The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 64 Coach Talk
Basketball is not a sport for one person, and Zhang Xiaotian did not continue to direct the big comeback.

But 15 points in the final quarter proved his worth.

From 20 points behind to 7 points at the end of the game, there are many substitutes who can score, and there are many players who can add to the cake. Players who can take responsibility and have the ability to take responsibility at critical moments are generally called core players.

The Spurs should give Zhang Xiaotian more opportunities. This time, not only fans jumped out to appeal, but several so-called experts also became fans of Zhang Xiaotian, thinking that he is a good medicine for the aging Spurs lineup.

You don't need to play the main force, just replace Ginobili's position. If you use it well, the Spurs will be the most powerful contender for the championship.

It seems to be good, but it is a bit painful to stand up and talk, and compete with the team boss for status, Xiao Mengxin trembles, Popovich will not agree.

Zhang Xiaotian actually doesn't want to replace anyone in the team, he just wants to get more shots at critical moments, so as to help the team win more games, and then get a good contract next season.

On January 1, the Spurs accepted the challenge of the 5ers at home.

The 76ers have also changed a lot in the lineup this season. The boss Iguodala left, and the powerful sixth man Louis Williams also left. The team has no real backbone yet, and its combat power is only average.

The 76ers don’t have a real inside line, and the five main players are throwing bang bang bang bang. The new sixth man Nick Young also has the same style. Lost the previous lead of 10 points.

The team led by 10 points when Zhang Xiaotian played in the first half, and the team led by 20 points in the second half.

By this time, the relatively fixed rotation of him and Ginobili is no longer needed.

Before the training officially started the next day, Zhang Xiaotian was rarely called to the office by Popovich.

Popovich sat casually, "Zhang, I think it is necessary to talk to you. To be honest, I am a little confused by your performance. I am considering whether to buy large reading glasses."

Zhang Xiaotian hadn't reached the point where he could joke with the head coach at will, so he could only show a shy smile in the Eastern style.

"This is the difference between you and the court. Sometimes you look like a shy boy, Zhang. Tell me what you want to do on the court."

Popovich's tone became serious, Zhang Xiaotian also put away his smile, and said seriously: "Coach, I am a person with a strong desire to win, I just hope that I can be on the court at critical moments and contribute to the victory. "

"Then you have to answer me directly, why is there such a big gap between your performance in training and in the game? To be precise, your performances that satisfy and hate me are all in the last quarter. Forget about the existence of a player like you."

Zhang Xiaotian had simulated this kind of dialogue countless times, but he didn't have the confidence to convince Popovich.

Because the real situation is really hard to believe.

But this question, he certainly cannot avoid.

He bit the bullet and acted confidently, "Training and competition are different. It's like doing test papers in school. Usually, you check for omissions and fill in the gaps. Only in the test will you try your best to get high scores. I grew up Mock test scores are not as good as the real test."

"I heard a lot of fans say that the Spurs in the regular season are completely different from the Spurs in the playoffs, and I think the same is true."

"As for my performance on the court, I can only say that it is a feeling. At the critical moment, I feel that I can do it. Maybe it is a psychological hint. I have been used to leading the team to take responsibility since I was in elementary school. The same goes for amateur leagues."

"At the critical moment of the game, I always tell myself, you can do it, you can defend the opponent's high-scoring guy, and you can score points in their defense."

The voice in front of Zhang Xiaotian was still calm, but at the end it became a little excited.

His words are half true and half false. His desire to win is very strong. He also wants to take responsibility on the court. At critical moments, both offense and defense require himself to be the best. But without a system, he will definitely not be able to play at the NBA level. Do well on the field.

Popovich took a sip of hot coffee and rubbed his temples, "Well, I believe you, in fact, everyone had a similar experience when they were young, but it definitely doesn't have the same effect as you."

"Actually, what I want to know is, is your future plan consistent with the team's plan?"

Zhang Xiaotian was stunned for a moment, and it took him a while to realize. Could it be that Popovich is renewing his contract now? Impossible, even half of the season has not passed.

He faltered and replied: "That...coach, I definitely want to be part of the team's plan. If...the team offers me a generous contract, I can't refuse it. The rest is what I said. , I can really help the team at critical moments."

Popovich stared at Zhang Xiaotian for a long time, which made him feel a little terrified. Could it be that he misunderstood.

"Haha, the lucrative contract, the little guy still has ambitions, perform well, if you keep messing around on the court, I will let you sit on the bench, and the lucrative contract will probably be ruined."

"Actually, I called you here to tell you that there is a community event on the weekend and you are one of the representatives of the team." Popovich's eyes were full of slyness.

Zhang Xiaotian was stunned again, and he didn't recover after walking out of the office for a long time.

The old guy is bad enough, he just took out what he had in mind without promising anything.

But then he laughed, and it was good to have the opportunity to tell the coach what he really thought.

As for how Popovich decides, he certainly cannot control it.

But as long as he plays seriously, he believes that his way in the league will not be easily interrupted.

Next, the Spurs are going to play an away game, which is the Hornets, which have faced off twice this season.

The new owner of the Hornets intends to change the team rankings. From next season, the New Orleans Hornets will become the New Orleans Pelicans.

In this game, Eric Gordon, the outside core of the Hornets, has returned from injury, and his combat effectiveness has been strengthened.

Sure enough, at the beginning of the game, the Hornets were different from the previous games. Eric Gordon was very active on the offensive end. Although his shooting percentage was not high, he caused Duncan to foul twice and had to leave the game early to rest.

With Duncan off the court, Davis was more active and the Hornets took the lead.

Zhang Xiaotian played with Ryan Anderson, still working hard.

The Spurs trailed by 9 points at halftime. Duncan and Parker were quite satisfactory. It was Danny Green who didn't feel good, and all the open positions were filled.

Popovich thought of the previous conversation, and looked at Zhang Xiaotian's performance, and still felt a little strange.

In this game, he will try it.

(End of this chapter)