Hayes and NBA league commissioner David Stern had lunch and had a great time chatting about the NBA.

Stern wasn't offended by Hayes for questioning the star whistle. Many teams are questioning LeBron's crab step, fans jokingly call it the "Cleveland Cavaliers football team", and Stern has heard of it for a long time. If you pretend not to know, it's just "covering your ears and stealing the bell". Hayes dared to raise these questions, but was appreciated by Stern.

Stern was also a gambler. Back then, fans worshipped individual heroism, and Stern made a big bet, he bet that Jordan would become the god of basketball, and he succeeded! Jordan became the face of basketball in the world, and Stern grew the league to the world. Before Jordan, although there were some professionals who knew about the NBA, few Chinese would watch this thing, and China would not even broadcast it at that time. Now that some people are questioning the level of American basketball being overtaken by European basketball, Stern is preparing to promote team basketball, and the bet is on Hayes.

In the evening, the Bobcats arrived in New York. Hayes met up with the team and briefed D'Antoni, Van Gundy and others on the conversation. Hayes did not mention the suggestion of banning the star whistle, and he believed that Stern would not spread those words, as long as Stern did not dislike him and was willing to make him an "image spokesperson" without the treatment of the star whistle, he was successful.

On the 28th, the Bobcats beat the New York Knicks away.

Entering the March schedule, they defeated the Celtics and Raptors again. Six straight wins after the All-Star break. The Bobcats finished 38-18 ahead of the Cavaliers and Pistons in third place in the East. Hayes has played 6 consecutive 30+10 games, and his crazy performance has shaken the league.

The news broke that Hayes and Stern were having dinner together, and it was clear that Hayes's outstanding performance had caught the attention of the league's president. However, no media has compared Hayes to Jordan's successor, and he is too unlike Jordan. Super floor stream at best.

On March 5, the Bobcats flew to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to take on the western leader Timberwolves at the Target Center. The game received a lot of attention and ESPN will be broadcast live across the United States.

In the summer of 2007, the Timberwolves were considered one of the strongest teams in the West, but no experts saw them as the favorites to win the championship. Because the Timberwolves only have two stars, Iverson and Garnett, the bench players are too poor to provide them with much help. But the Timberwolves' performance in the new season has changed people's perceptions. Now they are 40-15 ahead of the Hornets and are in first place in the West.

Hayes was surprised that the Timberwolves would become so strong. Iverson's transfer sparked a series of butterfly effects. This makes the bitter cold land of the city of Apolis attractive. Last season, the Timberwolves eliminated the favorite Mavericks and advanced to the second round with just two stars playing well. Many veterans saw the hope of winning the championship and came to vote.

First came Mutombo, then Grant Hill, Antonio McDice, and James Posey. During the season, the former Bobcats were signed as the former Bobcat hand-holder, Bleeven Knight.

Mutombo had a second spring this season, playing 18.2 minutes and contributing 3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. During Garnett's two-and-a-half-week sideline due to injury, he served as the team's starting center and rebounded in double figures for six consecutive games.

Hill played an average of 24.5 minutes per game this season, contributing 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2 assists, shooting 49.2% from the field.

McDyce was the best performer among the veterans. He played most of the time as a starting center, scoring 9.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 31 minutes, with a near-double-double.

Posey's offensive ability is average, and he is the best defensive player at the Timberwolves' No. 3 position. He has not been selected for the defensive lineup, but with his experienced experience and accurate judgment, he can defend a power forward taller than him without a physical advantage, which is a nightmare for offensive players.

Knight didn't have much of a chance to play because Iverson didn't have many opportunities, playing 12 minutes and contributing 2.6 points and 2.1 assists.

In addition to a few veterans, the Timberwolves have other gains, because the interior is too weak and there is not enough salary to attract the "big fish", they signed Brandon Buss for 3 years and 4.5 million in free agency. The Mavericks are also interested in the young player and are only willing to give a base salary contract. Buss didn't hesitate to sign with the Timberwolves. Bath is only 203cm tall and short as a power forward, but he is more desperate when defending. The Timberwolves took a fancy to this advantage. As a result, Buss has played well this season and has also performed well offensively, averaging 16.4 minutes per game, contributing 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds, and is a qualified substitute for Garnett.

In addition, Rashad McCantz, a young player who averaged only 5 points per game last season, has exploded strongly this season. Played 28 minutes, chipped in 13.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1 steal. Shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from three-point range, it took the pressure off the two giants on offense.

The current lineup of the Timberwolves is as follows:

Centre-forwards: Mark Blunt, Deacbe Mutombo, Antonio McDyce.

Power forwards: Kevin Garnett, Brandon Buss, Craig Smith.

Small forwards: James Posey, Grant Hill, Justin Reed.

Defenders: Allen Iverson, Blevin Knight, Marco Jarich, Rashad McCantz, Aaron Afararo (rookie).

Before the start of the game, in the dressing room of the visiting team, D'Antoni held a tactical board and talked about tactics. The Timberwolves are a defensive team, but offense is also not to be underestimated. Encountering a strong enemy, D'Antoni's expression was extremely serious. "In today's game, we have to play with our speed and play as fast as possible. The Timberwolves have four veterans in their starting lineup, and there's no way Hill and McDyce can outrun you. Defensive tactics 122 joint defense. In the offense, the Timberwolves always focus on positional battles, and the usual tactic is that Garnett blocks Iverson, and Iverson plays himself, or hands the ball back to Garnett to shoot high. Iverson's breakaway ball is also the main offensive tool, so you must keep an eye on both of them. Chuck, you're going to have the heaviest task today, and I need you to defend Garnett, and when he pulls up the high post, you're going to switch to Iverson. Although Iverson has slowed down with his age and too many injuries, he is still one of the fastest players in the league. The task of changing the defense inside can only be done by you. Jose (Calderon) and Corunna (Azubuike) will be on the lookout for quick rebounds, and the Timberwolves will also play counter-attacks. Iverson and McCantz are both very fast, and you two have to keep an eye on it. ”

"Chuck, are you confident?" D'Antoni asked.

"I do my best." Hayes smiled wryly. This arrangement is equivalent to him playing against two superstars on the defensive end alone. Garnett has the height advantage and can shoot in front of him. If he can't cover it, he can only interfere, which is a headache. Iverson is a super scorer in the league, and there is no solution to the one-on-one offense at his peak, so Hayes misplaced to switch to Iverson, and he is not sure to defend it.

D'Antoni is helpless to arrange this way, the Bobcats' interior players are faster and taller than Delins and Landry, but they are not good at defensive breakthroughs, and the misplaced defense is a hole, and pulling it out will definitely be passed by Iverson. Veteran Thomas is too slow to sit on the inside, and counting on him to switch to Iverson has the same effect as praying that Iverson doesn't feel good. The only Bobcat who can defend against two people is Hayes.

"The offense is playing fast counter-attacks, Jose, Gerrard, Corunna are running aggressively, and you have to share the pressure for Chuck on the offensive end. If you fall into a positional battle, you still pass it to Chuck to attack. D'Antoni said. This is a tough battle, the Timberwolves' roster has no obvious shortcomings, and the breakthrough can only be created by itself.

In the home team's locker room, the Timberwolves players are also not easy.

Head coach Randy Whitman made changes to the starters. James Posey replaced Hill as the starting small forward. This arrangement was all about restricting Hayes. "Defensive formation, 122 joint defense. When Hayes got the ball on the outside, James defended and Kevin (Garnett) assisted. If he goes into the low post to attack, Kevin will defend, and the weak-side players will step forward at any time to wrap up. Kevin should pay attention to his baseline turn and throw, and if he goes to the middle, the high post player should pay attention to the return and steal. Except for Hayes, the Bobcats have a normal offense, and as long as we prevent him, we will win. ”

After the coach finished talking about tactics, Garnett sat in the corner, without saying a word, with a solemn expression.

Iverson stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Kevin, did you have the faith to defend Hayes?" ”

"Nope. I only have the confidence to explode with him, and it is difficult to prevent him from killing him one-on-one. This guy is one of the toughest players in the league to defend. Garnett lowered his head and suddenly asked, "Allen, which team in the East do you think is most likely to make it to the Finals?" ”

Iverson whispered, "I'm bullish on the Bobcats." Although there are no big names other than Hayes, they have played well under Hayes' leadership, and if Hayes hadn't been out for three weeks, their record would have been above us, and maybe they would have led the league. ”

"I think the same way you do." Garnett smiled bitterly: "I originally thought that Hayes would join a new army like the Bobcats, at most to make the playoffs, but I didn't expect him to give the team the possibility of hitting the championship in his first season." What the two of us couldn't do alone, he might be able to do. He's a stumbling block for us to win the title now. ”

Iverson didn't speak, and his melancholy eyes revealed a bit of peculiar innocence. He knows what Garnett is talking about, which is to lead the team to championship as a core. A lot of superstars want to be an icon of a team, to be in a team from the beginning. So, Iverson always hoped that he could win a championship with the 76ers. Unfortunately, he couldn't do it, and his best result was to bring the team to the finals.

Garnett, Cassel, and Sprewell once formed the "three-headed monster", and Garnett had two good stars to assist, and his best result was only to reach the Western Conference Finals.

Hayes with a group of rookies and role players can play like this, and Iverson also admires him a little. You must know that Iverson is so famous that no one is convinced, and he dared to provoke Jordan as soon as he debuted.

"Kevin, we've got to win this game. I'm going to play it like a grand final. Iverson said.

"That's what I mean. There are no injuries in the team at the moment, and if neither of us can hold Hayes down in this state, it will be a failure. Garnett stood up. He said loudly: "Guys, in today's game, we must give it our all, we are aiming for the championship." The Bobcats are one of the strongest teams in the East, and we need to use this game as a rehearsal for the Finals to beat the Bobcats with all our might! Cheer up! ”

The Timberwolves' young players immediately geared up and responded.

Mutombo sat on the sidelines, with a smile on his face, and said to himself: Chuck, you kid is really amazing. You are the only one in the league who can make Garnett and Iverson value so much. I'm going to work on it too! In the summer, when I am unemployed, they don't contact me to go to the bobcat, don't underestimate the elderly.

The starters are a contest between the youngest and oldest teams in the league. Both sides know how powerful their opponents are, and all they can do is to use their own methods to win!

(To be continued)