Basketball's best forward and guard

Chapter 3 [Competition]

After rubbing the back of his head vigorously, Jiang Hao picked up the basketball and left the scene. For him, this was undoubtedly a very aggrieved period of time.

But after many years of practice on the court with a calm mind, he told himself deeply that for the sake of life, he had to choose to be patient in many cases.

.........

The next day, Jiang Hao got up at dawn. For some reason, he felt dizzy and slapped him hard. After a few hard slaps, he walked out of the rental house. For the next few days, the Austin Spurs had no game schedule, so His plan is to go to the gym to train.

If luck is a bit better, he still has the opportunity to play training matches with those first-team players. Don't underestimate training matches, sometimes it can really help Jiang Hao, at least Jiang Hao thinks so.

"Jiang, I'm sorry"

Sean rubbed his sleepy eyes, and then walked out of the rental house.

Jiang Hao waved his hand immediately, expressing that he was fine, Sean treated him well enough, this month's rent has been delayed until now, Sean didn't say anything.

Of course, this is mainly because the two-way contract worth $6 signed by the Spurs and him is not a one-time payment.

.........

"Greg, this is the result of my communication with Kawhi's team. Obviously, Kawhi's injury is not optimistic. It is conservatively estimated that he will not be able to return to the game within three months."

In the conference room on the second floor of the Spurs training facility, general manager RC Buford rubbed his slightly tired temples. During this period of time, his life rhythm was really crazy.

Looking at all the regular seasons of the San Antonio Spurs in the past 20 seasons, when has the San Antonio Spurs encountered such a predicament at the beginning of the season?

With the team's poor record and the precarious playoffs, especially the overwhelming pressure of public opinion, Buford felt that he was going crazy.

"Man, objectively speaking, Kawhi's absence is only one of the factors for our poor record. The most fundamental problem is the overall aging of the team. Obviously, we have a lot of work to do next. Rudy's paragraph The time was not ideal." Gregg Popovich took a sip of red wine, and the old man looked tired.

The so-called "a clever woman can't cook without rice" is probably the truth. When your team's talent is limited, no matter how you dig it, it will be half the effort after all.

"By the way, how about Derek, you were the one who helped select him in the draft"

Buford seemed to have remembered something, and immediately asked.

"He is a good seed for a defensive leader, but it is clear that his NBA career has not really started. Before that, he needs to hone in Austin for a longer time"

Popovich is very optimistic about Derek White, but his years of coaching career have told him that he should not be anxious about rookies. Sometimes, a spontaneous outbreak can often make people shine.

"Well, you said at the beginning that this kid is expected to take over Manu's position. In this way, we can form a youth combination of Dejounte + Derek in the backcourt. So old man, I think at this stage we It's time to focus on the front line, especially the small forward position, if Kawhi can't return to the game in three months, and Rudy continues to be unable to play at his normal level, then there will be no one available for this position."

"By the way, how is the situation of that China Jiang? Last week I talked with the head coach of Austin. It seems that the guy's state is very unstable, and his performance in the development league is also very average. Maybe he is not suitable for the NBA." Bufu De shook his head. He felt sorry for Jiang Hao. From his personal feelings, he liked the peaceful Chinese boy very much, but from the interests of the team, he could only let him leave after the contract expired.

"You can figure it out. Chinese players can look forward to it on the inside. It's a pity that Monk (Battelle) was a pity. As for Chinese defenders, their physical confrontation and basic skills can't even reach the average level of the league."

Maybe it touched the memories deep in his heart. Popovich's mind came to the unpretentious Chinese boy many years ago. He was originally a Chinese player who he was very optimistic about, but it was a pity that he had to give up because of some reasons.

"Okay, Greg, it's time for me to leave. Before that, I wish the team a victory against Memphis tomorrow night. We have lost four in a row."

Buford then got up and left the meeting room. He was going to Europe in the afternoon. In the Spanish league, there was a very good striker. He had to check it out himself.

…………

The training hall on the first floor, the training hall in the morning seemed a bit empty. Jiang Hao has been here for more than an hour, and there are no other players except for Dejounte Murray and Derek White.

Relatively speaking, Jiang Hao is more familiar with Murray and White. First of all, they are all rookies, and second, they all played together in Austin, especially White. Jiang Hao and him have been playing side by side for a month.

After Jiang Hao finished his physical training in the weight room, he came to the court immediately. He wanted to practice his shooting, especially the three-pointer.

In the NCAA, Jiang Hao's three-point shooting percentage is 32.2%. For a forward player, especially in today's small ball era, this shooting percentage is a bit low.

Jiang Hao once suspected that he was reluctantly selected until the end of the second round of the draft, which may be related to this. After all, as a swingman, he still has a certain foundation on the defensive end.If his shooting percentage on the outside can be improved, he has a chance to become the most popular 3D player in the league.

But for more than a month, what made Jiang Hao dumbfounded was that the more he paid attention to practicing three-pointers, the more miserable his shooting rate was. The 29.6% three-pointer shooting rate made Jiang Hao feel like crying without tears. I feel that this is also the main reason why he is getting worse and worse in the development league.

"Dejounte, are you also practicing three-pointers?"

Jiang Hao said hello to Murray. This guy looks like a strengthened version of himself. He is very talented and good on the defensive end, but his shooting is flawed, especially outside shooting.

But this guy was able to be selected in the first round. Obviously, as a big point guard, his talents in all aspects are undoubtedly better.

"Jiang, let's try a three-point shot. In 2 minutes, see who makes more shots. The bet is to wash the training clothes."

The reason why Murray wanted to compete with Jiang Hao for three-pointers on a whim was that on the one hand, he felt a little boring and wanted to have fun. On the other hand, he knew Jiang Hao's three-pointer ability. I will not lose.

"All right"

Jiang Hao nodded. He couldn't refuse Murray, because this guy's future in the Spurs was guaranteed, and he had to perform as "high EQ" as possible. Besides, even if he lost, it was fine.

I don't know when, Popovich's figure appeared in front of the railing outside the meeting room on the second floor.

(End of this chapter)