The next day, the Celtics rushed to San Antonio, where they had a day of rest.
Then on the third day, their game against the San Antonio Spurs, the second of the top three Texas teams, began.
In this game, Lin Yu's opponent is the G in GDP, the demon swordsman Manu Ginobili.
Ginobili's playing style is very weird, relying on his brain to play, and this style happens to restrain Lin Yu's style.
In the first goal of the direct confrontation between the two, Manu was blocked by Lin Yu's strong defense and suffered a defeat.
In the next round, Manu immediately made a change, using a European step with his left foot first, shaking Lin Yu, and then scored.
In the next round, Lin Yu continued to defend Manu in the usual way, but Manu used a strange attack method to break the defense.
Lin Yu's defense was deflated for the first time since joining the NBA.
Manu made 6 of 10 shots and scored 14 points with a super high shooting rate of 60%.
The Spurs won this game, and the Celtics ushered in a two-game losing streak.
After this game, the Celtics rushed to Houston overnight...
"After two consecutive losses, our current record is 9 wins and 9 losses, and it has become a 50% winning rate..."
On the plane flying to Houston, Doc Rivers and his coaching staff talked about the recent two-game losing streak.
"The top three in Texas are still too strong. The Mavericks and the Spurs, which one is not the favorite to win the championship, have lost two games in a row... This record is not surprising."
Jim Bravo feels that he can still accept this two-game losing streak.
Rivers nodded: "I know, but we can't lose anymore. Once the winning rate falls below 50%, we will once again face the competition for playoff spots."
"So, in the next game against the Rockets, we must win and keep the winning rate at more than 50%."
In Houston, the Rockets' training day ended. Tracy McGrady left the training hall directly, taking several of his black followers with him.
"Tracy, are you sure you don't need to stay and practice for a while? Tomorrow is the 'China Derby', and it will be broadcast in China. That will be your opportunity to attract more Chinese fans."
A follower named Carl followed Maddie into the car and made a somewhat sad suggestion.
McGrady chewed gum and shook his head: "Karl, there's no need. Are you still worried about my status and performance?"
Karl moved his lips, he was really worried.
In the 05/06 season, McGrady was troubled by a back injury and his condition was not as good as before. There were many overturns in games. Fortunately, Yao Ming made significant progress and helped the Rockets withstand the pressure in certain games.
It was definitely not possible to speak directly, so Karl could only mention tactfully: "Tracy, I'm not worried about your state, I just hope you can perform a superb performance."
"You should know, Tracy, that the Chinese market is more important to us now than the American market. So far this year, we have received three endorsement contracts from the Chinese market, and each of them has been signed by an American company.
It’s twice or even more than that, which is a lot of money.”
"so……"
McGrady waved his hand and interrupted Karl: "I know, Karl, so I must pay attention to important events like the Chinese Derby."
After helping Karl finish this paragraph, McGrady still did not go back to practice more: "Don't worry, Karl, I have paid enough attention to tomorrow's game."
Secretly muttering: "I was not lazy in today's training. In the past, I would rest as long as I could. Isn't this enough attention..."
Karl still failed to convince McGrady. As a follower, he could only stop talking here.
"Okay, man, let's go, little Annie is still waiting for us in Katyusha!"
McGrady honked the horn twice, stepped on the accelerator, the engine roared, and the sports car under him suddenly jumped out.
The Celtics arrived in Houston in the evening. After checking into the hotel, the veteran players on the team began to make moves again.
Lin Yu put his luggage in the room and said hello to Bai Mamba.
"Old Bai, I have to go out tonight. If Doug comes to check the ward, help cover him."
White Mamba made an OK gesture: "no problem, little yellow (no problem, little yellow)."
There are several chain Yao restaurants in Houston, which specialize in Chinese food. Domestic media have done special reports before, thinking that they were opened by Dayao.
In fact, Yao Restaurant was jointly opened by Dayao's parents and several Chinese businessmen in Houston. Dayao's parents did not contribute a penny, only the word "Yao" was used.
The place where Yao Ming and Lin Yu met was at Yao Restaurant in the West City District of Houston.
Lin Yu took a taxi to Yao Restaurant. After entering, he was quickly led by the waiter and met Dayao in a small private room in the restaurant.
Dayao was very easy-going and did not act too aggressive. He stretched out his right hand towards Lin Yu: "Dayu, long time no see."
"Long time no see, Brother Yao." Lin Yu also extended his right hand, and the two shook hands. In comparison, Lin Yu acted a little reserved.
However, after the two sat down and talked about old times, Dayao began to praise Lin Yu from the front and side.
"Tell me, Dayu, how come you have improved so quickly and suddenly rushed from the end of the bench to the starting lineup?"
Lin Yu smiled: "It's nothing, I just work hard, practice hard, and then build a good relationship with those in the team, and then practice in a targeted manner, and that's how I got it."
Listening to Lin Yu's explanation, Dayao felt a little emotional again: "The NBA, the highest palace of basketball, is really good at training people. It's a pity that those little guys and old guys in China can't get out."
Lin Yu nodded in agreement. In his memory, the reason why the original owner of this body was able to get rid of the fetters of the domestic system was because the contract signed by this guy with the Sports Bureau was not rigorous and he spent a small amount of money to buy it.
After breaking up and giving some gifts, I easily got the opportunity to go abroad.
Other domestic players are not as lucky as Lin Yu, including Dayao, who has been submitting contributions to the General Administration of Sports every year so far.
A more profound example is Ryuji. After the treason incident in 2002, Ryuji has not been able to return to this day.
The two of them talked about it, and Dayao gave Lin Yu a thorough explanation: "The matter will be resolved soon. It will only take a few months. I will probably return to China."
"It would be nice to go back, but I'm afraid I can't think about it."
Lin Yu also lamented that the domestic system is sometimes a big restriction for athletes like them.
Lin Yu thought about Dayao becoming the chairman of the Basketball Association in the future. Perhaps, he could only count on Dayao in the future.
Lin Yu doesn't have the ability to play politics, but Dayao has shown some political talent. Whether domestic basketball players can easily break out of the system in the future depends entirely on Dayao.
"Tell me about the national team games next summer. This year there will be the Asian Championships and the Stankovic Cup. Will you go back to play?" Yao turned around and asked.
In terms of national team competition, Dayao is a bit envious of Lin Yu.
When Lin Yu left the system, he left the system relatively completely. He did not make any commitment to let the national team games be arranged by the Basketball Association. Therefore, Lin Yu would only return to China to participate in important games, and he would push for the rest of the games as he could.
Yao Ming is different. In order to go abroad, he made a promise that as long as it was a national team game, he would definitely return to China to participate in it, except for special circumstances such as injuries.
A more specific example is the year when Dayao entered the NBA. In order to compete with the national team, he did not even play in the NBA preseason.
Lin Yu has already considered the national team competition next summer.
"I will definitely not play in the Stankovic Cup. There is not much point in playing a warm-up match. It depends on the situation in the Asian Championships. If the Basketball Association insists on me going back, I will go back. If there is no such intention, I will go back."
It’s time to give yourself a holiday.”
Men's basketball national team games are not important as long as they are games within Asia, because the men's basketball team has no opponents in Asia.
When he reaches the World Championships, Lin Yu must participate. In the past, he may not have been able to play a role. Now, as long as he is not facing opponents like the United States and Argentina, he should be the world's top outsider.
"I think you should come back and play in the Stankovic Cup. Our opponents next year are not bad. Lithuania and Argentina will participate."
Dayao gave his suggestion, and Lin Yu touched his chin: "Is that so? Then I'll think about it again."
