Chapter 577 The Worst Class
The preseason match between the Clippers and the Heat was extremely anxious, as if it was not an inconsequential warm-up match, because the intensity Yu Fei exerted on Jimmy Butler made the competition between the two sides surge.
After watching most of the game, Yao Huang showed an emoticon smile in the distance: "Cuna! Fortunately, I have a rest today. We played so intensely. Are you sure you are playing in the preseason?"
Yu Fei didn't want to make such a big fuss, but Butler's face really gave him the feeling of facing off against young Jordan.
Butler is now in a period of rapid rise, but in the Heat's strong team, his position is only Ariza's replacement.
The team knew he was good, but didn't have high expectations. After all, they just needed someone to fill the gap.
Butler's technical characteristic is that he has no performance under Fei's tight defense. When he tried to regain his presence on the defensive end, he felt powerless due to the talent gap.
Yu Fei doesn't need to go head-to-head. As long as he lifts the ball, the advantages brought by his height and wingspan make the opponent's defense almost useless.
In order to stop Yu Fei, Butler had to adopt a radical defensive strategy. However, once the defense becomes aggressive, it is easy for the opponent to take advantage of it.
Butler was played by Yu Fei like a fool. He was first passed by Yu Fei's dreamy footsteps, and then was blocked when attacking with the ball. He barely passed the ball but made a mistake. Immediately afterwards, he was shaken while defending Yu Fei and eventually got a foul.
The confidence built up on the bench was about to be destroyed by Yu Fei in a brutal way. The Heat replaced Butler before he became completely frustrated.
When Butler came off the court, Spoelstra said to him: "JB, I hope you understand that I have to stagger your playing time with Frye."
Butler, who had been beaten unconscious, said: "Why? He was not targeting me."
Si Bo looked at him in surprise: "Isn't this called targeting?"
"He said he wasn't targeting me." Butler was indeed a little frustrated, but not to the point of complete collapse. He said, "He just hates MJ so much."
Si Bo's heart tightened suddenly. Being used by a GOAT as a substitute for a former GOAT in a game is obviously worse than being simply targeted.
"He said he was not targeting me, but he made me lose face. Is this the GOAT? Don't you think he is too domineering?" Butler said firmly, "I want to continue to play against him, and don't waste our playing time. Stagger!”
From that moment on, the Heat coaching staff discovered what was unique about Butler. The cost of pretending to be a tough guy is very low, but those who do not back down even after being clearly targeted by the GOAT definitely have extraordinary courage.
It is difficult for such a person to be beaten to a mental breakdown by his opponent in a game. Therefore, Spoelstra no longer worries about Butler.
However, if Yu Fei said that he was not targeting Butler, then he really was not targeting Butler. After that, even if Butler wanted to compete with the GOAT again, the Clippers rarely gave him such an opportunity.
Rivers did not intend to continue the high intensity of the first quarter. After all, this is a preseason game. Who will work hard in the preseason game? Rivers believed that Yu Fei's performance in the first quarter was a bit excessive and needed to be controlled, and Yu Fei had no objection.
As a result, Rivers made GOAT sit on the bench for more than 20 minutes in the next three quarters. Yu Fei wanted to compete with Butler a few more times but had no chance, because the tone of the game had been set by Rivers.
There is no suspense in the next game. The Clippers, who took the initiative to reduce their intensity, were quickly overwhelmed by the Heat's all-out effort. Rivers constantly rotated fringe players on the field, trying to tap out potential talents. Unfortunately, no player performed well throughout the game.
However, Giannis Antetokounmpo gradually showed his talents and began to attract the attention of the NBA. On this night, "Antetokounmpo" scored 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, and also delivered a wonderful long-step dunk.
The general manager of the Clippers said: "We only have two items that are not for sale."
"Fry and Blake?"
"No, it's Frye and Giannis."
This sentence quickly became a hot topic of media speculation. After all, there is another star player on the Clippers team. Although Blake Griffin is no longer the brightest star, he is undoubtedly still the superstar of the Clippers.
Trem was not stupid, and he certainly knew that saying this would make Griffin unhappy. Since the first day of training camp, Griffin has shown hostility towards GOAT. Although he was later suppressed, he has been drifting in the team these days and has almost no chemical reaction with GOAT.
This phenomenon is subtle. The management is unclear whether this is due to a mismatch in style between the two or other reasons. Whenever Yu Fei tried to get Griffin to cooperate with him to perform a beautiful dunk, Griffin resisted.
Treme has dealt with countless stars, and he knows that these people are the most self-aware group in the world. If Griffin decides not to cooperate, no one can change his mind. In this case, Griffin's importance in Tram's heart has diminished.
If Yu Fei and the "Greek Monster"'s position in the transaction is "don't even think about it", then Griffin is "not moving in principle, but I will answer the phone."
Yu Fei didn't care as much about Griffin's negative attitude as Trime did. It may be obvious to onlookers that this is a negative example. Yu Fei believes that Griffin's negativity is not directed at him. Since the first day of the training camp with Feiliwei, Griffin has become clear about his status. There is no intention of competing for the top position in his usual words and deeds, and his attitude in training sessions is no problem.
His "passivity" is mainly reflected in dunks. As incredible as it sounds, Griffin rose to fame in Los Angeles and once raised the Clippers' box office to a level comparable to that of the Lakers, relying on his shocking dunks. In his rookie season, a regular routine for Los Angeles fans was to buy tickets to watch Clippers games, and he performed a thrilling dunk performance in almost every home game. During the same period, Chinese fans even gave him the nickname "Gee Lifen" because of his explosive dunk performance.
Although he is no Vince Carter, his reputation mainly comes from dunking. However, such a man who became famous for his dunks actually became tired of performing dunks.
Yu Fei noticed this. In order to confirm his suspicion, he began to frequently direct Griffin to play pick-and-rolls and cooperate with alley-oops in training. But his command had a clear commanding tone, like directing a circus lion and tiger to jump through a ring of fire.
Griffin was resistant at first, then negative. Yu Fei began to deliberately criticize his attitude.
This caused Traim to misunderstand. He thought that GOAT was dissatisfied with Griffin because his authority was challenged, so he deliberately said that in front of reporters and gave Griffin eye drops.
After Trem's comments, Griffin's morale dropped further.
Three days before the first regular season game of the new season, Griffin refused to carry out Yu Fei's instructions and replaced the alley-oop dunk that should have been completed with an alley-oop layup.
Yu Fei yelled "annoyed": "Blake, don't be so lifeless like a 40-year-old man!"
Griffin retorted: "I'm not a robot, don't expect me to follow your instructions 100%."
"You are not a robot, you are a sissy!" Yu Fei scolded, "I have never seen any player give up igniting the audience with dunks! You don't understand the talent you have at all! You are just being sentimental. If you think You have no obligation to dunk to boost morale when we need it, so get out of the way and I will only pass the ball to those who are willing to dunk hard!”
Griffin was speechless, his face turned red, he glared at Yu Fei, and then said: "Then I quit!"
"Quit?" Yu Fei sneered, "Where do you think you can go? You represent the worst team in the NBA. If you can't even stay in this worst team, then to be honest, your only The place to go is the WNBA ”
Griffin shouted angrily: "Why do you think you have the right to tell me how I should play?!"
"I'm not teaching you how to play. I just know that this team has been the laughing stock of the sports world for the past three decades, and the only thing worthy of this team is that in 2009, they drafted a player who made fans put aside their prejudices. "A player who came to watch him play in person!" Yu Fei said sharply, "I just want to know why you are no longer willing to be yourself after just two years?"
Griffin asked excitedly: "Have you ever been treated like a monkey?"
Rivers' face changed drastically. He thought Griffin would say something racist.
"Blake..."
Yu Fei interrupted Rivers with a wave of his hand and stared at Griffin: "What do you mean?"
"It looks like you've never been treated like a monkey," Griffin said. "You haven't experienced this: every time you dunk on the court, a bunch of assholes you've never met are yelling at you, 'Blake. One more! 'I did it, but they were never satisfied, they wanted more. If one day I couldn't satisfy them anymore, they would throw me aside like Bitchi! In his eyes, he’s just a monkey who’s good at dunking!”
"I'm guessing you haven't experienced this: a jerk like Donald Sterling compliments you on the sidelines and then comes into the locker room with a bunch of season ticket holders to harass me. Because these guys Thinking that the guy who spent a lot of money not only wanted to see the monkey show, but also wanted to touch the monkey, Sterling didn't think it was offensive at all. In his eyes, I was just a cute monkey!"
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"Now, I'm nothing. I don't even have the power to lead the team forward, and I'm not even for sale to the team. I'm a monkey who just wants to play in my own way. Don't I even have this freedom?"
There was silence on the training ground.
Yu Fei finally understood why Griffin was tired of dunking and even rejected dunking. To be honest, this isn't surprising.
He has been comparing Griffin to Carter back then, and now it seems that the "symptoms" of the two are similar. Carter was born in North Carolina and is famous for his explosive jumping and unparalleled dunks. This is also the reason why he has achieved the title of "demigod". However, anyone who knows Carter knows that his number of dunks is actually not high because he does not like to be called "Jordan's successor."
In Yu Fei's view, this is the result of the NBA's excessive pursuit of stars since 1984. Stars mass-produced in this way will always feel sorry for themselves.
They earned fame and wealth like Hollywood superstars through their talent, but suddenly "awakened" after establishing their status.
How did you wake up? Oh, I'm not a dunker, don't expect me to perform. What? You actually expect me to perform? Do you mistake me for a monkey? I'm a monkey because everyone just wants to see me dunk.
In fact, it is the star's responsibility to perform for the audience. Jordan never felt like a monkey, and neither did Yu Fei.
So why does Griffin feel this way? Obviously, he was PUA by his former boss Sterling, so he began to deny everything.
Yu Fei understands this idea, but will not support it.
"You are not a monkey." Yu Fei said, "No one is a monkey. Do you know why the audience likes you? Because you got good data in a bad team? No, the most people in this world are vulgar people, they are Want to see you dunk. Do you think you're a monkey? I don't think so. You became one of the most influential people in Los Angeles because of these monkey tricks. You got huge off-court sponsorships. The world has changed because of 'Monkey Trick'. Now you tell me, you don't want to 'Monkey Trick' anymore because it makes you feel disrespected. Did you make something wrong? You want to enjoy what 'Monkey Trick' brings? With fame and fortune, you have to accept the responsibility of performing for an audience every night at a game.”
"As for what you said..." Yu Fei concluded casually, "Of course the chaos in the Sterling era will not continue to this day. Mr. Ballmer will not treat you like a monkey, nor will season ticket holders. No longer qualified to enter the locker room.”
When Yu Fei talked about this, some teammates began to realize that what Griffin was troubled by was just trivial things.
What is this compared to the fame and fortune he has gained?
"Now, your problem is solved." Yu Fei asked, "Can you solve my problem?"
Yu Fei did not address Treme's remarks about Griffin not being for sale. This problem cannot be solved because Treme misunderstood Yu Fei's pressure on Griffin, but in the long run, this statement may not be a bad thing.
Because if Griffin always maintains this kind of mood swings and unstable mentality, then trading him is also an option for the Clippers.
Griffin took a deep look at Yu Fei and said in a deep voice: "I will do those damn 'monkey shows'."
A conflict that almost broke out was resolved in this way.
The way Yu Fei tamed Griffin was impressive.
Rivers didn't expect that he wouldn't have to personally solve the problem.
Pierce was originally dissatisfied with being placed on the bench, but now he has nothing to say.
Although GOAT has yet to play a regular season game for the Clippers, he has firmly taken control of the team. Whether it is the management, the coaching staff, or even Griffin, his theoretical opponent, they are all controlled by him.
From the field to off the field, Yu Fei has become an absolute leader.
Pierce decided to take a step back for the time being and endure it.
Kwame Brown often has nightmares recently, because Yu Fei's behavior on the Clippers always reminds him of the wizard Dan lingering in his nightmares.
Brown didn't know what he was worried about. Regardless of whether Yu Fei will become another "Wizard Pill", the relationship between them will not improve. But seeing Yu Fei look more and more like Wizard Dan, Brown did feel an indescribable awkwardness in his heart.
Today, the kink is unraveled.
If Wizard Dan heard Griffin say that he wanted to "quit", he would definitely tell him to get out without hesitation, leaving no room for him at all. However, Yu Fei wanted to find out what Griffin was thinking from the beginning. His provocative tactics worked, and Griffin finally spoke out about his woes that were so pretentious that they made you want to vomit.
Brown really admired Yu Fei for being able to resist mocking Griffin after hearing his complaints.
Brown wonders, do people like Griffin understand that his life is the dream of countless people?
If he had a choice, Brown would rather be the monkey that was liked a hundred times than the horse boy leaning against the big tree to enjoy the shade.
As a result, Yu Fei didn't say anything unpleasant, but just asked him to continue doing those "monkey tricks" and then promised to solve his worries.
That's the end of it.
Brown feels that this is the Yu Fei he is familiar with, a person who likes to show off but cares about his teammates.
After the game ended, Yu Fei turned the basketball in his hand boredly. Brown walked over excitedly and said: "Da Fei, I opened a new restaurant in Los Angeles, do you want to show me your favor?"
Yu Feixiao asked: "Are you treating me to a treat?"
"I've got it all covered," Brown replied cheerfully.
"Then I won't be polite." Yu Fei replied with a smile.
As expected, Yu Fei was not polite. Not only was he present in person, but he also called all the Clippers teammates and coaching staff over for a team building session.
Griffin also showed up. Although he still seemed unfriendly, after today's events, the ice had begun to melt.
Brown looked at Griffin, still feeling a little unhappy. He thinks Griffin should be grateful that Yu Fei just looks like Wizard Dan now. Otherwise, Griffin will truly understand what it means to be "played like a monkey."
He can draft you with the No. 1 pick, then brag about you all day long, play the role of a kind elder for several months, and then when the pre-season training camp starts, he will step on you as a stepping stone in front of the whole team, and by the way Use your lime to establish authority.
Is this something humans do?
Brown will never forgive Jordan.
Two days later, the opening game of the new NBA season started, but it had nothing to do with the Clippers. NBA openers usually only have one or two games, usually given to the teams with the biggest buzz.
Although the Clippers have the GOAT, due to their poor record last season, there is no reason for the Clippers to be on the roster for the opening game. Therefore, the Clippers' first game is scheduled for November 1. They will face the local rival Los Angeles Lakers "away" at the Staples Center.
That’s the art of scheduling. Although they couldn't play in the opening game, the Clippers' first game of the new season was still full of topics.
Can GOAT really turn around the Clippers' fortunes?
If possible, let's start with the city derby.
There is nothing more frustrating for the Clippers front office than facing the Lakers. Even though they played at the Staples Center, the crowd treated them just as badly as they treated the Celtics. To break the Lakers' monopoly on the local basketball market, we have to start with the derby.
The Clippers decided to make full use of their advantages-as long as GOAT can't be used, they will use GOAT to death.
The day before the game, the Clippers announced that Yu Fei would spend an hour signing autographs for Clippers fans before the game. This was his first regular season gift to the fans as a Clippers player. Of course, he will only sign autographs for real fans wearing Clippers jerseys, not Lakers fans.
In this way, even if the Staples Center will become the Clippers' cemetery, they have ensured that there will be some filial sons and grandchildren in front of the grave.
This idea came from Rivers, and Yu Fei was firmly opposed to it. For many years, he had maintained the habit of randomly selecting a few lucky fans to sign autographs in every game, and suddenly arranged a one-hour pre-game autograph session for him. As for ?
Rivers explained to him the necessity of this move. If Yu Fei doesn't want to be booed by the audience at home, it's best to give the fans a little sweetness.
Yu Fei finally agreed, but still felt hesitant.
D.C, Milwaukee, Seattle
This is the worst class he has ever led.
(End of chapter)