Chapter 38 [Battle of Revenge]
After a big deal, Ye Feng slept beautifully in the luxurious guest room. Since he left a good way out for his future, there was no pressure. Next, he just had to work hard to improve his football skills. In the NBA players, there are many people who have switched to five teams in their careers. He likes Los Angeles and doesn't want to live a wandering life.
After breakfast, Ailier sent Ye Feng to training, and she was very happy all the way. When she arrived outside the stadium, she asked, "When will you finish your training in the afternoon? I'll pick you up in the evening and have supper together."
Ye Feng smiled and said, "At five o'clock, your problem has been solved, so you have to treat me to a good meal."
"no problem."
That night, Alil ordered a table at the best Chinese restaurant in Los Angeles, and it was a candlelight dinner. This move attracted reporters to take photos. The next day, the media broke the news that Ye Feng went to the villa to meet his parents, and the relationship between the two "heats" again, and Ye Feng was questioned more. The Clippers were highly suspected of letting go, and it also triggered speculation whether Ye Feng would switch to the Clippers after the end of the season.
Whether Ye Feng is really capable or whether the Clippers players allow him to swipe data will soon be concluded. The Lakers' next opponent is the Phoenix Suns, the only team in the Pacific region that can threaten them.
This is a highly anticipated revenge battle. The Lakers were eliminated by the Suns in the first round of the playoffs for two consecutive seasons. Last season was eliminated 4-1, and in 2006, he was reversed by the Suns while leading 3-1. In the second half of the seventh game, Kobe was still angry. At that time, because Jackson said that Kobe made too many moves and played too independently, Kobe gave up on the move in anger, and only scored 2 points in the second half, and the Lakers lost the game with a big score. After this game, many people also doubted Kobe's professional attitude and character.
The two teams have become enemies since then. Now when they mention the Suns, Kobe is so angry that he hates them.
The Suns are not in good condition this season. In the summer, veteran Grant Hill has only introduced to the free market to strengthen the lineup, but the personnel have not changed much, and some discord factors have occurred in the team.
The main reason for the contradiction is the "hacker" Sean Marion. This four-time All-Star player and the new general manager Steve Cole, who is developing in thrift, has already had a big crack.
Marion is now the Suns' salary tycoon. His salary this season is as high as 16.4 million, and his salary next season will reach a terrifying $17.8 million. Such a huge salary has also become one of the reasons why the team wants to trade him to leave the team. It is rumored that the greedy Marion is not satisfied with the Suns' failure to renew his contract so far, and asked the Suns' top leaders for a three-year, $60 million super contract.
Marion averaged 15.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 2 steals per game this season. It is not obvious from the data that he is worth an annual salary of 20 million. Maybe he is compared with Lewis of the Magic.
The other two core players of the Suns performed much better than Marion. Amare Stadamar scored 25 points, 9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2 blocks in 34 minutes; two regular season MVP winner Steve Nash played 35 minutes, 17 points, 3.4 rebounds and 11 assists, with amazing efficiency.
The Suns have superstars, but the only role players can rely on are Grant Hill, Laga Bale, Boris Dior, Lindro Barbosa. The other players are too poor. The main players will be reduced by two levels in one game. They are currently ranked sixth in the Western Conference.
The Lakers also rely mainly on three players. Kobe 28.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.8 steals. Odom 14.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal. Bynum 13 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2 blocks. The Lakers' main advantage lies in the substitute. After Ye Feng entered the rotation lineup, they gained the upper hand in the "bench lineup" competition in several consecutive games.
As soon as he entered the locker room, Ye Feng found that the old team members were discussing something in the corner and laughed from time to time.
Seeing him coming, Fisher cursed his smile and said, "Ye, coach asked me to inform you that you should take the lead in the game during the warm-up at the beginning. Because you played the best in the game."
"Really? No problem." Ye Feng nodded and agreed. He did not expect there was a conspiracy and his teammates wanted to make an international joke with him.
When they were about to enter the court, Ye Feng took the lead and rushed out. The fans cheered warmly, but none of the teammates followed him out. They ran back to the locker room and left him alone on the court.
In the audience, someone took the lead and shouted "Hungry Wolf"! The sound of "Hungry Wolf" sounded at the Staples Arena.
Ye Feng simply stopped walking back, walked straight to the center of the court, waved his hands to the stands, took a basketball on the sidelines, and patted it gently. He decided to perform, and drove the ball towards the half-court representing the visiting team, and dunked it into the basket! He often practiced this move, and as long as no one defended it, he could do it perfectly.
After dunking, the audience cheered and applauded louder. Ye Feng took the ball and left the three-point line, threw the basketball high, chased and jumped up, and flew on his back and successfully caught it.
The Lakers' home atmosphere was completely motivated, and Ye Feng turned his pre-match warm-up into his own dunk performance.
The idea was made by Odom, but it didn't work as expected. He stood at the player's channel and sighed: "This kid is different from other newcomers."
Fisher laughed: "Do you like the kind of player who can't play a few games and hit the rookie wall? He does have the capital to be confident, but he's just performing too strongly."
Who doesn't like someone who dares to provoke Garnett who can fly over the top of a person's head and dunk? Kobe didn't say anything, and a smile appeared on his face. They originally wanted to wait a few minutes before coming out, but now all the limelight is about to be snatched by Ye Feng alone, why are they still stable? The players quickly appeared together to warm up.
The two live commentators of this game were Sunderland and Meyers, two miserable guys. Thankless, it is the most suitable adjective to describe their current working situation. There is no doubt that they are also very skilled commentators. Unfortunately, they were all Lakers fans in their seats, Chick Hearn. In 1961, Hearn began to comment on the Lakers' games, which lasted until 2002, for 41 years, from Elkin Baylor to Jerry West, from "Sky Hook" Jabbar to "Magic" Johnson, and then to the O'Neal and Kobe's combination, it witnessed every brilliant moment of the Lakers, and continuously explained the Lakers' 3,000 games. Many Lakers fans grew up listening to Hearn's voice.
Sunderland and Meyers can’t blame themselves, they can only blame their ex for doing too well. No matter how good they do, fans think it’s right, but once they don’t do it well, fans will think of Hearn. It’s thankless! It will take time for Sunderland and Meyers to be accepted by fans.
Sunderland looked at the roster and said: "The Lakers still don't plan to let Ye Feng start in this game. He should already have the ability to start. Why don't the Lakers let him play to defend Marion?"
Meyers said: "He is now like Ginobili of the Spurs. The Lakers hope he leads the team's offense in the second quarter. Marion's offensive ability this season has declined. Maybe Jackson doesn't feel that it's necessary to disrupt the rhythm for the sake of the main defense."
Ye Feng is now willing to accept the position of substitute. If he starts, he will not get a few shots, but he will follow him and run back. His situation is very similar to Landry of the Rockets, and his substitute is far better than the starting player.
Suns starter center Stadameier, power forward Marion, small forward Hill, shooting guard Raja Bale, and point guard Nash.
Lakers center Bynum, power forward Odom, small forward Radmanovic, shooting guard Kobe, and point guard Fisher.
The game began. Bynum relied on his height and arm length to win the ball. Fisher passed the ball to Kobe and Kobe against Raja Bale from the outside. The two enemies met and were particularly jealous.
The two not only faced each other on the court, but also attacked and challenged each other off the court. In the fifth game of the 2006 playoffs, Bale played a throat-locking skill on Kobe and has since gained fame. Last season, he was selected for the league's best defensive team.
Bale leaned against Kobe and said lightly: "How many iron do you want to hit today?"
Kobe did not answer. It was not the first time he had a fight with Bale. Bale was very sinister. He first provoked. If the other party responded, he would reach out to steal the ball halfway through the words. Even if he couldn't steal, it would not make people feel comfortable to finish the words.
Kobe turned around and drove the ball to break through without waiting for Odom's pick-and-roll. Bale was close to him and blocked the breakthrough route. Kobe didn't take Bale seriously. He didn't need to respond to trash words, just prove it with actions.
Kobe was 198cm, Bale was 196cm, with weight and height. Kobe had the overall advantage. After starting, he squeezed Bale's body and broke through the inside. Odom and Bynum both pulled out, giving up space. Bale's ability to fight was very poor. Although he still followed, he could not stop Kobe from going deep into the basket. Seeing that Kobe was about to enter the basket, Marion stepped forward to make up for defense. Kobe transferred the ball back to Odom in time to the high position. When his teammates had a good position, Kobe was happy to pass the ball. Some people liked to say that he was alone, but could not see how his average five assists came from.
Odom made a high jump shot. 2 to 0.
Back on the defensive end, Kobe started to fight back and said to Bale: "Do you know why you are just a small character? Because you only chatter on the defensive end, and you can break through and score points at once to show me."
Bale was speechless. He was just a defensive player, and his offensive method was to shoot at a fixed point. He knew very well that he was far inferior to Kobe, and everyone on earth knew this. Kobe's words would have a much greater stimulation to him.
Nash relied on Stadamar's pick-and-roll to break through the inside and passed the ball to Marion, who was cutting the baseline by a mid-shot. Marion simply ran back and shook Radmanovic and entered the inside. Facing Bynum's block, he made a throw shot. 2-2.
Jackson shook his head slightly after watching this offense. Radmanovic's defense was so bad.
Chapter completed!