The Basketball Court Swordsman

It has been almost two months since Pascal Siakam joined the team. During this period, his progress was very gratifying.

In the NBDL game, Siakam has 38.7 percent of three-pointers. Of course, playing the NBDL game will definitely not be able to effectively improve Siakam's technical level. Therefore, Siakam is the only player on the Crazy Ants team to play against the NBDL but train with the first team.

In other words, Siakam often needs to run back and forth between the Mad Ants and the Pacers. It is very likely that just after finishing training with the Pacers in the afternoon, he will have to take a long-distance bus to Fort Wayne and then participate in the Mad Ants game the next day.

Although the days of running around were very hard, Siakam had a very fulfilling and happy life. After all, being recalled from time to time for training at least proves that Henson values ​​him. At least he knew that he was still part of the team's plan.

Today, as always, Siakam entered the Banker’s Life Arena with expectation from the rental house. Looking at the huge player posters outside the arena, Siakam also hopes that one day he can appear on these posters.

After walking into the locker room, everyone was very friendly to Siakam and did not leave him out because he was playing an NBDL game.

For teams with Henson, the atmosphere in the locker room is usually very good. Because when a group of people truly become a whole and are willing to work towards the same goal, contradictions and conflicts rarely arise between individuals.

Siakam, as always, began to change his jersey and equipment, and then stepped into the training hall the first to warm up. After 40 minutes, Pacers head coach and general manager Henson Joe appeared on the training ground. Everyone greeted him, and Henson smiled and nodded at everyone.

Everything seems to be the same as usual, the only difference is that Siakam found that Coach Henson seemed to look at himself more today.

In the afternoon, confrontational training, this is the most exciting time for Siakam every day. Although it is only training within the team, this is one of the few opportunities for Siakam to play NBA-level games.

When you play against Antetokounmpo, Channing Frye and other players on the court, it is completely different from going to the NBDL to face those players who can't play in the NBA.

Siakam cherishes the opportunity to participate in confrontational training every time, and at the same time plays very seriously every time. And Henson has always liked players who are more authentic in training.

On the court, Siakam made a screen for Brogdon who replaced the first team. Brogdon bravely broke through, but was strictly guarded.

Even so, Brogdon did not panic, but calmly passed the ball back and returned it to Siakam outside the three-point line!

Two months ago, Siakam basically did not shoot three-pointers. Even Raptors coach Devin Casey thinks Siakam is not a suitable player to shoot three pointers.

But now, in the face of this kind of three-pointer opportunity, Siakam did not hesitate, but threw the ball directly.

The basketball crossed a very high arc, and finally entered the net in the eyes of everyone!

"Good job!" Brogdon yelled at Siakam and patted his ass. Although only a rookie, Henson found leadership in Brogdon that was incompatible with his age.

"I caught the opportunity by you. Good job, man." The newly promoted Mr. Antetokounmpo also patted Siakam on the shoulder. He did not forget what Henson had said, so he had to help Siakam find Get back some confidence.

After getting the praise of two teammates, Siakam showed his white teeth. The guy smiled shyly, but Henson off the court knew it. The one who lives behind the shy is actually a crazy beast!

"This guy is getting more and more confident in his three-pointers. I think he has the ability to open space." Henson, with his arms around his chest, talked with his player development consultant Steve Nash on the sidelines. .

"He works very hard. As long as there is no game on the NBDL, he will practice from morning to night. After practicing shooting, Siakam is more like a tireless shooting machine. Of course, other players seem to like him very much, often Will provide him with some guidance. But I have to say that this kid's progress is amazingly fast. Two months ago, he was not even stable in his mid-range shots. But now, his open three-pointer percentage is already guaranteed. ."

After hearing Nash's words, Henson smiled even more proudly. It seems that the speed of progress badge bonus has a very obvious effect on Siakam.

"Do you think he is ready?" Henson asked again.

"what do you mean?"

"Preparation to play in the NBA."

"Of course," Nash replied without even thinking about it, "He must be able to play in the NBA. This kid already has all the conditions to be a good role player. The only thing is that he will be slightly worse in terms of self-confidence. His ability. There is no problem, the only need to improve is self-confidence."

"Um..." Henson touched his chin, looking thoughtful.

Tomorrow, the Pacers' opponent after defeating the Cavaliers will be James' last club, the Miami Heat. The heat today is naturally not better than it was in the past. They not only lost James, but also Wade and Bosh.

So, the current lineup of the Heat is actually not strong. Even if the Heat have this inspiring double-double machine, Whiteside, it is difficult to change the fact that they are no better than they were in the past.

According to Henson's research on the Heat in the past two days, the fourth position of the Heat that he loves is even more of their "hardest hit area."

Although their starting number four, Luke Babbitt, was very famous in college, he fell into the embarrassment of "no threes and fours" after entering the NBA.

Playing at the fourth position, his defense and confrontation abilities are weak. Play at the third position, it is really ridiculously slow in this era of small balls. Babbitt University averaged 21 points per game in the final year, but he averaged only 7 points per game in his career since entering the NBA.

On the bench, James Johnson looks more powerful than Babbitt despite his rough playing style. But this guy is considered to be a bit crazy. He makes frequent mistakes, shots are not stable enough, and he especially likes gambling defense.

He is very crazy. This is both his strength and his weakness.

On the whole, the Heat's fourth position can't even find a character that can be used stably. If Siakam needs to find confidence, then the next game is undoubtedly the best opportunity!

Of course, if Siakam fails to perform well in the face of Luke Babbitt and James Johnson tomorrow, the damage to his confidence will also be doubled.

After Henson finished thinking, he made his own decision. He believes that the worst situation will not happen to Siakam.

When Siakam finished a day of training, the time had come to 9:30 in the evening. Half an hour ago, Antetokounmpo left the arena. As a result, only Siakam was left in the entire training hall.

He finished 500 shots of his own, and then sat on the floor sweating profusely. Siakam looked up and looked around. The three-sided championship pennant fakes hung in the training hall were so eye-catching.

Winning the NBA championship as a main player, Siakam has fantasized about such things in his mind countless times. Most boys who like basketball actually have this fantasy.

And now, he has the opportunity to turn fantasy into reality.

He still remembers coach Henson staring at him during training today and discussing something with Nash. He believes that his performance must have attracted the attention of the head coach.

Moreover, when he joined the team, Henson assured him that he would definitely become an official member of the Pacers.

It is precisely because of Henson's attitude that Siakam will work so tirelessly. Because he believes that his efforts can be rewarded.

After a short break, Siakam made a call to the general manager of the Mad Ants team, George Jordan. He told Jordan that he hoped to take the car to Fort Wayne to join the team tomorrow morning, and then participate in joint training and competition in the afternoon.

"Meeting the team? Are you tired Pascal, you don't use it to play with the mad ants."

"What are you talking about!?" Siakam looked dumbfounded. The last time someone spoke to him like this, he was traded to Indianapolis. This time, I shouldn't have been traded again!

"Henson didn't tell you? You are going to Miami with the Pacers tomorrow. You are going to the American Airlines Center to play, boy. Tomorrow, you will play in the Pacers jersey."

Siakam opened his mouth wide and couldn't say a word for a long time. The eyes of this determined boy were also rosy.

At the same time, Henson at his home in the Carmel district checked the time and thought that Siakam must be so excited now.

He deliberately refused to tell Siakam, just to surprise him. Henson's nasty taste is really heavy sometimes.