Chapter 585: 584. Avenger Ace-Liu
The previous four consecutive away games were all weak teams and teams that collapsed. Every year, various teams collapse. This is nothing new. Occasionally losing to weak teams is nothing new. , Wasn't the Pacers also killed by the Raptors?
The future Invincible Cosmos team is still killed once a year by the Lakers in the small trench on the west coast.
The Eagles' next opponent is the top priority.
The last game of the five-game streak was an away game against the New Jersey Nets.
The Nets have established their unique image in the past two years. Regardless of their regular season record, they are the best team in the East in the playoffs.
Although this year's record was opened by the top three in the Eastern Conference, they only started with 4 wins and 4 losses, but they have started like this every year for the past two years, with a maximum of 50 wins, and they will explode fiercely in the playoffs. So no team dares to underestimate them.
When the Eagles came to Rutherford Township, New Jersey, they were still a little depressed, but most of the Eagles already had their own way of relieving depression, most of them were veterans who had played for many years, Rasheed Hua Rice and Jason Terry, who played depressed in the second half of last night's game, took Muhammad, Barnes, Boozer and others to the hotel in Rutherford Town at noon, These people went to Jersey City in the afternoon, and went early and returned early. The coaching staff did not allow the players to spend the night outside the hotel they booked on the eve of the away game.
It may be that Stockton, who is unable to do what he wants, went fishing in the afternoon with Kevin Willis and Ratliff.
Recruit Willie Green teamed up with Calderon and Kwame Brown to play StarCraft.
As for Liu Mang, he doesn't like going to nightclubs either, and playing games is no match for those Internet-addicted teenagers. Fortunately, Rutherford Town's basketball team here has achieved unprecedented results in the past two years because of the Nets. The atmosphere has deepened a lot. In the summer, the Rutherford branch of Jersey City Bay Area High School built a new basketball hall. The Eagles rented this basketball hall for the players to train. Liu Mang took a break at noon and asked about it in the afternoon. When I arrived at the location of this school, I went to this arena to prepare to continue training.
Although I know that losing in the regular season is inevitable, and most of the time, the loss is not to a strong enemy that I am guarding against, but to an unexpected team. As the famous director Zhang said, when the score is not as high as that of the opponent , naturally loses.
But depression will always be depressed, especially this kind of big reversal.
Liu Mang couldn't think of what his team was lacking, so he didn't bother to think about it. He was going to train. Exercise is the best way to relieve stress.
Originally, it wasn't a big problem to lose a game or two, but suddenly being placed at the top of the strength list suddenly felt pressure.
Liu Mang took a taxi to the Bay Area High School. Although this is the territory of the Nets, most of the people are from Philadelphia. On the contrary, they are quite friendly to Liu Mang. The guard took Liu Mang to the small arena that was only opened in the new semester.
The area of the arena is not big, the size of a small warehouse, Liu Mang estimates that there is only one court plus hundreds of thousands of seats and stands on the second floor.
When he walked into the arena, the facilities inside were similar to what Liu Mang expected, but someone had already arrived.
A white man who looks exactly like the king of the Chinese music scene who dreamed of becoming a basketball superstar when he was a child but stopped growing at the age of 16 is training in the arena, and he is already sweating profusely, and the towels on the sidelines are soaked up.
"Keller, I didn't expect you to train here. Wow, how long have you been here? Why didn't you play with them?" Liu Mang greeted, seeing that Korver seemed to have been training for a while, asked in surprise road.
"Boss, didn't you also come to train? You are so strong and still come to train. I don't even have time to rotate now. I must work harder." Korver's mentality is really good.
"It's great." Liu Mang was noncommittal, picked up the ball that Korver threw out and bounced back, tried to shoot a three-pointer, and made a hollow hit.
Such easy and freehand shots made Korver stare straight at his eyes. If he can have such an ability to shoot three-pointers in the game, he feels that relying on his good defensive ability and three-point ability, he can at least be able to Get a certain playing time.
Liu Mang looked at Korver's ability evaluation, and it was still 64. Offense 62, defense 66, three-pointer 78, mid-range shot 65, layup 66, offense with the ball was basically zero.
In terms of three-pointers, Korver is stronger than Liu Mang's own three-pointers when he first entered the NBA. He is indeed talented. In this era when the three-pointer king has not yet been emphasized, a rookie can have such a strong three-pointer. , It may be the same reason that Liu Mang was able to enter the NBA a little bit back then. There are always teams that need a spot-up shooter.
As for defense, in team training, Korver can't defend alone, but the help defense can appear in the right position every time, coupled with the ability to spot shooting, can occasionally beat Barnes to enter the 12-man roster. As for the other two
Watching Korver wring out the towel and wiping the sweat off his body, Liu Mang asked, "Keller, you won't start training right here at noon, right?"
"That's right, I heard Emmanuel say, Boss, you spend at least twice as much training time as others every day, and you have the strength you have today, so I have to work harder!" Korver laughed With a smile, it looks more like a certain Lun.
Liu Reck didn't expect Emmanuel, that fellow, to become a trainer, to have such awareness that he would take the initiative to guide rookies in training... But Liu Reck didn't see Emmanuel! He asked suspiciously: "Keller, where are the Emmanuel people?"
"He and Boss Terry went to Jersey City, arranged for me the same training tasks as Boss you did back then, and left."
"..."
...
Liu Mang took out the training clothes from his backpack and changed them. After half an hour, Liu Mang finished warming up. Seeing that Korver continued training, he asked curiously, "Aren't you worried that if you train like this, you still won't get any results?" Is it playing time?"
Liu Mang is very curious. Korver's attitude seems to have run through his entire career. How does he maintain such a good attitude?
Liu Mang is very familiar with Kyler Korver, mainly because he is the oldest player in the history of the future to be selected as an All-Star for the first time. He wandered around in the first nine years of his career and played as a substitute for nine years. By the tenth year of his career , just because of the loss of Joe Johnson, the Eagles have no manpower, and then they have been out of control for 7 consecutive seasons with an average of 45% shooting rate and more than two shots per season. Korver was 32 years old when he was the main player for the first time, and then he was selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career at the age of 35, and won the Eastern Conference Player of the Month in January 2015. Many times the All-Stars have not won the honor. There has never been an example of someone wandering around as a role player when they were young, but became an All-Star when they were old.
How did Korver maintain such a mentality?
Hearing Liu Mang's question, Korver was not angry, but smiled and said: "I believe that one day I will succeed, although I don't know when it will come, but it will always succeed, especially when I heard After seeing your experience, Boss, I am even more sure that hard work will succeed, I don’t think so much, just do my best.”
Do your best and you will succeed? Don't want so much?
Isn't this Liu Mang's own belief! But because the lineup has been strengthened so much this year, after losing a game, Liu Mang began to doubt himself, wondering what the team lacked.
Hearing Korver's words, Liu Mang suddenly realized what he was thinking about so much. Didn't he see that everyone else was just depressed? This is the beginning of the season, and the unpredictable season is still going on!
Forget about it, we will play game by game! Liu Mang's mood suddenly improved, saying that smart people don't worry about troublesome things, Liu Mang thought so, and said to Korver: "Keller, you are right, how about it, do you want to compare it?" Three points, I think your three points are pretty good."
"Okay! I've always wanted to challenge Boss with your three-pointer! It's so accurate, it's so accurate in the game!"
"Then get ready to go home crying, rookie!"
"Haha, boss, come on!"
...
...
Early the next morning, the Eagles players were pulled to the basketball gym where Liu Mang and Korver faced off for three-pointers yesterday, and conducted tactical training to prepare for the away game against the Nets in the evening.
The training time in the morning is not long, only an hour, mainly tactical movement, and how to simulate the defense of Kenyon Martin, Richard Jefferson and Kidd, which Prince and Raheem imitated Two people, as Kidd is replaced by Stockton.
After practice, the Eagles head back to the hotel for a shower, lunch, and then a team meeting.
Liu Mang looked at Jason Terry, who was like a soft-legged shrimp today, like Korver, who trained all afternoon yesterday and competed with Liu Mang until after 7 o'clock in the evening, and asked worriedly: "Jason, what are you doing?" What did you do last night?"
On Korver's side, it's normal to have soft feet. After training for so long yesterday, not everyone has Liu Mang's physical fitness. It's okay to train to the death.
But what does Jason Terry's situation like a soft-legged shrimp mean?
Jason Terry looked at the people around him but didn't notice them, he smiled lewdly at Liu Mang, and whispered, "Ace, you don't know, the girl I brought back last night is too hot! Then Butt, that waist..."
"..." Liu Mang was speechless, and it really was because of this.
"I heard that she is one of the top 15 in the United States on Dancing with the Stars. I never expected that their show crew would come to shoot in Jersey City. I earned it! If you like Ace, I'll give you her phone number... ..." Jason Terry seemed to be still thinking about it.
Liu Mang originally wanted to leave, but when he heard the show Dancing with the Stars, he seemed to be a bit impressed. Those who came out of it ended up becoming "celebrities". , but they have no works, or even no works at all, but they are very popular, and they are not ordinary flesh and blood. There are more superstars.
Liu Mang asked, "What's the name of that celebrity you dated?"
"Oh, Ace, you've grown up! Are you interested too?" Jason Terry seemed to have discovered a new world, "Her name is Kim, what is Kim? ... By the way, Kim Cardai How about Shan, do you want her phone number?"
"!!!" Liu Mang was so frightened that he took several steps back!
"What's wrong with Ace?" Jason Terry just took out his phone when he saw Liu Mang's frightened expression.
Liu Mang calmed down his panic, and quickly pulled Jason Terry and said, "Jason, stay away from that woman!"
"Why?" Jason Terry asked strangely.
"He's poisonous!" Liu Mang said solemnly.
"Watt? Ace, don't scare me! I didn't wear it last night!" Jason Terry obviously took the poison Liu Mang mentioned as HIV.
"No no no Jason, that's not what I mean, I mean she's like a vacuum cleaner, it sucks you dry, and then you don't have the energy to play anymore, it's going to get worse and worse, and finally your 20-year career dream Just ruin it!" Liu Mang explained that although he didn't like Kardashian's fight, he wouldn't spread rumors about it. It doesn't matter if you kill your father or take your wife, but ruining people and making money is a big deal. Hatred, the Kardashian family relies on that to make money, and he doesn't want the Kardashian family to hate him.
"Scare me, Ace, can you stop talking halfway..." Jason Terry patted his chest, his wretched expression was scared away, and said angrily: "Ace, your words seem to be very interesting. Reason, I did feel that way last night, I feel like there is no next time...Wait, Ace, why are you so clear, don't you...hehehe..."
Jason Terry just got serious from being scared, and thought of dirty things again.
"...None of your business!" Liu Mang gave Jason Terry a white look.
"Ace, I won't tell Aida about this, don't worry, we are brothers!" Jason Terry smiled even more obscenely, hooking Liu Mang's shoulder and laughing non-stop.
Liu Mang patted Jason Terry's hand away, and cursed with a smile, "Go to hell!...By the way, give me Jin's phone number."
"Why, Ace, do you want to try it too? I think it's better to forget it. I think it's the same as Ace you said, she is poisonous! My legs are weak now, I have to go back to my room to sleep, or I won't be able to sleep at night." Play hard." Jason Terry said so, but still took out his phone.
"What are you thinking! Do I look like that kind of person?" Liu Mang asked speechlessly, and also took out his mobile phone.
"You don't look like you, you are!" Jason Terry was straightforward, and handed the phone to Liu Mang, "Ace, I advise you to wait for the offseason if you want to have fun. It will be considered one of her nights of bragging rights."
Jason Terry's words are not nonsense. Those so-called socialites spend the night with big stars just to show off. It's just that they are different from ordinary skin and bones. They also carry the title of star on their bodies. Staying overnight will increase their reputation instead.
"No, no, no, Jason, I'm not interested in them, but someone may be interested in them, how about I introduce Jin to our opponents?" Liu Mang asked after writing down the phone call.
Hearing Liu Mang's words, Jason Terry was stunned for two seconds, full of panic towards Liu Mang: "Damn! Ace, you are really despicable!"
...
...
In the afternoon, Liu Mang watched the video of the Nets' game this year at the hotel. Needless to say, the Nets this year are really stronger than last year!
Although Mourning's decline in joining the Nets was a bit serious, Richard Jefferson went one step further and became the only player in the Nets who averaged 20 points per game. With 4 assists in the start, the three-pointer has also made great progress. The shooting percentage at the beginning is 50+40+70. Except for the free throws, Richard Jefferson gradually played his own template in the draft, Vince- Carter's feeling!
Kenyon Martin also made the best start of his career, averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds per game. It may decline as the season deepens, but his strength has indeed shown.
Kidd is still comprehensive, averaging 16 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists per game. His rebounds were taken away by Richard Jefferson and Kenyon Martin, but he is still the one who uses the strength of his teammates to exceed his own strength. The essential!
The most important thing is that the defense of these three is still strong.
Liu Wei saw that although the Nets did not have a good start, they performed better on offense and defense than last year. It is no wonder that in the original history, this year's Nets were able to compete with the Pistons in the playoffs. The team reached the tiebreaker!
This year's Nets may be better than the previous two years, but they are not the opponents of the Pistons. Just like what Kidd said when he rejected the Spurs, they are confident that they can beat the Spurs next year, and they may really have a better chance than the Spurs last year. Even more powerful, but only encountered a stronger Pistons, and the Pistons are the champions who defeated the Lakers who can beat the Spurs!
The inexplicable Liu Mang is excited like a blacksmith again! Liu Mang quickly suppressed this excitement, implying that he should maintain a normal mind, this is just a regular season... What the hell!
Liu Mang couldn't bear his excitement, and wanted to come to the court to compete with the Nets!
Originally, the task of overcoming the big devil of the Nets was the biggest hurdle in the career of Ben Wallace of the Pistons. The original Ben Wallace won the best defense for two consecutive years in 2002 and 2003. Player, but when he met the Nets in the playoffs for two consecutive years, he was tortured to death by Kenyon Martin. Every time he couldn't prevent Kenyon Martin from dunking flying around his head until the 2004 postseason It was only in this game that he crossed the hurdle of the Nets and proved that he is one of the best defensive players in history.
And Liu Mang's current goal is more difficult. He may have to cross the two hurdles of the Nets and the Pistons in the same year. Although the Pistons were killed in the past two years, Ben Wallace under Larry Brown And Billups is the strongest time, facing the Pistons in this year's playoffs is definitely not that simple.
Liu Mang couldn't help getting excited again.
Fortunately, at this time, the system's mission prompt calmed him down a bit.
"Ding... The Avengers series mission triggers, Ace Liu's hatred."