I have a lot of skills in the NBA

Chapter 143 The Intra-Team Training Match Against Tat
The next day was the annual media day, and the coaching staff of the Clippers did not arrange any technical and tactical training.

All the teams in the league have made their collective appearances today. Some teams have gone through an offseason operation, and some lineups have undergone earth-shaking changes compared with last season.

In this annual media day, each team will introduce the team's latest lineup and goals for the new season.

The Clippers held a media day today, and there were very few reporters present, which was quite bleak.

In the past few years, the Clippers had captain Paul, White Monster Griffin and Jr. Jordan. The city of lobs had a moment of glory. It once clamored to replace the Lakers as the owner of Los Angeles. Later, Paul went to Houston, Griffin was traded to the Pistons, and Jordan joined the Lone Ranger. The city of lobs disintegrated, and the Clippers went into decline.

Li Yang sat on the rostrum, looked at the few media people off the court, and secretly complained in his heart: They are both in Los Angeles, why is there such a big gap?
Li Yang looked at the shabby lineup of the Clippers in the new season, the team's best sixth man Lu Wei, mad dog Beverly, CBA teammate Delgado, dunk king Boban Majanovic, rookie Alexander, Italian gunner Gallinari, beast power forward Harrell, "Prince of Cameroon" Luke Richard Mbah a Moute, he couldn't help but shed bitter tears.

Alexander still supported Li Yang as always, and his old acquaintance, Delgado, also chatted with Li Yang whenever he had a chance.

Delgado can make a living as a blue-collar player, but he signed a two-way contract. It is estimated that he will have very little playing time in the new season, and he may return to the CBA in a short time.

Li Yang is very curious whether the butterfly effect he brought will change the Clippers' trade this season. According to Li Yang's memory, the 76ers and the Clippers have reached a six-man agreement in the middle of the season.

The Clippers sent Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovich, Mike Scott, and got Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, a 76 first-round pick from the 2020ers, an unprotected first-round pick from the Heat in 2021, and two second-round picks.

Looking at the Clippers' lineup for this season, Li Yang felt sorry for Rivers. In the previous season, they traded Harris. When everyone thought the Clippers were going to fail, the Clippers suddenly announced that they would compete for a place in the playoffs. In the end, they entered the playoffs as the eighth seed without an All-Star.

I have to admire Rivers for being able to enter the playoffs with such a fairy lineup, and even fought six games with the five-star Warriors. It's not easy! ! !

Or say that the Clippers are a broken ship?
However, this Clippers team is not without bright spots. Danilo Gallinari is a good striker. In Li Yang's memory, Gallinari suddenly broke out in the 18-19 season, averaging 19.8 points, 46.3% shooting percentage and 6.2 rebounds per game, setting a new high in his 11-year career.

Although he is not good defensively at the small forward position, but with his height, he will not suffer too much.

In addition, there is Lu Wei. His offensive ability can be said to be leading in the league, especially his ability to draw fouls, but his defensive ability can basically be ignored.

Such a player can be used as a secret weapon on the offensive end of the team or a leader player on the bench.

In addition, there is Mad Dog Beverly, he is a court thug, his style of play and personality are fierce enough, he can even defend James in the game, and people recognize his attitude very much.

Coupled with forward Tobias Harris, who has a good basketball IQ and comprehensive skills, his ability to handle the ball often makes the opposite big man a headache. He can combine strength and agility, making it difficult for defenders to deal with. It is a pity that he will be traded to the 76ers in the middle of the season. I don’t know if Li Yang’s arrival will change this result.

The Clippers are more capable of playing against the above-mentioned players. For Garrett Temple, Tyrone Wallace, Jonathan Motley, etc., Li Yang's head hurts when he hears it.

Harris is the one who performed the hardest on the media day. In the new season, there are not many strong forwards for the Clippers. He is eager to be the boss and also wants a big contract.

However, sometimes it is good to be handsome. No matter how happy he dances, few reporters pay attention to him. On the contrary, Li Yang and Italian anti-aircraft gun Gallinari are more favored by the media on site.

When the team took a group photo, Rivers deliberately arranged for Li Yang to stand in the middle. This Clippers team doesn't have any big-name stars. The Clippers general manager logo man West wants to catch big fish in the free market next year, so Harris doesn't plan to stay.

Lu Wei and Gallinari stood next to Li Yang, one on the left and one on the right. Lu Wei didn't say anything, and he didn't mean to be the boss. When he entered the NBA, he was not favored by others. As a player with outstanding strengths and weaknesses, it is not easy to achieve today's results.

Gallinari is very happy. He has just returned from injury. This Italian old handsome guy cherishes the opportunity to play. International players generally do not move their nests easily. Gallinari has already fallen in love with the big city of Los Angeles and is eager to stay here until his retirement.

After the group photo was over, the reporters surrounded Li Yang one after another.

Li Yang simply answered the reporters' questions. Although the Clippers got Li Yang in the draft, many media still looked down on the Clippers.

After all, Li Yang is an Asian player, and he is also a defender.

From the perspective of paper strength, this Clippers is really bad. Whether it can make it to the playoffs is a matter of opinion. Maybe it will be bad at the beginning of the season.

On the media day, Li Yang also met the beautiful assistant coach Natalie Nakase. This assistant coach has accepted the promotion of Rivers and has officially been promoted to the last assistant coach of the Clippers. This can be regarded as the recognition of her achievements in the past few years.

Li Yang and Natalie Nakase had an in-depth exchange for a while.

For Li Yang, Natalie's entry into the Clippers' coaching staff is great news. At least based on the friendship between the two, she will help Li Yang inquire about the final move of the management.

On the 11th, the Clippers organized fans to watch the team's first training session of the new season.

"Natalie, I choose 5 players, you choose 5 players, how about we have a five-on-five intra-team match? Let me see if your coaching level has improved." Rivers was in a good mood, patting the team's third assistant coach Natalie Nakase on the shoulder and said.

Natalie couldn't help complaining secretly: You are a bad old man, you are very bad, don't you just want to abuse me, give me a show of power, my mother has never been afraid? At this time, Natalie suddenly recalled Li Yang, who performed well in the summer league, and the beautiful assistant coach changed her mind: "Okay, Coach Doug, but I have to pick someone first. "

Rivers spread his hands confidently, with a look of indifference.

Natalie first picked Li Yang, Rivers was not surprised, and then picked Alexander, Delgado, Harrell, and Gallinari.

After watching Natalie's selection, Rivers frowned, "Natalie, are you teasing me on purpose?"

Zubac, Beverly, Harris and Lu Wei, the main players last season, such as Natalie, were not selected.

Natalie shook her head, "No, I just chose a lineup that I am familiar with and full of vitality."

Relying on her understanding of Li Yang's technical characteristics, Natalie chose Alexander, Delgado and Rodriguez who had played together with Xia Lian.

Rodriguez has a passable three-pointer and excellent athletic ability. Natalie knows that in order to play Li Yang's role, he must be equipped with an offensive firepower point to open up space. Rodriguez is a tough wing, good at straight line breakthroughs and drawing fouls, and can play pick-and-rolls with Li Yang.

As for Delgado and Harrell, they are used to protect the frame and grab boards, and eat cakes by the way.

Alexander can partner with Li Yang in the backcourt, and when Li Yang plays off the ball, he can temporarily play as a point guard and organize offenses.

Rivers felt that he was underestimated by the beautiful assistant teacher, so he decided to teach her a lesson.

"Listen, our strategy is to play around Yang." Natalie pulled her chosen team aside.

Delgado and Harrell nodded vigorously. They were in charge of defense, and they did what the coach said.

Alexander wants to compete for the position of the main point guard in the new season, and wants to partner with Li Yang in the backcourt, so he has been communicating with Li Yang about how to play for a while after the division.

Patrick Beverly feels that he has inexhaustible energy now, and he can't wait to start the game immediately, show off his power, try Li Yang's quality, and it is best to teach the opponent an unforgettable lesson.

After the tactics were arranged, the training match began immediately. Rivers wanted to educate Natalie, so he asked the staff to prepare according to the official match.

The physical trainer Wright and the second assistant Kathy Hill acted as referees and were responsible for whistleblowing the game.

Natalie coached the white team and Rivers coached the blue team.

The starting five of the white team: center Delgado, power forward Harrell, small forward Rodriguez, shooting guard Li Yang, point guard Alexander.

The blue team starts with five players: center Zubac, power forward Gallinari, small forward Harris, shooting guard Reed, and point guard Beverly.

At this time, the Clippers fans who were present to watch cheered up and stared wide-eyed. They decided to see if Li Yang was really as good as the rumors said. If it was just a waste of fame, they would resolutely abandon this season and turn to the embrace of the rival Lakers in the same city.

(End of this chapter)