Zhiba NBA

Chapter 8 ([-]) Lose and be happy
For a team, when the owner, manager, head coach, captain, and core stars all agree to lose, it is naturally not difficult to lose.Yuanfei has also made a special plan for this. In the face of the Wolves, Supersonics, Nuggets, and Clippers, which have relatively close records, they must pay special attention to it. They can only lose but not win.

In the first game after Christmas against the mighty Spurs, although McGrady scored 28+9+7, the Rockets still lost 100:105.Dameng lamented that time is not forgiving.The old opponent "Admiral" Robinson at that time, only because he was 2 years younger, he still maintained a good level of competition.For veterans, 2 years old is a natural moat.

On the second day, they played against the Supersonics back-to-back, Dameng took a break, and the Rockets were empty inside.Tracy McGrady only played 25 minutes before the rest. 108:88, a big defeat.

12月30日，2000年收官之战。火箭客场120:101屠杀小牛。麦迪24+11+10，收获了火箭生涯第一个三双（上双指某项统计达到两位数，三双指三项统计上双）。

2001年1月1日，火箭前往明尼苏达挑战竞争对手森林狼队。莫布里爆发砍下30分，但球队100:106输球。狼队将领先火箭的优势从4场扩大到了5场。

1月2日，火箭背靠背战骑士，大梦再度轮休。但替补的罗杰斯突然爆发砍下22+10，火箭105:98收获了一场意外的胜利。

1月4日上演了一场飙分大战。活塞队斯塔克豪斯狂砍46分，但麦迪贡献了34+12+8，火箭队3分险胜。

In this way, the Rockets lost slowly and won some.Houston fans have no doubts that this team lacks morale.Some commentators in the sports world have seen some clues. "Sports Illustrated" was the first to stand up. An article they published analyzed that McGrady's average playing time of 32 minutes per game was very doubtful, and gave an example of Kobe Bryant, who was close to McGrady's age, averaging 40 minutes per game.

Then there was ESPN Sports, who counted the Rockets' most efficient five-man team as Dream, Williams, Tracy McGrady, Reid and Curry.This combination can win an astonishing 5 points per 100 rounds (even higher than the league's No. 13.4 Kings starting five tigers at the time), but this combination only played 88 minutes together.The report sparked debate in the sports world.In that muscular era, a big and four juniors were still rare lineups.

An old fritter like Tang Shuai is quite calm in the face of media waves.In an interview, he said that he heard that these five players could win the championship by playing all games, so he decided to listen to ESPN's advice and give it a try.However, he also said that the two old guys, Olajuwon and Curry, will go on strike once they play the whole game.

In the next period of time, the Rockets basically only killed the underdogs such as the Grizzlies and Bulls.The strong teams win less and lose more, and the teams with close winning percentages are almost completely defeated.When encountering some balls that may be won, simply let Dameng Curry and other old players take turns.

On March 3, although Tang Shuai only allowed McGrady to play for 15 minutes and Dameng also rested, Mobley broke out and scored 24 points, 30 rebounds and 6 assists, completely overwhelming the opposing Nets core Marbury.The Rockets still won 11-108. "Accidentally won the Nets, but it doesn't matter, the Eastern team should win." Tang Shuai comforted himself.

"Rudy, we will play the Spurs at home the day after tomorrow, let's play with all our strength." Yuan Fei suggested.

"That's really not like your suggestion."

"After playing against the Spurs, we have to play consecutive games. The opponents also include the Clippers and Supersonics, which we don't want to win, and we will definitely lose consecutively. Let's try to play at home and see if we can surprise the fans."

"That's a good idea, I like it. Maddie will be happy to hear that."

***
"Jason, last time you told me that the tactic against Garnett is very effective. Although the Wolves have been winning against us, Garnett can no longer be arrogant after seeing me." Thomas laughed and said, "I will play against the Spurs the day after tomorrow. Do I have any skills against Duncan?"

"Duncan's free throws are not as good as Garnett's, only about 60%, so when you can't, you should foul."

"What kind of stupid idea..." Kenny said bitterly.

There really are no shortcuts.The Wolves are just a mid-range team. Although they have strength, they also have obvious shortcomings.The Spurs were the champions of the previous year and have a strong lineup.Facing this kind of opponent, apart from showing one's own strength, there is no skill at all.Yuan Fei thought in his heart that it would be great if the 38-year-old Dameng could replace the 36-year-old Robinson, who is also the top four center.

If you want to win, you have to rely on McGrady's performance!Yuan Fei thought so.

***
After the first half, Yuan Fei found that he was thinking too well.Olajuwon sprained his foot just a few minutes after playing and went to rest.Rogers showed his true colors and was blown up by Robinson, and it was impossible for Thomas to guard Duncan. The Spurs' inside twin towers blew up the Rockets' inside.Fortunately, Tracy McGrady and Mobley played well, and they also exploded the Spurs' perimeter defenders. The Rockets trailed by 15 points after halftime.

"Without Hakim, we can't fight the Spurs twin towers anyway. We can't defend anyway, so let's fight the Spurs!" Thomas suggested to Tang Shuai.

"Oh, how do you spell it?"

"I'll match Robinson, Williams will match Duncan, and send our shooters up. Anyway, we shoot a lot of three-pointers. Maybe the rebound rebounds far, but our people can grab it."

"Kenny, you're not bad. I've thought about it. You'll be a coach after you retire." Tang Shuai teased Thomas, "That's it. In the second half, Kenny, Wilt, Tracy, Michael, and Cutino will start. Dell, warm up at the beginning and be ready to play at any time."

"Understood, coach!" The players answered loudly.

"By the way, let me say one more thing." Yuan Fei said: "Taking more attention to Avery Johnson, he is the only defensive weakness of the Spurs. Cutino scored well in the first half, and continued in the second half."

"Understood!" The players answered Yuan Fei like Tang Shuai.In their hearts, this little boy has become one of the most prestigious people in the team.

***
In the second half, the Rockets kicked off.Williams easily pulled Duncan near the three-point line.McGrady broke through the defense, and Robinson rushed to make up for it.McGrady missed a layup, but the whistle blew and the defense fouled.

McGrady made two free throws.Popovich responded quickly, with Robinson off and substitute Daniels on.Yuan Fei couldn't help admiring inwardly, as expected of Popovich, it's quick to change formations.The Spurs, famous for their twin towers, have also played a major and a junior.

But the Spurs Avery Johnson's defensive loophole is still there. After a pick-and-roll, a dislocation was formed, and McGrady easily hit 2 points with a jumper over his head.Then Mobley broke through his defense and scored a three-pointer for the open Reid.Yuan Fei smiled secretly, convinced Johnson to let him retire as a coach early.In the future, he has a good record in coaching teams such as the Mavericks for many years.

Popovich saw the trick and replaced Johnson, who was 178cm tall, with Steve Kerr, who was 191cm tall.Yuan Fei was delighted to see him again. Although Cole is taller and has accurate shots, his defense is even weaker.Like Johnson, Cole also became the head coach after retiring, and achieved good results.The depth of the Spurs' lineup this season is really average, no wonder Duncan once wanted to transfer.

Sure enough, Cole was fouled by Reed and Mobley, and the Spurs' rhythm became more and more chaotic. Except for Duncan, all other players were blown away by the Rockets.The Rockets tied the score in the third quarter after blooming inside and out.It's hard for Popovich to cook without rice. The overall talent of these Spurs players is indeed a little bit worse.

In the fourth quarter, Bobo switched back to the twin towers and started fighting with the Rockets again.The Rockets also fell into a hard fight.In the end, relying on McGrady's brave performance in the fourth quarter, the Rockets defended their home court with difficulty at 104:107.Snatched a victory from the 46-19 rival Spurs.

Next, the Rockets lost all three consecutive away games, losing to the Kings, Clippers and Supersonics, and returned home and miraculously defeated the strong team Jazz.

The following script basically develops according to Yuan Fei's setting.At the end of the season in April, the Rockets lost to the Sonics and the Nuggets with similar records. In the final finale, when the rankings were not relevant, the team finally showed its ferocious minions and bloodbathed the Timberwolves with 4 points at home (27:87 in history).It's a coincidence that both the opening game and the final game of the season were played against wolves at home.

"It's so cool, look at Garnett's emaciated old face, hahaha." Of course the cheap laugh came from Kenny Thomas.He has become more and more experienced in defending Garnett. In this game, Garnett only scored 15 points on 4 of 11 shots.

"Brandon was also blown away by me, haha." Mobley also laughed cheaply.

"I am more and more confident now. Our team will definitely be able to compete for the championship in a few years." McGrady is also full of spirits. He played a quasi-triple double of 24+10+9 in this campaign.

"You have grown a lot compared to the beginning of the season." Tang Shuai smiled, looking at the young players like a loving father, "You have really become stronger."

火箭队最终以38胜44负的战绩结束了00-01赛季的征程。这个成绩在西部仅仅好于灰熊勇士快船三支弱旅，最终排名西部第11名（史上为45胜，西部第九），但年轻的火箭收获了信心。

Next is the playoffs that have nothing to do with the Rockets. The only good news is that McGrady was elected as the most improved player of the season.But something unexpected happened to Yuan Fei at this time.

The Los Angeles Lakers suddenly found their form at the end of the regular season and won consecutive games.The playoffs are even more killing the Quartet.For the first time in his career, Kobe Bryant found the feeling of a superstar. He and Shaquille O'Neal at his peak were invincible, reaching the finals with a record of 11 victories.The powerful Spurs King Blazers failed to take away a win from the Lakers.

In the East, the Raptors embarked on a different trajectory from history.Thanks to the three generals Francis, Cato and Anderson, the strength of the Raptors has greatly increased, and the ranking of the Raptors is different from the fifth in the Eastern Conference in the same period of history. It rose to third.In the semifinals, they even defeated the second Bucks in the Eastern Conference 4:2.In the final, Francis' key lore shot killed Iverson's efforts, and the Raptors defeated the Eastern regular season champion 4ers 2-76.The McGrady trade led by Yuanfei made the 76ers miss the Eastern Conference championship and changed the entire history of the NBA (the 76ers beat the Raptors 4-3 and the Bucks 4-3 to reach the finals).

In the finals, the Raptors were defeated by the Lakers. After falling behind 3-0, they finally relied on Vince Carter and Francis to win the game. At 4-1, the Lakers became the team with the highest playoff winning percentage in NBA history.

(End of this chapter)