Chapter 365 Let’s Date!

Before the G4 game, Lin Dong had already redeemed this thing. His plan at that time was to use his strength in the second half to defeat the Lakers by himself after a fierce fight in the first half.

Thankfully, this stuff isn’t like knee pads where the price goes up every time you buy one.

After purchasing it, the price of the stamina potion in the mall is still only 100 points.

But I bought it, but in the end I still had it left.

He didn't drink it, just because when the game entered the third quarter and he started to have physical troubles, Lin Dong could clearly feel the overall state of the team and where his upper limit was.

Regardless of Sakuragi or everyone else, they were absolutely suppressed by the Lakers. Although he managed to hold on to the score with his full performance in the first half, he only managed to hold on to the score when the Lakers did not fully exert their strength. Losing.

Without Payton's pick-and-roll cooperation, he has to fight for every ball, and there is no guarantee that he will still have a shooting rate of more than 70% when facing the double blockage of the OK combination.

This kind of scoring efficiency is still not as good as the OK combination that has completely let go, let alone the defensive end.

From this point of view, even if he drinks this bottle of stamina potion, he may not be able to complete the counterattack in the second half.

Physical strength is not strength, and it cannot help you break through the limits. You are not at the level where you can still complete 1v2 at all times when faced with the OK combination that has returned to normal. You cannot win the entire game purely by relying on various magic balls.

breakthrough?

After his static and dynamic talents exceeded his previous limits, and even exceeded the limits of yellow people, Lin Dong was able to clearly realize that he still had potential that could be tapped.

But breakthroughs often come from accumulation, and that takes time.

It requires more high-intensity competitions, training day after day, year after year to continue to strive for excellence, and even a lot of attempts to hone some unique tricks of your own, which is absolutely impossible in this on-the-spot competition. I suddenly broke through myself.

So Lin Dong did not choose to drink it, and drinking it would just be a waste.

You have to drink it when you really need it, you have to drink it when you are just one breath away from being sure to win, or you have to drink it when G7 is going to fight against the odds. Anyway, it is only 100 points.

Since entering the NBA, the 55 wins in the regular season have brought 2,750 points, and the 7 wins in the playoffs have brought 700 points, plus the remaining 355 points after buying the McDavid 2nd generation before.

After buying this bottle of stamina potion, I still have 3705 points left.

If there is no change in the situation until G7, then even if you know that the chances of winning are slim, you can still afford it.

Dudu~

The bell rang in the living room.

"Mr. Lin, your friend is here."

Lin Dong put the glass carafe in the drawer, and soon saw Sakuragi Hanamichi walking in with a worried look on his face.

"high……"

Before he could finish shouting "Brother Gao Ren", Lin Dong grabbed the pillow on the sofa and threw it at him, laughing and scolding: "Are you filming a romantic drama? Look at your bitter and hateful face. From the looks of it, people who don’t know better would think that you are shouldering the heavy responsibility of defending world peace or something like that.”

Sakuragi Hanamichi was startled, smiled bitterly, and seemed to be more relaxed.

He sat down across from the sofa and said, "Okay, brother Gao Ren, please stop teasing me. It's not like you don't know what I'm worried about."

He paused: "You have also seen the results of G3 and G4. I feel that I have done everything I have learned, but, it is of no use to O'Neal..."

"Then give up." Lin Dong looked at him with a smile on his face: "Listen to McMillan and give up rotating defense under the basket and rely entirely on stealing rebounds. Maybe the effect will be much better than now."

"You can't steal it, but you have tried it..." Sakuragi Hanamichi knew that Lin Dong was speaking sarcastically.

Rotating defense?

When Payton was still there, even if the Lakers' triangle offense was greater than the Sonics' rotational defense, at least they could still play back and forth. It was really worth a try at that time.

But when Payton is not on the court, the Sonics lack the soul of defense and the core of offense, and they can no longer play run-and-gun and rotation defense.

Now even McMillan has not mentioned giving up the inside line, which is actually the same as committing suicide.

"Brother Takato, please teach me again!" Sakuragi Hanamichi looked into Lin Dong's eyes and said with great desire: "I think my understanding of Rodman's defense must be wrong. My understanding of basketball is still too high." It’s bad, but you are different, master brothers, I always feel that there is nothing in this world that you don’t understand, you must have a way for me to guard O’Neal!”

"You think so highly of me?"

"Uu..." Sakuragi Hanamichi pursed her lips speechlessly. Isn't this nonsense?

However, seeing Lin Dong's half-smiling expression, Sakuragi's eyes burned with anticipation again. He believed that Brother Gao Ren must have a solution!

But what he didn't expect was Lin Dong's denial.

"There is no way." Lin Dong said with a smile: "I told you when I gave you the video of Rodman. Rodman faced O'Neal who was less than 130 kilograms, and you faced Yes, but he is 145 kilograms, but he still maintains the flexibility of O'Neal!"

"Let's put it this way, the current O'Neal and the O'Neal in the 1996 season seem to have the same statistics, but in terms of defensive difficulty, the current Sharks are undoubtedly much more difficult to defend than before, even if Rodman, who was at his peak back then, is here. , and can no longer replicate his own feats."

After just a few words, Sakuragi Hanamichi's face turned pale: "Then..."

"Then why did I show you their videos?" Lin Dong said with a smile: "I should have said it from the beginning, just for you to learn from, right?"

"I'm not a center. My inside skills, when they were at their peak, might be able to beat all Japanese inside players, but you have to understand that there are specialties in the art industry..."

"At the NBA level, my inside theoretical skills are not worth mentioning at all. If you ask me to teach you how to deal with O'Neal, then you are really looking for the wrong person. You might as well make a phone call and ask the boss. Where’s Earl!”

"I can't give you any technical or theoretical support or help. Even... I think you have learned more from the video than me. Your understanding of the inside line is already better than mine."

"Your pre-reading of O'Neal's movements, your understanding and application of blocking positions and some small movements have improved so much compared to before these two games, but you just didn't realize it."

Sakuragi Hanamichi was slightly startled.

"Why do you think McMillan didn't even think about replacing you after you lost two games in a row? Just because of your humble begging? Just because of my support?" Lin Dong said with a smile: "No, it's him. I see progress and infinite possibilities from you.”

"But I just can't stop him, I feel powerless..."

Sakuragi Hanamichi's fists were clenched tightly, and his body was shaking slightly from the exertion, but he could not hide the frustration on his face and the fear of O'Neal in his heart.

Lin Dong stared at him for a long time until Sakuragi Hanamichi gradually calmed down.

"Technical theory, I can't give you any help." Lin Dong said calmly: "If you must ask me to say something, maybe..."

"First, no one has ever asked you to shut down O'Neal like Rodman in the video. That was something that even the peak Rodman couldn't do. My demand is very simple. Can you start from He grabbed 1/3 of the rebounds over his head, and if you can make him worry, make him feel troubled, and make him distracted, that's enough."

Sakuragi Hanamichi was stunned.

"Second, I hate your current state." Lin Dong said with a smile: "You look bitter and resentful all day long, as if you have become a tragic character and carry a lot of baggage. You used to be fearless. Where is the guy who was not afraid of the ground and who once simply loved basketball?"

Sakuragi Hanamichi was slightly startled.

"Anger and so-called determination can give you a certain amount of power, but that power is limited. It can only allow you to reach your own limits. At the same time, it is also a poison. It will limit your upper limit and will release it. At the same time, it also puts a lock on your heart, which in turn becomes a burden and burden to you. With this, you will never be able to beat O'Neal."

"Only true love and purity can make you omnipotent." Lin Dong smiled and patted him on the shoulder: "That's all I can say. I have to prepare for tomorrow's G5, which is nothing more than a dozen Just five.”

"As for you, you still have a whole day today. You can adjust yourself and find your pure love for basketball again. Maybe that's worth looking forward to!"

It sounds lighthearted, but only Lin Dong knows in his heart that when Payton is unable to return, only Sakuragi Hanamichi is the only support he can possibly get.

Only when this guy really breaks through his limits and can compete with O'Neal in the paint, plus he has the physical potion, will it be possible to lead the Sonics to defeat the Lakers.

However, seeing the boy's brows furrowed when he left, as if he was trying to understand what he said, Lin Dong knew that he didn't really understand.

It seems that it is difficult to expect him to understand these philosophical words on his own.

Headache……

Lin Dong sighed, thought for a long time, finally picked up the phone and made an international long distance call.

"Hello?" A refreshing and sunny girl's voice came from the phone: "Hello? Who are you?"

The mood that was affected when I saw that guy with a "scowl" and "bitter hatred" disappeared in an instant with this cheerful voice.

Lin Dong laughed, with a relaxed face: "Hi, long time no see, I'm Lin Dong!"

…………

May 6, 8:30 pm, Key Arena, Seattle.

In the locker room, the SuperSonics players have already changed their jerseys.

Returning from the away game to the home court, there should have been a quite proactive change in momentum, but unfortunately, we could not see the rebound in morale from everyone's faces, nor could we even see their excitement.

How excited?

Payton has already determined that he will not play in this game. Without Payton's supersonic speed, just relying on a sharp sword like Lin Dong can neither completely pierce the Lakers' shield nor resist the Lakers' overwhelming force. Wanjun's heavy ax attack.

Several of the main players are newcomers, and even the bench is mostly composed of first- and second-year newcomers. The obvious lack of strength in each position makes it impossible to see the slightest chance of winning.

Various football commentators and media have previously given predictions for the SuperSonics G5, with a high probability of losing this game by about 20 points.

So what about returning home?

That was just being pushed to the ground and rubbed hard by others in front of the hometown fans.

As Lin Dong had thought before, Sakuragi Hanamichi did not understand the true essence and power of what he said yesterday. Instead, he seemed even more confused than yesterday.

——Even if Rodman at his peak comes, he still can't block O'Neal.

——I can’t give you any technical or theoretical help.

——The power of anger, the so-called determination, the so-called dream, the so-called purity...

These things had almost become a mass of mush in his mind. The more he thought about it, the more confused he became, and the more he thought about it, the less he knew what to do.

And his despair made the already depressed team atmosphere become even more depressed.

In fact, no one has noticed that although Hanamichi Sakuragi is not the absolute core of the team, he has used his optimism and carelessness throughout the season to invisibly affect the atmosphere of the entire team, and this influence, To a certain extent, they actually have no less impact on the team than Payton and Lin Dong.

Because this guy is always making jokes and laughing, when the rest of the team is in trouble, as long as they see this carefree guy laughing, who is not afraid of embarrassment, they will always feel better involuntarily and feel better. 'Tsk, look, even this guy can laugh! Huh...thinking about it this way, the situation is actually not that bad after all’!

But once even Sakuragi Hanamichi fell into confusion and silence.

But everyone can't help but think, 'Look, even this simplest guy knows that he is hopeless! It’s definitely over! ’

At this time, Sakuragi's face was thoughtful and silent, which undoubtedly made the team's already low morale worse.

——Look! Now even the most heartless one can no longer be optimistic.

Therefore, even if Payton is on crutches and standing in the middle of the locker room with great arrogance and cheering everyone up, it can only give everyone a feeling of "standing and talking without pain in the back" and not being able to boost their energy. .

"Sakura, come out and help!" Lin Dong shouted at the door of the locker room.

"Ah?" Sakuragi Hanamichi, who was frowning and pretending to be a thinker, subconsciously stood up and walked out: "What are you doing?"

"Victory cigars and champagne prepared for everyone!" Lin Dong said boldly at the door: "Put it in the locker room first, and we will open it when we win this game!"

Everyone in the locker room couldn't help laughing.

This is indeed a morale booster, but... aren't there many staff there? Was it because Sakuragi was too nervous and asked him to do some exercise?

Sakuragi said "Oh" and hurried out of the room, only to see Brother Takato had already walked in. Outside the long and narrow corridor of the locker room, there was only a thin guy dragging a big box. It looked like It looks very strenuous.

Sakuragi didn't have time to think about it, and subconsciously walked over in two big steps.

"Where are the other staff? Why are you alone?" Sakuragi Hanamichi muttered: "Okay, okay, I'll do it!"

But the thin guy didn't answer him, and even seemed to have forgotten to move.

"Hello?" Sakuragi Hanamichi felt strange and turned to look at him.

But the next second...

Bo!

But when he turned around, the thin guy suddenly kissed him quickly on the face.

"Ah?" Sakuragi Hanamichi was startled, almost stunned: "Ahhh! You...you, you, who are you?!"

Who is this!

How dare you kiss him? Haruko hasn’t even been kissed yet!

Sakuragi Hanamichi felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar instantly, his whole body was shaking with coldness, and he almost wanted to cry.

It’s over, it’s over! I am no longer clean! I am no longer good enough for Haruko! Own……

But as soon as this thought came out, it was cut off in an instant.

Only with the faint light in the corridor, he could see clearly that when the thin figure turned his head, what was revealed was a face that made Sakuragi Hanamichi miss him day and night.

"I don't know how I can help you..." Her face was also red at this time: "I originally thought of a lot to say, but..."

This is……

Haruko!

Sakuragi Hanamichi's face, which originally turned white with anger, was instantly filled with blood and became filled with surprise.

The person who took the initiative to kiss me just now was actually Haruko? !

Oh my God……

At this moment, even the boxing champion in the hospital, Payton on crutches, and the earnest Takato brother disappeared from Sakuragi's mind.

What about the playoffs, what O'Neal, what surpassing oneself... everything disappeared in this moment, and the whole world seemed to have returned to the most beautiful and innocent time.

This is...the feeling of first love.

It was as if I had entered the most beautiful fairy tale in the world, walking in the romantic green field that everyone had imagined in their childhood, with the empty blue sky above their heads, the green grass under their feet, and facing the man in white. , she smiled sweetly.

He looked at Haruko Akagi in surprise and joy, and Haruko finally recovered from the impulsive scene just now.

In fact, as early as in the Hidaka League, when this guy shouted to her, "I like it the most," Haruko already understood the feelings between herself and that guy.

Even after Sakuragi settled in Seattle, she came several times, and the people around her were encouraging her, but the two of them never broke through the last layer of window paper.

During this period of time, when she saw Sakuragi being nervous and tangled in the game on TV, and seeing the guy being sad, Haruko felt that she was also very sad, so much so that she couldn't read at all during this period, but she couldn't. Dare to call Sakuragi easily for fear of affecting his self-esteem, which made Haruko very troubled during this period.

Until yesterday, Lin Dong called and bought her a ticket to fly to Seattle that night.

Until Lin Dong told her that the guy had walked into the quagmire. At this time, someone needed to pull him out, not necessarily from the basketball level, but at least hoping to help him return to his former purity and let him get rid of all the baggage.

Haruko suddenly felt extremely relaxed.

Because she found a way to help Sakuragi.

From that moment on, Haruko suddenly understood that her emotions had long been tied to that guy.

Sooner or later, this layer of window paper will be broken. Since the big wood won't open, then you can open it yourself.

"Sakuragi!" She smiled sweetly, then took the initiative to hug Sakuragi Hanamichi's waist, and said shyly and sweetly: "Let's date!"