NBA: Since James left the Cavaliers

After two preseason games, the Cavaliers returned to Cleveland to prepare for the game. Two days later, they will face the challenge of the Dallas Mavericks at home.

The Christmas game is also the beginning of the regular season of the new season, and it is the continuation of the grievances of the finals.

The two victories in the preseason made the Cavaliers full of confidence, while the Mavericks suffered a losing streak in the preseason, but this can't explain anything, after all, it's just training soldiers and horses.

In the training ground, Jimmy Butler is constantly practicing shooting. It can be seen that his shooting is a little different from before. The moment of shooting becomes smoother, and his shooting percentage has also improved a lot.

In the two preseason games, he played an average of 32 minutes per game. Although he didn't score many points on the court, his defensive attitude was definitely the most serious of the entire team.

Sometimes, he will also cause fouls due to active defense, but this is just inexperienced. Over time, he will inevitably become a defensive gate on the front line.

At the beginning, head coach Byron Scott was not optimistic about him. If it weren't for Long Rui's request, Butler would never get such a long playing time.

However, after these two games were played, Scott had certain expectations for him. Now it seems that Barrett is fully capable of being the team's starter!
"Jimmy, you will start tomorrow's game."

Long Rui quietly came to Butler's side and said calmly.

As soon as this remark came out, Jimmy Butler was taken aback immediately, he stopped shooting, and turned his head to look at Long Rui in disbelief.

"What's wrong? This expression?"

Long Rui laughed.

"You... what did you say?"

Butler stammered and asked, he thought he had heard wrong.

"Hehe! Take it easy, don't be so nervous, I said you will start tomorrow."

Long Rui said again.

His words reached Butler's ears, and they were very clear.

"Don't...don't be kidding..."

This time, although Butler heard clearly, he still didn't want to believe it. He only thought that Long Rui was joking with him.

He was just a bottom pick in the first round, and the Cavaliers have so many good players, how could it be his turn to start?

"I'm not joking, if you don't believe me, ask the coach."

As he spoke, Long Rui pointed to Byron Scott who was standing on the sidelines.

Jimmy Butler looked in the direction of his fingers, only to see Coach Scott nodding at him and showing a positive look.

"Jimmy, work hard!"

When these words came out of Scott's mouth, Butler was immediately excited. He never thought that he would be able to start in this Cavaliers team.

In fact, this is a temporary decision. In the new season, the Cavaliers' starting lineup will be adjusted, and they are also exploring the most suitable lineup.

The conversation between the three was heard by Paul George on the side, and he couldn't help frowning.

"Coach, what about me?"

In his view, he played as a substitute for almost the entire season last year and performed very well. He should be the team's starter this season, but Byron Scott has never mentioned this matter.

"Of course you're still the sixth man on the team."

Byron Scott responded casually.

"why?"

This answer made the proud Paul George very upset. His strength is fully worthy of starting, there is no doubt about it.

"Because our second team needs you."

Long Rui saw what George was thinking and immediately explained.

Hearing this sentence, Paul George fell into silence. In fact, he really wanted to be the starter. The reason why he played so hard was to be able to enter the team's starter.

But now that he has the strength, he still can't enter the starting lineup, which makes him feel very aggrieved.

Long Rui patted him on the shoulder lightly, and then whispered in his ear: "Although you are still a substitute, I guarantee that your playing time will increase, and you will not be lower than Jimmy."

"There is nothing wrong with the bench lineup. You can have unlimited shooting rights. On the contrary, if you enter the starting lineup, you may not have so many shots."

These words eased George's mood a little, and it was true after thinking about it carefully.

The Cavaliers' starting lineup has Long Rui and Curry as backcourt partners, and these two accounted for a lot of shots.

And there is Yi Jianlian on the inside, who will also divide some shots, so how many shots are left?

George is eager to score, and getting him into the starting lineup will inevitably reduce his shots, and his scoring will naturally drop. This is not the result he wants.

On the contrary, Butler will not have such a problem. His scoring ability has not yet been developed, and the Cavaliers don't need him to score.

All he has to do is defend, and that's what he's best at right now. In theory, he's the best starter for the team right now.

"I understand."

Paul George was immediately relieved, and he accepted such an arrangement so that he could play his best role.

……

On December 12th, just in time for Christmas, the NBA regular season starts tonight.

The focus of the battle will definitely be the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Dallas Mavericks, and this game will also be broadcast live!

The time came to seven o'clock in the evening, and there was still an hour before the start of the game.

Players from both sides have already entered the field in advance, because before the start of the game, all members of the Cavaliers will conduct a championship ring awarding ceremony.

Long Rui and others stood in a row, waiting for their first championship ring.

After a while, team owner Daniel Gilbert slowly walked onto the field with the ring, and he began to award his players one by one and express his gratitude.

This is the first championship since the establishment of the Cavaliers team, and these players have contributed a lot.

Long Rui was the last person to accept the ring. When Gilbert came to him, he gave Long Rui a deep hug.

"Long Rui, thank you!"

As soon as the words fell, a delicate and sparkling ring was put on Long Rui's finger. Under the spotlight, it looked extremely dignified!

Another person standing beside Long Rui was Jimmy Butler. He was the only one in the team without a ring.

Butler looked at these teammates with a look of envy on his face.

Seeing this, Long Rui took off his ring and handed it to Butler.

"doing what?"

Butler asked.

"Put it on and feel it."

Jimmy Butler looked at the ring, and to be honest he really wanted to wear it, but finally shook his head: "No, this is your ring, I just want mine."

This sentence surprised Long Rui, and made him even more impressed with Butler.

"Ambitious!"

"Work hard, you will get your wish sooner or later, and you won't wait too long, as I said."