NBA: Start the water cooler and reach the Hall of Fame

In such an atmosphere that most people are not optimistic about, the Memphis players were not affected, but turned off their social media and concentrated on training.

Pastner himself seems to have realized that he and Stevens have a gap like a natural moat, so he also started to fly first, and went to the small dark room with the coaching staff all day long, watching the video of Butler University's game.

Apart from putting all his thoughts on the competition, Li Kaiming just used text messages and phone calls with Jiang Shan and his uncle. He didn't care about anything else. Even the most face-saving reporters would just wave their hands when they met. , Tell them to ask questions at the press conference before the game.

Stevens, who is known as a strict military leader, naturally would not let his team members speak loudly outside, so the silence between the two sides was maintained until April 4rd.

The pre-match press conference was held as scheduled. The popularity of the ncaa semifinals was not comparable to that of the competitions in the division. At this time, the nba playoffs had just begun, and the popularity was far less than that of the March Madness semifinals. Therefore, most of America's The sports media all set their sights on the semifinals in Indianapolis.

In particular, today's two games are held separately, that is, only one game is going on at the same time, and the result is that almost all the famous media have come to the pre-match press conference.

As soon as Li Kaiming entered the scene of the press conference, he was startled by the crowded scene in front of him. He was already prepared for this, but he was still stunned by the number of reporters on the scene.

Today's Pastner also rarely shaved his beard. Before that, he spent four or five days in a row formulating tactics all night long. He didn't have time to pay attention to his personal image. The beautiful white men in their early thirties turned into a man who looked in his 40s. Sloppy middle-aged man.

He moved the microphone for a while, then looked up at the reporter, indicating that he could start asking questions.

As soon as his voice fell, most of the reporters raised their hands in an instant. Pastner ordered a reporter from CBS to give them face. After all, the official broadcast rights of the NCAA were in their hands.

And this reporter did not waste Pastner's precious first time, and immediately raised the question that people are most concerned about, "The outside world is not optimistic about Memphis, what do you think? Will you formulate targeted tactics for Butler? ?”

Pastner nodded, "The outside world is not optimistic about us, it will only become our motivation. We have been training hard and never pay attention to external comments. As for my tactics, I can only tell you that the tactics against Butler There must be, but I can't reveal a word at the press conference!"

Everyone at the scene laughed!

Pastner's interview ended quickly, and then the reporters focused on Li Kaiming and Williams, especially Li Kaiming, who could liven up every pre-match press conference.

Faced with similar questions from reporters, Li Kaiming shrugged helplessly, "As my coach said, we don't pay attention to the outside world's evaluation of us, we pay more attention to ourselves. If you ask me if I have any respect for myself Confidence, then I definitely have it, and it’s very satisfying!”

Butler’s interviews were not bad either. Stevens and Haywood are not the kind of people who like to speak harshly. They prefer to show their full strength in the game. Therefore, most of their answers are Kudos to Memphis.

Looking at this pre-match interview, the reporters all know that in the semi-finals, it may be difficult to have the kind of explosive news before. All teams will ask their players to pay attention to their words and will not leave anything for the outside world. The handle of the article.

And the first game of the semi-finals kicked off at [-]:[-] pm under the attention of millions of people across the country.

10 minutes before the game, on the big screen at Lucas Oil Stadium, the starting lineups of both sides were played as usual.

University of Memphis Tigers: Point guard Willie Kemp, shooting guard Elliott Williams, small forward Daniel Mack, power forward Wesley Weatherspoon, center Kaiming Lee.

Butler Bulldogs: Point guard Zach Hahn, shooting guard Grant Leendecker, power forward Matt Howard, small forward Gordon Haywood, center Andrew Smith.

Brad Stevens has blond curly hair and a black suit standing straight on the sidelines, with a pair of deep eyes on the bridge of his nose, looking calmly at the field.

On the other side of the arena is Pastner in a gray suit. Two young and handsome head coaches in their 30s met in the national semifinals. It was a spectacle from afar.

The commentator of this field, I don't know what CBS thinks, but actually sent the "turtle commentator" Koslov, an opponent that Li Kaiming's fans are already very familiar with!

Of course, the guests at the scene are also heavyweights. Former NBA player Matt Brad and CBS famous basketball commentator Sharp are also sitting in the commentary booth.

After seeing the starting lineups of the two teams on the screen, Koslov was the first to open the conversation, "You two, the starting lineups of Memphis and Butler University have not changed, what do you think?"

Nonsense, what else can I see?With your eyes, of course!

Matt Brad sorted out his thoughts, and then said slowly, "Before the game, I participated in the ESPN program. My opinion and the program have not changed much. It is not easy for Memphis to get here, but this Maybe it's their last match!"

Sharp on the side also echoed, "Yes, I think so too. It's not that Memphis is not strong, they are very strong, but their lineup is too unbalanced, and the coach is also a shortcoming!"

Koslov nodded and asked another question, "What do you think of Li Kaiming's performance today?"

Still here!Matt Brad and Sharp looked at each other, and then there were wry smiles on their faces.

Koslov's attitude towards Li Kaiming is well known to Sima Zhaozhi, and asking such a question now is undoubtedly digging a hole for them.

The current Li Kaiming is not the previous Li Kaiming. He must be able to land in the NBA as a lottery pick, and even the number one pick is possible. Facing such a potential star who is in the sky, Matt Brad and Sharp will naturally not easily offend the former.

Moreover, as two people who have been working in the media field for many years, they can vaguely feel that Li Kaiming's current popularity is not only because of his own performance, but also behind the invisible scenes, there is another big hand. drives all of this.

To possess such terrifying energy, the people behind the scenes must not be able to offend them!

But Koslov asked this question again in full view, and the two of them had to answer, so they remained silent for a long time. Finally, Sharp came forward and answered Koslov's question.

"There is no doubt about Li Kaiming's strength. In my opinion, he should be one of the few strengths of Memphis, and his performance will also determine the trend of the game!"

As soon as the words fell, Koslov's face on the opposite side became gloomy!

These two damn guys!He didn't give him any face at all!Praise Li Kaiming in front of him!

"Congratulations to Jokic and the Nuggets, the first time in team history to enter the finals! Please vote by the way~"