basketball kingdom

Chapter 77

The Lakers had a simple routine training on the morning of the game against the Knicks. Hibbert, Nick Young and Clarkson had too much fun in the nightclub last night, and the training status went wrong.

Although NBA players are physically gifted, they are ordinary people after all, and they will still appear weak when they are overindulged.

Kobe understands that his teammates want to entertain and relax, but he is not as easy-talking as Xu Tian.At the end of the training, he assigned tasks to the three players who did not perform well, and asked them to achieve it in tonight's game, otherwise they will bear the consequences.

Xu Tian did not interfere with Kobe's decision-making. After the team's routine training, he stayed alone in the training hall to practice shooting.

Although the New York fans knew that Kobe would not play, they still bought out the tickets for the game between the Lakers and the Knicks in order to watch the hottest rookie Xu Tian.

Not long before the start of the game, Xu Tian, ​​wearing a custom black Armani suit and carrying a black Louis Vuitton briefcase, went to Madison Square Garden alone, preparing for tonight's game.

Maples arrived at the visiting team's locker room very early, put the equipment to be worn for this game in the locker, and waited quietly for the players to arrive.

On the hanger of Xu Tian's locker was the away gold jersey, with a shock-absorbing hoodie at the bottom, and on the hoodie were two long white knee pads and two white wristbands.

Xu Tian will be wearing Wade Way "Blue Ocean" limited edition sneakers for tonight's game. They are placed in front of the locker, quietly waiting for the owner's arrival.

Seeing Xu Tian walk into the locker room, Maples got up and said, "Hi! Xu, how are you doing this afternoon?"

Xu Tian first replied that he was doing well, and then reached out and handed the Louis Vuitton bag in front of Maples, making Maples' eyes widen in confusion.

Xu Tian said with a smile: "Carlos, I really like the long knee pads you prepared! As a return gift, I will give you this bag."

Maples took the Louis Vuitton briefcase from Xu Tian with a smile, sat back on the chair happily, and looked back and forth at this valuable bag without letting it go.

Xu Tian quickly changed into his sports equipment, then sat on another empty chair, and said to the smiling Maples, "Carlos, I don't have a lot of money, so I probably won't be able to give you gifts in the short term."

Maples couldn't restrain the excitement in his heart, and said with a smile: "This gift is very expensive, even if you give me something else, I don't dare to ask for it anymore."

Xu Tian was very satisfied with Maples' attitude. He ended the conversation with a smile and began to close his eyes to rest, while recalling the newly learned technical movements in his mind.

Anthony was in a good mood today, driving his wife Lara Vasquez and son Kiyan Anthony to Madison Square Garden.

The reporters all knew about the meeting between Anthony and Kobe yesterday. They blocked the player channel in order to get first-hand information, surrounded Porzingis who had just walked here, and asked him his opinion on this matter.

Porzingis does not have the same status in the team as Xu Tian did with the Lakers. Facing the media's questions, Porzingis kept silent and kept answering that he didn't know about it.

When Anthony walked into the player channel, he was surprised to see Porzingis surrounded by reporters. He hurried over and shouted: "Guys! The game will start soon, we need to change our jerseys, and wait until the game is over if we want to interview." Bar."

The reporters didn't want to let go of the interview opportunity. They left Porzingis and surrounded Anthony who had just arrived, and asked their own questions in a hurry.

Anthony originally wanted to help Porzingis out of the siege, but he didn't expect the reporters to come at him, and he didn't react for a short time.

The Knicks management staff arrived in time to block the slightly crazy media reporters in the player tunnel, allowing Anthony and Porzingis to enter the locker room.

After Anthony waited for the staff to close the locker room door, he turned around and asked Porzingis beside him, "Kristaps, what are they asking you, and why did they suddenly surround me?"

Porzingis knew that Anthony was not easy to mess with, and honestly described the whole story of being questioned by reporters.

Anthony didn't think there was anything worth talking about in the meeting with Kobe, so he asked Porzingis to change his jersey, and he quietly walked to the locker to change.

Spike Lee is a die-hard Knicks fan. In 2009, he made a documentary called "A Day in the Life of Superstar Kobe" and established a good personal relationship with Kobe.Relying on this relationship, he successfully arrived at the visiting team's locker room where the Lakers players were.

Kobe and Spike Lee walked up to Xu Tian, ​​wanting to introduce them to each other.

Xu Tian is an NBA fan, so he naturally knew who Spike Lee was, so he stretched out his right hand and said, "Spike, hello!"

Spike Lee didn't expect Xu Tian to take the initiative to reach out his hand, he was stunned for a moment before holding his outstretched right hand, and said in surprise: "You know my name!"

Xu Tian didn't know how to explain to Lao Mei, so he said calmly: "You are very famous, it's no big deal."

Afraid of affecting Xu Tian's pre-match preparations, Kobe quickly explained his intentions.

Spike Lee got the answer he wanted from Xu Tian's mouth, and set off from the visiting team's locker room contentedly, to watch the game from his sideline auditorium at Madison Square Garden.

When Kobe was about to enter the field, he pulled Xu Tian aside and said in a low voice: "Xu! If you want to become famous, tonight's game is the best opportunity to show your strong dominance, just like conquering Barclays." Make the 'garden' your domain!"

Knowing the character of New York fans, Xu Tian smiled and said, "Let's wait and see the good show!"

Madison Square Garden has 19812 seats, and now these seats are full of people, making the atmosphere of the venue very lively.

In the appearance introduction session, the on-site host briefly introduced the Lakers players, and put more energy on introducing the Knicks players.

Anthony sat on the bench, looked down at the floor illuminated by spotlights, and quietly waited for the host's introduction.

Although the Knicks already have the idea of ​​supporting Porzingis with all their strength, Anthony is still the team leader. At the end, he is introduced, "From Syracuse University, 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm) small forward. No. 7, Carmelo Anthony!"

After experiencing last season, the fans of Madison Square Garden didn't like to see Anthony very much, so they reluctantly gave him applause.

After the introduction, the starting players of both sides stepped into the field and greeted each other with high fives.

Lakers starting lineup: Xu Tian, ​​Clarkson, Nick Young, Nance Jr., Hibbert.

Knicks starting lineup: Jose Calderon, Aaron Afflalo, Anthony, Porzingis, Robin Lopez.

Scott and Fisher shook hands in front of the technical stage, and then returned to their respective coaches to sit and watch the upcoming game.

After high-fiving the Knicks starters, Xu Tian walked back to the backcourt as usual, ready to catch the jump ball that Hibbert might get.

After Hibbert and Lopez Jr. greeted each other near the center circle, they were ready for the opening ball fight.

Mike Breen and Mark Jackson came to the scene to explain, and they were analyzing the current situation of the two teams.

The referee didn't have that much to think about. He took the basketball to the middle of the two centers and executed the opening jump ball.

The basketball quickly flew into the air, attracting everyone's attention.

Lopez played faster than Hibbert, and he didn't go to the nightclub to have fun, crushing Hibbert to get the ball for the first time.

Calderon dribbled the ball halfway, saw Xu Tian standing in front of him, and gave the ball to Anthony on the wing without saying a word.

At the beginning of Anthony's career, he was as famous as James of St. Vincent St. Mary High School. In 03, he led Syracuse University to the NCAA championship of the year, and won the MOP with his outstanding performance, and then announced his participation in the draft.

The Denver Nuggets selected Anthony with the third pick in the first round of the draft, allowing him to start his career there.

Anthony's performance in his rookie season was comparable to that of James, but that was also the season in which he and James had the smallest gap.After the end of their rookie season, the gap between the two has become wider and wider, which is a bit like North Qiaofeng and South Murong.

Anthony is known as an offensive kaleidoscope, but his NBA career has not been very smooth, and there are not many personal honors. He only won the scoring title once in the 12-13 season.In addition, only eight All-Stars and the experience of reaching the Western Conference Finals in 09 can be used.

Anthony's national team resume is not bad, which has somewhat improved his career honors, but the NBA does not talk about the national team, but returns to the game itself.

Xu Tian knew that Anthony's passing awareness was not good, so he boldly let go of Calderon and went to work with Nick Young to flank him.

Anthony is good at the three-point threat at the waist and the mid-range emergency stop, and he is not so good at attacking from outside the three-point line.

Lopez Jr. saw that Anthony was in trouble, and quickly put on the screen to block the defender and help him create good offensive opportunities.

Anthony used the cover of Lopez Jr. to shake off Xu Tian who was assisting in the defense, dribbled the ball to the free throw line, and stopped Nance Jr. in the middle distance.

The forest is dark and the grass is frightened by the wind, the general draws his bow at night!
2-0!
Xu Tian received the serve and advanced, dribbled the ball flexibly at the top of the arc, and took advantage of the trend to find an open teammate.

With the help of two screens, Nick Young successfully got rid of Anthony's defense and ran out on the left.

Seeing Nick Young from the corner of his eye, Xu Tian passed the ball and followed him without dragging his feet.

Nick Young pulled up to shoot from outside the three-point line, but the strength under his feet couldn't keep up, so he just threw a three-point shot.

Xu Tian didn't expect Nick Young to start so weakly. He didn't go inside to fight at all. He could only watch Porzingis easily get the defensive rebound from Hibbert's head from the outside.

Calderon dribbled the ball across half court, and in order to prevent being intercepted, he passed the ball to Anthony again.

Anthony took a tentative step to catch the ball, changed his offensive strategy with the change of Nick Young's defensive action, and dribbled the ball to the left.

Nick Young's defense is not good enough, there is no way to stop the tall and strong Anthony, so he can only let him break through and hand it over to Hibbert on the inside.

Hibbert's legs were weak, and he was struggling enough to defend against him, so he didn't have the energy to come out to help defend.

(End of this chapter)