Versatile Point Forward

Chapter 61
The match against Memphis was Ye Feng's first time in so many years that he was counter-lore. Although he didn't say anything, he trained even harder.If the crazy index of his training before was 5, then at least it has reached 8, or even 9 now, that feeling of being knocked down from heaven to hell by others, he doesn't want to try again.However, Holland was very optimistic. It was beyond his expectation that UCLA, who played with a broken team, could entangle with Memphis until the last moment. Of course, it does not mean that he did not want to win, but the failure was something he expected early on. That's all.And judging from the strength of both sides, it is very likely that they will meet again in the championship stage. At that time, UCLA, which supplemented Westbrook and Collison, is still very hopeful to have a fight with the University of Memphis.

However, for the team, this loss is still very beneficial. Not only did Ye Feng start to train crazily, but even the other players asked for additional training after the normal training time. You must know that this was completely impossible before. imagination.After defeating two teams in the same division, University of Utah and University of Colorado, UCLA finally ushered in their starting point guard Westbrook. UCLA, which started with five tigers, was even more terrifying. They swept the rest of the division. , With a wave of consecutive victories, the team's half-time game was drawn to a perfect end.

After seeing UCLA's half-time record, the team's die-hard fans were ecstatic.Except for Iowa State and Memphis, two teams from another division that have beaten UCLA, the Bruins are the undisputed kings in their own division.Moreover, the troika headed by Westbrook, Ye Feng and Love showed extremely strong offensive firepower. Westbrook averaged 17.8 points and 10.5 assists per game, Ye Feng averaged 20.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5 assists per game, and Love averaged 15.7 assists per game. 12.5 points and 85.3 rebounds can be said to be the top level in the same position.Driven by them, UCLA can average [-] points per game, which is already considered a strong offensive team in the NCAA where the score is almost hovering between [-] and [-] in every game.The status of the team's head coach Holland has also risen. Many media and people in the circle have praised his ability to train the team. Therefore, this middle-aged man who often has a straight face has shown a red face in many training sessions. , making people wonder if he took some super tonic stuff.

The local media in Los Angeles can't wait to report UCLA's miraculous performance this season. Some articles even Ye Feng, who has always been as thick-skinned as a city wall, blush a little.However, compared to other teammates, he is considered the most normal one, and Holland was a little surprised by the maturity beyond his age.Facing the endless praises in the newspapers, Ye Feng just laughed it off. He still couldn't forget the back view of Rose raising his hands and rushing towards his teammates after 0.2 seconds of catching the lore, as if that moment had been frozen in his mind and became a part of his heart. Root thorn, the pain is also an important reason why he automatically shields himself from external interference.

But in fact, if UCLA had won at that time, Ye Feng would also have sneered at the media's praise.Although he is sometimes funny and sometimes wants to attract the attention of fans, he is willing to be a low-key and hardworking person. This is also the advice Ye Ning gave him by phone after he entered the school team.What hasn't Ye Ning, who has played on the basketball court for many years, seen?He already knew what would happen to Ye Feng when he joined a famous basketball school like UCLA, let alone in a place like Los Angeles, where money is glamorous.Ye Feng always remembered his words:
"Modern sports are closely related to the media. Entering the NCAA means that you have entered the attention of the mainstream media. However, the reports of the media cannot be trusted, because they have their own interests. It is a very important issue from which angle to write comments. Ordinary media rarely write reports that meet the expectations of the team. What they pursue is the bright spot, whether it is positive or negative. As long as it can increase their sales or ratings, they can draw on the basis of respecting the facts. Come up with a bigger framework to play."

"Because of local protectionism, the media in Los Angeles should not sing against you when you perform well, but you must be careful of their praise at this time. Maybe they didn't mean it, but what they did would really make the team's atmosphere worse." Be impetuous, and it will greatly increase your self-confidence. A team with too much self-esteem will not do much. You have to remember this, no matter how strong you are, you may capsize in the gutter. So it is best The best way is not to pay attention to them, whether they praise or criticize, just play your own ball well, and the victory is not based on others, especially the media.”

Another member of the team who has no sense of media reports is Westbrook, who has always been known for his aggressiveness and nerves.But the others didn't have such a good mentality. They made more mistakes in one training session than in the previous five training sessions. Holland was so angry that he scolded them bloody in training.In fact, they can't be blamed for this. After all, they are still boys in their teens and 20s. After being blown up by the media suddenly, they are sure of their hearts.They acted as if the entire season had already been played, which is completely opposite to the diligence before the end of the half.

Ye Feng also feels very speechless to everyone's mentality, but who makes others not have a father who is willing to teach by example?However, he still found Holland secretly after the training, hoping that he could give everyone a psychological lesson.After hearing Ye Feng's reason for coming, Holland smiled slightly: "Ye, why don't you talk about it yourself? I think you did a good job in counseling Love last time, so why did you come to me directly this time? Why don't you talk about it in private? Wouldn't it be over if we had a meal with everyone?"

Ye Feng stammered and said: "Because...you usually...behave...too much..." Holland was taken aback for a moment, then laughed loudly: "You kid thought I was also dazed by those reports Out of your mind?" Ye Feng rubbed his head, nodded hesitantly.Holland restrained his smile and said seriously: "I'm only happy because the team's performance this season is quite good, which gave me the hope of competing for the championship, not because the media blows me up as a wise man who plans strategies. I have also been in this league for 13 years. From Northern Arizona to Pittsburgh and then to UCLA, I have reached peaks and encountered troughs. The media is just looking at them. But I am curious, as a big Freshman, how did you get out of this flattering atmosphere?"

Ye Feng smiled awkwardly, but did not answer.Holland waved his hand and said, "If you don't want to say it, forget it. You go and inform everyone that the meeting will be held at the old place at [-] o'clock tonight. Everyone must be present. You are not allowed to ask for leave, even if you come up with an impeccable reason!" Ye Feng nodded, turned and left.Seeing his receding back, Holland smiled gratifiedly, and began to rummage through the pile of newspapers in front of him.

At 7:55 p.m., all the Bruins players came to the so-called old place—a large multimedia conference room specially allocated by the school for the team to use. A newspaper was placed on the table in front of each seat.Although the title is different, the report on UCLA has been deliberately underlined, so that people can see the words that can be boring to death at a glance.Seeing that the coach hadn't come yet, everyone discussed with each other the contents of the newspaper.

"You see, this newspaper has high expectations for us, 'UCLA may win their 12th NCAA championship trophy in team history this season. You must know that they won the championship last time in 1995. These guys are very good. Opportunity to replicate the feats of predecessors.'”

"My God, I never thought I was such a good player in their eyes,' the team's Luke Richard Mbah a Moute is probably the most reliable stalwart of the entire team, although He's a perimeter player, but his great defense is what keeps UCLA at the top of the division right now.'”

"'Bob Enrique, the freshman who just entered the team, although he has not been able to occupy a starting position for the time being, we can still see his talent from the limited playing time. When he gets to the NBA, he should be the next man at the helm of UCLA', damn it, you can say that... But I love him, and I'd love to take the team forward next year."

When Holland walked into the conference room, almost everyone's faces were flushed with excitement, except for Ye Feng and Westbrook, even Love was quite excited.Looking at the team members who pretended to be sitting upright, Holland smiled and asked, "Have you all seen the newspaper I put on the table?" As soon as he finished speaking, everyone rushed to answer: "Yes. , Coach, it’s really exciting to watch." "Yes, I feel that we can already compete for the championship, haha!" "Those reporters sitting on the sidelines are still a bit level, I think what they write is very good. In place."

The smile on Holland's face disappeared, and he slapped the stack of newspapers in his hand on the table vigorously, and said bitterly: "These are also praises for you, but if you If you feel complacent, then we will become the biggest joke of the NCAA this season!" He took a breath and continued: "I know our team is very strong, and I see everyone's performance, but we are really like them. Is it as invincible as you said? Wrong, at least we have lost and struggled on the verge of life and death. If anyone thinks that we can rest easy after winning half of the competition in this division, I must tell him, you If you think too much, people with this kind of mentality will not end well.”

"The final championship comes from one victory after another. Now we are not qualified to win the championship. You must know that the championship is a cruel single-match elimination system. These newspapers and so on, let them go slowly Blow it, I have only one request for you, and that is the victory of the next game, people's eyes, don't always look at the unpredictable distance, but see clearly the road under your feet." With the last sound, Huo The newspapers in front of Rand were flying all over the sky, and his rigid and cold face was exposed in the gaps.

(End of this chapter)