Jim Bass Ambition

Chapter 196 The Slam Dunk Contest No One Cares About

The Los Angeles All-Star Game is approaching. Considering that since Carter turned out, the last few dunk contests have been lackluster. There are always a few familiar faces on the court, including Carter, Kobe, McGrady and Francis. The top actual dunkers are no longer willing Take part in the dunk contest.

Back in the day, those who participated in the slam dunk contest were all heroes, let’s not talk about the master Joe, the essence of human movies, gliders, they were all well-known big names, but in the 90s, the slam dunk contest became a stage for role players to show themselves. It doesn't matter who Harold Miner, Kenny Walker or Dee Brown are, their dunks won't be remembered at all.

In order to block the entry of some second-rate dunkers and let this year's super rookies James, Anthony, Wade, including last year's Stoudemire Jr. and other violent dunkers compete, David Stern came up with an amazing plan. Zhixi's idea is to impose conditions on the slam dunk contest, and the contestants must be rookies who have entered the league within 3 years.

However, James has not yet followed Stern's wishes and has not signed up for the dunk contest.

James did not express his position, and people turned their attention to Wade, who repeatedly staged dunks in the game.

"Seriously, Dwyane, don't you really think about participating in the slam dunk contest? I have a lot of ideas that can help you win the championship." After a training session, Jim found Wade to discuss matters related to the slam dunk contest , The All-Star Game is the home of the Lakers, if the Lakers can have a dunk champion, that would be great.

"If it's a slam dunk in a game, I won't be afraid of anyone, but if it's a slam dunk contest, I may not be able to do it. I don't jump as high as Jason Richardson and Desmond Mason. Can’t play their shit. No one wants to watch me do a big one-handed tomahawk in the dunk contest, and I’d rather sit on the sidelines and enjoy my first All-Star weekend than embarrassing myself on the court.” Wade has clearly made up his mind not to participate in the dunk contest and rejected Jim's suggestion.

Although teams with many scoring points have a higher fault tolerance rate, in the long season, there are always a few games where the whole team can't find the crosshairs.

Entering the first game in February, the Lakers encountered this embarrassment.After being a guest in Toronto to challenge the Raptors after a major shake-up, the whole team is constantly hitting the iron, and it is bound to knock the basket of the route center arena.

Although the legendary Darko Milicic was selected with the fourth pick, the Serbian boy obviously has not reached the height before the draft. Whether it is offense or defense, it can only be said that he has great potential for improvement.The only bright spot is that he can contribute nearly 20 blocks in less than 2 minutes of playing time, but at the same time, he must also be matched with nearly 4 fouls.

In the first half of the season, due to Carter's injury, the Raptors performed poorly, and the team sent away the defensive backbone Antonio Davis and Jerome Williams. Now the Raptors are Alvin Williams and Milicic ran back and forth on the court, watching Carter, Jaylen Rose and Marshall take turns playing singles. went.

The Lakers' inability to make shots has nothing to do with the Raptors' defense at all. It's simply a poor touch. Even Kobe had a scene where he dunked an empty basket with a tomahawk, but the defense was still online. Carter was absent-minded and shot 21 of 6 shots from the field. With the Lakers in the fight, the Lakers used 39.5% of the field goal percentage and 13 of 1 three-pointers to score a season-low 84 points. They still brought the victory back from Toronto. .

After the All-Star Game, the trading door will also be closed. Many teams are looking for the last opportunity to strengthen during this period. Jim and Kupchak also received some trading offers, but there is no offer to continue the negotiation Value, such as the Hornets who just moved to New Orleans, they took a fancy to Nene Hilario and David West, hoping to use George Lynch and Steve Smith to trade, but Jim flatly refused, The Lakers don't need so many veterans now. Although West and West's current statistics are not impressive, the rookie bonus can still be enjoyed for several years. After Malone retires, the team needs someone to top the power forward position.

The bosses of the teams who did not give up kept revealing trading rumors to the media in an attempt to shake the morale of the players.

In response to this situation, Jim called a player meeting.

"Thank you for your wonderful performance. Our first half of the season has been wonderful. There is no doubt that our goal this season is only one, and that is to win the championship. For this, what I can do is to let all of you wear Now, I can guarantee that no one will leave our current team until the end of the season. I think you are good enough to represent the Lakers to defeat all powerful enemies and win the O'Brien Cup."

I don’t know how much comfort Jim’s words have had. At least in the away game against the Indiana Pacers, the Lakers will use their lives. Down a win.

Although O'Neal faced Ostertag and Campbell's top defense and the Lakers' front line took turns to consume, he still scored 29 points and 13 rebounds. The foul-talking brother combination of Gary Payton and Reggie Miller was almost chasing The Lakers' backcourt slobbered the entire game while using experience to keep the pace of the game as slow as possible.The Lakers still aimed at the Pacers' old age, weak defense at the power forward position, and O'Neal's pick-and-roll defense and other weaknesses, with precise strikes, making Al Harrington and Robert Hawley overwhelmed and completely reduced to cash machines.

If the Pacers' defense is an iron barrel with a hole in the power forward position, then the defense of the next opponent, the Cleveland Cavaliers, can only be described as a plastic toy. Considering the back-to-back games, Zen Master deliberately controlled the starting lineup. Playing time, although the scene was very lively, the intensity was not high. Artest took a three-step defense against James, but James obviously felt good today. He made all 4 three-pointers and let the Artest was a little helpless.

The Lakers are struggling on the defensive end, but the Cavaliers can't defend at all. Kobe blasted Dajuan Wagner into a scum, and Big Z was in a dilemma facing the Lakers' high-post support and alternating air cuts. In the fourth quarter, the Lakers After gaining strength, a 14-2 shock wave directly took the game away. James scored a team-high 32 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

This game contributed four of the top ten shots of the day. Kobe, James, Wade and Nene each contributed wonderful performances, but no one declared to participate in this year's dunk contest.

(End of this chapter)