However, Butler did not give him this opportunity at all. He brought four substitutes to show off his offensive capabilities.
Facing Mikey again, it was a retro singles style. Mikey defended very hard, but it could be said that the effect was not at all.
As Butler broke through, he stopped for a mid-range jumper, showing a perfect air seat in the air. After landing, the basketball also hit the net.
Butler scored his 50th point of the game, and the Rockets led by 100:60 by as many as 40 points.
With 6 minutes left in the third quarter, Clifford saw that the situation was over and sent in a substitute.
He also has selfish motives. Butler was in great shape in this game. His 50 points have already set a career high. He cannot be allowed to continue like this. He doesn't want to become a backdrop.
If Butler gets more and more courageous and scores 81 points, then Clifford will become famous.
Seeing Clifford surrendering, McHale waved his hand and replaced the third lineup. They played consecutive away games. Not only the main team, Ariza, Tucker, and Beverley were also tired.
In such an insignificant game, he didn't want his disciples to bear even a small risk of injury.
Clifford was relieved to see the Rockets' "God of War" end tonight.
Behind the Bobcats bench, only Jordan was unhappy. Xu Xin saw that his face was a little unhappy and couldn't help but feel sad for Clifford.
He was smart but was mistaken. If he lets Butler play to his full potential and have a career night, his coaching position may be more stable. On the contrary, his current operation made him close to the end of get out of class.
In the last quarter of the game, both sides played without passion. The overall situation was decided. Players from both teams were not interested in playing. The game ended in a dull manner, 122:95.
Under McHale's instruction, the Rockets' third lineup still saved face for the Bobcats and did not let them lose by 30 points.
Xu Xin looked at the technical statistics, and Butler was undoubtedly the shining star. In two and a half quarters, he scored 50 points with a shooting rate of nearly 70%, and also had 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks, filling up the data. Column, such 50+ is quite explosive in the entire history.
After the game, Jordan took the initiative to come over and hug the Rockets players one by one, which is rare for a team owner.
However, Jordan is the king of celebrities after all. With this level of status, the Rockets generals did not find his behavior strange.
Only Xu Xin stood aside and smiled without saying a word. Jordan was a drunkard who didn't care about drinking. In order to say a few words to Butler without being suspected, he chose to be exposed to rain and dew like this.
"Playing well, keep working hard, and come to my training camp if you have time in the summer."
Jordan hugged Butler and said.
"Thank you, I, I will definitely go."
Butler was a little flattered and answered incoherently.
Jordan nodded, with a look of relief in his eyes, and then walked towards Xu Xin.
"Manager Xu, it's better to see once than to hear a hundred times. You are really young and promising."
Jordan said, and also gave Xu Xin a hug.
"No way, you've given me the prize."
Xu Xin said modestly.
"Hey, there's no need to be modest, it's a fact."
Jordan waved his hand and continued:
"To be honest, I envy Alexander. With a general manager like you managing the team, the Rockets are completely transformed this season. I came here today to ask, do you have any good suggestions for the summer draft? "
Jordan looked at Xu Xin and said seriously, his eyes suddenly became deep.
This is here to get information. Anji asked the same question two days ago. Xu Xin was also drunk. He had never participated in a draft. Why did the big guys think he had a sharp eye?
However, there are not many good prospects in the 2013 class, and Xu Xin still has to choose by himself. He will not tell anyone about these names.
Xu Xin pretended to be deep in thought, thought for a while and said:
"Mr. Jordan, I haven't focused on the draft yet. I believe you also know that the Rockets are expected to enter the playoffs this season. My focus is on how to strengthen the team. Furthermore, I have never participated in In the draft, I have almost zero experience in this area, and currently, I have no clue as to who has potential and who can perform well."
After Xu Xin finished speaking, he looked at Jordan apologetically.
This performance can be called a movie king level, and what he said was so sincere that Jordan couldn't fault it at all.
There is no other reason why I am so proficient. I just told Anji about it two days ago. Practice makes perfect.
Jordan nodded and said with a smile:
"Yes, but don't worry, I will visit you in person before the offseason draft starts."
"Okay, I will be fully prepared when the time comes and try not to disappoint Mr. Jordan."
Xu Xin was a little helpless. You are so persistent. How could you identify him?
The two exchanged pleasantries for a few more words before saying goodbye.
"Manager, let's go back together."
Butler had just finished the interview. Seeing that Xu Xin's conversation had just ended, he came over and said.
"Okay, you played great today. I was thinking that I should ask the team secretary to write a good article praising you. The All-Star voting is not over yet. I think you have a good chance!"
Xu Xin said with a smile.
"I don't pay much attention to these things. The most important thing is that the team wins."
Butler smiled honestly.
The two walked and chatted. When they arrived at the door of the visiting team's locker room, Butler politely asked Xu Xin to go first.
Xu Xin smiled and patted him on the shoulder, but there was a height difference of more than ten centimeters between the two of them, so this action was somewhat funny.
Xu Xin pushed open the door and entered, but this action undoubtedly made him regret it for a long time.
A bucket of ice water fell from the sky and poured it on his head. The players had been preparing for a long time. When they were about to cheer, they realized that it was not Butler but Xu Xin who was drenched.
The atmosphere suddenly solidified, and Harden and Jeremy Lin hurriedly brought towels to wipe Xu Xin.
"It wasn't me who took the lead, it was all Jeremy's idea."
While Harden was wiping, he was also blaming Jeremy Lin.
The latter was so embarrassed that he wanted to turn into a dumpling. He just wiped Xu Xin without saying a word. His brain was racing and he didn't know how to smooth things over.
Butler behind him was also stunned in place. He had accidentally hit him, but his politeness actually caused the general manager to block the gun for him.
"I'm fine. Go and prepare another bucket of ice water. Don't let tonight's hero be cheap."
Xu Xin noticed everyone's embarrassment and smiled to smooth things over.
"That's right, Jimmy, come here quickly. It's you who caused me to pour water on the wrong person."
Jeremy Lin said excitedly, dragging Butler in. Everyone rushed forward, and an ice-water feast unfolded in the Rockets locker room.
. . .
"Ah sneeze!"
On the plane, Xu Xin was sneezing. It was winter, and a basin of ice water hit his head. Even a good young man like him couldn't bear it.
McHale suppressed laughter on the side and couldn't help but said:
"You can't go into the locker room with the heroes of the team. Look, it's an accidental injury."
Xu Xin shook his head and smiled bitterly:
"This is a lesson. I will stay away from him next time."
