one-handed ball

Chapter 321 The Training Preseason
While other teams waved checks to make up for it, the Timberwolves seemed extremely low-key throughout the offseason.

Signed a rookie at the end of the first round, signed a new head coach, matched the contract that the Cavaliers offered to the backup point guard, and never made any moves.

Under such circumstances, the reporters questioned Thibodeau. Could it be that such a lineup that has hardly changed will bring changes to the Timberwolves?
Anyway, they didn't believe it anyway, so they found Thibodeau to ask for clarification.

So the Timberwolves' closed training on the first day was chased and intercepted by reporters.After Thibodeau dismissed them, a considerable number of reporters were still waiting for the Timberwolves players there.

After Zheng Ke and his two hours of training were over, they swarmed up and surrounded the Timberwolves players.

"What are the goals of the Timberwolves this season?"

"Zheng Ke, the team did not carry out large-scale reinforcements in the summer. It is reported that you are very dissatisfied with the team's operations in the summer. Is this true?"

Of course Zheng Ke would not pay attention to these reporters. Today is the day when the Timberwolves players gather, and there will be a party to attend in the evening. He still needs to hurry up and go home and change his clothes.So, facing the reporters, he showed his signature smile, then nodded and drifted away.

Thibodeau's assistant coaching team is very good, at least he has a lot of defense.

Thibodeau also discovered a very good feature of the Timberwolves, that is, the extremely fast counterattack speed. Basically, as soon as Love grabs the rebound and throws it in the frontcourt, Zheng Ke can directly attack the basket as soon as he catches the ball. The cooperation between the two is now more tacit and powerful than the cooperation between Zheng Ke and Billups.

Fast break is an offensive method integrated into the Timberwolves' bones, and every player has such an offensive awareness.In the case of being able to make fast breaks often, Zheng Ke can still grab 8 rebounds per game, which shows how excellent his rebounding awareness and ability is.

Thibodeau's training of players' defense not only starts with the overall tactical system, but also starts with the change of each player's temperament.

Thomas under his assistant coaching team is an excellent defensive training master. When they met on the first day, they taught Anderson and Jordan the "iron elbow stunt".Directly shout that if the two of them grab a rebound, they will put up two big elbows immediately, and then shake them left and right.He said righteously: Being able to protect the ball is our top priority, and it doesn't matter if we hit someone else.

The height of the two of them, this place is an elbow, if an outside player comes directly to take the ball, if they fail to keep it, it will be a concussion. Zheng Ke on the sidelines shuddered, thinking that the Timberwolves meant to become a bandit army.

In the summer training camp, time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it's the player's makeup day and the start of the preseason.

"Games like the preseason are naturally focused on training. Every player will have a considerable amount of playing time. I hope you can show the success of this period of time without hiding it." Going to the Staples Center On the way, Thibodeau said to the players before the game, "A person with strength is not afraid of being known. The preseason is the time to take out the strongest weapon."

The first game of the Timberwolves preseason is against the defending champion Lakers.

Such a game that has nothing to do with regular season wins really can't inspire the willingness of the two teams to fight. For example, Kobe only played 6 minutes, and Zheng Ke only played 9 minutes. The combined playing time of the two leading stars is less than half of the game. Time, the fans who spent money to buy tickets were annoyed.

But even if they quarrel again and again, Thibodeau and Phil Jackson will not be easily shaken.

"This defense!"

Phil Jackson looked at Jordan who once again slapped Bynum away on the court, and couldn't calm down anymore, showing a look of surprise, "How can Jordan improve so fast? He was only the third substitute in the Timberwolves last year. This year's bounce, wingspan and defensive awareness are more than enough to be the starting center of a weak team."

Whether it is a good state or an improvement in strength, Phil Jackson did not dare to be careless and observed carefully.

At the end of the first half, Lowry broke through the middle to the inside of the Lakers, and suddenly made an exquisite ground-hitting pass, which was handed over to Jordan near the free throw line.

The Lakers' Bynum and Gasol were attracted by Lowry, and there was a loophole in the defensive formation.

Little Jordan made a sideways move, shouted, raised the ball forcefully, made a slam dunk posture of smashing Huashan, and easily flew over the heads of Gasol and Bynum.

The action was so fast that Gasol and Bynum could only raise their hands subconsciously.

"boom!"

Jordan passed between the two and completed this violent dunk, which stunned everyone on the field, including Lakers fans and Timberwolves players.

Zheng Ke was the first to stand up and applaud Jordan. The strength, speed and angle of this dunk were perfect, and it was nothing more than letting him do it.Jordan is indeed very talented in dunking, especially because he is so tall, but he still has excellent jumping ability. It is very easy for him to dunk with a flat frame.

"I have found a treasure, and training it well can definitely be a big gate for the inside line. Not to mention Mutombo, at least he is at Camby's level." Thibodeau looked at the flying young Jordan on the field and felt that the decision to come to the Timberwolves How wise.

In the first game of the preseason, Jordan's domineering two-person split dunk appeared. Although he did not seek physical contact like Zheng Ke's dunk, it was already a lot of attention.Immediately, the NBA's official first-day top ten balls came out, and Jordan's ball was indeed selected, and ranked first.

Although the preseason is mainly about training, many teams still see the clues of the Timberwolves lineup.

Minnesota's bench lineup is stronger than before. The starting point guard in the preseason is Lowry, and after Billups comes off the bench, Marcus Thornton, Brewer, Gibson and Jordan's bench lineup It's perfect, someone defends, someone attacks with the ball; has a good shooter, has a wing defender.

Such a Timberwolves won 10 games in 9 preseason games, and the only one was a loss to the Kings.

After more than 20 days of preseason training, the Timberwolves returned to the Target Center, where they will face the challenge of the Bucks in the first game.

This year's NBA regular season opener, there are a total of three games.

The Heat, composed of the Big Three, challenged the Celtics, the Suns, who failed in the Western Conference finals last season, challenged the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Houston Rockets challenged the Lakers away.

One of the most striking is definitely the first Heat game against the Celtics.

Last season, the Celtics eliminated James' Cavaliers again. When it comes to the grievances between James and the Celtics, it is the entanglement between Camby Zheng Ke and the Trail Blazers.This time James went to Miami and sought the help of the Dragon King and Wade. Although the Cleveland fans were unhappy, it is undeniable that the Heat's book strength is already comparable to that of the Celtics, and they have the capital to challenge.

Many people look down on the Heat, thinking that two superstars who both need to hold the ball will find it difficult to play an outstanding record.

However, Zheng Ke does not think so.

Whether it is Wade or James, they are currently among the top scoring players, and their personal offensive ability can be called the top five in the league.And the two of them are together, no matter how well they cooperate, at least the goal is very clear, that is the championship, at least the three of them are grasshoppers on a rope before they win the championship, and the energy they explode is absolutely beyond imagination.

So Zheng Ke has never looked down on the Heat, and regards them as the biggest enemy on the way to the championship.

But Zheng Ke was wrong in this game. At present, the degree of running-in between the Big Three of the Heat is obviously not enough. Wade is very uncomfortable with the feeling of not having the ball, and Bosh is also very uncomfortable with the new role positioning. The two have 13 points and 6 He made 6 turnovers and only scored 11 points and 3 rebounds on 8 of 8 shots.Although James scored 31 points, he also made 8 turnovers. The Celtics won the focus battle 88 to 80.

"Damn, so many mistakes and knitting." Zheng Ke watched the game and complained.

"You look like you want the Heat to win. Isn't ESPN's survey showing that most of the United States does not support the Heat's Big Three?" Taylor said.

"Haha, I don't particularly support any team. It's just that I think the Heat should be able to play better. At present, they still have a long way to go. I am afraid that when they recover, my Timberwolves' record will surpass theirs. That's a big deal." Zheng Ke laughed and explained.

"Everyone will not get used to the sudden change of style of play. The Heat will be in big trouble." Zheng Ke said with a little gloat, although he still sees that the Heat will rise in the future, he is very happy to see the three of them eat Karma.

"Tomorrow is the Timberwolves' first game. You should be confident playing the Bucks?" Taylor laughed.

"Fortunately, I'm actually afraid of a team like the Bucks that rely on touch. Fortunately, Jennings is a bit strong." Zheng Ke said, but Taylor showed a puzzled expression, and said, "Jennings is not very good. Well? I scored 55 points last season and it was still a rookie season. After a summer, it should be stronger, right? And your national teammate Yi, that is a long-range anti-aircraft turret, and his three-point shooting percentage is almost 40 Bar?"

"Okay!" Zheng Ke looked at Taylor with admiration, gave Taylor a thumbs up, and said with a smile: "After being with my husband for a few years, my basketball knowledge has skyrocketed! I even remembered Yi Jianlian's shooting percentage. Fan potential!"

Taylor gave him a blank look, and said helplessly: "Who made you guys talk about this all day? Even if I don't want to be a fan, I can't help it."

(End of this chapter)