Pick Westbrook

Chapter 150 Let's Join Kobe
The second game.

The Clippers still kept their aces, with Baron Davis, Eric Gordon and Chris Kaman on the court.

Their purpose is obvious, which is to chase points in the second quarter by relying on the main force to play the Bucks' substitutes.

Bucks bench lineup: Dragic, Iverson, George Hill, Villanueva and O'Neal.

At the beginning of the game, Baron Davis tried to single Dragic and successfully reached the basket.

It’s just that Villanueva’s defense was timely, and O’Neal occupied a lot of offensive space under the basket. Baron Davis did not get an easy scoring opportunity. He also distributed the ball to the basket as usual at this time. In the hands of open teammates on the perimeter.

Al Thornton's position is wide open.

Tyronn Lue said: "Don't look at Al Thornton as a 2007 rookie like Yi Jianlian, but he is now 27 years old and is a veritable older draft pick, so he is outstanding in terms of actual combat ability and experience. "

"What's more important is that he plays a small forward and occasionally a guest power forward, and he also has a good three-pointer. This season, he can blast an average of 36% of the three-pointers per game."

So Al Thornton is now very dangerous in this wide open position in the bottom corner.

Li Lai naturally knew why Tyronn Lue suddenly talked about this matter, because the Bucks' bench defense has always been not very good.

Dragic is not good at defense, and Iverson is the same. The only one who is good at defense, George Hill, is still not good at small forward, and Villanueva is famous for his offensive strength and weak defense. O'Neal does have a certain ability to protect the frame, but now he is too old, and the Bucks cannot expect O'Neal to defend desperately on the court throughout the game.

Therefore, in previous games, the Bucks' bench lineup could only attack with all their strength, and caught the opponent by surprise with lightning speed. After all, in terms of offensive firepower alone, the Bucks' bench lineup is not even weaker than The starting lineups of some teams in the league.

"But poor defense is always a big problem. Once our offense occasionally fails, it may cause great trouble." Tyronn Lue continued.

Li Lai is very satisfied that Tyronn Lue can think of this ahead of time. In fact, not only him, but also Marshall. Now the two have started to prepare for this season's playoffs, often analyzing the problems of the Bucks and studying other teams. weakness.

Li Lai looked at the court and said, "Defense is an art. 70% of this art is hard work, and 30% is talent."

"Of course, having that 30 percent talent is what makes the defense more dominant, but for most players, that 70 percent effort is enough to get them to at least the league average defense."

As for the current defensive system of the Bucks, except for Artest and Rasheed Wallace who play more defensive responsibilities on the court, other players rely on hard work.

This is true for Westbrook, this is true for Yi Jianlian, and the same is true for George Hill.

"Of course, don't underestimate the two veterans in our team. If they are serious, their defense will not be weaker than the rest of the Bucks."

Snapped! ! !
A crisp sound appeared on the field.

Baron Davis made a pass to Al Thornton from inside to outside. Iverson had already predicted this pass route, and a diving dive broke the ball.

"This steal is so hard!"

It wasn't until Iverson, who fell to the ground and grabbed the ball, stood up and immediately launched a fast break, that Tyronn Lue was shocked and recovered.

The opponent had surpassed his AI back then, and had been the league's steal king for many years!

Although Iverson's defense is restricted by physical conditions, he has never been a defensive player with his eyes. The physical confrontation between the two in the finals also caught the eyes of fans all over the world.

"The two former superstars, Iverson and O'Neal, will never disappoint." Li Lai said confidently.

Dragic opened his legs and made a fast break like a small motor, and Iverson's quarterback passed a long pass steadily to the opponent.

Swish!
An easy layup scored.

Coach Mike Dunleavy was very speechless as he touched his big back off the court.

"It's fine if the starting lineup can't beat your Bucks. If I use the starting lineup to beat you as a substitute, I can't win. Who can I ask for justice?"

Mike Dunleavy remembered that there was an old man coach in the league who was best at this, and every time he beat the opponent's starter with a substitute, the old man would drink a glass of red wine arrogantly after the game.

In Mike Dunleavy's view, Li Lai's coaching habits are very similar to that old man's. The players on the field always play tactics methodically like an army. in this way.

"The Bucks and Li Lai, I will deal with you after I, Griffin, recover from injury."

The Clippers, who were suppressed by the audience, failed to make any waves. Instead, the Bucks continued to expand their lead.

In the end, even though Li Lai let Danny Green, water fountain captain Austin Crosher, and security captain Francisco Elson play the entire last quarter, the Clippers still did not let Li Lai and the Bucks The coaching staff felt any tension.

125:102, another big victory for the Bucks.

After the game, Mike Dunleavy shook hands with Li Lai very gracefully.

"Congratulations to your young coach. After winning this game, you are almost certain to become the head coach of the Eastern Stars."

"It's a great honor to be able to coach a whole team of All-Stars at the same time."

Li Lai nodded to express his gratitude to the old coach Mike Dunleavy. After the other party said this, he also wanted to taste the fun of coaching a star team.

Milwaukee.

After the Bucks won the game, their fans had already held a cheering ceremony at their doorstep.

A large number of fans gathered outside the arena, the cars on the street stopped one after another, and everyone took to the street, raised their glasses and sang and danced.

A gray-haired old fan said gratefully: "Our Bucks, there has never been a head coach who can become an All-Star head coach in this life, and that little guy Li Lai is the first time, the first time, the first time. "

Several young fans also clenched their fists in excitement, but their mouths were a little unforgiving.

"The crotch-playing kid was lucky enough to become the head coach of the team with the best record in the league with the help of Westbrook, Artest, Yi Jianlian, Curry and others. Peed our pants at the All-Star Game, embarrassing us."

"That guy is really lucky. With such a good player in his hand, even if I become the head coach, I can be selected as an All-Star."

"It all depends on our best general manager Hammond and excellent assistant coaches Tyronn Lue and Marshall. If it weren't for these three, how could our Bucks be so prestigious."

Also, some farther west shore of Lake Michigan.

The old man with a few missing teeth was lying on the familiar chair, with some clean bread and milk beside him, and even some leftover pizza and steak. The poster of the Deer team winning the championship is a bit outdated.

Johnson slowly moved his arm to pick up the poster, and then faced the Bradley Arena, which was a little far away.

"The Bucks already have the best record in the league."

Bradley Arena.

Li Lai, Hammond, Holloway, Tyronn Lue, Marshall, and Reggie Miller stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the meeting room, looking at the scene of the fans below with great interest.

Hammond rubbed his stomach with some embarrassment. After finding out that his stomach had indeed become smaller during this period of time, he couldn't help accepting the fans' praise with peace of mind.

This season, many commentators and media supported him to win the award of the best general manager, especially after Curry was selected and Rasheed Wallace, O'Neal and Iverson were selected. The deal was favored by countless general managers and CEOs in the league.

"This is how one person ascends to heaven. With the Bucks winning the league's first record, these awards came without surprise."

Tyronn Lue and Marshall looked at their head coach very pitifully. He was obviously the one who contributed the most here, but now he was dismissed by the Milwaukee fans in various ways. After all, he suffered from the label of playing hip kids.

Li Lai looked at the fans outside the arena and sighed helplessly.

He has long been used to this way of getting along with the Bucks fans. Anyway, there is not a day when these guys don't scold him.

Reggie Miller said with a smile: "Curry, who is about to participate in the three-point shooting contest, specially asked me to give him extra training in the past few days, and hoped to get some advice from me. That little coquette who likes to twist his butt and shake his shoulders is very good." clever."

"His father, Dell Curry, is also the Hornets' scoring leader in team history, and has hit 1245 three-pointers in his career. I heard that Curry has invited his father to watch the game. It seems that he is very happy to win this award." Full of confidence."

If Li Lai remembers correctly, Curry in his previous life also participated in the three-point contest in his rookie season, but lost to the truth Pierce who had the aura of the protagonist in the finals.

But this life is very different. At least with the help of Reggie Miller and Li Lai, Curry had a more accurate three-pointer in his rookie season than in his previous life.

Of course, the game of three-point shooting has a great relationship with mentality, luck, and touch. Even Curry, who is at the peak of the future, has lost times, so who is the final three-pointer contest champion? the unknown.

Hammond held his stomach and said happily: "Because Westbrook was successfully elected as the All-Star vote leader this season, the enthusiasm of Milwaukee fans has risen again, which has also heated up our tickets."

Hammond has been a little smug, and he is curious about how much profit the Bucks can make after the end of the season.

Tyronn Lue reminded: "We still have a game before the All-Star start. Although the opponent is a weak team in the league, we can't take it lightly. After all, the Cavaliers and Lakers behind have been chasing fiercely."

Li Lai nodded.

Never underestimating any opponent is his attitude of coaching the team all the time. Even if the opponent is a weak team in the league, the Bucks will not take it lightly.

Holloway seemed to have heard something about that team during this period, so she said lightly: "The management of the New Orleans Hornets seems to have undergone some changes during this period, and many news media have been reporting one after another. In this matter, their owner George Sheen intends to sell the team because of financial problems."

Hammond also heard about this incident, and said with great contempt: "The market value of the New Orleans Hornets is only 3 million, but their owner George Sheen is willing to sell the team for 4 million U.S. dollars."

"He is still there since the Cavaliers sold 2005 million in 3.75. The euphemism is that New Orleans is more prosperous than Cleveland no matter what."

"It's all in the small ball market. Don't talk about the eldest brother, I don't know what kind of strength there is."

"The Cavaliers had James anyway, what did the Hornets have?"

Holloway reminded: "The Hornets have Chris Paul and David West. Of course, even this asking price of 4 million US dollars is still too high."

"However, the owner of the Hornets, George Sheen, is in deep financial trouble. The Hornets are also a team that loses money all the year round. Given his current economic situation, he wants to sell the team at a high price and get rid of the team as soon as possible. Isn't the dwarf riding a camel, in a dilemma?"

Hammond said: "David Stern and Silver are so busy with this matter now that they are even a little absent-minded about the annual All-Star Game. Someone has already proposed the idea of ​​the league hosting the Hornets. It may not be long before such a decision will be formally implemented.”

Li Lai can say with certainty that the end of the league hosting the New Orleans Hornets is inevitable, but everyone knows that this team is destined to become the bottom team in the league, because for the league, hosting the ball The economic management of the team needs them to spend, so the cost of running the team is as low as possible.

It is impossible for the Hornets to strengthen again until they meet a team willing to take over him. As for their core Paul, I am afraid it is time to think about their own destiny.

2 month 12 day.

The Bucks challenged the Hornets away.

The pre-game heat of this battle was completely occupied by the news that the Hornets were listed for sale.

Barkley joked before the game: "Kenny, how about we go and take this team down?"

Kenny Smith waved his hand and said in a very speechless voice: "Big mouth, don't be ridiculous, that's 4 million US dollars, the old guy George Xin is biting his mouth very tightly."

"4 million US dollars is not a small amount, even if the two of us can add up to 1 million US dollars?"

"The most important thing is that the Hornets are not worth $4 million. Whoever wants to spend this money is an idiot."

Barkley nodded in agreement, and immediately took out his phone and said, "I heard you say the word silly, I'm going to call that old rascal."

on the field.

Paul ignored all the talk about the team's trade. He still warmed up meticulously before the game, just like every game he has ever played. No one takes the game as seriously as he does, and no one takes the victory like him. With extreme desire, he wants to play, he wants to win.

"But you can't fight for a hopeless team. You can't win the game like that." Li Lai couldn't help reminding from the sidelines.

Paul looked at Li Lai. He knew that the opponent was the head coach who had led the Bucks from the bottom of the league to the rise in the past two years. He had also studied the Bucks' offensive style over and over again. To describe it in words, the Bucks' ability to become the league's No. [-] team this season has an inseparable relationship with their tactical system.

"But I can't go anywhere." Paul pursed his lips and said somewhat disappointed.

The Hornets are currently ranked second to last in the Western Conference. Who would have thought that they were the second-ranked team in the Western Conference in the past two years, and would be able to compete with a strong team like the Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals for seven games.

Moreover, with the current chaotic management and coaching staff of the Hornets, everyone knows that they can only achieve such a record this season. If no one will take over the team in the future, such a bottom record will be no surprise. continue.

But Paul has no choice, because he is an important asset of the team, just like his good brother James, will greatly increase the team's selling price.

Li Lai knew Paul's worries, but he still couldn't help but said, "Pao, if you have a chance, go join forces with Kobe of the Lakers. You will be very suitable for him, and you will also be very suitable for that team."

(End of this chapter)