the great gatsby

Chapter 107 The Evil Popovich?
Game day, AT&T Center.

The AT&T Center Arena was formerly known as the SBC Center, which can only accommodate 18797 spectators. However, the simple and practical style coincides with the prudent style of the Spurs. It has been remodeled and upgraded.

But the facilities in the current AT&T Center arena are all designed based on the principle of supremacy of practicality, and the number of private rooms can only be regarded as passing. The rest of the facilities, such as restaurants, bathrooms and living rooms, are practical, but not luxurious. .

This simple and shabby arena is full of San Antonio fans. In recent years, due to the outstanding record of the Spurs, the attendance rate of the AT&T Center Arena has always been high. The absolute number is not large, but the attendance rate is definitely among the top five in the league.

Compared with the cruelty and coldness of Boston, the romantic enthusiasm of Los Angeles, the technological advancement of Golden State, the simplicity of Indiana, and the business stink of New York, San Antonio presents a stable to boring style.

The interior of the arena is dominated by black and white. When it comes to the playoffs, after the fans wear black and white autumn clothes, the entire arena seems to be holding a huge funeral, which makes Xingzhong feel depressed and depressed.

Gatsby stood in the middle of the court wearing an away Knicks jersey with his arms akimbo, looking at the interior layout of the AT&T Center with great interest. It was in this arena that the Spurs created their glory for nearly 20 years, and the person who created it all was The serious-looking old man sitting on the sidelines.

Seeing Gatsby looking at him, the old man put on an ugly smile, stood up and walked towards Gatsby.

Gatsby was stunned: Did Popovich come to find him?
Sure enough, Popovich came to look for him, and he stretched out his right hand from a distance. Gatsby stretched out his hands to shake Popovich's hand, a little flattered. This was the first time he saw Popovich. I didn't expect Popovich to take the initiative to shake his hand.

"Kid, are you Gatsby?" Popovich smiled like a fox.

Gatsby became vigilant in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face. He also smiled and said: "Mr. Popovich, I am Gatsby. I have admired you for a long time, and I finally have the opportunity to see you , what a blessing!”

Popovich said happily: "Really? That's great. I've also wanted to see you for a long time."

Gatsbitch said, "Mr. Popovich, did you know me before?"

Popovich smiled and said: "It would be too hypocritical to say that I don't know. Ever since you entered the league, there has been news about you every few days. I don't even want to know. You are my two favorite players in the league." one."

Gatsby smiled and said, "Then I'm so honored, I don't know who the other one is, is it Tim Duncan?"

Popovich snorted: "That guy? No, I've had enough of him. I'm talking about Stephen Curry."

Gatsby almost laughed out loud. Popovich is so arrogant. In order to select Duncan, Popovich dared to fight with Celtics Cardinal Auerbach.

On the eve of the draft, he didn't even dare to hear any news about the draft, and only had a big drink to celebrate after the selection. At this time, he even told me that he was the most annoying to Duncan.

However, it is true that Popovich said that he likes Stephen Curry very much. Popovich told the media more than once that he likes Curry very much. I feel that Stephen Curry is the modern Michael Jordan, which shows how much he likes Curry.

The team coached by Popovich has strict discipline and seems to have remained unchanged for decades, but Popovich is actually a coach who can follow the footsteps of the times.

He says he hates three-pointers, but his team's average three-point attempts per game is not among the lowest in the league, and its three-point shooting percentage is also among the top in the league. He had Steve under him. Cole, Gallinery, Patty Mills, Michael Finley, Danny Green, Manu Ginobili, etc. are all famous three-pointers.

In the 2005 Finals, facing the Detroit Pistons' defense against the iron barrel, Manu Ginobili used his one-handed three-pointer to cut through the opponent's defense and help the team win the final victory. Win the championship.

In the 2014 Finals, Green's one-handed three-pointer completely shot the Heat through and helped the Spurs win their fifth championship ring.

So if you listen to Popovich's nonsense, you will suffer a big loss.

Gatsby looked surprised and said, "Coach Popovich, then I want to ask why you like me?"

Popovich tilted his head, raised one corner of his mouth, and said rather evilly: "Your talent! Your talent deeply attracted me. Boy, you are very suitable for the Spurs. You are competitive, but not hysterical. This is the same as you." It is related to your family. You are from a middle-class family, have a stable temperament, and have no bad habits. You enter the league just for your love. This is very consistent with San Antonio's selection criteria."

Although Popovich looked like he was joking, Gatsby knew that what he said was true. Most of the players the Spurs liked had such qualities, such as Duncan, Ginobili, Tony Parker and others. In this way, although there are players from poor backgrounds like Jackson, they have never been in Popovich's long-term plan.

Gatsby laughed and said, "You don't know that I'm the thorn in the rookies right now."

Popovich smiled and said: "You are not in San Antonio, you are in New York. If you are not smart enough or strong enough in New York, it is not easy to be the leader of the team, kid."

Popovich looked like he had seen through everything.

Gatsby laughed. Popovich is indeed very interesting. If there is a chance in the future, we can cooperate with him.

"Kid, if you had the chance, would you come to San Antonio to play?" Popovich whispered to Gatsby.

Gatsby was quite surprised. To be honest, these words were a bit condescending. Popovich and him just met him for the first time, and they made a gesture of wooing him. But it is not surprising, the NBA is a game Business, unlike other businesses, some NBA transactions must be spoken out loud.

For example, when the Lakers wanted to win Kobe, they just yelled loudly and put on a posture that they must win, which caused the general managers of some teams to dare not compete, and finally succeeded in winning Kobe, laying the foundation for more than ten years. Foundation.

Although Gatsby was surprised, he did not panic. He smiled and said to Popovich: "If there is a chance, I will definitely fight side by side with you!"

Popovich nodded in satisfaction. Today he just revealed his favor to Gatsby. It is not realistic to get Gatsby in the short term, but it would be good to have a good relationship with Gatsby.

(End of this chapter)