On the sidelines of the first round of G2 of the playoffs, the league officially announced the winners of the 2014-15 NBA Regular Season Defensive Player of the Year award. Small forward from the San Antonio Spurs, Coy. Leonard won the honor, receiving 28.68 percent of the vote among all candidates, and the Warriors' Draymond Brown received the honor. Green with the Clippers' DeAndrew. Jordan came in second and third place.

Cowie. Leonard is averaging a league-high 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks in 31.7 minutes per game this season, while also contributing 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Leonard, who won the Defensive Player of the Year award, became the successor to Michael Brown. Jordan and Hakim. After Olajuwon, he is the third player to win both the Finals MVP and the D-POY. And he is also the successor of Ron since the 21st century. The second perimeter player after Artest to win the Defensive Player of the Year award. It is foreseeable that the Spurs' small forward, who is only 23 years old and has improved greatly on both offensive and defensive ends, will have a very bright future.

"Look at this guy's defense, Eddie, I have to say he's the best guy of your generation who does the defense." Gary. Payton couldn't help but smack his lips as he watched Leonard's footwork and close distractions in the video, "He has an instinct for that, and while most of his defensive options are different from mine, I don't deny his options." ”

Addison glanced at a serious-looking Payton, who had heard him praise a young player's defense so appreciatively. A retirement legend like Peyton, who is arrogant in his bones, he will always unconsciously look down on today's young people. But for Leonard, he actually showed rare recognition and appreciation, which really surprised Addison.

"Alright, Add, let's get back to what we just said." Peyton turned off his iPad and set it aside, the expression on his face serious, "Let's figure it out first, what is offensive and what is defensive on the court?" ”

Addison blinked, and he felt as if Peyton had mistaken his rank and age. As was Houbi. Brown praised the point guard who was "so aware that he needed little experience" and that he had developed his own understanding of the offense and defense of the game since high school, many times ahead of his peers. He's not a fifteen or sixteen-year-old kid who just stepped into the official arena, and he doesn't need Payton to teach himself from the very basics.

"I see doubt and impatience in your eyes, Add." Peyton smiled, and his vicious eyes instantly saw through the emotions in Addison's eyes, "Indeed, boy, I admit that your basketball awareness is quite amazing, even more complete and sharp than many old guys who have been immersed in this league for more than ten years. But be patient for now, let's start with the basics. ”

"What is offense on the field? Quite simply, the action that will make the whole team score is offense. What is Defense? The act of making the opponent score as little as possible is defense. The former super point guard said while pacing, "Good players can do great offense or good defense, so they can get at least a mid-level contract; As for the superstars, they have to be at the top of both of them, at least one should be the top and the other should be above the passing line. Only then will they deserve a one-year, $20 million contract, the cheers at home and the shout-outs from the away fans. ”

Addison nodded, Peyton's words were very much in line with his once rebellious and now proud character, and it was very much to Addison's appetite. The young Chinese was still waiting for the next words, and he knew that the other party could not tell him these things about his personal understanding of basketball for no reason.

"I'm well aware of the reasons why you've shrunk some of your numbers in the playoffs, Dwyanne and even Deng and Whiteside have stepped up their ball-handling offense on the court right now, and you, as a playmaker, will try to meet their offensive needs. It was a sensible approach, in exchange for two home wins. But don't you think you're doing a little too sane right now? ”

Addison's eyes widened, he didn't quite understand what Peyton meant.

"In the final minutes of the last game, those Washingtonians played the most ferocious offense of the game, constantly closing the score. And how many times did you shoot at that time? Twice, or once? The old point guard made a shooting gesture, "It's safe to give the ball to Dwyane at a critical moment, but you should have seen that he was a little tired at that time, and his speed and reaction were slower than before." If I were you, I wouldn't have passed it to Dwyane at that point, even if he offered me the ball, because his fatigue would have made his offensive inefficiency less effective. ”

Addison frowned, thinking back to Wade's play in the last few minutes of G2, and the team's scoring efficiency was indeed much lower than in the previous quarters. It's just that at that time, Addison had been concentrating on guarding against John. Wall's frantic counterattack didn't pay much attention to this aspect, and Wade didn't say anything like "I'm tired, you're going to attack next" to him.

"I've been watching the Heat since the beginning of the season, and if I had to look at a player on this team who can kill the game in crunch time, I'd just name two — one is Dwyan, and one is you, Addison." Peyton looked directly at the young man frowning and thinking, "Whiteside, Deng, Granger...... They're all good players, but they don't have that killer instinct. And you have, Dwyane has it, you are a player who was born with that instinct.

"I remember you had two successful kills in the regular season, didn't you? There were times when the last shot was thrown out of the balloon, but you didn't hesitate to take the task of the last throw, didn't you? Don't underestimate this courage, Eddie, do you know how many players in this league have played all their lives and never dared to shoot key shots?

"A big heart that is tough enough is definitely a gift from God...... The reason why I admire Kobe Bryant so much is not only because he asked me for advice on defense, but also because the guy has a terrifyingly tough heart, which makes me involuntarily admire. Don't waste this gift from God, Add, and don't forget that your 'Flash' is 33 years old and you are not yet 20 years old. You deserve to show the world that you're not just a good playmaker, an all-around point guard who is growing...... You are a cold-blooded killer who can kill the game at the crucial moment. If you've made it, why don't you do it again in this even more high-profile arena? ”

Addison's eyelids drooped slightly, and he slowly pursed his mouth as he looked at the basketballs scattered across the training floor. This is the usual expression of the Chinese point guard to express his determination, and it is clear that Payton's words have had a big impact on him.

"Think about what I've said, Eddie, and think about your idol, Chris. Paul and Isaiah. Thomas, they're all top players at killing games. Peyton pressed Addison's shoulder, word for word, and then his tone suddenly became a little teasing, "Of course, so do I." ”

***

On April 23, 2015, there was only one night left before the Wizards' G3 game against the Heat, which was at home in Washington.

- Joe, do you know who my current personal trainer is?

- The person who can make you can't help but show off to me must be very famous......

- It's Gary. Payton, Daddy, is one of the greatest point guards in the NBA. He is now my personal trainer.

- Peyton? I seem to have the impression that when I was at work more than a decade ago, I would always hear my colleagues talking about Payton and Jordan's game. It's that Gary. Peyton?

- You don't seem to know anything about basketball, Dad.

- As long as the story is good enough, I'm still interested in listening to it. So, did this Mr. Peyton say anything to you that stood out to you?

– He made me attack more, in key moments......

- Oh, that shows that he recognizes your abilities, which is pretty good. After all, he is the one who can be talked about with Jordan, and I still know what Jordan means to the NBA.

— but I don't know if I'm ready, it's a playoff game after all, and I can't afford to make mistakes.

——…… You know what, Addy? Your words don't sound like you're ready to adapt to the game, but like you're ready to let the game adapt to you. No matter what the profession, the master is always ready anytime, anywhere. If, as you say, by the time you're ready, your opponent may have already destroyed your team.

- Please, Joe, you're talking like I'm already a top superstar in the NBA.

- If you don't think you're a top superstar, you'll never get there. Eddie, we should not be arrogant, but the confidence in our ideals should be deeply rooted in our souls. This is what I have taught you since I was a child, remember?

- Of course......

- Then attack more in crunch time, and I'm sure Mr. Payton is right.

— just because he can talk to Michael. Jordan was talked about together?

— just because he wants to be your personal trainer.

……

At the Verizon Center Arena in Washington, there is still a period of time before the official start of the game, and even the home and away teams have not yet warmed up. The locker rooms on both teams were packed with reporters who wanted to get first-hand information, and the Heat had significantly more reporters than normal.

The reason is simple, they have all gotten the news and proved it in the previous G2 game - legendary point guard Gary. Peyton has served as Addison. Ann's personal trainer.

"Once the No. 1 most ferocious defensive expert became the personal trainer for the Heat's super-rookies! Oh my God, this is crazy! Quite a few people tweeted so much at the comments, while fans of the Heat and Addison cheered and celebrated as if Christmas had arrived early.

"There's no one in the NBA?! Peyton could choose to be anyone's mentor, but he chose the yellow-skinned kid instead! It's worse than swallowing an insect! Of course, there are also countless racial superiors who are still concerned about skin color and curse the master-apprentice duo, who would rather let Payton train an NBDL guard than see him become Addison's personal trainer.

The polarized views have increased the media's attention, so much so that twice as many reporters have flooded the Heat's locker room than usual.

"Look at this formation......" Wade smiled in amazement, he was no longer surprised to see the long guns and short guns of the media, "I am afraid that those who do not know the situation will think that the president has come to visit our locker room." ”

"Addison and Gary. Payton, you know," Ruhl. Deng shrugged his shoulders, "This is definitely a breaking point that the media can't refuse." ”

"Well, maybe that's good...... If that would take the attention of those journalists away from baseless predictions, it would be a good thing for us. ”