basketball pope

Chapter 339 [Sign up, little overlord! 】

During the break, the media increased its publicity for the Wizards, and the praise exceeded Jordan's just comeback last season.

In an interview as early as December 2000, Jordan once said that the articles in the newspapers talking about Kobe and Carter made him very uncomfortable, and he even mentioned a key point, that is, because the media excessively pursued emerging stars, Prompt yourself to want to return to the game and compete with these juniors.

Jordan's intention is obvious. He wants to regain his popularity from Carter and prove that "your uncle is still your uncle", but it's a pity that the years don't bother people.

This preseason, Jordan only played 20 minutes per game, and he began to age.Applying ice packs to his knees on the sidelines also made people see his perseverance, and the "Heroes Twilight" promotional line was in line with David Stern's ideas.

The Wizards have played 28 live games across the United States this season.China's CCTV5 even broadcast nearly half of the Wizards games, second only to the Knicks. They won't miss Yao Ming's games.

Swingman Matt Barnes was waived by the Cavaliers after the preseason. On the 28th, the Wizards offered him a non-guaranteed base salary, and 15 people were collected.

Although it is only a basic salary, Barnes also cherishes the opportunity. It is too difficult for a blue-collar outsider who lacks offensive power to find a job.

Barnes vowed to do his best to help the team as long as he played.

On October 10, the NBA will play three games first.

The Lakers lost to the Spurs at home, the 76ers lost to the Raptors at home, and the Kings slaughtered the Cavaliers at home. The two teams that made it to the finals in 2001 were both miserable.

On the 30th, the Wizards opened their home game against the Celtics.

The first game was the fifth-placed team in the Eastern Conference playoffs last season, which is very attractive to fans.However, there is news that Jordan will not play very long in the opening game because of a knee injury.

This is actually the routine of the Washington media. During the preseason, Jordan put ice packs on his knees several times. If the opening game is vigorous and offensive, it will be too fake.

The Wizards management began to lay the groundwork in the training camp. On the one hand, it reflected Jordan’s tragic and unyielding performance when he was injured and refused to admit defeat.

If you don't do this kind of publicity, Jordan will directly reduce the number of shots and attack in the low position, and a group of fake fans will definitely pop up and spray Jordan as a waste.In the eyes of pseudo-fans, in the face of the strongest defender's strong attack, it is king to take more shots in the face of double-teaming, and even if he fails to make a shot, it is a symbol of strength.

The head coach of the Celtics is Jim O'Brien. He was very low-key in an interview before the game: "The team has no clear record goal. We traded in the summer, the lineup has changed, and the regular season will be mainly run-in."

He also did not predict the outcome, the Celtics 2-2 against the Wizards in the regular season last season, and there is no advantage.

The Wizards made their first battle with the Green Army and were drawn to the top lottery.

In the summer, the Celtics completed a five-man trade, acquiring Weinbeck, guard Shamond Williams from the Sonics, starting point guard Kenny Anderson, center Portapenko and guard Joseph - Ford gave the SuperSonics.

O'Brien's lack of confidence is because of Wen Baker. The management actually fantasized that an alcoholic could get back on the right track, and the Supersonics already had the intention to send Wen Baker, the hot potato, away.

The SuperSonics exchanged "Rain Man" Kemp for Weinbeck, who played for the Bucks, hoping that he and Payton would carry the banner of revitalizing the team. Unexpectedly, after signing a sky-high contract, Weinbeck. It has been sluggish ever since.

Wenback's current contract has four years to expire, which means that the Celtics will pay him a high salary of more than 5000 million US dollars in the next four years. The lack of salary space has led to the team's hero last season, forward Rhodes. Nee Rodgers is free to join the Nets.

Coupled with the departure of the blue-collar insider Botapanko with the 96th pick of the 12 golden generation, the inside strength of this Celtics team is more than one step weaker than last season.

On the evening of the 30th, the MCI Center was full of seats. Opened in 1997, the hall can accommodate 20674 spectators. It is the third largest arena in the league, and the atmosphere at home is extremely hot.

Several rookies of the Wizards in the preseason often staged dunks, Jordan may be the last season of his career, and Yang Rui joined, these factors are all attractive to fans, and the team's season tickets are sold out early.

When the players came out, Jordan received the warmest applause, followed by Yang Rui.

Live on TN*T, with Charles Barkley and former Rockets player Kenny Smith commenting.

Smith asked: "Charles, this year, Jerry Young signed a five-year contract with the Wizards with a high salary. He said he was confident to lead the Wizards into the playoffs. They performed well in the preseason. What do you think?"

As soon as Yang Rui was mentioned, Barkley's eyelids jumped. In 1999, he had the opportunity to join the Raptors, but he gave up. As a result, the Raptors won the championship that season.

"Jerry Young can win two championships in the Raptors, mainly because the team has a strong lineup. Even if McGrady leaves, there are three All-Star players in the team. The Wizards have only one All-Star Michael, and he is very old, I think Even if the Wizards make the playoffs, it will be difficult to get far."

Smith asked: "Which team do you think will win today?"

"The two teams should be about the same strength, and both of them are likely to win. The Celtics traded Lewin Baker was a mistake. I don't believe there are alcoholics who can quit drinking, just like I can't quit fried chicken and donuts." Barkley laughed. road.

Since retiring, Barkley has gained two laps and become a sphere. He is the kind of person who can't stand the temptation of food.Barkley didn't wear a championship ring in his life, and there are many reasons why, but in the eyes of his former teammates, it was all "eating junk food for eating."

After the warm-up, the players from both sides came on the field.Wizards starting: Wesley, Hamilton, Jordan, Marshall, Stoudamire.

Celtics starting: Tony Delk, Paul Pierce, Eric Williams, Antoine Walker, Tony Batty.

O'Brien sent a lineup of big men, letting Pierce play the shooting guard, and Williams was 203cm tall and weighed 100kg to play the small forward. No matter which of the two faced Hamilton, the confrontation has an advantage.

The referee throws the ball into the air and the game begins.

Stoudamire showed a slam dunk contest-level bounce, flying like a spring, with an amazing speed, a section higher than Barty, and gave the ball to his teammates.

Hamilton dribbled the ball to Jordan and immediately started running.

Yang Rui did not arrange complex tactical movements in the first battle. Wesley and Marshall stood on the left side and waited for opportunities outside the three-point line.Stoudamire's right 70 degrees helped Hamilton block Williams.

Hamilton made an empty cut inside, attracting Barty's defense, running around the basket and running from the left, and 45 degrees off the ball with Marshall.

Barty and Walker were attracted. Jordan passed the ball, but not to Hamilton, but to Stoudamire who cut the right side.

Stoudemire pushed Williams away to catch the ball, sprinted to the face frame at full speed, and took off with all his feet.Barty turned around and thought it was too late to defend, he didn't dare to jump.Stoudamire's figure was completely stretched out, and his right battle axe snapped into the frame! 2 to 0.

The fans in the audience were boiling, and they had never seen a player on the Wizards can dunk so beautifully in many years.

The little bully has so much fun!

(End of this chapter)