Zhang Yang thought back to Pietrus’s profile and felt that this teammate’s injury might indeed be due to increased playing ti. Early in the season, Pietrus averaged only 15 or 16 minutes per ga. Mike Miller and Hill were the main backups at the three and four positions.
Millsap was injured, and Ibaka nearly got injured. He had discussed this with Felton before, and they both thought it was because of the sudden increase in their ga intensity.
Millsap used to play as a backup, and during this season’s training camp and preseason, he was preparing to be a backup. But unexpectedly, he was put into the starting lineup. Although he played well, the opponents he faced were stronger than those in the second lineup, making it undoubtedly more tiring.
Ibaka’s transition from La Liga to the NBA already significantly increased the difficulty of the gas. Before, he played only 8-11 minutes each ga, entering as the third power forward and often facing the opponent’s weakest power forward, relying on athletic ability and cut-in awareness to score.
Recently, he was suddenly put into the starting lineup, and problems arose.
When Ibaka played against the Hornets, he attempted to dunk over Chandler, but Chandler anticipated the move and positioned himself. Ibaka attempted the dunk but couldn’t get past Chandler, fell, and his knee hit the floor. He was substituted imdiately, though the pain subsided after a while. He continued to play in the second half, logging 24 minutes in total, scoring 8 points with 8 rebounds. The post-ga X-ray showed no issues... but issues such as inadequate ability to take on the role and inexperience still need attention.
Zhang Yang understood the situation and jokingly said to Bikstaff: "Our general manager doesn’t quite seem like a good guy! Spreading the injury risk to outside players... Boss, forgive for my evil general manager."
Felton heard this, laughed, and scolded Zhang Yang, then said: "Didn’t you say it yourself? There is no absolute fairness in this world. This gives those players who find it hard to land jobs a chance! If he makes it on our team, that’s a rare opportunity to compete for the championship!"
This boss sure learns these odd things quickly!
Zhang San rembered that he seed to say sothing similar when discussing how Brad Miller was forced to play as a backup with resentnt but never complained...
No matter, it’s a good thing that the chubby boss has this mindset. It’s alright to have a motherly heart and set strict demands on oneself, but one shouldn’t be a sanctimonious hypocrite demanding what they can’t achieve themselves, especially concerning matters of personal interest. Bikstaff’s suggestion is undoubtedly beneficial for the Bobcats team.
Zhang Yang changed the topic and said: "During the preseason, we kept looking for a third point guard, never expected to eventually sign a forward."
Felton didn’t feel anything was wrong with the abrupt topic change and responded: "Yes, Jarett’s style is too hard. Every attack goes to the end. Although very imposing, it always seems worriso to watch. I didn’t think he would remain so healthy."
Zhang Yang: "Uh, boss, you should worry about yourself. Jarett hasn’t been injured once since joining our team, and you have been injured for almost a month."
Felton shivered, his speech quickened: "Oh right, he is a starter killer! I better concern myself. Wait, could it be that the search for the third point guard was not to guard against Jarett getting injured, but against ? No, Jack, wait for at the parking lot. I’m going to offer incense to the god of wealth first! The god eats lunch first!"
...
On January 8th, after two days of rest, the Bobcats welcod the 34th day of the regular season ga.
In the morning pre-ga eting, Carlisle introduced the new team mber—Juwan Howard.
Yesterday afternoon, the Bobcats officially announced the signing, a 10-day short contract trial period. Few paid attention, and it wasn’t even on the sports website hopage.
Juwan Howard was no longer the millionaire he used to be. Last season he was sent to the Mavericks in a trade and played in all 50 gas after joining, but averaged only 7 minutes per ga, appearing mainly during ga transition periods or in garbage ti, averaging just 1.1 points and 1.6 rebounds per ga. However, with a high salary of 6.88 million last season, and an even higher 7.38 million this season... then last sumr, he was amnestied by the Mavericks using the Houston provision to reduce luxury tax expenses.
During the offseason, Juwan Howard had been seeking to join a championship-contending team, but there were no takers. Finally, he had to settle for less and joined the Hawks, also on a non-guaranteed contract. Before Christmas, the Hawks, before the agreed contract guarantee date, cut him. His stats looked okay, averaging 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds, but his average playing ti reached 18 minutes with only a 38% shooting percentage, so even when the mid-season talk about the basketball team Bobcats signing Juwan Howard, it didn’t catch much attention... even the Bobcats fans didn’t think it was a noteworthy signing.
Tonight’s opponent is a tanking team, and the pre-ga eting ended quickly. The pre-ga training involved Juwan Howard running through a couple of tactical drills.
After the team training, most players chose to rest. Zhang Yang was about to practice his regular moving step-back threes, but on his way to the small training court, he saw his new teammate practicing catch-and-shoot long twos. He paused to watch for a while...
31, 32, 33...67, 68...75, 76.
Zhang Yang counted 76 shots, all made!
He looked toward the board where the trainer had recorded Juwan Howard’s series of full-intensity catch-and-shoot long two-point shots, from 5 angles, 20 shots from each angle, totaling 100 shots, all made! The first 24 shots he hadn’t seen were also made!
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