Rekindling the dream of becoming a star

Chapter 157 2016, the curtain opens
"Hey, Chen, always remember the rhythm." Drew shouted to Chen Fang.

Today is the last day of the special training, and Chen Fang is also conducting special offensive face-to-face training with Drew and it is the last day.

At this moment, Drew is trying his best to eliminate some of Chen's flaws and bad habits in the offense.

"Every dribble must have a purpose. If not, why add one more time?" Drew's question made Chen Fang nod and think.

"Drag step, hesitation step, cross step, up and down step, cut step, small jump step, flash step, stab step, don't combine these steps too much, two combinations are enough."

"We have learned a lot of offensive steps, but I still found that you have some bad habits." Drew's words made Chen Fang listen attentively.

"Why do you have to complete the action? Don't let your body develop this muscle familiarity. Whether your action is complete depends on your opponent's reaction. If you can read your opponent's center of gravity and pace, then you have to attack quickly."

"Dribbling is to confuse, to hide the real motive, not to show off."

"Make the offense concise and effective, reduce the consumption of physical energy in all aspects, and accumulate it in the end, then you will be able to do a lot in the second half of the fourth quarter."

"Yes, you are right!" Chen Fang accepted it humbly.

"For example, this!" Drew began to demonstrate and give examples himself.

He asked Chen Fang to defend and dribble the ball in front of him. This was a one-sided pullback under the hips. When doing this movement, his entire body including his feet swung in the same frequency with the direction of the ball.

But his swing is very subtle, the ball bounces in a wide line, but his body follows the swing very slightly.

Suddenly he accelerated and stepped forward to the left, and Chen Fang's steps immediately followed and shifted horizontally with his center of gravity.

But Drew's dribbling changed from a large arc to a small arc, and he cut outside with his right foot and passed by Chen Fang's right side.

Holding the ball back, Drew said, "See? The arc of the dribble gave you an illusion, but when I was really attacking, I used a very short dribble width to achieve the change of hands."

"At the same time, my steps were not big, but they made your steps very big. When I moved horizontally by 10 centimeters, you were deceived by me and moved horizontally several times, and you voluntarily gave up your previous defensive position."

"That allows me to cut in without any effort and break through you with an almost straight-line acceleration step."

"This is the rhythm and dribbling. Use your brain to experience it carefully. What is the essence of dribbling past the opponent?"

"It's the reading after the adjustment." Chen Fang replied.

"That's right. All the defenses at the beginning were almost flawless. Relying purely on speed and static talent to pass the opponent is not a long-term plan."

"Use just one or two seconds of dribbling to mobilize the opponent, force the opponent to reveal a defensive flaw, and then quickly read it, cut the flaw and end the matchup."

"In the game, you not only have to face one person, but also the help defense and double-team behind you, as well as the pulling and running of your teammates. All of these are based on the playing strategy that comes out after you think about it in your mind within one second."

"But often at this time, the opponent's overall defense is impeccable and you can't find a chance to score. At this time, the role of breakthrough comes into play."

"Breakthrough is not a panacea, but in many cases, it is a good opportunity to break the deadlock and solve the defense."

“The closer you are to the basket, the closer you are to the defender, the better chance you have of scoring or assisting.”

"Come on, keep trying combinations." Drew clapped his hands vigorously.

So Chen Fang began to try again and again. Not only did he have to face the elite sparring partners brought by Drew, but he also had to endure the devastating interference of Ruhr during the final shot.

As Chen Fang adapted, his offensive efficiency and scoring gradually improved.

Drew said to Hannon next to him: "He is a genius, even though I don't want to admit that he is better than Jason in some aspects."

"Yes, I knew that a long time ago." Hannon remained calm.

"I hope they can become healthy in the competition," Drew worried.

"Yes." Hannon was very sure.

Then, Drew began to correct Chen Fang's shooting after the physical confrontation.

"Keep your torso stable and always keep your torso facing the basket. This is the guarantee of your shooting accuracy."

Chen Fang started to dribble the ball, and then lost his balance due to the strong interference from his sparring partner. However, when he jumped up, he still tried to correct his body and face the basket, but unfortunately his shot hit the rim and missed.

"This is normal, because your core strength has not relaxed after the confrontation, and your muscles are still in a contracted state and continue to exert force, so when you shoot, it is difficult for you to exert the correct force to hit the ball."

Drew explained, demonstrating: "The secret is, loosen and tighten."

"Shooting hand, don't participate in the confrontation, let the core do the confrontation, and keep the hand relaxed."

Chen Fang did as he was told, and this time it worked. The basketball bounced on the rim and fell in.

"Keep going. When you can throw it in or shoot it in, you'll be qualified."

Ball after ball, repeated time and time again, the sparring partners showed no mercy at all. The instruction they received was to interfere with Chen Fang with all their strength. If they could make Chen Fang miss five times in a row, they would receive more rewards.

The so-called growth must be based on hedging. From each other's perspective, no one will give up.

When Drew saw that Chen Fang was starting to become efficient, he stopped the training again.

"Come on, let's try a new way of training."

"Tighten, relax, tighten, relax." Drew demonstrated.

He jumped up, and the sparring partner immediately gave him a head-on impact. He lost his balance in the air, and then he could be seen contracting his waist and abdomen again in the air. Finally, he threw the basketball, and the ball rolled in the air and fell into the basket with an obvious trough arc.

There was a mat on the ground. Drew got up and said to Chen Fang, "First, resist and tighten your core. Relax to offset the impact and spread your whole body flat. Then, use your core to exert force again to give the power to shoot and flick the ball out."

"I want to see the ball being flicked out and rolling, not being thrown out by you and the ball being stationary."

After explaining the main points, Chen Fang began to try.

This technique was too difficult. He tried again and again but couldn't complete it. The ball either went over his head or hit the backboard.

Hannong said bluntly: "This technical move is very difficult. Are you sure Chen Fang needs to learn it now?"

The implication is that it is too early to say whether this is a confrontational technique in the NBA.

"No, he will soon face the NBA level, and it is right to adapt in advance."

"I can't say too much about it. This technical move must be understood by yourself. Through continuous attempts on the body, the muscles of the body must be forced to remember this technique."

But Chen Fang gave them a surprise. Half an hour later, Drew saw the basketball rolling and also saw the first empty basket.

The two looked at each other and both felt the joy of training.

"See, this is the meaning of our training," said Drew.

“Yes, it’s very fulfilling, and not just because of the money,” Hannon agreed.

It was not until four o'clock in the afternoon that Chen Fang finished his training and began his post-match recovery.

Post-match recovery is an extremely scientific process with a very high entry threshold. It requires the assistance of experienced professionals to achieve better recovery results.

There are several underlying logics to follow.

It is wrong to rest after high-intensity exercise. Instead, low-intensity exercise can be used to keep blood flowing, so as to help the muscles remain in a warm state and avoid the consequences of harmful substances being unable to be discharged from the muscles due to muscle stiffness. Chen Fang started to exercise on a spinning bike. There were two small dumbbells on the handlebars, which required him to use his arms, waist and abdomen to lift them while exerting force on his legs.

Within ten minutes, gradually reduce the intensity until you stop completely.

Next is the high-tech product - Normatec recovery system.

This system is more advanced than traditional compression wrapping clothing. It contains sensors that can accurately provide data to the computer and adjust the pressure of each part.

The underlying logic of compression wrapping is that when we exercise vigorously, our bodies work faster, and if our cells don't get enough oxygen, our performance will be affected, resulting in excess lactic acid production.

Compression garments help us remove oxygen-poor blood, lactic acid and other waste products from our extremities, allowing oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood to flow back more efficiently. It does this by increasing the velocity of blood in the veins and dilating the arteries, thereby promoting overall blood flow and ultimately achieving a recovery effect.

After use, it is cryotherapy (Cryotherapy Chamber).

This is the same cryotherapy device that James used. It can generate low-temperature nitrogen vapor to quickly lower body temperature. The entire recovery process lasts less than 3 minutes because the temperature inside the device can drop to minus 290 degrees Fahrenheit!
Whole body cryotherapy works by stimulating the body's natural response to cold conditions, which helps reduce muscle swelling and other post-exercise inflammation.

Finally, Chen Fang lay on the massage bed. James' exclusive masseur was Ignaz Keck, a fellow student of Mike Mancias, who is very good at muscle and ligament rehabilitation.

He applied pressure and cleared Chen Fang's muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and other soft tissues of the body for an hour, allowing the muscles that were knotted after exercise to relax and return to a relaxed state.

At half past five, Chen Fang finished all the post-match recovery. He felt very refreshed. The money was definitely worth it.

Drinking a specially prepared sports drink to replenish the trace elements lost during exercise, Chen Fang accepted Drew's final conversation regarding this special training.

"Chen, I've seen your growth over the past half month, and I have every confidence that you are ready."

"Get ready to start the challenge across America."

"Yes, I think so too." Chen Fang nodded solemnly.

"But you still have a few shortcomings that you need to fix yourself in the future."

"First of all, there are countless geniuses across the United States with different characteristics and talents. You will constantly endure their attacks and fight against them, trying every means to defeat them. In this process, your defensive improvement depends on your reading ability," said Drew.

"That's why we didn't arrange for defensive coach Carl to join. Defense is not something that can be learned behind closed doors. It requires a lot of practical experience to accumulate. The new year is coming, and these six months from spring to summer are your most difficult time."

"Gaining defensive experience from different strong opponents is your only way."

"I understand, I will try my best."

"Very good. Also, your versatility is a very good thing, but I want to remind you that you don't have to use your full range in every game. A wise hunter will kill prey efficiently."

"Read your opponent's weaknesses, attack them fiercely, and deliver a fatal blow." Drew's words made Chen Fang think deeply. He was reminded that, indeed, the game is not about cat and mouse or teasing the opponent.

A smart person would pinch the target's weak spot and kill it as quickly as possible.

"I look forward to the day when you shine, it's not far away." Drew gave his final blessing.

"I'll remember that, Mr. Drew. Thank you for your help. I believe that our friendship and future will have a long-term and beautiful future." Finally, Chen Fang made a promise. This was business, but it was also a favor.

Drew smiled, and everything was expressed in his smile. He understood that this Chinese boy had felt his kindness and extra efforts.

※※※

At night, Chen Fang prepared a sumptuous dinner as a farewell to Wu Zhen, Wu Zi and Lu Yun.

This was a farewell dinner, three very important people leaving together. Chen Fang endured the discomfort and laughed with a smile on his face.

Wu Zi was the saddest. She held Chen Fang's hand the whole time and never let go wherever they went.

The migrating birds go to the warm south, leaving the eagle behind to guard the eagle's nest alone.

After dinner, Wu Zhen was called to the backyard by Chen Fang. It was time to say some things.

The snow in the backyard was still there, but of the snowman made by four people, only Chen Fang's was left, and you could still make out a human shape; the others had melted.

What a wonderful God.

"I will not marry anyone other than Wu Zi in this life." Chen Fang's opening remarks were very firm.

"She must be happy too. I will give her everything, both spiritually and materially."

Wu Zhen was silent. He could only nod vaguely: "I hope you remember your words."

"I never forgot it."

Chen Fang also gave an explanation to Wu Zi's only family, and then he mentioned basketball.

"Try your best. If you are on the court, how can you seize the opportunity?" Chen Fang stared at Wu Zhen. He was now qualified to educate Wu Zhen.

"Score the goals that are sure to go in, and try to change the results of impossible goals. You have to remember that the coach lets you play because he needs the ball. If you complete this need, you will have more playing time. If you exceed the requirement, your playing time will increase."

"Show yourself. Even though a peacock spreads its tail and exposes its butt, it's not shameful. The most important thing is to let your teammates know that you exist."

"When you go back, make your presence felt first, then get in touch with everyone who can help you. Don't be humble or arrogant, put forward your ideas in a dignified manner, and then make them come true. There is no need to deliberately compromise yourself for the so-called integration. Basketball is all about the ball. If you perform well on the court, you will naturally integrate."

"Just shoot the ball you're supposed to shoot, don't think about passing it. Remember that, Wu Zhen."

Chen Fang stared into his eyes and said, "Set small goals for yourself in every game, such as scoring five points, eight points, or ten points. When you achieve your goals, you can think about other things."

"Take root downwards and blossom upwards. The team only looks at data, not personal relationships!" Finally, Chen Fang offered some valuable advice. He knew that with Wu Zhen's character and conditions, he would definitely be able to perform well.

Wu Zhen listened. In the past half month, whenever he had time, he went to watch Chen Fang train. He saw what high-quality training was, and asked himself, it was impossible for him to complete and do it.

The gap is so huge that Wu Zhen has to look up to him.

So now Chen Fang told him seriously how to gain a position in the team. Wu Zhen took it very seriously and memorized every word.

"I remember."

After giving the instructions, Chen Fang felt relieved.

The two men returned to the house. Wu Zi had just finished cleaning up. When she saw them come in, she pointed at the peeled fruits on the table.

"Remember to eat some fruit after meals to help digestion."

"Okay!" Chen Fang happily picked up the apple and started to eat it. Wu Zhen followed suit helplessly.

Wu Zhen and Lu Yun went out for a walk to digest their food. Chen Fang and Wu Zi were chatting in the house. Wu Zi started to babble, reminding her of this and that. Chen Fang smiled and took out his notebook to write it down. His correct attitude made Wu Zi feel embarrassed to continue.

That night, the two of them slept together again. In the quiet darkness, there were two hearts that never wavered.

"Next year, I will be very busy, but I promise you, 17 years from now, we will be free."

"I know. Don't worry about me. I won't leave your sight."

"Me too!" Chen Fang hugged Wu Zi tightly.

(End of this chapter)