Author: Feng Yuanhua

The Sonics' first game after the All-Star break was against the Wizards at home.

This is good news. After all, the Wizards' strength is there, and they are a perfect match for the Eastern Conference.

As of now, the Wizards have only won 15 games.

Facing such a kid who gave away points, the Sonics were naturally not polite and won easily.

Gary Payton scored 35 points. Even though he is over 30 years old and even though he participated in the All-Star Game, he is still in great shape.

Coupled with Wang Hao's 25 points and 9 rebounds, the SuperSonics basically ended the game in three quarters.

This is very strange.

Wang Hao and Gary Payton participated in the All-Star Game. There was no rest time, but they maintained their condition very well.

Each and every one of them had obviously rested for two days, but after returning to the competition, they showed very stretched hips.

Not just the Wizards, but the Sonics as well.

Of course, there is also good news, that is, in enough garbage time, the substitutes got enough opportunities to perform.

In addition to Reuben Patterson and Sharad Lewis, Shamond and Jelani also performed well.

The Sonics are in desperate need of backup firepower, and if the two can maintain their form, this is definitely a good thing.

After one game of adjustment, the condition of others is also improving, especially Vin Baker and Brent Barry.

There is still half a month left before the end of February, and the Sonics still have a total of 6 games.

However, they lost 2 of the 6 games, losing to the Celtics away from home and losing to the Kings at home.

As for the reason for losing, there is only one reason: lack of firepower.

Wang Hao and Gary Payton scored 40 points together, but no one from their teammates could step up.

Vin Baker's performance in the starting lineup was mediocre, and Rashard Lewis's status on the bench was up and down.

It's hard to win in this situation.

For this reason, Gary Payton even brought Wang Hao to find Wen Baker, hoping that he could adjust his condition.

How to adjust the state? Naturally, it is to stop drinking.

It's a pity that the team couldn't help Wen Baker force him to quit drinking, let alone just a few words from the two of them.

Not only Wang Hao, the team is also thinking of ways, especially head coach Paul Westphal.

In fact, in the last game, he made an adjustment and moved Brent Barry to the bench.

Brent Barry can hold the ball, has certain organizational skills, can break through, and his shooting is okay.

To be honest, he is a bit like Hornacek on the Jazz today, just a weakened version.

When John Stockton needed a rest due to physical issues, Hornacek was able to organize the team's offense.

Paul Westphal doesn't expect Brent Barry to do this, but he does expect him to lead the bench.

In the last game against the Magic, Paul Westphal made adjustments.

In the second half of the game, the SuperSonics had already established a 20-point advantage, and he made a decisive attempt.

Let Reuben Patterson cooperate with the starting lineup, and Brent Barry will lead the bench lineup.

Not to mention, in the opening stage of the fourth quarter, Brent Barry led the bench, and they actually went back and forth with the Magic's main force.

Although the current Magic team does not have any stars, it is absolutely nonsense to say that the Magic team is very poor.

The current Magic team has a record of 27 wins and 29 losses, ranking 9th in the Eastern Conference, and still maintains a chance to make the playoffs.

Sure enough, in the first game in March, another road trip to the Eastern Conference for the Sonics, the team made adjustments.

Brent Barry was moved to the bench, and as for Ruben Patterson, he was mentioned in the starting lineup.

When he heard the head coach announce the result, Wang Hao was a little surprised and looked at Brent Barry specifically.

Anyway, he studied basketball with Brent Barry, and Brent Barry helped him when he first entered the NBA.

During more than half a season with the SuperSonics, he and Brent Barry also maintained a very good relationship.

Among the entire team, except for Gary Payton, who occupies a lot of the ball, Brent Barry passes the most passes to him.

However, he did not see any dissatisfaction in Brent Barry's eyes and accepted the result calmly.

The head coach should have communicated in advance, but not everyone can accept the change from starter to substitute.

Reuben Patterson entered the starting lineup, and Wang Hao's position was also adjusted, moving from small forward to shooting guard.

In fact, Wang Hao's position in the team is originally a defender. It was only because Brent Barry couldn't play small forward that he was moved to this position.

As for Ruben Patterson, even though he is shorter, his position is really that of a small forward.

In addition to being slightly shorter in height, Ruben Patterson's confrontation is actually not bad and he is fully capable of assuming this position.

Of course, when defending, the positions of the two will not be fixed, but will be adjusted according to the opponent.

If you are facing a player like Paul Pierce, who is slightly slower but stronger in physical confrontation, Reuben Patterson is more suitable.

But if it's against Glenn Rice or Peja Stojakovic, it's Wang Hao who takes action.

Paul Westphal made such adjustments in addition to adjusting the team's lineup and enhancing the offensive firepower of the bench.

In addition, there is another very important reason, which is to liberate Wang Hao and let him participate more in the offense.

At the small forward position, Wang Hao suffered in confrontations and spent too much on defense.

However, after such adjustments, the team's requirements for Wang Hao will become higher.

As a defender, even a shooting guard, his role in the team is not just about scoring.

Breakthroughs, series organization, and as a defender all need to play a role in this aspect.

Even the well-known pitchers in the NBA today, Ray Allen and Reggie Miller, actually have this ability.

"Paul, will this put too much pressure on Wang?"

Although he had known Paul Westphal's arrangements for a long time, Field still couldn't help but ask at this time.

Among the entire coaching staff, Field and Wang Hao have the most contact, and the relationship between them is naturally the best.

"Of course, I know, but we have to believe in the king. Do you still remember why we chose the king in the first place?"

The SuperSonics didn't pay any attention to Wang Hao in last year's draft.

Later, it was General Manager Willie Walker's reminder that made the team pay attention to this rapidly improving player.

What's more, this is just the 56th overall pick, so there is really no need to care too much.

"Is it because of his super learning ability?"

Paul Westphal smiled and said: "Yes, haven't you noticed? Wang has made more and more breakthroughs recently.

In fact, we don't even need to make a decision, Wang is already adjusting his play style on his own.

To be honest, I am very surprised, such a player is shocking."
Chapter completed!