start with scouting

Chapter 507 Who Is the Cornerstone of Team Building
Flying back to Saskatchewan and resting for a day, Su Yang began to prepare for the Christmas game, focusing on how to defend Harden.

In the office, members of the coaching staff gathered. Mike Brown looked at the computer screen and read: "ESPN said that Harden has averaged 27.4 points, 7.5 assists and 6.1 rebounds since the start of the game. He led the Rockets to the third record in the Western Conference. He will be an MVP contender..."

Everyone was surprised that Harden's statistics are so good, and he has scored 40+ points several times, which is a bit fierce.

Assistant coach Di Brown said: "So this is not only a Christmas game, but also a MVP battle between Curry and Harden. Compared with the last three quarters, Curry had better get points this time, so as not to be caught by Harden again. Steal the limelight with 40 points in three quarters..."

"I watched the video. Harden's biggest change this season is the significant increase in ball usage. His usage rate last season was 27.8, ranking 13th in the league. This season's usage rate is 31.3, ranking 4th in the league. Only 1.0 behind LeBron."

Just after McMillan finished speaking, Di Brown asked with a smile: "Who is the number one in usage rate, let me guess? Kevin Durant?"

Su Yang also conjectures the same. It is normal for the Thunder to rely on Durant to swing the sledgehammer and rank first in average usage rate.

It may also be a coincidence. The top two players in the single-season ball usage rate in NBA history are both from the Thunder. The first is Westbrook in the 16-17 season, with an average of 41.7 per game. The second is Harden in the 18-19 season, with an average of 40.5 per game. The two brothers are quite outrageous. After all, even the craziest Kobe in the 05-06 season had an average usage rate of only 38.7, while LeBron's highest ranking was only 47.

It can be said that most fans think that Kobe and LeBron are ball tyrants, even if the two teammates were misconfigured back then.

"Bingo!"

McMillan nodded, "So I suggest limiting Harden's use of the ball and reducing his possession of the ball."

After the words fell, everyone looked at Su Yang.

Su Yang already had an idea in his mind and said: "Scout report, Howard may not play tomorrow night due to injury. When we start, we arrange Evan Turner to defend one-on-one. When we rotate, we use guards to block the left lane. , Cousins ​​blocked the frontcourt."

"Cousins ​​injured his left index finger and needs to miss at least two games. In addition, Gay missed at least one game with a sore left knee..."

Su Yang thought for a moment when he heard the words, and then said: "Then let Whiteside play in the rotation. He is good at blocking shots and rebounding. Don pass the ball."

Mike Brown nodded to express their understanding, and the coaching staff discussed how to limit Ariza's corner three-pointers, and then the meeting adjourned.

Su Yang turned to the computer and rushed to the stadium, dragging Evan Turner to watch the video of Paul George and Holiday defending Harden. After all, they are currently the two best players defending Harden in the league, especially Paul George. It's worth a little reference for Turner.

"Last time we had too much lead against the Rockets and didn't defend Harden very strictly. Although we won the game, we allowed him to score 40 points in three quarters. This time we have to defend strictly. For the victory in the Christmas game, it can also make you better Showing defensive ability..."

Turner nodded in understanding.

Su Yang patted his shoulders to encourage him, thinking that Donian Finney-Smith hadn't entered the league yet, otherwise he would have to show Turner his video, because Donian Finney-Smith's defense against Harden was also quite effective, and he would not be in the league in a single season. Against Harden, Harden made 28 of 8 shots, including 21 of 6 three-pointers. His body size is also close to Turner. Anyway, he is tall, long-armed and strong, so he is very good at defending Harden.

The defensive training of the Kings team started accordingly. Since Harden is to be restricted to death, Antetokounmpo must also help in defense.

While the training was in full swing, ESPN and other media began to warm up for the Christmas battle between the Kings and the Rockets.

Stephen Smith, as well as Pippen and McGrady, the three of them talked about the highlights of the game in detail, focusing on the MVP battle between Harden and Curry, and talked about who is better between Curry and Harden The cornerstone of the team, Curry 2 to 1 Harden.

The person who supports Harden is Tracy McGrady. I don’t know if it was a deliberate arrangement by the program team or a spontaneous choice. He commented: "Harden has the attributes of a point guard, and his scoring ability is also very strong. , leading the Rockets to secure third place in the Western Conference, he does not need too many strong teammates, he only needs to be able to catch the ball and hit three-pointers, he is very strong in singles..."

The program was broadcast for about half an hour. Rockets general manager Morey tweeted, listing a lot of so-called high-level data that is difficult to distinguish and understand, emphasizing that Harden's efficiency value is as high as 30.6, and he is also among the top [-] in NBA history. , is expected to score champion.

Hot searches on Twitter followed up with the topic of who is more suitable to be the cornerstone of the team, Harden or Curry. More than 70% of the fans chose to support Harden. Will be unable to play the ball due to extreme defense.Between words, it is implied that Curry relies on the system, has a fragile body and many injuries, is easily guarded due to his limited height, and can only shoot three-pointers.

A fan named 'CrazyParker Beard' wrote: "I would like to say a shocking conclusion, that is, Howard's joining has not brought Harden much help, but has limited Harden's reach to the top, according to NBA official website According to the data, it can be easily predicted that Harden will become the player with the highest scoring efficiency in singles in NBA history, so he does not need a bulky traditional center teammate, he needs a center teammate with good mobility, and the three-point shooting rate is not bad teammate…"

The fan's remarks received 2+ likes and retweets, and Durant also gave them a big thumbs up, without hiding it.

Fans from all walks of life then joined the discussion, from who is the real NBA history heads-up king, to how much Howard helped the Rockets, and then to the difference between LeBron's 08-09 season and the current Rockets, which made the warm-up of the Christmas game even more exciting. to full to full.

In the twinkling of an eye, on Christmas Eve, the Christmas battle between the Kings and the Rockets started at the Sleep Train Arena and was broadcast live on ESPN across the United States.

After the pre-match ceremony, Su Yang gave a speech as the boss: "Good evening, everyone, I am very glad to see you all gathered in the Sleep Train Arena this night. I know that since 02, you have not I came here to watch the game on Christmas night. Fortunately, through the hard work of all of us, this wish came true this year. This is also the last time we hold a Christmas game in this arena. From next season, we will move to a new arena. The Christmas War is held every year!"

There were cheers everywhere in the arena, followed by the sound of long whistles, and the starting players of the two teams entered the field one after another.

On the Rockets side, Howard played with injuries and formed a starting lineup with Josh Smith, Trevor Ariza, Harden and Terry.

On the King's side, Cousins ​​truce, Jason Thompson served as the starting center, and Turner replaced LaVine as the starting shooting guard.

The short whistle sounded, and the king's mascot 'Simon' ran around the field holding the team flag, and interacted with the fans sitting on the sidelines all the way. , a bit breathtaking.

Amidst the cheers, the king won the jump ball.

Going straight to the five-out formation, Green received the pass from Curry at the top of the arc, turned to run to the right corner, and made a wide screen. Turner took the opportunity to get rid of Harden and ran to the right wing position quickly, but Ha Deng set his feet up and chased madly, not falling behind at all.

Seeing that Turner's opportunity to catch the ball was wrong, Green turned and moved to the left. Curry cut into the paint simultaneously and moved to the left with the cover of Antetokounmpo. Thompson stood on the fixed wall on the left waist early to make up an echelon for Curry Cover, stop Terry from chasing.

That operation, no matter how you look at it, looks like passing back to Curry.

But Terry was catching up very fast, Howard also delayed ahead of time, Curry didn't get a good chance, Green saw this and turned right again.

Turner approached at the same time, handing the ball to the left 45 degrees, trying to forcefully rush to the basket, but Harden clung to him.

In a hurry, Turner watched the Rockets team shrink and restrict passes in the paint, so he had to forcefully walk the baseline and hurriedly passed the ball to Antetokounmpo, who was open in the right corner, but there was only 3.8 seconds left to attack, and it was another three-pointer Bad Antetokounmpo, it's bad.

The three-pointer followed with a bang.

Howard grabbed the rebound and landed a direct long pass to the right wing position. Terry caught the ball and rushed, reaching the top of the arc in three seconds.

In a two-on-two situation, Terry crossed Josh.

Josh forced Green to hit a layup, grabbed an offensive rebound by himself, landed and passed to Terry outside, Terry flew to Curry, and then passed to Harden, Harden made a fake pass to Josh, and finally passed the middle Howard followed up with the ball and forced a layup.

"Okay, the Rockets are well prepared, especially Harden's defense, the attitude has been shown..."

Su Yang sat up straight, thinking that this kind of rocket that went all out would be fun, as the saying goes, the more you resist, the more excited you are.

(End of this chapter)