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In the NBA, all winning teams have one thing in common, that is, players rarely suffer injuries, and at least the core players stay healthy. This is a prerequisite that is difficult to control.

The Raptors were lucky in the first two seasons and their core players were all healthy. As the saying goes, "One more time, two more, not three again", the goddess of luck will not always favor them.

On December 1, the Raptors defeated the Clippers 114-95. Center Brad Miller injured his left foot while rebounding in the third quarter.

After examination, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his left foot and will miss at least four weeks.

Without Miller, the Raptors' inside support ability immediately dropped by a notch. Last season, Detrev could replace him. Now, O'Neal Jr., Kevin Willis, Mark Jackson, Jerome James and other inside players are no longer available. Good at organization.

On the 5th, the Raptors lost to the Jazz in an away game 94-98.

Vince Carter, the core of the team, was also injured in this game. He was hit by Quincy Lewis when he broke through and sprained his ankle. His injury was not serious, but he had to rest for two weeks just to be on the safe side.

Prior to this, Carter averaged 26 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game, which was a slight improvement from last season.

Star forward Karl Malone is still young and scored 31 points and 12 rebounds. He still had the upper hand against O'Neal.

Stockton played solidly and also scored 12 points and 13 assists.

On the 6th, the Raptors, who were missing their two starters, lost to the Trail Blazers 98-102 and suffered a losing streak.

The Raptors' biggest highlight in this game was Michael Reid. He secured his starting position, hit 5 three-pointers, and scored 21 points. His performance was better than Steve Smith.

Even if Carter takes a truce, Reed will still play without the ball. The task of attacking with the ball is given to Halprin, Billups, and Boykins. Reed was a blank slate when he first entered the league, and it is easy to successfully transform.

Mark Jackson is also eye-catching. He replaced Miller as the team's starting center. His statistics are very good, and he scored consecutive double-doubles.

However, the shortcomings of McGrady's departure are also beginning to appear. McGrady's style of play is suitable for being the core. He can rely on his personal ability to attract double-teams, drive the whole team, and change the opponent's overall defense. Now the Raptors' substitutes can't do this. Carter is injured and the offense with the ball is not that strong.

On December 8, the Raptors defeated the Warriors, the bottom team in the Western Conference, in an away game, and they breathed a sigh of relief during this road trip.

On the 10th,

The Raptors returned to their home court, and O'Neal Jr., Billups, and Halprin broke out, all scoring 20 points, and defeated the Suns 107-95.

Billups scored 21 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists, and Kidd, who had 24 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, almost exploded with each other, but the news did not even mention him.

The Raptors were too strong last season, and this time they lost 6 games at the start of the season. No matter what data the players produced, it was not news. Neither the media nor the fans felt the excitement.

On the 12th, the Raptors defeated the Pacers again at home and won three consecutive games.

The Pacers have hit rock bottom, starting with only 6 wins and 15 losses, and Isiah Thomas' coaching position is in jeopardy. Although the team's lineup has changed, it has fallen too fast.

In Yang Rui's previous life, the Pacers traded O'Neal Jr. from the Trail Blazers. Their inside strength increased, but they could only barely make the playoffs. This season McGrady joined the Bulls and Houston returned to the Pistons, resulting in two more strong teams. It is even more difficult for the Pacers to win with two ordinary outside stars.

On the 14th, the Raptors lost to the Knicks at home.

Ben Wallace showed off his power, scoring 10 points, 23 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and 4 blocks. Kurt Thomas also scored 12 points and 10 rebounds.

In a defensive battle, the Knicks relied on their rich experience to defeat the Raptors.

In the All-Star voting that has already begun, Ben Wallace is very popular and may be selected for the first time in his career. As a 2-meter-tall insider, his fierce defense and afro have attracted many fans.

On the 15th, the Raptors lost back-to-back to the Bucks.

The Bucks' lineup has not changed much, but the "Three Musketeers" are not easy to deal with, especially "Big Dog" Glenn Robinson, who scored 35 points to teach Halprin how to behave.

The Raptors only lost a total of 8 games last season. They have already lost 8 games in mid-December this season, and they have obviously become weaker.

Some media began to criticize Yang Rui, believing that the Raptors played well in the previous two seasons because the lineup was so strong. Tracy McGrady, Carter, and O'Neal Jr. are all absolute All-Stars, and there are outstanding veterans leading the bench. With a few players missing this season, they have become an ordinary strong team, so Yang Rui's coaching level is actually average.

Isn't this nonsense? If anyone can lead a group of ordinary players with no strength to win the championship, it will really be a hell.

Just like Larry Brown, who was very good with the 76ers and Pistons, joined the Knicks and immediately led the team to the bottom without any discussion. Unless he can add buffs to the players, those people will never be able to win.

Yang Rui's first three years of debut were smooth sailing, but now he finally encountered sweet troubles. As the Raptors won the championship, more and more businesses approached him to endorse snacks, including chocolate, milk tea, potato chips, cheese balls, etc. Some companies offered too high prices, and he would be sorry for the people if he did not take the money.

When he wins, it doesn't matter how he eats or drinks on the sidelines. This season, when the Raptors started to lose, when he showed a relaxed look, many people felt that it was a bit of an eyesore.

Yang Rui felt the pressure, but it was difficult to get off because he signed a contract and he had to let the snack packaging appear on the sidelines at least as many times every season. There was an agreement. Even if he faced a strong team and the game was not easy to play, he could only bite the bullet and pretend to be relaxed.

There are advantages and disadvantages. This is called cocooning oneself.

At this time, Yang Rui still felt a little regretful. Although Christie's contract was at a premium, it should be matched and forced to stay. As a rebirth, he has a habit of collecting stars. This season he wants to focus on cultivating Reid, and next season he wants to cultivate Lilenko, so he let Christie make room.

If Christie stays, Reid will definitely have to come off the bench. With the rest of the team, it will be difficult to win the Rookie of the Year Award. At most, he will get Mario Elie's playing time.

Reid now averages 30.2 minutes per game, 15.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists, and averages 2.4 three-pointers per game, ranking among the top in the league.

In the best rookie rankings, Reid has always been ranked first. Since only three rookies averaged double figures, the Magic and Nets' records were a mess, so as long as Reid is not injured and misses too many games, this honor is already guaranteed.

Yang Rui vowed that no matter which team he coaches in the future, the first thing to consider every season is the rationality of the lineup, including stars and 3D defensive experts.

The fame and strength of some players are not directly proportional, such as the future Tony Allen of the Grizzlies. His statistics are average, but whoever he targets can reduce the opponent's scoring efficiency. There must be at least one player of this type in the team. .

This is not only true for basketball, but also for football. For example, when Beckham first went to Real Madrid, a team of attackers and an All-Star lineup was missing the most inconspicuous Makelele, and Real Madrid was dumbfounded.

There are no strong players in the free market now. The 15-man quota in the team is full, and Yang Rui can only rely on this lineup to continue playing.

In an interview, he chose to speak harshly: "The Raptors are not weak. Our recent poor record is due to the incomplete lineup. The Raptors can't pursue the best record in the regular season every season, or even break the record, right?"