Back to Cleveland.
After Zhao Feiyang joined the Cavaliers, the team has undergone significant changes. The offense that was not smooth enough has become smoother because of his organization. For this reason, he also expressed to head coach Tyronn Lue that he hopes to play the No. 1 position.
Considering Zhao Feiyang's injury and his organizational ability, Tyronn Lue decisively agreed to Zhao Feiyang's request.
As a result, the Cavaliers, whose record was originally unstable after Kyrie Irving left, achieved a 5-game winning streak with the help of Zhao Feiyang.
For the Cavaliers, it is certainly not surprising that they have won 5 consecutive games. After all, they have superstars like LeBron James and All-Star forwards like Kevin Love. However, in these 5 games, LeBron has He didn't contribute much. Except for the decisive moment, the role players were working hard at other times.
Such a comparison naturally highlights the value of Zhao Feiyang.
He also averaged 16 points per game in 5 games. Although he did not have the explosive breakthroughs and dunks before, Zhao Feiyang's three-pointers were still accurate. Whenever others were not successful in attacking, he would stand up and use long shots to help. The team opens things up.
Although a series of performances did not fully meet the expectations of Cavaliers fans, they also made them like this point guard who can help the team win in a short period of time.
"Zhao is a great guy! If it weren't for his injuries, he would definitely be even better now! Of course, this does not affect his contribution to the team at all! I like this guy very much! I believe the fans do too of."
After a game, LeBron spoke to the media in an interview.
"It's a pity that injuries have affected him! But Zhao is really a very good guy, and I am very happy to play alongside such a teammate..."
Kevin Love said.
JR. Smith was the most excited person in the interview because he has performed very well recently, especially his scoring data has improved a lot. And all this is because Zhao Feiyang is willing to give up the ball to assist him. The backcourt chemistry between the two is also a highlight of the Cavaliers' victory.
Even though they had never played together before, the level of rapport they had established was completely astonishing.
"I like Zhao very much... it feels great to play with him! Every time I look at him when I attack, he will immediately understand what I want to do and he can always get the ball in the first place. The power is transferred into my hands..."
"I have never met teammates with such a tacit understanding before..."
JR originally just praised Zhao Feiyang, but unexpectedly the reporter interviewing him took advantage of this moment to secretly ask, "What about Kyrie? Who performs better, him or Zhao? Who do you prefer to play with?"
JR was a little over the top at this time and did not notice the trap in the reporter's words. He answered the question almost subconsciously, "Kyrie is also great! But I like Zhao better... Zhao plays more selflessly. ....."
Before he finished speaking, JR immediately realized the problem and hurriedly changed his words and explained under the gaze of reporters, "Oh! I'm not saying that Kyrie is not good. He has his own style. He is a sharp knife for the team. Zhao More like a commander who takes charge of the overall situation... They all have their own strengths..."
Although he explained it immediately, the reporters didn't care so much. They didn't broadcast JR's last answer at all, but only edited the previous answer.
After the news came out, it immediately aroused a discussion.
Fortunately for Cleveland fans, most people like Irving and Zhao Feiyang and will not antagonize their performances. However, in Boston, Irving has gained the favor of some die-hard fans after his transfer. These people saw the news. Later, he naturally felt dissatisfied and began to discuss the matter.
So not long after, Owen also saw the interview.
When he transferred to the Celtics, he initially thought he was out of trouble and could find a place where he could become the core of the team. Unfortunately, after arriving in Boston, Irving discovered that the situation was not as smooth as he imagined.
First of all, the team's record was not stable enough after the start of the season. As the core, he certainly needs to be responsible for this.
Secondly, his prestige within the Celtics is completely insufficient.
Some young players simply dissatisfied with him. They not only expressed their opinions in private, but also showed this attitude publicly, which also made Irving feel very bad.
Now that former teammate JR said this, Irving's already somewhat depressed mentality exploded under this situation.
Being reckless and impulsive, he was very angry and immediately posted a message on his social media.
"A lot of things don't need to be explained! If some people think my style of play is selfish, so be it! For me, they are not very good teammates anyway."
As soon as these words came out, the outside media immediately exploded.
Everyone knows that Irving said this to JR, and with his always reckless character, it was completely expected by the media to say such things.
As a result, the media took the opportunity to seize the responses from both parties and began to hype up the situation. For a time, various public opinions about Irving leaving the Cavaliers continued, and various gossips that had ended before began to spread like snowflakes in the sky.
Unlike JR and Irving, Zhao Feiyang ushered in his sixth game with the Cavaliers amidst the praise.
Interestingly, this game was against none other than the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Cavaliers will go to Minneapolis to challenge the Timberwolves two days later. This will also be the first time Zhao Feiyang returns after leaving.
Before this game, many Minneapolis fans had already received the news. Tickets for this game were also sold out immediately, and many fans were unable to get one even at a higher price.
Despite this, they were unwilling to give up, and at the insistence of many fans, the Timberwolves decided to open the electronic big screen in the square.
This thing was made during the season when we won the championship, but I didn't expect it to be used again in today's regular season.
Timberwolves fans have done more than that. In order to appreciate Zhao Feiyang's contribution to the team, many fans spontaneously united and specially recorded a video about him, intending to play it during the break in the game to express their gratitude. Respect from Zhao Feiyang.
Amid the anticipation of countless Timberwolves fans, game day finally arrived.
An hour before tip-off, Cavaliers players also entered the away locker room to make final preparations. On the way to the locker room, many familiar old faces took the initiative to shake hands and high-five Zhao Feiyang.
"Zhao, welcome home!"
