NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 456: 8-Game Winning Streak

一下子拉开分差，76人直到比赛结束都没有能够翻过来。最终，凭借着贾飞的45+10+11+3+2，快船客场轻取76人，迎来了7连胜。

After a seven-game winning streak, no one dares to underestimate the new Clippers anymore. It's clear that what they were going through before was a matter of team chemistry, not really a problem with player compatibility.

As the final buzzer sounded, Jia Fei walked straight toward his idol, Allen Iverson.

"Jia, your performance was perfect!" Iverson gave Jia Fei a hug.

"Thank you, AI. I learned a lot of my skills from you!" Jia Fei said.

"It's an honor to be your idol!" Iverson said sincerely. He truly meant it; Jia Fei was an MVP-level player. Iverson himself had won an MVP, but in terms of status, he couldn't compare to Jia Fei. Besides the regular season MVP, Jia Fei also had a championship and a Finals MVP.

Tencent Studio.

"Jia Fei is amazing! Jia Fei walked toward his idol Iverson with tears in his eyes!" Wang Meng shouted passionately.

Yang Yi laughed from the side.

On November 18, the Clippers will visit Cleveland to play against the Cavaliers.

Kyrie Irving didn't want to play with Running Man anymore and requested a trade.

It's normal for someone like Kyrie Irving, who idolizes a blacksmith, not to like Running Man. Running Man is about socialites, about being in control, and players with the Mamba Mentality can't stand being controlled or told how to play. Do I need you to teach me how to play? Black Snake's fans are very self-centered; they have their own set of logic. Therefore, people who like Black Snake generally won't like Running Man, and vice versa.

These are two distinct styles of basketball, but in some ways, these two styles of players complement each other. The "Running Man" style is responsible for maintaining the minimum standard, while the "Black Snake" style is responsible for pushing the upper limit. One controls the court, and the other provides crucial one-on-one opportunities in critical moments.

However, Jia Fei doesn't entirely agree with this practice of requesting trades during the contract period. If this trend becomes ingrained, with star players frequently requesting trades, teams won't be able to function properly.

The Cavaliers traded Kyrie Irving for an injured Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and a first-round pick from the Nets. The Cavaliers didn't want to trade Irving to their rival, the Celtics, but Irving requested a trade too late; there weren't many suitable buyers left. No team offered better assets than the Celtics, so the Cavaliers had no choice but to reluctantly part with him.

After trading away Kyrie Irving, the Cavaliers still made some brilliant acquisitions during the offseason, such as bringing in Jeff Green, Derrick Rose, and Dwyane Wade on minimum contracts. Although these players are all getting old or their performance is not at its best, they are still acquired on minimum contracts. What more could you ask for?

However, neither Rose nor Wade is suitable to play alongside Running Man. Running Man doesn't need perimeter players who aren't good at shooting, a point that was proven back when they were with the Heat.

The Cavaliers' struggles also illustrate this point well.

Beverley missed this game due to a toe injury, and Dillon Wallace started in his place. Beverley looks intimidating and plays with great effort, but it has to be said that he has suffered quite a few injuries, and his body is not particularly durable.

In this game, the two teams engaged in an offensive battle, and the Clippers ultimately won 120-118 on the road against the Cavaliers, achieving their eighth consecutive victory.

After an eight-game winning streak, the Clippers' record improved to 12 wins and 2 losses, ranking second in the Western Conference, only behind the Rockets.

After the game against the Cavaliers, since the Cavaliers lost, the Running Man members were nowhere to be seen; he left the court early. Losing means you're no longer brothers, you're just in the player tunnel or locker room. Winning means you're brothers, and the future belongs to you.

Screw God, how good is the future? I only care about the present!

That same night, the Clippers rushed to Charlotte, where they would play the Hornets in less than 24 hours.

A series of away games can be exhausting; the sheer travel fatigue is unbearable, not to mention the lack of sleep while away from home, constantly rushing around.

It was already 2 a.m. when they arrived in Charlotte. Jia Fei and the others quickly went to sleep, otherwise they would be too tired to sleep the next day.

Back-to-back games in the NBA are tiring, and away back-to-back games are even more tiring.

On the evening of the 19th, at the Spectrum Center Stadium.

The Hornets' history is also quite meager. Many longtime fans know that the Charlotte Hornets were formerly the Charlotte Bobcats. Later, the New Orleans Hornets became the Pelicans, and they became the Hornets. But even including the Hornets' history, there's still nothing to boast about.

The Hornets' owner is Michael Jordan, known as the "God of Basketball." While Jordan's basketball skills were undoubtedly phenomenal, his chaotic personal life since retirement is also undeniable. As for his investment acumen, it remains consistently poor. The Hornets' lackluster performance in recent seasons is directly attributable to their weak draft picks.

Generally, it's unrealistic for teams in small markets to sign a big name directly in free agency. No big name would want to play in a small city like Charlotte. Even a famous actor returning to Cleveland has a sentimental appeal to generate buzz; would they really go to Charlotte? Therefore, the best way for small-market teams to rise is through the draft. A keen eye for talent is crucial for selecting promising prospects, which they then nurture. Like the Oklahoma City Thunder back in the day, Steve Putin's scouting was absolutely top-notch. If the owner hadn't been so stingy, Oklahoma City would probably have already won their first NBA championship.

Jordan is here today too. He often attends games; as the team owner, he doesn't need to buy tickets. Back in his playing days, he could control everything, and now that he's the owner, he wants to control everything too. In fact, if he let the general manager handle the draft, the Hornets' draft results might be better. Let the professionals do what they do best. But he's unwilling to relinquish that power; he wants to do everything himself. The draft is a major decision for the team, and he naturally wants to firmly grasp that power.

During pre-game practice, Kemba Walker and Lamb excitedly approached Jia Fei and Art Mayok. Kemba Walker is currently the leader of this Hornets team, while Lamb has grown into one of the team's main scorers off the bench.

“Jay, Art, this time it was all too rushed, I didn’t even get to treat you to a meal!” Kemba Walker said.

"You're too kind. We've eaten quite a few meals at your house already!" Jia Fei said with a smile.

"You're welcome to come back and eat again!" Kemba Walker said with a smile.

Jia Fei didn't think Kemba Walker was just being polite; as a friend, he was genuinely loyal. Back when none of them had been drafted into the league, he was the one who hosted them, his teammates, in New York—six years have passed in the blink of an eye.