Jason, you've disappointed me greatly." Bird was utterly speechless.

Kidd was speechless, inwardly blaming Bird for jinxing him.

He really wanted to win the NBA's first Skills Challenge title.

Barkley said with a regretful look, "New York fans, you can get a good night's sleep tonight."

He really hoped Bird would win, and then see how Townsend would cash in on his bet.

If this actually comes true, then things will get really interesting.

Bird sat back down, feeling dejected.

The old man didn't cheat; he accepted his loss and asked Tang Sen what the stakes were.

Tang Sen waved his hand dismissively.

Bird then warned Tangsen that Jordan would definitely use the same trick as him later, and that Tangsen should not fall for it.

Barkley pricked up his ears, ready to tip Jordan off.

"What if I win too?" Tang Sen said.

Giving Jordan a chance to win doesn't guarantee he'll win.

Bird was taken aback, then his eyes lit up instantly. He excitedly hooked his arm around Tang Sen's shoulder and shouted that he wanted to teach Tang Sen a few moves so that he could beat Jordan in a while.

He even said he regretted it and should have joined in the fun himself.

"It's not too late."

It's just an exhibition match, only a few minutes long, just to make it lively. If you want to come, who would refuse?

Bird thought for a moment, then pursed his lips and shook his head.

Thomas is already so old. If Jordan dunks on him and he goes back to Indiana, he'll laugh himself to death.

Billups continued his consistent performance in the Skills Challenge final.

Payton, on the other hand, made two missed shots and was defeated in 35.6 seconds.

Billups, looking visibly shaken, picked up the skill competition trophy.

He felt that if he didn't win the championship and Townsend made his bet, then when he returned to New York, Ryden and the New York fans would want to tear him apart.

After the skills competition ended, the exhibition match followed immediately.

Jordan had already pulled down his pants and was walking onto the court, stretching his arms.

The home team, Atlanta, features Dominique Wilkins, the Human Highlight Film, and Hawks guard Terry.

Then there's WNBA legend and one of Jordan's closest friends, Shelly Spoughs.

On the Los Angeles side, Magic Johnson is leading the team.

Michael Jordan and Lisa Leslie, the center for the Los Angeles Sparks and last year's WNBA Finals MVP.

Standing at 1.96 meters tall, she was also the first female player to complete a dunk in a WNBA game.

Finally, there's movie star Ashton Kutcher.

"Don."

Just as Bird predicted, Jordan squeezed in and said that playing like this wasn't very exciting.

Let's make a bet.

If the Los Angeles team wins, or directly compares scores with Townsend, and if he wins, then Townsend will resign next season and join the Wizards' management.

"No gambling!"

Tang Sen resolutely refused, saying, "I can bet with you on things I'm confident about."

You'd only bet on a game you're not sure you're winning if you were just bored.

Jordan was annoyed, wondering why he hadn't thought of doing this before, which resulted in Bird taking the lead.

"Don, did you really beat Michael in a one-on-one match?" Shelly Spoughs walked over and asked curiously.

She didn't know the details of the situation at the time, but Jordan himself said it, so it must be true.

"How can it be."

Tang Sen shook his head with a smile: "He's talking nonsense, but I might try it out later."

Swoops felt a chill and gave Tang Sen a thumbs up.

Not many people dare to challenge Jordan like that.

On the other side, Magic Johnson also grabbed Jordan and asked the same question.

"His skills are pretty good."

Jordan pursed his lips.

Johnson nodded in deep agreement; he believed it.

If your own skills aren't good, how can you have the confidence to train your players?

The game began amid cheers from the star players on the sidelines.

Right from the start, Johnson and Wilkins wisely spread out, leaving space for Townsend and Jordan.

"Come!"

Jordan bent down, slapped the floor with both hands, and looked very serious.

Tang Sen quickly went through a variety of techniques in his mind, then executed a Tim Hardaway-style crossover and started his drive towards the basket.

The Jordan of today is not the Jordan of yesteryear, who didn't warm up, didn't undergo recovery training, and dragged around with an injured leg.

But the Tang Sen of today is not the Tang Sen of the past.

I train with the players during their daily training sessions.

In particular, the "Role Model" badge was used extensively in the past.

So Tang Sen really did regain his physical fitness.

But Jordan still kept up.

Tang Sen didn't expect that this would be enough to get past Jordan.

He made a sudden stop and double back dribble, creating a change in rhythm and misleading the opponent, before advancing to the right again.

At the same moment he noticed Jordan following him, Tangsen stopped abruptly the instant his left foot stepped out, pulling back and turning to face away from the goal.

The movements were extremely fluid.

Jordan made a sudden stop and counterattack, predicting that Townsend would turn and shoot a jump shot towards the top of the court.

The prediction was correct, but Tang Sen added a backward lean.

This is almost a standard Jordan back-to-the-basket fadeaway jumper move.

By raising the arc and gaining a half-body advantage, Jordan was unable to block the shot.

Under the watchful eyes of numerous star players on the sidelines, the basketball plunged headfirst into the basket.

The next moment, Kwame Brown jumped for joy.

O'Neal exaggeratedly covered his head with his hands and widened his eyes.

Barkley pointed at the court and excitedly shouted, "Don, you should play in the NBA!"

(End of this chapter)