However, something happened during training that afternoon.

Kato's old injury to big toe relapses and he can't play at night.

The specific number of rest is to be checked later.

Big toe injury is something that even big centers cannot avoid, and Yao Ming and O'Neal have suffered a lot in their careers.

Kato weighs 125 kg and is a big meat shield, and he can't avoid this level after all.

That night, the Heat, who lost the inside gate, suffered a crushing defeat.

Paul Gasol, Lorenzen White showed his power and made a big splash in the Heat's paint area.

And the Heat have no choice.

Haslem is too short, Odom can't fight, Grant is old and short...

The Heat once tried to double-team, and Gasol made various wonderful passes to assist Percy, Miller and Bathir, with three-pointers, which made the gap even bigger.

In the end, 88:81, the Grizzlies successfully put out the fire.

The Heat's overall record has become 15 wins and 11 losses.

This game also made the Heat team realize the importance of Kato.

Kato averaged only 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, and the data is very average.

However, for the Heat's defensive system, Kato is a very important part, and his role is not something that can be replaced by data.

Li Lei came on as a substitute in this game, scoring 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block again, and his average score increased steadily.

At the post-match press conference, Li Lei joked with the reporter: "I think I may have to win the best sixth man of this season!"

Li Lei is currently averaging 13.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.0 blocks per game. This data is really possible to hit the best sixth man.

Li Lei is in a good mood.

Because of his braised candy defense, he has been promoted to intermediate level.

panel:

Strength 74, speed 61, physical energy 54, reaction speed 64, explosive power 39, balance 50.

Average value 57.

Skill proficiency:

Bloody Hat (Junior 90/100).

Accurate steal (intermediate level 17/1000).

Additional effect: When the steal fails, it can also impose pressure on the opponent and force the opponent to make mistakes.

Kraft defense (intermediate 1/1000).

Additional effect: When the host defends, reduces physical energy consumption in a small amount.

Hundred steps to penetrate the sun (intermediate level 11/1000).

Additional effect: When the host shoots a three-pointer, reduces the opponent's interference in a small amount.

Li Lei saw the additional effect of the intermediate braised candy defense and was so satisfied that he couldn't be more satisfied. It was simply amazing.

Li Lei's physical fitness is not bad, but his defense happens to consume physical fitness particularly.

So since the regular season, Li Lei has not played much time.

On the offensive end, Li Lei also ambushed outside the three-point line, and he had a few tactics to run, and his breakthrough was almost invisible.

Now, the promotion of Kraft Candy to intermediate level can reduce Li Lei's physical energy consumption on the defensive end.

Li Lei has abundant physical fitness.

He can maintain high-intensity defense for more playing time or increase running on the offensive end.

Anyway, Li Lei felt that he was OK again.

December 20.

Li Lei participated in team training at the American Airlines Center.

Coach Dafan asked Spoelstra in surprise: "Eric, why do I think Stone's physical fitness has become better, although it is only a little bit."

Spoelstra nodded, Li Lei was fighting with Odom.

Normally, Li Lei maintains high-intensity defense and can play 20 rounds with Odom, and then he is a little overwhelmed.

But today, it has been twenty-three rounds, and Li Lei has just shown signs of difficulty.

Although the progress is small, it is a real progress.

Spoelstra thought for a while, touched his chin and said, "Stone practices more every day, and sweat will not be in vain. Look at Udunis again, aren't you getting stronger day by day?"

Coach Dafan nodded and had other thoughts in his mind.

The next night, before the game begins.

Coach Dafan brought Li Lei and Butler together.

Big Van: "Stone, prepare to start tonight."

Li Lei: "..."

I think you're messing with me!

I just joked with the media that I want to compete for the best sixth man this season, so why would you let me start?

Da Fan saw Li Lei's doubts and explained: "Actually, Kaba applied to me a long time ago: Let you play the starting lineup. He thinks that you have better defense and don't need the ball, and it's more suitable for the starting lineup."

Caron Butler nodded at Li Lei and agreed.

"this?"

Li Lei was really surprised that Butler actually took the initiative to give the starter to himself.

This is also...too gentle!

I just did a little insignificant thing at the beginning, and this guy regarded himself as a good brother and the best brother.

Look at other teams, they often make a big fuss for a starter, fighting and squirting, and sometimes the guns are drawn out.

Li Lei felt unreal.

And Butler's strength is there, he averaged 15.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game in the rookie season. It is definitely more than enough to be the starting small forward.

Thinking of this, Li Lei was embarrassed.

So, Li Lei pushed Butler and said fiercely: "Bastard, you actually want to steal my best sixth man, damn it!"

Butler was a little confused at first, but when he saw Li Lei laughing, he realized that this was a joke: "Yes, the best sixth person is mine!"

Hello!

Coach Dafan was anxious: Why did the season pass one-third? The best sixth man seemed to be decided by our team.

However, this team atmosphere really satisfyes Dafan.

Coach Dafan said: "You don't have to fight, Mr. Riley has decided. Stone starts and Caron is the sixth man."

Li Lei and Butler nodded. Since the "dictator" decided, it would be useless for anyone to object.

Da Van continued: "Caron needs the ball, and so is Lamar, Dwyane and Eddie in the starting lineup. Caron is better off playing as a substitute and can get more opportunities to dominate the ball. Stone has a good defense and does not need the ball, which is more suitable for matching the starting lineup. This is a kill of two birds with one stone, which can not only improve our starting lineup, but also increase the depth of the bench."

When Dafan analyzed this "personnel change" from a tactical level, Li Lei and Butler had nothing to say.

However, since then, Li Lei and Caron Butler's relationship has gone further and they have more and more private relationships.

After leaving the big office, Coach Spo pulled Li Lei away again.

"Hello, the Heat starts the small forward."

Spoel quipped.

Li Lei responded with a smile: "Hello, the future coach of the Heat."

Spoelstra is very young, so it is a matter of time to take the Dafan coaching class.

The two laughed.

Then Spoo pulled Li Lei and said seriously: "You can become a starting small forward, but it has nothing to do with Caron's request."

Li Lei: "..."

He really didn't understand the twists and turns inside.

Spoo said: "Caron has applied a long time ago, why is the coaching staff agreeing now? And do you think Caron's idea can affect Mr. Riley?"

Li Lei couldn't help but nodded. When Spoo said that, he thought of this.

Seeing that Li Lei had a reaction, Spo continued: "Actually, it's all because of yourself. The coaching staff recently observed that your physical fitness, defense and three-point shooting have improved, so they applied to Mr. Riley to let you return to the starting lineup."

Li Lei understands.

This is reality, strength determines everything.

When his strength is stronger, the coaching staff will naturally reuse it.

The most important thing in the world is the value of a person himself.

So, Li Lei doesn’t need to think too much, he just needs to constantly improve his strength and value.

Li Lei hugged Spoelstra: "Eric, thank you for your advice, I love you so much!"

"I love you too, kid!"

Spoo said softly.
Chapter completed!