The Godfather of Basketball

"So fast?" After a while, Li Yuanwei's voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Well, for the big roster, keep those for the training camp first. I will see the status of the players at that time. I will ask Thibodeau to send you a copy of the training method later. Just follow the above training, and communicate with others at any time." Tang Tian was very straightforward.

"Okay, I'll arrange for someone to contact you then."

After hanging up the phone, Tang Tian put the national team affairs aside.

Agreeing, it means that he is ready to take responsibility, but that is also a matter of August, and now he is still focusing on the playoffs.

Now the team has successfully reached the Western Conference Finals, but the real difficulties have actually just begun.

It is not unreasonable for the 07-08 season to be called "the worst playoffs in history" by many fans. Leaving aside the new Big Three teams such as the Suns and Mavericks, the Jazz, Hornets, and Spurs are definitely Enough for the opponent to drink a pot, and the Lakers and Celtics are like the two boss guards in front of the championship trophy. They are obviously stronger than other teams, but they must be defeated.

The Rockets' opponent in the Western Conference Finals is the Lakers, one of the bosses.

Although the Lakers said that Bynum was absent, the inside combination of Odom and Gasol allowed them to play more flexibly on the court.

Of course, the most important thing is Kobe. To paraphrase some fans, the most peak Kobe, give him a garbage insider can bring him to the playoffs. .

Gasol is clearly the one with the strength.

Compared with last year, the Rockets' strength has obviously increased, but their opponents are also stronger than last year.

And what is worse than the strength of the opponent is that McGrady can't fight in the first game.

Although it is already possible to play three-on-three confrontation, the suggestion given by the team doctor is to rest for another 2 days.

Tang Tian also didn't want McGrady to risk his comeback.

On May 16, US time, the NBA Western Conference Finals kicked off, with the Rockets and the Lakers playing against each other.

Players on both sides are absent, but in comparison, the importance of McGrady and the Rockets is obviously greater than that of Bynum and the Lakers.

After the game started, the Rockets still played very targeted, using Battier and Pietrus to beat Kobe, Gasol was also choked by Yao Ming, but Billups faced the outside line of Fisher and Kobe The combination was no longer as explosive as it was in the previous game.

The two sides have been playing very anxiously since the beginning.

Until the fourth quarter, at the critical moment, Kobe showed his strength as the second MVP, scoring consecutive three-pointers from the outside. Although Yao Ming also scored toughly against Gasol at the critical moment, the scoring speed inside was always slower than outside.

In the end, Kobe relied on his 11-point performance in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers take the lead 106-96 and take a 1-0 lead on a big score.

Tang Tian's wheel tactics are very effective. Kobe only made 11 of 29 shots in the game, but the performance of the superstar at critical moments can ignore the defense. The reason for the Rockets' loss is more due to the lack of firepower in the first three quarters. This is related to McGrady's absence. are closely related.

It happened for a reason, but it also caused the Rockets to lose their home court advantage and were at a disadvantage at the beginning of the series.

"Coach, I've fully recovered." In the training session of the Rockets, McGrady couldn't wait. As one of the core members of the team, he could only sit on the sidelines and watch the team lose. The feeling was terrible.

"The team doctor has the final say on this matter." Tang Tian was not in a hurry.

"I'm really fine."

After McGrady finished speaking, seeing Tang Tian still had the same attitude as before, he took the ball and rushed towards the basket in the half court.

One step inside the free throw line jumped up, followed by a slam dunk full of ornamental windmills.

"Coach, T-mac's latest inspection report is out." At this moment, the team doctor came over with the latest inspection report in his hand.

"Just in time." Tang Tian took a look at the report, and then shouted to McGrady on the court, "T-mac, prepare for the whole field training."

When McGrady heard Tang Tian's shout, he immediately understood the meaning, "Ohhh" exclaimed excitedly, and then ran directly to change clothes.

McGrady ushered in a comeback, the Rockets' morale was boosted, and the fans were also excited.

On May 18, US time, the second game of the Western Conference finals between the Rockets and the Lakers continued at the Toyota Center, and the scene was full of seats.

The loss of the first game did not disappoint the fans. In fact, McGrady's absence and only lost 10 points is completely acceptable. Even this point difference made the fans look forward to McGrady's comeback.

When warming up before the game, the cheers on the scene have been intermittent.

Lakers head coach Phil Jackson was interviewed by local Houston media on the sidelines.

"Phil, the record of the two teams playing against each other in the regular season, the Lakers are 1-3 behind the Rockets, will this bring psychological pressure to the team?"

"Regular season?" Jackson showed a "Grandpa KFC" smile, "Aren't we leading 1-0 now?"

Jackson is well versed in the way of acting aggressively. He completely ignored the reporter's morale-damaging words, skipped the regular season and talked about the playoffs, and pretended to be aggressive.

"The Rockets lacked T-mac in the last game, and he will make a comeback in this game." The reporter reminded.

"How is the player's condition after returning from injury, can you guarantee it? And Kobe and Lamar (Odom) didn't feel good in the last game. They are so good, this game will be adjusted quickly. "Jackson had the confidence on his face, as always.

The reporter was speechless for a while, and after saying a word of blessing, he could only leave angrily.

Jackson habitually stroked his white beard, it was not so easy to get cheap from him.

After the players from both sides completed the final warm-up before the game, the opening introduction session followed.

"Shooting guard, No. 1, Tracy~~McGrady!!"

When McGrady's name reappeared in the Toyota Center after nearly a week, the scene fell into deafening cheers.

"T-mac! T-mac!"

The neat shouts explained their expectations for Tracy McGrady.

McGrady was also very excited, waving frequently to signal to the audience.

The appearance ceremony ended, and the players of the two teams greeted each other in the midfield.

McGrady and Kobe cherished each other, and there was a whisper at the midfield.

When Marc Gasol met his brother Paul Gasol, he naturally had to chat a few words.

On the other hand, Fisher, who was eliminated by the Rockets in the Jazz last season, returned to the Lakers to meet the Rockets again this season, stood at the half court with a serious expression, and didn't know what was going on in his heart.

The players met face-to-face, and both sides started to play one after another.

For the Rockets, Billups and McGrady are on the perimeter, Pietrus and Millsap are on the front line, and Yao Ming is the center.

On the Lakers side, the "Old Fish" Fisher and Kobe are on the outside, three-point shooters Radmanovich and Odom are on the front line, and center Paul Gasol.