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The Wizards' management, players, and coaching staff were also shocked by the record.

Even Yang Rui didn't expect the Wizards to take the lead, because in his opinion, the Wizards players played poorly and did not cooperate smoothly. The only efficient offensive method was the run-and-gun fast break. Several muscular men, Hamilton, and Wesley Rushing to the basket.

The reason for the good record is not that the Wizards are strong at all, but that most teams this season are too bad, with obvious differences between strengths and weaknesses.

Mourning missed the Heat this season due to worsening kidney disease. However, his contract has not yet expired, and his annual salary of US$20.63 million will be recorded in the salary cap. This has put the Heat in a terrible situation. They have neither a main center nor a salary. Space signings.

The Heat's starting insiders were Malik Allen and Brian Grant. They could not prevent the Wizards' strong attack and suffered a disastrous defeat 65-107.

The 76ers' offense has improved, but their interior defense is equally bad, with Derrick Coleman missing due to injury.

In this game, Van Horn was defended by Marshall and Wallace and only scored 11 points. Iverson's shooting percentage was not high. The 76ers lost 100 to 106 and started with only 5 wins and 5 losses.

Yang Rui analyzed the situation of each team and found that there are not many strong teams. The top four in the Eastern Conference are the Wizards, Nets, Bulls, and Pistons.

Then came the Knicks, with Grant Hill returning from injury, with 6 wins and 4 losses. Hill averaged 32 minutes per game this season, averaging 16.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4 assists. The Knicks' doctors seem to be better than the Magic's.

The Knicks had internal disagreements on whether to reuse Yao Ming. If Yao Ming was used, the best way would be to trade Ben Wallace for an outstanding power forward. However, there are several people in the management who like Ben Wallace very much. , this is the star they have trained, and Larry Brown also likes this excellent defensive center.

The Pacers, who signed Brad Miller, have strengthened their inside strength, but the conditions of Jaylen Rose and Miller on the outside are not very stable. They have the same record as the 76ers, ranking 6th and 7th respectively.

The Raptors have 4 wins and 6 losses and are only ranked eighth in the Eastern Conference, which is the most disappointing. There is no axis inside, and the ball is difficult to distribute outside. Coach Rick Carlisle has become the league's number one scapegoat.

Western Conference teams also have problems.

Just after the start of the game, the Kings' starting point guard "White Chocolate" Jason Williams injured his knee and missed 6-8 weeks of the game. The Kings are not moving the ball so smoothly.

O'Neal of the Lakers is recovering from surgery, and his start was even more chaotic, ranking outside the playoffs.

The Mavericks are ranked first in the Western Conference.

The team that Jordan despises the most is because the cores inside and outside are white, Nowitzki and Nash. Jordan feels that they are incomparable to the local "black and tough" teams.

After analyzing the situation, Yang Rui arranged more training, hoping to speed up the running-in. He has already seen the hope of the championship.

Jordan also pays attention to the situation of other teams. During the offseason, he would have dinner and chat with Yang Rui, and he would exchange words every now and then. "If we play the Mavericks in the finals, we will definitely win."

When Jordan was about to repeat it for the fifth time, as soon as he said "if", Yang Rui took over. "If we play the Mavericks in the finals, we will definitely win."

"Yes."

Jordan's self-confidence has been restored. This guy often lacks foresight and integrity in life, but he does not lack self-confidence. When he came back for the first time, he was confident that he would lead the Bulls to a championship as soon as he left the baseball field, and he even disclosed this idea in a radio interview.

Yang Rui smiled and said: "What is it? We haven't played half of the regular season yet. Our team's coordination is far from perfect. Don't be too optimistic. And I think the Lakers are more likely to enter the finals."

The Lakers without O'Neal are indeed in trouble, with 3 wins and 8 losses.

During the Lakers' home game against the Rockets, in the final minutes before the end, the Staples Center had already become empty. Two-thirds of the 18,997 fans who came to watch the game were gone, and the remaining one-third They are booing the Lakers vigorously. They have lost five games in a row.

After reaching the Finals three times and allowing the Raptors to win the trophy twice at the Staples Center, the Lakers' popularity is far less than that of Yang Rui's previous life. The 2002-2003 season was supposed to be their season of winning four consecutive championships, but now they are on the verge of rebuilding. .

Without O'Neal, the team's record dropped from No. 1 in the Western Conference last season to No. 11, worse than the Nuggets, Grizzlies and Clippers. This was the Lakers' worst start in 36 years.

"Zen Master" Phil Jackson's trust in the team is dwindling. This is his first five-game losing streak since coaching the Lakers in 1999. He begins to wonder if it was a serious mistake to have O'Neal undergo major surgery? Will O'Neal come back in time to make the playoffs?

In addition to O'Neal, Mark Madsen and Devin George are also on the injured list. Substitute center Somaila Samak has been suspended for 5 games due to a failed steroid test. Jackson can only use 10 people.

After the loss, Kobe sprayed O'Neal in the press conference. "I was so angry, my rage was smoldering, and I wanted to kick some guy's ass, and of course, you know who he is, right? He's the one who put us in this mess."

Everyone knows that Kobe is talking about O'Neal, but people don't blame O'Neal because his toe injury was very serious and he played with the injury last season.

Experts will only blame Kobe for being too useless. When O'Neal was there, the Lakers were championship contenders. Without O'Neal, they went straight to the lottery. It is obvious how bad Kobe's leadership ability is. Fans have no hope and can only wait for O'Neal's toe to recover to save the team from the abyss.

O'Neal assured his teammates: "In real life, we will be able to pick ourselves up soon. Now, we are just experiencing a terrible, terrible nightmare."

O'Neal is actually a little happy. As long as the team's record improves significantly after his comeback, the Lakers management will naturally see his importance. He has a high chance of getting a maximum salary extension in the summer, and his request for a partner change may also be met.

O'Neal feels that as long as he is healthy, it doesn't matter whether he is first or eighth in the regular season. It will definitely be the opponent who will feel uncomfortable entering the playoffs. No one wants to face the Lakers in the first round.

Yang Rui and Jordan analyzed the situation of the Lakers and were optimistic about the Lakers with O'Neal. Jordan immediately became less optimistic. If O'Neal can really return to his peak form after surgery, he will be able to dominate the basket. Even with an injured toe, O'Neal was still the league's No. 1 center last season.

"Then tell me, how can we win the championship?" Jordan asked.

"Practice more outside tactics and long-range three-pointers. You can't always rely on a few people to attack the basket. Our style of play has won against teams that don't defend well inside. But in the playoffs, except for the Pistons' poor inside defense, The Knicks, Bulls, and Nets all have meat shields and people who can switch defenses quickly. Moreover, although our style of play is passionate, players are prone to injuries. Once someone is seriously injured, it will be troublesome."

"how do you want to do it?"

"Rotate, limit players' playing time, ensure their health, run more tactics, and reduce strong attacks. Our regular season record may decline, but it will be good for the playoffs. Can you accept it?" Yang Rui explained.

Jordan was silent for a moment. He was satisfied to make it to the playoffs in the summer. Now he has to watch the championship. What can't he accept?

"Just go ahead and do it. The playoffs are more important. If I don't retire, the old man in New York may not agree. This is my last chance."