The best teammates in the NBA

Chapter 137 The Spurs Are Old and the Mavericks Are Weak (6000-word chapter)
On January 1th, the hot spot in the league tonight was no longer discussing the issue of MVP ownership, but began to discuss whether Popovich, a bad old man, had a hand in the previous game.

85 to 105, the Spurs beat the Lakers at home. The Spurs had already established the victory in the first half. In the absence of Gasol due to injury, Duncan scored 25+13+4 efficiently and destroyed the game by himself. Inside the Lakers.

The Spurs had 29 assists in the game, perfect teamwork, blossoming inside and outside, and the Lakers were almost powerless to fight back. Although Kobe scored 10 of 7 in the first half and scored 16 points efficiently, this still couldn't stop the Lakers halfway. 14 points behind.

As a result, the second half entered garbage time very early, and the depressed Kobe stopped shooting, silently watching everyone on the bench banging iron.

Seeing Kobe's resolute eyes, the rotation players of the Lakers were scared into Mamba mode ahead of time, almost smashing the basket of the Spurs' home team.
Of course the Thunder were very happy when the Lakers lost. They once again widened the gap in victory and stabilized their No. [-] position in the Western Conference.

Li Ze was speechless when he saw Popovich's post-match interview. This old man didn't have a single word of truth.

"The next game, the Spurs will go to Oklahoma City to challenge the Thunder away. The Thunder has an injury inside. Will you still choose to rest Duncan?"

The media reporter who was involved in the matter asked a rather sharp question after the game. The league has always discouraged taking turns. After all, the audience buys tickets to watch the stars, but Popovich has always gone his own way, and various injuries are almost used. over and over.

"Duncan will still start. His competitive state is very good. Of course, everyone knows that there will always be some unfavorable factors in away games. I only hope that all my players can be healthy."

Popovich used one set of words on the scene, and ignored the provocations of the reporters at all. He didn't even say a word of rest. He didn't want to pay the fine directly.

When Li Ze saw this, he was also a little uncertain about Popovich's personnel arrangement. He always felt that the other party was going to make trouble. teams.

"I hope this bad old man can take a rest for Duncan as soon as possible, so the game will be much easier!"

When Li Ze saw the news report of the Spurs after the game, he couldn't help praying silently in his heart. As long as he beat the Spurs, Krstic would almost be able to make a comeback, and the subsequent games would be much easier.

There is no meat shield inside this year, and it really can't withstand the repeated attacks of these star power forwards and centers in the West.

On January 1th, the Thunder team was in a training session in the afternoon. Durant was in high spirits, and his condition was not generally good. The basket was as wide as the sea, and he could make as many shots as he could.

In the list of MVP candidates, Durant ranked third with his outstanding performance. If there is no accident, he can continue to win the best award of the week this week. People are happy and energetic. Durant's state Naturally, it has improved a lot.

"The media finally added Kevin to the ranks of MVP. If we can play a good record, maybe Kevin can really get this award."

Jeff Green, as a die-hard supporter of Durant, of course has to blow for his boss at this time, and create a sense of presence in the locker room.

"Actually, ESPN has been making high-profile announcements recently that Kayce will get the MVP. These media are really boring. If the record is similar, I think the league will definitely award the MVP award to LeBron James, and it may also be awarded to LeBron James. To Kobe Bryant."

"It's hard for a rookie to get this award, but Kayce's All-Star votes rank third in the Western Conference backcourt, which is a pity."

Guigui also has to help his good brother Li Ze build momentum, which is related to the position of the team leader.

"Okay, simple physical activity is enough. In the game tonight, Kostic will not play. The medical team advised him to rest for a few more days, so tonight we will continue the rotation from the previous game. Come on, boys! "

Coach Brooks didn't talk too much about the tactical arrangements, but simply announced the rotation of tonight's game. Facing the Spurs in good form, the coaching staff are ready to lose.

Li Ze noticed that the coaching staff was not in high spirits, so he could only sigh helplessly in his heart:
"Hopefully the Spurs will actually do a lineup rotation tonight!"

Time passed quickly. In the evening, Oklahoma City fans entered the Ford Center Arena early. This was the last game of 4 consecutive home games. The Thunder team had a record of 2 wins and 1 loss. They are very satisfied, after all, the team injured two inside players!
On the other side of the ocean, today is Thursday. Sina Sports broadcast this game, which is called a strong dialogue by the media. Before the game, the host Ke Xiaofan and the guest Yang Yi were also discussing the topic of the Spurs beating the Lakers.

"The Lakers are in a very good competitive state this season. They were ranked second in the Western Conference before, only two games behind the Thunder, but they lost to the Spurs by a big margin in the last game. Mr. Yang, do you think the Spurs have a good performance this season? Want to win a championship?"

The host Ke Xiaofan helped the Spurs fans ask a question that everyone cares about.

"The Spurs are really playing better and better, but it's too early to talk about the championship now! A large part of the reason for the Lakers' loss is that Gasol failed to play, which has too much impact on both offensive and defensive ends of the Lakers. .”

"If the Spurs want to rush out of the West, not to mention the Lakers, even if they face this young Thunder team, it is enough for the Spurs to drink a pot. The GDP combination is very powerful, but Jefferson did not play the expected effect. He didn't contribute his perimeter firepower offensively."

Yang Yi is not very optimistic about the Spurs this season. Each team in the West has its own characteristics and is very strong. Obviously, the Spurs do not have the hard power to crush other teams.

"Since Mr. Yang mentioned personnel issues, let's talk about whether the Thunder can add an inside player before the trade deadline. Mr. Yang, do you think this is possible? Personally, I think the Thunder are short of a big man who can protect the basket gone."

Regarding the issue of personnel supplementation, the fans of Tianchao have already been discussing it in full swing. Even enthusiastic Thunder fans have offered four or five trading plans. The issue of host Ke Xiaofan is also a concern of many fans.

"Haha, to be honest! It is very difficult for the Thunder to make personnel adjustments. I don't even think the coaching staff expected that their performance in the new season will be so good. It is almost impossible to trade personnel, but we can continue to look forward to Lee. Ze's performance."

"Actually, everyone can see that Li Ze is making continuous progress. In the first few games, that kind of explosive play style, fast passing, almost invisible. This does not mean that Li Ze's ability has declined. It's just that he's adapted to the rhythm of the NBA game."

"Li Ze is now playing with ease, control of the rhythm of the game, and the choice of personal offense have all improved significantly, so our fans no longer need to expect the Thunder to adjust personnel. Li Ze can stay healthy and play better. That is the team. The biggest gain."

The host Ke Xiaofan really didn't expect that the discussion was on the issue of personnel transactions, but it turned out to be Yang Yi's commendation meeting for Li Ze.
"I agree with Teacher Yang's point of view. Although it is difficult for a rookie to win the MVP, I hope that Li Ze can be selected into the best team of this season. I believe this is what many fans are looking forward to."

"The starting rosters of the two teams ahead have come out. Although it is a back-to-back match, Coach Popovich did not choose to rest the main players this time. It is a pity that they lost the last match. The Spurs probably will go all out in this game. "

"Coach Popovich continued his starting lineup with the Lakers from last game, with Tony Parker and Keith Bogans in the backcourt and Richard Jefferson and DeJuan Blair up front. and Tim Duncan at center."

"Krstic still hasn't come back for the Thunder, Russell Westbrook and Li Ze are in the backcourt, Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka are in the front line, and Nick Kerr is the center. Leeson."

The host Ke Xiaofan quickly introduced the starting lineups of both sides.

"The Spurs' big and four teams are indeed very strong. The last time the two teams played against each other, the game was not decided until the end of the fourth quarter. Let's see if the Thunder can still play their offense and their defense. It's hard to limit Duncan's play at the end."

Yang Yi also briefly commented on the starters of the two sides. Seeing that Popovich did not rest Duncan, he knew that the Spurs must be seriously preparing for this game.

In the final warm-up stage before the game, Li Ze felt a little helpless when he saw the Spurs' lineup of one big and four small.

"Don't worry, guys, I'm hot tonight, we can definitely win this game!"

Durant is a little swollen. After all, he has rushed to the third place on the MVP candidate list. He is praised by the media and praised by fans. He even feels that he is omnipotent, and he has directly become a contemporary Jordan.

"We need to be more patient in our offense tonight, and pay attention to the opponent's defense."

Before going on the field, Li Ze briefly reminded his teammates that, unlike the bad guys before, the Spurs are not a soft persimmon. Since Popovich chose to play as the main force, he would definitely not simply paddle.

The referee signaled both players to come to the center of the field, and Ibaka and Duncan were about to jump the ball in the middle circle.

"At the beginning of the game, Duncan jumped to the ball for the Spurs. After Parker dribbled halfway, he immediately gave the ball to Duncan in the waist."

After Duncan received the ball, the others cleared the side. Parker quickly cut along the baseline. Turtle's defensive attention was very concentrated. Following Parker, Duncan noticed that there was no chance to pass the ball. After three threats, he immediately shot a jumper.

"唰" made a steady hit in the middle distance.

Ibaka was a little helpless, he didn't dare to go too far, because Duncan really might have passed him in one step. After the opponent made three threats, his defensive focus instinctively shifted back, and he could only watch Duncan take an easy shot.

In this game, Ibaka is destined to be taught a lesson by Duncan.
The Thunder quickly sent the baseline ball, and after half court, they found that the Spurs were still using the previous defensive strategy. After the screen, they quickly switched defenses. After several runs without the ball, the Thunder never got an easy shot.

At this time, Li Ze and Ibaka made a baseline cross screen. DeJuan Blair switched over and pushed Li Ze to the outside. Makes a successful catch near the paint.

After receiving the ball with his back, Li Ze took advantage of the situation, turned around deftly, got rid of Judean Blair's defense, and accelerated the breakthrough along the baseline with the ball in his left hand. When he noticed that Duncan had returned to the basket, he flicked his wrist and was unguarded. Collison.

After the latter received the ball, he quickly threw it with his right hand and made a steady two-pointer.

"Whoo!"

The audience at the Ford Center immediately cheered, the team scored, and everyone sat down to watch the game.

"Li Ze's ball is really good! Everyone pay attention to the movement of him turning around to touch the baseline after catching the ball with his back. It is very similar to Jordan. It is unbelievable that a rookie has such skills. ESPN has always said that Li Ze is Jordan's successor." Man, this statement is really not an exaggeration!"

Yang Yi went all out and blew the first ball at Li Ze. The host, Ke Xiaofan, couldn't get in the conversation. He really couldn't answer the words. If he blew too much, he must be a scammer.
The Spurs' offense, all tactics start from Duncan's point of view, low-post strong play, off-ball cuts, hand-to-hand screens on the line, Duncan's comprehensive skills make the Thunder's defense stretched, and Collison is about to be overwhelmed .

Coupled with Parker's quick breakthrough after the pick-and-roll, he can always tear the Thunder's inside defense. After more than three minutes of the opening, 12 to 4, the Spurs hit all shots, and the Thunder's offense also had problems.

The defensive strategy of changing defenses after the screen makes Durant always have a defender in front of him. After the screen, it is difficult to have an open opportunity. It is the same as the last match, and the Spurs accept Durant's mid-range. Pull up jump shot.

Facing the Spurs' striker, Durant hit the iron continuously after the opening. It is obvious that he has not adjusted from the abuse mode, and his few shots are not in the offensive rhythm.

Coach Brooks saw that the situation on the court was not good, and immediately requested a timeout.

"Guys, be patient. We need to find better shooting opportunities and pass the ball. The Spurs are a mature team. Don't think about the game too simply."

"Kayce, control the offensive rhythm, we have to play smart! We have to find the opponent's defensive loopholes, don't think about ending the game quickly, come on, boys!"

Coach Brooks did not emphasize too much tactical play, and this timeout is just to let everyone calm down and adjust their mentality quickly. The opponent is not a big team.

After a timeout, the Thunder attacked. Li Ze made an offensive gesture. After Ibaka and Collison double-screened, Li Ze successfully received the ball. Facing Judean Blair, who came over from the defense, while holding the ball, he faced Du in the corner. Rand rolled his eyes.

When Durant was moving up the line, Li Ze saw the timing and passed the ball ahead of time. After the moving Durant received the ball, he broke through instantly, pulled the ball back with his right hand while moving, and made an emergency stop to shoot a jumper.

"唰" made a steady hit in the middle distance.

The efficiency of singles with the ball is low, and Durant still has a huge advantage when he moves to catch and shoot the ball. After all, he is tall and long, and it is difficult for Jefferson to interfere with his shots. What Durant should do.

Although the Thunder's offense has gradually found its sense, the Spurs can always respond to the ball, and the point difference can never be narrowed.

In the remaining few minutes of the first quarter, the three-man team of the Thunder team was fully fired. After the high pick-and-roll, the tortoise made an emergency stop jump shot and made a steady hit from the mid-range. Looking back, Parker followed the same pattern, with the help of Duncan's block, two long shots. Respond quickly.

Li Ze faced Jefferson, who had switched defenses, from outside the three-point line. He dribbled the ball back with his left hand cross-step, changed his right crotch to the back, and dribbled the ball behind his left hand, pretending to break through, which made Jefferson's defensive center of gravity move back. , with force under his feet, he quickly retreated and shot a jumper.

"Shua" three-pointer hollow into the net.

The Spurs attacked, scored consecutively, broke through and scored, and Manu Ginobili, who came on the field, swayed Li Ze with realistic fake moves after receiving the ball. After taking a step outside the three-point line, he immediately shot a jumper.

"Shua" responded and the ball was easily scored.

Durant came out to catch the ball from a screen, accelerated the breakthrough with the ball in his left hand, dribbled the ball behind his back suddenly during the march, and scored two points with a jumper.

But the Spurs quickly sent the ball to the baseline, and passed the ball directly to Duncan in the low post after halftime. The latter faced Collison's defense, and after two hits, he turned around and made a layup.

The two sides came and went, and both hit extremely high shooting percentages, but the Thunder still couldn't narrow the point difference. By the end of the first quarter, the Spurs led by 1 points 35 to 27.

During the holiday break, in the Sina studio, the hosts Ke Xiaofan and Yang Yi also adjusted their tone. The game was really good. They couldn't help but feel a little excited about their previous commentary. At this time, they simply calmed down their mood.

"The Spurs are too good. The Thunder's three minors scored in the second half of the quarter, and their momentum has already risen. In the end, they were forced back by the GDP trio. It's still a problem of defense. The Thunder really can't guard Duncan inside, otherwise this The game will definitely catch up."

Yang Yi began to brag about the Spurs' GDP combination this time. The Spurs' methodical offense is indeed worthy of praise.

"I have to praise the Thunder team's trio. It's really too strong. It didn't start well, and then quickly adjusted. Li Ze read the Spurs' defense, and then slowly found the opponent's weakness. Press the Spurs outside."

"Li Ze also showed his ability in the first quarter. No matter who is defending, he can't be restrained one-on-one. The dribbling rhythm is really good, slow and fast, and he is full of fake moves. With this ability, Gotta make it to the All-Star Game!"

After the host Ke Xiaofan saw the NBA released the third-stage paper voting data, he began to complain about Li Ze's grievances. Obviously, there are unspoken rules in it!

"Haha, don't talk, don't talk, let's stop this topic. After all, our votes will not be counted, otherwise there will be no suspense. Li Ze is the all-star vote leader. Let's continue to watch the game!"

Yang Yi also said something weird, secretly satirizing the NBA's voting rules.

During the break, everyone on the Thunder bench looked serious. The feeling of this game was very bad. The Spurs used their excellent defensive rotation and skillful offensive coordination to firmly suppress the Thunder.

"Fack, I don't believe they will be so accurate the whole game!"

Durant cursed a little depressed, he really didn't expect that the Spurs would score all the goals in response.

"It's hard to say! I have a bad feeling."

With a helpless face, Li Ze complained with a wry smile.

"I don't believe their physical strength can maintain such a defense all the time. They just finished playing back and forth with the Lakers!"

Guigui is still full of vigor and vitality. He believes that the Thunder will definitely turn the game over and play at home. They have a physical advantage.

But NBA games are sometimes so magical. Once the opponent finds the rhythm of the game, they will be unstoppable. The Spurs' game is like this, and the time after that will be crazy!

Duncan's mid-range and basket continued to score, Parker and Ginobili's three-pointers hit consecutively, inside and outside blooming, after a wave of games in the second quarter, the point difference came to 2 points.

Just hit a few consecutive irons in the second half of the second quarter, and the game was over. Li Ze was also a little dazed, and he collapsed so fast that he didn't even react
When the Spurs led by a big score, the game was basically concluded. The Thunder counterattacked several times to no avail. In the end, the time ran out, 110 to 96. The Spurs succeeded in revenge and easily defeated the Thunder in the away game.

After the game, Coach Brooks smiled wryly and hugged Popovich. In this game, the Thunder's coaching staff had almost no choice but to watch the team lose.

"Greg, I really hope you rest Duncan for this game, you guys played so well!"

Coach Brooks also started the business mutual blow mode.

"The Thunder are just affected by injuries. You guys have great physical talent. Seriously, I like the way Lee plays. He's a genius!"

After winning the game, Popovich's head coach was in a good mood, and the two were exchanging harmonious business on the sidelines. In summary, hello, me, everyone.
After the Thunder team lost to the Spurs, it seemed that they had eaten the show and couldn't stop at all. When they went to Dallas to challenge the Mavericks, they were once again crushed by the opponent's violent three-pointer.

Kidd, Barea, Terry, and Nowitzki can all throw three-pointers.

Ibaka felt particularly bitter. Nowitzki was simply not a human being. Mid-range, three-pointers, breakthroughs with the ball, post-up singles, and a fancy attack, he was blown up.

101 to 112, the Mavericks shot the Thunder at home and successfully revenged.

The biggest reason for the Thunder's loss was that the defense was overstretched, and the inside defense really couldn't stand it anymore, but there is also good news that Krstic will be back in the next game.

In the two games, Durant scored 30+ points. After the away game against the Mavericks, everyone in the Thunder flew back to Oklahoma City overnight. They will play against the Heat at home in the next game.

Durant, who came home late at night, had a hard time falling asleep. In desperation, he had no choice but to browse YouTube and watch his girlfriends. However, when he saw ESPN's basketball channel, he couldn't help but click on a video discussing MVP.

"Durant can't lead the Thunder to win, he is not a qualified leader, even, his high scoring is hurting the team!"

When Durant saw this, he immediately cursed angrily:

"Fack squid! Scoring can't help the team? Can this also be black?"

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(End of this chapter)