Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 333 You Are My Brother

A host of star players arrived one after another.

Clearly, through the reporter's words, Tang Sen's words have reached Iverson's ears.

So when Townsend and Carlisle arrived at the court together, Iverson was the first to squeeze to the front of the crowd.

He gave Tang Sen a heartfelt hug.

"Tang, thank you, you really understand me."

Iverson was somewhat moved.

The most famous example of his lack of training is probably the video of him practicing the word 20 times.

This has become irrefutable proof that he dislikes training.

But Iverson knew in his heart that the reporter had taken his words out of context and misinterpreted his original words.

What he meant to express was that he was distracted by personal matters and had to miss some training sessions, but he also played a lot of games despite his injuries.

At that time, he still had an arm injury, his best friend Rashaan had been shot and killed, and he had to take care of his brother's funeral and his family.

Of course, Iverson felt that he also had problems.

For example, I don't like going to the gym to lift weights; I prefer to run on the street with sandbags strapped to my body and climb steep slopes.

Allen Iverson has his own training philosophy.

I also practiced free throws at 3 a.m. and watched game videos in the locker room until late at night.

However, Iverson's rebellious nature made him disdainful of answering those controversies.

He believes that people who truly understand him can observe his performance on the field.

Who averages over 40 minutes per game? Who runs tirelessly in every game?

Just by looking at his muscles, he knows he has never slacked off in training.

However, Larry Brown had his own philosophy; he believed that training was war.

Iverson believes that real-game experience is the best training.

Iverson believes the media knows about these things, but they have chosen to ignore them.

He even used this issue to harass Tang Sen, trying to get Tang Sen, the league's number one trainer, to criticize him.

Then Tang Sen said the following.

At that moment, Iverson truly felt like he had found a kindred spirit.

It took Iverson a while to let go.

"Tang, you are my brother."

Iverson pounded his chest and said with utmost seriousness.

Tang Sen nodded, both amused and exasperated.

I thought to myself, "You've been a bit too casual about recognizing this brother."

However, it just so happened that he said those words at the right time.

Moreover, Tang Sen truly felt that when the reporter asked such a question, it wasn't just a questioning of Iverson, but also a questioning of himself.

If you could easily become a top player like Allen Iverson without training, then what's the point of having trainers?

Even Shaquille O'Neal trained incredibly hard in the past.

It wasn't until he accidentally discovered a loophole in the competition that he started to let loose.

Carter came over and hugged Tangsen, then curiously asked Tangsen what he had said that made Iverson react so strongly.

He knew that Iverson was unruly and difficult to get along with in private.

Choosing the stubborn old man Larry Brown is the best proof of that.

Tang Sen recounted the reporter's question and his own words, then said, "It's a rather boring topic."

Carter chuckled and nodded in agreement.

It is indeed quite boring.

Carter said, "I remember seeing him running in the hotel stairwell the night before last year's All-Star Game, so I don't know why the media is making a fuss about him not liking to train."

Clearly, stars like Carter were aware of Iverson's true situation.

"Who knows."

Tang Sen estimated that the team's poor performance meant someone needed to take the blame.

Then I ran into Larry Brown, that old man who doesn't tolerate any nonsense.

"Let's train."

Tangsen beckoned Carter to go to training.

This training session was unusually harmonious.

Tang Sen didn't train them much. They were all established stars, so what could they possibly do in just one short training session?

Tang Sen led them in a warm-up session, some casual shooting, and a simple run-through of their tactics.

Even so, the system's effectiveness still amazed those players who hadn't trained with Tang Sen.

For example, Allen Iverson.

After training, Iverson went to see Tang Sen again.

"Tang, are you going to hold a training camp this summer?"

Tang Sen nodded slightly.

Iverson immediately said, "Then you must save a spot for me, Tang. You're different from the others. I'm willing to train with you."

He looked serious.

He'd heard from management that the league was going to implement a "one city, one star" system, sending all the stars to Townsend's training camp. Before, Iverson would have definitely scoffed at it.

He has his own training philosophy, and he won't ask outsiders to train him.

But things are different now; Iverson is willing.

Not only because Tang Sen was his brother, but also because even in this short training session, which was only a brief glimpse, Iverson had already sensed that Tang Sen was extraordinary.

The warm-up I did was far more effective than any of the trainers I've ever worked with.

Tang Sen nodded, noticing that O'Neal, Kidd, and the others all had expressions of wanting more.

It seems that this All-Star training session unexpectedly served as free advertising for him.

But it's not necessary.

With its established reputation, it doesn't need these things at all.

The next day was the All-Star Game.

Tang Sen knew that before the game, the New York media were clamoring that they wanted to take the opportunity to let Yao Ming win an AMVP trophy.

But Tang Sen felt it was unlikely.

First, Jordan won the All-Star MVP award for the previous two years, which cemented his status as the first player to win the All-Star MVP award.

This year, after being overshadowed by Jordan for two years, don't top stars like Kobe and McGrady have any thoughts?

Secondly, Yao Ming himself wasn't very interested.

He said privately that he wanted to win both the regular season MVP and the Finals MVP.

He found the AMVP award, which was purely for entertainment, rather boring.

And there's also the league's attitude.

Tang Sen is increasingly feeling that the league is manipulating everything behind the scenes, especially the direction of propaganda.

For example, at this year's All-Star Game, there were promotional photos of Kobe everywhere.

Kobe gave the most interviews and received the most media coverage.

For the vast majority of viewers, they watch whatever the media and television stations report.

When the media is all praising Kobe, it's natural for them to follow suit.

This direction seems designed to mold Kobe into the new King of Los Angeles.

Moreover, even if we don't mention Kobe, it's not Yao Ming's place to be praised.

In the promotional photos for the All-Star Game, Kobe Bryant is in the most prominent position for the West, while Tracy McGrady is in the East.

Clearly, the league wants to create a rivalry between Kobe and McGrady, two top scorers.

In this situation, you can't exactly steal the spotlight, can you?

Just play casually for fun, that's enough.

Ultimately, the Western Conference won the game 137-122.

Kobe scored 32 points and won his first All-Star MVP award.

For Carlisle, the All-Star Game was just a minor incident; as soon as the weekend ended, his attention immediately returned to the regular season.

After the All-Star Game, there is another crucial day: the trade deadline.

Around this time of year, there are always a few big transactions.

This year's trade market is unusually quiet, with only minor transactions and not a single deal involving star players.

Although the Knicks don't need to make any trades, Carlisle and Townsend discussed the matter in a casual conversation.

He believes it is related to Tang Sen.

Tang Sen thought to himself, "You think too highly of yourself."

But after listening to his analysis, I felt that what he said made sense.

Normally, teams that have a chance to make the playoffs will make final reinforcements before the trade deadline.

Those with no hope should make plans early, clear salary cap space, and prepare for the summer, or simply aim for a better draft position.

Carlisle believes the reason this year has been so quiet is because the Knicks are too strong.

So strong that they are unmatched, they can make any team with championship aspirations feel hopeless.

Secondly, many teams know that the league will start the "one city, one star" program in the summer, and they are currently observing the situation.

Carlyle also used a metaphor.

The Trail Blazers are said to be a chaotic and disorganized team, and have been jokingly referred to by the media as the "Trail Blazers Prison Team."

Media outlets have long reported that the Trail Blazers are preparing to rebuild and are willing to trade away their star player, Rasheed Wallace.

The decision to trade him now might be to see how Wallace improves and evolves next season after the "one city, one star" plan is implemented.

They're no longer in a hurry and are willing to wait and see.

Towards the end of the conversation, Carlisle couldn't help but ask Tangsen if he could stay.

He knew that Tangsen would leave the team after the season ended.

Tang Sen simply said that if the Knicks don't win the championship this year, he won't leave.

When the topic of winning the championship came up, Carlisle promptly abandoned any illusions.

In Times Square, the slogan of 60 wins is about to be displayed. If the Knicks don't win the championship this year, Carlisle feels that he will become a disgrace to the coaching world.

With such a star-studded lineup, it would be too embarrassing if they still couldn't win the championship.

In March, the Knicks extended their winning streak to 60 wins, remaining undefeated.

That day, Tang Sen unexpectedly received a request from Stern to meet and talk.

(End of this chapter)