It is difficult to improve strength during the season. The purpose of players through training is to ensure competitive state. Guo Xu wants to turn throws into weapons in the game and can only wait for more work next summer.

In addition to training, Guo Xu also had to spend time to socialize. At noon on the 10th, he invited Martin Cliffs to have a meal alone and chose a high-end steakhouse to eat Japanese Wagyu beef.

Guo Xu cared about this Michigan State teammate. If Cliffs hadn't been a sparring coach during the time loop, he wouldn't have made such rapid progress. Although the other party didn't remember it at all, he wouldn't have forgotten this kind of kindness.

The two met in the hotel, and Guo Xu shook hands and greeted him cordially. "Ma Ting, long time no see."

"Hello, Guo." Cliffs' smile was a little bitter. "In fact, it's not long. It's only been half a year since you haven't seen each other. You have changed so much that I'm a little afraid to recognize you."

It is impossible for Cliffs to not be jealous of Guo Xu. He has been the boss of the team for four years in Michigan. If Guo Xu had not been able to play the final four, the mop would be his. Although he is a lottery pick, he can only be a substitute when joining the Pistons. Guo Xu's situation in the Lakers is much better than him, one in the sky and the other underground.

The two of them were eating steak and talking about recent events. Cliffs was very confused and complained like Richardson.

"Are I the wrong direction I chose? I'm good at breaking through and defending much better than Atkins, but the coach always let him start, and I often have to play No. 2, so my physical advantage will be gone... Guo, what do you think I should do now? No matter how hard I try, the coach doesn't like me."

"I can give you some advice, I hope you can think seriously, Martin, you should find that I have changed after being hit by that elbow, and I have seen through a lot of things." Guo Xu said with a smile.

"Yes, your ball quotient and IQ have become higher, and people like to talk. We didn't communicate much in college. Before I came, I was hesitating whether to look for you, but you came to me first." Cliffs complimented him.

Guo Xu said seriously: "You can use your body to play No. 1 position. I suggest you take the ball and shoot the ball. Start practicing three-pointers hard from now on. Take Grant Hill as an example. Your favorite idol is seriously injured after only four games in the Magic. A person with a heavy body accelerates and turns direction hard and hurts his knees. This is exactly the technique you are good at at present, and it is not a good habit."

"I think I can compete with Atkins." Cliffs sighed.

Guo Xu shook his head. "No, you definitely can't compete, because Starkhouse is responsible for holding the ball and needs someone who is good at catching and shooting to partner with him. Atkins' style does not conflict with him. You will compete with the boss for the ball when you start."

Cliffs sighed again. "Are you saying I'm out of the way?"

Guo Xu shrugged. "It's a pity that it's difficult for you to play at the Pistons. You should focus on the future. I think you will be traded. The Pistons rely on Starkhouse's performance to attract fans and will not take the time to train new players."

Currently, Starkhouse has achieved peak career statistics, averaging 30.2 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists per game, but his shooting percentage is not high, only 40.4%.

In Guo Xu's previous life, until the end of the season, Starkhouse averaged nearly 30 points per game. The team intends to let him compete for the scoring champion. The Pistons ultimately failed to make the playoffs. This guy is just a brush with high shooting skills, which directly affects the training of new players.

"Did I just delayed this year?" Cliffs rubbed his face depressedly, feeling that the high-end steak was not that delicious.

Guo Xu suggested: "If possible, let your agent propose a mid-term deal. Let's leave this year while you are still popular. If you delay a year, your trading value may drop. Try to go to a team that is not strong at No. 1. If the Pistons take the initiative to trade, your situation will be bad. If you go to a team with strong outside, it will be even more difficult next season."

In Guo Xu's previous life, Cliffs was traded to the Kings by the Pistons, which was really a tragedy.

At that time, the Kings had Mike Bibby, Bobby Jackson, and the defense expert Doug Christie at the second position. Cliffs became a marginalist. What's even more unlucky is that he was short in playing time and seriously injured. He missed most of the season and never recovered.

Now Guo Xu is kindly reminding that if Cliffs can be traded to other teams early and change his style of play, he may avoid the bad luck of serious injuries.

Of course, Guo Xu cannot make such a major decision for Cliffs. Whether he can change his destiny depends on his personal choice.

Cliffs was silent for a few minutes. He felt that what Guo Xu said made sense. His style was indeed not suitable for the Pistons. He was ready to let his agent take action and strive to leave the team in the middle.

In the evening, the Lakers played against the Pistons at home, and Jackson let Guo Xu start against Chucky Atkins, who was very fast.

The two have very similar figures. Atkins is 180cm tall and weighs 73 kilograms. He was short and defeated the draft because of his short size. He only received a basic salary contract with the Magic last season. As a result, he accidentally played 82 games, played for 19.8 minutes on the bench, scored 9.5 points and 3.7 assists, and was selected for the second team of the All Rookie Team.

The two have a very similar playing style. Atkins is fast and can break through with the ball, is good at receiving and shooting, and is averaging 12 points and 4 assists per game this season, making it the third offensive choice for the Pistons.

Harper will struggle to defend Atkins, while Guo Xu will obviously win against him in the starting lineup.

Under Guo Xu's close entanglement, Atkins missed the basket with all four shots in the first quarter, without a single point. Guo Xu made two three-pointers, scored 10 points and 3 assists in a row and shot.

Kobe also scored with Starkhouse, scoring 12 points in a single quarter, with the latter 10 points.

The Lakers Tridents showed their strength together, leading 37 to 25 in a single quarter.

In the second quarter, Jackson sent veteran Harper to play against Cliffs and performed well on the defensive end. Cliffs scored no point, and he couldn't rely on his body to eat Harper. The opponent was 10cm taller and was not afraid of confrontation.

Cliffs was struggling on the court, and his teammates didn't cooperate with him at all, and they couldn't even beat the pick-and-roll. Although Joe Smith had a mid-range shot, he was too thin to stop the person.

Cliffs can attack with the ball, but if he plays like that, head coach George Earwin will shout at him on the sidelines and urge him to pass the ball to Joe Smith, which is the main attack point of the substitute.

At this time, Cliffs missed his college teammates very much. Both swingers can shoot three-pointers to open up space. He and the center can get a misaligned attack opportunity with a pick-and-roll. That's great. Now he has no advantage in the NBA and his talent has become ordinary, so the coach will not arrange tactics for him.

In the second half, Zen master sent O'Neal and Guo Xu, and the score difference widened to more than 20 points. In this quarter, the Pistons still scored by Starkhouse, Atkins made 1 of 5 shots and Joe Smith made 1 of 6 shots, all of which were defensive.

The strength gap between the two sides was too big. In the final quarter, the Lakers core members were replaced and "clocked in and got off work", and finally won 115-84.

The Lakers blossomed at multiple points in this game. O'Neal and Kobe scored 20+ and led the team to score in double digits. Even the substitute Pan Persie scored 12 points.

Guo Xu only played for 26 minutes, scoring 15 points and 3 assists. Atkins was beaten up, making 2 of 10 shots in the game, scoring 6 points and 3 assists. Cliffs performed even worse, playing for 15 minutes, with 2 points and 2 assists.
Chapter completed!