Defending champion

Chapter 107 Goals - Playoffs
After the All-Stars holiday is over.Because most of the Hornets players did not have any projects during this period of time, the Hornets players had to return to the team for training the day after the All-Star Game ended.

Because of this period of time, the Hornets always win, and the atmosphere in the team is very harmonious.However, it was very strange that the usually very early head coach Byron Scott was not there.

In fact, Byron Scott has already arrived.However, he was called by the general manager.It's been over an hour now.Seeing that the coach didn't come back, the players, led by Jack and Paul, started training in twos and threes.

Jack, Chris Paul, David West, and Russell Butler, a few friends with strong relationships, came under the same basket to play bullfighting.A pair of Jack and Paul, a pair of David West and Butler.

"Hey! David, you can't do it? Why can't you stand up today." Jack spat trash talk at David West.

"Michael Jack, wait for me, I want you to look good later." David West, a modest gentleman, is not Jack's opponent when it comes to talking trash.Trash talking was Jack's specialty.

"Hey! Jack, watch the game." Paul shouted loudly.At the same time, Paul threw the ball into the sky without any scruples.

Hearing this, Jack turned around and threw away his defender David West, cut to the inside, bent his knees, jumped high and killed in mid-air.Take the ball directly to the alley-oop, and pour the ball into the basket.

With a bang, the basket made a loud bang. "Shabu, shabu..." The players on the court looked at Jack in unison.There was a wave of applause from the sidelines, and some teammates were even funny.

"Jack, I love you..."

"Jack, can you do it again?"

"Jack, you are too violent, please use your power to ravage me?"

Jack is already used to these gazes. After every successful dunk, he will be praised by his partners.

After Jack finished dunking, he still didn't feel very happy, and shouted at Paul: "Paul, how many times have I told you! Throw the ball higher for me! Otherwise, my jumping will not improve. .”

A large black line appeared on Paul's forehead, and Paul was speechless, "This guy is too scary! Isn't this tall?"

David West, standing in front of Jack, was the most impressed by Jack's dunk.I thought: It's too scary, this bounce, this physical fitness.Seeing Jack's performance, David West felt that he was indeed old.He knew that Jack had surpassed himself now, and it was only a matter of time before he replaced him.

Although this was just a bullfight, the strength that Jack displayed was no worse than in the competition.On the contrary, it is even more powerful.David West was very fortunate at this time that Jack was his teammate.If you meet an opponent like Jack in the game, it will be a very headache.With such strong teammates, David West believes that the Hornets will definitely go further this season.

"What are you doing? Guys, you guys are attacking." Jack walked over and said with a smile and patted David West on the shoulder.

"Oh, what are you doing?" David West quickly woke up from his astonishment.

"I see, you must be afraid of losing, right! I told you that there are still 2 balls, and you must finish playing. You can't get away with 100 push-ups." Jack stared, pretending to be a villain. ruthlessly threatened.

"Hmph, what a joke, it's only 7-9, and it's still early? Who said we'd lose. Don't you think so? Russell." David West was not the one to give up easily. When the time came, they all responded stiffly.

"Yes, yes..." Under David West's coercion, Butler had no choice but to answer bravely.

"Okay then! Whoever loses this round will be rewarded with a treat. Do you dare!" Jack raised the bet.

"Dare, why don't you dare?" The words have already been said for this sake, David West has no choice but to go all out for this thin face.

The bullfight continued.

Jack rebounds.

……

David West made a shot, and Jack fought hard to interfere.

……

last ball.

Jack received Paul's point, raised his hand directly, and threw the ball under the interference of David West.

The basketball rolled and slid out from Jack's fingertips, drawing a very beautiful parabola in the air.As soon as the basketball was released from Jack's hand, Jack's mouth raised a high arc.

Jack's mid-range shooting has reached level 8, and now as long as he shoots near the free throw line, Jack is very confident in hitting the ball.

The "shabu" basketball hit the net very simply.

11 to 9 Jack and Paul won the game.

"Damn it!" David West yelled, David West had tried his best to defend this ball.The defense is also very good, and David West has already predicted Jack's shot point in advance.However, Jack still hit the ball.

"Haha... Don't forget to treat the two of you tonight." Jack said to David West and David West with a smile.

"Haha, I must eat you poor tonight." Chris Paul also echoed.

"Beep..." The coach's whistle sounded.

At this time, Byron Scott, who had disappeared for more than an hour, also appeared.And there was a stack of newspapers in his hand.

Seeing that the players had assembled, he distributed the newspaper in his hand to the players present.

At the same time, the voice of Byron Scott sounded, "The schedule for the second half of the season has been released. This is the schedule for all the games after your All-Star Game. And as of now, your The rankings in the Western Conference, as well as the rankings in the league. And your statistics. In the end, there are some senior experts and teams’ opinions on us, as well as the predictions for the playoffs.”

Hearing this, Jack picked up the newspaper, and immediately read it very seriously and carefully.The more he looked at the back, the more Jack's brows furrowed - the Hornets' schedule is not easy!But, on second thought, if there is no challenge in the game, then what's the point?Jack's frown could not help but relax.

After the Hornets players at the scene finished reading the newspaper's schedule, their expressions were much more solemn than before.Even during normal training, Chris Paul, who always faced people with a baby face all day long, showed a contemplative look.

Byron Scott carefully looked at the changes on the faces of the players, and then slowly said: "After watching it, everyone knows that our schedule in the second half of the season is not easy, it can be said to be very difficult. With the Heat , Mavericks and other strong teams are waiting for us. It is really difficult to advance to the playoffs, you have to be mentally prepared!"

The atmosphere at the scene was still very dignified, and the players didn't speak. It seemed that the pressure in the second half of the game was really great for the Hornets.

"I know that in the first half of the season, we have indeed improved compared to before. And it is a very big improvement. We have won more victories in the first half of the season than in the previous season. But, I can only say that what you have achieved The result is nothing at all. It does not allow you to get any honor, it is not enough to make you advance to the playoffs. For honor, for your salary, for victory, for... So, we have to fight hard in the second half of the schedule , and continue to struggle. Even though, the second half of the game is very difficult." Byron Scott immediately delivered a passionate speech as soon as he came up.

"The management has given me instructions. Boss 2 made it clear that if the Hornets can advance to the playoffs, no matter what the final record is, as long as it can get Charles Barkley to kiss Kenny Smith's ass. Per Hornets Players on the team get a 5 percent raise," said Byron Scott.

"Coach, our goal is not just as simple as the playoffs! But we will definitely advance to the playoffs, don't you think so!" Jack called first.

Seeing what Jack said, Paul and others also waited to agree,

All the people roared in unison: "Yes, make it to the playoffs, make it to the playoffs."

Seeing his players full of confidence, Jack is very satisfied with the effect he has created.

Immediately afterwards, Byron Scott said loudly: "It's easy to say, but I hope you can prove yourself with practical actions. Tomorrow we will face the Indiana Pacers at home. I hope you will not let me down. Below Let's practice tactics." Then Byron Scott carried out the next big tactical drill.

(End of this chapter)