I’m Really Playing Basketball

On December 7th, 2003, the afternoon after the Cavaliers beat the Grizzlies at home, Chen Xiao met the two newly traded players of the Cavaliers during their routine training in the afternoon.

Former Chicago Bulls guard Jamal Crawford and center Corey Blount.

Marshall's salary is higher than that of Crawford, and the two are definitely not one-for-one. The Bulls also gave the Cavaliers a backup center with a one-year contract, 34-year-old Corey Blunt.

He was the first-round pick of the Bulls in 1993 and briefly played 20 games with the Cavaliers in the 1999 season.

He is not a strong man, nor is he a moral person. In the NBA, he is basically a mixed transparent person.

Perhaps the only highlight of his NBA career is that he perfectly missed the Bulls and Lakers dynasties.

In 1993, he was a rookie to the Bulls, and he met Jordan who retired for the first time. During the two years after Jordan retired, he mixed with his second brother Pippen. After Jordan returned, he was sent to the Lakers by the Bulls. After he left the Bulls, the Bulls started their second dynasty. .

After arriving at the Lakers, he stayed until the 1989 season and was sent to the Cavaliers by the Lakers halfway through the season.

Then after he left, the Lakers started another dynasty.

Well, leaving before the two dynasties started is a legendary experience.

Of course, it is impossible for a player with no career highlights to stay in the NBA for ten years.

This offensive rebounder is very good, but he will definitely not be used in the Cavaliers.

His decent offensive rebounding ability isn't enough for the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers have too many players with strong offensive rebounds.

Therefore, he himself knows that after being traded by the Bulls to the Cavaliers this time, he can prepare to retire.

In fact, after he came to the Cavaliers to show off today, he made sure that the Cavaliers had no intention of getting anything from him, so he went back to Los Angeles directly.

He will not appear on the Cavaliers' active list in the future, and he will retire after the end of his contract this season.

As for the reason for not being with the team for a long time, of course he was injured. Do you really think that all the injuries on the NBA injury list are real injuries?

Crawford was the No. 8 pick by the Cavaliers in 2000, but was traded directly to the Chicago Bulls after being selected.

Returning to the Cavaliers this time is a return home.

Of course, judging from Crawford's mood when he came to the Cavaliers, he didn't want to 'go home'.

He thought he played very well in the Bulls this season. Last season, he averaged 10.7 points and 4.2 assists. This season, he averaged 15 points and 5 assists per game. However, his shooting percentage dropped a lot compared to last season. His shooting percentage is still 41.3%, and this season he is only 39%.

Doesn’t this hit rate look terrible?

Well, it is indeed miserable, but we must also consider his style of play. His style of play with the Bulls this season is even more Mamba-like.

Being able to use such a Mamba style of play and get this hit rate is actually not bad.

So don't just look at his shooting percentage in the Bulls this season, but look at his shooting percentage in the Bulls career comprehensively.

In his rookie season, his field goal percentage and three-point shooting percentage were both 35%. In his rookie season, it was normal. He was not used to the NBA and had insufficient confrontation. Most rookies were similar.

In the second season, Jamal Crawford adapted to the NBA. After a little confrontation, he played as a substitute and a role player in the Bulls. His shooting percentage soared to 47.6%, and his three-point shooting percentage soared to 44.8%.

This performance really makes the Bulls happy.

Then in the third season, the Bulls decided to put more burden on Jamal Crawford, no longer let him be a role player, but to cultivate half-core and half-role, and then, in his style of play, the proportion of Mamba style of play began increased, the shooting percentage also dropped sharply to 41.3%, and the three-point shooting percentage also dropped to 35.5%.

If the Mamba style of play can still maintain such a high shooting rate, he will be really amazing.

And this season, his fourth season, he is already a four-year veteran of the Bulls. His team status is higher and his style of play is more Mamba. dropped, with the shooting percentage remaining at only 39% and the three-point shooting percentage at only 32%.

To be fair, Crawford in the Bulls this season is a bit like Chen Xiao in the Nets in the regular season last season. With all kinds of difficult offenses, the efficiency should not be high anyway, but the lower limit is also guaranteed, which is about 40%. Bar.

When other players can't score, you can score with a 40% shooting rate. This is amazing.

What's more, Crawford can also control the ball and pass the ball.

The third thing the Cavaliers want is someone like Crawford.

What's more, even if Crawford plays alone without Mamba, he can still be a very efficient role player.

In his second season as a pro, he has proven that he has the ability to be an effective open receiver.

And this is why Carlisle agreed with Chen Xiao that he could introduce Crawford.

With the ability to be a role player next to Chen Xiao and James, and Xia Ji's ability to play eight hits, except for defense, it perfectly fits the third requirement that the Cavaliers need.

As for Xia Ji's eight-hit efficiency, it was too low, less than 40%.

Man, the efficiency of Xia Ji, the boss of the department, is only 45%.

In Xia Ji's eight games, judging from the hit rate, Crawford is already at the level of the 80% leader.

What else are you dissatisfied with?

If Crawford's defense really reaches the average level of the NBA like Chen Xiao did with the Nets last season, if the Cavaliers want Crawford, even if the Cavaliers general manager is the brother of the Bulls vice president, he can't get it. .

Therefore, Chen Xiao, Xiao Zhan and Carlisle all welcome Crawford's arrival.

Chen Xiao even personally introduced Crawford to other Cavaliers players.

As the boss of the team, if he personally takes you to meet your new teammates, he will of course treat you as one of his own. As long as other Cavaliers players still want to play in the team, they still have this kind of discernment. Even those salty veterans, I won't give this newcomer any authority.

After personally introducing Crawford to other Cavaliers players, Chen Xiao confiscated the No. 1 jersey prepared by the Cavaliers general manager for Crawford.

"Jim, this jersey doesn't fit Jamal, give him a No. 8 jersey."

"..."

"..."

After Chen Xiao finished speaking with a smile, both Crawford and Jim Paxson were a little stunned.

By the way, the No. 1 jersey is what Crawford wants, right?

What's the significance of suddenly changing the number 1 to the number 8?

Even Crawford himself was surprised. Wasn't Chen trying to force him?

But it doesn’t look like it?

Of course Chen Xiao was not trying to bully Crawford.

Darius Myers, the little wolf king created by Chen Xiao, is wearing Garnett's No. 21.

As the little snake king Jamal Crawford, who Chen Xiao values ​​​​very much, of course the jersey he wears must be No. 8 jersey!

I have the Wolf King on my left and the Snake King on my right. The War Wolf is at my waist and the Emperor is at my chest. Of course, people will kill people if they stand in their way, and Buddhas will kill if they stand in the way of Buddha!

Little Wolf King Darius Miles, Little Wolf Warrior Tyson Chandler, and Little Emperor James have returned to their positions, and now all that is left is a Little Snake King.

Now, little snake king, he is here!

How could Chen Xiao let it go?

However, Chen Xiao also knows that Crawford is not a fan of Boss Ke, but a die-hard fan of Boss Qiao.

Letting Boss Joe's die-hard fans wear Boss Ke's jersey number is even more uncomfortable than killing them.

Well, in this era, many die-hard Qiao fans think that Boss Ke is a traitor among Qiao fans, and they all take it as their mission to kill Boss Ke and clean up the family for Qiao fans, such as Wade.

Boss Ming Mingke has emphasized N times that he is not a fan of Jordan, and even die-hard Jordan fans like Wade and others don't believe it.

Therefore, Chen Xiao is not an unreasonable person. Chen Xiao gave Crawford the choice.

"Jamal, American one-on-one, 10 goals. As long as you beat me, I will be Pippen for you. If you lose, you will wear the No. 8 jersey and be my little Mamba."

Chen Xiao felt that his bet was fair.

"Xiao Zhan, there is nothing wrong with this bet. Is it fair?"

"..."

When Chen Xiao asked, Xiao Zhan next to him was dumbfounded.

Is this fair?

The bet is fair, even disadvantageous to Chen Xiao, but...

Just make a bet with Bill Gates that we will compete to see who is richer. As long as you are richer than me, you will be my Barbie, and if I am richer than you, you will be my dog.

So, you judge, is this bet fair or unfair?

Chen Xiao's duel is invincible!

So let alone Xiao Zhan who was speechless about Chen Xiao's bet, the Cavaliers players next to him, Carlisle and Jim Paxson, were also speechless.

This is so fair!

But just when Xiao Zhan and the others had nothing to say, Crawford got excited.

"If I beat you in a duel, are you sure you'll be Pippen for me?!"

In terms of strength, Crawford is modest, and he is definitely not as good as Chen Xiao.

But sorry, in a one-on-one duel, even if Jordan or Kobe stood in front of him, he would have the courage to fight!

Indeed, Crawford is indeed super strong in singles, and he is also super strong in duels.

No joke, in the entire NBA, under the American one-on-one rule, which only allows three dribbles, there are not that many players better than Crawford.

At the very least, if James and Crawford now play American one-on-one, they will be abused.

but……

Crawford still doesn't know how 'devil' and 'cruel' the man standing in front of him with a hearty and innocent smile is in single combat.

Looking at the expectant look on Crawford's face at this time, Xiao Zhan next to him, at this time, his mind was full of images of Chen Xiao fighting all the way to the end in the All-Star Internal Singles Competition during last year's All-Star Weekend.

"Michael, pick up the ball!"

At that time, Xiao Chen shocked even Larry Bird next to him.

For a moment, Xiao Zhan looked at his new teammate with sympathy.

Seeing that Crawford still didn't believe it, Chen Xiao smiled and said to him: "Jamal, don't worry about my integrity. Everyone is watching. As long as you can beat me in a duel, I will be your Pippen." so……"

"Jamal, let's do it!"

After Chen Xiao finished speaking with certainty, Crawford became even more excited.

In ten minutes, he will let Chen Xiao, the 20- and 21-year-old player considered the strongest in basketball history by the Cardinals and Jerry West, be his Pippen!

As a singles king, he still has this confidence!

Well, it didn’t take ten minutes. Three minutes later...

"Jamal, go pick up the ball!"

Crawford, who was full of confidence before the heads-up, had his head in a mess at this time, turned around mechanically, bowed his head mechanically, bent down mechanically, and mechanically picked up the basketball on the ground.

In this one-on-one, except for the first time when his attack was directly blocked by Chen Xiao.

The rest of the time is spent picking up balls.

Xiao Zhan and the Cavaliers players on the side saw that Crawford was numb from Chen Xiao's ten consecutive shots, and their faces were full of shock and fear.

"Who is better than Chen in one-on-one combat with Jordan?"

Many Cavaliers players are curious at this time.

Only Xiao Zhan knew that even if his idol Jordan came, he would still have to lower his head and bend down to pick up the ball just like Crawford.

"Xiao Chen's one-on-one ability is so buggy!"

After Crawford picked up the ball and passed it to Chen Xiao, Chen Xiao put the ball away.

Seeing Chen Xiao like this, Crawford was stunned for a moment.

"Jamal, the game is over."

Contest? It has ended?

Crawford opened his mouth wide and fell into confusion again.

He is gone so soon?

I was killed instantly in a duel? !

"Jamal, go and put on your No. 8 jersey. From today on, you are my little Mamba!"

Seeing the excited look on Chen Xiao's face, Jamal Crawford finally gritted his teeth and nodded after coming back to his senses.

He is also a person who keeps his promises, and this time it is not a small loss, it is simply a loss to Grandma O'Neill's house.

He didn't even feel anything before he was instantly killed by Chen Xiao.

In the American basketball environment, defeating your opponent in a one-on-one game is of great significance.

In history, Lao Zhan has been full of honors, and he can't convince a young Irving. Apart from Irving's dislike of Lao Zhan's character, the big reason is not because of Lao Zhan's one-on-one ability that I don't know how to evaluate?

If Lao Zhan had the one-on-one ability of Adu and Ke, Irving would definitely become your little fanboy from disobedience.

Well, this is really no joke.

Of course, Crawford is not a one-on-one prince like Irving, who only thinks about one-on-one.

But, it’s almost the same.

Chen Xiao was so strong in a duel, he was really convinced.

Not to mention that he has no resentment towards Chen Xiao's Little Mamba.

Even if Chen Xiao tricked him into joining the Mamba Cult, he still had no resentment.

In the NBA, strong players can do whatever they want.

Jamal Crawford was introduced by the Cavaliers as the third leader. The team's new third leader has a Mamba style of play. Crawford, who makes Carlisle look difficult, actually came to the team on his first day , and was impressed by Chen Xiao.

This made Carlisle next to him really happy.

He and the Cavaliers need Crawford's ability as a role player, and they also need Crawford's Mamba isolation ability.

However, the best case scenario is that the Cavaliers need Crawford to be a role player, and they need Crawford to be a Mamba.

Rather than being a role player if Crawford wants to be a role player, he will be a Mamba if he wants to be a Mamba.

This is different.

If Crawford can't be impressed, he may not be so good on the court.

He wouldn't like it if Crawford had his way with him on the court like he did with the Bulls.

Now that Chen Xiao is pressing him, he feels relieved.

"I don't know now whether Chen's willfulness is because he has a really dark heart or because he is really straightforward and naive."

It should be naturally dull, not naturally black, right?

Carlisle looked at the cheerful and laughing young man among the Cavaliers players and thought to himself.

Hmm, whether it's naturally black or naturally stupid, the current knight atmosphere is really good.

On December 9, 2003, after Crawford and the Cavaliers practiced together for 2 days, the Cleveland Cavaliers will face the challenge of the Toronto Raptors, currently ranked eighth in the Eastern Conference, at Gund Arena.

This season, Chen Xiao and a group of youngsters from the Cavaliers were able to rank ninth in the Eastern Conference. This is very surprising.

Although the Cavaliers' ranking this season has been ups and downs, they have been hovering in the playoff area.

However, the more surprising team this season is definitely the Toronto Raptors led by Nash.

The Raptors, who were thought to be at the bottom of the league this season, are actually ranked eighth in the powerful Eastern Conference this season.

This is amazing.

The current Eastern Conference rankings are ranked first by the Nets. The Nets' current record is 17 wins and 3 losses. The second is the Magic. The Magic's current record is 16 wins and 4 losses. The third is the Pacers. The Pacers led by Van Gundy, who came out of the mountain, have the same record as the Magic, with 16 wins and 4 losses. The fourth place is the Heat led by Wade and Dayao, with a current record of 15 wins and 4 losses.

In addition to these four super teams in the East.

The fifth place is the Pistons, with 14 wins and 6 losses, the sixth place is the Hornets, also with 14 wins and 6 losses, the seventh place is the 76ers, with 13 wins and 7 losses, and the eighth place is the Raptors, with 11 wins and 9 losses.

The ninth place is the Cavaliers, with a record of 10 wins and 10 losses, and is currently ranked ninth.

This record is the same as the Bucks led by Ray Allen.

Better than the 11th Boston Celtics, the Celtics' current record is the same as the Knicks' 9 wins and 11 losses.

From this record in the Eastern Conference, we can see how fierce the playoff competition in the Eastern Conference this year is.

This year's Eastern Conference playoff tickets are really not that easy to get.

If the Cavaliers hadn't defeated the Grizzlies in the last game, maybe the Cavaliers would be a little behind.

Tonight's game between the Cavaliers and the Raptors is a key game for playoff tickets.

Of course, it's still a quarter of the season and it's still too early to talk about playoff tickets, but at least, for now, this is the case.

Therefore, in such a game, neither team would want to lose.

And this game between the Cavaliers and Raptors is not just a competition for playoff tickets.

There is also Marshall’s ‘Revenge’ battle and Xiao Zhan’s ‘Revenge’ battle.

After the two teams' appearance ceremony, player greetings and warm-up training, the game officially started.

At this time, the starting lineups of the two teams were also shown on TV.

On the Raptors' side in the away game, the center is this year's No. 2 Milicic, the power forward is Marshall, the small forward is Maurice Peterson, the shooting guard is Lagabel, and the point guard is Nash.

For the Cavaliers at home, the center is Tyson Chandler, the power forward is Darius Myers, the small forward is Chen Xiao, the shooting guard is Crawford, and the point guard is James.

After the starting lineups of the two teams were announced on TV, many Chinese viewers in front of the TV always felt incredible watching the Raptors' starting lineup.

"I still don't understand why the Raptors have such a good record this season."

Not to mention that they don't understand it, many experts here in the United States also don't understand it.

This Raptor has been quite magical this season.

"In the NBA, there are some magical teams at the beginning of every season, but most of these teams will immediately fall into mediocrity after being magical at the beginning of the season, and eventually fade out of everyone's sight."

Listen to what Mr. Zhang said. Although he didn't name anyone, it was already clear that the Raptors would not pose any threat to the Cavaliers' path to the playoffs.

Anyway, the Raptors will definitely fall behind in the future.

Because since the start of this season, the Cavaliers have been dangling on the edge of the playoffs, and the Cavaliers and Raptors have been struggling with the eighth position in the Eastern Conference.

Therefore, many Chinese fans know the Raptors better than many of the strong teams in the Eastern Conference.

Just like in history, Chinese fans knew the Jazz better than the Spurs at that time.

Well, that's no exaggeration at all.

The Raptors are in the same situation this season.

So, thanks to this hot spot from Chen Xiao and the Cavaliers, Raptors star Nash is very popular in China.

Just like Boozer and Deron in history.

This guy is really good at leading a team.

This kid's style of play is really fucking beautiful.

Because the Raptors are the Cavaliers' most direct competitor, CCTV often broadcasts Raptors games live.

In the middle circle, Chandler and Milicic jumped the ball.

Chandler lost, and the Raptors started the first attack of the game.

After the game started, Nash was still the defender that Xiao Zhan was most afraid of.

After facing Nash again, the scene of Nash's collective military training with Chen Xiao in the preseason came to mind again.

It was really uncomfortable for Chen Xiao and Xiao Zhan, who were over 2 meters tall, to face Nash on defense.

Nash's skills and Nash's agility gave Xiao Zhan, who was playing against him, a headache.

In the Raptors' first attack, Nash and Milicic were in the corner pick-and-roll. After Nash easily blocked James, he used his own skills to break into the basket. Facing the help of James and Myers, Nash turned right to left. The ball hit the ground directly from the side and found Milicic in the paint area.

Milicic made a mid-range shot.

Xiao Zhan did not follow Nash, and Nash was already preparing to pass Miles on horseback and shoot arrows.

Xiao Zhan and Nash, Nash didn't know how to pass the ball and directly found Milicic.

No matter how you prevent it, there will be problems.

2 to 0!

"Nash's skills are so good!"

Even if they knew that the Raptors and Nash were Chen Xiao's enemies, the Chinese viewers in front of the TV felt that Nash's skills were very Dior and his style of play was very beautiful.

On the court, the Cavaliers attacked. After passing the half court, Xiao Zhan faced Laga Bell's defense and hit the ball to Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao did not directly play Pippen Peterson in isolation, but played a pick-and-roll with Crawford.

"Stephen, you don't think you can avoid me by running in front of Jamal, do you?"

Chen Xiao knew that he and Crawford were playing a pick-and-roll, and the Raptors would definitely double-team Chen Xiao as soon as possible.

But it doesn't matter, they won't attack you after a while!

Chen Xiao faced the attack of Peterson and Nash. After the pick-and-roll, he hit the ball to Crawford, who was already unattended outside the three-point line.

Crawford raised the knife and hit an open three-pointer!

"Stephen, is the snake king in my right arm still powerful?"

"..."

? ? ? ? ?

Nash had a white question mark on his face, what kind of brain wave is this? Not right.

"Stephen, let's get excited about this game!"

However, he understood this sentence clearly.

Wonder Boy wants to get high with me in this game?

He said hey, he wasn't sleepy anymore.

Looking back, the Raptors attack.

Nash and Marshall set up a pick-and-roll, allowing Marshall to take away James. James did not pursue Nash this time. Nash broke through Miles and circled around the basket. Facing Chandler's help, he threw his little hand and Milicic dunked. Hit!

4 to 3!

He, Stephen Nash, likes to have fun the most!

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ps: This is the second update today. It will be updated normally and there will be no additional updates.