One Guard

In the latest MVP rankings, Yiyang ranked first, followed closely by James Harden in second place, and Stephen Curry of the Warriors ranked third. Last season's MVP winner Russell Westbrook dropped to fourth.

The Mavericks-Thunder game disgraced Westbrook's reputation. He is also a point guard and an MVP-level player. But the gap between Westbrook and Yiyang is visible to the naked eye.

Westbrook's meaningless triple-double data can no longer excuse him, and fans even hate his behavior of brushing up data. Now, in addition to local Oklahoma fans, almost the whole world is besieging Westbrook. A "turtle slaughtering conference" is going on all over the world.

Westbrook's 29th birthday this year must be something he will never forget.

While Westbrook is being besieged, the Dallas Mavericks' winning streak has reached its 14th game. 14 games, 13 teams, the Dallas Mavericks swept almost half of the league!

Yiyang's average of 29.2 points and 11.3 assists per game and the league's first efficiency rating are not surprising. This is Yiyang, he has never disappointed anyone in any season.

Hayward averaged 19.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, and he also performed at the level he should have. As Yiyang's right and left arm, Hayward is undoubtedly very competent.

Rudy Gobert's scoring average so far this season is 0.5 points less than last season, but no one thinks this guy has regressed. After all, his real role is on the defensive end. In this year's selection of the best defensive player, Gobert will definitely be more competitive than last year.

Of course, the most surprising thing about the Mavericks is the two rookies Mitchell and Kuzma. Mitchell was selected with the 13th overall pick and currently averages 17.3 points per game. Kuzma was selected with the 27th overall pick and currently averages 15.6 points per game. These two rookies were not drafted high, but in the league's rookie report, they appeared at the top of the scoring list together with super rookies such as Ben Simmons. And people believe that the performance of these two little guys will get better and better.

No one could have imagined that the Mavericks, relying on two stars and a group of young and old players, could actually start the season with a 14-game winning streak. In the playoffs, veterans such as Dirk, Carter, Tony Allen and Deron Williams will definitely play a huge role.

Some Dallas media can't wait to define the Mavericks as the championship winners. This season's Dallas Mavericks seem to be impeccable in every aspect.

Faced with overwhelming praise from the outside world, Yiyang was not dazzled by the victory. He knows the Mavericks' ceiling is more than that. Although this team has won 14 consecutive games, it has not yet reached its final form.

Mitchell and Kuzma, two first-year rookies, have already played well, but Mudiay, the third-year "old rookie", has not yet met Yiyang's requirements.

Unlike Mitchell, who has already secured his starting position, and Kuzma, who can occasionally play as a starter, Mudiay has been serving as a substitute since joining the Mavericks.

Mudiay did not feel aggrieved by this. As a point guard who overlaps with Yiyang's position, Mudiay is destined to be unable to join the starting lineup unless Yiyang is injured. However, Yiyang may be the star with the highest attendance rate in the entire league. This guy has missed less than 15 games in total in his nearly 8-year career. Everyone says that Westbrook and James are made of steel, but in fact Yiyang is the real "iron man".

But on the bench of the Mavericks, Deron Williams, the master of organization, still sits. Although Deron can no longer play the same form as in previous years, his scoring average this year has also dropped below double digits. But as long as Deron is on the court, the offense of the Mavericks' second unit will not be chaotic.

Therefore, Mudiay is not Yiyang's substitute more often, but Mitchell's substitute. When he plays, he plays the shooting guard position most of the time.

This is the result obtained after Yiyang and Carlisle discussed it together.

Mudiay may not be suitable for playing the first position, but is more suitable for playing the second position. This guy's ability to control the overall situation has not yet reached the standards of an excellent number one position. But if he is only allowed to focus on scoring and defense, Yiyang believes Mudiay can do it.

Compared with Barea, Mudiay's advantage lies in his ability to break through and cause damage. Compared with Tony Allen and Carter, Mudiay is also more malleable. Mudiay has only averaged 8.2 points per game so far. But in Yiyang's mind, Mudiay's role is the sixth man, the one who continues to hit the opponent during the rotation.

Maybe Mudiay is not as quick to see results as Kuzma and Mitchell. But Yiyang saw his progress.

※※※

The last training of each day, after the intra-team competition, the players returned to the locker room laughing and talking, preparing to clock out.

Carlisle was very satisfied with today's confrontational training. The players were in excellent condition as always. And Yiyang still saw the changes in Mudiay.

During the confrontation training, Mudiay surprised Mitchell a few times and caused Gobert several fouls. In terms of shooting, under Deron's organization, Mudiay refused to make forced shots during interference, but only took action when he encountered an open space.

With 12 points and 1 steal, Mudiay's statistics are very simple. He goes on the court just to score and defend. As Yiyang and Carlisle expected, Mudiay may be more suitable to play the second position. He cannot complete complex organizational tasks, but Mudiay can complete simple goals very well.

The Congolese himself is not in a hurry. During his two years with the Nuggets, Mudiay was once confused and anxious. However, being anxious and confused is of no use. Mudiay must take his time step by step as Yiyang said, so that he can have hope for his career.

After changing his clothes, Yiyang was about to leave. Just as he was about to stand up, Mudiay came up.

"as well as."

"What's the matter? Moody."

"Well... Mom asked me to tell you in advance that this Christmas, if you have time, come to my house to spend it. You haven't been here for a long time." Mudiay's eyes were wandering when he spoke, a little uncomfortable. Dare to look into Yiyang's eyes.

Because he knew that Yiyang hadn't come here in the past few years, wasn't it because he had a big quarrel with him? That was his biggest disrespect to Yiyang, so Mudiay wouldn't be surprised if Yiyang refused.

"Well, okay, I'll bring my family with me." However, what Mudiay didn't expect was that Yiyang readily agreed without even saying a word of nonsense.

"Really!? That's great. Mom will be very happy to hear this news! If you reject me, Mom will be nagging you for a long time when you go home."

Yiyang smiled, even though this was already the third year of Mudiay's career. But he still looked the same as the middle school boy back then.

"Then I'll leave first. Mom must not be able to wait any longer. See you tomorrow, Yi!"

"Well, see you tomorrow."

Mudiay ran out of the locker room excitedly, as if he had gotten an A+ on a test paper and couldn't wait to go home and show off to his mother.

"Hey, Moody!"

Just as Mudiay opened the locker room door, Yiyang suddenly stopped him.

"Um!?"

"Don't give up, everything will be fine."

Mudiay nodded slightly, give up? It's impossible to give up, he is the backbone of the family! I may indeed progress slower than others, but as Yiyang said, as long as you work hard, there is nothing you can't do.

On November 14, the Dallas Mavericks, who started with a 14-game winning streak, met the San Antonio Spurs, who are currently 8-5. Leonard, the Spurs' former "Duncan successor", is still missing due to injury, and LaMarcus Aldridge must take charge of his role alone.

The game was tepid and both sides were very cautious. But the Dallas Mavericks, who had more attack points, finally won with a 6-point advantage.

Aldridge scored a game-high 32 points. He was also the only Spurs player to score 20 points. Counting Aldridge, there are only four Spurs players who have scored in double figures.

The Spurs are indeed still a force that cannot be ignored in the Western Conference, but no one thinks they are still a championship contender now.

For the Mavericks, 6 players scored in double figures today. Yiyang's 27 points and 13 assists were very dazzling, and Hayward's 24 points were not inferior either. After the game, these two people naturally became the targets of reporters.

With Aldridge's 32 points and the outstanding performance of Yiyang and Hayward, no one noticed. The former No. 1 high school student in the United States, Mudiay, who came off the bench, scored two breakthrough dunks and accurate open shots, also quietly scored 11 points...

All roads lead to Rome, and some people may be born to live in Rome. But some people can better appreciate the beauty of the city of Rome after going through thorns.

Yiyang believes that it won't be long. The final form of the Dallas Mavericks will definitely surprise everyone.