basketball boulder

Chapter 352 Preparing for the Playoffs

After 9 to 15 are the Wizards, Pacers, Bobcats, Knicks, Eagles, Bucks, Celtics.

The list of the four playoff matchups in the Eastern Conference will also be released.

76ers vs Nets.

Magic vs Bulls.

Pistons vs Heat.

Cavaliers vs. Raptors.

……

Then, welcome to... the Wild West!
No.1, Dallas Mavericks, 67 wins and 15 losses.

No. [-] in the West and No. [-] in the league, far ahead of the entire league.

No.2, Phoenix Suns, 61 wins and 21 losses.

Second in the West and second in the league.

The Suns with Nash are still one of the favorites to win the championship.

No.3, San Antonio Spurs, 58 wins and 24 losses.

It is third in the West and fourth in the league.

The Spurs... this record is normal... nothing to say.

No.4, Memphis Grizzlies, 55 wins and 27 losses.

I'm not afraid of your jokes when I say it, 55 wins and 27 losses are already the best record in the history of the Grizzlies.

This is the fourth time the Grizzlies have entered the playoffs and the first time in history that they have entered the top half of the playoffs.

So it's understandable how excited Memphis fans are.

No.5, Utah Jazz, 51 wins and 31 losses.

The new Shuangsha of Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer is very strong.

Deron, in particular, has been regarded as one of the best No. [-] players in the league.

Sixth, the Denver Nuggets, 45 wins and 37 losses.

Seventh, the Los Angeles Lakers, 42 wins and 40 losses.

Eighth, the Golden State Warriors, 42 wins and 40 losses.

9 to 15 are: Clippers, Hornets, Kings, Houston, Trail Blazers, Timberwolves, Supersonics.

The four playoff matchups in the West are also released.

Mavericks vs Warriors.

Suns vs. Lakers.

Spurs vs. Nuggets.

Grizzlies vs Jazz.

……

It is worth mentioning that all local newspapers in Memphis reported the news, calling on the public to pay attention to the upcoming playoffs.

The mayor of Memphis also cheered for the team in the interview, and said that he would watch the game at home and cheer for the Grizzlies.

Citizens of Memphis also cheered for the team on social media.

"Come on, Grizzly!"

"We have made history and we will continue to make history!"

"I will go to the field to watch the game and cheer for the team."

……

But there are also fans who are very negative.

"Since 1996, the Grizzlies have entered the playoffs three times, with a score of 0 wins and 12 losses. When it comes to the playoffs, we always have a rare win!"

"We lack playoff experience, which makes it difficult for the team to go further."

"The playoffs are not the regular season, and the Jazz are strong."

……

In order to boost the morale of the team, Mr. Jerry West arranged for Li Lei to be interviewed on the open training day.

Li Lei said in the interview: "At the beginning of the season, I said that our goal is the playoffs, and we succeeded. Now, our goal for the playoffs is the next round, and we will succeed."

In the interview, Li Lei appeared confident.

A reporter said: "But the Grizzlies have never made it to the second round."

Li Lei smiled: "It's different now."

Reporter: "What's different?"

Li Lei: "The current Grizzlies team has me! I came here to do these things."

The reporters froze for a moment, and then became lively. A group of reporters whispered to each other, which seemed very noisy.

There was a commotion at the scene.

Because Li Lei's words are too domineering!
Li Lei may not have noticed it himself, but now he is more and more confident, and gradually has a bit of arrogance.

"That's right, I'm here to turn the tide!"

"That's right, I'm here to make history!"

"The previous Grizzlies couldn't do it without me. But now, with me, it's possible!"

Under the maintenance of the staff, the scene gradually became quiet.

The reporter continued to ask: "Some fans feel that the Grizzlies are too young and lack experience in the playoffs. What do you think about this?"

The corner of Li Lei's mouth rose slightly: "It seems that he needs to watch our games more and get to know my teammates better."

The reporter was a little confused.

Before they continued to ask questions, Li Lei said by himself.

"Tayron, champion of the 1999-2000 season and 2000-2001 season."

"Dakota, the 2003-2004 season championship."

"Eddie, the 2004-2005 season championship."

"I, 2004-2005 season, 2005-2006 season championship, two consecutive FMVP!"

"Who else has more playoff experience than us other than that team in Miami?"

Everyone: "..."

Also, fans only think about the young Grizzlies, but they forget that they have as many as 4 championship members, and they have 6 championship rings in total.

This number is already top in the NBA.

After all, among the more than 400 players in the NBA, only 15 of them can get the championship ring every year, and the probability is one in 30.

As the interview progressed, the doubts of the fans were overcome by Li Lei one by one, and confidence was fully built up.

More importantly, the confidence of the Grizzlies players has also risen.

In the last two days, Old Jones and Tyronn Lue played the role of veterans and provided psychological counseling to young players.

"The playoffs are no different from the regular season, they are all 48 minutes, and they are all 4 quarters, so there is no need to worry."

"Shaq said: You should eat, you should drink, you should go to nightclubs and continue to go, how you live in normal times, how you live now, don't make changes because of the playoffs, it will disrupt the biological clock."

Still, some young players will be nervous.

For example, Gay and Zhu Fangyu played in the playoffs for the first time.

The two came to Li Lei for advice.

Li Lei gave Zhu Fangyu a slap in the face: "Promise?"

"I've played in the Olympics and the World Championships, but the playoffs are nothing!"

"Anyway, I have played against James and Anthony. Are you afraid of other guys?"

Zhu Fangyu smiled embarrassedly: Hehehe!
That's right, if he, Old Zhu, has counseled anyone, just do it!

For Guy, Li Lei couldn't persuade him like that.

"The playoffs, it's important, but it's not that important."

"It's just the first step of a star. The star who proves himself here is the real star."

"However, the mere playoffs are not worth mentioning. Your goal should be the division finals, the finals, and even the championship."

"My lowest goal for you, the conference finals!"

"I believe in you, and you have to believe in yourself!"

Minimum goal...divisional finals.

If someone else said that, Guy could spray him in the face.

After all, many stars will never touch the floor of the conference finals in their lifetime.

But this is what Li Lei said...Of course he has the qualifications.

Looking back on Li Lei's career:
Rookie season, Eastern Conference Finals.

Second grade, championship.

The third grade, the championship.

……

That's right, the worst time of Li Lei's career also reached the division finals.

In short, under the psychological counseling of a group of championship members, the Grizzlies gradually built up their confidence.

In professional sports, self-confidence is very important.

(End of this chapter)