Pick Westbrook

Chapter 288 Extremely Anticipated
Li Lai was extremely surprised to hear this.

Compared with the cruel environment and elimination mechanism of the NBA, even those head coaches who have proven their abilities in the NBA may be unemployed at home.

Like Stan Van Gundy, Mike Brown, Philip Sanders.
So Li Lai didn't quite understand why a person who wanted to develop in the direction of a professional coach didn't stay in China.

After all, the domestic coaching environment is extremely relaxed, and there is not so much competitive pressure, and the person who can make Yi Jianlian intercede should also have a certain status and circle.

"Why did he choose to come to the NBA?"

Li Lai couldn't help asking such a question.

Yi Jianlian was silent and said: "The domestic environment is too relaxed, and it is very easy for a person with ideals to indulge or even degenerate."

"Just like Dayao and I chose to play in the NBA, we all hope to put more pressure on ourselves and force ourselves to be stronger."

"And he thought so too."

Li Lai agrees with this very much. No matter whether others admit it or not, the NBA is indeed the highest level of basketball in the world.

Those who dare to come to this stage are already far ahead of others in terms of courage.

Li Lai asked seriously, "Who is he?"

Yi Jianlian said, "Du Feng."

After speaking, Yi Jianlian wanted to introduce Du Feng's situation to Li Lai, but Li Lai asked Yi Jianlian to convey to Li Lai that he could come to New Orleans for an interview.

Yi Jianlian was startled, then grinned and thanked Li Lai.

Of course, Yi Jianlian has won the opportunity for Du Feng, and now it depends on whether the other party can pass Li Lai's test.

After hanging up the phone with Li Lai, Yi Jianlian looked at Du Feng, who was clenching his fist excitedly, and reminded him: "Treat the coach with sincerity."

7 month 9 day.

late at night.

Du Feng rushed to New Orleans.

He originally thought that his visit at this time would disturb Li Lai, but he did not expect that the top management of the Hornets did not rest at this time.

Li Lai also waited quietly for Du Feng's arrival.

Du Feng couldn't help sighing at this time: This is the NBA. Compared with domestic competitive pressure, work attitude, and handling ability, the NBA is much stronger.

At this time, Du Feng was finally able to understand why Yao Ming, who had played in the NBA for 9 years, would say those cynical words.

- Our system needs to be reformed.

Li Lai said: "I know you are a player, and you have made great achievements in the CBA."

"But it's just your resume as a player. You don't seem to have held any coaching-related jobs yet."

Du Feng said very sincerely at this time: "It is true, but I am willing to learn, work hard, and work hard. I can complete all the things you explain with a 200% working attitude."

Li Lai frowned and said, "Why are you doing this? In the CBA, you should be able to easily get a job as a coach. It's not impossible to even become the head coach of a CBA team."

Du Feng raised his head at this time and took a deep breath and said: "The gap between the Chinese men's basketball team and the world's men's basketball team is huge, not only in the strength of the players, but also in the ability of the coaches."

"Some good young players in youth training have not been trained by professional coaches, and they have never accepted the tactical concepts of advanced basketball since they were young."

"Even until now, when those basketball professional sports schools are selecting players, they still focus on height, body shape, and speed. Many players with basketball dreams and excellent technical skills have been screened out instead."

"This has caused us to lose a lot of talent, and it also proves the lack of professional ability of our domestic coaches."

Li Lai knew that what Du Fengfeng said had a lot to do with what happened to him.

Because Du Feng was brushed down in middle school. At that time, the minimum standard of the sports school for basketball majors in Xinjiang was 180cm, while Du Feng was only 178cm.

If it weren't for the fact that his mother Du took advantage of her position and begged the coach and leadership time and time again, the Chinese men's basketball team would have lost this jade-faced young hero.

What moved Li Lai the most was Du Feng's next words.

"For the Chinese men's basketball team, we have generations of countless pioneers, Qian Chenghai, Liu Yudong, Li Nan, Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian"

"They are all working hard to make the Chinese men's basketball team better and stronger."

"I don't have the talent and ability of Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian, but I still want to do my best to help the Chinese men's basketball team become a world-class team."

"Yao Ming said: Gou Li's family (country) lives and dies, how can you avoid it because of (blessing) (misfortune)!"

7 month 10 day.

Hammond held a press conference to announce that the Hornets will sign Brad Stevens and Du Feng with two four-year contracts to become the team's assistant coaches.

Due to team policy, the details and content of the contract have not been made public.

At the same time, Li Lai led a new coaching staff to the Hornets training hall to watch the training of players preparing for the summer league.

Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Patrick Beverley and other players were present one by one.

It is worth mentioning that Chris Paul also guides the training of his teammates on the training ground.

"Run! Run! Don't hesitate to shoot after catching the ball!"

"Great job Leonard, great three-point shot."

"Jimmy, you can try to cut to the basket to catch the ball, rest assured that my ball will be passed."

"Huh? Patrick is trying to steal me, your defense is tough."

beep!beep!
Paul made a big loop and caused a defensive foul on Beverly, who was so angry that he was stunned and extremely unconvinced.

"Chris was so loud, the whole scrim was blah blah blah, my head was going to explode."

Stevens put his hand on his chin and couldn't help smiling.

Li Lai also showed a smile, "Pao Luo Pao Luo, what do you think that Pao means?"

At this time, Li Lai also felt the change in the long-lost list of gods. After he arranged for Stevens and Du Feng to guide the players to train together, he quickly entered the spiritual consciousness.

[Marcus Cousins: Phased goal of the Conferred God mission completed]

All-Star MVP, regular season rebounding leader, best defensive player DPOY, regular season MVP, best rookie, single-season double-double, championship, FMVP.

Complete 4 items to become a god, and 2 items have been completed. 】

[Unlock the Cousins ​​skill: You are the cousin (silver), increase the physical consumption of the opponent by 2% when confronting the opponent, reduce the physical consumption by 2% when confronting oneself, and increase the physical strength by an additional 2%.With the growth of the player's own strength and practice upgrade]

[Unlock Cousins ​​skills: tough performance (bronze), increase 1% strength, 1% shooting ability, 1% speed, 1% bounce when confronting opponents.With the growth of the player's own strength and practice upgrade]

Seeing this, Li Lai couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

Cousins' task of becoming a god has not been completed, but Li Lai can no longer coach him.

At this time, Li Lai also found that the two stone statues belonging to Artest and Cousins ​​were completely dimmed. Although they did not disappear and remained in place, the brilliance of the stone statues was no longer there.

Just looking at the other two statues of Westbrook and Curry who have completed the task of conferring gods, countless golden lights still converge on the stone statues of the two from all directions, and turn into spots of light and move to the list of gods.

Life goes on and on and on.

"Until now, I haven't figured out what's going on with this list of gods, and what's the effect of those golden lights gathered together."

Li Lai didn't continue to think about this issue, and the Fengshen Bang quickly revealed more information to him.

【Chris Paul】

[ability value 92, potential value 94]

【Kawhi Leonard】

[ability value 76, potential value 95]

[It is detected that the players under his command have already appeared as star players whose potential value has reached more than 85. Do they enter the Conferred God training? 】

"Yes!"

After Li Lai agreed, two large circular plates appeared on the edge of the gossip table, and two stone statues rose from them one after another. The carvings on them were Chris Paul holding the ball in his left hand and pointing at the right hand, and Ko Wye Leonard held the ball with both hands on his chest, showing a robot-like ruby ​​light in his left eye.

"Um?!"

"Where's Jimmy Butler?"

Li Lai was very surprised why there was no stone statue of Jimmy Butler. The latter would be able to become a top 20 superstar in the league in the future.

Not only Jimmy Butler, but even DeAndre Jordan has not entered the training of gods.

If Li Lai remembers correctly, in his previous life Jordan was the rebounding leader twice, once for one team, twice for three teams, twice for defense and once for an All-Star.

In the past two years of the Clippers, Uncle Huang was also a top pie eater and a top frame protector. At his peak, his ability should exceed 85.

But no matter how long Li Lai waited, he still didn't get the hint about the two from the list of gods. At this time, he also curiously checked the other party's information with his spiritual sense.

【DeAndre Jordan】

【Height 211cm, Weight 119kg, Armspan 229cm】

[Short shot 88, medium shot 55, long shot 20]

[Dunk 90, Pass 40, Control 30]

[Defense 82 rebounds 89 blocks 85]

[ability value 80, potential value 85]

【Jimmy Butler】

【Height 203cm, Weight 104kg, Armspan 202cm】

【Speed ​​75 Strength 50 Layup 75】

[Short shot 70, medium shot 60, long shot 55]

[Dunk 65, Pass 55, Control 55]

[Defense 78 rebounds 56 blocks 70]

[ability value 68, potential value 75]

"Jordan's potential value is the same as Yi Jianlian's, just stuck at the juncture of 85, but Jimmy Butler's potential value is only 75?"

"So how does he develop into an All-Star player in the future?"

Li Lai was shocked at this moment. He watched Jimmy Butler who was defending Kawhi Leonard desperately on the court and suddenly realized something.

Leonard was affected by Butler's defense so that his face became more expressionless, and the two even started the defensive mode of death coiling and hugging on the court.

This kind of matchup and defensive toughness even moved Paul, who has always been very serious about training.

While organizing the offense on the court to find a feeling for the game for his teammates, Paul frequently reminded the two.

"This is an in-team training match, not a playoff match, so don't be too desperate, both of you."

But Butler didn't care if Paul was the boss of the team, or whether it was a team training match, he defended Leonard with all his might, and yelled at the opponent arrogantly.

"With me here, you don't even think about scoring."

This kind of confrontation within the team almost made Du Feng look stupid.

These two are rookies?Is this still a team training match?How does it look more fierce than the CBA championship level game!
Because of the super confrontation between the two, the other Hornets players didn't know how to play on the court at this time.

Li Lai walked over and raised his hand to signal the game to be suspended.

All the Hornets summer league players came over. Paul and Li Lai stood together and whispered, "Coach, if they play like this in the summer league, the opponent will be defeated."

After Paul finished speaking, he waited quietly for Li to come, eager to see what the other party planned to do after calling off the training match.

Li Lai signaled everyone to leave the court, then looked at Leonard and Butler and said, "I like your defense, but I think this kind of intensity is not enough."

what!
The players who heard this sentence looked at Li Lai in surprise, and they even wondered whether the devil coach wanted to watch the players play or fight on the court.

"Isn't everyone in the league saying that this head coach is an offensive coach? What defense is he emphasizing now?"

Leonard looked at Li Lai dumbly, not knowing what the other party meant by saying this. Is this defensive strength really not enough?
Butler was extremely excited, and he applauded himself inspiringly.

Li Lai continued: "10 balls, I want to see you two one-on-one."

"Whoever wins can have dinner with me tonight, and I can also agree to a not-so-excessive request from him."

"Of course, the loser has to make 100 three-pointers and free throws after the practice game."

Leonard and Butler, who are both rookies this year, glanced at each other, and the anger between the two on the court just now continued at this time.

Leonard was expressionless, but he was obviously not afraid of Butler.

Butler was extremely excited, and after applauding himself, he said, "I'll make it impossible for you to score a single goal."

Li Lai signaled the start of the game, but he took Paul, Stevens and Du Feng and sat down beside him.

Paul said: "Leonard's talent is very good, but his height of 201cm has reached 221cm."

"He will become the top defensive gate on the court. Although the three-pointer is not stable, he has a good shooting posture. He will definitely be able to improve his shooting with good training."

Hearing Paul's evaluation, Li Lai asked with interest: "Then what do you think of Jimmy?"

Paul paused. On the training ground just now, he almost tried out all the strengths of the Hornets' two rookies this year.

Leonard has potential and talent. Although he is not particularly strong on the offensive end, it shouldn't be too bad to work hard in the future.

As for Jimmy Butler, apart from his hard work on the defensive end, he has no potential or talent, and his future achievements are not destined to be very high.

Seeing that Paul hadn't spoken, Stevens said directly, "Jimmy is a very ordinary player. There are a lot of players like this in college."

"But I've heard of Jimmy Butler in the NCAA. He led the little-known Marquette University, Link Xavier University and Syracuse University to the Sweet 16 by himself."

"Although this player has no talent or potential, he plays very hard and hard."

Du Feng agreed: "70% of the defensive end depends on hard work, and the remaining 30% depends on talent."

"Leonard has the talent to grow into the league's top defensive gate, and Butler has a more extreme defensive attitude."

Both Stevens and Du Feng's evaluations were extremely pertinent, and Li Lai also deliberately considered them.

He concluded at this time: "Leonard has the potential to grow into a DPOY, and he may also become another player who won this award as a striker after Beast Artest."

"This is indeed beyond compare to Butler."

"But Butler has his own way of being, and that's attitude."

"I believe in talent. Physical condition is naturally a talent, but hard work is also a talent."

on the field.

Leonard wanted to take a penalty from beyond the three-point line, but Butler said directly and generously: "Don't order it, because I have to have dinner with the coach tonight, I will let you go first."

After speaking, Butler went directly to the three-point line and began to defend.

Leonard was a little annoyed by the kid in front of him, even though he was always expressionless, his chest heaved at this moment, and he wanted to teach the kid in front of him a good lesson.

Head-up shot fakes, trial dribbles, breakthroughs, backs, tops.
Butler first clings to the defense and puts a lot of defensive pressure on Leonard, and then takes a step back when the opponent is dribbling to prevent a step from being passed. Top knee.

Seeing this set of defensive skills and moves, Paul's eyes lit up, and he finally realized why Li Lai had such a high opinion of Butler.

Paul himself does not have the talent of a top player, so when defending the opponent's offense, in order to make up for the gap in height, wingspan and talent, players like him have to use a lot of tricks.

Most fans will only use one word to describe these skills, dirty!
But in fact, for a player with a strong competitive spirit, even if he is called dirty, he will definitely win every game and every round.

boom!
Leonard found a chance to turn around and used his extremely exaggerated wingspan to pick a layup, but the alert Butler discovered the opponent's intention and directly threw Leonard from the air.

There was a sound of a heavy object falling to the ground, and Leonard was thrown hard.

beep!beep!
The referee on the side whistled to signal a foul.

Butler said without hesitation: "I said, you don't want to score in front of me."

Off the field, Du Feng couldn't help but gasp.

"Is this shit the NBA!"

Du Feng began to imagine what kind of inhuman treatment Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian had suffered here in order to achieve such achievements.

Li Lai understood the emotion on Du Feng's face, and said with a smile: "Pushing, elbowing, even pulling, pulling, and scratching, Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian have all encountered it."

Li Lai also remembered the first season he took over the Bucks. In the playoffs, it was precisely because Yi Jianlian couldn't adapt to such a defensive intensity, and was bullied by Big Z and Varejao at will, that the Bucks got inside. Not taking advantage.

This motivates stronger easy bonding.

next round.

Butler cut off Leonard's breakthrough with the ball very cleanly, and the possession of the ball was converted.

Li Lai was also looking forward to Butler's attack.

But the real picture is extremely eye-catching.

Butler's offensive skills and offensive talent are not at the same level as Leonard's. Facing Leonard's almost suffocating defense, he can't score no matter what.

This one-on-one bullfight has also turned into a variety of iron strikes, hugs and fouls.

Li Lai was wondering if the rules he set at the beginning were too high. If he had known earlier, he would have scored a goal and won.

More than ten minutes later, Li Lai also terminated the one-on-one, and invited the two to have dinner with him tonight, and at the same time, both of them could make a request to him.

Originally, Li Lai was traded away countless players in the team and even David West was traded. In fact, Paul was quite critical of Li Lai in his heart.

He also didn't think that the Hornets could make a big difference after Li Lai's operation.

But now, he has changed this view, and is extremely looking forward to the performance of the Hornets in the new season.

(End of this chapter)