Rebirth of Hayes Cyclone

Chapter 205 [First Day of All-Star Weekend]

This year's All-Star Weekend was a little deserted.Bobcats most players chose to leave, rather than to the scene to watch the game.New Orleans doesn't have as many entertainment activities as Las Vegas, so it's not fun to go there.Moreover, the Bobcats players are not well-known enough. Many people feel that they have no star flavor and are unwilling to join in the fun in New Orleans.This time only Hayes, Landry, and Azubuike are traveling together.

Although he only participated in the Rookie Challenge, Landry was still very excited. This season, he averaged 8.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, and his playing time was only 19.2 minutes per game, which was very efficient.He is No. 9 on the rookie list.The only player on the list is a second-round pick.

This year's rookies didn't play well.The number one player was Yi Jianlian, a Chinese player from the Warriors.In the game in February, Yi Jianlian hit the "rookie wall" and his data dropped. He played 33.2 minutes and still scored 14.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.In the Warriors' victory over the Clippers in January, he made 18 of 14 shots, 3 of 2 three-pointers, and 4 of 4 free throws. He scored a rookie season-high 34 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks.Although the Warriors' current record ranks second to last in the West, only one game ahead of the Clippers, the rookie rankings generally only look at the data and not the record.

Ranked second is Delonie Stuckey of the Eagles.Because of being trained by the Eagles, Stuckey averaged 33.4 minutes, scored 12.2 points, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals, ranking second in the rookie list.However, he will miss two weeks because of a shoulder injury, so he missed the All-Star Rookie Challenge, and the Raptors' Brooks was selected instead.

No.3是凯尔特人队的迈克-康利。场均出场32.4分钟，10.8分3篮板4.4助攻1.1抢断。

No.4才是开拓者的凯文-杜兰特。他场均只获得24.2分钟的出场时间，11.3分3.3篮板1.4助攻。投篮命中率仅有41.7%，三分球命中率28.4%。

Durant has played poorly this year is the most surprising thing.If Oden hadn't been selected, the Blazers would not have chosen Durant.Although the Blazers avoided the tragedy of Oden's reimbursement, Durant did not play at the level that the second place should have.

"This year's rookie has no stars. Oden was injured if he didn't play. Durant is nothing but that, and he was touted too much in the draft. If Carl gets more than 30 minutes of playing time, the data may be better than them. Is he the best rookie now?" When talking about the Rookie Challenge, Azubuike said disdainfully.

"I don't think so. It depends on the tactical system. For example, Al Horford of the Grizzlies, his current statistics are only 7 points and 7 rebounds, but his efficiency is good, because there are Gasol and Milicic. There are not many opportunities to play. Otherwise, his data should be close to a double-double. And Durant, he can't play well, playing less time is one aspect, and the other is that his position overlaps with Brandon Roy." Hayes said.

That's all Hayes could think of.In his previous life, Durant was the scoring leader.Even in his rookie season, he scored 20 points in the Sonics and shot 43% from the field. Now Durant is even stronger.

The player responsible for the offense with the ball in the Trail Blazers is Roy. His ball-handling ability is very good, he is good at changing directions while dribbling, his fake moves are quite realistic, his movement and passing have a clear purpose, and he is good at handling detailed balls.The cutting ability is very good, the body is strong enough, not afraid of collisions, and easy to make fouls.Roy is very capable in singles but rarely reckless. Once approaching the basket, he will use one-handed pick-up or other methods to make it impossible for the defender to block shots. Moreover, he has a natural perception of the defender's position and knows how to avoid it. Blocking shots, gliding in the air or slipping the bottom line to reverse the hook, and changing hands in the air to change angles are all his common methods.

With Roy in the Blazers, it is impossible for the coach to arrange tactics for Durant. He does not have many opportunities to attack with the ball, because Aldridge and Prizebila occupy the inside, and Durant has the advantage of rebounding due to his height and long arms. He couldn't perform well, so he could only run outside, catch passes from his teammates and shoot.

The pick-and-roll between Roy and Aldridge is the Blazers' primary offensive tactic.Roy averaged 19.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal per game this season. He is the first core of the Blazers.Aldridge was said to be soft.But it's just "soft"!He can't play the ball like Howard, but he has height and is very stable in the mid-range shot in the high position. If he improves his coping ability, he is not far behind Gasol!This season, his data reached 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocks.A strong contender for Most Improved Player.

The two took up so many shots that Durant often shot desperately when the two were off the court.Durant wanted to express himself, but his approach aroused disgust from Trail Blazers fans.

Some media have used "parallel imports" to describe Durant.Said that he can't compare with Oden at all.Oden the Great did not play a game, and he is still the best rookie in the eyes of the fans, which is really speechless.

After arriving in New Orleans, the first impression of Hayes and others was that this place cannot be compared with the bustling Las Vegas.Las Vegas is a paradise for entertainment, and New Orleans is just a very simple city.Hayes has played many games here, and the hotel treatment of the All-Star players is similar to that of the usual team games.Nevertheless, the New Orleans All-Star Game is the most tender and meaningful one in NBA history.

This year, the NBA took the initiative to "send" the All-Star Game to New Orleans in order to help the hurricane-hit capital of jazz rebuild its home as soon as possible.New Orleans' levee collapsed during Hurricane Katrina in late August 2005, flooding 8% of the city and causing the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history ($80 billion), casualties The number of people reached 812, the highest number of casualties due to a hurricane in the past 1836 years.

The 2008 All-Star Weekend came to New Orleans, which benefited the city that had been hit by Hurricane Katrina.In fact, not long after the disaster happened three years ago, many NBA players spontaneously organized a charity game. The participating players included big-name stars such as Wade, Kobe, James, Garnett, McGrady and Anthony. The game was so exciting It even surpassed the All-Star Game, and all donations of more than $100 million from the game were given to New Orleans disaster victims.

This year's All-Star weekend is expected to bring New Orleans $8000 million to $9000 million in financial revenue.The All-Star weekend is undoubtedly a catalyst for New Orleans' rebuild.While bringing a lot of income, more importantly, it is a good boost to people's confidence.

Social security in New Orleans has always been worrying. When Hurricane Katrina arrived, large-scale riots broke out there.Rockets All-Star McGrady publicly stated as early as last year that if the law and order situation in the New Orleans All-Star Game did not satisfy him, he would consider withdrawing from the next All-Star Game. Now he is safe.
Billy Hunter, chairman of the NBA Players Union, also expressed concerns about the safety of players at the time, and also hinted that he might ask the league to change the venue of the All-Star Game.After on-the-spot investigation, the players union recognized the hosting ability of New Orleans, so the All-Star Game was able to be staged in New Orleans for the first time.

The NBA expressed their gratitude to the New Orleans organizers in their way.On the first day of the All-Star Weekend, the NBA organized a volunteer army of 2500 people, including All-Star players, to go to 10 locations in the city to participate in community love activities.

"Hi, Kobe." Hayes greeted.

"Hello, Chuck." Kobe smiled and said, "Is the injury healed?"

"There's nothing wrong with it. It's a small injury. But what happened to your finger? Are you going to play in this All-Star Game?" Hayes said, looking at Kobe's right hand with a black finger cot.

"I gave up the three-point shot contest. I will play in the All-Star Game, but I won't play for too long. I know you play hard, so be careful not to bump into me." Kobe laughed.

In the game against the Timberwolves on the 14th, Bryant tore the ligament in his finger and may be sidelined for six weeks.On Thursday, the Lakers announced that Bryant's finger injury was diagnosed.The news is regrettable that the ligament connection of Kobe's right little finger, which was injured some time ago, was completely torn and there was also damage near the wrist joint.Experts suggested that Bryant had better undergo a surgical operation. Once the trip took place, Bryant would be forced to truce for six weeks.However, the competition for a place in the playoffs is currently heating up, and if the operation is performed, he will not be able to participate in the competition for six weeks.Therefore, he is going to choose a conservative treatment plan, insist on finishing the season, and then participate in the Olympic Games held in BJ this summer.After that, he will perform the operation.

Kobe is such a person who is desperate for victory.A year ago, Hayes had some distaste for Bryant.Now that he has come to admire his desire to win, the two have become good friends.

In his previous life, Gasol was originally going to transfer to the Lakers. After the Bobcats failed to rob, Hayes was relieved and simply blessed Kobe. "I have to congratulate you. Gasol has come to the Lakers, plus you, Lamar (Odom), Derek (Fisher), I think the Lakers now have the strength to compete with the Spurs and the Mavericks."

"Thank you." Kobe was in a good mood today, and he kept smiling as he didn't like to talk. "You have to work hard, I hope we can meet in the finals."

Compared to James, Bryant is now more optimistic about Hayes and Bobcats.

In the afternoon, the All-Stars arrived at an elementary school, and their task was to lay the lawn for the elementary school.Hayes and Yao Ming got together again. In addition to Yao Ming, he also met Kung Fu movie star Jet Li.

Jet Li, who is only 170cm tall, is very happy standing next to Yao Ming. His height has just reached Yao Ming's armpit, like a child. After Jet Li and his daughter survived the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, they set out to start a foundation dedicated to helping rebuild their homes after major disasters, named "Jet Li One Foundation Project", which has begun to take shape. is a partner.So Jet Li has already become good friends with many NBA stars.Today Jet Li met many NBA stars in private again.

Hayes has watched all Jet Li's movies and is a Kung Fu fan. Jet Li happens to be a fan of Hayes too. The two hit it off and left their contact information.Regarding charity and foundations, Hayes needs to ask Jet Li for advice, and is willing to cooperate with Jet Li in the future.

Hayes has another star buddy.

(End of this chapter)