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Chapter 124: Crazy George Karl, the awakened Warriors ( words updated per day, begging for subscription)

It was different from the smoke-filled atmosphere that Qin Yue had imagined before the war.

On the 20th, Carmelo Anthony arrived in Oakland with the team to prepare for the game.
As soon as he got off the plane, he rushed to Qin Yue's mansion in East Bay and asked Qin Yue straight away that he must take him to see the world.

Is Anthony the kind of person who has never seen the world?

How can it be!

"Tell me, what are your plans for tonight's show?"

"Why don't you ask Chauncey to take you to a nightclub?"

"I admit that in other places, Chauncey will always be my big brother. But in the Bay Area, you definitely have the final say."

In Qin Yue's previous life, why was Billups the only point guard who could suppress Anthony throughout his career?
Is it because Billups is good at organization and can always create easier and more reasonable one-on-one opportunities for Anthony on the court?

Or does Billups have a social background that even Anthony fears?

The answer is neither.

Instead, Billups, who had already been known as the "Nightclub Prince" in his early years, not only knows how to have fun better than Anthony in daily life, but also plays more extravagantly than Anthony.

Therefore, for a top guard like Billups who can both bring himself to have fun off the court and make cakes for himself on the court.
Anthony can only express his admiration for Billups with a sincere heart.

Even after retiring, Anthony and Billups, who still could not forget the comradeship of "fighting together", said indignantly when they were guests on a show that if the Pistons had selected Anthony, they would have won at least three more championships.

Billups' original words at the time were, "Brother, it's a pity. If we had chosen 'Melo', we could have won at least three more championships. I have always said that if 'Melo' came, LeBron might have left Cleveland earlier than he originally did, because then he would never have been able to beat the Pistons."

This extremely bold statement fully proves how much Billups likes his little brother Anthony.

Anthony's ambiguous expression at the time also fully proved how much he recognized Billups as a good brother.

The deepening of Qin Yue's friendship with Anthony is similar to the process of Billups conquering Anthony.

Last summer, while in Japan, Anthony was already deeply impressed by Qin Yue's unique off-court life, so he stayed with Qin Yue until the end of the World Championships.

However, facing Anthony's request at this moment.
Qin Yue always felt that he was using tricks to deal with his good brother.

What made Qin Yue feel helpless was that.
This is an outside trick.
Even Anthony himself forced him to use it!

In the NBA, the league does not prohibit private contact between stars.

For example, in history, every time Paul visited Cleveland, he would stay directly in James' mansion instead of staying in the hotel with the team.

As for Anthony's behavior of asking the enemy's boss to take him out to see the world before the game?
In fact, this is also recorded in many biographies of Michael Jordan.

Jordan himself was quoted as saying that no matter how much fun he and his opponent had off the court, they would still treat each other as enemies when they got on the court.

After realizing this, and looking at Anthony who was already hungry and impatient, Qin Yue immediately arranged a large party for him that would make him "happy here and not miss his homeland".

Anthony was very satisfied with Qin Yue’s arrangement.

Because it wasn't until the next afternoon that the Nuggets head coach George Karl broke the phone.
Anthony reluctantly left Qin Yue's East Bay mansion and said, "I really love you, brother."

……

On the 22th.

Oracle Arena.

During the pre-match warm-up, there was a moment when Qin Yue always felt that George Karl was looking at him.
It was as if he wanted to tear out his own tendons and skin himself.

"That damn bastard! This is a conspiracy! It's a conspiracy against us! He got our star player drunk the day before the game! He has done whatever it takes to defend his crown!"

Carl, who always had a bad temper, now hated the fact that he was old and frail.

Otherwise, he must have a free fighting match with Qin Yue.
Only by beating Qin Yue to death can I relieve the hatred in my heart.

This night.
Anthony, who dragged his exhausted body to join the team in the afternoon of the 21st and missed all the pre-match training sessions of the Nuggets, was in a very good condition on the night of the game.
It seems that it can only be used.
Described as soft feet.

But it must be said that last year, in order to exchange for Billups, the Nuggets were forced to take on Ben Wallace's contract, which would inevitably become a garbage contract in a year or two. At least this season, it was a blessing in disguise.

There is obviously still gas in Ben's tank.

Therefore, after Kenyon Martin was ruled out for the season due to an old knee injury, it was thanks to Ben's defense that the Nuggets were able to win 51 games in the regular season.

Although it is also outrageous that they only ranked eighth in the Western Conference after winning 51 games in the regular season.
But if there was no Ben, the Nuggets might have already started fishing mode.

On the court, when the Nuggets' starting five of Ben, Nene, Harrington, Anthony, and Billups lined up, considering that they also had high-quality substitutes such as JR Smith, Steve Blake and Linas Kleiza on the bench,
Every time he scored for the Warriors on the court, Qin Yue would be cursed by Karl
I couldn't help but feel the difficulty of the Warriors breaking out of the Western Conference this year, which is completely different from last year.

双脚发软的安东尼本场22投5中，算上罚球总计拿到了17分5篮板2助攻。

Off the field, he is Qin Yue’s good brother.

场上，安东尼也频频给秦岳助板，帮助其在今年的季后赛揭幕战中打出了28分27篮板10助攻4封盖1抢断的史前数据。

The Nuggets, who lost Anthony's source of firepower, have been struggling to support themselves with Billups, JR Smith and others.

As a point guard who has always been calculating on the court.
Although Billups was unable to stop the extremely brave Baron Davis, he was able to indirectly offset Davis' influence on the court through a simple math problem.

In the game, Billups made 14 of 5 shots and 8 of 8 free throws, all of which were three-pointers, and scored a total of 23 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists for the Nuggets.

而状态出色的初代大胡子先生，则是18投10中，其中三分球2投1中，罚球4罚3中，总计为勇士砍下了24分5篮板5助攻。

Throughout his career, Billups, whose overall shooting percentage was only 41.5%, had a true shooting percentage of 58%.

Even though he often gives people the impression that he is "unable to shoot" on the court, by optimizing his shooting structure and relying more on free throws and three-pointers to score, Billups can often hold his own against those super guards who are good at scoring.

However, on this night, Billups couldn't save Anthony from his poor form.

The final score was 98 to 118.

The Warriors won the first game at home and lead the Nuggets 1-0 in the series.

After the game, in the golden waves that had already begun to roll in the Oracle Arena, when shaking hands with Qin Yue, Carl, who had never let go, held Qin Yue's hands tightly and said, "Very good, very good. You are worthy of being the new banner of the alliance with both good character and conduct."

Qin Yue believed that at that moment, Karl, who always liked to be sarcastic, could never have been praising himself.

But he still shamelessly said: "Really? In fact, I have always felt that I am a role model for all the young players in the league."

"."

After the first game, the Warriors' away locker room was almost smashed to pieces by an angry George Karl.

And Carmelo Anthony.
He was "locked" in the hotel where the team was staying by Carl's death order.

"What a dumb ass! When can't he relax and have fun? But this is the playoffs! Does he know how important he is to the team?"

In order to prevent Qin Yue from continuing to use tricks against the Nuggets, Karl went crazy for the next two days and monitored Anthony all day long.

Two days later.

The second game of the first round of the playoffs between the Nuggets and the Warriors continued at the Oracle Arena.

The irritable Karl gave different three-point shooting targets to the Nuggets' shooters before the game.

"If you don't want to be drowned in my spit after the game, then act like a man and shoot those damn three-pointers at the Warriors' rim!"

Unlike a lot of old school coaches.

George Karl, who always believes that what he thinks is right is right, has already discovered the positive impact of three-pointers on the game from the Warriors' championship journey last season.

Karl knows that if he wants to beat this Warriors team
The Nuggets must take advantage of the Warriors' relatively weak perimeter defense and use explosive three-point shots to get firepower that matches the Warriors' offense.

Moreover, head coach Carl has another notable characteristic.

That is, once he thinks his decision is right, he will often increase the bet.

In this game, according to the indicators given by George Karl before the game, the Nuggets need to attempt at least 40 three-point shots in the current era.

In the first quarter, even the Warriors players who averaged the most three-point shots per game in the regular season felt that the Nuggets were crazy.

"Are they really expecting Messiah to score 'double 20' (points + rebounds) in consecutive games?" Artest thought to himself with a puzzled look on his face as he looked at Qin Yue, who had grabbed 10 rebounds after the first quarter.

For the Nuggets, this was undoubtedly a failed attempt.

Although Davis and Richardson are more offensive, the Warriors prefer to prioritize the restricted area through double-team defense in the game.
But if the Nuggets want to penetrate the Warriors' defense, they must be accurate enough.

So, 91 to 121.

The Nuggets suffered an even more painful defeat in Game 0, announcing the failure of the experiment and the fact that they would return to their home court in Denver with a big score of 2-.

In the second game, Anthony still performed poorly, making 20 of 7 shots and only getting 20 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists by free throws.

受只打了前三节比赛的影响，秦岳本场总计斩获25分20篮板7助攻2封盖1抢断。

The Warriors' consecutive big wins in the first round of the playoffs made the Warriors players begin to believe that Mike Malone had clearly overestimated the intensity of this year's playoffs.

Even before the team set off for Denver, Artest, who had easily limited Anthony to a "little blacksmith" in the game, complained: "When I think about the fact that we may have to wait nearly ten days before the next round of opponents, to be honest, I really don't want to give this little cutie 'Melo' a broom."

"Little cutie" was Artest's nickname for Anthony after the first two games.

The broom usually refers to the situation in the NBA playoffs where one team is ruthlessly swept by the opponent with a score of 4-0.

On the 27th.

The third game between the Warriors and the Nuggets will be moved to the Pepsi Center in Denver.

George Karl, who would only get crazier once the madness started, continued his game strategy in Game 2.

The only difference from the second war is that
In the first quarter, the Nuggets' outside shooters seized most of the opportunities.

Although the Nuggets players, including Anthony, inevitably experienced a decline in their shooting touch in the second quarter, Billups stood up at this time.

On the court, Billups, who provided a wide space for Anthony's singles by diverting traffic, soon made Artest feel the cuteness of Anthony.
Just how fucked up is that.

The Nuggets' on-the-spot tactical adjustment was not the intention of head coach George Karl.

But in the face of Karl's questioning, former Finals MVP Billups insisted on his opinion: "In order to prevent us from shooting three-pointers, the Warriors have been forced to expand their defense. If you want to win, you damn old bastard better listen to me!"

At that moment, Carl, who was usually irritable, was stunned.

But soon, Carl, who was awakened by Billups' stick, showed an admiring look to the other party.

This is what makes George Karl special.

He won't hold a grudge against you for arguing with him.
On the contrary, the more you act like his puppet, the more he will look down on you.

As it turned out, Billups' on-the-spot adjustment successfully allowed the Nuggets to enter the second half with a 17-point lead.

After the halftime break.
Warriors fans who thought the Warriors were going to start the "high fire and juice" mode as usual, only saw Qin Yue fighting alone on the court.

Denver's high altitude home court certainly had a certain impact on the Warriors players' shooting feel on the court.

But they underestimated the offensive firepower of the Nuggets when they were in hot form before the game.

In the regular season, Al Harrington's three-point shooting percentage was as high as 43%, averaging 2 three-pointers per game.

Billups' three-point shooting percentage during the regular season was relatively average, at only 36%.

However, entering the playoffs, the big-hearted Billups increased his three-point shooting percentage and output to 40% and 4 three-pointers per game respectively.

There are also Anthony and JR Smith who can't be stopped once they start shooting crazy, and even Kleiza who was not valued by the Warriors before the game.
The final score was 106 to 117.

The Nuggets, who lost the first two games by a large margin, successfully avenged their defeat in the third game and retained their hopes of winning this series.

Throughout the game, Anthony, who returned to Denver and became "Melo" again, scored a total of 38 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.

After the game, in an interview, Qin Yue, who scored 40 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks for the Warriors, said: "We can't be complacent with our previous victories. There are no weak teams in the Western Conference this year."

Long before the Warriors set out for Denver, Qin Yue noticed the change in the Warriors' mentality, which became increasingly unethical.

He specifically reminded every teammate of this.

But in competitive sports, the so-called underestimation of the enemy
It doesn't mean that as long as you take it seriously, you won't underestimate the enemy.

Throughout history, the countless defeats caused by underestimating the enemy have fully proved that human beings will never learn lessons.

after one day.

The fourth game between the two teams continued at the Pepsi Center.

From the start of the game, the Warriors showed a completely different attitude towards the game.

But compared to the third war.
The Nuggets were in a completely crazy mood in this game, which made Qin Yue and his teammates feel a sense of
It seems like the Nuggets are under the illusion that everyone is cheating.

Maybe if the Warriors play 100 games against this Nuggets team, they can win 80 of them.

But just like in a basketball game, if you have a blast, your opponent will also have a blast.

Facing the Warriors' increasing defensive intensity, the Nuggets can still hit those unscientific three-pointers.
George Karl's originally ridiculous experiment turned into a victory for the Nuggets by gambling their lives.

In this game, the Nuggets took a total of 41 three-pointers and made 20 of them.

Under Karl's crazy experiment, they set the current NBA playoff team single-game three-point shooting record.

After the game.

Regarding this game, George Karl showed another major characteristic of his character, that is, "a villain succeeds", saying: "When we were behind 0-2, you were all saying that we were eliminated! But what about now? Not only have we successfully tied the score of this series to 2-2, but I think we have proved that we are fully capable of eliminating the defending champions!"

A 2-2 tie with the Nuggets was definitely not the result the Warriors wanted before heading to Denver.

But after these two battles, Qin Yue felt the changes in the spirit and spirit of the entire Warriors team.

As the defending champions, Qin Yue is not the only one on the Warriors team who is eager to defend the title.

First win two cities, then lose two games in a row
Whether it was the two losses that were by no means pleasant or Karl's ugly face, they greatly stimulated the self-esteem of the entire Warriors team.

According to the schedule, the next "decisive battle" between the Nuggets and the Warriors will return to the Oracle Arena.

However, the Warriors players did not treat it as a game that would determine their fate against the Nuggets.

Determine fate?

When the defending champions were awakened by two unexpected losses, the Warriors team now just wants to tell the world with a hearty victory:
After they have had enough fun and are already tired of this series, they will end this series with an attack as violent as a tsunami.

5 month 1 day.

Auckland.

George Karl, who was still proud of his crazy three-point attempt before the game, was forced to give up the Nuggets' first timeout in the game just three minutes into Game 3.

The scoreboard showed 2 to 14.

The adjustments the Warriors made on both offense and defense in Game 5 caught Karl and the Nuggets off guard.

As the former Finals MVP, Billups felt Qin Yue's historic dominance for the first time in this series.

"We have to find a way to speed up the game."

"Are you crazy? Running and playing? That's the rhythm the Warriors are better at!"

"This is our only way, otherwise no one can fight that monster!"

Nuggets bench.

Looking at Billups' frowning expression, Carl couldn't help but feel
He seemed to have returned to the era when the Chicago Bulls dominated the league.

……

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(End of this chapter)