"Puppy steps?"
After changing clothes, the two returned to the arena. After Kobe sat down, he shared his defensive skills with Xu Yong, but Xu Yong was surprised by this skill.
"Yeah, it's not in any textbooks, but it's in Gary and my mind," Kobe said, pointing to his head.
"Gary? Gary Payton?"
Kobe nodded.
Soon, Kobe talked to Xu Yong about the details of this footwork.
The basic step of basketball defense is called the sliding step. This sliding step is similar to Michael Jackson's moonwalk. They both move with steps close to the ground.
The difference, of course, is that it's certainly not a single retreat.
Generally speaking, sliding steps can be divided into side sliding steps, forward sliding steps and backward sliding steps. In fact, they are several directions of retreating when defending, combined with turning the hips to maintain the defensive position and defensive center of gravity.
The puppy walk that Kobe was talking about was an advanced step that Payton invented based on his own game experience and based on the sliding step.
It's no longer just about defending the man with the ball, but also about defending without the ball.
It may be surprising to say it, but in a basketball game, the number of defensive rounds a player has to face the ball holder in a game is much lower than when defending without the ball.
Or to put it another way, if you are not assigned to guard the opponent's star player, you may be guarding without the ball the entire game.
This is also the fundamental reason why Payton invented this footwork.
In this theory, according to Kobe, first you have to flatten your body.
In human terms, you should shrink your body when defending. If you expand your body too much, you will easily collide with your opponent and be forced to stop. Then you will lose the defensive threat.
Secondly, never take big steps, but use small sliding steps and broken steps to move.
To use Kobe's wonderful words, it was "like a page passing through a door."
To put it bluntly, it means staying mobile and at high speed on the defensive end, like a puppy that can run back and forth.
For example, if you are following a defensive player and his teammates set up a pick-and-roll on his defensive line, if you follow him directly and take long steps, you will be blocked easily.
Don't think about being able to keep up after colliding with someone, because basketball games, especially NBA-level games, are very fast, and your defender may have already caught the ball and shot in the next second.
On the other hand, if you are short and fast, you can sidestep and dodge in the moments before contact, and then go right through the screen.
Because at this time, even if the person on the pick-and-roll sees you doing this, there is nothing he can do, because he cannot turn sideways or move, because that is a moving screen foul.
After listening to Kobe's description and recalling some scenes when he played against Kobe, Xu Yong quickly realized that this was indeed the case.
In his impression, Kobe's defense was basically against the ball holder. It was rare to see his defender get away from him and get an easy shot, including himself.
Once you have the theory, then comes training.
To train this kind of footwork, Kobe also has a systematic method, which is also the key to helping him win the 7th All-Defensive First Team.
By the time the training was over, the two energetic people were finally out of breath from exhaustion.
Kobe looked at Xu Yong with a hint of appreciation in his eyes.
He has met many players over the years, but Xu Yong is the first to persevere in such a series of hardships.
"You know, James Harden and I were college teammates." Xu Yong said after taking a sip of water.
Kobe nodded, Arizona State University Devils, Satan and Barr, he had heard this story before.
"But we are still very good friends, so I saw the training video and game suggestions." Xu Yong continued.
Kobe was a little surprised at first, but then smiled and patted Xu Yong on the shoulder.
This kid has changed. At first, he practiced the heavy pivot kick without telling him, but now he is so honest.
But don't tell me, this kind of frankness made him feel that the distance between the two of them had become much closer.
"Honestly, that competition suggestion, combined with today's puppy steps, greatly improved my understanding of the competition." Xu Yong said from the bottom of his heart.
It may sound unbelievable, but the fact is that you are not necessarily better than others if you have seen many things more. These understandings require ability.
He can foresee that next season, he will not only improve on both offense and defense, but also his reading of the game will make further progress.
This is also the reason why he was honest with Kobe, because this time, he really benefited a lot from Kobe, either indirectly or directly.
"I'm honored," Kobe said with a smile.
This answer surprised Xu Yong again.
He couldn't help but look at Kobe and raised the doubt that had arisen before: "I'm curious as to why you are willing to share these things. I mean, it should be something like an exclusive secret."
"No, I'm not always generous, it depends on people." Kobe corrected Xu Yong.
"I won't be stingy with young people who have potential and are eager to improve, because I was like that before," Kobe continued.
Xu Yong understood in an instant: "Like Gary Payton treats you?"
Kobe smiled and nodded.
In fact, he was not good at defense at the time. After an All-Star Game, he found Payton and proposed the idea of learning the opponent's defensive skills.
Payton made the same choice as he did at that time, and it was taught to him without reservation.
"We are all competitive guys, and having another strong competitor will only make us stronger." Kobe continued.
At this point, Xu Yong finally understood.
A truly strong person will not worry about what I taught you, or whether you became stronger and replaced me.
On the contrary, as Kobe said, when you become stronger, it will stimulate him to become stronger.
This is how basketball will continue to develop towards higher fields through competition.
"I understand." Xu Yong nodded. Not only did he understand, but he also knew the meaning.
If this is a legacy, then he is part of it.
Perhaps this kind of inheritance can make the development of basketball in this world move in the right direction after his rebirth.
…
Xu Yong returned to Tempe after staying in Los Angeles for a week.
By this time the draft was over.
The Bulls have given away all their first-round and second-round draft picks in several transactions last season, so they will be onlookers this year.
Their highlight is the free market after the draft.
The Bulls' operation details last season were full. In addition to the contracts sent away, Brad Miller, Nate Robinson, Kwame Brown, Damien Wilkins, Jerome Pago, Li Chad's contracts all expire in the summer, and Bill Walker is also a team option.
Currently, there are only 8 people with contracts on the team's roster: Rose, Hinrich, Xu Yong, Deng, James Johnson, Gibson, Noah, and Aaron Gray. Their total salary for the new season is US$37 million.
According to data previously released by the league, it was US$58 million in the 2010~2011 season.
Simple math shows that the Bulls have $21 million in salary space for the new season.
This involves a little knowledge point. This version of the labor agreement does not yet have the so-called super maximum salary contract, so the maximum salary is the same. Those with 0-6 years of playing experience are 25% of the salary cap. Those with 7-9 years of playing experience are 30% of the salary cap, and those with more than 10 years of playing experience are 35% of the salary cap.
Like James, the starting salary of the maximum salary is 30% of 58 million, which is 17.4 million.
So now the Bulls have two options. One is to trade Hinrich (salary of 9 million for the new season) and try to sign two maximum-paid players in one step.
Another option is to keep Hinrich and then reinforce the original lineup.
As for which plan to choose, it depends on the situation of the free market this year.
Yes, it’s time to give a full rundown on this crazy free market.
First gear: Kobe (player option), James (player option), Wade (player option);
Second tier: Yao Ming, Bosh (player option), Stoudemire, Nowitzki, Pierce, Ray Allen, Joe Johnson;
Third gear: David Lee, Boozer, Rudy Gay;
Others: McGrady, Iverson, Tyson Chandler (player option), Richard Jefferson, Scola, Al Harrington, Redick, Korver, Tony Allen, Mike Miller, Ronnie Brewer, O'Neal Jr., Big Z, O'Neal, Ben Wallace, etc.
Even Xu Yong had to turn his attention.
Because the Bulls' operations in the summer will have a greater impact on him in the new season.
If you really sign a giant, the right to take action, running-in, and the status of the team all need to be adjusted.
…
As the door to free agency approaches, rumors begin to fly.
In addition to people believing that Kobe will definitely stay in Los Angeles, the rumors that have been revealed by other free agents have made it difficult to tell whether they are true or false.
Some people say that James will go to New York. After spending seven years in a small city like Cleveland, he yearns for life in a big city.
Some say Wade is trying to recruit other players to Miami and has no plans to leave the East Coast.
Some people even had a falling out between Cuban and Nowitzki, and he no longer believed that Nowitzki could win the championship.
Along with the true and false rumors, the time came to July 1. Amid the expectations of fans, the door to the craziest free market in NBA history officially opened.
Then, fans discovered that this free market was nothing like previous years.
In previous years, there were a lot of news about signings on the first day, but this year it was particularly quiet.
Except for James and others who announced that they would opt out of player options as previously reported, there was no big-name signing.
Obviously, the whereabouts of James, Wade and others determine the trend of the entire free market. Teams that have worked hard to free up salary space in the past year are waiting for the decisions of the protagonists this summer.
Chicago, United Center reception room.
Foreman is hosting two guests, Dwyane Wade and his agent Henry Thomas.
"Chicago still makes people feel comfortable." Wade said to Forman with a smile after sitting down.
Chicago, where gangs are infested, makes people feel more comfortable than the beautiful Miami. Everyone can hear this implication.
Yes, just like what Xu Yong and Wade felt when they were engaged in activities during the All-Star Game, Wade had the idea of returning to Chicago to play.
And he's exploring that possibility.
"Of course, this is your home." Forman said with a smile.
Wade laughed happily after hearing this: "Before I came here, I told my mother that I planned to buy a house here. She missed her days here very much."
"Yes, I believe Chicago fans will be looking forward to the return of a wanderer." Forman also replied with a smile.
The conversation between the two went smoothly, and Wade even mentioned the scene of doing activities with Xu Yong during the All-Star Game.
"We hit it off very well." Wade's words surprised Forman.
At the end of the conversation, Foreman asked his assistant to bring out a Bulls No. 3 jersey with Wade's name printed on the back.
Wade was very excited when he saw this and immediately put it on.
"It fits so well." Wade smiled as he posed.
Foreman gave a thumbs up there.
Their exchange lasted about an hour.
After sending Wade away with a smile, Foreman was in a happy mood.
This meeting was requested by Wade, and the time was finally set earlier than the time they met with Bosh.
Yes, as Xu Yong expected, the Bulls' first target in the summer is Bosh.
With Xu Yong's outstanding performance in the rookie season, they plan to build a lineup around the backcourt combination of Rose and Xu Yong.
In the current lineup, Noah and Deng's performance is in line with expectations. They want to strengthen, and power forward is the first target.
Bosh is their plan A.
But Wade is so passionate that he can't turn people away.
Moreover, the main point of the free market is that a plan cannot keep up with changes. If Bosh really can't be signed, signing Wade is not impossible.
So you will find that the communication between Forman and Wade only focuses on topics such as home and hometown. It seems that the two parties are having a happy chat, but they do not involve real team building.
As for that jersey, Forman was also testing Wade's interest in joining the Bulls.
Judging from Wade's reaction, Wade means it this time.
Moreover, he unexpectedly learned that Wade and Xu Yong got along well.
So after this meeting, he can decide on Wade as the team's plan B.
"By the way, how's it going with Chris?" Forman then asked the assistant next to him.
In terms of time, Bosh should have arrived in Chicago.
"I made a call just now, and the phone was turned off. Maybe the plane was delayed," the assistant said.
Foreman nodded. The flight from Toronto to Chicago is an international flight, so delays are normal.
"I'm going to take a rest. If you have any news, please contact me." Foreman said and returned to his office.
…
Wade didn't leave Chicago immediately after leaving the United Center. He went to a home buying center.
He really wants to buy a house in Chicago. Even if he fails to join the Bulls in the end, he still needs to own real estate in his hometown.
While he was drinking coffee and listening to the agent introducing the house, his cell phone rang.
He picked it up and saw that it was James calling.
"Dwayne, what do you think about what the All-Stars talked about before?" James asked directly as soon as the call was connected.
Special thanks for the 20,000 reward I just came to see the genuine version! !
(End of chapter)
