Training day.
The Minnesota Timberwolves head to China for the first two days of preseason.
In the morning, the players’ routine training.
Zhao Feiyang and Adrian Ennis entered the training hall early in the morning to warm up. Since Zhao Feiyang became familiar with him, the two almost trained together and left together. It can be said that they have a tacit understanding.
After arriving at the training hall, they changed their clothes and started running. Not long after they warmed up, an old man wearing a cleaner's uniform entered the gym.
The uncle seemed to be in good spirits. He was about sixty years old. After seeing Zhao Feiyang and Adrian Ennis, he took the initiative to stand on the sidelines and chat with the two.
"Young people, why are you here so early? It's not even opening time yet!"
Zhao Feiyang and Adrian Ennis looked at each other and smiled, and responded to the uncle in a friendly manner.
"There is a saying in China that the early bird catches the worm... If you want the team to achieve better results, what can you do if you don't get up early?"
The uncle nodded, seeming to be satisfied with their actions.
Soon, other players also entered the venue.
The third person to enter the training hall was Zach LaVine, and then Ricky Rubio, followed by others who also arrived smoothly.
Whether they are the main players, substitutes, or temporarily signed rookies like Adrian Ennis, they all arrived within the stipulated time.
Only one person has not come yet.
Half an hour into the training time, this latecomer arrived belatedly. This person is none other than super center Dwight Howard, who just joined the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Since joining the team, Dwight Howard has not been very punctual. He is not enthusiastic about training and can be said to have a rather average attitude.
If it weren't for his explosive talent, I'm afraid with this kind of training attitude, he would have to put in more effort to become a super center in the league.
"Hey guys, good morning!"
"Oh! You guys arrived so much earlier than me? I'm sorry, I just met an old man who needed to cross the road on the way here. It's a pity that no reporter took a photo, otherwise this will definitely be a good positive news... ..."
"That's why I wasted my time...but I believe you can understand..."
Dwight Howard is still the same as before, always in a "happy" state, joking with his teammates while taking off his headphones and sunglasses.
Coincidentally, the janitor happened to be standing near Dwight Howard. Dwight Howard didn't notice anything wrong with this uncle at all. After taking away the extra things, he handed him to him.
"Old man, please, please take my things back to the locker, please?"
"As a thank you, I can provide you with $10 for travel expenses... I believe you will not refuse me..."
The uncle just smiled lightly.
"Dwight, I remember you, you are the league's top striker! So why are you late? And I heard that you are always late..."
Dwight Howard was naturally a little uncomfortable with the "nosy" man, but he just frowned slightly and explained, "Of course there are personal reasons for being late...but then again, What impact will it have?”
"I think it doesn't matter if you're late or not. This sport relies on talent, not hard work... If hard work is useful, then what's the point of talent?"
"Old man, I have been in this business for so many years. I know these things better than you..."
Unexpectedly, the uncle laughed when he heard Dwight Howard's words.
"Of course talent is important, but if talent is coupled with hard work, then everything will only get better...Dwight, you made me very disappointed when I first met..."
With that said, the uncle turned around and walked towards the entrance of the arena.
Dwight Howard stood behind him with a confused look on his face, not knowing who he was. Seeing the other party's behavior, he had to ask other staff to help him return his clothes to the locker room.
However, very soon, not even ten minutes, the uncle appeared in front of everyone again.
This time he was not wearing janitor clothes, but a suit, with a tactical board and other things on his arm. His expression and state were completely different from the previous janitor uncle, as if he was a different person.
The uncle walked slowly to the middle of the court under everyone's astonished gaze. He first stopped all training on the court with a whistle, and then called everyone to gather in front of him.
The players looked at each other, not knowing what was going on.
"My name is Norman Thomas. I am the new head coach of the team. I originally wanted to say that I am very happy to meet you, but everything I just saw made me lose my good impression of you... I I have to say, you are really a terrible team..."
Although Norman Thomas's tone has always been relatively calm, he is full of confidence, and he has an aura that makes the players at the scene stunned.
It also made the players' faces darken.
There has been no head coach during this period, and the players' mentality is somewhat relaxed. Now that they have been caught, most people are somewhat embarrassed.
Zhao Feiyang didn't know the specific situation, so he temporarily became a thief.
Dwight Howard, who had just been ridiculed, was undoubtedly very confused, with a look of confusion on his face. Obviously, he didn't expect to run into the new manager's crosshairs.
"I came to the gym at six o'clock in the morning. Except for Zhao and the rookie named Adrian, no one else from the entire team entered the gym early to train..."
"Of course, I won't force you to practice extra, but what are you doing in training? Some people arrive at the right time and don't practice carefully during training and always keep chatting with other people... What on earth are you doing? What are you thinking? How can a team like this make it to the playoffs?"
"Today I want to criticize one person in particular, and that is Dwight Howard."
As soon as these words came out, before the new coach Norman Thomas could say anything else, Dwight Howard's face darkened suddenly.
"Coach, I was just late accidentally, it's no big deal...I don't think you should criticize me in front of so many people..."
"I'm the leader of the team, I'm an All-Star in the league, I'm a main player on the U.S. national team... So what if I'm late? Does it affect my ability to get these honors?"
Dwight Howard retorted.
As soon as he stood up and expressed his opinion, the face of new coach Norman Thomas also turned cold.
Everyone thought that the new coach would choose to give in when facing the star that the team spent a lot of money to sign. Unexpectedly, the next second, Norman Thomas said to Dwight Howard very forcefully, "Dwight, I'm just talking to you. With this sentence, starting from tomorrow, you must enter the gym an hour early to train every day, otherwise, I will not let you have an easy time..."
As soon as these words came out, the players in the entire training hall were shocked!
