Bulldozer of the NBA’s Restricted Area

This game against the Spurs is definitely a litmus test for the Mavericks' lineup, because the Spurs are indeed one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference this season, and they are also a common core team in this era.

To put it simply, if both teams perform normally, the Mavericks have a smaller chance of winning than the Spurs. This can basically be seen in the first three quarters, but the outcome of the game does not depend on the team's average performance, and Curry's life-saving The three-pointer increased the Mavericks' performance and was the most important factor in the late comeback.

From this point of view alone, the Mavericks still suffered a loss against a strong core team. Li Shengli lacked helpers, but the pros and cons are that they basically will not suffer on the outside. Curry and Crotty's one-offense and one-defense combination, basic Germany's increasingly stable organizational skills are guaranteed by the outside line.

In this regard, the future operation of the Mavericks management is too simple, that is, to find an economical and practical blue-collar power forward, first build the main lineup, and then accumulate the depth of the bench. However, these things require time and opportunities, not just for small players. Niu and Li Shengli also have to wait.

As for the waiting time, the record proves the Mavericks' need for reinforcements.

After the 11th game against the Spurs, the record was 8 wins and 3 losses, at the end of November, and until the middle of the regular season in early February, the Mavericks had a total record of 22 wins and 19 losses.

Although the record is vastly different from last season, excluding the first 11 games of 8/3, the record in the last 30 games is 14 wins and 16 losses, with a winning rate of less than 50%.

This confirms the view that the larger the base, the better it can reflect the true combat power. Although the Mavericks are qualified for the playoffs, they are only qualified, because the temporary seventh position in the Western Conference is not so safe.

It's not that Li Shengli cannot play as the main players, it's that the shortcomings of the third and fourth positions are too severe, and if you think about it, you know how embarrassing it is to have two water dispensers in the starting lineup.

The Dallas Mavericks...never run out of water? !

…

Back to the schedule.

As the tightly scheduled regular season enters the middle of the season, the most eye-catching non-All-Star Game in early February is the All-Star Game. The early official announcement of the host city is Phoenix, where the Suns are located. As for this voting...

Eastern aspect.

Bulls Jordan is still the leader, and Magic Hardaway occupies two starting guard spots; Hornets Larry Johnson and Bulls Pippenpi occupy two forward spots; as for center... O'Neal crushed him all the way and became the starter.

Western aspect.

First of all, it is still the center position, but unlike O'Neal who suppressed Ewing in the East, the competition for centers in the West is much greater, with Rockets, Spurs general, Mourning of the Timberwolves, and even Mutombo of the Nuggets all competing. Fortunately, Li Shengli was eventually snatched from the starting lineup.

The forwards are Malone and Barkley, and the guards are Dan Marley of the Suns and Tim Hardaway of the Warriors.

At this point, the starting lineup for the All-Star Game is determined.

Eastern Conference: Center O'Neal, forward Pippen + Larry Johnson, guard Jordan + Hardaway.

West: Center Li Shengli, forward Malone + Barkley, guard Dan Marley + Tim Hardaway.

…

After the starting lineup is selected, the next step is of course the 14 All-Star substitutes from the Eastern and Western Conferences.

Ewing and Kemp were still selected, and Stockton was not left behind. As for the newcomers...the No. 1 pick "Big Dog" Glenn Robinson was selected, and the No. 3 pick Grant Hill was selected. Only Kidd, who suffered the second place in the Western Conference, was selected. Being squeezed out by Stockton, even Mourning was not spared.

This is probably what the All-Star selections were for the main game, and when the substitute lineup was announced, O'Neal was the first to get excited, all because several of his brothers were blocked by Ewing in the last session.

But this year is different!

Ewing only has Larry Johnson + Shawn Kemp. Although Li Shengli's small group is missing Mourning, O'Neal and Malone are still there.

So under O'Neal's instigation, as soon as several teams finished the game, the Evil Old Man Army immediately set off to Phoenix, the host city of the All-Stars, to make arrangements in advance, and the tide turned. This year was...the year they bullied others.

…

February 10th.

Li Shengli was waiting for Malone at the airport. Because the Mavericks and Jazz games were both on the 8th, it was still very early to come here after only one day's rest. Most people would choose to arrive before the All-Star game on the 12th, but O'Neal ...In the Magic's game on the 9th, No. 10 went to Phoenix non-stop.

"Li, what is Shaq doing?" Malone and Li Shengli met and asked.

"I don't know. If you ask me, I'll ask who to go with!"

"I thought you were discussing something with him. Why did you come here so early? There are still several days before the game!" Malone was a little puzzled, and then said: "Seriously, Shaq can do it. Magic This season has been really strong, and we have reached the top spot in the Eastern Conference!"

"Whatever, the East has nothing to do with us!" Li Shengli had a headache thinking about O'Neal taking off. It wasn't because he was jealous, but because this guy often called and harassed him. He fucked so and so today. How awesome was he in the past few days? The data clearly showed that I wanted to show him off.

"That's true, but...you seem to be having a miserable time in Mavericks now?!" Malone teased.

"Me? I'm okay. The situation now is much better than I expected. At least the Mavericks got Kidd as the second pick in the draft."

"Jason Kidd, forget it, don't put too much hope in these rookies. Not everyone can be as strong as you and Shaq. At least he is much worse than my John."

Isn't this nonsense?

Kidd is a rookie, and Stockton is already a super giant at point guard. The comparison is not like this.

Li Shengli rolled his eyes at Malone. He always felt that this gangster was just here to show off his wife Stockton, and now he just wanted to find a suitable teammate at the fourth position.

Although the Mavericks' management is active in this matter, he himself has to go to various teams to fight. And this time, the people who can participate in the All-Star Game are basically the bosses of each team. It is very necessary for him to communicate with these bosses. Let’s have an in-depth discussion to see who has an unwanted power forward and plans to use it to replace his younger brother before the trade deadline.

As for the requirements? !

Li Shengli really doesn't have many requirements. As long as his offense is passable, at least he can react when his opponents double-team him. The most important thing is to be able to assist him in interior defense so that he won't be exhausted trying to catch up on offense and defense.

You know, his playing time has already seriously exceeded the standard. In this case, he still has to ensure offensive and defensive efficiency every minute. Most people really can't understand how hard his life is.

…

The two met and chatted briefly.

After a while, they set off together to the hotel that was officially prepared for the players during the All-Star Game. But the difference from before was... they arrived too early, and the hotel seemed very deserted. At least they didn't see a few people. Big name players.

After the two brothers checked in, O'Neal showed up and mysteriously took them to his room to "participate in the grand event" and talked for a long time.

"Did you make a mistake? Are you sure you want to do this?" Ma Long was a little surprised and a little excited.

"What's the point? The All-Stars are just here to have fun." O'Neal raised his head and expressed his nonchalance.

"Damn it, I'm here to find someone this time to see which team will want to trade a power forward in the near future. Don't make it difficult for me!" Li Shengli waved his hand in disgust.