NBA Please Answer 2007

Chapter 118 Away from Memphis

The Chinese team actually defeated Spain. As soon as the result came out, the basketball world around the world was shocked.

It can be said that in one game, the Chinese team has secured the top eight.

The strength of Group B came out at the time of grouping. Angola was at the bottom of the group. Germany was originally on par with China in strength, but now it seems that Germany's strength has shrunk significantly. Now it is far behind China, which defeated Spain.

In a certain sense, this can already predict the quarterfinals of the Chinese Olympic Games, and Germany and Angola will definitely be eliminated, because it is impossible for these two teams to win more than two games.

On August 8, China will face Germany. As long as it defeats Germany, China will definitely qualify.

However, before again, China will have a match with Angola, which is a big fish in Group B.

The outside world generally believes that there is no suspense in this game. Li Zhi's performance in the Olympics is obvious to all. It can be said that with Li Zhi, the Chinese team's perimeter defense and offense have been upgraded to a higher level.

Especially the perimeter defense, except for some NBA All-Star guards, few people can break through Li Zhi's blockade.

Speaking of the Olympics, the Chinese team has no worries about the match against Angola. The Chinese team, which has just defeated Spain and is in good shape, may have a chance to win all but the US team and win the second place in the group.

It is also qualifying, but the second place in the group has a different meaning.According to the competition rules of the Olympic men’s basketball team, the teams in the upper half of this group will play against the teams in the lower half of the other group. That is to say, as long as China gets the second place in the group, it can avoid the two powerful opponents in Group A-Argentina and Lithuania in the subsequent knockout rounds.

The media are reporting China's victory over Spain with a frantic attitude.

The reason why the Chinese media are like this is because Spain was the last Olympic champion.And now, the host country, China, took down Spain as a dark horse, and the name of the Chinese men's basketball team once again entered the sight of the US team.

Originally, China would not be the opponent of the US team, but if China really won the second place in the group, then everything is very possible.

The old coach K watched the match between China and Spain repeatedly, and finally came to a conclusion: Li Zhi's defense is very strong.

In fact, I don’t know that old coach K is studying Li Zhi’s defense, and American basketball experts are also studying it. It is really that Li Zhi’s defense is too eye-catching in this game.

At this time, the expectations of the NBA experts for the new season of the Warriors have been raised to another level. American experts have seen Li Zhi's growth in the NBA step by step. Next season ushered in the absolute core position. Li Zhi will definitely surprise everyone.

On the morning of the Chinese team's match against Angola, news came from the Warriors that Monta Ellis had been traded.

The Warriors and the Grizzlies completed the deal, the Grizzlies sent Kyle Lowry and Dakomirisic, and the Warriors sent Monta Ellis.

Well-known critic Smith analyzed that this transaction has achieved a win-win situation.First of all, after the Warriors lost Baron Davis and signed Corey Maggette, Crawford was like a fish in water on the sixth man. The ball possession position ushered in a vacuum period. Kyle Lowry has the potential to become a star.

It's just that the Grizzlies already have last season's rookie Michael Conley at the point guard position, and Michael Conley has an upper limit far higher than Kyle Lowry in terms of performance.

The Grizzlies also cleared Milicic's rotten contract while getting their coveted core.

In the past few years, the Grizzlies have been lacking an attacker on the outside. Rudy Gay, who was originally expected to be high, has not shown the talent of being a star, and the offensive options are often unacceptable.

And Monta Ellis is just an offensive master, with a strong breakthrough, and last season in the Warriors, the defense that was criticized by people has improved significantly, and the three-point shooting rate has also increased to 40%, showing the appearance of a superstar.

In fact, the change of Monta Ellis was completely influenced by Li Zhi. Li Zhi's defensive attitude has always been praised by the old coach Nelson. Monta Ellis, who has a good relationship with Li Zhi, was naturally influenced by Li Zhi. He learned a lot from Li Zhi in defense.

Another change in Monta Ellis is the three-pointer. Last season, the Warriors averaged 27 three-pointers per game, catching up with the Suns. With the guidance of Li Zhi, Belinelli, and Crawford, the three-pointer has also improved a lot this season, increasing the shooting rate from 33.3% to 40%.

Destiny is a wonderful thing. The arrival of Li Zhi changed Ellis and made him better, but it also made other team management pay attention to this growing star.

And the Grizzlies are one of them.

"Monta, I wish you a happy life in Memphis!" Li Zhi said melancholy on the phone.

But there was no sad voice on the other end of the phone, and Monta Ellis jokingly said, "I finally left you. With you by my side, when will I be the boss? Just wait for my brother to be an All-Star!"

It was still that funny guy, but Li Zhi still felt something unspeakable in his voice.

"Really so happy?" Li Zhi asked curiously.

"Well, I was a little surprised, but I think it's a good place, don't I?" Monta Ellis said with a sigh.

Li Zhi chuckled and blessed Monta Ellis again.

Man, I hope you can continue to maintain this attitude in Memphis, and hope that we will play together again at the All-Stars one day.

Monta Ellis is Li Zhi's first friend in the NBA. Li Zhi can feel the changes brought about by his influence on Monta Ellis, and he sincerely hopes that he can become better.

After hanging up the phone, Li Zhi remembered Milicic mentioned in the transaction.

Dakomilicic beat Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and other superstars to become the second place in the Platinum generation in 03, but his fate was ill-fated and his life in the NBA was not satisfactory.

Milicic's salary next season is as high as 720 million US dollars, while the data contributed to the Grizzlies last season was only 5.5 points and 6.1 rebounds. This transaction can only be regarded as the Grizzlies clearing the salary space.

But it is such a parallel importer, and many managements still have expectations for him. Milicic, who was born in 1985, is only 23 years old, only two years older than Li Zhi, and still has training value.

Nelson once praised Milicic before the draft: "His size, physique, speed, dexterity and strength are all amazing. If you want a center or power forward, then Darko is definitely your best choice."

The Jazz's scout Dar Xin said frankly: "If he had the No. [-] pick in his hand, he would not hesitate to choose Milicic instead of LeBron James."

"Compared with LeBron, Darko has more complete abilities and can play more positions on the field. He can play center, power forward, and small forward. Darko doesn't have as much pressure as LeBron. He doesn't have a 9000 million sponsorship contract like the latter. There are only a few unmissable players on the draft list, and I think Darko is one of them."

Although this was later cited as a joke, it still reflects Milicic's talent.

PS: Bringing parallel imports is a hot commodity... the fourth position in the new era...

(End of this chapter)