Superstar Tyreke

Chapter 37
Returning to Sacramento from Salt Lake City, the next game will face the Houston Rockets.

After team practice the day before the game, Coach Westphal called Tyreke to a halt.

"Tyreke, I have a few words with you"

Tyreke, who took Cousins' car to train today, glanced at Cousins ​​and said, "The coach is looking for me, you go back, I'll take a taxi back later."

Although Cousins ​​was outspoken, he also knew that Tyreke's performance in these two games was not good, so he could naturally think of the purpose of the coach looking for him, so he couldn't help but look at Tyreke with self-seeking eyes, and looked at Tyreke. He nodded.

"What is the coach looking for?" Tyreke knew in his heart what Coach Westphal would say, and it must be related to his performance in these two games. Although his mood was a bit complicated, he still had a smile on his face.

"Tyreke, come here." Coach Westphal put his arms around Tyreke's shoulders, and the two walked to the side bench and sat down side by side.

"Tyreke, you should be able to guess what I'm going to tell you. I think you're completely out of shape in these two games!?" Coach Westphal asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"After all, he just came back from injury, and his condition is not very good."

"Tyreke, let me tell you the truth. As a bystander, I can clearly see your hesitation on the field. As a professional athlete who has been fighting for a long time, facing this level of injury, it is logical It shouldn't be like this at all, your current state on the court is as if you have just experienced a serious injury such as a severe fracture or a torn cruciate ligament, and you are extremely concerned about the injury and are timid!" Coach Westphal's voice gradually became stricter.

"It's not a problem with your physical function, but a problem with your mentality! Although I don't know why you are like this, but if you continue to hesitate on the court and can't do your best, it will be your own harm! "

What coach Westphal said, Tyreke knew it in his heart, but coach Westphal didn't know that Tyreke had never experienced an injury in his mind, and no one could personally feel Tyreke's feelings for him. Injury concerns, he hesitated and said: "Coach, I may have to adapt again."

"The team doesn't have time to adapt now!" Coach Westphal, who didn't know Tyreke's unspeakable secrets, scolded loudly.

Tyreke couldn't help being surprised. Coach Westphal took a deep breath and said slowly again: "Tyreke, the team is now ranked 9th in the Western Conference and has a chance to hit the playoffs this season. Since 05, the team has -After entering the playoffs in the 06th place in the Western Conference in the 8 season, it has not entered the playoffs for 4 years. Now there are 22 games before the end of the regular season. To enter the playoffs, you must fight every game, but no The extra time is for you to make adjustments on the court."

"Although the team's hope of reaching the playoffs is inseparable from your performance in the first half of the season, the professional league is cruel. Even if you are the star player of the team, we all have to fight for the ball. For the sake of the team, at this moment, what we need is for you to continue your previous performance! You have seen Marcus’s recent performance. If it weren’t for him, the team may not have won the last few games. What the team needs This is the performance, so the coaching staff decided to start Marcus in the next game!"

Hearing what Coach Westphal said, Tyreke couldn't help asking: "Marcus is starting, so what did you mean by coaching me today..."

"Don't worry, you're the star of the team and I'm not going to put you on the bench for two games. However, if you're slow to start, the team needs Marcus to score, so I hope you can Being on the court with Marcus."

"What do you mean...?" A bad premonition came to Tyreke's heart.

"I won't beat around the bush anymore. With your physical condition, I need you to be the third position. Although your height is disadvantageous, your wingspan is good enough. Francisco and Omi in the third position of the team are average. , your effect in the third position will not be worse than theirs."

"No! I will never play the third position!" Before Coach Westphal could finish speaking, Tyreke stood up and sternly refused.

In Tyreke's past memory, part of the reason for his decline was that he was arranged to play the third position, against taller and stronger opponents. It has caused frequent occurrence of own injuries.Now I have not escaped the fate of being assigned to play the third position, but I will never agree to play the third position!
Seeing such a fierce reaction from Tyreke, Coach Westphal also became angry. It still didn't occur to him that a second-year player in Tyreke would directly disobey the arrangement.Thinking that Tyreke is the star of the team after all, he also stood up and stared at Tyreke, suppressing his anger and asked: "Terreke, why don't you want to try to play the third position?"

Tyreke said solemnly: "My current state is not good, but I will never play the third position. If I play the third position with my height, I will lose my advantage on the court, and it will change. I have become a weaker person, which increases my risk of injury even more, can't you see that?!"

Even being contradicted, coach Westphal was also angry. He shouted loudly: "Injured? Tyreke, I really don't know that you are so afraid of confrontation. A small injury will make you unable to play the ball." Okay, where is your professionalism?! With Marcus’ current state, it is imperative for him to start, and Benno’s starting position will not change. Even if you are not in good shape, I can see that Your role on the field is still higher than that of Francisco and Omi. Now that you are assigned to play the third position, in addition to maximizing the strength of the team's lineup, isn't it also to allow you to have more playing time to adjust?! You still Tell me here that you are injured?! You played well in the first half of the season, but this is no reason for your disobedience! If you are not playing well now, you are not entitled to privileges! I am the coach of the team , What do I ask you to do, all you have to do is obey!"

After all, coach Westphal ignored Tyreke and left the training hall
That night, Tyreke received a call from the team's general manager, Petri.

"Hey, Tyreke!"

"Mr. Petry, hello."

"Terek, I heard from Paul that he was looking for you today?"

"Yes, the coach did look for me."

"A small conflict broke out between you, right? Paul was also a legendary player. I believe he also had his consideration for letting you play the third position. You are the player I chose. I have always trusted you, and you You have lived up to my expectations of you, but Marcus is indeed worthy of a starting position with his recent performance. You should agree with this? If you insist on not playing the third position, what do you ask the coaching staff to do? "

Tyreke was silent for more than ten seconds, "What if I am willing to play as a substitute?"

(End of this chapter)