This Forward is Not Serious

…

15 points in a single quarter and 23 points in the game.

If the Nets gained the most from their first game in China, it was Iverson.

Especially his 12 points in a row at the beginning of the second quarter and his 15-point performance in a single quarter fully demonstrated his explosive scoring power.

As Su Qun said in the commentary box, that is something that other Nets substitutes cannot replace.

So in the post-game press conference, Sloan took Iverson with him.

"Is Iverson going to get a rotation spot?"

The reporter below is also very realistic.

Now the Nets are fiercely competitive, which is also a major focus of attention from the outside world.

"AI has shown its competitiveness, which is very positive for the team."

Sloan doesn't like the media, but after coaching in the league for so long, his speaking skills must not be low.

"I think the Nets now have at least 12 people who can enter the rotation. That must be a happy worry, right?"

However, the reporter was obviously not satisfied with his answer and quickly continued to ask in a different way.

This rotation arrangement is no small matter, because if it is not done well, it can easily lead to internal conflicts within the team.

This is actually an important part of coaching ability. Mike D'Antoni has been criticized for this in history.

"No, competition is what makes people better."

Sloan's answer was straightforward.

His playing career was very successful. He played for the Bulls for ten years. He was a 2-time All-Star and 6-time All-Defensive Team member. He was also the only player to have 7 rebounds and 2 steals in his career since NBA statistics began to be compiled.

His No. 4 jersey is the first jersey retired by the Bulls (the Bulls have only retired 4 jerseys in total).

It can be seen from his honors that he was a very tough and competitive player during his playing days.

This was also reflected in his many years of coaching with the Jazz.

Competition ran through his entire life.

Of course, it will be later.

And what he didn't bother to say was that this was just a small scene.

Lin Ying should be impressed by this.

When he first entered the league, Anthony was suspended for hitting someone, and he and Iverson led the team forward hard.

At that time, we played against the Jazz and lost.

Because there were so many people playing in the Jazz, some of the famous players at that time included Deron, Boozer, Halprin, Kirilenko, Okur, Millsap, Ronnie Brewer, Korver, CJ Myers…

Sloan arranged that group of people very well at that time.

The current situation of the Nets should be very similar.

Sloan was so boring that the reporter then turned the question to Iverson.

After asking some polite questions, the reporter then asked about tonight's performance.

"We can feel that your desire to compete tonight is very strong. Can you tell us why?"

Iverson smiled when he heard the reporter ask this. He must have thought that he would be asked.

"I'm more nervous than I was my rookie year."

When Iverson said this, he held the back of his left hand with his right hand. It was a subconscious reaction, but it also showed that he was really nervous.

"It's special for me, fighting for a rotation spot, but I'm enjoying my time with the Nets now, working towards the same goal."

Mentality, Iverson's words make people feel the change in his mentality, and it makes people feel a little incredible.

Because in the past, Iverson never played unless he was a starter, and the saying "Why do all-star players have to play on the bench?" still rings in my ears.

But his words actually gave a good explanation.

He is 37 years old, a short player, and has taken a year off from retirement. It is simply impossible for him to continue playing as a starter in the NBA.

So either he stops playing and enjoys his retirement;

Now that he has announced his comeback in order to play with Lin Ying, the hurdle in his heart has obviously passed.

And the second half of his sentence also revealed his current thoughts. He not only wanted to play with Lin Ying, but also wanted to finally fight for the championship he dreamed of.

Even if he is no longer the protagonist.

"We heard the fans shouting MVP for you in the second quarter. Did that make you feel special?"

The reporter then asked.

"Yes, Chinese fans are very enthusiastic and they are the best fans."

Iverson said this from the bottom of his heart, and indeed he had many emotions.

MVP, that word is far away to him.

…

After the press conference, Iverson went to work with his agent.

The China Game is not only an official publicity event for the NBA, but also a gold-mining and promotion opportunity for influential players.

Although Iverson is already a "balloon star", you know, the Chinese people are the most nostalgic.

Sloan did not go back to the hotel, but went to the office to sort out the situation for tonight's game.

Every coach has different coaching habits. Jeff Van Gundy, for example, always likes to prepare piles of small notes before games.

But Sloan prefers to analyze and think after the game, just like writing his thoughts after watching a movie, but he will spend more time.

Of course, for Sloan, he always has plenty of time for things related to basketball.

About an hour later, Sloan came out of the office.

He is not a person who likes to show his emotions on his face, but at this moment you can still feel the joy radiating from his face.

This preseason game is of great significance.

When Lin Ying invited him and he was thinking about it, he was actually worried about whether he could coach the Nets well.

Because as he said to you, this does not have to be approximate, but it must be his last coaching opportunity. If the coaching is not good, it will rub a pinch of salt on his own wounds and carry the pain to his grave. That kind of thing.

But this started to give him a really good feeling.

Although he is a relatively stable person, he can't help but have a little expectation.

Even when the reporter asked him if he would feel unhappy because of the crowd, he actually had another voice in his heart after he answered:

I, Sloan, have never fought such a rich battle in my life!

"Bang! Bang!"

There was the sound of a basketball hitting the floor.

He rolled up his sleeves and looked at the time on his watch. It was already past ten o'clock in the evening. Is anyone still practicing in the gym?

He followed the sound and found that it was the competition arena. He opened the door and went in. Then he saw Lin Ying practicing there.

Drenched in sweat.

It looks like he came here right after attending the press conference.

Sloan was still a little surprised when he saw this.

He stood at the door for a while, waiting for Lin Ying to take a break from training before walking in.

"coach?"

Lin Ying took a sip of water and realized that Sloan had come in. He put down the bottle with the lid still on and stood up.

"You haven't gone back yet?"

Sloan spoke in a gentle tone, and after finishing speaking, he sat next to Lin Ying.

When Delong saw it, he should have suspected that his own vinegar bottle had been knocked over.

"I was busy participating in activities the past two days and I missed all the training, so I will practice more today."

Lin Ying explained with a smile.

Maybe it’s because Sloan has always had a good attitude towards him, or maybe it’s because of the chat in Sloan’s room. Lin Ying doesn’t feel inexplicably oppressed in front of Sloan like others. Instead, he seems very relaxed. .

Sloan smiled and nodded.

He had not deliberately paid attention to Lin Ying's training before, but as he said, it should be normal for Lin Ying to practice more.

"I'm not surprised at your progress now."

He was also touched.

In the era when he was a player, including the era of Utah's double disaster, it was the most basic thing for players to train hard.

Because if you don’t practice, you will be eliminated. Competition is everywhere.

But I don’t know when it started. This trend has gradually faded away. Especially many players with good talents feel that it is good to just hang out and there is no need to invest too much in work.

They all seem to have forgotten that basketball skills are improved through training.

This is no problem for the individual, it is freedom of choice, but it is a pain in the ass for the coach.

Because it is always the players who play the game, it is naturally the players who determine the upper limit.

But it was obvious that Lin Ying was not that kind.

Tell me, why do you like me more and more the more you interact with me?

Rick Barnes, George Karl, Alvin Gentry: Me too!

A few brief exchanges made the distance between the two people suddenly become much closer.

The two went on to chat a lot, about pick-and-roll tactics, team rotation, and even finally talked about Lin Ying's personal life.

"I have a very cute granddaughter. If it weren't for the fact that you already have a girlfriend, I would even want to introduce her to you."

Lin Ying discovered that Sloan actually had a humorous side.

I just regarded you as my coach, but I didn’t expect you to want to be my grandpa!

…

The Nets' preseason went very smoothly.

7 games, including two games in China, without a single defeat.

And except for the Eagles game because it was the last game with normal rotation, the main players only played half of the previous games.

What does this mean?

The Nets are strong!

That's not only a strong starter like last season, but also a strong substitute.

This is the appearance of a champion in terms of strength, and it is also different from the sun that Lin Ying stayed in before.

The preseason is over and the new season is approaching.

At this time, ESPN ranked the strength of the team in the new season as in previous years.

Because of the injuries caused by the Olympics and some performances in the preseason, this ranking still attracted a lot of heated discussion after it came out.

The biggest controversy comes from the top spot.

The top spot on the first list is none other than the Nets.

*List ranking:

1. Nets

2. Knicks

3. Lakers

4. Celtics

5. Thunder

6. Mavericks

7. Spurs

8. Pacers

…

This result can be said to be far beyond everyone's expectations.

Even though the Nets performed well in the preseason, they are clearly not qualified compared to several other super teams!

This is looking down on the Mavericks, looking down on the Knicks, looking down on the Lakers, or looking down on the Thunder and Celtics!

In fact, even Lin Ying was surprised when he learned about the latest ranking.

Because ESPN has always been James' most loyal partner!

Nothing could be more telling than the previous decision, and the overwhelming coverage after winning the championship in 2011.

But now, ESPN has dived!

Could it be a dispute of interest that caused the two parties to part ways?

The possibility of this is almost zero. With ESPN’s size and James’s mature character, it’s impossible to happen.

If you think about it carefully, this is more like...well, yes, flattery.

Last year's number one was swept away~

And this strength prediction list is only the first issue.

The Knicks will not be too high in this ranking because of Bogut's injury, and the Mavericks will not be too high in this ranking because of Yao Ming's injury.

But even with this background, Lakers, Thunder and Celtics fans would definitely not do it if the Nets were ranked first.

A big wave of words is coming, not only against ESPN, but also against the Nets.

Even more detailed, take a look at the person who wrote the ranking this time, it is A. Smith!

Who is Smith? Famous Zhan Hei! Bring your own sarcasm!

As soon as this wave of rankings came out, "Smith once again defeated James" stopped running.

Wonderful!

In fact, as soon as this list came out, some fans were already complaining about James.

"Even if you change a pig, you won't rank the Knicks, who have the Big Five, behind the Nets."

This statement can be said to be quite true.

And this wave actually really adds points to James.

Others are like "people sit at home and pots come from heaven."

James is "While people were sitting in their houses, bread fell from heaven."

So after this wave, in addition to the things that Iverson thought about before that should be in the "correct" position, there is another [attention].

Fans really want to see what the Nets, who are ranked ahead of the Knicks, can do in the new season.

The Nets' opponent in the opening game of the new season is the Heat.

Stern never meant to target Anthony.

He did it on purpose.

Then by the way, just arrange a better schedule for the Nets.

If you look at the Nets' schedule for the new season, you will find that the Nets' schedule this season is completely different from last season.

There is no way, [Alliance Tendency].

And they are all playing scripts, and you will find that Stern and Xiao Hua have completely different tendencies.

Xiao Hua gives people the impression that he is a compliment.

Take the year before Lin Ying's time travel as an example. At that time, Antetokounmpo stepped on Irving (whether intentionally or not) and his reputation plummeted. You must know that Antetokounmpo's experience before that was actually very inspiring.

Also that year, Paul performed a veteran's immortality and led the team to the finals.

If the final outcome of that year is that Paul kills the villain Antetokounmpo and leads the team to the top.

Believe me, the NBA's attention will pick up by at least 30%.

Veterans never die, but youth remains forever!

But look at Stern's current masterpiece, the Suns chasing dreams, LeBron winning the championship as a team, and the epic revenge of the big man inside.

For three consecutive years, fans’ appetites have been whetted.

Even the fans of the losing team can't help but applaud the fans of the winning team.

One is completing the work, while the other is creating pieces of art.

The difference is so obvious.

Of course, once the stage is set, it’s up to the actors whether they can do it or not.