180 Preseason Ends

Chuck Hayes, who was still telling his teammates, turned around in confusion. He glanced at Zhang Jun, and then looked back at the basketball falling from the net. Chuck Hayes couldn't believe it. He turned around and glanced at Zhang Jun again.

"Did you vote for it?"

Zhang Jun nodded and said, "I voted for it."

Chuck Hayes smiled and said, "Still standing two meters outside the three-point line and shooting?"

Zhang Jun confirmed: "Yes, it should be about two meters away from the three-point line."

Chuck Hayes was happy.

"You're lucky."

"Forget it, I'll let you be blinded."

The Rockets switched offense. After Zhang Jun came on the court to help defend, the Rockets immediately felt a different defensive intensity on the offensive end. In addition, Chuck Hayes had almost no offense, so Zhang Jun assisted in double-teaming. Be more decisive when defending.

The Rockets' offense failed in this round.

It's the Blazers' ball again.

Zhang Jun advanced with the ball.

Chuck Hayes still chose to retreat to the free throw line, and then continued to tell his teammates left and right.

"Don't be distracted. Don't forget what I just said. Don't think about just one person to guard against this guy. When double-teaming and assisting in defense, be more decisive and focused..."

Uh-huh!

There was another crisp sound of basketball hitting the net.

Chuck Hayes glanced at the basketball falling from the net behind him, and then looked back at Zhang Jun again in confusion.

"What are you doing?"

Zhang Jun spread his hands and said, "What are you doing?"

Chuck Hayes pursed his lips and said: "You shot a three-pointer again? Are you mistaken? You are one of the most breakthrough players in the NBA, and now you are actually shooting a three-pointer in front of me?"

Zhang Jun was startled and said: "Well... is there any problem? Is it because the NBA rules that I can't shoot three-pointers?"

Chuck Hayes forced a smile and said: "It's not a matter of rules or regulations. You are Zhang Jun. Now you actually shoot three-pointers, or two consecutive long-range three-pointers. Brother, don't you think you are kidding?"

Zhang Jun shook his head in denial and said: "Hey, Chuck, I will shoot a three-pointer on the next ball, do you believe it?"

Chuck Hayes looked at Zhang Jun seriously and said: "I don't believe it! I won't believe it even if I kill my employer! You can't even make a shot!"

Zhang Jun smiled and did not explain.

On the next possession, it was the Blazers' possession again.

Zhang Jun advanced with the ball, but Chuck Hayes still confidently retreated to the free throw line, then slammed his hands on the floor, stared at Zhang Jun and shouted.

"If you dare to vote, I will let you go!"

Uh-huh!

Zhang Jun opened his hand without any explanation. The basketball made a perfect arc in the sky and then hit the net steadily.

"If you dare to let me go, I will vote!"

Chuck Hayes was stunned on the spot. He opened his mouth slightly and looked at Zhang Jun in disbelief.

"This is the third one."

Zhang Jun gestured towards the scoreboard above his head, and Chuck Hayes discovered that the Rockets, which originally led the Trail Blazers by 10 points, only had a 1-point lead at this time.

"Oh my God, three consecutive long three-pointers. Was this a shot made by Zhang Jun?"

"It's incredible!"

"This scoring explosion is simply unheard of. In less than a minute and a half, the 10-point difference was almost wiped out."

"This is too scary."

Yu Jia finally waited for Zhang Jun's dazzling performance, but he didn't expect the picture to be so jaw-dropping. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed that Zhang Jun had done it.

Su Qun said: "This is just one game, and it's just the preseason. If Zhang Jun can have such three-point accuracy in every game, other teams in the league may really feel fear and panic. "

On the court.

Chuck Hayes continued to shoot Zhang Jun's ultra-long three-pointers as if he didn't believe in evil, and the result was that Zhang Jun completely treated this preseason game as a shooting training.

Channing Fletcher and James Jones, who had been waiting to catch the ball, were already dissatisfied with their arms akimbo on the court.

Originally, they thought they would be the protagonists on the court after Zhang Jun came on the court, but it turned out that Zhang Jun's three-pointer was even better than the two of them.

After half a quarter of the game, Zhang Jun was full of firepower from the three-point line. Facing a completely empty defense, he shot a terrifying 9-for-11 three-point shooting rate and scored 27 points in the half quarter.

Rockets head coach Rick Adelman was beaten to his feet by Zhang Jun. He was very unhappy and called a timeout.

"From leading by ten points to being behind by ten points, it only took half a quarter?"

"Do you know how to play ball?"

"Chuck! What are you doing! Do you know how many points you gave Zhang Jun!"

Chuck Hayes spread his hands helplessly.

He wanted to tell Rick Adelman, you are yelling so hard here, if you have the ability, find someone who can guard Zhang Jun.

Off the field.

Although Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest are all wearing training uniforms, none of the three will play tonight and they are not active in the team's lineup.

Because Yao Ming participated in the Olympics, his body was extremely exhausted. Head coach Rick Adelman also intended to exempt Yao Ming from all preseason games.

McGrady has a waist injury risk, and it is still unknown whether he can even play in the regular season opener. As for Ron Artest, he is still a new player. Rick Adelman hopes that Artest can become familiar with the team's rules as soon as possible. The tactical system strives to be able to seamlessly connect with the team during the regular season.

On the bench.

"Ron, can you guard against that guy?"

Maddie asked very seriously.

In the playoffs last season, Tracy McGrady was assigned by coach Rick Adelman to guard Zhang Jun many times, because Battier on the team was not good at guarding such an astonishingly fast player.

As a result, it was very uncomfortable for McGrady to defend. Although it was difficult for Zhang Jun to limit himself on the offensive end, McGrady's defense against Zhang Jun was far less effective than that of his opponent.

This was also the reason why in that round of the series between the Rockets and the Trail Blazers, McGrady and Zhang Jun had many explosive performances but the Trail Blazers had the last laugh.

Artest hesitated for a while, thought carefully and then said: "I played against him last season, and I was able to restrain him very well, but his performance just now frightened me."

"If Zhang Jun's three-pointer is just a fluke tonight, then just wait and see, I can completely lock him down in the next game."

"But if his ultra-long three-pointers are really so accurate, I don't need to tell you that you should already understand that a player must be at least one of the top three in the league for breakthroughs, one of the top five in the league for mid-range shooting ability, and have good shooting skills. Three-pointers, no one can defend him."

Yao Ming said with certainty on the side: "Don't worry, he shouldn't be able to shoot three-pointers. He was just acting recklessly tonight."

"Zhang Jun told me before that the reason why he is unwilling to shoot three-pointers is because his breakthrough efficiency will be higher, so it is impossible for him to give up his breakthrough and increase his outside shooting, even if he is working hard to improve this off-season. My three-point shooting ability will not suddenly improve so quickly."

"In one off-season, his three-point shooting will at best improve to the league average."

McGrady nodded. He really hoped that like Yao Ming said, the Rockets brought in Ron Artest specifically for Zhang Juncai. If they still can't guard against him in the end, then the Rockets may announce their disbandment next season. .

Of course, getting Artest is a deal that kills multiple birds with one stone, because he can also limit Kobe Bryant, who reached the Finals last season.

Strictly speaking, the Rockets have only three potential competitors in the Western Conference in this year's playoffs, one is the Lakers, one is the Spurs, and then the Trail Blazers.

Moreover, the Trail Blazers' lineup this season is even one point weaker than last season. As long as nothing unexpected happens and the Rockets can defeat these three teams with targeted reinforcements, they should have no big problem entering the finals. .

Of course, there is also a Nuggets team that made a big deal in the offseason, but it is still unknown whether Chauncey Billups and Melo Anthony can quickly integrate and play an extremely smooth cooperation.

"There is not much time left for me to fight for the championship."

Maddie touched her back and said seriously.

On the court, Zhang Jun continued to explode. Rick Adelman replaced Battier to defend Zhang Jun and put Chuck Hayes directly on the bench.

Battier didn't let Zhang Jun's shot go as exaggeratedly as Chuck Hayes did. As a result, Zhang Jun started his breakthrough performance again. Without Yao Ming's frame protection, the Rockets' inside line was nothing to Zhang Jun. of the lake.

Within 2 minutes, Zhang Jun broke through the basket 4 times and scored 8 points in a row, directly extending the lead to 15 points.

His terrifying scoring explosion also impressed the off-season fans at the scene, and even burst into applause and cheers.

This is the home court of the Rockets, and the Trail Blazers have completely turned their away game into their home game.

But at this time, coach Nate McMillan replaced Zhang Jun.

"That's enough. You don't need to keep fighting with a 15-point lead. Let your teammates go up and practice their skills."

Nate McMillan still hadn't recovered from his shock at this moment. Seeing Zhang Jun sitting on the bench with only a slight sweat, he couldn't help but walk over and ask.

"Your three points...are they real or fake?"

Looking at the eager looks cast by Nate McMillan and assistant coach Monty Williams at the same time, Zhang Jun nodded and admitted.

"Coach, no team will dare to let me score another three-pointer in the future."

Nate McMillan gasped and then looked face to face with Monty Williams.

They knew very well the value of Zhang Jun's words. Since he said there was no problem, then there must be no problem. Zhang Jun's three points were considered up.

"good!"

Nate McMillan said excitedly.

He is already impatiently waiting for the start of the new season to let the entire league take a good look at the strength of the Trail Blazers this season.

The game ended quickly, and the Trail Blazers won the game 112:106.

In the next preseason game against the Timberwolves, the Trail Blazers' three young core players played together at the same time. As a result, it took only 8 minutes in the first quarter to set off a 21:10 offensive surge.

The game was reduced to garbage time early. Zhang Jun was replaced early again after 14 minutes on the court. Luo Yin only played 18 minutes. Aldridge scored a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes.

All three are full of desire for the new season.

............

The opening game is scheduled for October 29th.

The Trail Blazers play the NBA opener for the second consecutive year.

There were only four games in total that day, among which the contest between the Trail Blazers and the Lakers attracted the attention of all fans.

They all want to see the Western Conference Finals play out again. After an off-season of changes, the lineups of both teams have undergone some changes, and their grievances from last season will continue into this season.

Especially the Trail Blazers, they are extremely eager to revenge the Lakers.

One day before the opening game.

on the Buckley Show.

Kenny Smith said to the camera: "ESPN has announced the team strength rankings for the new season."

"The first place is the Lakers, who failed to compete for the championship last season, the second place is the Boston Celtics, and the third place is the Spurs, who are another year older."

"It is worth mentioning that the Rockets, who got Ron Artest, rose to fourth place in the league's strength list. The sixth place is the Portland Trail Blazers."

Seeing this ranking, Kenny Smith couldn't help but smile and said: "It seems that ESPN is still not very optimistic about this unconventional and anti-traditional Trail Blazers team."

"Last season this team made it to the Western Conference Finals, but this season it didn't even make it into the top five."

Barkley showed his trademark big mouth and said: "Actually, ESPN and I have the same view, because the Trail Blazers' inside line is really too weak."

"This is the reason why this team was eliminated by the Lakers last season. As long as they have a center inside who can protect the frame and grab rebounds, they won't be beaten like that by the Lakers' Gasol and Bynum. "

Kenny Smith said: "What's more important is that the Trail Blazers also let go of the best helper in the three cores during the offseason, Jarrett Jack."

"As a result, their point guard position is obviously very weak, which is not good news."

"We all know that the Trail Blazers' second team values ​​​​three-pointers very much, but now that Jarrett Jack is gone, Steve Blake has to be promoted to the starting lineup, so who will take his place?"

"Judging from the current situation of the Trail Blazers, no one on their team has similar three-point shooting ability."

"So the Trail Blazers, who made the entire league fearful in the playoffs last season, were so star-studded that they may not be able to see it this season."

"They lost their biggest reliance and trump card, and the management should bear a lot of responsibility for this."

Barkley understands the team's management practices better than Kenny Smith. He analyzed at this time: "The Blazers' management does not want to use any salary space within the team, and Luo Yin and Aldrie will be ready next year." Qi’s contract extension is an excuse.”

"You have failed to make this team that reached the Western Conference Finals last season stronger, so you have no right to make any excuses."

"This is the West, guys, this is the Wild West."

"Can you imagine a team with a winning percentage of over 55% but not making the playoffs?"

"Anything can happen in the Western Conference. If the Trail Blazers unfortunately don't make the playoffs this season, I won't be surprised at all, because the teams behind them are coming fiercely."

"If the Trail Blazers unfortunately encounter injuries, I don't think they can perfectly survive the terrifying journey in the Western Conference."