Chapter 34 Challenge or Challenger

The Pelicans had played the Spurs twice, the Mavericks twice, and the Rockets twice in their first 33 games. Now, after playing the Warriors, they were immediately up against the Cavaliers.

Moreover, both the Warriors and Cavaliers games were on the road.

No one would believe it if you said the league or Xiao Hua weren't doing it on purpose.

The league sets the schedule in the summer, and he was really trying to create difficulty for the Pelicans.

But this might not be a bad thing for the Pelicans. If they chew on the tough bones first, they can relax and train the substitutes in the later games.

The next game was in two days, and the Pelicans returned to New Orleans early the next morning.

According to the coaching staff's arrangement, they would have routine training that afternoon and the next morning, and then fly to Cleveland in the afternoon.

The schedule was tight. Back-to-back road games against strong opponents were a great physical and mental challenge for the players.

However, the Pelicans' morale was still very high.

This season, many people were focused on the Pelicans' four-star lineup, but they overlooked Tang Tian's latest evolution.

Tang Tian's current strength gave the Pelicans' players unprecedented confidence.

Anyway, with Tang Tian around, no situation was a problem.

As long as the others played normally, it would be another winning night for the Pelicans.

Even if the opponent was the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers struggled a bit at the beginning of the season as they integrated, but like the Warriors, they performed strongly after the integration was complete.

They were at the top of the Eastern Conference standings and had just won a seven-game winning streak, with an average net score of 20+.

In the previous 2k announcement of the updated ratings, the Cavaliers' overall rating had also increased.

LeBron James's 98 was higher than Durant's, second only to Tang Tian.

George 93, Whiteside 87, Wade 86, Love 85.

In terms of average, the Cavaliers' five-star lineup was even higher than the Warriors'.

Although the Pelicans' morale was high, it would probably take some effort to win against the Cavaliers.

The day before the game, the entire Pelicans team boarded a plane to Cleveland.

On the plane, the players were still talking about Christmas.

Because they had games on Christmas Day, most of them would celebrate with their families after Christmas.

"That Hassan!"

Tang Tian was looking out the window to recharge his energy when he suddenly heard Walker complain next to him.

He turned his head curiously.

Walker saw him turn his head, and handed him his phone while complaining.

He listened and watched, and basically knew the reason for Butler's complaint.

"We are stronger than ever, and I believe we can beat any opponent."

"Of course, this is God's opportunity for us, and we will beat the Pelicans."

"Creating a winning streak is a great thing, but ending an opponent's winning streak is just as great."

...

Whiteside's words in the interview were really in his personal style.

More unscrupulous than Green.

Speaking of which, when Whiteside was previously with the Pelicans, because Tang Tian was there to keep him in check, his early performances were generally positive.

But after going to Miami, he began to let himself go, and in Cleveland, he completely unleashed his nature.

On this matter, it must be said that James's temper was really good. No matter how much Whiteside messed around, he never publicly complained.

He did his best to maintain his personal image.

After Tang Tian finished reading, he returned the phone to Walker, but just smiled and didn't say anything.

"Green, Whiteside, these people are really too much."

Walker continued to complain when Tang Tian didn't say anything.

"This is normal, and it's something we have to learn to accept."

Tang Tian said with a smile.

However, Walker didn't quite understand his words.

"You see, when the Warriors lost, Green didn't get scolded by many people, and Whiteside's result will probably be the same.

But this is our current situation.

Because we are strong enough, it's only natural for us to win, and it's big news if we lose."

Tang Tian continued to explain.

"This feeling is really kind of fucked up."

Walker continued.

"You'll get used to it slowly."

Tang Tian said with a smile.

Walker had been losing games in the East for the past few years and had long forgotten what it felt like to win.

Moreover, even when he won the NCAA championship, it was a comeback all the way.

That's why he was a little sensitive.

But Tang Tian had been with the Pelicans for a long time, and the Pelicans had won more than they had lost in the past few seasons, and had even had a 74-win season.

So he had experienced this kind of thing a lot.

Walker was just starting out, and as he said, as he won more and more games, he would slowly get used to it.

The next day after arriving in Cleveland, the game between the Pelicans and the Cavaliers officially kicked off at Quicken Loans Arena.

Like Oakland, Cleveland was also in a city-wide celebration. Their fans wanted to win even more than the Bay Area fans!

In the locker room before the game, both teams were making their final preparations for the game.

Stevens left the locker room after arranging some game details.

"Guys."

Tang Tian spoke at this time, which was rare.

When he spoke, everyone turned their attention to him.

The locker room leader of the Pelicans now was Diaw, but Tang Tian was the team leader, and his say was the highest.

"I don't know if you guys still remember espn's list before the season."

"Of course, I remember, third in the league."

Bojan said with a smile.

His words immediately drew a burst of booing from the others.

The "third in the league" meme, not only the fans, but they themselves knew about it.

Tang Tian also smiled.

After the others' laughter died down, he continued.

"At the beginning of the season, we beat the Bucks, then the Thunder, then the Rockets, the Mavericks, the Warriors...

Have you noticed any pattern here?"

Tang Tian continued.

"We're like challengers, fighting our way up one by one, and now we're going to fight the final boss! If we win, we'll clear the game!"

Bojan's reaction was quick.

His words also drew a burst of booing from his teammates.

This metaphor was very vivid and appropriate.

Tang Tian shook his head.

"We are not challengers, they are. Now, we are about to face the final challenger."

As soon as Tang Tian finished speaking, the players in the locker room burst into cheers and whistles.

The meaning was similar, but the significance was completely different.

One was a challenger, like a player in a game.

But the other was the challenged, a Boss who had killed countless players!

"Tonight, let us defeat the last challenger, and tell espn how bullshit their list is!

Tonight, let us create a new NBA winning streak record, and tell everyone that this is our season!

Tonight, let us, as the Boss, defeat all the players' hopes, and tell them that they can forget about clearing this game!"

Tang Tian's following words made the players couldn't help but shout excitedly.

Since coming to the Pelicans, Tang Tian had rarely given his teammates pep talks like he did in NCAA or the Spurs.

Especially in recent years, with the team's strong strength, there was no need for that.

But like a spear that hasn't been used for a long time, wipe it down, and it can still strike straight at the dragon.

This bowl of chicken soup was invigorating!