basketball player

Chapter 22 022: Mr. Tough

Compared with the 22-team lineup of the Las Vegas Summer League, the 8-team lineup of the Orlando Summer League looks somewhat shabby.But even so, it can't dampen Vogel's enthusiasm for winning the championship.If the summer league can lead the team well this time, his career may go a step further!

Of course, for Henson, this is also the best opportunity for him to show his value.

"Wesley, switch defenses quickly, faster! James Harden won't wait for your reaction to speed up. As long as you hesitate, you will be dealt with. If you are passed by the opponent, your defense will fail. If you fail to defend, the possibility of you signing a guaranteed contract will decrease!" Henson's voice echoed in the empty training ground.

Now he can not only yell in the game, but even in training, Henson can also yell a few times.Frank Vogel's throat has not improved, so Henson has become the most powerful mouthpiece.Of course, Vogel is very clear that this guy Henson is not just a sounding board.When he speaks, he always adds some of his own thinking and understanding of the game.

Wesley Matthews came to the gym the day after Henson went to see him and signed the non-guaranteed contract.Although he had just "transferred" from the Thunder to the Pacers, Matthews did not slack off on the training ground.

"Holiday, calm down! The opponent's defense is not strong, we don't need to be so anxious." Henson yelled again, and this sentence was also not what Vogel asked Henson to say.

Holiday is very willing to listen to Henson's words, because after a few games, every time he listens to Henson's words, he can achieve good results.Among the three coaches, Holiday also trusts Henson the most.

Frank Vogel is a good guy, but he has been curbing Holiday's desire to attack.Dennis Posey?Percy is an idiot.Only Henson can make Holiday feel that he is playing well and can win by the way.

The training is in full swing, and all the young people hope that tomorrow they can knock down Tanhua and win a championship.After chatting, they can also pat their chests and say: I am a person who has won the NBA championship!
A day of training came to an end with Henson's yelling and the sweat of the players.The team is in good shape, and the Pacers, who are not high-ranked rookies, don't have the idea of ​​looking down on the summer league.

"Okay, everyone performed very well in today's training. Go take a good shower, tomorrow, we will not allow failure!" Henson summoned all the players and said something briefly, and then clapped his hands to signal everyone to disband.

"That, coach." After all the players dispersed, only Wesley Matthews stood still.

"What's the matter, Matthews?" Henson looked at Matthews happily. The performance of this guy in training fulfilled the ability he saw.

"I just want to say... a thank you." Matthews lowered his head, thinking of his attitude towards Henson yesterday, he felt a little embarrassed.

"Thank you? Thank you when you can enter the Pacers' official rotation lineup. You still have a long way to go, kid." Henson patted Matthews on the shoulder and suddenly had a plan, "If you really want to thank me, show me James Harden tomorrow!"

Matthews couldn't help clenching his fists, James Harden?It's not like I didn't fail to guard that Tanhua when I was training with the Thunder before.
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July 7, 11 NBA Orlando Summer League Finals.Although the word "finals" sounds very exaggerated, in fact, there were only more than 2009 people present to watch the game today.In a small arena, there are still vacancies.

But regardless of whether the game gets attention or not, Henson and Vogel are ready to give it a go.But before that, Wesley Matthews encountered a very embarrassing problem.

Because this is his second day in the team, the Pacers don't have time to prepare Matthews' jersey.Matthews got a Pacers "bare board" practice jersey with no name or number on it.According to the regulations of the summer league, Matthews cannot just wear such a jersey with nothing on it.

"It can't just sign him and stop letting him play." Vogel is still bargaining with the referee. The referee is actually very difficult to do. They just follow the rules.

Seeing that the referee did not give in at all, Henson suddenly had a solution.

"As long as his jersey has a number on it?" Henson pushed aside the anxious Vogel. Compared with Vogel, Henson at this time was extremely calm.

"That's right, but he can't wear other people's jerseys." The referee gave Henson a nod.

"No problem, Frank, give me paper and pen!" Henson said, took out a large white paper, and wrote Matthews' number, No. 2, on it.

Finally, Henson pasted the square paper on Matthews' abdomen and back with transparent tape.

"Go, you can play now!" Henson patted Matthews on the back, and Matthews opened his hand to look at his jersey. It was so funny!

The referee almost couldn't hold back the laughter, but let it go.As long as it complied with the regulations, he didn't want to embarrass Henson and the others.

Just like that, there was a burst of laughter at the scene.Because on the court, Matthews, a guy who even wrote his jersey number temporarily, appeared.

The Thunder's coaching staff showed more disdain.Do you think you can guard James Harden with a guy who was just cut by me?
"It's really interesting. The Pacers didn't even have time to prepare a jersey for Wesley Matthews. Because three days ago, he was still playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder." Since today is the finals, ESPN also gave the game a live broadcast.Of course, there is no live commentary for this game, and all commentary work is done in the studio.

After the game started, the Thunder took the lead in winning the ball.Harden personally controlled the ball across the half, and Wesley Matthews began to put pressure on Harden when he just crossed the halftime line!
The two are entangled, and it doesn't even look like a summer league, but an actual NBA regular season!
Matthews turned the unwillingness and anger in his heart into strength, didn't you abandon me?Now, I will immediately make you regret it!
Harden obviously didn't expect his former teammate to be so excited today, and was forced to stop the ball for a while.

"Wesley Matthews, this guy actually stopped the pick! Many fans asked me who Matthews is? I also want to know! The only information I have is that he was a draft pick." The commentator was stunned by this little-known guard. A rookie with such a strong defense was not selected?

Harden had no choice but to give the ball to this year's No. 24 rookie in the first round, the white center Byron Mullens who was going to come up to cover Harden.

After Mullens held the ball, he immediately handed over Harden on the spot, helping Harden delay Matthews' defense by the way.Harden took advantage of this opportunity to go straight to the inside and was about to make a layup, but was blocked by Danny Green who rushed in from a diagonal thrust!
"Beautiful blocking! Danny Green, this guy's judgment on the defensive situation is really accurate!"

Harden turned his head and glanced in surprise. This guy was clearly still near the three-point line just now, why did he rush over so quickly! ?
Before everyone had opened their mouths wide and hadn't recovered from the shock, Zhu Holiday had already grabbed the basketball that was blown out with lightning speed, and then ran wildly!
Little Holiday's athletic ability is definitely underestimated by everyone. Once this guy rises, the Thunder will have no way to catch up.

With a light one-handed buckle, Holiday soared into the air like a UFO equipped with an anti-gravity device, completely igniting the curtain of this finals.

"Good job, so fucking beautiful!" Henson couldn't help waving his fist on the sidelines. This is the blood that basketball brings to people.

Harden was a little unwilling, because he was too careless just now, and didn't observe Danny Green's sudden attack.As long as you can bear your temper and play slowly, it is not difficult to score on the Pacers.In the last match between the two sides, didn't he easily score 24 points?

Harden didn't know that he scored 24 points against the Pacers in the last game, precisely because Matthews helped him attract too much defensive attention.

Matthews still stretches his arms in front of Harden. Now, no one dares to laugh at the undrafted pick who doesn't even have a number on his jersey.

Harden beckons for screens, his favorite way to initiate the offense.He's used to playing screens with Jordan Hill since he was in Arizona.

But Byron Mullens' screen quality is obviously not as high as Jordan Hill's, and Wesley Matthews' toughness is beyond the reach of opponents Harden has encountered in the past.

Harden bypassed the screen and was about to speed up, but Wesley Matthews immediately posted it again!
"That guy Henson really found a treasure." Bird, who was watching the game in front of the TV, had a little affection for Matthews, and the scouting report submitted by Henson was still true.

"This guy is not only physically strong, but also very willing to defend. You know, defensive attitude determines the quality of a player's defense. If you need a star player, Matthews may not be enough. But if you need a lunatic who dares to fight on the court, I can guarantee that no one is better than him!"

The sentence in Henson's scouting report has been reflected in Matthews at this time.

Harden's breakthrough layup was missed again under the strong interference of Matthews. Danny Green scored a rebound and made a long pass from the backcourt. Holiday once again crossed the court with a lightning gesture.

Harden looked at Matthews, but his former teammate still had a resolute expression, as if he was ready to fight Harden to the end.

The coaching staff of the Thunder's summer league must be MMP in their hearts now. Why does Matthews seem to be a different person when he arrives at the Pacers?
Holiday, Matthews and Danny Green, Vogel looked at these three young men, and then at Henson who picked them with his own hands.

Vogel suddenly understood that the most dazzling player in this year's summer league may not be himself, nor those young players, but this temporary assistant coach.

(End of this chapter)