It is very difficult to improve the strength during the season, the purpose of the players through training is to ensure the competitive state, Guo Xu wants to turn the throwing into a weapon in the game, and can only wait for next summer to work harder.

In addition to training, Guo Xu also had to spend time socializing, and at noon on the 10th, he invited Martin Cliffes to eat alone and chose a high-end steakhouse to eat Japanese Wagyu.

Guo Xu cares a lot about this teammate from Michigan State University, if it weren't for Cliffs as a sparring partner during the time loop, he wouldn't have improved so fast, although the other party doesn't remember it at all, but he won't forget this kindness.

The two met at the hotel, and Guo Xu shook hands cordially and greeted him. "Martin, long time no see."

"Hello, Guo." Cliffes' smile was a little bitter. "Actually, it hasn't been long, I haven't seen you for half a year, and I can't admit that you have changed so much."

It is impossible to say that Cliffs is not jealous of Guo Xu, he was the team boss for four years in Michigan, if there was no Guo Xu, the Final Four MOP would be his. Although he is a lottery show, he can only be a substitute when he joins the Pistons, Guo Xu is much better than him in the Lakers' situation, one in the sky and one underground.

The two were eating steak and chatting about recent events, and Cliffes was very confused and grumbled like Richardson.

"Did I go in the wrong direction? I'm better at breaking than Atkins, I'm much better defensively than him, but the coach keeps starting him and I have to play a number two a lot, so the physical advantage is gone...... Guo, what do you think I should do now? No matter how hard I tried, the coach didn't like me. ”

"I can give you some advice, I hope you will seriously consider it, Martin, you should find that I have changed after that elbow, I have seen a lot of things." Guo Xu smiled.

"Yes, your ball quotient and IQ have become higher, and people love to talk. We didn't communicate much in college, and I was hesitant to look for you before I came, but you came to me first. Cliffes complimented him.

Guo Xu Zhengse said: "You can use your body to eat hard when you play the No. 1 position, and I suggest that you focus on catching and shooting at the No. 2 position, and start practicing three points from now on." Take Grant Hill, your favorite idol, who was seriously injured after only four games with the Magic. Forcibly changing direction during acceleration of a heavy person hurts your knees, which is exactly what you are best at at the moment, and it is not a good habit. ”

"I think I can fight Atkins." Cliffs sighed.

Guo Xu shook his head. "No, you can't fight, because Stackhouse is responsible for the ball, and you need someone who is good at catching and shooting to partner with him, and Atkins' style doesn't conflict with him, and you start with the boss to grab the ball."

Cleves sighed again. "Are you saying I'm out of play?"

Guo Xu shrugged. "It's a shame it's hard to play at a level as long as you're in the Pistons, so you should look to the future. I think you're going to get traded, and the Pistons are going to rely on Starkerhouse to attract fans and not spend time developing new talent. ”

At present, Stackhouse has played the peak of his career, averaging 30.2 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists per game, but his shooting percentage is not high, only 40.4%.

In Guo Xu's previous life, until the end of the season, Stackhouse also averaged nearly 30 points per game, and the team intended to make him compete for the scoring title. The Pistons failed to make the playoffs in the end, and this product is a brush that exchanges scores with high shots, which directly affects the cultivation of newcomers.

"Am I just going to delay for a year?" Clifts rubbed his face depressedly, feeling that the high-end steak was not so delicious.

Guo Xu proposed: "If you can, let your agent propose a medium-term trade, and leave this year while you are still popular, and your transaction value may decline after a year, and strive to go to a team that is not strong in the No. 1 position." It's not good if you wait until the Pistons take the initiative to trade you, and if you go to a team with a strong outside line, it will be even tougher next season. ”

In Guo Xu's previous life, Clifts was traded to the Kings by the Pistons, which was really a tragedy.

At that time, the Kings had Mike Bibby and Bobby Jackson at the No. 1 position, and defensive expert Doug Christie at the No. 2 position, and Cliffes was directly reduced to a marginal man. What's even more unfortunate is that he played for a short time and suffered a serious injury, missing most of the season, and has been slumped ever since.

Now Guo Xu kindly reminded that if Cliffs can be traded to other teams early and change his style of play, he may avoid serious injuries.

Of course, Guo Xu can't make such a major decision for Clifts, and whether he can change his fate depends on his personal choice.

Cliffs was silent for a few minutes, he felt that what Guo Xu said made sense, his style was indeed not suitable for the Pistons, and he was ready to let the agent out and strive to leave the team in the middle of the game.

In the evening, the Lakers hosted the Pistons, and Jackson asked Guo Xu to start against the fast Chaki Atkins.

The two are very similar in size, Atkins is 180cm tall and weighs 73kg, he was selected for the poor draft because of his short stature, and only got a base salary contract with the Magic last season, but he unexpectedly played 82 games, played 19.8 minutes off the bench, scored 9.5 points and 3.7 assists, and was named to the All-Rookie Second Team.

The two also have similar playing styles, Atkins is fast and can break through with the ball, is good at catching and shooting, and is averaging 12 points and 4 assists per game this season, which is the Pistons' third offensive option.

Harper's defense against Atkins will be difficult, and Guo Xu's starter and his opponent will clearly win.

Under Guo Xu's close entanglement, Atkins missed all 4 shots in the first quarter and missed the basket and didn't score a point. Guo Xu hit two three-pointers and scored 10 points and 3 assists.

Bryant also scored 12 points in the first quarter with Starkerhouse, who scored 10 points.

The Lakers trident came together to take a 37-25 lead in the quarter.

In the second quarter, Jackson sent veteran Harper against Cliffs, and he also played well on the defensive end. Clifts didn't score a point, and he couldn't eat Harper hard with his body, the other party was 10cm taller and was not afraid of confrontation.

Cliffs struggled on the court, his teammates didn't cooperate with him at all, and he couldn't even play pick-and-roll. Although Joe Smith has a shot, he is too thin to block people.

Cliffs can play with the ball, but then head coach George Irwin will yell at him on the sidelines, urging him to pass the ball to Joe Smith, and that's the main point of attack off the bench.

At this time, Cliffs missed his college teammates very much, and the two swingmen could shoot three-pointers, open up space, and he and the center could get a misplaced offensive opportunity with a single block, which was so cool. Now that he has no physical advantage in the NBA, his talent has become ordinary, and the coach will not arrange tactics for him.

In the second half of the Zen master, O'Neill and Guo Xu were dispatched, and the score difference widened to more than 20 points. In this quarter, the Pistons still relied on Stackhouse to score, Atkins shot 1 of 5, and Joe Smith shot 1 of 6, all of which were killed.

The difference in strength between the two sides was too great, and the final quarter entered garbage time, and the Lakers cores were replaced to "clock out", and finally won 115-84.

The Lakers blossomed more in this game, O'Neal and Kobe Bryant scored 20+, leading the team to score double-doubles, and even the substitute Pan Persi scored 12 points.

Guo Xu only played 26 minutes and scored 15 points and 3 assists. Atkins was blown up, with 6 points and 3 assists on 2-of-10 shooting, and Cliffs was even worse, playing 15 minutes, with 2 points and 2 assists.

On the court, Guo Xu will not be affectionate, and there are friends who come from afar, although they are far away, they will be punished.