novelraw Chapter 15 Rookie Wall? No, that's called targeted hunting.
Chapter 15 Rookie Wall? No, that's called targeted hunting.
2008年11月19日，上午10:00。
New York, Knicks Starrtown training facility, video analysis room.
Outside the window, New York was experiencing a cold early winter rain, while inside the analysis room...
"Snapped!"
Lead assistant coach Kenny Atkinson slammed a thick folder onto the table, making the Gatorade next to him shake.
"Gentlemen, the honeymoon period is over." Atkinson pointed to the densely packed tactical diagram on the projection screen, his tone serious. "Take a look at this. This is a copy of the internal scouting report for our next opponent—the San Antonio Spurs. Don't ask me how I got it, but every word on it is aimed at you."
All eyes were focused on that piece of paper.
The page about Li Xiangbei, in particular, was covered with circles drawn in red marker.
Codename: Red Threat
[Target: Li Xiangbei]
【Advantages:】Shooting range covers half the court (unreasonable), stamina seems to be bottomless (sprints the whole court without slowing down), extremely strong physical strength (can overpower James).
【Disadvantages:】Dribbling center of gravity is slightly high (prone to turnovers when facing smaller players), passing is sometimes too flashy (risk of unforced turnovers).
[Defense Strategy:]
He was on full defensive end, giving him no space to receive the ball.
Bruce Bowen was assigned to provide close defense.
Note: Increase physical contact in the referee's blind spot to wear them down. Use foul tactics to disrupt the rhythm when necessary.
A collective gasp rippled through the locker room when the name "Bruce Bowen" was mentioned.
Gallinari shrank back: "Bowen? That foot-planting master? Lee, you better watch out, that guy's a butcher."
David Lee frowned as well: "That old fox Popovich will do anything to win. Lee, why don't you play more off-ball next game? Don't try to go toe-to-toe with him while holding the ball."
Bowen's infamy is known to everyone in the league. Carter, Ray Allen, Nash... countless superstars have suffered at his hands.
However, Li Xiangbei, who was at the center of the storm, smiled.
He sat in the chair and reached down to touch the steel knee pads hidden beneath his basketball shorts. The system gave him immense confidence.
"Bowen?"
Li Xiangbei picked up the report as if he were looking at an ordinary menu.
"I heard his 'ankle collection' is missing a real tough nut to crack." Li Xiangbei raised his head, a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes. "Since he wants to play dirty, I'll go and add this last piece to his collection."
D'Antoni had been observing Li Xiangbei's reaction the whole time. Seeing his composure and ruthlessness, he nodded secretly.
"Very good." D'Antoni clapped his hands. "Since they're targeting Lee, let's turn that targeting into an opportunity."
"Listen up!" D'Antoni picked up his tactical pen. "In the next game, Lee has unlimited shooting rights. Even if he misses ten shots in a row, he has to take the eleventh! Also, the last shot in the final moments must be taken by Lee as long as he's on the court."
"We want to show Popovich that his old tricks are worthless in the face of absolute talent."
……
8:00 PM. Manhattan streets.
After finishing training, Li Xiangbei, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, tried to go to the supermarket downstairs to buy some daily necessities.
But he clearly underestimated his current popularity in New York.
Less than two minutes after entering the supermarket, an older woman who was picking out avocados suddenly screamed, "My God! That's Li Xiangbei!!"
That shout was like a depth charge dropped onto a calm lake.
Instantly, the crowd that was queuing to pay, the shop assistants who were organizing the goods, and even passersby outside rushed in.
"Li! Give me your autograph! Sign it on my forehead!"
"I want to take a picture with you! I'm willing to have your baby!"
"Hey! I'm a big fan of yours! Can you teach me how to shoot three-pointers?"
Li Xiangbei was squeezed into the vegetable section, holding a carton of eggs in his hand. Looking at the pairs of enthusiastic eyes around him, he felt the troubles of fame for the first time.
Finally, a nearby patrol car arrived, and two New York police officers worked extremely hard to disperse the crowd and escort Li Xiangbei back to his apartment.
"call……"
Li Xiangbei slumped onto the sofa, looking at the box of surviving eggs, and gave a bitter smile.
My phone vibrated.
From: Scarlett.
Content: "I saw the news during a break from filming. I heard you were surrounded by a bunch of middle-aged women? Hahaha, even my makeup artist was discussing your three-pointers. Now the whole of Hollywood is asking me for your contact information. Don't overwork yourself, big star. Maybe I'll try bumping into you at the supermarket next time?"
Li Xiangbei replied, "No, if you come, this supermarket might be razed to the ground. Also, tell those people in Hollywood that if they want to see me, they'll have to buy a ticket to Madison."
Li Xiangbei put down his phone and turned on the TV.
ESPN's evening news is airing a special program titled "Is Li Xiangbei's Honeymoon Over?"
The host, with a grave expression, analyzed, "After a stunning start, Li Xiangbei is about to face a real test. The San Antonio Spurs, this disciplined and iron-willed team, is every rookie's nightmare. Popovich's greatest strength is turning geniuses into mediocrity. We predict that Li Xiangbei will hit the infamous 'rookie wall' in the next game, and his shooting percentage may drop below 40%."
Li Xiangbei was watching TV when he picked up an egg and tossed it in the air.
"Rookie Wall?"
He gave a cold laugh.
"That's because the rookies in the past weren't tough enough."
……
November 21. San Antonio, Texas.
AT&T Center.
When the Knicks' chartered plane landed in this city on the edge of the desert, they were greeted by a dry, cold wind and a somber atmosphere.
There are no New York spotlights or crazy fans here, only the championship banners hanging in the arena and the white-haired old man with a perpetually stern face.
Pre-match interview.
Gregg Popovich, wearing a slightly oversized sports jacket, remained as taciturn as ever when answering reporters' questions.
Reporter: "Coach Popovich, Knicks rookie Li Xiangbei has been playing exceptionally well lately. What tactics do you have in mind to limit him?"
Popovich tilted his head, as if hearing the name for the first time.
"Who? Oh, that young man who can shoot hoops."
The old man was expressionless, his eyes revealing a cold indifference that seemed to see through everything.
"We'll let him know that this is San Antonio. Basketball is a disciplined and team sport, not an individual acrobatic performance."
After saying that, he turned and left, leaving the reporter with a cool and aloof back view.
……
The away team's locker room.
Li Xiangbei was tying his shoelaces. The television next to him was playing a clip of Popovich's interview.
"acrobatics?"
Li Xiangbei tightened the last knot, stood up, and stomped his foot hard.
[System notification: S-class hunter "Bowen" has been detected online.]
[Steel knee brace: Warm-up complete.]
[Guaranteed winning amount: 5/5 (reset).]
He watched Popovich's departing figure on the screen, a cruel smile curving his lips.
"Old man."
Li Xiangbei picked up the jersey and put it on.
"Sometimes, acrobatics can kill."
"Tonight, I'll show you what a deadly performance is."
on the field.
Bruce Bowen was warming up, occasionally glancing down to check the soles of his shoes, his eyes darting menacingly toward the Knicks' half of the court.
"I heard that kid's got a good tack?" Bowen licked his lips. "Hopefully he can last a few more rounds."
Meanwhile, in the stands, a mysterious figure wearing sunglasses was taking notes. He was a scout from the Chinese national team.
"If he can get past the Spurs..." the scout wrote in his notebook, "maybe we should make some contact too."