my golden age

Chapter 20 Rapid Growth

The skies over Los Angeles are overcast and humid, and a heavy rain is brewing.

The apartment Gao Fei rented was very close to the Staples Center, and he ran to the arena.

The equipment manager Wright was putting the jerseys the players will wear into the locker. When he saw Gao Fei coming in, he greeted him with a smile.

"Are you wearing a white jersey today?" Gao Fei hadn't worn this jersey in the game yet.

"The Spurs wear black jerseys tonight, white is more conspicuous, and it is not easy to make mistakes." Wright explained the reason for choosing a white jersey.

The narrator of the sports channel has returned to China and is explaining the whole process in the BJ studio.

Kobe was the second person to come to the arena. Seeing Gao Fei put on his white warm-up suit, he smiled and said, "You are not very good, but you are active enough."

After playing two games, Gao Fei felt that the NBA was mediocre, and he was much more confident than in the opening game. He smiled and said, "My level is about the same as yours."

Kobe laughed heartily, walked to the front of the locker, and put the briefcase he brought in another locker.As a head star, he has two lockers.

Goofy's locker was adjacent to his, and there were only hangers left in it.

"Are you going to dunk Duncan tonight?" Kobe took off his jacket and put on his jersey.

He followed the sports news and knew that fans and the media called Goofy an "artist"—a dunk artist.

"Duncan has good defensive habits," Gao Fei said calmly. "As long as he doesn't leave the penalty area, he will definitely be dunked. It's like death and paying taxes. It's inevitable."

"Boy, you are more arrogant now than before!" Kobe appreciated Gao Fei who was full of confidence at this time.

"No way, the opponent is too good." Gao Fei said with a smile.

"Confidence is a good thing, but you have to be careful of Bruce Bowen and Robert Horry. These two guys are not strong, but they are full of bad water." Kobe and the Spurs have played against each other many times. Abuse.

Gao Fei is the most dazzling rookie in this year, if he is targeted by Popovich, he may be at risk.

"Don't worry, I know how to dodge it." Gao Fei is the person who is least afraid of dirty moves, and if the opponent uses them, it will stimulate his fighting spirit.

Phil Jackson walked into the locker room, just in time to hear what Kobe and Goofy said about guarding against opponents, and said: "Besides being careful about Bruce Bowen, the most troublesome thing is how to defend Tim Duncan."

Duncan is called a power forward and has always been a center.He is more flexible than Yao Ming, and does not have O'Neal's free throw weakness. He has a calm mind and is still full of dominance after a serious knee injury.

The Lakers only have Kwame Brown and Chris Mim inside.Odom is tall enough to top the inside, but his playing style is more outside, and he can't match up with Duncan at all.

"There is no perfect lineup, otherwise the championship will be soft." Gao Fei is quite optimistic, "Since the inside is inferior, we can focus on the outside attack."

Phil Jackson was a little surprised, but he quickly reacted with a smile on his face: "I will give you the command and strive to establish an advantage in the early stage."

"I'm afraid it's a bit difficult." Gao Fei knew the strength of the Spurs, so he didn't have much confidence in taking the initiative.

"Where did the confidence go?" Kobe patted Gao Fei on the shoulder and said, "You have to believe that there is no one stronger than you on the court."

"I've always believed it."

"Since this is the case, it shouldn't be difficult to establish an early advantage." Phil Jackson said with a smile, "It depends on you at the beginning."

Away team locker room!
Popovich stood in front of the mobile blackboard and explained to the players what to pay attention to in the game.

"It goes without saying that Kobe will double-team decisively when necessary." Popovich pointed to the initials written on the blackboard and said, "Also, don't ignore the No. 6 player of the Lakers."

"Isn't he a rookie?" Ginobili's long hair fluttered and his face was quite handsome.

"In the first game, he contributed a lore, dunking Shaquille and Yao, and blocking Tracy head-on. Not only that, this guy averaged 9 assists per game in the first two games, so don't take it lightly." Popovich explained why the players Watch out for Goofy.

"He is very strong." Duncan usually seldom talks, and it is rare to praise others.

"At least in the assist list, there are not many people who rank high." Popovich said, "Tony, your average assists per game is 6, you can compare it."

"This kid has two brushes." Bruce Bowen is a defensive engineer, and he will often defend the opponent's arrow figure.

"Bruce, you need to match up with Kobe. As for Gao, leave it to Michael Finley first."

Michael Finley was curious about eating melons, but he didn't expect this task to fall on him.

"Yes, coach." He knew Popovich's temper and could only meet the task.

Players who have watched the video of the game know Gao Fei's athletic ability and core strength.Finley is not a top player and basically has no confidence in dealing with Gao Fei.

The sudden sense of powerlessness in his heart made Finley realize more clearly how terrible Gao Fei is.

The Staples Center gradually fills up with spectators.

Many Hollywood stars came to watch another game of the Lakers live.Although the Spurs are strong, they believe in the Lakers unconditionally.

The live performance was wonderful, causing bursts of booing cheers.

The sound came into the locker room, making the players look forward to entering the show.

Kwame Brown is responsible for defending Duncan and is quite nervous.He is not good at words and cannot tell his emotions to his teammates.

Gao Fei walked up to Kwame Brown and said relaxedly, "Kwame, do you still remember what Phil said at the season mobilization meeting?"

Kwame Brown is dull and lacks self-confidence, but what happened a few days ago can still be remembered: "We ushered in a new opportunity and set sail again."

"More importantly, we are on the same boat and moving towards a common goal. I have learned about your past and choose to believe in you."

"I don't have much offensive ability, and I can't understand tactics, so I'm not trustworthy." Kwame Brown denied himself first.

Gao Fei smiled and said: "No, I read the scouting report, and almost everyone said that you are a low-post defensive master. Whether it is Tim Duncan or Shaquille O'Neal, you can reduce their efficiency."

Kwame Brown did not speak.

"The game has two parts, offense and defense. You don't have to think about offense, just do what you are good at."

"If you pass the ball to me and I miss the ball, will you blame me?" Because of this problem, Kwame Brown was often booed.

"Your memory is like a fish." Gao Fei laughed, "You don't need to think about offense, just focus on defense and rebounding."

"Understood." Kwame Brown remembered the scene when Gao Fei first arrived, and felt that he was a completely different person compared to this moment.He is very envious of this growth rate.

"You are responsible for defending Tim Duncan of the Spurs. You are designated to be at a disadvantage. Don't worry, just defend with all your strength."

"Okay." Kwame Brown had to agree.

"If you can't defend, we will forcefully carry. This game will definitely not lose." Kobe walked over, trying to be more tolerant of Kwame Brown like Goofy.

(End of this chapter)