The situation did not improve in the second half.
In order to limit Davis, McHale chose to double-team the wings, which gave the Hornets shooters more opportunities.
Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson, and Austin Rivers fired from the outside with high shooting percentages.
As Harden and Jeremy Lin's physical strength declined, the Rockets were unable to pursue anymore. Seeing this, McHale reluctantly chose to retreat and sent in a substitute lineup to surrender.
In the end, the Rockets lost 99:122 to the Hornets at home by 23 points.
Fans began to complain on social media at the end of the half-time game. After the full-time game, they couldn't stand it any longer. They turned into hindsight and started to complain about Xu Xin.
"I have long said that Xu Xin is a fool, but you still don't believe it. Why don't those filial sons say anything? Continue to defend you!
The Rockets' six-game winning streak has nothing to do with him. After the trade, they were defeated by 23 points against the Hornets, who were last in the Western Conference. It has something to do with him. Xu Xin cannot escape the blame! "
"Why Patterson was traded, I really can't understand it. The good chemical reaction was destroyed like this."
"Xu Xin is just a clown. He wants to prove his abilities and keeps going all over the place. All he can do is prove that he is a clown!"
Xu Xin became famous this time. Rockets fans collectively broke the defense. Fans of other teams in the United States loved to see this, and they watched the joke with great interest. It even became a hot search.
Even Chinese fans know about Xu Xin.
"Good guy, I finally have a Chinese general manager after all these years. I haven't been happy for a few days, but I didn't expect him to be a loser."
"The person above is right. We originally expected him to provide some opportunities for young Chinese athletes, but now it seems that he can't protect himself. He might be fired one day."
"I know you are anxious, but don't be anxious yet. It's just a game. The team will definitely need to adjust after the transaction. We have to be patient."
There are also some fans who are more sensible and tolerant and choose to wait and see for a while.
Xu Xin would not be aware of these outside voices. He was melancholy alone in the box.
"Ding! If you lose the game, 25 points will be deducted, leaving 650 points in your account."
The familiar loli sound sounded, and before Xu Xin emo could wait, the loli sound sounded again, and this time it brought good news.
"Ding, we are releasing a limited time mission to save the second-generation magician - sign Shaun Livingston and help him score 20+10 in his first show back on the court, and the team wins. The mission is until the end of November.
The task is completed and 300 points are awarded. If the task fails, 150 points will be deducted. "
"Ding, a limited-time mission is being released. The Wolf King joins the team and acquires Garnett through a trade to strengthen the team's weakest link in more than ten years. The mission is until the end of December.
The task is completed and 300 points are awarded. If the task fails, 150 points will be deducted. "
Xu Xin was very excited after hearing this. He was worried that he didn't have enough points to open the second section. This system is really considerate. He instantly became energetic and began to think about the feasibility of these two tasks.
The first task is not difficult. As long as you sign Livingston, give him enough playing time and the right to dominate the ball in his first show, coupled with the "Hot Condition" skill card, Livingston will most likely be able to deliver satisfactory results. Answer sheet.
If it can't be completed, then Xu Xin has no other choice. He has done everything he should do, and the rest is to do his best and obey fate.
The second task is not easy. Although the Rockets have a lot of chips, Anji, an old fox, has always been the one who either takes advantage or suffers losses. If he wants to get Garnett from him, Xu Xin will probably have to pay a high price.
The top priority is to find a way to clear salary space.
The salary cap for the 12-13 season is not like the 23 years when he traveled back in time, it was only 58.04 million, and the luxury tax line was 70.3 million.
But this line is not within the scope of Xu Xin's consideration. His goal has always been the number of 58.04 million.
Regarding the range of 58.04 million to 70.3 million, I have no illusions at all. It is just a fantasy to expect the boss Alexander to pay the luxury tax.
Xu Xin returned home without stopping, turned on his computer and started checking the player contracts in the team.
The team currently has a total of 14 players under contract.
Among them, the highest salaries are Jeremy Lin and Asik's 8.37 million.
The two signed poisonous contracts with the Rockets in the summer, with three-year salaries of 5 million, 5.22 million, and 14.78 million respectively.
Why did each take up 8.37 million of the team's salary space in the first year?
This is because the poison contract can be called a loophole in the "Arenas Clause". If the increase in the third year exceeds 4.5%, then the salary space required by the team inviting the contract is the average salary of the contract.
After the two, there are Ariza with 7.26 million, Harden with 5.82 million, and Daequan Cook, who was traded with Harden, with 3.09 million.
Delfino is worth 3 million, Cole Aldridge, who also came with the Harden trade, is worth 2.45 million, and Tony Douglas is worth 2.07 million.
Royce White, a five-star high school student who once had high hopes from the Rockets, is worth 1.65 million.
Motiejunas has 1.45 million, Jimmy Butler has 1.1 million, Chandler Parsons has 890,000, and Greg Smith has 760,000.
Scola was waived by the Rockets this summer using the amnesty clause, and was later acquired by the Suns with a three-year, $13 million contract.
The Rockets only need to pay the salary difference of 5.26 million, which is not included in the salary cap.
The total is 46.28 million, and there is still 11.76 million left before the salary cap limit.
This does not include Livingston, who is about to sign.
Kevin Garnett's contract amount this season is 11.57 million, so it's not a big problem to get it.
Now it's mainly a matter of chips. On paper, only Harden and Jeremy Lin have the greatest value for the Rockets.
Among the others, Parsons and Ariza are worthy of attention. If you want to get Garnett, you will have to pay a lot of money.
But even if you pay for being "rich, rich and handsome", with Angie's style of doing things, it may take multiple first-round picks to achieve it. It seems that Parsons must perform well during this period.
Xu Xin thought about it and fell asleep on the table.
The next morning, the warm sunshine shone into the house, and Xu Xin regained consciousness.
Looking at the drool on the table, Xu Xin felt like crying. He rented a luxury apartment worth thousands of dollars a month and slept on either the sofa or the table every night. It was such a loss.
After simply eating two slices of bread and a cup of coffee, Xu Xin hurried out and rushed to the arena. Today was the day of Livingston's trial. Before Livingston arrived, he had to discuss Parsons' on-field role with McHale.
It’s another busy day as a worker.
Xu Xin walked into the arena and the players had already started training.
Last night's defeat made them very unhappy, so they came over early for extra practice.
"Good morning, manager!"
"Good morning, manager!"
The Rockets generals greeted Xu Xin one after another. They had a good impression of this young manager who often worked with them and traveled with the team in every away game.
"Good morning! Keep going!"
Xu Xin responded with a smile.
He watched from the sidelines for a while as head coach McHale also arrived at the arena.
The two sat together, whispered and discussed,
"Ujiri's asking price for Iguodala is very high. The Nuggets have a good record this season and have great potential to enter the playoffs.
He is still trying to reach an agreement with Iguodala on a contract extension. I didn't want to give up too many chips, so I traded Butler and Ariza. "
Xu Xin explained.
"I have carefully watched their game videos in the past two days. Ariza is very suitable for the current Rockets team, and Butler is, how can I put it..."
McHale hesitated.
