The next game is against the Bobcats at home. There is no suspense before the game. The only highlight is the matchup between Milicic, the second overall pick in 2003, and Okafor, the second overall pick in 2004. Okafor is in the top three.
He averaged 12 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks per game, temporarily leading the rookie rankings. Therefore, the matchup between the two is also regarded as an inside matchup in the All-Star Rookie Game.
The Celtics have been in good spirits recently, and everyone is very relaxed. Before the game, Pierce even wore a suit and pretended to be Rivers, which caused bursts of laughter from the fans in the audience. Eddie Jones and Payton, two old guys, also
They were so excited that it wouldn't be a bad thing to play a game with a team like the Bobcats, at least they could play all 30 teams in the league before retiring.
Milicic looked at these two old guys and made some comforting remarks. Although he was just a rookie in the NBA, and both of them had been in the All-Stars and received tens of millions of annual salaries, he still felt that they were a little pitiful. Heroes always languish.
There was some desolation. Milicic smiled and hugged the two old guys and said: "You can't retire casually. Not only do you have to play all 30 teams in the league, I also want you to have a championship before you retire."
ring."
Milicic said it sincerely, and the championship is indeed the pain of Payton's life. Payton was really touched when he said this, but as a big brother, he couldn't show sensationalism, so he grinned widely and said
: "Dako, then I'll be waiting for you. Don't brag! I'm already very good at bragging, and I can't allow anyone to brag better than me. I will always be waiting in this team.
If you fulfill this sentence, even if I get a minimum salary, I will stay here and watch you."
Milicic thought that historically Payton would switch to the Heat and win a championship at the end of his career. If he had stayed here because of his appearance, he would have missed the Heat's championship.
, I really feel sorry for this old guy. Thinking of this, Milicic said to Payton: "No matter what, I owe you a championship. You keep your old arms and legs and retire in a few years."
, wait until I give you a championship back."
Pierce also heard Milicic's words. His words really made Pierce feel uncomfortable. Pierce thought that he was already 27 years old and his peak state could only be maintained for two or three years, and he had been in the league for so many years.
He has never even made it to the Eastern Conference finals, and even if he is an All-Star, he has not been fully recognized by others. Even second-rate players like Ricky Davis dare to covet his position. If Davis is with Kobe, Tracy McGrady
Does he dare to do this around him? Pierce remembers that the last time he aimed for a championship was when he just entered the league. At that time, the striker formed by him and Walker made people full of expectations. But after so many years, Walker has been abandoned, and he
The Celtics he led were only as good as the first round of the playoffs, and where were those rhetoric. Looking at Milicic, who was aiming for the championship, Pierce seemed to see himself back then. At that time, he told
You must never forget to aim for the championship at any time.
Thinking of this, Pierce gathered the players together and said: "This year is the strongest year for the Celtics that I have ever experienced. Maybe it is a little early to talk about the championship, but I want everyone to know that I
The goal of the team boss is to win the championship, not to qualify for the playoffs, not the second round, not the finals... What we want is the championship. As long as we have the desire for the championship in our hearts, then we will one day win.
successful."
Milicic looked at the future Finals MVP, and Pierce also looked at this young man who looked like himself when he first entered the league. They couldn't help but feel some sympathy for each other, and this is what Doc Rivers wanted to see.
Arrived.
In the game between the Celtics and Bobcats, the Celtics' lineup was point guard Gary Payton, shooting guard Tony Allen, small forward Eddie Jones, power forward Al Jefferson, center
Darko Milicic.
The Bobcats' starting lineup is point guard Brevin Knight, shooting guard Steve Smith, small forward Gerald Wallace, power forward Emeka Okafor, and center Primoz Bray.
Zeke.
After the opening, Milicic had the upper hand in the battle with Blazek. The ball fell into Payton's hands. The outside was organizing the attack, while Okafor on the inside was guarding Milicic.
Although Okafor weighs less than Milicic, based on his height, his quality is definitely better than Milicic. Milicic didn't even squeeze past him. I thought it would be an easy game against the Bobcats.
, now it seems that I really underestimated some NBA players.
Milicic was just a little-known figure before. In terms of his average data, it would be great if he was not relegated to the second-tier league. How could anyone deploy any defensive tactics against him? But now it is different. He is
There are many players who have never received such an honor in their lifetime as the NBA's Player of the Week. And with Pierce absent, the opponent naturally focused its defense on Milicic, which made Milicic start to feel uncomfortable.
Milicic did not want to get into a particularly good position. Payton did not dare to dribble rashly in front of Knight, a small steal master. In the first few games, Payton always encountered small men, such as Allen Iverson.
, Tinsley, Stoudemire, Knight, each one is shorter than the other, which makes Payton feel that playing point guard at his height is a bit outdated. What he is particularly afraid of when playing against small men is being beaten by others.
After stealing the ball, Payton didn't dribble much. He spotted an open space and passed it to Eddie Jones. Jones and Smith were probably stars at the same time, but Jones maintained his condition much better, and he passed Smith's ball in one step.
The old leg swung over and hit a pull-up jumper.
Fortunately, the shot hit. Milicic was stuck behind Okafor when Jones shot the shot just now, and he had no chance to grab a rebound.
Milicic didn't have any deep feelings on the defensive end. After Smith missed a mid-range shot, Milicic squeezed Blazek behind him and grabbed a defensive rebound, which finally calmed his mind.
Thinking of this, Milicic began to feel that someone like Pierce, who knew that he was the main offensive point and needed to be defended, could still average 20+ points per game. This seemed to be described as extremely talented.
After becoming famous, the first thing Milicic felt was not glory but trouble.
