Rekindling the dream of becoming a star

Chapter 241 Preseason Eve

NBA's team reporters usually come from major media giants, such as CBS, ESPN, and USA Daily.

But they are different from traditional reporters because team reporters are often deeply tied to a certain NBA team and can only report news related to the team.

Then an interesting thing happened: some reporters accompanying popular teams always made a lot of money because of team news, while some could only rely on basic salary to barely get by.

You drive a Ford, I drive a Ferrari!
This kind of catchphrase among reporters is a good example of the rules of this circle. (Americans love to play with homophonic puns, and they will show off words that have the same beginning.)
The reporters of the Los Angeles Clippers are neither good nor bad among their peers in the league. Located in Los Angeles, they enjoy high attention. Although they are naturally suppressed by the Lakers' team reporters, they are generally doing well.

Roy Murray is a reporter who has been following the Clippers for nearly fifteen years. Now nearly fifty years old, he maintains a very good relationship with the Clippers management. However, with the change of ownership of the Clippers, all the management was cleaned up and Roy Murray had to start all over again.

Fortunately, his professional ability was recognized by the Clippers, and in the past two years, he has gradually returned to his previous state.

He focuses on the players' lives, families and post-match news, and does not participate too much in discussions about results, tactics, trades and signings. This can be considered a trick and does not offend anyone.

Today, he has an important interview, which is a two-person interview with Clippers No. 2 pick Chen Fang and Griffin.

Chen Fang has always been a hot topic in Clippers reports. The Chinese man keeps a low profile and rarely appears in front of the camera. Luo Murray only knows that Chen Fang is extremely self-disciplined and stays at the training ground from morning to night.

As for Griffin, he has always been the darling of the Clippers. If every report is not related to him, the subscription and traffic will not be good.

With the combination of the two, this interview is bound to be a hit, and Luo Murray has been preparing for it for three days.

But Luo Murray was still a little surprised to see Chen Fang. He last saw Chen Fang two months ago, but now Chen Fang looked a lot thicker.

Griffin was still the same, looking relaxed and grinning.

Luo Murray and Griffin are old friends. They hugged each other first and then shook hands with Chen Fang.

When shaking hands, Luo Murray could feel the strength and breadth of Chen Fang's palms. He couldn't help but praise: "Your hands feel almost the same as Jordan and Kawhi."

"His hands are bigger than mine," Griffin interrupted, looking very resentful, and then burst into laughter. He said to Luo Murray: "Luo, he is really talented!"

After a brief chat and joking, the interview officially began.

First, Luo Murray asked Chen Fang: "What is your impression of the Clippers, from being selected in June to now, it's almost October."

"It's a wonderful experience. I came to a real professional zone and it's the best basketball league in the world."

“The venue, equipment and support here are all great. I feel like I can breathe better here.”

"Haha, man, you're such a good complimenter!" Griffin was standing beside him, laughing so hard that he fell backwards.

"I'm serious. To be honest, I'm very grateful for everything I have now, so I dare not slack off for a moment." Chen Fang's sincerity made Griffin stop smiling. He agreed: "Yes, we should all be grateful for everything we have now."

This interview is a confession of this regular season, showing the Clippers' goal to the outside world, and Griffin is the focus. Soon, Luo Murray led the topic to this aspect and shifted the focus to Griffin.

Chen Fang acted as a listener, occasionally chiming in. When Luo Murray asked Griffin, "Can we make a breakthrough in the playoffs this season?"

Griffin's smile was a little forced. He glanced at Chen Fang who was sitting next to him and said, "I will do my best to make the attack."

Luo Murray looked at Chen Fang, who nodded and promised: "Breaking the record and breaking the routine are the unanimous goals of the Clippers, and we have been working hard for it!"

After the interview, Luo Murray wanted to have more contact with Chen Fang, but Chen Fang politely declined. The reason he gave was that the preseason was coming soon and he was very anxious and had no time to focus on other things.

The interview was broadcast on various media in Los Angeles that evening, sparking a wave of heated discussion.

A well-known basketball blogger in California formed a group on VK and called on retired players Paul Pierce and Matt Barnes.

Both of them have played for the Clippers, and the discussion among the three of them has a lot of authenticity.

The focus of their discussion was on why the Clippers had not been able to reach the Western Conference Finals over the years.

"Paul is definitely one of the top 75 players in history. He is capable of making a team better and better." Pierce first recognized Paul's ability, and then he said: "But due to his height and other talents, he is not enough at the level of the Western Conference Finals."

"Paul's passing and control always make everyone understand how to play, but it is precisely because of this that he is particularly easy to be contained. Once the opponent fully understands what level each person on the team can reach with the help of Paul, they will face being restrained and targeted."

"At this time, Paul is needed to make changes. He will increase breakthroughs and mid-range shots, but these also increase the risk of injury. Therefore, the probability of Paul's injury will increase in the playoffs because of this."

"Similarly, Griffin will try very hard in the playoffs, which will also increase his risk of injury. When I was with the Celtics, the coach only did two things in the playoffs."

Pierce raised his finger: "Rest and adjust."

"Staying healthy is a theme that playoff teams must grasp firmly."

VK took out the data curve he made: "Yes, I sorted out some data, let's see what we found. Paul's data in the first and second years of his new team and the team's data first increased, then decreased, and finally reached a horizontal line. Why is this?" He looked at Barnes.

Barnes nodded: "That's the problem. The Western Conference Finals requires a team to have a strong foundation, to be able to break through the opponent's expectations and break the established targeted plans. Obviously, the Clippers have not had any star player who can do this in recent years."

"Griffin and Jordan are both very good inside offensive players, but they are similar people, doing the same thing and have the same weakness, which is strong offense but weak defense," VK continued.

"The Clippers were able to have a good record in the regular season because Paul could directly score with other positions at 14, 15, 13, and 12, making it difficult to control."

"But in the playoffs, everyone is targeting Paul. Paul needs to spend more energy and strength than in the regular season to deal with these. Many times, just solving this problem will reduce his efficiency."

"Paul is very strong, but it is difficult for him to break through the defense. In the final analysis, he is just a traditional point guard. He does not have what a modern guard has."

"In my opinion, this is why the Clippers can't go far. Paul's ceiling determines the Clippers' ceiling."

Usually, he will say the unpleasant and straightforward words, while Pierce and Barnes will acquiesce to any supporting words or roundabout words. This is the basic logic of this type of interview.

Pierce did not answer, but changed the subject: "Many times, Paul's unexpected injuries are frustrating. Injuries are part of the game, but they are also part of luck. The Clippers lack luck."

Barnes laughed: "The Clippers' luck has always been bad."

VK said: "NONONO, in my opinion, the Clippers' defensive system is the key to their failure in the playoffs."

"Although the Clippers have Griffin, Jordan, and a group of talented inside players, the two of them are not the support points in the defensive system."

"In the regular season, the Clippers' games depend purely on the opponent's offensive state. If they are not good, they will use fast breaks, counterattacks, alley-oops, and a lot of random attacks to directly defeat the opponent."

"If the opponent is in good shape and the players are in good form, then I'm sorry, the Clippers will be stabbed by everyone and watch the score fall away."

"And once the opponent's condition improves, they will be reversed. On December 16, 12, against the Nuggets, they reversed by 14 points in the second half. On February 22, 17, against the Pacers, they were still leading by 2 points, but were reversed."

"Let's talk about the recent reversal, Clippers vs. Jazz, on May 5 of this year, we were leading 1:2, but were eliminated 1:3."

"Paul only scored 13 points. Sorry, 13 points means nothing in the playoffs!" VK accused mercilessly.

"So, Paul is leaving, and I welcome it with both hands, but this is not enough. The problem with the Clippers is not with Paul, but with the whole team!"

"The Clippers don't have a defensive system. In my opinion, bringing in defensive coaches and defensive players and building a defensive system is the key to entering the Western Conference Finals."

VK's remarks were recognized by two retired NBA stars.

Pierce said: "Every time the Celtics enter the finals, it is built on solid defense. In the playoffs, it is the defensive system that counts, and then the offensive system."

Barnes said: "The current trend is that people like to watch offense and regard tough defense as ugly, but this is the nature of basketball. The regular season is played for the audience, and the playoffs are played for ourselves."

"Yes, the playoffs are a competition between players themselves, a competition to see who is better. No matter how good your record is in the regular season, if you are eliminated in the first or second round of the playoffs, you will never get the respect of other players," Pierce echoed.

Following the discussion about the Clippers' Western Conference Finals, VK turned the topic to Chen Fang at the end of the show.

"I haven't watched Chen Fang's games yet. He is said to have performed well in the summer league, but it is not very useful as a reference. It can only prove that he is a qualified player for the NBA." Pierce said. "Yes, there may be thousands of people who can adapt to the NBA. In theory, hundreds of people adapt to the NBA every year, and some unsuitable ones are eliminated, but this does not mean anything. For the Chinese, the preseason will be a good reference." Barnes replied.

"I have learned from various sources that everyone who has come into contact with the Chinese has expressed their approval of Da Falcon. I have also watched his college games, especially in the tournaments. I believe that the Chinese will surprise a lot of people. Perhaps the preseason games will prove my words!" said VK.

In response, Pierce and Barnes did not react. They have good brothers around them who have established relationships with Chen Fang. They will not give up easily because, in comparison, Chen Fang's size is not enough.

Chen Fang is at home, watching this show, and the preseason game is tomorrow.

Wu Zi is helping Chen Fang pack his luggage. The Clippers will play five preseason games this year, two at home and three away.

Home games October 10: against the Raptors, October 4: against the Kings.

客场比赛10月2日：对阵猛龙、10月9日：对阵开拓者、10月14日：对阵湖人。

The game against the Lakers is the highlight. As a derby, this game cannot be considered an away game. Overall, this Clippers preseason game is fair.

However, I believe that because of Chen Fang, they may consider playing in the Chinese competition in the preseason.

Wu Zhen also came. He was very envious, but hid his emotions very well. Ever since Chen Fang was selected, his fighting spirit was aroused again, and he was determined to make an attack without any regrets.

Chen Fang's improvement in the past two years is like a rocket, and he is far ahead of others. But Wu Zhen can still stick to his original intention. As someone who often comes into contact with him, he becomes more and more courageous.

"The whole team will watch your game." Wu Zhen revealed an information.

Chen Fang laughed loudly: "Okay, then I have to play well. This will prevent me from being scolded by Coach Andy. But he should not feel sorry for Brother DeRozan."

They are heading to Canada tonight. This will be the first time that Chen Fang and DeRozan will play against each other. It is also the main reason why the entire USC team will be watching.

Seeing Chen Fang stuffing his luggage into the trunk of his Cherokee, then waving to them and driving away, Wu Zhen said to Wu Zi after watching him disappear into the traffic, "Why don't you change cars?"

"I don't know. He is generous to everyone, especially to training, but he is very stingy with these things. He is not picky when you buy clothes for him." Wu Zi was helpless.

"He doesn't care about dressing up. In the past two years, he has become more and more pure." Wu Zhen said.

"Same as you."

"Me? I'm far from it!" Wu Zhen shook his head, but he didn't sigh, his eyes became more determined.

Recently, Chen Fang opened a back door for Wu Zhen and allowed him to receive training in Panshi. Until now, Chen Fang has also confirmed one thing.

Wu Zhen will not give up until he is rejected as a loser, so if that's the case, then let's protect him.

After parking the Cherokee in the parking lot of the Clippers training center, which was filled with luxury cars, Chen Fang was walking towards the center carrying his large backpack when Griffin stopped him.

He glanced at the Cherokee. Now Chen Fang's nine-hand first love car has become famous in the team. No one would think that Chen Fang is stingy. After all, a meal from a Michelin 2-star restaurant can buy an entry-level sports car.

All I can say is that quirks and stubbornness are part of the Chinese character.

"If it's your birthday, what do you think people will give you?" Griffin said as he walked.

"Sports car?" Chen Fang asked.

"Yes, your Cherokee lowers our standards!" said Griffin.

"Oh, okay, so that I don't stand out from the crowd, after the preseason games, if we win all of them, I'll change my car!" Chen Fang said.

"Really?" Griffin was quite surprised.

"Of course, please pass on a message, brother. Those who don't like me driving a nine-hand car, please perform well in the next game. If you lose, don't laugh at me in the future!"

Griffin thought Chen Fang's strategy was very interesting and conveyed the news as soon as he entered the training center.

Even Rivers came over and asked, "Is this a strategy?"

"It was a spur-of-the-moment decision!" Chen Fang answered honestly.

"It's great. It's great to have such a prize before the start of the competition." He praised it highly.

Soon, Ballmer sent an email to the entire team, saying that if the team won all the preseason games, everyone on the team, including the staff, would receive a generous reward, and promised that if the team could make the playoffs again this season, there would be a larger bonus pool.

Chen Fang saw the generosity of his boss. His unintentional act achieved an effect beyond imagination. (During the recent Los Angeles fire, Ballmer gave high rewards to all Clippers employees and players who participated in the firefighting. For example, Harden paid out of his own pocket to organize 80 relatives and friends to put out the fire. Ballmer reimbursed Harden $160 million. For the drivers of the high-pressure gun sprinkler trucks who participated in the firefighting, each person was paid $. According to statistics, Ballmer spent tens of millions of dollars to reward people who bravely fought the disaster in this Los Angeles fire.)
The whole team was immediately filled with fighting spirit, and even their steps were much more cheerful when they boarded the special plane to Toronto.

This was Chen Fang's second time taking a chartered flight. The first time was when USC played a regular season away game. In comparison, the seats now were wider. After all, it was an NBA chartered flight, so the grade was naturally higher.

There are not many NBA teams that have private planes, including the Mavericks, Lakers, Trail Blazers, and New Orleans Pelicans.

Surprisingly, the Clippers do not have a private jet, but instead continue to use the strategy of chartering planes. Moreover, in the two years since Ballmer took over the Clippers, the only news that he has announced is the construction of a new home stadium, and there has never been any news about buying a private jet.

For the wealthy, there are always some operations that are difficult for ordinary people to understand.

The seating area is located in the front and is very spacious, providing more freedom than the first-class cabin, and allowing unimpeded contact with people in adjacent seats.

Next to him was Sang Weil. After they sat down, they looked at each other and smiled.

The former opponents no longer have any hatred for each other and are now teammates. Sanwell also knows one thing clearly: if he wants to gain a foothold in the Clippers, he must follow Chen Fang closely.

He is the only person I can rely on right now.

Behind him was Kuzma, and next to him was Zubac. Chen Fang looked at the seating arrangement and found something mysterious.

It seems that this area is full of newcomers and rookies, who have formed a small group intentionally or unintentionally.

What does it mean?
Chen Fang thought about it and felt that the management was encouraging him to set up a new faction.

Indeed, Chen Fang's outstanding performance and integration into the team made people involuntarily regard him as a leader. These buddies who were still wandering ghosts in the first half of the year found a sense of security around Chen Fang.

Especially in the training camp, Evans, as a rookie, was bullied by the old players with unspoken rules, and it was Chen Fang who rescued him.

Afterwards, everyone was very surprised to discover a fact.

Chen Fang, who is also a rookie, has not been the first to be teased by anyone until now.

The only hope is Jordan Jr., but no one knows what Chen Fang said to him. In short, every time Jordan Jr. sees Chen Fang, he is extremely enthusiastic, and he is not at all as furious as he was when he heard that Paul was traded.

After everything was settled, Chen Fang was about to turn off his phone when he received a text message.

It was from DeRozan, and the text message read: Are you ready?

Chen Fang replied briefly: Are you ready?

A few seconds later, Chen Fang saw a series of angry vomiting emoticons from DeRozan, and he smiled and turned off his phone. (According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, after the aircraft door is closed, passengers must turn off all electronic devices until the aircraft reaches an altitude of 1 feet (about 3048 meters) and the captain allows them to turn them back on.)
As the plane rose and fell, a strange cry was heard in the cabin. The physical stimulation of taking off was always a novelty for everyone.

Whether it is the summer league or the preseason, it is the first time for Chen Fang.

He doesn't know what he will encounter, but he will do his best because he knows very well that he doesn't have much time left.

Toronto Raptors, are you ready?

(End of this chapter)