By the end of July, Xu Yong had finally finished all the summer stuff and the short parent-child time, and flew to Tempe.

Last year the foursome didn’t get together due to being busy, but we continued to do so this year.

Over the past year, the four people had different circumstances, so naturally they had a lot of topics to talk about when they met. They would find a restaurant and sit down and talk nonstop.

"I'm dating Khloe Kardashian."

Harden gave everyone a surprise when he met her. His love for big buttocks was finally satisfied to the extreme this summer.

DeRozan and Ayers both gave him a thumbs up. In their eyes, it was an achievement for Harden to win over such a heavyweight celebrity.

"James, next season is very important to you." Xu Yong reminded.

As a reborn person, he is very familiar with Khloe Kardashian, the [NBA Best Defensive Player], and naturally he also knows about the experience between her and Harden. He was particularly impressed by the sentence "Without Kardashian, Harden is like Jordan."

Moreover, the contracts of both Durant and Howard will expire next summer. If Harden is unable to extricate himself from the two, it is hard to say whether the Thunder will break up.

As a brother, he still has to give Harden a reminder even if it will ruin Harden's mood.

"Don't worry, Xu, I can handle it in moderation." Harden was not unhappy with Xu Yong's reminder, nor did he seem to care much.

Xu Yong did not continue to persuade him. There are some things that you will never be willing to accept unless you experience them once.

"Xu, whip me hard this summer." DeRozan made an excessive request to Xu Yong.

This is not some ** attribute, but the first-round elimination last season was too much of a shock to him, and he is determined to get stronger this summer.

Xu Yong naturally would not refuse his request.

He is also planning to strengthen his low-post offense this summer.

The Bulls' positional warfare was still a bit monotonous last season, but now that Rose has transformed, his addition of low-post offense can enrich the entire system.

So DeRozan has needs, and he can meet them in all aspects.

"I'm going to Golden State." Ayers told them his latest developments.

This wave is not a stab in the back, but a serious effort to replenish their inside line.

The Warriors sent David Lee to Boston this summer, and they failed to select Festus Ezeli in the previous draft, which gave Ayers an opportunity.

"Cheers, Jeff."

Xu Yong raised his glass and said that it was definitely a good thing for Ayres to join the Warriors.

"LeBron is going to join Adidas." Harden, who just got a contract extension from Nike, continued with a gossipy look on his face.

Is James sure to sign with Adidas?

This result can be said to be completely expected.

After hearing this gossip, DeRozan and Ayers subconsciously took out their phones and started searching.

What happened after James was abandoned by Nike is now like a soap opera. Not only fans but even NBA players are paying attention to it.

"It's true. Adidas just announced a 13-year, 200 million contract. Adidas has changed its top star." Ayers followed.

"There's also a video where they pulled a whole truck of shoes to the doorstep of LeBron's mansion in Cleveland, giving him a big surprise," DeRozan added.

This is a big move by Adidas, and it basically makes James the top brand of Adidas.

Nike abandoned it, and Adidas took it over immediately. This operation is a bit awkward.

But if you think about it carefully, Adidas is no longer as powerful as it used to be. Since the rise of Nike, their peak has been the five tigers of that year, and they relied on McGrady to hold up the sky.

Now, not to mention that McGrady has already retired, Arenas can't make it, and Duncan and Garnett are in their last season. You can't even tell who their top star is.

So now is the time to get James. Even though he has a bad reputation, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse, and he is definitely better than the current group of players they have.

Yes, this is a 13-year contract and a truckload of shoes is included.

Xu Yong looked up at Harden, who was beaming with joy. Harden seemed completely unaware that he had lost something.

After catching up, they started training at the Wells Fargo Arena the next day.

This arena that once witnessed their glory underwent a large-scale renovation this summer. Not only was the championship banner of that year framed and hung on the wall, but a group photo of them when they won the championship was also hung next to it.

Looking at the photos not only evokes emotions, but also boosts their morale.

Xu Yong's low-post offensive training is mainly divided into three parts. The first is to conduct off-ball training with the help of Grover, the second is to compete against Harden and others, and the third is to call some players from the Devil's team to come over for full-court competition.

As for the technique itself, low-post technique is mainly about footwork. He had already mastered most of it when he was learning footwork from Olajuwon. The rest, which is the content of his intensive training this time, is the connection between footwork and other techniques, such as low-post turnaround hook shot, low-post turnaround up and down steps, etc.

Among them, the up and down step was Jordan's killer weapon in the low post. Thanks to his powerful turning and leaning back ability, he could basically shake his opponent with a stretch of his hand, then step down and complete the up and down step to attack the basket.

Of course Xu Yong knew these techniques before, but he was more likely to launch attacks from high positions last season and his frequency of use was not high, let alone his proficiency.

Now, his turning and fadeaway technique has improved, and he already has a foundation in hook shot, so it is perfect for him to undergo intensive training at this time.

Harden, DeRozan and Ayres correspond to the guard, forward and inside respectively, which makes his half-court confrontation training very comprehensive.

The essential purpose of his intensive training is to enable himself to have the ability to play one-on-one in the low post without any distinction, so that his teammates can be misplaced or opponents can double-team him, which can drive the team's offense.

And with Grover's help, Xu Yong also conducted training on the [Washing Machine Drum Attack].

Anthony's killer move is actually not complicated, it is also a kind of low-post footwork technique.

As for full-court confrontation, it is also very necessary, because low-post offense is more likely to be double-teamed, and the requirements for passing the ball are naturally higher, including blind spots when facing away from the basket, and protecting the ball is also a science.

During this process, Xu Yong also met Ding Yanyuhang again. He participated in this year's draft but was not selected. He then played well in the summer league on behalf of the Suns and received an unsecured training camp contract, which means he will appear on the Suns' preseason roster.

In a blink of an eye, a month passed and Xu Yong finished his training in Tempe and returned to Chicago.

Like last year, this year Xu Yong has gathered the players for an early training camp via text messages.

Of course, the training camp is voluntary. Although Xu Yong will remember it, he will not urge the players who did not come.

Then when the first day of training camp began back in Chicago, all the Bulls players were present.

Point guard: Rose, Dellavedova, Hinrich

Shooting guards: Butler, Foye, Justin Holiday

Small forward: Xu Yong, Ennis, Artest

Power forward: West, Kyle Anderson, Prince

Center: Adams, Hawes, Jokic

The Bulls' lineup has not changed much this year, but overall their strength on paper has weakened.

But their opponent, the Cavaliers renewed Love's contract with 113 million for 5 years in the summer, and then signed Mo Williams on the outside, signed Richard Jefferson on the front line, and strengthened the inside line with Channing Frye, a space-type four-position player, through a trade. Then, with JR and Tristan Thompson who were already on the team, the Big Four plus these role players are in line with the saying: armed to the teeth;

The Heat's words are just like the two old Celtics back then. Xu Yong's impression is very different. Bosh's career was not ruined by the pulmonary thrombosis last season. He recovered through the treatment in the summer. The five-star lineup created by Riley will debut in the new season.

The Pacers also signed Jordan Hill and traded for George Hill in the summer, strengthening their bench strength.

As for the opponents in the Western Conference, there is no need to mention the Thunder and Warriors. The Mavericks also signed Leonard and Rondo in succession, and also signed Aldridge, making the lineup unprecedentedly strong.

This is why Xu Yong wanted to start the training camp in advance. With one side gaining more, the other side losing more, they have no way out of defending the title and can only rely on their current form to make up for it.

The players' enthusiasm for training is also very high. They come as soon as they receive the text message. On the one hand, it is because Xu Yong established it in the team last season; on the other hand, it is because they want to come, because the Bulls' winning streak at the start of last season was largely due to this in advance. After all, who doesn't like to win at the beginning and keep winning?

It was on this day that Xu Yong saw... the barrel of Baishuishan tea.

With that big round face and that barrel-sized body, although Xu Yong doesn't know Jokic's exact weight, he can be sure that this guy is still overweight.

Because of this, Jokic couldn't play the entire game during training.

This also makes him very curious about Jokic's current strength. You know, Perkins also had a strong desire to stay with the team during the offseason. Considering the role he played in the playoffs last season, he was likely to stay, but in the end the management gave up on him and chose to let Jokic enter the NBA, and even let Malone train him specifically.

When the training was over for the day and the team members dispersed one after another, Xu Yong walked up to the fat boy and asked him to play one-on-one with him.

Jokic looked at Malone in surprise, as if asking if Xu Yong was joking with him.

Malone pushed Jokic directly onto the court.

Then, Jokic was severely beaten by Xu Yong.

Xu Yong didn't use much strength, but Jokic didn't seem to be able to resist much.

This result was expected, after all, Jokic is just a second-round rookie, but Xu Yong feels that Jokic has good court awareness, but has a strong sense of disconnection on the court, and the reason for that sense of disconnection is that his body cannot keep up with his brain.

For example, Jokic predicted his breakthrough route, but as soon as he started moving, Xu Yong had already passed him in one step.

For example, when attacking, he is very good at using his body, but his speed is extremely slow and it is easy for him to be intercepted.

Jokic was very embarrassed, and his expression looked like he wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it.

"If you keep training at this level, you won't get playing time."

Xu Yong showed no mercy and spoke very cruel facts.

Yes, Xu Yong knew that Jokic had become a superstar in the history before his rebirth, but would he definitely become the person Xu Yong knew when he joined the Bulls?

Jennings's example already gives a good answer.

Jokic is not with the rebuilding Nuggets now, and the Bulls cannot give him the same training as in Denver. The team's biggest expectation for him is to take over from Hawes and become the team's backup center.

And to do that, especially on Thibodeau's team, is simply hell for Jokic right now.

Butler was able to smoothly reverse from a late first-round rookie to become the second-in-command because he started out as a defender. The same goes for Adams being able to become a starter.

Jokic is different. With his current defense, it is no exaggeration to say that he may not get half a minute of playing time in his rookie season.

"Starting tomorrow, you will train with me." Then Xu Yong said in an imperative tone.

Jokic became more and more confused, then he turned and looked at Malone with a pleading look.

"Mike can't help you." After saying that, Xu Yong called Anderson over and asked him to take Jokic over.

Malone smiled bitterly, then reached out and patted Jokic on the shoulder, leaned over and whispered, "This is your chance. Many people don't even have a chance."

Jokic scratched his head. Malone was the person he was most familiar with in the team after he arrived in the United States. Since Malone said so, he couldn't hide it this time.

An hour later, Anderson drove them back to the villa.

"You're a lucky guy. Jimmy just moved out and you're going to live in his room." Anderson introduced Jokic as soon as he entered the door. Jokic's shy personality was very much to his liking.

"Jimmy Butler?" Jokic was like Kukoc who had just arrived in the NBA. Hearing Butler's name was like hearing Pippen's name.

"Jimmy signed a $95 million contract this year and bought a house directly there, but it's nearby for the convenience of training." Anderson nodded with a smile.

Jokic's eyes widened and he made an "ooh-oh" expression; it was obvious that it was an astronomical figure.

"Train hard and you will have such an opportunity too." Xu Yong said at this time.

Jokic looked at Xu Yong in astonishment and scratched his head. He couldn't figure out Xu Yong's temper. Sometimes he was so strict and sometimes so kind to him.

Anderson couldn't help but look at Jokic again. Xu Yongke had never said such a thing to him.

After not finding anything outstanding about Jokic, he continued to lead Jokic to the second floor with a smile.

Xu Yong found the tea set and Lao Ban Zhang in the cupboard on the first floor and made tea for himself.

He brought this from China a long time ago. When he lived here before, he would occasionally make some tea with it. After he moved out, the Laobanzhang tea remained here.

No one here drinks this stuff except him, and this packaged tea has a long shelf life and will not go bad.

After a while, he had already brewed the Lao Ban Zhang, then poured a cup and started drinking.

This king of Pu'er tea is really fragrant.

He drank a glass and then looked upstairs.

The team's expectation for Jokic is to succeed Hawes, but his expectations are definitely more than that, otherwise he would not have specifically contacted Battierti in the first place.

So even if it's not for the Bulls' future considerations, he has to take responsibility for bringing Jokic to Chicago.

After a while, Anderson led Jokic down and sat down at the table.

Xu Yong poured them a cup.

"Tea, Chinese tea." Although it was the first time Anderson saw Xu Yong make tea, he should have seen it before.

Jokic picked it up curiously, and before he drank it, he showed a surprised expression: "It smells good."

Anderson also noticed it and took a deep breath, looking very professional.

After taking a sip, Jokic couldn't help but nodded in approval.

A hot knowledge, Europeans do drink tea, and so do Serbia, but they drink tea bags, and it's basically black tea, so he can't recognize it, but he can probably tell by tasting it.

Then, after he finished drinking, he looked at the teapot next to Xu Yong.

Xu Yong pushed the teapot over and started drinking cup after cup.

Seeing this, Xu Yong couldn't help but laugh.

After a brief contact, Jokic gave him the impression of being a little childish. There is one advantage to dealing with such a person: there are not so many twists and turns.

"We get up at 5 a.m. to train and complete a training session before breakfast, focusing mainly on physical fitness." Xu Yonghe introduced the breakfast club to him.

Jokic, who was originally drinking tea happily, immediately lowered his head in frustration when he heard this, but when he raised his head again, he nodded.

Then he poured another cup and drank it all in one gulp, as if tea could make him forget his unhappiness.

Early the next morning, Xu Yong and Anderson arrived at the training ground. To his surprise, Jokic had already finished warming up with Adams.

It seems that Jokic is not someone who doesn't like training.

But this is actually a bit of an impression left by Xu Yong.

Before his rebirth, the news he often saw were other people posting their training routines on social media, such as 3:33 in the morning and in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, constantly refreshing the screen to let people know how hard he was training. In contrast, Jokic's news was basically about drinking Coke and horse racing.

But think about it, to be a professional player in the NBA, even Iverson, who is known for his training, cannot not train, he just doesn't show it.

"Rain Man" Kemp, a negative example of someone who really doesn't train, disappeared from the NBA as soon as the season was suspended.

In the following week, Jokic trained with Xu Yong. Although Jokic's expression became more and more painful during the process, his physical condition was obviously improving. This could be seen from his reaction after the training. At the beginning, he was breathing heavily, but the amplitude of his breathing became significantly smaller later.

Sure enough, Ma Long was too gentle to this guy, he had to fuck him hard.

After a week of training, Xu Yong gave all the team members a holiday.

He was going to go back to the manor to see the little king, but when he remembered how Jokic drank the Laobanzhang that day, he was afraid that he would waste it. You know, that was aged tea that had been stored for several years.

But when he entered the villa and pushed the door open, he saw Jokic sitting there with a look of enjoyment on his face, with an opened can of Coke in front of him.

When Jokic saw Xu Yong coming in, he was stunned for a moment, obviously not expecting it, and then he burped in front of him.

Unlike what many people think, players, even NBA players, do not teetotal or eat only low-calorie foods. If you see news reports that NBA players strictly control their diet throughout the day, what they eat, how many calories they have, etc., there is no doubt that it is propaganda.

Players are first and foremost human beings. It is impossible for humans to be like machines. It is just a difference in quantity.

However, when Xu Yong saw Jokic doing that, he stood there and looked at him with the eyes of a child at home who saw him stealing candy.

Jokic suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

"I heard from Mike that you finished the last can of Coke on the plane to the United States?" Xu Yong asked.

After Xu Yong asked this, Jokic felt even more guilty.

"I just want to go home." Then Jokic's next words surprised Xu Yong.

He originally thought that Jokic had gradually adapted to the NBA, but he didn't expect that he would think like this now.

He walked over and sat down opposite Jokic.

"People here are too crazy. I see Kyle training three times a day. You and Jimmy are even crazier. You have to train extra at night. Is training all there is in life? Yes, I know there is strong competition here, but this is really beyond his expectations." Jokic looked a little painful.

"So are you ready to give up?" Xu Yong asked.

"No, I don't want to give up, I just... need a way to relieve stress." Jokic said as he picked up the Coke in front of him and took another big sip.

Looking at Jokic in front of him, Xu Yong became somewhat aware of their differences.

Although they are all overseas players, he has had a strong mentality of making up for his regrets since the moment of his rebirth, and his motivation can be said to be naturally full.

But Jokic is different. He heard from Malone that Jokic liked horse racing and enjoying life in Serbia, and he especially loved drinking Coke. Many times he drank three liters a day, which was why he was so fat.

So the biggest thing the physical trainer sent by the Bulls did in Serbia was to help Jokic quit drinking Coke.

But now it seems that it was not so successful.

Think from Jokic's perspective, training is already so tiring, why should he be deprived of even his hobby of drinking Coke?

"Nikola, adults must learn to be responsible for what they say." Xu Yong said.

Jokic glared at Xu Yong. This was the first time Xu Yong saw anger in his eyes, but in the end, his anger turned into frustration, and then he held his head in his hands.

"Will you feel happy if you finish this can of Coke now?" Xu Yong asked.

Jokic said nothing.

"It's too little and it doesn't make you feel happy. Instead, it will give you a sense of guilt." Xu Yong went on to say that although he had never quit drinking Coke, he had tried to quit smoking in his previous life.

Jokic put down his hands and looked at Xu Yong. Although he still didn't say anything, recognition could be seen in his eyes.

"There is more than one way to solve a problem." Xu Yong's next words made his eyes light up.

"Besides quitting it, there's also the matter of finding something to replace it with."

"Substitution?" Jokic finally couldn't help but be curious.

"Protein drinks, or other drinks that won't make you fat." Xu Yong said.

Jokic still looked a little painful.

"You're going to be defeated by Coke, right?" Xu Yong asked Jokic.

"That will be big news in the NBA." He then commented with a smile.

"I'll try." Jokic gritted his teeth and nodded.

After seeing Jokic's attitude, Xu Yong got up and went to the kitchen to take out his own Lao Ban Zhang.

After thinking about it, he handed everything to Jokic: "Maybe, it is also an option."

Jokic was stunned for a moment, then happily accepted it.

"What about this?" He then looked at the half-remaining bottle of Coke in front of him.

"After drinking it, can you pour it out? What a waste."

Jokic nodded repeatedly.

"But promise me like an adult, this is your last can of the season."

"This season?" Jokic was puzzled.

"When the season ends and we win the championship again, you can give yourself a day of drinking." Xu Yong said calmly.

Hearing this, Jokic's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had gained some extraordinary motivation.