Chapter 114 113. This is what Okafor looks like when he is not injured

On the afternoon of February 2, the Bobcats conducted an intra-squad training match with each half lasting 23 minutes.

Okafor's performance surprised Zhang Yang!

He can follow up and score fast like Bosh, Randolph and Chandler.

Can provide solid rim protection like Kwame Brown and Dampier.

He can score at close range like Nene and Kaman.

Can handle the ball as calmly as Duncan...

Although he can't score as many points as Stoudemire and Howard, can't protect the rim as Yao Ming and Duncan, and can't score as many points in the paint as Gasol, Boozer and other contemporary inside scorers, Okafor has all the abilities that an inside player should have, and they are all excellent!
The key is that Okafor is only in his sophomore year, and he wasted a summer gaining weight and half a season losing weight without playing!
"So this is what Emeka looked like before he gained weight!" Zhang Yang exclaimed.

There was something else he didn't say in his heart - it turned out that Okafor, whose ankle was not damaged by his weight, was actually this type of player.

Zhang Yang began to learn about the player Okafor after 2009.

In the 09 playoffs, Chandler, who had played in the NBA for 8 years, was beaten by Nene and Kenyon Martin. It was the first round of the series when the Hornets were slaughtered by the Nuggets by 58 points... The Hornets really couldn't stand Chandler's slow progress and sent him to the Bobcats in exchange for Okafor.

It is worth mentioning that the Bobcats trained Chandler for a year, saw no progress, and had no patience, so they sent him to the Mavericks in the summer of 10... As a result, after arriving at the Mavericks, the 28-year-old Chandler just developed and entered his peak period, and was selected as the second defensive team for the first time in his career... Who would have thought that it would take 9 years for a genius to reach All-Star level?
Okafor, who played with Paul in 09, left Zhang Yang with the impression of a low-post defensive stalwart who was a bit clumsy in mid-range and short-range shooting. He had a stable performance, getting 10 points and 10 rebounds per game. After playing for two or three years, he was over 30 and disappeared from the NBA. There is no other impression of him.

Gerald Wallace heard Zhang Yang's sigh and responded: "Emeka has been one of the best inside players in the NBA since he entered the league. Last season, we were able to maintain the most basic dignity of an NBA team thanks to him. I was very anxious when I saw that he was slow to move and couldn't score after gaining weight, but I couldn't communicate with him... The familiar Emeka is finally back!"

Zhang Yang: "Emeka may be able to play soon. The team doctor said he can participate in the team's training games, but that was too conservative. Or maybe Emeka was very patient this time and only notified the team doctor to conduct a health test when he felt he could play immediately."

Felton: "Jack, you're right. Emeka said on the 10th that he felt his body was ready, but he wanted to practice for two more weeks to get better at playing before officially returning to the team. After all, his idol is Tim Duncan. He wants to be like Duncan and perform at his best after returning from injury... Emeka is a ruthless person, really ruthless to himself. The team doctor thought he could stay healthy if he reduced his weight to 265 pounds (120 kilograms), but in order to have better mobility, he reduced it to 255 pounds (nearly 116 kilograms)."

Zhang Yang: "Hey, Boss, I remember Emeka didn't talk to you?"

Felton was speechless when he mentioned this: "Didn't I go back to school with you to take the exams in early December? I passed all of them. I submitted my graduation application when school started last month. After Emeka knew that I could graduate from college, he was willing to talk to me and took the initiative to talk to me about pick-and-roll offense. By the way, I asked him about his comeback plan."

Zhang Yang, Gerald Wallace: "..."

It's very Okafor!
Zhang Yang changed the subject: "Gerrard, we finally have a truly reliable inside player. You should be the happiest one, right?"

Gerald Wallace nodded excitedly. With Okafor starting and Perkins as the substitute, two teammates who are excellent at protecting the rim, it's great!
In the nearly four months since the start of the season, Gerald Wallace has had a really hard time!

Okafor was injured at the beginning of the season, but fortunately they are in the Eastern Conference where the inside line is generally weak, and 5/8 of their opponents are Eastern Conference teams, so they can get a record of 24 wins and 29 losses.

When they play against Western Conference teams, let alone teams like the Mavericks and Spurs that have super inside players.

When playing against top-notch inside teams like the Nuggets and Clippers, they were always beaten down.

Even teams like the Grizzlies, Timberwolves, and Kings, which are supported by a strong inside player, had a hard time.

Even in the Eastern Conference, there are difficult times. Needless to say, the Heat had headaches against the Bucks because of Bogut's rim protection and Magloire's rushing.

The Magic were dragged down by the two big contracts of Francis and Hill. They had to focus all their efforts on Howard, who was only in his second year, and then they were shot to death by a bunch of shooters on the Magic's perimeter.

Although Gerald Wallace is absolutely passionate about every game and never complains, he is really tired!

Now that Okafor is finally returning, how can he not be excited?
Felton is also very excited. With Okafor's return, their chances of maintaining their record are higher!
Boozer and David West announced their return from injury at the end of the All-Star Weekend. Boozer scored 30 points and 10 rebounds against the Rockets in his first game after his return yesterday, and David West scored 15 points and 14 rebounds against the Grizzlies in his first game after his return, bringing great pressure to Felton.

The records of the Bobcats, Hornets, and Jazz are not much different. The strongest teammates of the two rival teams have returned, and their strength will definitely be greatly improved. The Bobcats' record may be surpassed by these two teams!

In terms of personal performance, Felton knows that he cannot beat Paul. No one in their class can compare with Paul, so he wants to maintain his advantage in record.

Okafor's return means he can play at any time. The Bobcats' outside players are very happy, but the inside players are different.

Voskuhl and Lonnie Baxter, who already had limited playing time, seemed to have no chance to play again.

Perkins, Brezek, and Eli are also worried about their next positions.

…The next day, the Bobcats faced the 76ers at home.

As he wished, Okafor was included in the active list in the first game after he decided to come back. Although he was placed on the bench, there was pride hidden under his stern expression.

This is a man's little joy.

The 76ers currently have 26 wins and 27 losses, a slightly better record than the Bobcats.

艾弗森出战赛季前53场中的46场，场均32分，他出场这些比赛76人队拿到25胜21负的战绩，也就是说他没打的7场比赛，76人队1胜6负。

This season, the three superstars of Class of 96 are facing the same situation.

In Zhang Yang's memory, Iverson was mocked by many fans for scoring points in the 05-06 season, but what he sees now is a superstar who ranks in the top ten of the MVP list along with Kobe and Nash.

In the second half of the season, Iverson played even harder, fighting in every game for a playoff spot.

But the Bobcats' inside players also played hard tonight!

Haitian Dalembert received an astonishing six-year, $6 million contract last summer, but the 6400-year-old has failed to continue to improve as the 24ers management and Cuban expected. His average of 76 points and 8 rebounds per game is already his limit.

Yes, it was Cuban who made a six-year, $76 million sign-and-trade offer to the 6ers last summer. The 6400ers were unwilling to trade or let the Haitian go, so they matched the big contract. This offer was seen by fans as Cuban's response to "losing an MVP for nothing."

今晚布雷泽克拿到14分14板、伊莱拿到9分10板、帕金斯打了16分钟拿到6分7板2盖帽……一群人抢得替补上场的奥卡福打了22分钟只拿到5个篮板球，外加12分2抢断1盖帽。

Webber, Dalembert, and backup center Shavlik Randolph were almost eaten alive by a group of Bobcats inside players.

尽管艾弗森31投14中，其中三分球6中2，加上13中10的罚球狂轰40分，还是没能取得胜利。

张杨拿到14分3板1助攻1抢断、杰拉德-华莱士12分5板6助攻2抢断3盖帽、费尔顿13分8助攻……山猫队以100比94险胜76人队，拿下3连胜，将战绩提升到25胜29负！
Zhang Yang was very excited to see Okafor easily get 9 points with 5 of 12 shots!

Okafor is completely different on the court!

He is light on his feet, has accurate anticipation on defense, and does a very good job of cutting off the inside pass.

Moreover, Okafor not only returned after regaining his physical condition and playing feel, but he also knew very well what kind of inside player the team needed and what role he needed to play.

Just like Felton said, Okafor decided to come back only after he was sure that he could help the team as long as he played!

Sometimes, imitating idols too much can have its benefits!
Let Okafor average 20 points per game... He definitely won't get that, but a stable average of 15+ points will definitely be no problem!
With such an inside line, is it possible for them to make the playoffs?

Zhang Yang had expectations, and Felton had the same expectations. After the game, the two of them looked at the schedule and league record together... and they were half disappointed.

Currently, the Pacers, ranked eighth in the Eastern Conference, have a record of 27 wins and 27 losses.

They need a 25% winning rate to have a real chance to make the playoffs. Currently with 29 wins and 28 losses, they need to achieve a record of 17 wins and 13 losses in the next 5 games to raise their winning rate to %.

This is just the qualification to compete for a playoff spot, not to mention that there are two teams ahead of them, the 76ers and the Magic, who are also fighting for a playoff spot. The Wizards, Bulls, Bucks, and Pacers, ranked 5th to 8th, will definitely play harder when they see that there are teams really making a challenge for their position, and they don't want to be overtaken.

More importantly, Zhang Yang counted and found that they had 28 games left, 15 of which were in the top eight of the Eastern and Western Conferences, and they would have to play against their two direct rivals, the 76ers and the Magic, many times...

Felton: "Jack, it's a little hard for us to make the playoffs..."

Zhang Yang: "The chances are slim, but Boss, this is great, isn't it? There's no pressure."

Felton: “Huh?”

……

……

If Xiaofeng continues to stay up late playing games, he will be single for 40 years in his next life. Today's update is late, and it is short and weak. Xiaofeng will get something to eat and continue writing later. The next chapter will be 7000 words~ Please vote!
(End of this chapter)