Everyone made a bunch of excuses, quickly packed their equipment, and rushed to leave the locker room.
This guy is so scary. He plays two games in 24 hours and still has to practice extra? Whoever wants to practice can practice, but I can’t do it anyway.
Soon, only Xu Xin and the three members of the additional training team were left in the locker room.
"At the critical moment, you still support me."
Butler looked at Harden and Jeremy Lin and said gratefully.
"Can I say that they told me the reason I thought about first, so that's why I didn't leave?"
Jeremy Lin smiled awkwardly and whispered.
"Me too."
Harden nodded.
The two of them immediately looked at Xu Xin with pleading eyes.
Xu Xin understood instantly and started brainstorming on how to help the Harlem brothers find a reason to escape.
"Ahem, um, Jimmy, I'm too exhausted from fighting for the past two days. There is an old saying in China that goes too far, and it's easy to get injured if you practice more, right? Don't practice any more tonight, and have a good rest."
After much thought, Xu Xin decided to persuade Butler sincerely.
"Okay, I'll listen to the manager."
Butler nodded and said:
"I'll wait for you in the hotel gym tomorrow morning."
Harden and Jeremy Lin didn't wait for joy, and instantly became depressed again.
"You can't laugh anymore. There is an old saying in China: You can escape the first grade of junior high school, but you can't escape the fifteenth grade! You must get up tomorrow morning. If you don't get up, I will ring your doorbell."
Butler saw the changes in the expressions of the two men and said proudly.
"Slip away."
Jeremy Lin had already packed up his equipment and ran out quickly.
"I won't wait for you anymore, go back to sleep."
Harden followed.
There was another brief silence in the locker room.
"Manager, is my training method a bit too much?"
Butler asked a little aggrievedly.
Not only is it a bit excessive, it is simply too much! I would like to ask, besides Kobe, who else in the league can train harder than Butler?
Xu Xin couldn't figure it out.
"I think Kobe shouldn't think it's too much."
Xu Xin said tactfully.
"I also think it's not too much. Manager, I'll take the first step and get up early for training tomorrow morning."
Butler didn't seem to understand what Xu Xin meant and left with satisfaction.
. . .
After losing the Texas Civil War, the mentality of Rockets fans was not much different from that of the entire team. Only a few black men began to sneer at Xu Xin, Harden, Butler, and McHale. Questioning Xu Xin’s trading timing, questioning the strength of Harden and Butler, and questioning McHale’s substitution adjustments and technical and tactical choices.
The parties concerned are blind to what is going on outside the window and automatically filter out these negative news.
Especially for Xu Xin, the distrust of most fans at the beginning of the season and the overwhelming abuse during the losing streak made him grow up quickly.
Now faced with this sparse gossip, it is not even scratching the itch, so I continue to do whatever I need to do.
However, a good mentality is not the only condition for winning, strength is the more important one.
The Rockets did not stop in Dallas and flew to Indiana without stopping the next afternoon. This was the second stop of their four away games.
There are also many highlights in this game. Xu Xin and Bird just finalized a three-way deal in a video conference, and within two days they had their first face-to-face meeting.
Bird did not neglect this young man who was highly regarded by Angie.
Xu Xin was invited to dinner before the game, and Xu Xin behaved very appropriately.
"Xu, do you think it is possible for the Pacers' current lineup to beat the Heat after the trade?"
After the food was over, Bird asked with a smile.
"Of course."
Xu Xin said firmly.
Bird raised his eyebrows and waited with interest for Xu Xin's analysis.
"Some of my own thoughts, please forgive me if they are inappropriate."
Xu Xin continued.
"In my opinion, Hibbert is the Pacers' best opponent against the Heat. Although he is inconspicuous when playing against other opponents, he is definitely the most dominant player against the Heat. "
"The Heat's offense is mostly initiated by James and Wade's attack on the frame. Whether it is a direct layup or a breakthrough point shot to find an outside shooter, the beginning of it all was created by the two of them breaking through with their personal abilities."
"With Hibbert standing under the basket, the Pacers don't need to shrink their defense to block the impact of James and Wade. Hibbert can handle it by himself as long as he controls the fouls."
Xu Xin said a lot in one breath.
After listening to Bird thoughtfully, he continued to ask questions:
"So, with Hibbert here, we Pacers can rest easy?"
"That's not true. By then, Coach Spoelstra will give Bosh more ball rights. Hibbert will definitely not be able to defend him. If Bosh's mid- and long-range shots maintain a high hit rate, it will also be good for the Pacers. A big nuisance.”
Faced with some of Bird's testing questions, Xu Xin remained calm and gave answers that not only showed his strong professionalism, but also his unique insights.
Bird admires juniors like Xu Xin very much. The league is a business, especially for managers like them. One more friend means one more way out.
Bird can be sure that the handsome Chinese man in front of him will sit in the position of general manager for a long time in the future. Even if the Rockets no longer need him, many teams will rush for him.
He immediately made up his mind to make friends with Xu Xin. He could see that Xu Xin was not like the former general manager of the Rockets, the kind of person who only took advantage but did not suffer losses, and treated others as fools.
After dinner, Bird invited Xu Xin to his exclusive box to watch the game.
Xu Xin took a look around after entering and had to say that Bird's treatment was still somewhat different from Anji's.
"Xu, do you think your Rockets can win tonight's game, or our Pacers?"
Bird sat down on the sofa and asked with interest.
"As I say bluntly, it is unlikely that the Rockets will escape unscathed tonight."
"Oh? Why do you think so?"
Bird was a little surprised. He rarely saw Xu Xin who destroyed his own prestige and boosted the popularity of others before the fight started.
"Our team is too tired during this period, the schedule is too intensive, and most of them are away games. In the last game, the impact of fatigue has been revealed. Although we have a day off, this long-term accumulated fatigue cannot be eliminated in just one day off. It can be slowed down."
Xu Xin said solemnly.
"It makes sense, let's wait and see."
Bird nodded, and all starting players from both sides appeared on the court.
In fact, there is still three good news for the Rockets tonight. Garnett returned from rest and started the game.
O'Neal Jr. returned from his ban, and the Rockets' inner strength was replenished.
Gerald Green joins the team and has a chance to come off the bench tonight.
