Rebirth of Hayes Cyclone

Chapter 10 [Blockbuster]

At the end of the preseason, some people are happy and some are worried.The Rockets waived Ryan Bowen, Casey Jacobson and Hayaz without accident.Bob Sura is waiting to return from the injured list, and the final 15-man roster for the regular season is as follows.

Center: Yao Ming, Mutombo.

Power forwards: Chuck Hayes, Juwan Howard, Novak.

Small forwards: Shane Battier, Padgett.

Shooting guards: Corunna Azubuike, Luther Hyde, Tracy McGrady, Kirk Snyder, Bunch Wells.

Point guard: Ralph Alston, Vassilis Spanoulis, John Lucas III.

The Rockets have undergone personnel adjustments. Since Azubuike, Bunch Wells, and McGrady can all play small forwards, the Rockets' back line is no longer as crowded as it was before.

On this day, after training, in the team cafeteria, Azubuike asked with a smile, "Chuck, did you sleep with a clothespin in your mouth yesterday?"

"Are you speaking the language of Namek? Why can't I understand it at all?" Hayes looked at Azubuike strangely, pointed at his head and circled.

"You should really look in the mirror. Recently, you have been giggling from time to time. Today is the worst. Your mouth almost goes behind your ears. Did something good happen to you?" Alston also came over and joked.His voice was relatively loud, and everyone around him laughed when they heard it.

Hayes didn't speak. If he wasn't black, his face would have turned red.

"Are you coming to today's Halloween party? You don't need makeup if you keep your mouth shape, which saves you a lot of trouble." Alston laughed again.

"No, the game will be played soon, I want to rest well and ensure my condition." Hayes said lightly.He's not interested in spooky holidays like Halloween.

The reason why he is happy is that besides practicing every day, he also has dinner with Taylor Swift and talks about some music topics.

Taylor Swift is as beautiful as an angel, pure as crystal.But Hayes never thought he and Taylor could develop into a couple.The biggest problem between the two is that their appearances are too different. They are also one black and one white. When they get together, they will not be as harmonious as "black and white impermanence". (How does this describe it?) Moreover, his thoughts are conservative among Chinese people. Taylor Swift is too young, and it would be a crime to have a girlfriend.Hayes warned himself to love her as a younger sister.

In order to help Taylor Swift, Hayes began plagiarism frenziedly with the memory of his previous life.

It happened that Hayes was more interested in European and American pop songs than Chinese songs, so he remembered many famous songs.The songs "Halo" and "Touch My Body", which were supposed to come out a few years later, came out ahead of schedule.The worst is Carrie Underwood, another country music female singer Hayes is familiar with, who often wins the award over Taylor in music selections.Hayes just knew a few songs, all of which were Carrie Underwood's award-winning songs after 2008, and he gave Taylor these songs as gifts.

After hearing these songs, Taylor Swift could barely breathe with excitement.

When Hayes was happy, he played the guitar and sang Sean Ward's "Breathless"-"You don't even know how special you are, you take my breath away, you are all the good things in my life. You make I can't breathe, I can't believe you are mine, you came out of my dream, so amazing, you take my breath away."

Although not as perfect as Sean Ward's voice, Hayes also succeeded in making Taylor feel shocked. (Look at the song you sang by Y, is this treating you like a younger sister?)

In short... Hayes felt a sense of accomplishment to be able to admire himself from an idol star that he could only admire in his previous life.In a few days, the relationship between the two suddenly changed from neighbors to friends, and from friends to good friends.He vowed to become an NBA All-Star player as soon as possible. He is also a star. In the eyes of others, he can be on an equal footing with Taylor, and he looks a bit more suitable. (What are you telling yourself? Is it because you don’t want to be a couple?)
With such a mentality, Hayes flew to Salt Lake City with the team and embarked on the journey of the 2006-2007 NBA regular season!
On the evening of November 11, the Houston Rockets' away game against the Utah Jazz started on time.

The Rockets sent their strongest lineup: point guard Alston, shooting guard Tracy McGrady, small forward Battier, power forward Chuck Hayes, and center Yao Ming.

Jazz starting: point guard Deron - Williams, shooting guard Miles, small forward Brewer, power forward Boozer, center Okur.

Hayes entered the court, the line of sight has been staying on Boozer.In my memory, the Rockets were eliminated by the Jazz twice in the playoffs, both of which have something to do with this guy who looks like a Taliban gangster.This season happens to be the season when Boozer broke out. He is well aware of the weight of his burden. As long as Boozer is restrained, the Rockets can get off to a good start.

In the NBA, generally speaking, the on-site commentators are composed of retired stars and an announcer, and sometimes special guests are invited.This time, Hall of Fame power forward Karl Malone was there as a guest.

Jazz team commentator Hendry said: "We are honored to have the 'postman' Karl Malone as a guest in this game. Let's take a look at the Rockets' lineup first. Today they sent 198cm pocket insider Chuck Hayes to play Starting power forward, Hayes' lack of offensive ability has been very obvious in the preseason, but Jeff Van Gundy let him replace the veteran Juwan Howard, Carl, what do you think of this substitution?"

Karl Malone said with a smile: "The reason why Jeff Van Gundy has lined up like this is probably for defense. Hayes is better than Howard on the defensive end. As long as he can grab rebounds and defend the Jazz inside, he is considered a qualified player." starting power forward."

Hayes, who jumped the ball 7 times in the regular season and didn't win any, finally didn't have to do this job anymore.Yao Ming and Okur jumped the ball to win and passed the ball to Battier. Battier passed it to Alstom. The Rockets played their most familiar position to attack in the first round.

After Alston led the ball through the half court, he transferred the ball to Yao Ming, who was in an important position inside. Yao Ming turned around and hit a jumper, scoring the Rockets' first goal of the season. At the same time, he also caused Okur's thug foul.As the most accurate shooting center on the planet, Yao Ming made a steady hit with an extra penalty.

The Jazz attacked, and Okura went to the high post to pretend to make a mid-range shot, and then broke through, which also caused a blocking foul by Yao Ming.The Jazz sent a sideline kick with a fast ball, and the teenager Miles made a three-pointer to tie the score.

Alston held the ball, held out three fingers, and said to Hayes: "Get ready."

Jeff Van Gundy allows players to play more flexibly when formulating plays, regardless of which offensive point.Alston stretched out three fingers as a signal, and he was going to use Hayes' point to attack.

Before entering the zone, Hayes blocked Deron Williams for Alstom, and Alston broke through to the inside, attracting Boozer to step forward to make up the defense, and immediately returned the ball to Hayes.After Hayes received the ball from a high position, there was no defense in front of him. The Jazz didn't think he could shoot at all, so the defense was very relaxed.Hayes adjusted, hit a jumper and easily scored two points.

Commentator Hendry laughed after seeing the goal: "Hayes had no defense in front of him, forcing him to choose a mid-range shot, and he really scored. His kind of offensive scoring is really rare. The Jazz played a little bit at the beginning. Relax, although Hayes lacks offensive ability, he shouldn't be allowed to let him like this."

As Hendry said, Deron Williams had already made an outside shot, Yao Ming grabbed the backcourt rebound and handed it to Battier, Tracy McGrady and Hayes made a fast break.Battier passed to McGrady, who passed to the open Hayes.Hayes received the ball at a 60-degree angle on the right side, and observed the situation from the corner of his eye. Boozer had retreated two steps from the three-point line, and there was no one following him. He immediately chose to shoot a three-pointer, and the ball was hollow. into the network.At this time, the Jazz players who had carefully studied the Rockets lineup before the game were all dumbfounded.

Jeff Van Gundy stood up and applauded Hayes.

If the first goal could be called luck, now Hendry couldn't believe it at all, and said dully: "I'll go, this guy is not Hayes! This guy is not Hayes!"

Karl Malone also had a look of surprise on his face.

With a score of 8 to 3, Jazz coach Sloan called a short timeout to make adjustments to the method of defending Hayes.The seasoned Sloan judged that Hayes may have deliberately hidden his shooting ability in the preseason with only two offenses, and he must be treated as a scoring point.

The game restarts.The Jazz attacked, and neither side made personnel adjustments.

The Rockets' defensive tactic is man-to-man, and zone defense is not feasible for the Jazz, because Okur has a strong three-point ability, and Boozer also has a stable mid-range shooting ability, so they must follow the defense.

The Jazz hit Boozer with three passes and two passes, and it was time to test Hayes.What is the biggest feature of the Jazz?Anyone who watches basketball will probably think of the word "strong".The Jazz's five starters can be said to be all muscular and strong men, and Boozer, who is facing Hayes, is even more hunky men.

Boozer squeezed the ball in twice, and Hayes moved back half a step.Boozer is very surprised, his back hitting ability is very strong, and now he can't squeeze Hayes; Hayes is also very surprised, because he can feel that Boozer's strength is absolutely no less than his own, and it is him who surpasses Yao Ming. The strongest person I have encountered so far after rebirth.

However, although Boozer is strong, his offense is absolutely "technical flow". He suddenly withdrew his strength, turned left and dribbled the ball towards the center, jumped up and pressed Hayes and scored the ball with a half-hook.Hayes started a little slower and there was nothing he could do about the ball.

Hayes sent the baseline ball and participated in the offense.He didn't pay much attention to the ball. If he wanted to completely prevent Boozer, it was impossible.What he has to do is try his best to limit and help the Rockets win.

Hayes picks and rolls for Alston again, and Alstom returns the ball to Hayes.This time, Deron Williams defended himself.Deron Williams is one of the strongest point guards in the NBA. He also has a height of 191cm, and he does not show much disadvantage in changing defenses.Hayes passed the ball to McGrady on the outside. After receiving the ball, McGrady shot a three-pointer and the ball missed. Yao Ming grabbed the offensive rebound and dunked the basketball.

After playing several rounds, the score rose alternately.The Jazz began to seriously defend Hayes' mid-range shots, and Hayes didn't have an easy shot.Jeff Van Gundy called a timeout and arranged for Hayes to actively participate in the inside offense.

The strategy has paid off.After Yao Ming asked for the ball inside to attract the defenders to pinch, he passed the ball inside to Hayes.After Hayes received the ball, he calmly raised his hands and feinted, shaking Boozer up.He jumped up in front of him and wanted to create a two plus one, but Boozer's foul was not so strong. He hit Hayes with a sore back of his hand, and he missed his shot from the distance and went wide.

Seeing that Hayes was about to make a free throw, Hendry joked: "We were deeply impressed by Hayes' weird free throw posture last season. I don't know if he has improved in free throws now."

Hayes retained his offensive ability in the preseason and has never gotten a free throw.When he stood at the free throw line, he realized why most players in the NBA have a low free throw percentage.That's because the fans are too involved, interfering with each other's shots in various ways.The jazz fans were shouting crazily, and then waving the light sticks in their hands crazily, making people dizzy, and there was a life-scale photo of a sexy bikini beauty standing directly opposite the basket...

Hayes rubbed his eyes, calmed down, and put on a good pose.Responding to the on-site commentator's question with action, the first free throw was made steadily, and the second free throw was bumped on the basket, which was also hit.

Hendry was surprised again and had to praise Hayes for his progress this season.Karl Malone also said that Hayes played very well on both offense and defense in the first few minutes. Because of his performance, the Jazz are playing a little passive now.

Deron Williams scored two breakthrough layups on the offensive end and assisted his teammates three times, including a Boozer cut-in lob dunk.As long as the opponent flies up, Hayes has nothing to do. The lack of height and jumping ability is his irreparable weakness.

On the offensive end, Hayes assisted Yao Ming for a layup with an inside pass, and also assisted Battier to hit a three-pointer from the bottom corner.

In the first quarter of the game, the Rockets led the Jazz 28 to 24 with their inside firepower.

Rockets replaced Yao Ming and Chuck - Hayes, replaced the Rockets "Xuanming two old" - Dikembe Mutombo, Juwan - Howard.The Jazz replaced Kirilenko and Girisek.At the beginning of the second quarter, McGrady, who only scored 2 points before and made 4 of 1 shots, finally started to score. He shot the Jazz's defense line in a row.

Jazz guard Deron Williams also blasted Alston on the offensive end, and it didn't help to replace Spanoulis on defense.

And Boozer came to the spirit immediately after Juwan Howard came on the court, scoring eight points in a row.The aging Mutombo also couldn't keep up with Okur, and Okur made a three-pointer from the outside.

With 5 and a half minutes left in the second quarter, the Jazz successfully overtook.

The Rockets made substitutions. Yao Ming and Hayes, who had had enough rest, came on the stage. Hayes' younger brother Azubuike also played together. He replaced Battier, who played 18 minutes in a row, and Hyde replaced After playing for 3 minutes, Spanoulis played out of order, and McGrady appeared at the point guard position.

Deron Williams faced McGrady at a height disadvantage, and McGrady hit a jumper.The Jazz asked for a timeout and replaced Deron Williams, who had been playing for too long, to rest and start attacking the paint.The Rockets also replaced Tracy McGrady with Alstom.

The Jazz attacked, and Boozer, who had already played well on Howard, faced Hayes again.

Boozer asked for the ball inside.He has a strong body but rarely bullies his opponents inside. Even when facing Howard, he squeezes out of position and turns around with a slightly backward jumper.Azubuike's speed can't easily pass Hayes, Boozer is even more difficult.Hayes used small steps to stay close. Seeing that the attack time was approaching, Boozer couldn't squeeze into the zone, so he had to force a fallback jumper outside the three-second zone.A big hand was sealed in front of his face in the middle of his shot, and Boozer was blocked from seeing, except for this hand, he couldn't see anything.

Boozer is not a pitcher. It is too difficult to score goals based on feeling. It is an honor to "strike the iron".

Yao Ming took the rebound and handed it to Alston to bring the ball to the front court. This time, Yao Ming picked and rolled, Alston broke through, and Hayes started to run back from the inside.This is also a new tactic that the Rockets have practiced for a long time.Alston passed the ball to Hayes at the right time, and Hayes stepped out of the three-point line, turned around and made a jumper, and the ball hit hollow.

"Oh, my God, what did I see?" The commentator Hendry had forgotten how many times he was stimulated by Chuck Hayes.

Karl Malone also sighed: "A power forward of this size who likes to shoot three-pointers used to have only Anthony Walker, but now Hayes can be added. However, it is too difficult to turn around and shoot three-pointers after running back... In the golden age, although Anthony Walker shot a lot of three-pointers, he didn't have such a difficult shot."

There are also many Jazz fans who are also surprised.

"Jason, this guy is really amazing, he is Maddie, right?" A blonde beauty in a beige casual top asked her boyfriend beside her.It was the first time she came to watch the game live, and she was a fake fan.

Her boyfriend Jason only thought he knew the Jazz well, but the Rockets didn't pay much attention.He didn't know, and murmured, "He's not McGrady."

The beauty asked with a smile, "Then who is he? He must be famous, right?"

Jason thought for a while, then said uncertainly, "Maybe it's Bunche-Wells..."

A black fan around them couldn't stand it anymore and said, "Man, you should really read more news and magazines. That man is Chuck Hayes. He is not a star. No one wanted him in the draft. He’s also a blue-collar worker, so I’m afraid he played too long today.”

"It turns out that you are also a fake football fan." The beauty laughed.

Jason, who was said to be a fake fan, blushed and stopped talking.He has been watching football for 10 years, but he can't figure it out. This guy plays very smoothly. How can he be a blue-collar player if he is so good?

Boozer didn't pay attention to Hayes at all before, but now seeing that Hayes has scored double digits under his defense, he suddenly lost his temper and started asking for the ball as soon as he entered the paint.

Backup guard Jason Hart was a bit worse than Deron. He didn't even look at the form on the court, and he gave the ball to Boozer in a high-profile manner.Boozer felt a light on his back and knew something was wrong. Hayes used the defense around him for the first time in the game.This time around the front was just right, directly breaking the ball.

Azubuike started running when he saw Hayes circled forward, and the two had a good understanding.Hayes slams the ground pass between Myers and Jason Hart and lands right in the hands of Azubuike.How could the unguarded Azubuike let go of this opportunity and muster up all his strength to jump up with the tomahawk and dunk!It is not difficult to see from the frantic boos of the fans at the scene that this goal is about to score the top 5 goals today.

More exciting things are yet to come.

In the next round, Matt Harpering's basket shot was slapped by Yao Ming with a cap. Alston, Hayes, and Azubuike quickly made a three-for-two frontcourt.Facing Jazz small forward Brewer, Alston did not pass the ball immediately, but made a move that no one could have imagined. He picked up the basketball, took two steps, jumped up, and turned 180 degrees in the air.

No one knew what Alstom was going to do, only Hayes vaguely heard Alston say "No. [-] is ready" when he was about to descend.

This is the signal to Hayes.

While Alston was turning around in the air, the basketball changed from his right hand to his left. He turned his back to Brewer, and his arms stretched out gracefully. The basketball came out of his left hand gently, as if without any strength. It was sent to Hayes who followed up on the right.

There was nothing in front of Hayes. He took a step, jumped with all his strength, and finally had a small gap in the air, and smashed the ball into the basket with both hands.

"SkipToMyLou!" (Through My Soul) Hayes roared after landing.

He and Alston celebrated with a chest bump.With classic assists and dunks, [-]% of this goal will be the best goal of the day.

It doesn't matter if he buttoned it, the commentator Hendry was about to have a heart attack, and he yelled with a microphone in the commentary booth: "Fuck me, this guy is not Hayes! This guy is definitely not Hayes!"

The ears of the audience who entered through the loudspeaker were almost deafened.

The Rockets played a 7-0 spurt. Although the Jazz were only 6 points behind, they were overwhelmed in momentum.Until the end of halftime, the Jazz failed to organize an effective offensive position.Instead, Hyde, who came off the bench for the Rockets, scored two goals.

The Rockets ended the first half with a 58-50 lead.

In addition to leading the score, Jazz general Okur also carried three fouls, and his playing time in the second half must be shortened.The scale of victory has begun to tilt to the Rockets.

During halftime, commentators Hendry and Karl Malone kept talking about Chuck Hayes' outburst.

Karl Malone is very reluctant to see the Jazz lose at home, but he has to praise Hayes for his steady performance. "In the first half of the game, it can be seen that although Chuck Hayes has average athletic ability, his basketball IQ is very high, and he handles the ball very reasonably every time. He has not made a single mistake so far. He is not at all like an undrafted rookie. , it looks like a veteran who has played for several seasons. His shooting ability must not have been developed in a day, but he was able to refrain from attacking in the preseason, and only contribute to the team on the defensive side. , a blockbuster. This is really unexpected."

Hendry seemed very unconvinced, and said: "Chuck Hayes really surprised people. He acted as if he was possessed by Charles Barkley in the first half. The coach will definitely take special care of the Rockets."

At this time, Jeff Van Gundy nervously arranged tactics on the Rockets bench: "All the main players will play in the second half. They will focus on the inside. Yao Ming and Chuck, you two try to draw fouls and beat Okur and Boozer one by one. Sean (Battier) Pay attention to the inside defense. Tracy (McGrady) needs to strengthen breakthroughs and reduce shots. It doesn’t matter if you can’t make it. Call a foul. Ralph (Alston), the pass in the first half was beautiful, and you defend in the second half Get tougher. That kid is only a second-year rookie! We're going into the fourth quarter with a 15-plus point lead."

"Okay!" The Rockets shouted.The five big hands of the players on the field pressed together!
The new season is off to a good start, and the Rockets are getting closer.

(End of this chapter)