basketball kingdom

Chapter 24 What I Said
"Alley-oop! Clint Capela used a beautiful alley-oop to tie the game. It is worth noting that this is the first time the Rockets have scored in nearly 3 minutes. Not good." Kenny Smith commented on Capela's goal in real time.

The alley-oop cooperation between Xu Tian and Capela lifted the spirits of the Rockets fans at the scene. They dropped their silence and began to cheer for Capela unrestrainedly.They have gone through the same mental journey as the Timberwolves fans at the beginning of the game in the past few minutes. Now they finally saw an explosive alley-oop, and immediately released the enthusiasm accumulated in their bodies for a long time.

Xu Tian raised his right hand and slapped Capela who was running over from beyond the three-point line.Because of Bickerstaff's departure, the Rockets' players on the court are panicking. This dunk can stabilize the morale of the army.

……

For some time thereafter, the two sides engaged in very intense hand-to-hand combat.During this period, in order to prevent Xu Tian from shooting, the Timberwolves sent him to the free throw line three times.

Xu Tian made 6 of 5 free throws from the free throw line and scored 5 points, increasing his personal score to 19 points.

With 2 and a half minutes before the end of the first quarter, the team's assistant coach Chris Finch called a timeout and replaced Xu Tian and Capela.

(Chris Finch started his coaching career in the English Basketball League in the 90s, leading the Field Sharks to championships many times, helping the Sharks become the most successful team in league history. In the 1998-99 season, Finch Was named the best coach in the English league.

In 2009, Finch became the head coach of the Rockets' affiliated NBDL team, the Vipers. In 2011, he succeeded and became the assistant coach of the Rockets.His coaching style is to give players freedom on the offensive end and strict requirements on the defensive end, which coincides with Xu Tian's basketball philosophy. )
……

Xu Tian's backup point guard was in a bad state today. He was a bit lost on both ends of the offense and defense, and he also had a problem of sticking the ball. As a result, the other four players on the field could only follow him to practice back and forth.

The Timberwolves played very well during this time, and took the opportunity to play a small attack wave of 8-2. At the end of the first quarter, they led the Rockets by 28 points with a score of 25-[-].

Both Zach LaVine and McDaniels played the first quarter, but the expressions of the two were completely different. LaVine's face was a little proud, while McDaniels looked a little frustrated.

Seeing that McDaniels was in a low mood, Xu Tian walked over and patted him on the shoulder. When McDaniels raised his head, he said to him, "Don't worry."

McDaniels looked at the young man with a calm expression in front of him, and the frustration on his face gradually disappeared. He suddenly found that Xu Tian had become the boss of the team before he knew it.

Because the translator was not around, the communication between Xu Tian and McDaniels did not last long.

After Chris Finch saw that Xu Tian was free, he walked to Xu Tian's side with the translator. During the break between festivals, he wanted to have a brief exchange with Xu Tian.

……

In the second quarter, the Rockets focused on the pick-and-roll tactics of Capela and Xu Tian.

Relying on his own speed, Xu Tian forcibly opened the opponent's defense line, but because he didn't feel good, he scored 5 points and 6 assists in a single quarter, helping the Rockets to bite the score.

Wang Meng saw that McDaniels missed the last shot at the end of the half, and said: "The half is over, let's take a look at the performance of the players from both sides in the first half."

Tencent understood the point of this competition very well. What appeared on the background screen was the performance comparison between Xu Tian and Downs.

“徐天上半场打了15分钟，投篮11中6，罚球8中7，三分7中5，拿下了24分4篮板7助攻。作为对比，唐斯在上半场打了16分钟，投篮10中5，罚球4中4，三分2中1，拿下了15分7篮板2助攻。”王猛看着电脑屏幕，将双方两个焦点球员的具体数据念了出来。

After Yang Yi listened to it, he said from the side: "Looking at the performance of these two, Xu Tian is undoubtedly better, but now the Rockets are still 8 points behind, which shows that his teammates are playing very averagely, and it can even be said that they are playing well." Very poor. If we continue to play like this in the second half, the Rockets will probably lose this game.”

Wang Meng calculated Xu Tian's statistics in his mind, and echoed: "I agree with your point of view. Xu Tian's current assists are 7, and if they are counted as 14 assists, it is 38 points. Adding his score, they are in the top half. Xu Tian had 46 points in the game. The Rockets scored 8 points in the first half, which means that when Xu Tian was not on the court, the other teammates only scored [-] points."

Yang Yi continued: "The current situation is like this. If the Rockets want to win, Xu Tian's performance in the second half can't be worse than the first half, and even needs to play better. But Xu Tian's touch in the first half, want to It is still impossible to maintain it all the time, so it will be difficult to win this game."

Wang Meng prepared another set of rhetoric and said: "This is a summer league game, and what is more important is to train and show your talent. Xu Tian's performance in this game has already surpassed other players on the field. His The goal has been achieved, the end result is not really that important."

"That's true."

……

Sitting in the locker room, Bickerstaff was still blaming himself for being sent off, but in order not to affect the mentality of the players, he did not walk towards them.

Xu Tian saw Bickerstaff sitting in the corner, beckoned the translator over, and said, "Follow me to greet the head coach, I have something to say to him."

The translator still had that listless expression on his face, and said reluctantly: "It's halftime now, can't you stop for a while?"

Xu Tian really didn't like the working attitude of the translators, his face changed, and he said, "If you don't come, you will be unemployed tonight."

As soon as the interpreter heard this sentence, the lazy expression on his face disappeared immediately, and he put on a flattering smile, saying: "This is my job, I am happy to go with you."

Xu Tian shook his head helplessly, without saying anything, turned around and walked in the direction of Bickerstaff.

The translator quietly followed Xu Tian, ​​but in his heart, he had already scolded Xu Tian from head to toe.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Bickerstaff raised his head instinctively, and saw Xu Tian and the interpreter walking over.He happened to see the translator secretly pointing to Xu Tian, ​​frowned, and asked, "What are you doing?"

The interpreter quickly put down his right hand and replied: "Nothing, sir, I'm just looking at my palm."

Xu Tian looked back at the translator. He could tell at a glance that the translator was lying, but he didn't try to expose the lie.He still needs the help of translators now, and he cannot dwell on these small issues.

Bickerstaff saw that Xu Tian didn't intend to ask more questions, nor did he pursue too much, so he asked Xu Tian, ​​"How was the score in the first half?"

Xu Tian sat down next to Bickerstaff and replied: "46-54, we are behind by 8 points."

Bickerstaff's expression was a little gloomy. He originally thought he could win the Summer League championship, but he didn't expect that not only he was sent off, but even the team was in trouble.

Xu Tian looked at the silent Bickerstaff and said, "Coach, do you still remember what I told you two days ago?"

Bickerstaff raised his head, looked at Xu Tian with a calm expression, and said, "Of course. I still remember that you said you would lead the team to win the Summer League championship."

Xu Tian nodded and said, "That's right, let me stress it again now, I want to win the Summer League championship!"

Bickerstaff stared blankly at Xu Tian, ​​and after being silent for a while, he said, "I hope God can bless you with success!"

Although Xu Tian does not believe in Christianity, he respects the beliefs of Westerners and said with a smile: "Everything is on my side today, and the final result will definitely get what you want."

After listening to the interpreter, Bickerstaff said, "Xu, your character is different from the character of the Orientals in my impression. You are always full of self-confidence, as if nothing can trouble you, but I still want to remind you You, basketball is a team sport, and you can't change the whole game by just relying on the strength of one person."

Xu Tian smiled when he heard Bickerstaff's evaluation of him, but quickly restrained his smile and said, "Coach, you are right. It is precisely because of this that I hope you can talk to Chris -Coach Finch, tell me, temporarily hand over the locker room to me."

Bickerstaff had great trust in Xu Tian, ​​and without asking any more questions, he stood up from his seat.

He went to Chris Finch.

About half a minute later, Bickerstaff and Finch came over together, and Finch asked from a long distance, "Mr. Bickerstaff said you want to lead the team to win the championship. Suggestion?"

Xu Tian stood up from his chair and said, "It's not a suggestion, I just need a few minutes."

Finch didn't trust Xu Tian as much as Bickerstaff did. He had doubts in his eyes and said, "A few minutes can't change anything. You should concentrate on resting and try to continue your performance in the second half."

Xu Tian didn't answer Finch's words, but asked Bickerstaff beside him, "Can I borrow a few minutes?"

Bickerstaff patted Finch on the shoulder to stop what he wanted to say. After Finch calmed down, he said with a smile, "Of course it's no problem. I'd be happy to exchange a few minutes for a Summer League champion."

Xu Tian ignored the displeased expression on Finch's face, walked straight to the place where the players gathered, patted his hands, and attracted their attention.

"Let me say something, and you translate it." Xu Tian whispered something to the translator first, then turned to the players and said, "Before the second half starts, I have something to say to you."

The team members looked at Xu Tian suspiciously, not knowing what he was going to do.

(End of this chapter)