The three-point line is really too close

Chapter 134 The Sinking Celtics! The development of "Long Center"!

……

Since the 1995-1996 season, the Celtics have failed to make the playoffs for six consecutive years.

It wasn't until the 2001-2002 season that they reached the top eight in the East again under the leadership of "Gemini" Paul Pierce and Anthony Walker.

That year, they unexpectedly passed all the way and directly reached the Eastern Conference Finals, but lost 2:4 to the New Jersey Nets led by Jason Kidd.

Bostonians thought this would be a good beginning, but who knew that after this brief revival, it ushered in a more tragic sinking.

In the next few years, the performance of the Celtics was lackluster, the results were consistent, and they always lacked competitiveness.

In the 2006-07 to 2007-08 seasons of Zhang Bolong's previous life, this team just made a big breakthrough.

Before the start of this season, the greatest head coach in team history, and even the greatest figure, "Cardinal" Auerbach passed away.

The Celtics, who were swept away by grief, did not come singly. Pierce, the team boss, was also injured and missed many games.

It's a pity that the league didn't use a No. [-] or No. [-] pick as a consolation for this great team. The fifth overall pick also declared that they were doomed to miss Kevin Durant, who had long been in their hearts.

Maybe it's as sad as the "Cardinals" missing out on Tim Duncan in 1997.

But if you lose your horse, you will never know it is not a blessing.

The Supersonics that selected Durant did not win a championship because of it. Instead, the Celtics used Jeff Green, the fifth pick, as a bargaining chip in exchange for Ray Allen. The formation of the Big Three laid a solid foundation and helped the team win the championship trophy after an absence of 22 years.

……

Stepping into the North Shore Garden Arena, you will be greeted with a heavy and grand atmosphere.

But this momentum is accompanied by a kind of dullness and listlessness.

In the previous life, since Garnett, Pierce and Ray Allen formed the Big Three, although the Celtics only won one championship in the next ten years, they maintained a stable performance almost every season. vulgar competitiveness.

Even the civilian Celtics team led by Thomas Jr. can make the Warriors who have won 24 consecutive victories and have not lost a single defeat in the vertical and horizontal alliances here.

But now, the green in this arena seems to have lost its vitality, like a layer of gray mist.

In other words, what Zhang Bolong felt was a team without vigor and hope.
Although most of their players are young, it is the age of hard work and struggle;
Although their fans will still fill this place, they will still wear green jerseys to cheer and support.

But they have failed for too long, and the credit books of history have been dusted, and the silence has been so long that this group of proud fans has forgotten what it is like to be a champion.

In this game, Celtics leader Pierce and second-in-command Szczerbiak are both out due to injuries.

There is no suspense in such a game at all.

117:96，张勃龙得到22分8篮板14助攻的全面数据，率领勇士轻取凯尔特人，将球队的战绩变为了14胜13负。

But in this game, there were still two players from the despondent Celtics who performed well, which made Zhang Bolong's eyes shine.

The first one is Tony Allen, a famous defensive champion in his previous life.

The famous player in his prime is only 24 years old now, and his reputation is not obvious, but he has already shown good defensive skills.

In this game, he was sent by head coach Doc Rivers to guard Zhang Bolong. He contributed 17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

Unlike Artest, although Allen's defense is tough and his skills are a bit rough, his defensive movements are very clean, and there are no malicious or excessive behaviors.

Maybe this is why, also as a top forward defender, his defensive style is much better than that of Bowen and Artest.

The other is Al Jefferson, who is not yet well-known.

This inside player who is less than 22 years old scored a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, and sent 4 blocks at the same time, which was very outstanding.

In the previous two years, he had been evaluated as a slow-improving and injury-prone player who was not favored by the public.

But in the new season, he has averaged a double-double and is also among the top power forwards in the league. He has become the young inside core supporting the Celtics.

In his previous life, he was called "Yao Ming's nemesis", and he had a luxurious stat of 36+22 against Dayao.

This gentleman is very stocky, has a strong offensive ability with his back to the basket, and has solid footwork. His outstanding strength and wingspan allow him to easily get 20+10 data.

Of course, he is the main bargaining chip that the Celtics will use to trade Garnett in the future.

For Jefferson, Zhang Bolong has no special feelings, and this guy is not suitable for his team, but a future defensive master like Tony Allen still deserves his long-term attention.

Silently writing Tony Allen into his little book, Zhang Bolong triggered another interesting thing.

The Celtics backup point guard Rajon Rondo, who played only 5 minutes in the game, made a special trip to find Zhang Bolong, hoping to exchange jerseys with him.

"Dragon! Hello, I, I am also a rookie in the 06 class, my name is Rondo, Rajon Rondo!"

"Hello, Rajon." Zhang Bolong was taken aback for a moment, then took off his jersey with a smile.

Seeing that Zhang Bolong had no pretensions, Long Duo showed joy on his face, and continued:
"I love watching you play, I try to shoot the three-pointer like you in practice, but I can't do it...

So I used this method to practice rebounding-yes, I shot and grabbed myself!It's really amazing, I found that I have a more accurate judgment on the route of the rebound! "

"Ah..." Zhang Bolong was speechless.

Do you dare to say that "Long Center"'s level of grabbing rebounds was trained here?
"I have a specialization in art, and my shooting may be better, but your sense of rebounding and defensive instinct are much better than mine."

The future "Director Long" still seems a little restrained, and he smiled shyly when he heard Zhang Bolong's praise.

The two exchanged jerseys and exchanged a hug.

"You'll make it in the league, Rajon, and more than that. You're the best defensive and organizational point guard in this class. Over time, your achievements may not be below mine."

……

Leaving Boston, the Warriors continued to get a day of rest.

After the devil's schedule, it is natural to return to some humanity.

Otherwise, I am afraid that the Warriors management will not be able to help but complain to the league.

At this moment, Old Nelson also called Zhang Bolong.

The Ray Allen deal is on the horizon.

(End of this chapter)