178 Preseason Starts

In his previous life, Zhang Jun was also a fan of Taylor Swift. He could play and sing most of Taylor Swift's songs. For this reason, he went to college to learn piano. He didn't dare to talk about other songs, but he could definitely play Taylor Swift's songs very well. Play and sing easily.

Taylor Swift on the side was a little petrified. He looked at Zhang Jun and said, "Can you play my song?"

"This song was only released this month, and most of the band besides me don't know how to play it yet."

Zhang Jun nodded affirmatively, then hummed and said: "I was sitting in the passenger seat with a mess of hair on my head. He was holding the steering wheel with one hand and my heart with the other..."

Although Zhang Jun's singing is average, he is obviously very familiar and sophisticated when singing this song. Each syllable and tone is extremely accurate and rhythmic.

Taylor Swift's mouth opened slightly in shock.

Xia He couldn't help but look at Zhang Jun in surprise and said, "I've known him for so many years, but I didn't know he had such a function."

Diana also refreshed her understanding of Zhang Jun again and said: "Suddenly I feel that he is not so annoying anymore."

The concert begins.

Zhang Jun made the final appearance as an invited guest.

During the last song, Zhang Jun played the piano and Taylor Swift sang passionately in the center of the concert wearing a white mesh dress.

The entire fan atmosphere was completely pushed to the highest point.

...........

In September, Zhang Jun watched the 2008 Olympic Games at home. Kobe Bryant, who was participating in the China trip, was also selected to fight with the US team.

In October, the Trail Blazers opened training camp, which meant that the new season was about to begin. Zhang Jun also reported to the team on time and met his new teammates.

This year’s Trail Blazers lineup is Steve Blake, Sergio Rodriguez, Brandon Luo Yin, Rudy Fernandez, Zhang Jun, Nicolas Batum, James Jones, LaMarcus Aldridge, Channing Fletcher, Josh McRoberts, Joel Przybilla, Reeve LaFrentz.

After conducting team training, Nate McMillan quickly re-adjusted the team's starting lineup and important rotations.

Point guard Steve Blake, backup point guards Sergio Rodriguez and Steve Francis.

Shooting guard Brandon Luo Yin, backup shooting guard Rudy Fernandez.

Small forward Zhang Jun, substitute small forward Nicolas Batum and James Jones.

Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, substitute power forwards Channing Fletcher and Josh McRoberts.

Center Joel Przbilla, backup center Reeve LaFrentz.

In team training.

Still a rookie, Nicolas Batum's eyes never left Zhang Jun for a second.

He watched Zhang Jun remind his teammates about their movements all the time on the court. When his teammates scored one goal after another, he would also applaud vigorously to cheer them up.

Even Batum himself couldn't help but want to score, and then received praise from Zhang Jun.

"Although the Trail Blazers are built with Zhang Jun, Luo Yin, and Aldridge as the core, it is obvious that the younger Zhang Jun is the leader and soul of this team."

Nicolas Batum has been exposed to basketball since he was 4 years old. Unlike most rookies this year, he has already played in a professional league.

In the French League, Nicolas Batum averaged 28 minutes per game, scored 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, and shot 52.3% from the field. He was called French Pippen by local fans.

In this year's draft, all scouts almost gave the same template, that is, Nicolas Batum and Batman Scottie Pippen.

Nicolas Batum is 20 years old this year. Strictly speaking, he is two months older than Zhang Jun, but at this time, Nicolas Batum is extremely worried about the locker room rules and rookie rules that he will encounter.

"Hey Nicholas, what are you doing standing here?"

"The training is over, go back to the locker room quickly."

Aldridge blinked his right eye and joked to Batum.

The other teammates around him were extremely happy at the moment. They all looked at Batum and said with a smile: "Man, go to the locker room quickly, don't stand here stupidly."

"Don't worry, there are no monsters in the locker room. You will know when you go and take a look."

"Haha, there are no monsters, there are still a few beasts. Batum, you'd better take a bath in advance."

"It's all a process and you have to get used to it."

Seeing his teammates laughing and enjoying the fun, Batum took a deep breath.

"Forget it, every rookie has this day anyway, just let them tease you."

"As the locals do, I have to quickly adapt to the NBA environment and rules."

After making up his mind, Batum packed up his equipment and walked directly to the locker room.

The teammates around him also ran towards the locker room in advance when they saw this scene. After seeing this scene, Batum, who had originally made up his mind, felt a little regretful.

Unlike these native Americans, he comes from France. In this unfamiliar place, he has no friends, no family, and no one to even talk to.

So this situation and scene make Batum feel very uncomfortable and worried now.

"Um?!"

In the blink of an eye, Batum realized that he had reached the locker room door too fast.

He mustered up the courage to raise his hand and knock on the door. After thinking about it, he put his ear to the door and listened carefully. After finding that it was eerily quiet inside, Batum swallowed again.

"Hello everyone, I'm Nicolas Batum from France and I'm happy to be your teammate."

Nicolas Batum opened the door to the locker room and quickly finished his prepared remarks in one breath with his eyes closed.

After not hearing anything for a long time, Batum opened his eyes. His teammates were all busy with their own things. Some were changing clothes, some were applying ice, and some were still practicing shooting movements.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Batum felt even more uncomfortable than being bullied by his teammates at the moment. He exhaled helplessly and walked towards his closet.

"oh!!!"

Batum only took two steps forward when Sergio Rodriguez and Steve Francis, who were standing on both sides, each held a bucket of ice water and poured it on Batum's head.

"Welcome to the NBA, kid!"

Francis said very arrogantly, and then glanced at the people beside him.

Steve Blake, Channing Fletcher, and Josh McRoberts dug out the ice water they had prepared in advance and joined the crowd.

Batum, who had just recovered, was once again attacked by ice water, and this time it was so cold that he screamed in pain and shouted omg.

"Welcome to the Trail Blazers, man."

Zhang Jun stretched out his hand, and Batum also stretched out his hand. The two shook hands and then stood up.

Luo Yin threw the towel behind him to Batum and said, "From now on, you belong to our big family. This is your wardrobe, next to mine."

Batum wiped his body and nodded repeatedly.

Aldridge suggested: "I think we should go out to eat something tonight before the season starts."

Batum immediately nodded sensibly and said, "Let me take everyone out for a meal. What do you recommend?"

Zhang Jun patted Batum on the shoulder and said, "You don't have to worry about this. There is an old guy who bullies you and will pay for this party."

"That guy also has a lot of money."

Francis came over, high-fived Batum and then said with a flat mouth: "This is my apology for teasing you. Let's go out and have fun together tonight!"

.........

After the training camp, Diana immediately took Zhang Jun to complete the filming and signing of several sets of endorsement ads. After completion, Zhang Jun couldn't help but look at the system immediately.

【Zhang Jun——10】

【Height 202】

[Speed ​​94 Strength 58 layups 85]

[92 close shots, 88 mid-range shots, 75 long shots]

[Dunk 78 Pass 75 Control 80]

[Defensive 78 rebounds, 69 blocks, 78 shots]

[Confrontation 80 bounce 80 sprint 79]

[Motion burst 82 Ability to stay in the air 81 Physical function 93]

[Gold Coins: 2800]

【equipment:

Mercury Boots: Speed ​​increased by 4 points, skill toughness (reduces shooting and layup penalties by 5% when breaking through, encountering confrontations and invasive fouls).

Enchanted Prototype Belt: Skill Flame Dash (The speed of the first step is explosively increased, and the first step can force a breakthrough step without slowing down, making the breakthrough action more confusing.)

Sunfire Cloak: Confrontation increased by 4 points, defense increased by 4 points, skill sacrifice (opponent will suffer 2 times the confrontation damage and confrontation penalty when defending closely or applying physical confrontation)]

【Skill:

Drifter (passive): While moving on the court, fighting spirit will be accumulated. The faster the speed, the more obvious the improvement in fighting spirit. When the speed reaches a certain level, physical confrontation will be increased by 10% and layup penalties will be reduced by 10%. (Can be upgraded, get additional promotion at full level)]

[Step forward (full level): The first step is to break through and accelerate to obtain a 5% movement burst, and after passing others, the speed is increased by an additional 5%. Full-level skill: Death is like the wind (the first step of breakthrough acceleration will break through the limits of body structure and function, increase speed by 5%, increase movement burst by 5%, and increase sprint ability by 5%]

[Zhan Gang: The ability to shoot close and mid-range shots is increased by 5 points, and the penalties for poor shooting movements are reduced by 50% when shooting at mid-range and close ranges. It can be used in conjunction with the skill Step Ahead. Full-level skill: Facing the strong wind (the deceptiveness of the breakthrough action is once again increased, and at the same time, 1 point of speed, 5 points of close throw and mid-range throw abilities are added]

"Last season, including training with Kobe, they all deliberately let me take three-pointers, which also prevented me from helping the Trail Blazers go further."

"Now is the time to address this issue."

Zhang Jun looked at the gold coins, and countless LOL equipment immediately appeared in front of him. He looked directly at one of the equipment without hesitation, and then confirmed.

Rapid-fire artillery: speed increased by 2 points, movement burst increased by 2 points, long-range shooting ability increased by 5 points, skill marksman (long-range shooting distance expanded to two meters beyond the three-point line, long-range shooting ability increased by an additional 5 points when shooting in an open position. Note: When there is no defensive player three meters in front of you, you are in an open shooting state.)

"In this way, my three-point shooting ability has been directly improved to 80 points, which is already slightly higher than the league average."

"And I also gained the ability to be within the shooting range from two meters away from the three-point line. My three-point threat will be even more terrifying."

.........

October 8th.

NBA preseason begins.

In the first three games, Zhang Jun did not get a chance to play. Luo Yin and Aldridge led the team to find touch on the court.

Luo Yin played casually and scored 14 and 18 points in the two games respectively.

Aldridge also played two games, scoring 8 points and 16 points respectively.

Neither player played more than 20 minutes in each game, and coach Nate Mike Miller was working on the newcomers throughout.

Game 4.

On the CCTV commentary desk, Yu Jia said: "In the first three games, the Trail Blazers did not activate Zhang Jun on the player list, which resulted in many of our fans not seeing Zhang Jun play."

"But tonight, Zhang Jun is already on the team's roster, but I just don't know when he will play."

Su Qun also looked forward to it and said: "In the past, when rookies experienced their first offseason, they would try every means to make up for their shortcomings in the NBA last season."

"After all, most of these players played in the college league before, and they were suddenly promoted to the professional league, or a stage like the NBA. It is inevitable that they will be a little uncomfortable."

"Hey, although Zhang Jun was very adaptable to the NBA last season and didn't look like a rookie at all, he also exposed some problems and shortcomings on the court. I believe he must have done something for himself this offseason. Promote.”

"It's just the effect of the improvement that remains to be verified in the game. This is also the significance of the preseason."

"Otherwise, there is no need for coach Nate McMillan to let Zhang Jun appear on a stage like the preseason."

On the court.

As expected, Zhang Jun was not in the Trail Blazers' starting lineup. Although Su Qun and Yu Jia had expected this, they were still quite disappointed after it was confirmed.

The Trail Blazers' starting lineup is Steve Blake, Rudy Fernandez, Nicolas Batum, Channing Fletcher and Joel Przybilla.

The starting lineup of the opposite Rockets is Aaron Brooks, Carl Landry, Kyle Lowry, James White and Chuck Hayes.

The game begins.

The Trail Blazers played an eagle loop from the bottom line. Steve Blake scored and passed the ball to Channing Fletcher from the outside. The latter made a steady three-pointer.

Su Qun said: "Although the three core players of the Trail Blazers are not on the court, the Trail Blazers' offensive tactics are still very smooth. This team is a team with a mature offensive system."

"They are good at combining inside and outside, they are good at playing high-definition shots from the outside, and their three-point shooting is also at the league's top level."

Hearing this, Yu Jia laughed and said: "It is estimated that the person with the worst three-point shooting ability in the entire Trail Blazers team is Zhang Jun."

"Last season Zhang Jun averaged less than 2 three-pointers per game. He only took 107 shots throughout the season and hit 35 of them, with a shooting rate of less than 33%."

"Although the shooting percentage is not very eye-catching, the number of shots taken is too few and the sample is not sufficient. Generally speaking, in the playoffs last season, Zhang Jun's three-pointer was a point that most teams were willing to let go. "