Chapter 823: Substitute MVP

After staying in Los Angeles for a day, Li Liang flew back to the Russian city by plane.
On the 22nd, the Thunder will face the Houston Rockets at home.
Within Thunder, the debate about whether to hit the best record in history is still ongoing.
The Thunder's schedule is generally easy to come after difficult, opponents are relatively weak in the first half of the season.
After the All-Star Game, the Thunder faced more and more powerful players, and more and more away games.
Fortunately for the current value, the team's health is still very good, there are no major injuries.
However, minor problems continue to occur, Westbrook's knee, Durant's right foot, and other players, more or less, there will be some injuries.
As the uniform group, the biggest worry is that small injuries accumulate and become serious injuries, which ultimately affects the playoffs.
This is what no one wants to see, because the playoffs are the ultimate pursuit of a season.
Donovan, Mike Brown, and Presti also sat together to discuss after returning to Russia.
Presti believes that the team still has to stand on its own feet. The regular season has more than a month. If they want to compete for the best record in history, they can only lose two games.
I only lost two games in a month, and the pressure is really huge.
"I don't think we should pursue it deliberately, let's just follow the nature of the players and play normally."
Donovan's ideas are more conservative, he feels that it is best to give players a rest in the final rounds.
Even from now on, it can already be considered to further reduce the main players' playing time.
"At the beginning of the season, I reduced the playing time of Durant and Westbrook. If necessary, it can be further reduced to 35 minutes, so that they will have more physical reserves in the playoffs."
Donovan is a college coach. The college team plays a tournament-style single scoring system, and has very high demands on the players' presence.
Therefore, Donovan attaches great importance to the overall state of the players in the playoffs, and he will definitely shorten the rotation and increase the playing time of the main players.
Donovan is a bit worried now, if the players continue to maintain a high-intensity game, will there be problems near the playoffs.
After all, this year's opportunity is indeed very good. The overall strength of the team is too strong. Only the Warriors are considered opponents, and the Cavaliers can only be said to be half opponents.
Mike Brown is still different, his ideas will always be different from the normal head coach, he is Li Liang's personal coach.
Of course, every time Brown made a comment, he didn't feel that he was protecting Li Liang, but that he had to send him to the fire to make him happy.
"Billy, I ask you a question. How is the team's health now?" Brown asked Donovan.
"There are no major injuries, but you know, small problems are always indispensable. Kevin's right foot, Russell's knee, Adams' elbow, the main force is more or less a problem for everyone." As the head coach You must know the health of the players under your opponent.
"You missed someone, Bruce, how do you like Bruce's health?" Mike Brown pushed his glasses and asked again.
Donovan pondered for a moment and looked at Presti. Presti shrugged, meaning you look at me, I'm the general manager, and I don't know much about the health.
"To be honest, I don't know much about Bruce's physical condition, anyway...I think Bruce never seems to have suffered any injuries?"
Indeed, from the beginning of entering the league to now, Li Liang, a magical guy, has not suffered any injuries.
At most, eat a radish on the finger or something, or some skin trauma.
Li Liang has always been very healthy with bones and soft tissues, especially important joints such as knees, elbows and ankles.
Four years into the league, he missed two games only because of a fight ban, the others are all on duty.
This is very similar to Westbrook, he was also an iron man, and his body has not been able to work for the past two years.
Mike Brown said: "Yes, Bruce's body is very healthy, and I can guarantee that most of the games this season, he did not do his best. He can sell more of his fuel tank, not letting him play more games. It's a waste! And, you have to know that if you win the championship this season, he won't know where to go next season. For him, don't use it sparingly."
If Li Liang hears Mike Brown, it is estimated that he will blow up his head.
Are you so concerned about caring for your proud disciples?
Lao Tzu took you to the South and North Wars to get three feelings, you just "sell" me?
Mike Brown is certainly not betraying Li Liang, but this season he feels that Li Liang is in the Thunder and his performance is limited.
His overall ability has clearly improved, but he hasn't had many opportunities to play.
Mike Brown looks anxious!
But Li Liang didn't seem to be in a hurry at all.
The point is that he usually comes to training on time and is very active and on time, not late and absent.
This makes Mike Brown more anxious, not normal!
When he was late for absence, it was when Li Liang's strength improved the most.
Now he participates in training normally, this strength is only maintained, no progress.
Can Mike Brown be in a hurry?
And Donovan and Presti listened to Brown's words and felt very reasonable.
Especially Presti, if he knows to win this season, he will definitely not be able to retain Li Liang next season.
Therefore, this season, Li Liang's value should be well squeezed out. Whether it is the regular season or the playoffs, he should maximize his role.
In the regular season, Li Liang's ability was used to impact the best regular season record, and in the playoffs he was used to impact the championship.
The eyes of the three people touched each other, and the idea was really great.
However, Li Liang did not know that he had been "sold out."
...
On the evening of March 22, the Houston Rockets challenged the Thunder in the regular season.
This is the third time the two sides have fought this season. The first two Thunders won.
The Rockets are currently ranked fifth in the league, one win behind the Lakers, which is the Rockets' most familiar ranking.
Fourth and fifth, a ranking of high to low, the most intense and difficult to play in the first round of the playoffs.
Win the delamination, lose and be blamed
In the summer, the Rockets introduced Dwight Howard and invited the super-slipping center to the team at a considerable cost.
This league is no longer an era of centers, and Howard has not met the expectations of Houston fans.
Although his performance is still at the All-Star level, providing the Rockets with reliable rim protection and rebounds.
However, he was very lame during the offense, and his offensive efficiency was low in the low post. He still liked to ask for a single in the post.
As long as Howard singles, the opponent's defense can be relaxed.
Just shoot a big center and watch it one-on-one. No one else needs to do anything. Wait for the rebound.
Pinch? Around? If it doesn't exist, it's up to you to beat us.
During Howard's peak period, he didn't rely on his own strength to kill his opponent with an offensive attack, and now it is even worse.
The game will be on time at 7pm.
Tonight Thunder wore a white short-sleeved jersey, which is the new short-sleeved jersey that the league is currently pushing.
However, Thunder's jersey design has always been awkward, this white short-sleeved jersey is too white, there is no decoration.
Li Liang felt like he was wearing a thermal underwear and went to the game.
How can it be so worn?
Coupled with Li Liang's ugly blue knee pads, elbow pads, wrist braces, it is really ugly.
Fortunately, he did not bring the anti-hair loss hair to wear, otherwise this equipment must be vomited.
Thunder's still unchanged ~EbookFREE.me~ Collison debuted as a power forward.
The Rockets are center Howard, power forward Motel Yunus, small forward Ariza, guards James Harden and Beverly.
Li Liang was sitting on the bench as usual to start a game, he is quite used to it now.
The game was about to start, and Mike Brown suddenly came over and said, "Bruce, do you want another MVP?"
Li Liang looked at the question mark, "Why do you ask that, Mike."
Li Liang felt that Mike Brown was getting stranger recently, and he always asked some strange questions.
Mike Brown said: "I think you have a chance to get another MVP as a substitute. This is unprecedented."
Mike Brown said this, Li Liang suddenly got so moved.
It seems that I have never considered this issue before.