The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 24

The Magic lineup changed again in overtime. Jacques Vaughn probably felt that Daequan Jones was no longer suitable to stay on the court. They became a configuration of three shooters and two insiders.

Vucevic helped the Magic win the opportunity to attack first, and Nelson dribbled the ball to the three-point line and habitually called his teammates to cover him.

At this moment, a figure came from the side very quickly.

The 30-year-old Nelson's reaction is not slow, but the opponent is too fast and sudden.

Another steal, Zhang Xiaotian sprinted all the way after he got it, and another heavy dunk, which made the basket buzz.

It looked like a gambling steal, but Zhang Xiaotian was full of confidence.

The effect of the king's skills at the end of the overtime game has improved, and he feels that he is now omnipotent.

Zhang Xiaotian couldn't hold back this feeling, he was too excited.

But as the head coach of the Magic, Jacques Vaughan only felt a headache.

Somewhat annoyed, Nelson scored a three-pointer. He is also a famous figure in the NBA. How dare an undrafted person dare to humiliate him like this. It is a pity that Nelson is unreasonable when the three-pointer is accurate, and there is nothing he can do about it when he misses it.

Zhang Xiaotian turned around and leaped high to get the rebound, and directly launched a counterattack.

The Magic team was not slow to return to defense. When they came to the opponent's three-point line, Zhang Xiaotian made a change of rhythm, squeezed through the gap between the opponent's two defenders, and then directly accelerated to lean on Vucevic.

It was still a heavy dunk, still 2+1, and Zhang Xiaotian scored 5 points in a row at the beginning of overtime, which made the Magic a little confused.

Even Popovich was a bit skeptical about the terrifying explosive power. When did this kid become so physically fit? It was as if he had taken a stimulant.

After two deductions, the really sore wrist finally calmed down Zhang Xiaotian.

He took a breath, this game, he will not give up the victory to anyone.

At 114:106, the Spurs defeated the Magic in overtime under Zhang Xiaotian's super performance.

22分8篮板4助攻4抢断1盖帽，张小天强势的诠释了他的价值。

Compared with the first game, his performance was even more dazzling, leaving people speechless.

"I just try my best to help the team win. As for whether I can stay or not, that is something the team considers. What I have to do is to train hard and play hard."

"It was the coach's plan. The coach said to make the damn shot, so I made it."

When interviewed by reporters after the game, Zhang Xiaotian vented his depression and pretended to be compared.

After this game, although there were still some voices slandering him, not many people paid attention to him anymore.

The Spurs have officially replied that as long as he maintains his condition, his contract will become a one-year official contract at the end of November.

A little stingy, but there is nothing wrong with it, after all, Zhang Xiaotian can't run away.

At most, the team now feels that it is a disadvantage to sign a one-year contract cheaply. If Zhang Xiaotian performs well, it will cost more money to keep him next season.

In the last preseason game between the Spurs and the Wizards on the 26th, Popovich did not let Zhang Xiaotian play, and the Spurs also defeated their opponents 100:85.

After the preseason, apart from him, all the players who did not have a guaranteed contract, only fellow Parker stayed. Even James Anderson, who had a contract, the team did not implement the team option for the final year. The NBA just wants to be a marginal player, and the competition is huge.

Players like Eddie Curry can still play, but no team is willing to pay that basic salary.

During a one-day vacation, Zhang Xiaotian returned to his home in the small town and quietly accompanied his father.

In the past two years after graduation, he has really worried his family. Although the contract issue is not over yet, he is different now. He has the ability to continue on the path of basketball.

In the days to come, I am afraid that the time spent with my father, whose temples have begun to gray, will become less and less.

"See, my son, a Spurs player."

"Dad, I figured out why you came out to do the shopping today."

Zhang Dajun showed off with pride, and the old acquaintances in the town praised him one after another. Seeing his father happy, Zhang Xiaotian was also in a good mood.

"Oh my god, how are you and Emily doing?"

The topic changed suddenly, and Zhang Xiaotian was a little caught off guard, "What's the matter, dad, didn't I say that she is not my girlfriend?"

"Emily is actually pretty good, who is going to marry the daughter of old Keith, that big farm might be the dowry... Xiaotian, you are not young, Emily is not your girlfriend, and you It's time to take a girl home and have a look."

"Dad, don't rush this matter for a while. Think about it. After I gain a foothold in the NBA and make money, I will definitely find a very good girl to be my girlfriend. Then you will have face, right?"

"To start a family and start a career, you have to be busy with your career, and you have to be more active in finding a girlfriend."

Returning to the team the next day was the same training as usual, and the next step was to meet the real test.

Zhang Xiaotian is full of energy, and he is also desperate in training.

The Spurs' season opener on October 10 is an away game against the New Orleans Hornets. The team's first substitute, Manu Ginobili, has a recurring back injury and will not go with the team.

Zhang Xiaotian felt a little sad and looked forward to it. If Ginobili can't play, will the team let him play more?

The Hornets were also affected by injuries, and their No. [-] Eric Gordon could not play due to injury.

However, the attention of the outside world to this game is not small, because this year's No. [-] pick Anthony Davis and Duncan are in the same position, and the duel between the new and old No. [-] picks is exciting.

As soon as the game started, the two did not disappoint the fans.

First, the old Shifu dunked, and then Anthony Davis made a mid-range shot. The two scored one after another. Duncan scored 10 points in the first quarter, and Anthony Davis also scored 9 points.

In today's game, Zhang Xiaotian already knew that he was destined to be a supporting role, but the situation was different than he imagined. The regular season and the preseason were completely different. Both sides wanted to get off to a good start, and even Popovich became more cautious with his troops. The main players stay on the field more time than the Hornets.

Players who got a lot of opportunities in the preseason, Popovich was not prepared to play them at all.

When Leonard went down to rest, Popovich still replaced Stephen Jackson first.

The Spurs trailed by 7 points in the first half, and Zhang Xiaotian didn't get a minute of playing time. He wasn't the only one who didn't play, because there were only eight players in rotation.

In the third quarter, Leonard suddenly broke out and scored 11 points in a row to help the Spurs overtake. That posture was stronger than Zhang Xiaotian's in the fourth quarter.

Afterwards, the score between the two sides has been very tight. Popovich has no intention of taking the risk of being a rookie, no matter how good Zhang Xiaotian's performance in the preseason is.

Both the new and old champions performed well, and their confrontation lasted until the last minute. At the last moment, Duncan made two free throws to help the Spurs narrowly win 1:99.

【Ding……】

Zhang Xiaotian, who didn't get a second chance, suddenly widened his eyes.

(End of this chapter)