Legendary star

Chapter 60 Before All Stars

"Tim, don't you want to go back?" After a day of training, after practicing 500 3-point shots for the first time, and after taking a shower with his tired body, Meng Xu was also about to leave the training hall. When I passed by the door, I heard that there were still people training inside. When I went in, I found out that it was the team's boss Tim Duncan.

On February 2, that is, in the game against the Denver Nuggets yesterday, although Duncan scored 9 points and 24 rebounds, he only made 13 of 20 shots and 8 turnovers in the entire game.If it weren't for David Robinson who scored 5 points in a single quarter on 4 of 9 shots in the fourth quarter, the Spurs' game would have been a disaster.And Meng Xu also showed the potential of an "iron king" in this game. He made 6 of 17 shots in the game and only made 10 of 2 three-pointers.

After returning to San Antonio from Denver, after the team's training session, Duncan and Meng Xu also stayed for additional training.

"It's still early, and there's nothing wrong with going back now." Seeing Meng Xu walking in, Duncan put down the dumbbell in his hand, and wiped his sweat with the towel around his neck.

"Then let me accompany you. The coach also asked me to increase my strength training." Although Meng Xu said so, he really thought in his heart that you have such a high talent, such a good technique, and work so hard, how can we mess up? , It won’t work if you don’t work hard.

"Come and sit down." Duncan patted Meng Xu on the shoulder, motioning for Meng Xu to sit down.Ever since he discovered that Meng Xu was somewhat resistant to touching his head, Duncan gradually got rid of this habit, and replaced it with pats on the shoulder.

"Meng, how do you feel here?" Duncan asked after sitting down, took a sip of water, and twisted the lid.

"Very good, better than I imagined." When he was still in the NCAA, Meng Xu had heard about it. It is very common for veteran players to bully rookies in the NBA, even beatings are not uncommon.After Meng Xu entered the Spurs, he was not only covered by Duncan, but also had a very smooth career. From a substitute player who could only play about 10 minutes at the beginning, to the team's starting small forward who averaged 30 minutes per game, he can It was smooth sailing, which is why Meng Xu was extremely grateful to Duncan and Popovich.

Now the Spurs rank in the league with a record of 36 wins and 12 losses, second only to the Lakers' 37 wins and 10 losses. With the excellent record of the Spurs, and the current average of 9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 2.1 assists per game , 1.6 blocks, 42% 3-point shooting, Meng Xu is now in the top 5 of the best rookie rankings, second only to Elton Brand, Steve Francis, Lamar Odo James and Andre Miller were even selected to this year's All-Star rookie first-year team, which was unthinkable before entering the league.

"You've made rapid progress, but it's not enough." Duncan stared at Meng Xu and continued: "David is old, and Avery is old too. I know your potential very well, and the coach is also very optimistic about you. You will To be the most important part of this team, so you have to work harder."

"The most important member?" Meng Xu was a little surprised when he heard Duncan's words.

"Yes, work hard." Duncan smiled strangely after speaking.

Duncan's words, I don't know if it was his own meaning or Popovich's meaning, but no matter where they come from, it proves one thing, that is, Meng Xu's status in the Spurs has reached a new height.

While Meng Xu and Duncan were still practicing in the training hall, they were notified by the club staff that a group of special guests had come to the club.In the general manager's office of the Spurs, Meng Xu met this group headed by the vice president of the league, Russ Granik.

"Meng, nice to meet you. I am Russ Granik, the vice president of operations of the league. Before I came, Mr. David Stern asked me to convey his greetings to you." When Meng Xu walked into the office After that, Lars Granik quickly got up and stretched out his right hand.

"Oh, thank you Mr. Stern, thank you Mr. Granik." Meng Xu held Lars Granik's right hand, and kept thanking David Stern and Lars Granik of the alliance, showing a Feeling very flattered.

"These are reporters from CCTV. They want to do an exclusive interview with you." After Lars Granik let go, he introduced several yellow-skinned staff members behind him to Meng Xu.

"Meng Xu, hello, I am Su Qun, a reporter from CCTV China Sports News, this is Mr. Xu Jicheng, a basketball reporter from the Sports Department of Xinhua News Agency, and this is Shang Song, an intern reporter from CCTV Sports Channel." Meng Xu was also full of excitement when he met a compatriot from the other side of the ocean.

"Teachers, just call me Xiao Meng." Facing the reporters from CCTV and Xinhua News Agency, Meng Xu was also a little embarrassed.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, everyone let go of the politeness and began to chat about the current situation of the NBA, Meng Xu's basketball career, and the ardent expectations of domestic fans for Meng Xu. Even at the end, there was still hope in Meng Xu's voice It means that Xu can play for the country this summer.And Lars Granik and Popovich walked into another office. Obviously, Lars Granik had some special words and wanted to chat with Popovich alone.

David Stern also attached great importance to the visitors from across the ocean this time, and adopted the highest standard to receive these ordinary CCTV staff.For David Stern, since Jordan retired and the negotiation between the NBA and CCTV on the broadcasting rights contract was terminated, the door of China was closed to the NBA, but unexpectedly, the door opened again just two years later. .So David Stern sent the league's vice president Russ Granik to personally lead these CCTV reporters to San Antonio, and at the same time convey some of his will to the Spurs' top management.

"I really didn't expect that this trip would go so smoothly." After interviewing Meng Xu, Shang Song couldn't hide his inner excitement. As a basketball and NBA fan, he entered CCTV's sports after graduating from university. Channel, after learning that CCTV was going to select personnel to go to the United States to broadcast NBA games, Shang Song was also the first to volunteer and asked to travel across the ocean to the United States.

A few days later, everyone's conversation was treated as a special interview and published in the China Sports Daily. Meng Xu's modest attitude also won everyone's favor, and the newspaper praised Meng Xu desperately.

(End of this chapter)