Bulls fans have a mixed bag by comparison.
"Youdu and Harris are both potential new stars, and they just make up for the team's shortage of substitute interior players."
"But I still can't let go of Butler. I always think he can play well."
Xu Xin returned to the apartment, lying on his side on the sofa and browsing the comments in the forum.
Xu Xin didn't care at all about the scolding from Rockets fans. Time will prove everything. Butler's strength is not comparable to that of Patterson and others.
This is a ruthless person who pretends to be dead in the regular season and works hard in the playoffs.
There is a joke among the people, if you have Joe, choose Joe, if you don't have Joe, choose Shark. If you have Joe, choose Shark. If you have Joe, choose Shark. Grandma will start. If you don't have Joe, choose Shark. Choose Jiba.
It's just that Butler's growth cycle is relatively long, and he has not yet shown his superstar potential.
As for these draft picks, although no team is willing to sell the 2014 draft picks, Xu Xin doesn't care.
It is now recognized as a great year for the draft, but later it was discovered that the top pick was a civil servant, and the second pick was injured Zhongyong. Tanhua had a defender in his heart and worked part-time as a floor mop.
The best player in this class is a second-round pick, a fat white guy who loves to drink Coke.
Xu Xin can definitely use his first round to select him.
The key point now is to help Harden and Butler realize their talents. With the current level of the two, it is not enough when facing the Heat, Thunder, Spurs and other strong teams competing for the championship.
In addition, the team's bench also needs to be strengthened. With 2 in and 3 out, the team now has one less player in the rotation.
Xu Xin thought and fell asleep on the sofa.
Early the next morning, Xu Xin came to the training ground early and thanked Patterson and others for their contribution to the team during this period.
Several people were very calm about this. After all, they knew that this alliance was a business alliance after all. Only Patterson walked to Xu Xin alone after the greetings.
"Can I ask why? I'm playing so well this season."
Patterson was unwilling.
"You are outstanding. Many teams have come to inquire about the price. The other party has offered a very high bargaining chip, which is too high for me to refuse. The Bucks are also suitable for you. You will be the starting power forward in their team. I wish you all the best. !”
Xu Xin didn't tell him the truth. It would be too hurtful to say that he was never included in Xu Xin's team building plan.
Patterson felt relieved after hearing this, hugged Xu Xin and left the training hall.
Xu Xin also returned to the office. He wanted to see if there were any suitable candidates in the free agent market.
After looking around, I found a familiar name, Shaun Livingston. In his previous life, he won three championships with the Warriors and was an important member of the team's bench.
And now he hasn't found a job.
The No. 4 pick in 2004, the next Magician, and the first point guard in history to enter the league as a high school student. These are the labels for Livingston when he first entered the league.
Just when Livingston broke through the rookie wall and was about to take off, a counterattack layup pressed the shutdown button on his career.
The scene of the injury was so horrifying that it became a lingering shadow for many people, and the league even asked YouTube to remove the video.
The meniscus of the left knee was severely dislocated and deformed, and three of the four ligaments were broken. It was unknown whether he would be able to stand up again in the future, let alone playing basketball.
But Livingston refused to accept his fate. Through rehabilitation training and continuous efforts, it took him 1 year and 8 months to miraculously stand on the league field again.
However, Livingston, who lost his speed and explosiveness, was quickly given up by the team and was waived many times. The most recent time was before the start of the season, Mo Pang waived him.
Xu Xin thought for a while, prepared his words, and dialed Livingston's phone number.
The call was quickly answered,
"Hello, this is Livingston."
"Hello, I'm Xu Xin, the acting general manager of the Rockets. How have you been lately?"
"It's okay, not too bad."
Before Livingston could send a message, Xu Xin took the lead in sending the invitation.
"I watched the videos of your training and preseason games with the Rockets this summer. I think you will be the player the team needs. When do you have time, can you try out again?"
"Okay, no problem. I have time now. I will report to the team tomorrow morning."
"See you tomorrow, adjust well and look forward to your outstanding performance tomorrow!"
Xu Xin encouraged.
"Thank you, thank you, I will, see you tomorrow."
Livingston was flattered, and his once impressive head had long been smoothed away by reality.
In the past few years, he has been bounced around various teams, been traded, and waived. Until this year, no team was willing to sign him.
He doesn't even have a chance to be laid off. He is only 27 years old and is idle at home. He doesn't know what else to do besides basketball.
Now, someone finally made an invitation for a trial training. He must seize the opportunity and find his former self on the court.
In the evening, the game came as scheduled, and the Rockets continued to face the New Orleans Hornets at home.
Two new players appeared together.
The Rockets also lined up a new starting lineup, Harden, Jeremy Lin, Asik, Ariza and Parsons.
Butler is on the bench and ready to go.
This starting set was decided by McHale based on the morning training. The shooting abilities of Parsons and Ariza can ensure that the Rockets' offensive system can continue.
At this stage, Butler's shooting level has not yet met the requirements of the coaching staff. When he is on the court, opponents often choose to leave him open and double-team arrow figures. This puts even greater pressure on Harden and Jeremy Lin.
The hidden danger of this starting lineup is at position 4. Xu Xin sent away the team's two power forwards in two consecutive transactions. McHale did not have many choices, either to use the immature Motiejunas or to replace Parsons.
After thinking about it, Parsons is more suitable, but Parsons' lack of confrontation ability will eventually leave hidden dangers on the defensive end.
What a coincidence, today's opponent is the Hornets with the No. 1 pick, "Thick Eyebrows" Davis.
After the opening, the Hornets focused on Davis. Facing Parsons' defense, he had the advantage in height and strength. He had to eat and drink in the paint, and he could even play in singles with the ball.
Davis was born as a point guard, and his dribbling level and physical agility far exceed that of most power forwards in the league.
The entire Hornets team also consciously created opportunities for Davis, which allowed Davis to play his best half so far.
He made 11 of 13 shots, 5 of 7 free throws, and scored a double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds. This was only halftime.
The defensive end couldn't guard Davis, and the offensive end was also very weak.
The team is proud of the pick-and-roll at positions 2 and 4, but Parsons couldn't hit it because he felt cold. Breaking through and looking for the outside line, Ariza also turned into a tiebreaker and failed to seize several good opportunities.
This gave the Hornets generals the determination to attack Harden resolutely. Harden was having more and more difficulty playing on the court, as if he was stuck in a swamp.
The Rockets could only rely on Jeremy Lin's piecemeal play to hold on to the score.
