The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 12 Tough Showdown
Zhang Xiaotian issued a very strong declaration in front of everyone, but Jacques Vaughan showed a smile.

In this game, the Spurs regard Zhang Xiaotian as the core, and he should take this responsibility at the critical moment.

The Spurs replaced another shooter. Except for one insider, all four of them were able to shoot from the outside.

Jacques Vaughan arranged the tactics, and Zhang Xiaotian was the first choice for the last shot.

Corey Joseph served at the halfway line, and the Heat knew that Zhang Xiaotian was the Spurs' number one option, and two players followed him.

The referee's whistle sounded, Zhang Xiaotian didn't choose to catch the ball immediately, but leaned hard on the defender, knocked the defender behind him away and rushed out with his strength, allowing Corey Joseph to pass the ball comfortably into his hands.

When another defensive player rushed over, Zhang Xiaotian had already turned around and charged inside the three-point line.

The Heat were also in a hurry, and three people rushed over to block it.

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhang Xiaotian raised the ball high and threw it.

Double hit rate, ignoring 50% defensive interference, the three hands around his body looked so pale and weak.

"Lore, lore, Zhang Xiaotian lore! 84:83, the Spurs won!"

In the roar of the commentator and the whistle of the referee at the end of the game, the Spurs players cheered.

In this game, Zhang Xiaotian performed more comprehensively, with 26 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks, quasi-triple-double data, which was better than Leonard's performance in the two games.

The interviews in the summer league were not so formal, and a group of people rushed over as soon as the game was over.

There were many reporters from the other side of the ocean. Xu Yi felt threatened. There were also reporters from local media and sports media. Zhang Xiaotian really received star treatment this time, and Jacques Vaughan was also a little surprised.

Zhang Xiaotian answered Xu Yi's question first, which made him very proud.

Out of the protection of the players, Jacques Vaughn didn't let Zhang Xiaotian and the reporter say more.

This is the first time for Zhang Xiaotian to experience such a battle, and he is really a little nervous, but as long as the question is about basketball, he will not panic.

After returning to the hotel, Zhang Xiaotian accidentally received a call from Eddie. He thought that the agent would only pick up college students and didn't care about him as a client at all.

"Brother, your performance is great. I knew it. From the moment I saw you, I knew you could do it. Don't worry, I will negotiate a big contract for you."

Eddie's exaggerated voice made people feel unreliable, but being able to represent the Spurs in the summer league, the opponent really played a role, and Zhang Xiaotian was also looking forward to the official contract.

Knowing that Eddie had already contacted Spurs manager RC Buford, Zhang Xiaotian was inexplicably nervous.

He said seriously: "It doesn't matter if it's a big contract or not. I just want to get a formal contract. As long as the team gives me a chance, I can definitely make it."

"Brother, trust me, I'm a professional."

Eddie bragged for a while, Zhang Xiaotian solemnly asked the other party to communicate with him when making any decision, and did not talk to Eddie.

There is still a game tomorrow, so Zhang Xiaotian chooses to rest early.

Before going to bed, he logged on to social media and found that there were more fans, most of whom supported him, and some people ridiculed him. He was not angry, but just thought it was very interesting.

No matter what the message is, it means that he has received more attention.

Xu Yi sent a message suggesting that he open the social media on the other side of the ocean. Zhang Xiaotian was still hesitating. He wanted to wait until he got a formal contract. He was still a little worried, afraid that the bamboo basket would be empty.

The next day, the Spurs faced the Mavericks, their last summer league opponent.

After this game, most of them will leave, a few lucky ones will get contracts, and some will stay in the team for inspection.

Against the Mavericks, the Spurs' starting lineup has changed again. After Zhang Xiaotian became the first substitute after starting, Tyler Wilkerson replaced Jamichael Green.

The two rookies Jay Crowder and Bernard James acquired by the Mavericks through trade this year are relatively strong, and the third-year Dominic Jones is also a hardliner.

Like the last game, the Spurs struggled at the beginning.

But unlike the Heat's overall excellent defense, several core players of the Mavericks have outstanding single-defense capabilities, and the offensive end also has the ability to end the game.

Zhang Xiaotian encountered troublesome guys for the first time in the summer league. Jae Crowder was strong and athletic. He could keep up with Zhang Xiaotian's footsteps, and his defense was exceptionally fierce.

He seemed to be facing Leonard, but Leonard's defense was more skillful, and his long arms were annoying, while Jae Crowder relied more on physical confrontation, making him a stronger version of Zhang Xiaotian.

From the very beginning of the game, Zhang Xiaotian was restricted.

Fortunately, this is not the first game. If he meets a guy like Jae Crowder at the beginning of the summer league, he probably won't have many chances.

But now the Spurs use him as the core of their tactics. Even if he seems to be suppressed, the opponents dare not take it lightly. After all, he has performed well in the first four games.

Zhang Xiaotian didn't mess around either. Breaking through Jae Crowder's defense wasn't easy, so he put more energy into supporting him. The Mavericks' defense focused on him, and he used this to create opportunities for his teammates.

This is the calmness of having a tactical position, but people with a discerning eye can still see that he has lost the wind in the confrontation. Jacques Vaughan sighed from the sidelines. Jae Crowder is the real NBA-level physical fitness. Not so much.

Jacques Vaughan can naturally see that as a rookie, Jae Crowder is still a bit rough, but Zhang Xiaotian's skills can't effectively use this.

Lost in his senior year and delayed for another two years, Jacques Vaughn felt that it would be difficult for Zhang Xiaotian to make a breakthrough at his age. However, as a coach, he still likes this kind of active, hard-working player who will not relent at critical moments .

So he didn't make quick adjustments in this game, but let the players on the field face the difficulties themselves.

Unlike the previous games, in the last summer league, some players will not play again, that is to say, some of them have already been eliminated in advance.

The confrontation with Jay Crowder was slightly weak, but Zhang Xiaotian didn't back down at all. Both offensive and defensive ends, the two were entangled together regardless of consumption.

"Boy, you have guts, but I will definitely complete the task assigned by the coach in this game, double the completion."

"Boy? Then you can try it. I want to remind you that strictly speaking, I am a senior. I know better than you how to win the game."

Just like Zhang Xiaotian and Jay Crowder, the scores of the two teams are also very entangled. In this game, only the team with stronger willpower can win.

(End of this chapter)