Chapter 19 Duel
After opening with boring trash talk, this much-anticipated duel finally began.

In order to show his magnanimity, Fat Monk took the initiative to give the ball to Zheng Yang. The latter did not refuse. He said that he was a rookie, so what was wrong with taking advantage of the ball?
This makes perfect sense!

Before the game starts, let's talk about the player Fat Toutuo. As a rookie in 96, Fat Toutuo averaged 20+10 per game in his second year as a rookie. He was later selected to the All-Star team three times. He has good offense and defense, and can be regarded as a high-quality power forward.

Of course, he also has many shortcomings. The first is that his offensive state is unstable. He is often like Paul George, who is great in one game and terrible in others.

His three-point shooting percentage is average but he is very obsessed with shooting three-pointers. His three-point shots in the 01-03 season led the league. When reporters asked him why he was so obsessed with three-pointers, the guy replied: "Because there is no four-point shot"!
In addition to his poor three-point shooting, his finishing ability at the basket is also average. In the past two years, his shooting percentages from all positions within the three-point line were below the league average. Now it is better, and the shooting percentages in some areas have increased.

But compared to excellent strikers, it is still a little bit worse.

Generally speaking, this type of player is suitable to be the second or third in command of the team. You can give him a certain amount of ball rights, but you cannot rely too much on him in offense because he cannot handle so much ball rights.

Then let’s see what kind of performance Zheng Yang can perform when facing this All-Star player.

Zheng Yang played the first ball very cautiously, always reading the opponent's defense.

After a brief test, Zheng Yang first did two hip thrusts, then took a step to the right front, and Fat Monk quickly came up to him.

But Zheng Yang suddenly turned his hips and accelerated. He had just turned 18 years old and had not gained much weight yet, but his explosive power in the first step was definitely among the best in the league.

Although Fat Monk claimed that he could defend from the first position to the fourth position, being able to defend did not mean he could defend well. He was originally slower than Zheng Yang. In addition, he was contemptuous and did not defend seriously. At this moment, he was directly passed by Zheng Yang in one step.

He was thinking about grabbing Zheng Yang to make a foul, but when he stretched out his hand he grabbed nothing but air. Zheng Yang rushed directly to the basket and made a pull-up shot with ease.

1: 0!

"Hey, good shot! This guy is really fast, I think he's faster than me. I think we can pass him more fast break balls in future games."

Nash, who was watching the show off the sidelines, said with a smile that he liked the rookie more and more.

Before, I liked his calm temperament, but now I like the way he plays.

Passers like him like players like Zheng Yang who can play fast breaks the most!

Maybe because of the bet with Nash, Nowitzki hoped that Fat Monk could win the game, so he reminded him.

“It’s just the first ball.”

"I know, let's keep watching."

Nash didn't say much and continued smiling.

The fat monk on the field was a little embarrassed. He had just made a harsh statement and now he was slapped in the face. He was obviously the veteran, but why did it feel like he was always the one who got slapped in the face and bullied after meeting this rookie?

Seeing Zheng Yang preparing to hit the second ball, Fat Monk wanted to say some trash talk like he always did.

But thinking back to the previous scenes, I ended up not saying it out loud.

Forget it, let’s save some face for ourselves!
Stop looking for trouble!

But this time, Fat Monk was really serious. He could accept being scolded, despised, or even beaten by the other party...

However, I really can’t accept losing to the opponent in basketball!

Basketball is the thing that Fat Toutuo is most proud of in his life. It has changed his life and changed his life!

Everything he has now comes from basketball, and he will never allow himself to be defeated by a rookie in this regard!
Therefore, he was serious this time, sticking closely to Zheng Yang and confronting him physically to prevent him from scoring easily.

Although Fat Toutuo is not a player known for his defense, his good physical talent and positive defensive attitude at the moment made Zheng Yang feel the pressure doubled.

He knew that it would not be so easy to break through this time, so in that case, he decided to find another way to score.

He is not a player like Simmons who has no shooting ability at all.

First, create space for the ball, then slowly dribble to the mid-range, keeping your eyes fixed forward.

Having just witnessed the opponent's speed, Fat Monk was worried that he would be overtaken again, so he kept half a step away to give himself time to react.

Seeing Zheng Yang suddenly accelerate to the right, Fat Monk quickly moved to catch up, but suddenly he saw the opponent make a quick stop and jump shot. Even though he had stretched out his hand, he was too far away from the opponent, and it was impossible to interfere.

He could only pray that the opponent had a bad touch and couldn't make the shot!
But this shot, which was no different from shooting training, did not put any pressure on Zheng Yang. In addition, he also had Curry's ultimate touch, so he made the two points steadily.

The current score is 2:0!

Just one ball and the opponent will win!
Fat Monk became a little upset. He even wanted to go up and discuss with Zheng Yang whether he could exchange the ball. As long as he was given a chance to touch the ball, the opponent would definitely not be able to defend him.

But he ultimately did not say such derogatory words. He was already embarrassed enough, and he did not want others to look down on him even more.

Besides, the game isn't over yet, he still has a chance!
As long as he can defend against the opponent in this round, the victory of this game will be back in his hands!
Almighty Walker, stop him, stop him for me!
You are the strongest man on the planet, you can do it!

At this moment, the audience in the stadium also began to get nervous. Zheng Yang had already scored two goals in a row, and he only needed the last one to shut out his opponent.

Shut out that bald All-Star!

Is such an incredible thing really going to happen in front of them?

People like Dachou and Erchou who had never seen the world even stood up directly, clenched their fists, waiting for Zheng Yang's final attack.

Nowitzki also frowned. No way! The team had finally found a helper for them, but he couldn't even defend against a rookie.

Are the players in the Eastern Conference so bad now? Even someone like Fatheaduo can make the All-Star team?

No way?
Zheng Yang was not nervous despite being watched by the whole audience. Perhaps there really are players who are born with a big heart and will not be nervous no matter what situation they encounter.

The closer it gets to the critical moment, the calmer you feel inside!
The more ruthless the attack will be!

And Zheng Yang is just such a player with a big heart!
You stinky bald guy who can't even talk trash, just shut your mouth from now on!
Suddenly, Zheng Yang rushed to the right like an arrow. The Fat Monk, who was in a highly nervous state, immediately rushed to his left. He was determined to defend against the opponent.

But Zheng Yang suddenly stopped and pulled the basketball back from behind. The fat monk who had already rushed in front of him accidentally stepped on Zheng Yang's foot. In addition, the latter had his left hand on his waist and exerted force lightly. The fat monk, whose center of gravity was unbalanced, fell down immediately.

From the perspective of the onlookers, Fat Monk was fooled by Zheng Yang. "Good shot!"

Da Chou on the sidelines shouted out immediately, and the others also widened their eyes.

Is this rookie so strong? He even knocked Fat Monk down? No wonder the coach wanted to pick him for our team. That's why!

Zheng Yang, who was not being defended, did not have butter hands and made a layup easily. Then he stood there holding the basketball, looking at Fat Monk with disdain.

I may not be as strong as you in your peak state, but so what? I won this duel! Hehe!
The fat monk who fell to the ground realized what had just happened, but he could tell from the expressions of Nowitzki and the others that they had misunderstood.

He quickly stood up and shouted.

"I wasn't knocked down, he pushed me. He pushed me."

He really wasn't knocked down!

But his explanation was so weak that everyone thought he was just making up an excuse to save face.

Fat Monk was so sad that he wanted to cry but had no tears. He quickly looked at Zheng Yang, hoping that he could stand up and tell the truth.

I was defeated by a rookie, I can't be labeled as being defeated by a rookie again!
But how could Zheng Yang help him clarify? He shrugged.

"Bald, now you can shut up!
Also, I really want to ask who selected you to the All-Star Game last year. Is the threshold for the All-Star Game so low now? "

He would not give up the opportunity to take advantage of someone's misfortune. Since the other party wanted to step on him, he had to be prepared to sprain his ankle.

Fat Monk was silent. He glanced at everyone, then lowered his head and walked aside.

Seeing that the show was over, everyone left without staying. Dachou and Erchou wanted to come up to celebrate with Zheng Yang, but they were afraid of being hated by Fat Monk, so they could only give a thumbs up from a distance.

Nash didn't have so many concerns. He walked up, patted Zheng Yang on the shoulder and said with a smile.

"You played well, but remember, we are a team, so don't take this little thing to heart."

He also didn't want Zheng Yang and Fat Tou Tuo to have a rift. After all, the team's goal this season was to win the championship, and he couldn't wait to win the first championship in his life.

We don't want this little conflict to cause problems in the team's locker room atmosphere.

Zheng Yang nodded.

"I know!"

"Okay, I'll be leaving first, you still have to stay and practice more.

Hey Dirk, where are you going? I haven't got my $100 back yet!"

Zheng Yang turned his head and looked at old Nelson again. The other person's face was calm and it was hard to tell whether he was happy or angry.

"Hey Walker, get up and practice more! You dare to quarrel in the team, this time I will teach you a lesson.

Don't even think about asking me for leave tomorrow for any reason, I won't agree."

Zheng Yang sighed, and started to accept the extra training from Old Nelson together with Fat Monk.

Since they are being punished, they naturally have to train their physical fitness. And what is the best way to train physical fitness in basketball? Of course, it is to run back and forth.

Only those who have run know how painful it is to feel as if your lungs are on fire.

Having said that, there are many aspects of the gap between China and the United States in basketball, one of which is scientific training methods.

At present, many high school coaches or college coaches in China train their players' physical strength by taking them to the playground for long-distance running. It is not that this method is useless, but it can only be said that it is very inefficient.

As mentioned before, basketball is a sport where your heart rate fluctuates, so if you want to improve your physical strength most efficiently, you need to simulate that state more often.

Long-distance running cannot simulate this state at all. Shuttle running is the most suitable. During the shuttle run, you need to continuously accelerate and sprint, then slow down and stop, and repeat this process, which is similar to the state on the basketball court.

Of course, it’s much more tiring than playing on the basketball court!

After all, you can walk around with your hands on your hips on the basketball court without returning to defend, but if you dare to do that in front of old Nelson, you'll have to practice ten more times.

"I can spend a whole day here with you!"

These are the exact words of Don Captain America Nelson!

As if he wanted to teach the two men a lesson, old Nelson showed no mercy. He did not do so until Zheng Yang's legs were so tired that they felt like they were filled with lead and he could no longer run. Only then did he announce the end with satisfaction.

Then he warned the two again that they were not allowed to take leave or be late tomorrow, and then left the stadium.

Zheng Yang just lay on the ground, gasping for breath, and he didn't even have the strength to move a finger.

After finally calming down, I realized that Fat Monk hadn't left yet. He was sitting alone on the sidelines with his head down, and no one knew what he was thinking.

He hasn't said a word since he lost to Zheng Yang. He looks like a man without a soul, without any energy at all.

He just practiced for so long, but there was no expression on his face.

Nothing will happen to this guy, right?
Zheng Yang felt a little guilty, so he walked up to Fat Monk and started talking to him.

"Walker, are you... okay?"

Fat Monk turned his head and looked at him without saying anything, then turned his head away again, but tears actually flowed down his face at this moment.

He tried to wipe them away in a hurry, but the tears on his face kept flowing more and more. In just a few seconds, his face was covered with tears.

The people of Zhengyang were stunned. Brother, you are a big man over two meters tall and you are dropping little pearls in front of me. You are making it very difficult for me to deal with it?

　Well, how should I put it? I want to make Fat Monk's character more interesting, so that the book will be more fun. I don't know if you like this treatment. If you think it is inappropriate, please forgive me.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)