Chapter 1053 1052. The Successor of the Fraud Industry

On December 11, the Hawks came to Sacramento to rest for a night, and challenged the Kings on the 12th.

In the past, Liu Mang was booed when he came to Arco Arena. Liu Mang made Peja lose face in the three-point contest, and the Kings fans have always hated Liu Mang.

But this time Liu Mang came to Arco Arena, and received a lot of cheers from fans when he came out.

Anyone who made Kobe and O'Neal lose face is a hero when he comes to the Kings' home court.

When Liu Mang heard these cheers, he felt the helplessness of the Kings fans and the fact that the Kings were declining.

The winning rate at the beginning was just over 30%. After sending away Divac, Webber and Christie one after another, the Kings finally fell completely in the 05-06 season.

After Liu Mang came out, he sat on the bench and watched the home team players enter the court.

There were also cheers. After all, Mike Bibby and Peja Stojakovic, the most gorgeous Kings of the year, were still in the Kings, but the Kings players gave people a lifeless feeling.

When strong teams meet the Hawks, they all want to end the Hawks' winning streak, such as the Supersonics; emerging teams that are trying to rise aggressively also want to defeat the Hawks to announce their arrival, such as the Clippers.

But the Kings, a team that still wears the coat of a strong team but is weak inside, is like a stagnant pool of water.

27-year-old Mike Bibby is at his peak, averaging 20+ points per game for the first time in his career. He has played 25 games so far this season, averaging 20.8 points, 3 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game, but the Kings have basically nothing to do with the playoffs. So far this season, they have 8 wins and 17 losses, ranking 12th in the West, while the 11th-ranked Hornets currently have 12 wins and 14 losses, far exceeding the Kings. The top 11 and the bottom four in the West have a world of difference in record.

Mike Bibby is very powerful, has a big heart, and dares to take responsibility, but he does not have the ability to be the leader of a team. An average of 20+5 per game during his peak period is his limit. He is more suitable to be the second or third leader of a strong team, the kind who dares to shoot at critical moments and can provide stable help to the core in regular time.

Bibby's current teammates, whether it is Bonzi Wells or Peja, do not have the ability and aura to be the leader. Instead, Peja is threatened by Bonzi Wells, a new thorn who has a salary of 3 million a year, to be the starting position.

For a star who is at the peak of his 28-year-old age and averaged 24.6 points per game last season, it is incredible.

But Peja collapsed this season, averaging only 16.5 points per game, which is his lowest average score since he started the Kings.

As a perfect second or third star, Bibby is suffering from not being able to find someone to assist him. He wants to be the leader, but he is not capable enough.

Liu Mang had long known about the situation of the Kings this season from the news. Liu Mang had the impression that Peja would be traded this season, and it might not just be because of Bonzi Wells' joining. When Liu Mang arrived in Sacramento yesterday and studied the Kings' videos, he found that Peja had no fighting spirit since the beginning of the season. Although his defense was average, he had averaged at least 1 steal per game for five consecutive seasons before, but in the 25 games so far this season, he only had 5 steals in total, and he had no fighting spirit at all.

Bonzi Wells wanted to grab the starting position, so Peja immediately applied for a trade.

The Kings are now trying to sell Peja, and the Hawks have also contacted them, but their appetite is a little bit bigger.

Liu Mang remembered that Peja originally only traded for Artest, but when the Kings approached the Hawks for a trade, they wanted Iguodala and Josh Smith, a duo with the potential to become the core of a team, and Price hung up the phone directly.

Liu Mang originally thought that the Pacers would sell Artest to the Kings, but for some reason, the Kings did not want Artest and were still holding Peja for sale.

Or it was because Liu Mang's three-point shooting was too terrifying. Although it has not yet brought about a revolutionary change like Stephen Curry, it has begun to affect some things. Last summer, some players with excellent three-point shooting ability were worth more than Liu Mang remembered, that is, Calderon and Korver wanted to stay in the Hawks to win three consecutive championships and reduce their salaries to renew their contracts.

And Peja, as long as he plays well, is the third best three-point shooter in the NBA, second only to Liu Mang and Ray Allen.

Liu Mang looked at the ability evaluation of the Kings players.

"Mike Bibby, ability evaluation 87 (peak), offense 89, defense 67, three-point shooting 87, mid-range shooting 84, layup 88, passing 84, speed 90, strength 75..."

A perfect second or third-in-command, Liu Mang's deepest impression of Mike Bibby is that he is tough, and he is the most reliable player in the Kings playoffs.

"Peja Stojakovic, ability rating 80 (negative state) ability rating 89 (normal state), offense 87-91, defense 60, three-pointer 93, mid-range shot 87, layup 84, speed 87, strength 85..."

Peja's ability rating, it is obvious that Peja's condition is not affected by injuries or anything. At the age of 28, he is in his prime, but he just doesn't want to play for the Kings. Occasionally he will be a little passionate, but most of the time he is very sluggish.

Liu Mang only noticed this year that Peja, who was in the golden generation of 96, is only 28 years old now! Bibby is only 27 years old!

That is, in the 01-02 season when the Kings were at their peak, they were still rookies! Within the rookie contract!

Because both of them joined the NBA after the 4-year rookie contract of the new first-round contract in 1998-1999 came out, Peja stayed in Europe for two years.

Liu Mang couldn't help but feel a little regret for the Kings, which was also a regret for him as a fan.

When the Kings were at their peak, their two starting players were still so young. If Bibby and Peja of the Kings were also at their peak at that time, and both of them were not the kind of people who coveted the ball, how terrible would that Kings team be?

However, the NBA is always full of regrets. Liu Mang himself is the creator of many regrets. It is not an exaggeration to use the word "culprit". Liu Mang sighed for a while and didn't think too much. There are too many regrets in the NBA. For example, Malone is very rare to have a championship ring without a name of an assistant coach.

Bonzi Wells, with an ability rating of 82, is a representative of the contract year explosion. It is not easy to have two consecutive contract years.

Brad Miller, with an ability rating of 77, has passed his peak.

It seems that the Kings' lineup is still good, but people's hearts have been scattered.

Liu Mang cares most about the Kings' new star, sophomore Kevin Martin, the Kings' new starting shooting guard this year.

Finally, I met the pioneer of the touch porcelain world!

"Kevin Martin, ability rating 76, offense 82, defense 70, three-pointer 86, mid-range shot 77, layup 88, speed 92, strength 74..."

The strength of a qualified starter for a weak team, averaging 11 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist per game. As a second-year player, he is not trained as a core player. In the case of internal turmoil in the team, it is not bad for a singles player to have this level.

After looking at the abilities of the opposing players, Liu Mang did not greet them, and the relationship was not good, mainly Liu Mang and Peja, who have always had a bad relationship.

…

The Kings got lucky in this game. Originally, they had 11 national live broadcasts at the beginning of the season, but after the first month, the subsequent national live broadcasts were basically all cancelled, including the Hawks' game at their home court, which was originally broadcast on ESPN, but ESPN cancelled it.

However, because Liu Mang scored 20 points in three quarters and McGrady scored 50 points in a single game, Liu Mang scored 90 points in the last game. Another TV station temporarily broadcast this game. T.N.T Sports Channel broadcast this game. What if someone from the Hawks has another explosive data?

The Kings sent out Bibby, Martin, Peja, Kenny Thomas, and Brad Miller as the starting lineup.

For the Hawks, Rasheed Wallace took a rest today. Liu Mang, McGrady, Prince, Josh Smith, and Kwame Brown started.

Jump ball!

Kwame Brown easily won the jump ball over Brad Miller. Liu Mang quickly advanced after receiving the ball. Unexpectedly, the Kings retreated without any rules. If you insist on saying that there is any defensive strategy, it is a bunch of people blocking the top arc. When Liu Mang passed half court, he saw a bunch of people blocking there. Bibby, Martin, Peja, and Kenny Thomas were all crowded at the top arc.

Are you blocking me? Four defending one? Is it that serious? Liu Mang threw the ball to Josh Smith who ran into the three-point line from the right. Josh Smith rushed into the inside and threw the ball into the air. Kwame Brown dunked and scored two points.

Brad Miller stood one step inside the free throw line. No one could stop him. He would become the background. He just stood and watched the dunk performance.

From the performance of the Kings players, Liu Mang only saw one emotion - indifference!

Indifference to defense, indifference to victory.

The Kings... are really finished!

Attack and defense conversion, Kings singles.

After Bibby advanced to the frontcourt, he handed the ball to Brad Miller who pulled to the top arc to assist.

Brad Miller is a very inspiring player. He went from being an undrafted player to the US national team. He represented the US team in the Pan American Basketball Championship last summer and was invited and invited to join the 2006 US Men's Basketball Dream Team 7.

On the defensive end, Brad Miller had little motivation, but he was still very attentive in organizing the offense. After getting the ball, he mobilized his teammates' running positions and found that Peja did not move!

Liu Mang followed Bibby and didn't give Bibby a chance to cut and receive the ball. Kenny Thomas was entangled by Josh Smith.

Brad Miller could only pass the ball to Kevin Martin, the most active sophomore player.

After Kevin Martin received the ball, the Kings stopped completely and watched this sophomore singles.

Liu Mang stuck to Bibby and looked at Kevin Martin.

This pioneer in the world of swindling porcelain, looks... really doesn't look like an NBA player, feels like a clerk in a supermarket near his home, too ordinary, except that he is tall, has a figure like an ordinary person, looks like an ordinary person, and dribbles like an amateur player.

McGrady defended in front of Martin, very easily, and didn't take this sophomore seriously.

Martin faked a move, McGrady didn't fall for it, Martin chose to speed up and break through!

His speed was very fast, almost the same as McGrady, he could run three or four steps after dribbling the ball, and his small steps were flying.

But McGrady followed closely and was not shaken off.

Martin stopped abruptly one step inside the free throw line, grabbed the ball and raised it up to shoot!

McGrady stretched out his arm to interfere.

Just as McGrady raised his arm, but not completely, Martin suddenly spun the ball around and hit McGrady's arm. Martin screamed "Ah..." and rushed forward...

"Beep..."

The fans at the scene began to cheer loudly!

Here it comes!

A hooligan-style foul!

McGrady's eyes widened, and he looked at the stunned Liu Mang, and then at Martin who climbed up without anyone to help him.

This scene is so familiar!

This is how Liu Mang fouled him when he was still a rookie!

Liu Mang was stunned. This guy actually imitated him!

Liu Mang remembered that Martin's fouls were not like this. He relied more on his scoring threats to foul because he would shoot very accurately in the future. By 2015, when he was 32 years old and almost 33 years old, he could still average 20 points per game. He was considered an evergreen player, but his fouls were definitely not like this!

However... Liu Mang was actually a little happy. He also became an object of imitation!

McGrady was so depressed that he became the background of a sophomore.

Liu Mang saw the gleam in McGrady's eyes and knew that this guy was going to be serious, just like when the two met for the first time four years ago.

Martin walked to the free throw line, and the loudest cheers for the Kings players rang out.

The one who played the hardest this year was not Bibby, the Kings' scoring leader so far this season, but this sophomore!

Martin finally caught the opportunity to start, of course he would not let it go. Even if the team was in chaos, he actively fought to secure his starting position.

He made both free throws!

Martin smiled excitedly at Liu Mang and then returned to defense.

From Martin's smile... Liu Mang saw happiness...

Martin was of course happy. His favorite player was Liu Mang, who played as a substitute for two years as a rookie. He learned his skills almost by copying him. Shooting was the main thing, and fouling was the secondary thing. He learned all the movements exactly the same.

But Martin couldn't learn the current Liu Mang anymore. Many of Liu Mang's current playing styles require strength support, which Martin can't do.

Attack and defense transition, the Hawks attack.

After Liu Mang advanced to the frontcourt, Bibby defended in front of Liu Mang.

The Kings' defense was not as weird as the first defense. Coach Adelman had already started to roar on the sidelines.

This affected his job!

The Kings' owner had already informed him that he would not renew his contract after the end of this season. He was still counting on playing well this season to find a job in the summer.

Liu Mang just started to break through, and saw Martin and Peja both double-teaming. In this game, the Kings players had only one goal to work hard for.

When interviewed before the game, Liu Mang sincerely told the reporter: "I am not interested in getting high scores anymore. I really am not interested in doing that again."

That's what he said, but no one believed it.

Although Liu Mang passed the ball in the first attack, the Kings still didn't believe that Liu Mang didn't want to score points, especially Peja. Although he no longer had the power of the boss last season, Martin, the younger brother who practiced shooting with Peja, and Bibby, an old friend, were willing to help him defend Liu Mang.

Seeing this situation, Liu Mang decisively chose to force a breakthrough.

Liu Mang accelerated and broke through. Bibby couldn't keep up. But when Liu Mang reached the free throw line, Martin and Peja had already doubled over. Liu Mang immediately passed the ball to McGrady, who took the ball and shot a three-pointer...

"Bang..."

The first shot didn't go in...

However, Josh Smith grabbed the offensive rebound. Liu Mang squeezed Martin and Peja and rushed into the inside. Josh Smith passed the ball to Liu Mang. Liu Mang jumped up and scared Bibby, who was about to go out to defend McGrady, back. Liu Mang passed the ball to McGrady again in the air. McGrady took the ball and shot a three-pointer...

This time it went in!

McGrady quickly retreated after scoring. The Kings played in a mess. After the Hawks scored, Brad Miller sent out and Bibby quickly advanced.

Fortunately, under McGrady's command, the Hawks retreated quickly and were not dragged into a chaotic battle by the Kings.

The ball was in Martin's hands again, and Martin continued to single out McGrady.

Although Martin's stats are average, he only averages 11 points per game. The main reason is that he only plays 23 minutes per game. In addition, although the Kings have a poor record, they have many talented players who need the ball, but they lack a real core player like Webber.

Martin had hit McGrady in front of Liu Mang before, and now he is very excited and wants to do it again.

Martin continued to force McGrady in the same way, and stopped suddenly at mid-range. Seeing McGrady raise his hand, Martin once again performed a big loop...

"Ah..."

There was a scream, but Martin's arm did not feel the collision!

He jumped up and barely threw the ball out...

"Pah"

Martin was not really ready to jump, otherwise he could shoot against McGrady with his excellent bounce. Whether he could shoot or not was one thing, but the probability of McGrady blocking Martin, who is 2 meters tall, weighs 88 kilograms and has excellent bounce, was very low.

But Martin was not ready to jump, and McGrady slapped the ball down!

McGrady roughly pushed Martin, who had fallen and had no position, away. Martin sat on the ground with his buttocks. The referee did not blow the whistle. McGrady had already received a foul just now. If he blew it again, it would be two fouls. Martin's ball just now was a shooting foul within the rules. In addition, this was the Kings' home court. Now both of them were fighting for position without the ball. The referee did not blow the whistle for McGrady. Of course, McGrady did foul.

McGrady grabbed the ball and immediately passed it to Liu Mang who had already run out of the three-point line, and then followed behind Liu Mang.

Liu Mang rushed to the frontcourt. Peja and Bibby, who were both quite fast, chased Liu Mang. Liu Mang deliberately did not sprint at full speed, but slowed down a little, rushed into the free throw line, attracted Bibby and Peja to his side, jumped, and threw the ball behind his head.

"Ding... The air magician was triggered. The host jumped and passed the ball this time, fooling the opponent."

Liu Mang jumped up and landed lightly. As soon as he heard the system prompt, he saw a No. 23 player flying past him, with his arm still stretched out, slapping the backboard with one hand.

"Fuck!" Liu Mang couldn't help but swear. This guy who imitated him actually wanted to block him!

Liu Mang's jump pass not only deceived his opponent, but also deceived Josh Smith who cut in from the left.

In other words, McGrady reacted quickly, stopped suddenly, changed direction, moved sideways, received the ball at the top arc, and made a three-pointer from the top arc with a half turn...

Hit again!

McGrady's touch is back!

Liu Mang saw the ball fall from the net, turned his head to look at McGrady's focused look, and then looked at Martin, the No. 23 player who wanted to block him just now. Liu Mang felt that Martin's day... was over!