NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 255: New High in Season Winning Streak

贾飞本场比赛仅仅只出战了三节比赛，不到30分钟的上场时间，高效地砍下25分11个篮板11次助攻4个抢断2个盖帽的三双数据。

This was his first triple-double of the season, and his sixth in the NBA regular season. Statistically, triple-doubles aren't uncommon in the NBA these days; 20+ point triple-doubles are practically a given for his former teammate, Westbrook. However, watching the game reveals a clear improvement in his skills compared to last season.

For a young player, progress is far more important than a few statistics.

The Hawks achieved their longest winning streak of the season with three consecutive wins, which greatly boosted morale throughout the team and demonstrated that their rotation adjustments were on the right track. The team's spirit has changed; everyone is fulfilling their role on the court, playing aggressively, proactively, and confidently, and behaving more like a cohesive unit.

After the match, Jia Fei, as the best player of the competition, attended the post-match press conference.

The questions the reporters asked were always the same, so he was very comfortable answering them.

This time, a reporter asked, "What are your thoughts on defeating last season's runner-up, the Heat?"

Jia Fei smiled slightly: "This team only has Chris Bosh as their star tonight, while they had a Big Three last season, so I don't think beating them is anything to brag about."

"What do you think about LeBron leaving the Heat to return to Cleveland?" the reporter pressed.

"I feel a bit regretful. I could have had a chance to get revenge this season, but now that he's gone to Cleveland, I don't know whether to get revenge on the Heat or the Cavaliers!" Jia Fei said with a smile.

"Your next game is against the Cavaliers, and you'll have the chance to face LeBron directly. Do you think you can beat him?" the reporter continued.

"If I beat him, but the Eagles lose, do I win or lose? Conversely, do I win or lose?" Jia Fei asked with a smile.

The reporter couldn't answer, but many people in the audience applauded...

On November 16, the Hawks played the Cavaliers in a back-to-back game on the road.

This match is also a highlight of the league: Jia Fei vs. Running Man.

这场比赛，贾飞全场轰下30+6+5+1+1，跑男是29+7+7+1，两人数据差不多，但骑士欧文爆掉了蒂格砍下25+4+3+1，老鹰其他人也没有站出来，最终惜败骑士，无缘4连胜。

Three days later, they were defeated by the Lakers at home in a last-second shot, suffering their second consecutive loss.

After a three-game winning streak to a two-game losing streak, many people are disappointed with the Hawks again, feeling that they are hopeless.

But Jia Fei felt that the season was long and it was normal for things to go up and down. He also felt that the Hawks' talent wasn't really enough to overwhelm their opponents, and that getting the team to gel in the early part of the season was very important.

In their remaining five games this month, they only lost to the Raptors, and defeated the Pistons, Wizards, Pelicans, and Hornets.

After November, the Hawks' record stood at 8 wins and 7 losses, temporarily ranking 7th in the Eastern Conference.

Many Hawks fans are dissatisfied with this record, but looking at the latter part of November, the team's cohesion has improved further and they are moving in the right direction.

The Hawks aren't in a rush. Although their season goal is the championship, not winning it doesn't mean they've failed. They haven't formed a Big Three, nor do they need to pay a hefty luxury tax, so they can afford to lose.

This is Jia Fei and Budenholzer's second season with the Hawks. The team is generally developing in a positive direction, and the team is very united. They just need to do their own thing.

On the evening of November 30, Jia Fei and Art Mayork did extra training after the game. After the training, the two went back together. On the way, Art Mayork asked, "Jia, the team's record hasn't been very good since I came into the rotation. Do you think I have a big problem?"

Jia Fei looked at him with surprise: "I'm curious why you would ask such a question."

“But everyone is saying that because of my relationship with you, I squeezed out Elton’s rotation spot, and now the team’s performance hasn’t fully improved, so I need to take responsibility for this.” Art Mayork was clearly affected by this kind of public opinion and was somewhat troubled.

"Why do you care what others say! There are rumors that you and I are gay, is that really true? There are also rumors that I'm a ball hog, that I monopolize the ball in the team, that I control the management and coaching staff, all sorts of bizarre rumors, and I haven't responded to any of them! Art, instead of caring about what others say, you should focus your energy on training and proving your strength, and naturally some of the rumors will disappear. When we really succeed, there will probably be news praising us everywhere, and you won't even be able to find the news that criticized you before," Jia Fei said with a smile.

Jia Fei's words were like a revelation to Art Mayor. Yes, Jia Fei had received far more comments and criticisms than he had, but he was not bothered by such public opinion.

"Art, train hard, don't listen to what others say, we will succeed!" Jia Fei's tone was very firm.

“Yes, Jia, I’m not going to overthink it!” Art Mayork was also determined. He felt that as long as he followed Jia Fei, what problem could there be?

Jia Fei returned home, entered the system, redeemed his points, and spent them to raise his "Iverson Peak Technique Integration" from 73% to 76%!

February has arrived...

On December 3, the Hawks defeated the Celtics at home, achieving their third consecutive victory.

The following day, they defeated the Heat in a back-to-back game on the road, achieving their longest winning streak of the season at four games!

After a four-game winning streak, their record improved to 10 wins and 7 losses, and they rose to 6th place in the Eastern Conference!

On December 6, the Hawks defeated the Nets on the road, achieving their fifth consecutive victory!

On December 8th, the NBA officially announced the Players of the Week for the Eastern and Western Conferences. Jia Fei of the Atlanta Hawks and Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers were named the Players of the Week for the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively!

This is Jia Fei's first Player of the Week award this season, and the third time in his professional career!

The outside world hasn't been hyping up this honor much. Now, expectations for Jia Fei have increased. Weekly Player of the Week is no longer enough to get them to praise him wildly; it should at least be Monthly Player of the Month or All-Star selection.

This is the expectation the outside world has of him, the level they believe he should be at. People consider him a star player now, some a superstar, some an average star. But he's definitely no less than a star; he made the All-NBA team last season and proved himself in the playoffs. Even his critics don't consider him just a role player.

These are the people we fans keep criticizing: Running Man, Little Blacksmith, Ji Bugong, Na Bufang, Shubao Du, Wei Guitou, Uchiha Harden, Elementary School Curry, etc. Nobody thinks they aren't stars.