NBA: I am the card dealer

This is what's happening in the West right now.

The next day, the Lakers official website officially updated that Xue Liancheng will return in the next game against the Heat.

The Miami Heat currently have 36 wins and 9 losses, ranking first in the Eastern Conference. This is definitely one of the hardest rocks.

No one expected that Xue Liancheng would choose to come back in this game and challenge the Heat.

Reporters naturally flocked to the Lakers' training facility to interview Xue Liancheng.

Reporter: "Can you tell me why you chose to come back in the game against the Heat?"

Xue Liancheng said without hesitation: "After getting the review results, I worked hard on rehabilitation training. The reason why I chose the Heat is because the team doctor told me yesterday that I could play. I can't wait."

This is the truth.

If we don't come back, the Lakers may be gone this season!

How could he care so much?

Reporter: "Aren't you worried about your condition after the first game back?"

This question is very explicit.

Generally, when big-name stars come back from injury, they will choose some soft persimmons.

First, it is easier to win the game, which will prevent his image from being damaged and shape the style of The Return of the King.

It would be very embarrassing and humiliating to be defeated in the first game after returning.

After all, the team will lose just as much without you, so you are not as important as you think. The title of superstar seems a bit undeserved!

This is why many superstars need to find soft persimmons to squeeze when they come back.

Secondly, the defense of weak teams is not that strong, so it is easier to find form, rhythm, and confidence, and at the same time, it can also make one's personal performance look better.

What’s interesting here is naturally at the data level.

If you choose to come back against a strong team, such as the Heat, the defensive intensity will be quite suffocating.

Playing such a high-intensity game as soon as you come back will not only result in bad statistics, but it may also increase the chance of recurrence of old injuries.

This is yet another reason.

The reporters were so surprised, probably because they were worried about Xue Liancheng.

After all, I haven't touched the ball for more than half a year, and it will really make me sweat when I play such a hell-level game.

But Xue Liancheng disagreed: "I believe in myself."

No matter what, he still has three 0.6% hit skills to use, as well as dynamic images in his mind, prediction of seconds, and three-point blessing. These things will not disappear.

No matter how bad his condition is, he still believes that he can help the team.

Now, nothing is more important than winning.

The reporters' eyes changed slightly when they looked at Xue Liancheng. He was indeed a superstar!

Can face any opponent and never back down.

Reporter: "So, does the team have a time limit on you?"

Xue Liancheng: "There should still be some, but I believe it will not have any impact. I can still help the team in a limited time."

Reporter: "The Lakers' current record is very bad, with only 13 wins and 26 losses, and they are only ranked th in the Western Conference. So after you come back, are you confident in leading the team to the last train of the playoffs?"

Xue Liancheng: "There is no doubt that there will be brilliant sparks between me and George."

Here he mentioned George in order to tie the two of them up.

Don't let George's record get better by then, and George will be sprayed even worse.

Reporter: "So, what are your goals for the season?"

Xue Liancheng did not hesitate: "Compete for the championship."

Reporter: "Do you feel good now? If the team's performance is not as good as expected, how will you face the fans who support you?"

This question is quite acute.

It basically means: If you don't play well, or the team's record is still so poor, what should you, the face of the league, do?

Xue Liancheng: "We will not underestimate any opponent, but equally, we will not let any opponent underestimate us. The questions you raised will definitely not happen. I believe in George and I believe in my teammates. At the same time, I believe in myself more.”

He is so confident and arrogant.

He doesn't worry about the team's record at all, let alone his own personal data.

If his comeback does not bring immediate results, then he should worry about whether his golden thigh is broken.

It's that simple.

After Xue Liancheng's comeback was confirmed, Lakers fans were completely excited, and the slogan of the Northern Expedition was even shouted in China.

"The Northern Expedition begins..."

"Next, I'll let you see what is the true ability to lead a team."

"We are now third from the bottom in the league. Just look at it. There is absolutely no problem with a playoff spot. The top four is the goal."

"It's best not to meet the Spurs and Warriors in advance. Wait for Brother Shui to find his condition and take good care of his body."

"What are you worried about? As long as Brother Shui is here, we will be a championship team."

"That's right! Even if you are third from the bottom now, you may not necessarily be in the top three by then."

"Alliance, tremble..."

"Although Universe Yong is very strong, as long as Brother Shui is healthy, the Lakers are not afraid of anyone."

And amid the shouts.

There are also some fans who are calm.

"The current record is 13 wins and 26 losses, and we have played 39 games. Even if we have a 43% winning rate in the next 60 games, we will still win 26 games, with a total record of 39 wins and 43 losses. Even in the playoffs, It’s a bit suspenseful!”

"That's right, I don't know why those people are optimistic. They think that Xue Liancheng is really a god and can lead the Lakers to win 43 games in the next 40 games. The record is only 53 wins and 29 losses. Are you sure you can squeeze in? Top three, are you probably dreaming?"

"Anyway, this is really a hellish level of difficulty. I hope Brother Shui will be reimbursed for the season and take good care of his health first, so as not to ruin his reputation for the rest of his life."

"That's right! If we fail to reach the playoffs, our dominance will really be shaken."

"The Lakers are so bad now. If they can reach seventh place, that is already the limit."

"I think the top eight is pretty good. After all, the Lakers are 4 games behind the Kings, and further away from the seventh-placed Grizzlies, with 7.5 wins. It's really not easy to catch up! "

"It's not easy to say it's harder than climbing to the sky."

"So, eighth place is the Lakers' real goal. Don't even think about avoiding the Spurs and Warriors going forward."

"As long as they can enter the playoffs, the Warriors and Spurs will be scared. So the Lakers really shouldn't be too ambitious at this stage. As long as they play well, then everything is possible. After all, the championship requires absolute strength to go all the way."

And what these sensible fans are discussing is exactly what Xue Liancheng is worried about.

Isn't it because he saw that the team was really about to sink in that he came back in such a hurry?

They have played 39 games, and there are 43 more to come, and they need to reach a 42% winning rate, which is 29 wins, and need to win more games.

Only in this way can they be qualified to compete for this playoff spot.

Because according to historical trajectory, eighth place in the Western Conference this season means a winning rate of over 50%.