Chapter 301 Tit for tat
In the next two games, Yang Mo still only played in the first half, averaging 18 points and 9 rebounds in each game, which was particularly efficient.
However, Isaiah Thomas was still not particularly satisfied. He felt that although Yang Mo had found his own breakthrough rhythm and effectively combined his scoring methods, he still lacked a little in terms of rhythm control and timing, which led to some restraint in his on-the-spot performance.
Everything takes a process. Isaiah Thomas had too high expectations for Yang Mo. Although his progress was incredible, he subconsciously regarded Yang Mo as a genius who was even more amazing than Michael Jordan. He had already invisibly determined that Yang Mo should do everything in one step. Unfortunately, Yang Mo was not yet that talented. He also needed a process.
When Isaiah Thomas felt that Yang Mo was not perfect enough, Pat Riley called Yang Mo to his office. He planned to talk to Yang Mo about the contract. Because Lu Xueman took advantage of the contract loophole, the three-year contract was set to one-year jump, which was unprecedented in the history of rookies. Others were at most 2+2 or 2+1, and Lu Xueman was the only one who jumped from one year. Although it was unreasonable, it had legal effect.
The reason why Lu Xueman took advantage of this loophole was because Pat Riley underestimated Yang Mo's potential. If he knew that Yang Mo could grow to this level in just one year, he would never agree to such a contract. A four-year, 20 million top rookie contract directly locked up the first four years of Yang Mo's career. Why would he worry about it now?
When Yang Mo entered the office, Pat Riley did not directly talk about the contract renewal. Instead, he smiled and said, "Yang, I really can't believe how immature you looked when you first came to our training hall for a tryout. At that time, you exuded a sense of restraint and tension all over your body. I almost asked you to leave the training hall."
"Haha." Yang Mo smiled slightly and did not speak, but waited for Pat Riley to continue.
"Look at you now, averaging 19.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game, which are the best rookie statistics in recent years. And you have become a super yang, and have entered Hollywood. You have so many female fans that they can circle the earth three or four times. No matter how beautiful the American dream is, it is not as good as your experience this year."
In response to Pat Riley's words, Yang Mo just laughed and said, "I also think it's a bit too dreamy."
"Philosophers say that life is like a dream. I think your dream is too exciting." Pat Riley sighed and then asked, "Could you have predicted what you would achieve today a year ago?"
"No." Yang Mo shook his head and answered very sincerely.
Pat Riley chuckled and said casually, "Then why did you make the rookie contract a one-year option?"
Although Pat Riley wanted to pretend that nothing had happened and asked casually, Yang Mo immediately understood what was going on and said, "The playoffs aren't over yet, so let's not talk about the contract for now."
When Yang Mo said this, Pat Riley's heart suddenly skipped a beat. Was this a polite refusal? Did he mean that he was not going to stay in Miami next season? If he was going to stay in Miami, he would definitely agree.
When he thought about this, he immediately thought of the public problems between Dwyane Wade and Yang Mo. So, he quickly asked, "Actually, regarding the issue of you and Dwyane getting along, our coaching staff has already started to make adjustments. Next season, we will make more open offensive adjustments. Regarding the staffing of other positions, we will also make major adjustments. Our goal is the championship. I think with the concerted efforts of you and Dwyane, we will definitely be able to win the championship within three years."
Pat Riley proposed the dual core theory, and Yang Mo nodded, but he had no intention of staying. Because in his opinion, the so-called dual core is not as stable as the three cores, not to mention the dual cores on the perimeter. Moreover, he had already told Wade that he was leaving, and if he stayed, it would only cause the beautiful friendship between the two to split.
Seeing that Yang Mo just nodded and didn't say anything, Pat Riley scratched his head subconsciously. Even though he was known as a fortune teller, he couldn't understand Yang Mo's attitude at all. Was he agreeing or refusing?
Seeing Pat Riley scratching his head, Yang Mo stood up to avoid continuing on this issue and said, "Sir, I'm going to training first. I'm going to Cleveland tomorrow. I have to prepare well and strive to win the first game."
There was no reason to refuse Yang Mo's words, so Pat Riley could only smile and nod: "Okay. Relax and don't be too nervous."
"I will." Yang Mo also smiled and waved at him, then quickly walked out of the office.
After Yang Mo left, Pat Riley fell into deep thought. He was in a dilemma because Yang Mo's attitude towards him was more like unwillingness to renew the contract. And fundamentally, everyone knows that there is no room for two tigers in one mountain. Now Yang Mo's playing style is more and more similar to Wade's, and sooner or later the two will have a ball possession battle. Wade is not a particularly good passer, and Yang Mo is a person who can't pass the ball at all. It is harder than climbing to the sky to get these two people to be compatible.
Therefore, the choice now facing Pat Riley is to give up one of them reluctantly. However, on the left is the team's meritorious veteran who is at the peak of his career, and on the right is a super popular rookie who is rising rapidly. This is more difficult to choose than bear paw and shark fin.
This choice is too difficult. No matter which one he gives up, it will feel like a knife is cutting his heart.
Therefore, he decided to wait until the playoffs are over before making any plans, and the playoffs will become his most important observation point.
In fact, the reason why Yang Mo chose not to tell Pat Riley about his decision at this time was that he was afraid of affecting the morale of the team. Now, the opponent is bullying us, how can we lose our composure? Now is the time to unite against the enemy!
So, before setting off, Yang Mo, who had been silent for a long time, finally made a shocking victory declaration : "The day after tomorrow will be my first time to participate in the playoffs. I don't want my first playoff game to be branded as a failure. So, I'm sorry, Cleveland, the victory belongs to me!"
When the No. 8 player in the Eastern Conference said to the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference in the playoffs, "I'll win." It felt like an ant stretching out its legs to trip an elephant. If it were someone else, they would definitely think he was bragging, or talking nonsense arrogantly. But Super Yang is different. He has proved his ability to counterattack countless times.
Soon, the sports media was all over the news. Yang Mo said she was going to win the game, and with all the publicity, it was hard not to get to LeBron James' ears.
As LeBron James received the news, reporters swarmed around him, hoping to get his response.
"Everyone has the freedom to express their opinions, but there are some things you can't do just by saying them. If everything can be said, then what if my son said yesterday that he wanted to put the Suns in my backyard? So, regarding the remarks of that guy in Miami, you just listen to it, he will never take away the victory." New regular season MVP LeBron James said very firmly.
When the reporter relayed LeBron James' words to Yang Mo and asked for her response, Yang Mo simply said, "Watch the game. After the game, you will know who is right. It's like only when the tide recedes will you know who is naked."
