basketball player

Chapter 349 Chapter 347: The Crazy Eagle
Larry Drew is very clear about the strengths and weaknesses of his team. He knows that after losing Joe Johnson, the Eagles have been lacking a decent single point.Therefore, this season, in addition to still emphasizing defense, the Atlanta Hawks also put more emphasis on team offense.

Since there is no suitable single point, then make up for it with the strength of the team.Therefore, in Atlanta, some media even boasted that the Eagles are the "Eastern Spurs".

Against the Pacers today, Drew is hoping to use his powerful team offense to stop his old rival Henson Joe.

In any case, this time, he must succeed!

So far this season, the Eagles and Pacers have met three times.Unlike the previous two seasons where the two sides won and lost each other, this season the Pacers directly beat the Eagles 3-0.The Eagles this season seem unable to shake the authority of the Pacers at all.

This time, it was the last time the Eagles met the Pacers this season.If you are unlucky, it is very likely that Drew Sr. will play against Henson for the last time as the head coach of the Eagles.

The Hawks uniform team has made it very clear, "If the team's performance this season still fails to make a breakthrough, then we may not renew your contract."

The so-called achievement breakthrough is divided into two layers.One is the regular season record and the other is the playoff record.Although the Eagles are now ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference, this obviously does not meet the expectations of the Eagles management.In other words, although the regular season will end in less than a month, Drew still has to do his best to win as many victories as possible.

This has nothing to do with glory, but with Larry Drew's job!
Therefore, even if he was beaten to death by the Pacers, he would also bite off a piece of Henson's flesh.When a person is on the edge of a cliff, his fighting power is extraordinarily powerful.

Drew has studied many Pacers game videos, and also knows that the Pacers have lost two main players and are in poor condition.So the day before the start of the game, the old Drew had already mobilized everyone.

"There's no reason why we lose to the same opponent four times! Those goddamn guys in Indianapolis are waiting to see our jokes and humiliate us! What we have to do is simple, let them go to hell!"

Drew's impassioned speech naturally moved the Eagles players.When you elevate a game to the point of shame or not, any young Lisheng player will be motivated.

So today, when Henson saw the Eagles players in the Bankers Life Arena, he couldn't help feeling tense.

"What did Drew give them? Stimulants?" While warming up, Henson heard two loud bangs. "New Eagle King" Josh Smith was so excited that he showed two dunks, and it could be seen that the Eagles players were very committed even in the warm-up stage.

"Old Drew is having a hard time, and he has lost to us three times this season. From the coach to the players, they are all very unwilling."

"Really? It turns out that the Eagles have lost to us three times this season, more than I thought."

"Pfft!" Hearing what Henson said, Vogel almost vomited blood.If old Drew heard this, he would probably shut himself up immediately.

But Vogel is no longer worried about Henson's self-confidence.Because in yesterday's confrontational training, Livingston's performance was much better than he imagined.Maybe, he can really catch the Eagles by surprise!
The warm-up on the Eagles' side is eye-catching, and the Pacers' warm-up also attracted the attention of the commentators.The player who attracted attention was none other than Livingston.

"We saw that Sean Livingston is currently practicing turnaround jump shots under the leadership of Fraser. In other words, after almost three months, Livingston has returned to the basketball court again! And, it is very likely that he will play in today's game!" Chris Webb stretched his head. He thought that Livingston would disappear from now on, but he didn't expect to come back.Moreover, it is still in the team of the defending champion.

"Three months... To be honest, I doubt whether Sean Livingston can find his status. Look at his resume in the past few years. Although Pacers fans will not like to hear what I say, I still have to say that I am very pessimistic about Livingston's prospects in the Pacers. Coach Henson has many options to add a serious No. [-] substitute to Paul, but this choice will not be Livingston." Bill Wharton spread his hands. There are no prejudices, but just telling the truth.

"The truth is always unlikable. For a player whose knee is almost completely broken, I think it is too difficult for him to gain a foothold in the NBA. It is almost impossible. So, don't pay attention to Livingston. His appearance is unlikely to change this game." Walton continued to add, "Professional basketball is cruel...very cruel. Maybe Coach Henson still has some romantic fantasies in his heart, but I have to say, he signed the wrong person this time."

Larry Drew's thoughts at this time were similar to Bill Walton's. If he hadn't seen Livingston warming up on the court at this time, he would have almost forgotten that the Pacers had such a signing a month ago.

"Don't worry about him, that guy can't make any waves. Even if he plays, it won't have any effect. We will continue to act according to the original plan, defend well, and play team offense." Drew waved his hand and did not continue to observe Livingston.

It's just a waste, no matter how amazing Henson is, it's impossible to bring a waste back to life!Want to confuse yourself with Livingston?There are no doors!
After the warm-up is over, the game officially begins.Although Livingston is not a starter, even sitting on the bench, he feels his heart beating faster.

The defending champion, this is the first time in his life to play for a championship-level team.Naturally, it was also the first time I felt such a warm live atmosphere!
But soon, Livingston calmed down his breathing and tried to calm himself down.

He must get familiar with the rhythm of the game as soon as possible, the atmosphere of the scene, and even the taste of the game.He doesn't know when he's going to get a chance to play, maybe the first quarter, maybe garbage time.But he firmly believes that he will play, because the Chinese coach never breaks his promise.At that time, he will have to show his strength. He cannot fail himself, his family, and Henson Joe...

Livingston is very aware of his current situation, and the coach can't give himself too much time, even if the Pacers' lineup is not complete.And if he can't seize the opportunity within the limited time, then... what use is he?Which team would raise a cripple?Will he continue to wander?Drifting to the day when no team is willing to take over him?
You know, in two years, he will be 30 years old!
So, Livingston rested his chin on his hand, his eyes closely following his teammates running on the field.He has to be ready, must be ready!

Livingston calmed down, but Henson stood up from the bench early.

The start of the Pacers was not very smooth.

On the first offense of the game, Josh Smith broke through through Anthony Toliver's screen.

Since Toliver is a short insider who plays on the outside, Yi Jianlian was sent by Henson as the starting No. [-] today.

Facing this cover, Yi Jianlian's defense was very active.But helplessly, Josh, known as the "poor man's version of James", has such a strong physical fitness that Yi Jianlian cannot resist.

I saw Josh forcefully shouldered Yi Jianlian away, and then dunked high before Horford defended the basket, making the basket in the Bankers Life Arena tremble for a while.

Subsequently, the Pacers attacked.The starting No. [-] sent by the Eagles is Deng Tai Jones, who once played for the Pacers.

As a member of the 03 Super Platinum Generation, Dengtai Jones started his career in Memphis. In the 08-09 season, Dengtai Jones transferred to the Denver Nuggets and acted as the team's starting shooting guard with his strong defense. In the playoffs, he became the most underrated player of the Nuggets.

After the season, Jones won a contract with the Pacers for his performance in the Nuggets.Of course, the Pacers at that time, Henson was still a nobody in the team.Later, Henson traded Jones to the Bulls for the Bulls' 30th overall pick.And that draft pick has now become Jimmy Butler.In the middle of this season, the defensively strong Jones drifted to the Atlanta Hawks again.

Although Jones has passed the peak of his body, as a player who can defend Kobe uncomfortably, his defensive strength must not only be physical.

Jones' ability to read the opponent's offense and predict is very strong. Paul George's back run was seen through by Jones. He followed up in time and interfered with George's catch and the rhythm of George's catch and shoot.

As a result, the Pacers missed the first attack!Eagles starting center, Frenchman Johan Petrol leaped high to get the rebound.The feeling of the Eagles today is just one word-excitement!
"Everyone of them is running and jumping desperately, for fear that the basketball will slip through their fingers. I have to say, this may be one of the most competitive games for the Eagles this season!" Bill Walton commented approvingly.

Subsequently, Josh Smith sat inside and played Green with his back.As a strong third and fourth swingman, Josh is more than enough to beat Green with his weight.

He drove to the basket and hit the ball under Horford's interference. After 20 seconds, Josh broke through and attracted Yi Jianlian's attention.As a result, Anthony Tolliver was left out.

Josh steadily distributed the ball to Tolliver, who directly fired from a long distance at the top of the arc, piercing the Pacers' heart with a three-pointer! 7 to 0!

With team basketball and tough defense, the Hawks played what Drew expected to see.

"Time, Time!" Henson had no choice but to stop the game after a few rounds.

The crazy eagle seems to be more difficult to deal with than I imagined!
(End of this chapter)