Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 356 In literature, there is no first place; in martial arts, there is no second.

In the second half, McGrady and Brown attempted a counterattack.

In the third quarter, the two combined for 26 points, almost accounting for the team's total points, but they were still only evenly matched with the Knicks.

They trailed 30-31 in the quarter, managing to close the gap by just one point.

The score difference is still 15 points.

The two players only rested for two minutes before the team went into a scoring drought, allowing the Knicks to go on a 6-0 run and extend the lead to more than 20 points.

The Magic are a championship team, after all. Even if you exclude McGrady and Brown from the starting lineup, their bench isn't actually that bad.

After all, Juwan Howard, a former billionaire, was also sitting there.

They can really provide firepower against other teams.

However, they still fell short against the Knicks, whose bench players could be used as starters.

The two hurriedly returned to the field, their stamina waning, making it extremely difficult to catch up.

The Knicks won 124-100, a 24-point victory, securing their first win in the Eastern Conference Finals with ease.

The team's two core players combined for 71 points, but they still lost. What could Rivers say? At the post-game press conference, he remained silent for a long time, and finally said with a helpless expression, "We gave it our all, but the opponent was much stronger than us."

"What's even scarier is that I don't think the Knicks have gone all out yet."

This is what makes Rivers most desperate.

It's not that you can win a game just by gritting your teeth, working hard, and fighting hard if you don't perform well.

There's still room for maneuver between the two sides.

They rotated normally, never double-teaming McGrady and Brown.

Yao Ming was also obsessed with averaging a triple-double and racking up assists.

Having played in the Eastern Conference Finals last year, Rivers knew firsthand how terrifying Yao Ming was; he was a ruthless player who averaged forty points per game.

If they really let loose, they could easily score at least 50 points, and 60 points wouldn't be a problem.

He was already so amazing last year, and another year has passed. Has Yao Ming been idle and made no progress at all?
After a year of training with Tang Sen, the talented players have already shown their potential. At this point, Rivers wouldn't be surprised if Yao Ming pulls out some amazing move.

"So be it."

Rivers slammed his hand on the table, got up, and left.

There's nothing more to say. We're going to lose either way. My only wish is not to lose so badly, not to be swept 4-0.

But Rivers thought it was impossible.

The Knicks are still striving for a perfect championship and will not give the Magic any chance.

Whenever the Magic have any hope of winning, Yao Ming will immediately bare his fangs and show them what despair is.

The game ended, and New York fans left satisfied, hoping that the numbers in Times Square would jump again tomorrow.

Tang Sen was leaving Madison's small office, about to go home, when he received a message from Tedeschi saying that Yao Ming was doing extra training and asking if he wanted to come over and check on him.

Tang Sen was taken aback. They won and he still had to practice more?
A triple-double of 24 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists isn't enough, is it?

I arrived at the stadium carrying my bag.

With Tedeschi by his side, Yao Ming was in the high post, swishing out three-pointers with his signature shooting form.

Before each shot, he would raise the basketball high, making a triple threat gesture.

This season, Yao Ming didn't actually attempt many three-pointers, averaging only 3.2 attempts per game with a 39% success rate.

Compared to guards, this number of shot attempts isn't high, but for a center, it would definitely be quite a lot.

He actually has the ability to shoot more, but this season he's focused on racking up triple-doubles, so he's been taking fewer shots.

Moreover, many times, he doesn't even need to use his three-pointer; he can easily dominate his opponents by playing inside.

Therefore, Tang Sen didn't train him on three-pointers much this season.

I just occasionally switch tags to help him improve his three-point shooting percentage.

At the same time, based on the situation he was facing, we added a pre-attack action for him.

It's just adding a triple threat.

Or rather, two threats, because Yao Ming cannot dribble past his opponent.

But his passes are sharp enough to pose a threat and create space for his hands.

Then you must keep your hands raised.

Yao Ming's three-point shooting form is strange. He's so tall that he's slow to lift the ball, so he just keeps raising it high, presses it behind his head, and then flicks it out.

This allows for the fastest possible action.

Tang Sen walked over and asked, "Yao Ming, what made you decide to do extra training?"

He remembers his girlfriend came to America, why doesn't he go back and spend more time with her?
Yao Ming shot the basketball, which went in cleanly, and then said, "The next round is against the Lakers, and they're playing against Shaq. I'm a little worried, so I want to practice my three-pointers more."

Tang Sen chuckled inwardly. The Eastern Conference Finals have only just begun, and you're already thinking about playing the Lakers in the next round. You really don't take the Magic seriously.

Yao Ming, dribbling the ball, suddenly asked, "Brother Sen, do you think I can completely hold off Shaq in the paint right now?"

This season, Yao Ming did not gain weight; he remains at 135 kilograms.

But I've been doing strength training all along.

Yao Ming felt that his strength had increased, but he still did not have full confidence that he could completely stop O'Neal.

They faced each other twice in the regular season, and Yao won both times. But that's not very meaningful. Yao Ming knew that O'Neal rarely went all out in the regular season; he often coasted and slacked off.

If you underestimate him because of this, you will definitely suffer a great loss in the finals.

Tang Sen retorted, "You've already started practicing three-pointers, and you're still thinking about this?"

Just play outside, O'Neal isn't going to follow you out.

And that was Shaquille O'Neal. In his youth, he was already incredibly strong and dominated the paint for many years.

Not to mention the even greater impact of mindless weight gain these days.

There's only one player like him in NBA history, he's unique, there's really no need to consider completely holding his own against him.

If we can't hold out, let's just destroy each other.

That's how the Magic beat the Lakers back in the day.

Yao Ming sank a three-pointer and said, "I just want to have a real fight with him. He's already proclaimed himself Lu Bu. If I don't challenge him now, I feel like I'll never have another chance."

Shaquille O'Neal is already 32 years old and has such a large weight. He has started to suffer from frequent injuries. How long can he maintain his peak performance?

When the media discusses the world's best center, they always rank themselves alongside Shaquille O'Neal as the world's best.

But Yao Ming didn't want to be ranked alongside others; he wanted to have it all to himself.

There is no first place in literature, but there is no second place in martial arts. Among all the heroes in the world, who wouldn't want to challenge Lü Bu?

Tang Sen understood.

For Americans, being compared to someone strong might actually make them quite happy.

However, when it comes to Yao Ming, it's still necessary to determine who is better.

That's number one after all.

Thinking of this, Tang Sen encouraged, "Give it a try, you'll only know after you try."

After speaking, he sat down on the sidelines.

There has to be some training effect, right?

The following day, in the Western Conference, the first game between the Lakers and the Timberwolves also came to an end.

The Lakers easily defeated the Timberwolves 97-83, a 14-point victory.

Kobe Bryant dominated, scoring 37 points.

At the post-game press conference, after answering questions, Kobe confidently stated, "No one can stop us from defending our title."

This is a declaration.

The subtext is that Kobe is no longer worried about the Western Conference Finals, but has started to care about the NBA Finals.

So after he said that, the faces of some of the Minnesota reporters present began to turn ugly.

The Lakers have only won one game; the series isn't over yet.

After learning what Kobe had said, Jackson specifically sought out Kobe for a chat.

I've said a lot, but to sum it up, it all boils down to one thing: don't be too arrogant, or you'll ruin your character.

"Kobe."

Jackson, with a wise glint in his eyes behind his glasses, pressed down on Kobe's shoulder and said, "You should know how strong the Knicks are this year."

"Everyone thought they were going to win, and I thought so too at one point. I felt that no one could beat them."

"But I see potential in you. I think you are the best player on the planet. Whether we can defend our title this year depends entirely on you."

"do you understand?"

He used some force in his hand.

Malone and Payton are getting old and can offer limited help.

And O'Neal started throwing his little tantrum again.

Jackson knew the reason; it was the same old problem: he felt Kobe was too arrogant and didn't respect him enough.

O'Neal still refuses to accept the cold reality that he's getting old and should relinquish his position as the team's leader.

Moreover, Jackson knew all too well how formidable Yao Ming was.

With his unstoppable offensive capabilities in the half-court, O'Neal simply couldn't defend Yao Ming.

Even with Malone now on the Lakers' roster, allowing him to switch onto defenders and follow the Lakers out, the impact is limited.

Malone is simply too short. Even in his prime, let alone now, he would have had a hard time defending Yao Ming.

So after all the calculations, Jackson realized that the only deciding factor was Kobe.

Kobe shook off Jackson's hand and said, "Phil, don't worry, I understand."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Kobe felt that Jackson's reminder was somewhat unnecessary.

If we don't rely on ourselves, are we supposed to rely on those two old guys and that lazy bum Shaq?
From the very beginning, Kobe recognized reality: facing such a Knicks team, the only way to win was through his own efforts.

I have to work my hardest to succeed.

The thought of having the opportunity to defeat such a powerful opponent filled Kobe with excitement, not fear.

(End of this chapter)