Chapter 8: Evil always arises when one is brave

After the physical examination, the basic skills test will be conducted.

Xia Song has been observing Leiden's expression. He needs to evaluate Knicks' attitude towards He Zhongqiu from Leiden's attitude.

He is not worried about He Zhongqiu's physical fitness, but his basketball skills. Now he just hopes that the Knicks can see He Zhongqiu's potential.

Soon, everyone came to the training ground next door, where He Zhongqiu conducted a series of basic skills tests and inside technical tests.

He even did some one-on-one offensive and defensive training with several trainers. In these one-on-one training sessions, he performed well on defense, with two blocks and one steal.

"Jumping S, Speed ​​B, Agility B+, Balance B, Flexibility B-, Reaction S, Explosive Power S. Overall evaluation of athletic talent A."

"His passing and receiving skills are A, and his dribbling, footwork, and shooting are all amateur level."

"Comprehensive evaluation of basketball basics, amateur level."

"The shooting action is not standard, stiff and uncoordinated, and the touch is poor."

"The dribbling action is not standard, the dribbling speed is too slow, the basic skills are not solid, and it is easy to travel."

"When you get the ball, you don't have the habit of lifting it over your head, which makes it easy to make mistakes."

"The shot is slow after catching the ball, the offensive rhythm is slow, there are unnecessary technical moves, and the technical moves are not consistent, which makes it easy to be double-teamed."

"He lacks defensive skills and experience. But he has excellent shot blocking ability and steals well among centers. His ability to predict rebounds is OK, but he lacks the ability to box out."

"Offense, low post play D, facing the basket technique C, attacking the basket B, lack of technical moves in the interior."

“Basketball Skill Evaluation: Amateur Level.”

"Comprehensive evaluation 1: For a center, he has top-notch static talent and first-class dynamic talent. His talent is visible to the naked eye, but he is seriously lacking in basic skills and inside technique."

"Comprehensive evaluation 2: With the training of basic skills and inside techniques, he has the opportunity to become an excellent center, with an upper limit of Patrick Ewing and a lower limit of Marcus Camby."

"Suggestion: Take him down and train him as a potential player."

After the test, the Knicks' head trainer, Holme Lester, who is in his fifties, gave his assessment and suggestions.

From the numerous problems mentioned above, it was obvious that He Zhongqiu had not received any professional basketball training before, otherwise his basic skills and techniques would not be so poor. The information provided by the scout was wrong, and Reiden frowned as he looked at it.

Xia Song stared at Layden closely. If he couldn't stay with the Knicks, he planned to take He Zhongqiu to visit the Mavericks. He had some connections with the Mavericks' management. Since he came to the United States, he had to visit more places, otherwise he would waste the money for the round-trip air tickets.

There was no further change in Leiden's expression. He raised his head and looked away from the assessment, as if he was considering something.

"Scott..."

At this time, Don Cheney called Redden aside and suggested: "There is too little information about him, almost no data on the game, do you want to have a competition?
We have to look specifically at his offensive and defensive abilities, as well as his rebounding abilities, and even if we keep him, we will know how to develop him.”

"Is it necessary? His basic skills are so poor and he has no technique. What can we learn from the competition?" said Leiden.

"You don't plan to keep him? To be honest, his physical condition is too good, and there is no young center to train in the team now. Why not keep him?" Don Cheney said tentatively.

"No, I mean he's a rookie. What's important is his potential. Basic skills and techniques can be developed through practice. But if you want to arrange a training match, then go ahead. I have no objection."

Leiden nodded in agreement, and at the same time revealed an attitude to Tang Cheney that He Zhongqiu's current combat effectiveness is not important, what is important is his potential.

Don Cheney understood what Redden meant, that he wanted to keep this Chinese man.

Leiden did decide to keep He Zhongqiu, not only based on the advice of the head trainer, but also on his own considerations.

He Zhongqiu's basic skills and techniques did disappoint him, but now the Knicks not only have no center available, they don't even have a center prospect. No matter what, they have to catch He Zhongqiu, this talented young man, first.

Of course, he won't give too much in terms of the contract, but it won't be the base salary either. It will be about four or five hundred thousand dollars a year, a 1+1 contract.

Don Cheney quickly arranged a team training match, divided into two teams, red and white. The white team was the main force, but the main substitutes were mixed in. The white team had He Zhongqiu as the center, Li Nailong as the power forward, Witherspoon as the small forward, Sprewell as the shooting guard, and Howard Eisley as the main point guard.

For the red team, the center is the main center Harrington, the power forward is the main power forward Kurt Thomas, the small forward is the backup swingman Shandon Anderson, the shooting guard is the main shooting guard Alan Houston, and the point guard is the backup point guard Charlie Ward.

Xia Song urged, "Zhongqiu, play seriously and show all your skills. Remember, this is your last chance. The fact that they can arrange a training match for you means there is still hope."

"rest assured."

He Zhongqiu changed into white training clothes and felt a little excited.

"We have a back-to-back next, so we will only play for 20 minutes, 10 minutes each in the first and second half, as a warm-up."

Don Cheney stood in the center circle and motioned for He Zhongqiu to come over for the jump ball. The red team's pick was naturally Harrington.

Xia Song was very nervous. He Zhongqiu had never played a professional game in China. With such poor basic skills, he probably rarely played amateur games. Now he was playing directly against a group of NBA players. It was a matter of life and death.

He Zhongqiu himself was fine, but a little nervous. Fortunately, he had a big heart and strong will, so some nervousness didn't affect him much.

"Di!"

With Don Cheney's whistle, the basketball was thrown high into the air.

"Snapped!"

He Zhongqiu saw the opportunity and jumped with all his strength, jumping at least one and a half feet longer than Harrington. Combined with his height and arm span, he had an advantage of at least fifty centimeters. The gap was too obvious, and he was the first to get the ball.

The madman received the ball and immediately attacked the opposite side.

He Zhongqiu also hurriedly ran to the basket, but Harrington was very experienced. His arm was entangled with He Zhongqiu's. He ran to the basket, turned around, and defended in front.

He Zhongqiu immediately ran outside, the madman passed the ball quickly, he received the ball at the left waist position, and then faced the basket.

Harrington's defense was very poor. At this time, he was guarding the left front side of the basket, on the line of the reasonable collision zone, two meters away from him, and he got a chance to shoot in an open position.

"Good opportunity, hurry up and take action."

Xia Song knew that He Zhongqiu’s shooting was not good, but this open space with a close range of two points was too rare, and it would be unjust not to take a shot.

But He Zhongqiu did not make a move. Instead, he grabbed the ball with his right hand and raised it high up. The ball was severely deformed by his grip.

The next moment, he moved his right foot, first taking a small step, then a big step, and finally jumping up with all his strength.

"Dunk?"

"He's going to dunk on Harrington?"

"It should be about one meter, he jumps so high!"

At this moment, many people were stunned.

"Mid-Autumn Festival?"

Xia Song's eyes widened.

"Damn rookie!"

Harrington was furious when he saw this. Was he going to force a dunk over him?

Evil was rising in his heart and rage was filling his courage. He raised his arms and wanted to pull the damn rookie up from the air and throw him to death.

(End of this chapter)