Chapter 620: First Battle

After the training match, Li Ba started to practice free throws.

The optimization of his wrist has long been over. The result of the system's optimization of the wrist is that the flexibility of the wrist has increased from 60 to 80.

Although the flexibility of the wrist has improved, the free throw percentage cannot be improved in a day or two, and it still needs years of training.

He has to re-form his own shooting style, which is impossible without tens of thousands of shots.

However, he has no other basketball training, and now he only trains free throws, and his speed should improve faster.

Frank stood aside and looked at it for a while, and said: "Iron Hammer, we can't play a point-breaking tactic for the time being in the new season. I need you to attract double-teams in the interior and then distribute the ball. We are all guys who can shoot three-pointers from the outside. I am going to play the tactics of one big and four small, one inside and four outside, which will be one of our basic tactics in the new season."

Li Ba stopped the free throw.

The breakthrough tactics can't be played, of course, without Marbury, without the ability to break through, unable to compress the opponent's defense, and unable to open up space for the outside.

"Okay, I should be able to improve my free throw percentage this season, and I can add some low-post strong hits."

he said.

In fact, on the offensive end, his offense last season was completely different from his rookie season.

In his rookie season, he mostly played back from the low post, coupled with Ba's lobs and second offense, and rarely played hard at the basket.

Last season, he basically played hard at the basket, added Ba's lobs, and then added fast breaks. Even after entering the playoffs, almost most of his offenses were fast breaks, plus a second offense.

This is a change based on his athleticism.

And this season, as the team's strength has declined, his athleticism has also changed. He definitely has to make some changes on the offensive end.

First of all, strong play at the basket, or low-post offense on the wings, will be picked up again.

But at this time, we need to wait until his free throw percentage increases. Now increasing the low-post attack from the beginning will only give the opponent a chance to cut him.

"Really?" Frank couldn't believe it.

After the first two seasons of the Hammers, the free throw percentage has not improved much, can it be practiced now? Of course he knew the reason for Li Ba's low shooting rate, which was not something that could be improved through training.

"Why don't you make a bet, whoever loses will run here for ten laps naked?" Li Ba said with a smile.

"Ha ha……"

The coaches and players next to him laughed.

Frank's face turned black, I'm the head coach after all, can I bet you on this? He turned and left.

The regular season started on November 1, 2005.

There are 8 teams and 4 games that day. As the defending champion, the Suns will play against the Mavericks at home.

In the playoffs, the Mavericks were swept by the Suns. This season, the Mavericks are stronger, but the Suns are weaker. The media gave a gimmick for the first game of the league's new season. The ox avenges the sun.

The Mavericks' strength has indeed increased, because Nowitzki is more mature and is moving towards the top.

Inside there is Dampier, the second center in the West. This season, he also introduced the 213 cm, 136 kg center Diop, plus Van Horn. His inside strength, whether it is the main force or the substitute, is also very strong in the West. .

In the locker room of the home team, Li Ba took out a big bag from the closet and stood in the middle.

"Wow, the boss is going to give out gifts!" Barbosa shouted excitedly.

"Haha, little brazilian man, you are the smartest." Li Ba smiled, handed the bag over, and said, "You can distribute it."

"What is it?"

"Wow, the latest men's watch from Cartier? Thanks boss!"

"Hammer, thank you!"

Before the game, the two sides announced the starting lineup.

Mavericks: Dampier, Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Marquese Daniels, Jason Terry.

Suns: Lee Ba, Kurt Thomas, Marion, Battier, David Wesley.

On the TNT live broadcast, Barkley said: "From the perspective of the main lineup, the Mavericks have not changed much. With the growth of Nowitzki and Josh Howard, the strength is stronger than last season. And the Suns, the first scoring point has changed. After becoming Marion, the strength of the starting lineup has dropped a lot.”

Kenny Smith said: "The Suns are still very strong on the defensive end, but without Marbury, the scoring has actually dropped. Moreover, Kurt Thomas is almost 34 years old, and he is a veteran. His strength can still maintain the same level as last season. Is the level? In addition, on the perimeter, scoring ability has also declined, but the defensive end should improve."

"You mean defense?"

Barkley said in surprise as if he had seen a ghost.

"Haha, Charles, I know what you mean, you mean David Wesley is old?" Kenny Smith laughed.

"Of course, he is almost 36 years old, his weight has increased from 85 kilograms at his peak to 100 kilograms, and he has lost the energy of man-to-man defense." Barkley said.

"But I think he still has some energy on the defensive end, at least not worse than Marbury." Kenny Smith said.

"No, you underestimated Stephon Marbury's defense. He improved his defensive ability in the first two seasons. He is very strong in quick return defense, and he can also make good defense in positional battles. I think the current Wesley is not as good as Marbury in defense." Barkley said.

"Overall, I don't think the Suns are as strong and competitive as they were last season. It's weak."

Kenny Smith said.

"I agree with that." Barkley said.

At this time, in the CCTV live broadcast seat, Yu Jia said: "The Suns' reinforcements this season are not satisfactory, and Marbury's departure will hurt a lot."

Zhang Lili said: "The major media's speculation about winning the championship is not optimistic about the Suns, and their strength has indeed declined. Not only did Marbury's departure cause the Suns to lose their main point guard, but Posey's departure also made the front and back lines Defensive depth has also weakened a lot. And Chandler's departure is a huge blow to the inside of the bench."

"Hey, Liu Yifei has appeared." Yu Jia shouted at this moment.

"Well, yes, it's her. Very good, Hammer has calmed down. It's really good that there hasn't been a scandal in the past few months. A stable relationship is very important, especially for someone like Hammer who lives abroad all the year round. For a hardworking person, he is very lonely and really needs someone to be by his side."

Zhang Li laughed.

"Liu Yifei is eighteen years old, she can get married." Yu Jia said with a smile.

"Haha! Why don't you go to remind me?" Zhang Lili laughed.

At this time, the first stage debuted, and the lights of the audience were completely extinguished, except for a very strong beam of snowy lights, illuminating the entrance of the passage.

The visiting team played, and the American West Arena did not send too many boos. The Suns fans had a good attitude towards this team that was swept by the Suns a few months ago.

When the home team played, there were huge cheers and shouts, overwhelming, like a tsunami.

When Li Ba came on stage, everything reached its climax.

He greeted the fans all the way, causing screams.

"Wow, we're going to Liu Yifei! Hug! Wow, kiss?" Yu Jia shouted excitedly.

"Bless them!" Zhang Lili laughed.

Above the hanging screen was a close-up of the two, and the audience burst into applause and cheers of blessing.

The live footage of CCTV and TNT brought this scene to the attention of countless people in China and the United States.

"Come on, Sissy, say hello to them." Li Ba smiled.

With a blushing face, Liu Yifei waved to the audience and the camera, which drew cheers and applause.

At this time, Li Ba was at Phoenix's home, and Liu Xiaoli also saw this scene.

Somewhat surprised, have the two little guys developed to this extent?