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Chapter 623 - 268. The eldest is really useful_3

Chapter 623: 268. The eldest is really useful_3

Zhang Yang: "Considering the tactical needs, the continuity of your playing time and the difficulty of scoring, I think this adjustment suits you. However, when it comes to one-on-one play, losing weight will reduce your ability to overpower opponents. You don’t have a height advantage, and strength is very important for one-on-one."

Okafor nodded and said, "I got it... Jack, doesn’t this style of play remind you a bit of Duncan’s?"

A question mark appeared over Zhang Yang’s head. Like Duncan?

Seeing the confusion on Zhang Yang’s face, Okafor continued, "The 98-99 season of Duncan, that season was the one where he scored the least through one-on-one plays, and his number of assists wasn’t high either. With Robinson, Elliott, Johnson (Avery) passing him the ball, he primarily launched counter-attacks, cuts, and followed up on second chances, managing to score over 10 points per game in the Finals just through cutting."

Zhang Yang recalled the video tapes he had watched of Duncan before his first major injury... Indeed, back then, Duncan’s athleticism wasn’t inferior to the current Dwight Howard. After setting screens for shooters on the wing, he would cut in unstoppable during the opponents’ defensive switches.

Zhang Yang responded, "It’s possible that it’s modeled after Duncan. You’re nicknamed ’Little Duncan’ after all, with a solid skillset. When Chip was planning your tactical adjustment, he must have referred to many famous stars, and Duncan is surely one of them."

Okafor nodded, "I’ll give it some thought and will get back to Rick myself... Another cup?"

Zhang Yang cordially declined, continuing to drink tea with Okafor, discussing matters related to their studies and staying away from talking about games or tactical adjustments, which lightened the mood considerably.

Zhang San: I really don’t know why Carlisle and Big Bernie feel it’s so hard to communicate with ’Little Duncan’. Isn’t he quite straightforward? He even takes the initiative to strategize for himself.

’Little Duncan’: It’s always enjoyable to talk with educated people. I heard that Zhang San took the time to take exams back at school in September, and you’re close to earning all your credits? You might graduate early as a junior? That’s awesome!

...

On the morning of November 4th, the Bobcats arrived at the America Airlines Arena to prepare for the game.

After chatting with Okafor for a bit, Carlisle went to find the nutritionist and worked out a long-term weight reduction plan for Okafor.

This time, the weight reduction was different from the previous drastic loss of over ten kilograms. It needed to be done slowly without affecting Okafor’s gameplay. Aiming to lose about three or four kilograms before the All-Star weekend, it wasn’t a difficult target.

After arranging the work, Carlisle remarked to Bickerstaff, "Raymond really is so useful, no wonder you like him so much."

Bickerstaff: "He is indeed very good at uniting and leading teammates. Nobody dislikes such an energetic and forward-looking teammate."

Carlisle: "Having Emeka lose weight to focus on off-ball plays means weakening his one-on-one ability. I thought about how to broach the subject all morning yesterday and ended up going to Raymond. I don’t even know how he persuaded Emeka."

Bickerstaff: "The process is not important. As long as you delegate the tasks and they get them done, that’s what counts."

Carlisle: "Haha, Bernie, you’re pointing out my weaknesses again. I know I’m too involved in my colleagues’ work, but I just can’t help wanting to step in, hoping to make it better."

Bickerstaff: "That’s not a bad thing. Your coaching skills need to be stronger than everyone on the team, including me. The work you get involved in always turns out the best... but you’ll also be very tired."

Carlisle: "I appreciate your approval, Bernie. It’s okay if I’m tired, as you said, I want to make things better..."

By 9:30 a.m., the Bobcats had begun their pregame meeting.

After the meeting, Zhang Yang summarized the content of today’s preparations, making some tactical adjustments in detail—significantly reducing the frequency of Okafor initiating offense with the ball and increasing the frequency of Okafor serving as the finishing point in the play.

Although weight reduction hadn’t started yet, tactical adjustments were already underway.

Even without losing weight, Okafor remained the best at attacking the basket on their team, the purpose of weight loss being to reduce wear and tear, enhance sustainability, and increase mobility, enabling Okafor to perform better in the role of an offensive finisher.

At 6:40 p.m., Zhang Yang and his teammates entered the court together.

He glanced around the venue and complained, "The season just started, and there are so many empty seats already."

Felton, "There are only a few hundred empty seats, which isn’t bad."

Zhang Yang, "Huh?"

Felton, "I saw the news yesterday. The day before, the Miami Heat’s first home game had a ticket sales rate of 79%, and the attendance rate was 77%. They lost by 26 points to the Chicago Bulls in their first away game, playing back-to-back; they also lost the day before yesterday when they returned home to play the Timberwolves back-to-back, with O’Neal getting posterized by Bynum and almost got into a fight."

O’Neal scored only 15 points with 6 rebounds and 7 points with 10 rebounds in two games, while Wade got 31 points, 26 points with 10 assists and still couldn’t win the games. O’Neal is getting old... If it weren’t for us playing today, their attendance might have been even lower. Look over there; that group of fans is wearing your No.3 jersey, not the Heat’s No.3 jersey."

Zhang Yang, "An average of 11+8? Not bad for a max contract performance."

This time, it was Felton’s turn to say, "Huh?"

Zhang Yang, "Ah, it feels like just yesterday the Heat won the championship, and Miami’s white wave was so lively. Now they can only rely on the visiting team to sell tickets. Wade and O’Neal haven’t even left yet. It’s ruthless, but their decline is also a bit too fast."

Speaking of this, he recalled a discussion post he had seen in his previous life. The topic was ’The most underperforming defending champions in history.’ The 98-99 Chicago Bulls ranked at the top, with their position as the most impregnable defending champions unshakable.

The 06-07 Miami Heat were also on the list. Some netizens mentioned the 07-08 Heat. Wade played more than 50 games, only winning 10; the win-rate was less than 20%. O’Neal played more than 30 games, only winning 8; the win-rate was less than 25%. Together they played 18 games and won merely 5 of them, keeping the win-rate below 30%. Throughout the season, with O’Neal playing more than 30 games and Wade more than 50, the Heat only managed 15 wins.

Felton, "South Beach fans are like that. When the team is winning, they’re all fans of the Heat. Once the Heat’s strength fades, they turn away quickly. What can you expect when Florida is the state with the largest number of illegal immigrants, after all, they don’t really have a sense of belonging... Ah, it makes me think of our place. The situation seems similar; fans are more loyal to North Carolina and Duke than us. If we don’t play well, our attendance might also drop to this level, right?"

Zhang Yang, "I think so."

Felton, "＝＝凸, Jack, isn’t this the time you’re supposed to comfort me?"

Zhang Yang, "Forget it, boss. You looking all sensitive and sappy is kinda disgusting...

Since you’re worried about it, let’s just work hard and win games. If we win, the fans won’t leave, right? Plus, our situation isn’t the same as here. You said it yourself; fans are more loyal to North Carolina and Duke, meaning they are loyal, very loyal!"

Felton put aside his tears and said, "Exactly. We’ll steal the fans from them, and not give them back!"

Then Felton put out his fist, Zhang Yang did the same, and they fist-bumped, as the captain and the star player of the Bobcats set a small goal for themselves!

...

...

Finally back in Chengdu, took another two-hour ride to the airport, squeezed onto the subway in Chengdu... but seeing Grandma happily blowing out the candles on the cake was very heartwarming~ I’ll write just this Chapter today, going to sleep early, and start working hard early tomorrow! Thanks, buddies, for understanding, let’s keep pushing!