Zhiba NBA

Chapter 14 ([-]) God's Revelation
In order to reduce the winning rate, under Yuan Fei's instigation, after Tang Shuai and McGrady made concessions, the Rockets announced that McGrady was injured and missed the game.The Rockets, which already lacked offensive organizers, naturally started a losing streak.The immature Parker couldn't take on the heavy responsibility of organization, and the Rockets even lost to two underdogs—the Grizzlies with 2 wins and 12 losses (the Grizzlies' two rookies Gasol and Battier each played well) and the Bulls with 2 wins and 13 losses.

Yahoo Sports, which has hacked the Rockets many times, couldn’t help but speak out again: “The Rockets’ losing streak stemmed from Dawson’s arrogance. Since Francis and Mobley were sold off one after another, Dawson stubbornly did not reserve more point guards, resulting in the team’s organization completely relying on the inexperienced Tony Parker and Terry Brown. Facts have proved that Dawson’s team building ideas have failed.”

Yuan Fei couldn't help being amused when he saw this report.But it doesn't look too good to lose too many games. After a wave of 7 consecutive losses, Alexander felt a little embarrassed, and McGrady couldn't help but want to come back.

McGrady wants to come back not entirely because of the loss.The next game for the Rockets is to face the Washington Wizards at home, and the star of the Wizards is the team owner who has just returned - the god of basketball Michael Jordan.The opportunity to confront his idol on the court is rare, and McGrady naturally doesn't want to miss it.

So the Rockets announced McGrady's return from injury in a high-profile manner. On December 12, when the Rockets played against the Wizards at home, McGrady made his debut, and he played with Olajuwon, Thomas, Jefferson and Parker.

但让麦迪和球迷失望的是，迈克尔.乔丹（毕竟是年近39岁的人了）本场状态很糟糕，打了33分钟23投仅9中得到了18分6篮板7助攻。麦迪只打了23分钟就在乔丹防守下砍下25+5+2，不忍继续出场而坐上了板凳席。奇才的内线同样很烂，“水货状元”夸梅布朗的表现惨不忍睹。倒是奇才通过交易签下的20号秀海伍德表现不错，替补出场30分钟对抗小马哥基本没吃亏。

In the end, the Rockets narrowly beat their opponents at home 85:90.After the game, McGrady took the initiative to find Yuanfei and chatted.

"Jason, seeing Jordan's appearance today, I seem to understand what you said to me earlier." McGrady said hastily.

"Oh? What did you realize?"

"When he was young, he had unparalleled athletic ability and explosive muscles. He could completely rely on post-up singles and stable mid-range shots to eat other guards. But as he grows older, his athletic ability will definitely decline. In addition, he has not played for a few years and has not maintained good training. As a result, his current level is far lower than before." McGrady paused, thought carefully and said: "Shooting ability is the guarantee of outside players, especially long-range shooting is more important after aging."

"It's a good summary. But I still have to correct you." Yuan Fei said with a smile: "Jordan is still a great basketball player, but you have too high expectations of him. If you don't measure the 38-year-old old man by the standard of a superstar, as an ordinary star, his level is still quite good."

McGrady smiled awkwardly, "Who made him Michael Jordan? Who can tolerate Jordan becoming an ordinary star?"

"So what do you do next?"

"Practice hard on shooting. I will work hard with Reggie Miller's shooting ability as the goal. Coupled with my physical condition, I should be able to embark on a completely different basketball path from Jordan." McGrady said firmly.

Yuan Fei laughed again.

***
很快球迷们就忘记了4胜2负开局的青年军火箭，这支6胜14负的火箭还在持续输球，他们在舆论中逐渐成为了一支“烂队”。12月8日，憋不住的火箭主场20分大胜森林狼结束了连败。但接下来的背靠背又输给了活塞，随后又一波6连败。

An unknown young man was the first to discover the unusualness of the rocket. On December 12, a young man named "John Hollinger" published an article on the website alleyoop, analyzing various data of the rocket, and believed that the rocket was rotten in a planned way.Hollinger pointed out in the article: "In the games McGrady played, thanks to the strong three-pointers, the Rockets averaged 21 points per game. This data can be ranked fourth in the league, second only to the Mavericks, Kings, and Lakers. The Rockets are generally young and have good physical fitness. The defensive end is also close to the middle of the league. If McGrady plays 100.1 minutes per game, this team is definitely at the playoff level. What is even more frightening is that he has quite a lot of young players. As they grow, the Rockets can completely form a new force in the next three years to attack the Lakers' dynastic status." Hollinger even boldly asserted: "The Rockets have a clear three-year or five-year plan, and they are losing in a controlled and planned way, which deceives most people's eyes."

Hollinger's views aroused heated discussions in the fan circle, and soon a draft expert stood up to refute Hollinger's views. He believed that 2002 was a relatively small draft year, and it was not a smart choice for the Rockets to perform badly this year.The expert asked rhetorically: "Is Hakeem Olajuwon, the top ten superstar in NBA history, renewing his contract with the Rockets just to see how bad this team is?"

After Yuan Fei saw this kind of discussion, he not only laughed secretly, Hakim really led the team to perform poorly after reaching a consensus with the management.

But Alexander didn't think so.Although there was no concept of Internet public opinion and Internet public relations at the beginning of the 21st century, a shrewd businessman like Alexander still does not want his team to cause controversy.He asked Yuan Fei and Tang Shuai if they should consider winning more balls to face doubts.

"Of course not, boss." Yuan Fei rejected the proposal without hesitation and explained: "Although I am a data analyst on the surface, you all know my true identity. I don't just think about the strength and development of this team like a fan, I also think about the wallets of shareholders. Now there is an opportunity to fill your wallet and mine."

"What? Say it quickly." The stingy Alexander immediately became interested.

"Didn't we discuss the introduction of MaJian before? Although it failed, you know the huge market in China. Next summer, China's most outstanding basketball player, Yao Ming, will participate in the NBA draft (Yao Ming almost participated in the 2001 draft in history, so he is a Wizards man). And Okur is a Turk, Parker is a French, now we have fans in West Africa, Western Europe and the Middle East, and if we get the No. 13 country in the world, we will become the first guarantee of the league's overseas ratings, far surpassing the Knicks and Lakers." Yuan Fei smiled: "So you are still afraid of dissatisfaction with the money?"

"It really is a very good plan!" Alexander felt that Wang Yuanfei spoke to his heart, and he readily agreed in a comfortable mood: "Okay, we will win this young man at all costs. By the way, Jason, according to the current draft market, what is his approximate pick? I will trade Dawson to this pick."

"The problem here is the boss... Yao Ming is probably the No. 2002 pick in the [-] draft."

"...Are! you! kidding! me!" Alexander was filled with indignation, what about the promised wallet?Can this really be done? "Can we trade to the No. [-] lottery?"

"This...it depends on which team gets the No. [-] pick. After all, each team has different needs."

"￥#%#@*&…" There was a black line on Yali's forehead.

"So back to our previous topic, it is very necessary to play poorly, which can increase our chances of winning the No. [-] lottery." Seeing Alexander's embarrassing appearance, Yuan Fei managed to hold back his laughter and insisted on saying solemnly.

"Then there must be an alternative plan? What if you don't get it?" The mature and prudent Tang Shuai finally couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted.

"There is also a very good insider named Stoudemire. According to the current market, he will probably be in the top ten picks. It is not a big problem for us to get him." Yuanfei has a plan for this. It's mostly a business idea."

Just a business idea?of course not.Yuan Fei is a Chinese student studying abroad and a local Rockets fan. He has a deep affection for Yao Ming.From a purely technical and tactical point of view, Stoudemire is probably more suitable for the fast-paced tactics of future basketball.But from an emotional point of view, Yao Ming is of course the best choice!

"We can choose an Australian or South American in the second round, and spread the Rockets fans all over the world." Yuan Fei continued to envision a bright future for Yali.

"At that time, there will be Rockets fans on every continent in the world. What a great plan!" Alexander was completely convinced. "Since there is such a grand and ambitious plan, it doesn't matter if you have a little doubt right now. Let the fans talk."

"By the way, that John Hollinger will be a great person in the future. If the boss is interested in him, he can be recruited as the team's second data analyst." Yuan Fei said with a smile.

(Small knowledge: Hollinger became the core writer of ESPN in 04. His NBA analysis articles are world-renowned and one of the biggest players in the basketball media. The PER efficiency value he invented is also one of the most authoritative indexes to measure the strength of basketball players. In 12, he was poached by the Grizzlies and became the vice president of the team's operations department)

"Judging from your current working ability, we don't need another data analyst at all." Tang Shuai gave a high evaluation, and he was completely convinced by Yuanfei's work performance.

"The data is used to reflect the basketball games that have taken place, and can also be used to analyze and predict the future basketball. Mastering the data is like giving birth to the eyes of the future." Yuan Feixin opened his mouth.

(End of this chapter)