Start coaching the Thunder, starting with Westbrook

Chapter 33
Russell Westbrook was the No. 08 rookie selected by the Sonics in 4. To be precise, he was actually the last draft pick of the Sonics, but his rookie season was spent in Oklahoma, because Bennett reached an agreement with Seattle in 08 to relocate the team to Oklahoma City.

In other words, Westbrook was really grown up by Oklahoma City fans from scratch, and this feeling is of course unusual.

Probably this is why, compared to Durant, Westbrook is more popular with Oklahoma City fans, because he is the star who is really being watched by them step by step.

Not to mention his violent style of play, flying to the sky, James, who is known as the point guard, is definitely a box office guarantee for a team.

If he can play in the Thunder until he retires, he might not be able to become the totem of Oklahoma City like Curry. Of course, it’s hard to say if he can’t achieve results, because this league is realistic, and so are the bosses and fans. In such a real world, it’s not enough to just talk about feelings.

Westbrook was an undoubted superstar player at his peak. Even if his MVP season was questioned and his first round of the playoffs was ridiculed, but a triple-double performance in a single season, multiple lore and terrifying statistics, anyone who has watched the game will recognize his toughness.

However, Westbrook can be regarded as a member who relies on his body and is then ruined by injuries. At least he may never have reached his true peak.

The origin of all this has to be traced back to the second game of the first round of this year's playoffs. Westbrook was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee after being injured by "Mad Dog" Beverly at home. After undergoing surgery, he directly announced his season reimbursement.

Since then, Westbrook's right knee has been injured continuously, and he underwent three surgeries in the next six months. Although he performed extremely well after returning from each surgery, he was jokingly called "returning to the factory for an upgrade" by fans and the media, but the impact of this injury still paved the way for his subsequent decline.

Now Westbrook is 25 years old and is on the rise. Of course, there is no such trouble, but this injury also casts a shadow over his new season, so Barkley believes that the Thunder may choose to give up this season because of Westbrook's injury. It will be very marketable.

Although Presti came out to refute the rumors, saying that Westbrook's recovery is progressing well and he will definitely be able to play in the new season, but everyone obviously only wants to see what they want to see.

In particular, his violent style of play is indeed very dependent on the body, and it is reasonable to have doubts caused by serious injuries. If he did not use "return to the factory to upgrade" to break the doubts, he would have been underestimated a few years ago.

As for the Thunder's temporary coaching change, Westbrook's reaction was much more intense than Durant's calmness.

After receiving the news, he was recovering from the injury at home, and he came to Orlando within two days, just to meet and talk with Li Sheng.

At this time, he saw Li Sheng turned around and saw that he just nodded indifferently, clearly expressing his displeasure.

Of course, this displeasure is definitely not aimed at Li Sheng. After all, he can be said to be "upright", or he can be said to be reckless, but he is not really brainless.

Otherwise, where did he come from such a good popularity? Even in the failed season with the Lakers, everyone would not be able to tell what was wrong with him off the court.

Compared with Durant, who often had conflicts with his former teammates, except for the Lakers, Westbrook and the team can be regarded as getting together and breaking up.

He was unhappy with the team's resignation of Brooks, and he also had doubts about the rookie head coach Li Sheng, but he also knew that the boss made the decision.

In fact, he had already talked with Bennett and confirmed that it was indeed his idea, so he would not completely vent his anger on Li Sheng.

It's just that he still has a lot of doubts about Li Sheng's ability. Although Brooks' coaching has been criticized by the outside world, after all, he grew up with them. The relationship is different, and naturally there are different filters.

"Hey MAN, listen, I'm not here to hold anyone accountable, we all know it's something that happens every day in this league. Just want to tell you that if you want to get the approval of the fans, you better be able to win all the time.

"Maybe it starts with this summer league!"

Westbrook's expression was very serious, and Udoka, Collins, and the players around them all looked at each other in blank dismay, silent.

One is the head coach and the other is the core of the team. Neither of them can afford to be provoked, but they dare not venture into this muddy water.

This first meeting didn't seem very pleasant, but it was understandable. On the contrary, the meeting with Durant before was quite peaceful, which surprised Li Sheng.

So he didn't look angry at all at this time, but smiled, and then said to Westbrook: "Thank you for the reminder, but we are already on the same boat. We all want to win and need to win, don't we? I think this is not my task alone."

Westbrook frowned. At this moment, the intermission ended, the whistle sounded, and the game was about to restart. Li Sheng immediately stood up and called the players to his side, and quickly ordered them according to the discussion with Udoka before.

It is mainly due to some problems in the first half. It is difficult to say in terms of coordination, but some low-level mistakes and paying attention to the positioning of teammates are points that can be improved in the second half.

Of course, Li Sheng also pointed out the performance of Brother Antetokounmpo, asking him to make persistent efforts in the second half.

In the first half, Antetokounmpo scored 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, with only one turnover. This game seems to be heading for a triple-double.

As long as he stabilizes his mentality, even if the Magic switch defense in the second half, Li Sheng believes that he can hold back.

The Thunder were not so accurate from outside today, which is also the reason why the point difference could not be further widened. The opponent's three-pointer is more accurate than the own side, but this is not a problem of the opponent's defense, it is purely a problem of touch, so in the second half, Li Sheng still encouraged them to take bold shots when they have open opportunities.

"James, Andre, don't lose your confidence. You can get back your hand at any time. Don't waste the offensive opportunities that Giannis has worked so hard to win. Otherwise, those guys on TNT will have to say that Giannis is not only bad for himself, but also for his teammates."

"Hahaha……"

What to say depends on the occasion. In the first half, the team took the lead, the atmosphere was good, and Antetokounmpo performed well. I felt a little proud. Li Sheng said this more like helping him to fight the injustice. Everyone will only think that such a coach is reliable and worth working hard for.

And Antetokounmpo will also inspire confidence, and maintaining a good attitude is the first step to success.

Then the players of the two teams started the second half of the game. In the first offensive round, Li Sheng saw that the Magic had changed. Obviously, if they could win, they still wanted to fight for it. No one wanted to lose the game easily.

In the first round of the Thunder, the Eagles attacked again. Ennis cut to the basket, but the Magic immediately switched defenses to ensure that someone could keep up with them at any time, and it happened to stick to the other side, blocking Antetokounmpo's passing route.

Ennis ran around in a circle, Antetokounmpo broke through to the basket at the same time, and Oladipo was defending him. The Magic did not choose to double-team, but let Audi defend alone.

At this time, Antetokounmpo naturally couldn't pass it out, so he leaned on Audi and leaned on him for a layup. Oladipo tried his best to interfere, but there was a gap in height and wingspan. Although the ball was not scored, it still caused a foul.

Although the Magic changed their defensive strategy, the effect seems to be unsatisfactory.

Brother Antetokounmpo has obviously gained confidence!
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(End of this chapter)