Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 471 Durant's Debut
TNT Studio.

Kenny Smith said in a deep voice: "Kevin Durant trained with Don for a full year and two months."

"Everyone knows that Tang's training is the best in the world, but at the same time, it is also the most rigorous in the world."

"One day we train our physical condition, and one day we train our technique. On days other than competition days, we train three times a day."

"Moreover, Tang is good at finding your limits, or rather, he can squeeze out every bit of your potential."

"Any professional player should know how painful this process is."

Anyone who has trained in sports knows how unbearable it is to train to your limit, to the point where you can't die even if you want to, and to live is pure torture.

"Of course, according to many players, the pain is not that severe when training with Tang."

"But it's still not an easy thing. When I was a player, what I resisted the most was training. When I retired and looked back, I was just curious how I managed to persevere back then."

"But Kevin persisted for a full year and two months."

"Guys, I see the media is all talking about whether Kevin can become the next Michael."

"I would say that Kevin deserves it simply because he has been able to train for so long."

There is a huge gap between the training of ordinary people and professional athletes.

The training of professional players is quite different from that of Tang Sen.

To persist for a year and two months under such circumstances is enough to earn Smith's admiration for his self-discipline and patience.

Barkley waved his hand and said, "Kenny, let's not talk about that. I just want to know how strong this kid really is."

After the camp closed, all the players who participated in the training camp remained silent.

The Heat didn't say anything either.

It left plenty of suspense.

Durant did not participate in the preseason games. Like the other players in the training camp, he took a month to rest and adjust his condition.

So even now, nobody knows Durant's situation.

But the mystery will eventually be solved.

That is today.

October 31st, the season opener.

The league has scheduled two games: Lakers vs. Suns, and Heat vs. Bulls.

Even this was still considered restrained; no Heat vs. Lakers matchup was scheduled.

“I saw Michael there, and I’m really curious what he’s thinking right now?”

The footage from the scene is now available.

American Airlines Arena was truly dazzling with stars today.

For the "next Jordan" career debut, Jordan himself came to check him out, and a bunch of other legends also showed up.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kyrie Irving, Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon...

One by one, renowned names sat on the sidelines.

Even Stern flew to Miami specifically to witness Durant's debut.

Tang Sen was naturally present, and was sandwiched between Jordan and Bird on the left and right.

"Tang, aren't you really going to the locker room to encourage your player?" Jordan asked.

Such a large-scale event, with such a high level of attention.

Not only in the United States, but also in basketball fans all over the world, this game was the focus of attention; it was truly a game of global interest.

In such a situation, if one cannot withstand the pressure and loses their balance, it would be an absolute joke of the century.

After all, Durant is only 18 years old and has never played a single professional game.

The last time I competed against someone was in a high school league.

Before Tang Sen could speak, Bird teased, "Michael, you should worry about how the media will report it after the game if Kevin scores 17 points."

In his professional debut, Jordan scored 16 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 7 assists.

At that time, no one expected that this guy would become the god of basketball.

Jordan rolled his eyes, too lazy to pay any attention to Bird.

At this moment, Riley was also concerned about Durant's psychological pressure.

At the pre-game press conference, Riley said he wouldn't care about Durant's performance, and that even if Durant didn't score a single point, he believed Durant could become a superstar.

Of course, Riley believed that such a thing was impossible.

Back in the locker room, Riley immediately pulled Durant aside and asked him how he felt.

"Kevin, don't worry about it so much, and don't put so much pressure on yourself. Nobody expects you to put on an incredible performance right from the start. Take it slow, we have plenty of time."

It's rare for Riley to be so gentle with the players.

Even with O'Neal, at the start of the new season, when his weight was measured, it was found that O'Neal had rebounded. During the preseason, Riley did a lot of trouble for him.

Durant nodded slightly, showing little reaction.

The two didn't communicate much, so Riley couldn't figure out what Durant was thinking.

After telling Durant to go back and prepare, Riley thought for a moment and then waved to Mourning.

Mourning, that tough guy, has made it back to the court.

After learning that the Heat had acquired Durant, Mourning strongly requested to return to Miami.

At the time, the O'Neal trade was not yet finalized, and Mourning's asking price was not high, so Riley signed him back as a backup plan.

Now that they've acquired O'Neal and Haslem, Mourning probably won't get much playing time. Riley would prefer him to be the locker room leader and mentor Durant.

"Alonzo, talk to him more. You need to understand, whether we can win the championship depends entirely on Kevin," Riley said in a deep voice. His words were a double entendre, telling Mourning that whether he could realize his championship dream depended on Durant.

Mourning nodded to show he understood, but after a moment’s thought, he said softly, “Pat, I think Kevin is stronger than we think.”

In the past two days, Mourning and Durant have had a brief exchange.

Although Durant doesn't talk much, Mourning could sense that Durant possessed a focusedness unaffected by external influences.

Therefore, he felt that Durant should be fine.

Riley glanced at Durant, who was wearing headphones and listening to music intently, and thought to himself, "I hope so."

He fired Van Gundy and took over as head coach himself, fearing he might ruin his reputation in his later years.

The match started at 7 p.m.

For the Heat, the starting lineup consisted of O'Neal, Milicic, James Posey, Durant, and Devin Harris.

The Bulls' roster is also quite strong, featuring Eddie Curry, Darius Sangella, Gerald Wallace, Jamal Crawford, and Kirk Hinrich.

It wasn't until this moment that Durant truly felt that he was standing on the NBA court.

The stands were filled with fans wearing their number 35 jerseys, and KD's cheers echoed everywhere.

Miami fans affectionately call themselves KD.

Durant was able to notice that everyone's attention was on him.

And then there are the superstars and legends on the sidelines.

For example, Michael Jordan, the true god of basketball.

I've never seen Jordan so close before; it feels unreal, like a dream.

For a moment, Durant had a very strange feeling.

It felt like just a moment ago I was still in my dorm at Oak Hill High School.

The next second, they were on an NBA court.

And the whole world is watching.

At that moment, Durant heard a familiar voice.

He noticed his parents in the stands, especially his mother, who was wearing his jersey and shouting excitedly.

Durant felt a little more at ease.

As O'Neal leaped and deflected the basketball, Durant snapped back to reality.

There was no distraction or discomfort.

After more than a year of training, Durant has become fully prepared in all aspects, including physical and technical skills, understanding of tactics, and reading of the game, with the help of Tang Sen.

Tang Sen had only one goal: to reach the peak of his career right from the start.

He had already made preparations for himself.

Therefore, Durant instantly entered the game mode.

He didn't know much about his teammates.

My understanding of tactics is also limited.

But it doesn't matter, because Durant knows one thing: he is the team leader, and everyone else serves him.

Even if he is Shaquille O'Neal.

Therefore, after positioning himself based on instinct, Durant immediately reached out for the ball.

Harris didn't dare to be careless and immediately sent the ball over.

Instinctively, everyone pulled apart.

Then Gerrard stood in front of Durant.

Jamal Crawford was completely outmatched by Durant in training camp and volunteered to stop getting beaten up.

Therefore, the Bulls' strategy was to switch on defense, assigning Gerald Wallace, a championship-winning all-around small forward, to guard Durant.

In an instant, everyone's attention was on Durant.

flank.

The moment he received the ball, Durant dodged Wallace's outstretched hand.

Wallace immediately took a step back, maintaining his distance, and stared at Durant as if facing a formidable enemy.

Durant blocked Wallace with his left hand, and with his right hand, he caught the ball and released it into the air.

The next moment, Durant started.

Keep your left foot still, lower your waist, and take a tentative step with your right foot, as if you are about to break through.

But it was just a test, and his right hand, which was holding the ball, suddenly made a motion to flick the ball behind Wallace's head.

Wallace was fooled by two consecutive feints.

Then, without even putting the ball down, Durant took advantage of the moment Wallace was faked out, his right arm snapped back up, and he pulled up and shot.

With a whoosh, it went into the net hollow.

Durant scored his first 2 points of his career.

Relaxed and freehand.

Jordan, on the sidelines, felt a sudden darkness engulf him.

He nudged Tang Sen with his elbow and gave him a look.

Is this how you teach him to play ball?
This is a perfect replica of myself.

(End of this chapter)