Basketball's No. 1 Anti-Fan

Chapter 300 The Birth of Joker

Time flies and it is already December.

The Cavaliers have concluded their first month of the season.

They ultimately went 11-10 in November, good for third in the Eastern Conference behind the Heat and Raptors.

This record is slightly worse than last season, but the Cavaliers gained more than expected.

Irving had the best month of his career, averaging 25.8 points, 7.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

What is even more gratifying than the data is Irving's improved ability to deal with double-teaming.

Facts have proved that as long as you are given the right to play, even if you are just a role player, if you give him twenty years of ball rights and some media packaging, he can also become an All-Star.

What's more, Irving is capable and he already knows what he needs to improve. If you give him enough room for error, he can give you a bright future.

The benefits brought by Han Sen's decentralization are not limited to Owen.

Jokic played well in his debut, then struggled for a few games, but then he showed excellent adjustment ability.

In the mid-November game against the Bulls, he had a career-high 11 assists, scored in double digits for the first time against the Bucks on Thanksgiving Day, and got his first career double-double in the last game against the Magic at the end of November, with 4 points and 11 rebounds, and his performance was getting better and better.

The Cavaliers' first game in December will be against the Spurs.

In the league's strength rankings at the beginning of the season, the Spurs failed to make the top five, but after the season started, the Spurs had replaced the Rockets and became one of the three strongest teams in the Western Conference.

They had an 11-11 record in November, right behind the Warriors and Lakers.

In addition to the addition of Aldridge, the more important point is Leonard's growth.

伦纳德在11月场均能够得到22.5分6.8板3.1助攻2抢断。

Don’t think this score is low. You should know that Aldridge only averaged 18.5 points per game this season.

Being able to average 20+ points per game in the Spurs' team basketball is just like Hansen's first season with the Grizzlies. His ability is far greater than what the statistics show.

The Cavaliers' opening game was a tough one, and the first game in December was also a tough one.

The good news is that the game is played at home and the Cavaliers can take advantage of the opportunity.

On game day, before practice began, Malone came to the locker room.

Amid the puzzled looks of his players, he walked straight toward Jokic and said, “You will start in the game tomorrow night.”

Jokic thought something had gone wrong with him again, but he didn't expect to hear good news.

After Malone left, the Cavaliers players came forward to congratulate him.

As the "team's live treasure", or "team pet" in short, the players will only be happy about him being mentioned as a starter.

Even Garnett came over to congratulate him.

"Kevin, since I'm starting, do you want to be a substitute?" Jokic finally reacted at this time.

"I would be happy if you started because it would be better for the team." Obviously, Malone had already discussed this matter with Garnett in private.

In other words, if Hawes was not incompetent, Garnett would not be the starting center of the Cavaliers now. Garnett himself still wants to shine in the end, and if the starting lineup is ineffective, he will have to retire early.

During the daytime training session, Malone put Jokic in the starting group.

This is actually not so unfamiliar to Jokic, because although he was a substitute before, his playing time was increasing, and he had been on the court at the same time as the starters.

However, during training, Jokic looked obviously tense.

This was something Ma Long had not expected, but he did not care. After all, everyone would be nervous the first time.

After finishing the training, Han Sen was using his mobile phone to research Christmas gift giving.

No matter how rich you are, giving gifts to your girlfriend during festivals is always the most troublesome problem.

Jokic sat next to him at this time.

Han Sen turned around and found that the guy's eyebrows were tilted upwards, making him look like the Chinese character "囧".

This guy’s idol is probably not O’Neal, but Yao Ming!
He also put down his phone temporarily.

Speaking of which, he also felt that Jokic's condition in today's training session was a little bit off.

"I'm just a starter, do I need to be so nervous?" Han Sen asked directly.

He was so excited when he started. After all, it’s just like when you play 2K, becoming a starter means the game officially begins.

"I'm not nervous about starting, but because... I have to play against TD!" Jokic is still that honest kid.

After Jokic said this, Hansen suddenly remembered that it seemed to be true.

After Aldridge went to the Spurs, Duncan is now the starting center of the Spurs.

It is understandable that he has to feel some psychological pressure when he starts his first game against an old guy who "peaked at his debut and has been at his peak for 20 years".

"It took me six games to start for the Cavaliers." Hansen began to reminisce about the past.

"He's worthy of being the boss." Jokic couldn't help but sigh.

After being despised by Cunningham in his last power rankings prediction, he went back to brush up on some knowledge, including the history of the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers were a championship-contending team back then, and Hansen was able to start in just 6 games. That was extremely powerful.

"That's not the point." Hansen realized that Jokic had diverted the conversation.

"My first game as a starter, I'm going to play against KD."

Although he started because James didn't want to defend Durant, and his background is different from Jokic's, there are great similarities between the two.

"How did the game go in the end?" Jokic was full of curiosity. He knew that Durant was now the second best player in the league after Hansen.

"He scored 34 points, but he shot 29 of 11 and had five turnovers. I scored 5 points." Although so many years have passed, Hansen still has clear memories of certain games.

"I definitely can't play that well." Jokic put himself in the shoes of others.

"Nicholas, you are good at everything except that you are too unconfident."

Jokic scratched his head in embarrassment. Hansen felt that he could become an All-Star, but he didn't know why!

"You have to know that I was playing against KD who averaged 30 points per game, and you are facing a 39-year-old man. Are you worried that he might fall down and commit fraud?" If Garnett hadn't been in the locker room at this moment, Han Sen would have wanted to use him as an example.

Although Duncan is more durable than Garnett, he is not much stronger now.

Hansen's words stunned Jokic.

"I will defend him." Jokic said after coming to his senses.

"Beat him up," Han Sen corrected.

Jokic nodded, but still didn't repeat Hansen's words.

Han Sen couldn't help but shook his head, but he didn't force it.

Jokic's personality is as lukewarm as water, and it's not easy to ignite him.

Han Sen also picked up his phone and started choosing a gift again.

But after being treated like this by Jokic, he felt even more troubled.

"Boss, are you planning on picking out a gift for your girlfriend?" To Han Sen's surprise, Jokic didn't leave, but came over and asked curiously.

Han Sen nodded and put away his phone. It seemed that he had no idea what gift to choose today.

"What hobbies does she have?" Jokic continued to ask. Han Sen looked at Jokic.

It is certainly impossible for Jokic to have any thoughts about Ajali. After all, he has never even seen Ajali. He obviously wants to give himself some advice.

But Jokic is a rookie, isn't this like a virgin sharing his poker experience with others?

"Do you have a girlfriend?" Han Sen asked politely.

Unexpectedly, Jokic nodded quickly.

Now it was Han Sen's turn to be surprised.

Jokic is only 20 years old this year, and he is Serbian, not American. That place is very similar to the University of Eastern.

But what really surprised Hansen was Jokic's next words.

“I had it when I was 16.”

Sorry, he underestimated Jokic.

This guy looks honest and simple, but he is actually in a premature love relationship!

If that’s the case, though, Jokic does have some experience in that area.

"As for her hobbies, she likes basketball, animals, sports, and songwriting, and that's about it."

"You are so lucky to have found a partner who loves basketball." Jokic showed an envious look.

"I think you can give a pet, such as a cat or a dog, which will not only satisfy their preferences, but also make them remember the gift if you keep it."

Hansen looked at Jokic, then quickly smiled and patted Jokic on the shoulder.

It still has to be you, my Qi!

It was actually at the pet market that he and Ajiali met.

That night, the Cavaliers played against the Spurs at home.

Quicken Loans Arena is packed with people on a daily basis.

"I think Hansen is a greater player than Jordan. He can do whatever he wants on the court." Popovich praised Hansen in the pre-game interview.

His words also made many Cavaliers fans sigh that Hansen's outstanding performance in the playoffs last season finally convinced Popovich.

But in fact, old fans all know the past grievances between the two. This wave of comments cannot be praise, but can only be toxic.

After the opening ceremony, the starting lineups of both sides were announced one after another.

Spurs: Parker, Danny Green, Leonard, Aldridge, Duncan

Cavaliers: Irving, Hansen, Tucker, TT, Jokic
When Popovich saw Jokic starting, his expression was obviously stunned.

The Cavaliers did not release any news before the game, which caught him off guard.

After the game started, Jokic and Duncan had a jump ball in the center circle.

Both of them had slow jumping speeds, and in the end the young Jokic was better, winning the Cavaliers the opportunity to attack first.

The Cavaliers opened the game with Irving taking the lead.

Irving called on Jokic to set a pick-and-roll, then broke through Duncan.

However, the quality of Jokic's pick-and-roll was still average, allowing Irving to be directly double-teamed.

But Jokic broke the ball and moved down quickly, and Irving also showed his improvement in passing ability. After turning around, he found the angle and hit the ball to Jokic.

After Jokic got the ball, he encountered Leonard's shrinking defense. He cleverly held the ball and pressed Leonard directly to send the ball to the basket.

However, he obviously underestimated Leonard's defensive ability. Leonard jumped at the right moment and blocked his shot directly.

Parker turned around and grabbed the ball. The Spurs quickly launched a defensive counterattack, and Parker performed his signature gyro layup facing Irving.

However, he did not notice Han Sen on the other side. When he shot, the fast break ball was directly pressed onto the backboard by Han Sen.

After giving more ball rights to Irving, Hansen certainly couldn't just hang around on the court. He put more energy into the defensive end.

After Hansen grabbed the rebound, he saw Jokic who had just run out of the backcourt three-point line and made a long pass.

Jokic got the ball, and in front of him was only Duncan who also didn't have time to make a fast break.

At the moment when the two sides faced each other, Jokic's mind echoed with the words Hansen said yesterday.

The person in front of me is indeed still called Tim Duncan, but he is no longer that insurmountable mountain.

Jokic broke through with the ball. His speed was not fast, but his rhythm was very consistent.

This caused a burst of exclamations from the audience.

Jokic previously played more of a low-post back-to-the-basket and three-point space shooter role on the bench.

But obviously, that's not all he can do.

The moment he closed the distance with Duncan, he directly changed direction and broke through.

Duncan didn't seem to expect that the big newcomer in front of him could actually do that kind of move, or maybe his pace couldn't keep up.

Amid the fans' exclamations, Duncan was passed at the free throw line.

But he is Duncan, and even in a season plagued by plantar fasciitis, his defense is still at the league's top level.

He turned around and chased after him, ready to use his long arms to block Jokic's shot.

But Jokic's choice surprised him again.

After passing Duncan, Jokic did not shoot directly, but accelerated towards the basket, waited until he reached the bottom of the basket and jumped to complete a two-handed dunk!

Although his poor athletic ability was once considered the reason why he could not play in the NBA, it is obvious that after more than a year of hard work, he has changed a lot.

Of course, what’s more important is that this was obviously a secondary choice he made after realizing the threat from Duncan.

The scene was instantly filled with the cheers of fans.

Although Duncan is old, he is still Duncan after all.

Just like the shot where Jordan was shaken off by Iverson, although it was just an ordinary round, it was destined to become the glorious starting point of Iverson's career.

The same applies to Jokic's offensive round.

No. 21 is on the court, but after tonight, everyone will know who No. 15 is.

TNT has purchased the live broadcast rights for the regular season again this year, and the Big Three will also appear on the scene of the focus battle.

Just after Jokic dunked the ball, O'Neal started shouting in the commentary booth:
"This is Joker!"

Curry called Jokic's name wrong before, but O'Neal had the starting lineup given by the staff. As a master of nicknames, this is the nickname he gave to Jokic!

Jokic could not hear O'Neal's shouting in the commentary booth, and he even appeared very calm after dunking. He just turned around and ran towards the backcourt with his head down.

His retreat just now was already slow, and he couldn't afford to be chased and beaten again.

Han Sen couldn't help but laugh when he saw this scene.

Although Jokic seems to lack confidence off the court, he can fully demonstrate his abilities when he is on the court.

This can be considered a kind of talent.

(End of this chapter)