basketball dreams

Chapter 44 Okafor

The game was finally over, and when the final whistle sounded, Yun Chen couldn't help letting out a long breath.

This game was really tiring.

In the second half, although he found a way to break Jefferson's sunspot defense, but because he kept playing pick-and-roll with Osman, his physical strength was exhausted.

His legs were already trembling slightly, as if he had played a back-to-back away game.

But just as he was trying to regain his strength, a person walked up to him and patted him on the back.

Yun Chen looked up, startled by the giant in front of him.

It turned out to be Okafor from the Nets. In my impression, the two didn't know each other. Yun Chen didn't know what he wanted to come here at this time.

Okafor didn't play for a long time today, but his performance was quite good. He caused some trouble for the Cavaliers inside, especially his excellent footsteps and soft touch left a deep impression on Yunchen.

"Hey brother, are you okay?" Okafor had a smile on his face at this moment, and actually helped Yun Chen straighten up.

Yun Chen was surprised. He always thought that a young and famous inside player like Okafor had a strange personality, but now he felt that he was very gentle.

And even though he lost the game, Okafor didn't seem to be in a bad mood.

Yunchen smiled back at him, curled his lips and said, "It's okay, I'm just a little tired, Jefferson's defense is too strong." He pointed to Jefferson who was shaking hands with other Cavaliers players in front of him.

Okafor laughed when he heard the words: "Haha, when I first came to the Nets, I was also taken aback by his defensive style. It's very interesting, isn't it?"

Yun Chen nodded: "That's right, it's very interesting, you played well today, and your inside offensive skills are very good."

"Haha, is that right? It's a pity that Atkinson is not willing to let me play." Hearing what Yun Chen said, Okafor suddenly sighed, looking a little helpless.

Yun Chen was taken aback when he heard the words, and suddenly remembered something about Okafor.

He performed very well in the 76 rookie season, but later because of the return of Emperor Embiid, his playing time dropped again and again, and was finally traded to the Nets by the team.

But after arriving at the Nets, Atkinson didn't give him much playing time, and was still firmly pressed on the bench. His playing time was completely out of proportion to his performance and talent.

Therefore, Okafor has been quite unsatisfactory in the past two seasons.

"It's okay, it will get better. Atkinson is not the kind of head coach who is stubborn. There will always be a chance to perform well." After a moment of silence, Yunchen could only comfort Okafor in this way.

Okafor shrugged when he heard the words: "I hope." After finishing speaking, he walked back to the Nets bench.

Looking at Okafor's slightly lonely back, Yun Chen also heaved a long sigh.

In fact, he also understands Okafor's situation. Because Jeremy Lin was with the Nets in the last two seasons, Yunchen paid close attention to them.

In fact, Okafor's coming to the Nets was originally a win-win thing. After all, the 76ers' inside line is too crowded and there is no room for him to play, and the Nets' inside line happens to be weak, so there will be a lot of opportunities for him.

But fate made a kind of joke for Okafor.

Okafor's contract will expire next summer, and the Nets will definitely find a way to renew his contract at that time. After all, in the league today, young and capable insiders like Okafor are really rare.

So if he gets enough playing time this season and plays data that meets his level.In an era where premium contracts are flying everywhere, his renewal fee will cost the Nets owners a lot of money.

What the Nets need now is salary space, because they, like the Cavaliers boss, are also targeting the free market next summer.

So after weighing the pros and cons, they asked Atkinson to put him on the bench, restricting his performance and making his worth drop, so that they could lower the price and truly maximize their benefits.

The advantage of this is that it leaves enough salary space for the team to chase free market stars next summer, but the disadvantage is also obvious, they will sacrifice Okafor's two-year career.

But the NBA is a business league after all, and there is nothing wrong with them doing this. It can only be said that it is a pity for Okafor, a capable player.

That's why Yunchen sympathized with Okafor, he was a good man who was delayed by businessmen.

But that is other people's business after all, and I can't get involved.

After clearing up her mood, Yun Chen walked slowly towards the Cavaliers' bench.

Because the team won by a big score, the teammates were very happy, and they were all smiling at this time.

Of course, except for two people, JR and Thompson, the two of them still sat on the bench without saying a word, and there was no expression on their faces.

Obviously, Tyronn Lu must have reprimanded them again.

After everyone returned to the locker room, they each packed their own things. Everyone's movements were very neat, because the next three games were still away games, and they were all anxious to go back to rest after being exhausted.

Although there is no back-to-back, four consecutive away games are enough for the players.

The next away game is in Washington, the day after tomorrow. After coming out of the Nets' home court, the players caught up with the plane to the capital of the United States non-stop.

As soon as they got on the plane, almost everyone fell asleep. After all, a game consumes a lot.

But at this time, one person had insomnia.

Yun Chen, his physical exertion in this game was almost the most in the team, but at this time he couldn't fall asleep, and kept staring at the roof of the airplane above him in a daze.

Maybe it's because he's extremely tired, but now his mind is abnormally clear, and he can't stop thinking about it.

Sitting next to him, Tai Lunlu was already asleep, but because Yun Chen couldn't sleep and kept moving, he was also woken up.

"What's the matter, Li, aren't you sleeping?" Tyronn Lue asked with sleepy eyes.

At this time, the time has come to midnight, which is the time to rest.

Yun Chen shook his head helplessly when he heard the words.

"Is there something on your mind?" Tyronn Lue smiled.He spoke in a low voice, afraid of disturbing others behind him.

Yun Chen smiled, but didn't answer him. Although he was thinking wildly all the time, he actually didn't know what he was thinking, but various thoughts kept running into his mind.

But among the many thoughts, the thing about Okafor is the most important.

"Are you thinking about Okafor?" At this time, Tai Lue suddenly said such a sentence, which pierced Yunchen's heart.

Yun Chen was instantly surprised: "You... know what? You weren't around when I was talking to him."

This time it was Tyronnlue's turn to smile: "Hehe, I've been in this league for so many years. After Okafor finished talking to you, you've been preoccupied. I guess I can guess it. Because of his things."

This time, Yunchen was even more surprised. He suddenly realized that he seemed to have really underestimated the head coach.

"It's not the first time Okafor's situation in the league. I've seen it a lot, but those players are not as strong as Okafor. Most of them are unknown and have not attracted much attention." Tyronn Lue continued. .

Yun Chen nodded, he roughly guessed something.

"Hey, no, how do you know about Okafor? He is a Nets player, why do you pay so much attention to him?" But suddenly he sat up suddenly.

As the head coach of the Cavaliers, how did Tyronn Lue know about Okafor?
And Yunchen felt that he knew more details than herself.

Yunchen's movement was a bit loud and made some noise, which scared Tyronn Lue and hurriedly signaled him to be quiet. After making sure that no players were woken up, he lowered his voice and approached: "This player, I have already told you The management mentioned it, I wanted him very much, but the team didn't have the chips to impress the 76ers at that time, so it was taken by the Nets."

"This...is there such a thing?"

(End of this chapter)