One Guard

Nowitzki and Yiyang, these two guys once again dominated the headlines of major newspapers and news websites in Dallas. A German and a Chinese conquered the entire world on the American basketball court.

Nowitzki’s second-highest career with 48 points and Yiyang’s double-double in the playoffs as a rookie...Under the shadow of these two guys, the young Oklahoma The Thunder seemed so vulnerable.

In the first game, the Mavericks won by 10 points. This may be the first time this season, people look down on the Mavericks opponents, not the Mavericks themselves.

For Yiyang, in yesterday's game, in addition to his exquisite passing and extremely high scoring efficiency, the most talked about was his airtight defense.

Westbrook's defender, who was as unstoppable as a bison, was blocked by the "iron wall" of Yiyang throughout the game. The whole game was defended by Yiyang and only hit 3 goals, which is simply a stain in his career for Westbrook.

There are a lot of guards who can score in this league, and many can pass the ball. Defenders who can contain the opponent's attack on the outside seem to be not scarce. But the number of guys who can take care of the above three aspects at the same time has dropped sharply. And Yiyang is one of them.

Yiyang successfully covered Westbrook, whether on the court or off the court, Westbrook has become a backdrop for Yiyang.

Even the fans can see how strenuous Westbrook faced Yiyang. How could Scott Brooks, who directed the game at the side of the stadium last night, fail to see the problem?

Impatient, easy to mess things up at critical moments, and clear fluctuations in game performance... These have all formed labels and were put on Westbrook by Brooks.

The nba playoffs have played so far, and only four teams are still fighting. In order to ensure that the fans have the ball to watch every day, the four teams play a game every other day, and then the two games are staggered with each other.

In other words, Brooks has no time to make too many changes in tactics. One day is not enough for the young Thunder to change his style of play. The only thing Brooks can do is make adjustments in personnel.

This guy looks at the players on the training ground. Westbrook is still full of energy, but the way he plays is still too rough. In the end, Brooks' eyes fell on the bearded James Harden.

"Anderson, how many points did James score last night?" Brooks beckoned and called his assistant coach to his side.

The black coach named Anderson looked through the data of yesterday's game and found the column with the name "James Harden".

"12 points, 17 minutes played, 12 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds."

"17 minutes? Hmm..." Brooks remembered. Since Harden's performance on the defensive end was very bad yesterday, he didn't give the bearded young man too many opportunities to play.

During the regular season of this season, Harden averaged 26.7 minutes per game and contributed 12.2 points. As a young sixth man, this is already a very good result. But yesterday, Harden scored 12 points in just 17 minutes. Under the shortcomings of poor defense, that big beard actually played such a high offensive efficiency.

"Do you think that in the next game, we can increase the playing time of James, can it be effective?" Brooks did not make a decision immediately, but discussed with the assistant next to him.

"James is a very good sixth man. He always brings us some surprises from time to time. But during the time when the Mavericks are replaced by Terry, we still don't let James play. Terry guy, last one James did not taste the sweetness of the game."

"Hmm..." Brooks nodded thoughtfully. Harden and Westbrook, these two guys, are really not worrying at all.

※※※

The Thunder's training lasted until noon. After the players had a nutritious lunch, they returned to the training ground to rest. After an hour, Brooks will continue training.

The players sat on the ground in twos and threes, chatting without a word.

But one of the players with a big beard sits at the basket with a basketball in his arms, seeming to be thinking about something.

Harden was a little depressed. He played only 17 minutes in the last game and didn't get any chance of performance at all. Seeing Westbrook rushing on the court with the ball at the last moment, and then being completely defended by Yiyang, Harden felt that it would be better to let himself go up and try.

But... what can he do? He was a genius boy in California. He was the savior of Arizona State University. He was selected with the third overall pick in the first round. Before Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Ricky Rubio, etc., were called on stage by Stern.

But Brooks said to Harden on the first day: "We need you to act as a substitute."

Harden always thought he would be the starting shooting guard, but since the team let him serve as a substitute, then he remains humble and keeps working hard!

Remain humble and continue to work hard, this is the mentality that Harden holds as a substitute player. Complaining that the starting players are wasting too many opportunities? Harden knows very well that that is not within his own right.

Do your own thing and wait for the opportunity to come. James Harden has no complaints, he silently sweats on the training ground, striving to be able to grasp every minute of the game in the next game.

Just as Harden was thinking about it, Brooks walked into the training ground and blew his whistle. The players got up one after another, preparing for the next stage of training.

"How are you resting?" Brooks said aloud after the players gathered in front of him.

"Not bad, boss!" the players answered neatly.

"Okay, don't do it. I know, you are all tired to death now. Three days and two games, this kind of intensive schedule can only be done by the NBA in the world. But, this is the playoffs, guys. No one can go to the end easily, we are tired, and the guys of the Mavericks are not much better! So, all get up! In the afternoon, we mainly conduct 5 vs. 5 simulation actual combat training! Who If you are not serious in the next training, don't want to play tomorrow!"

"Understand, boss!" The Thunder is always a youth army, and they are still full of passion for training.

The players dispersed and began to warm up to prepare for the next confrontational training. Just when Harden turned over and was about to leave, Brooks stopped him.

"James, come here."

Harden turned around in surprise, and was stunned for a second. After confirming that the coach called himself, he slowly walked up to Brooks.

"Tomorrow's game, I want to increase your playing time. I also need you to take more shots and strive for a good performance on the offensive end. So in the confrontational training later, I hope you can do this."

"Increase playing time!?" Harden this guy showed white teeth after listening to Brooks.

"Of course, but if you are still absent-minded on the defensive end, I will replace you immediately!" Seeing Harden's eyebrows grinning, Brooks immediately gave him another "vaccination."

"Hey, I will do my best, boss!" Harden patted his chest, then ran back on the court excitedly, picked up the basketball and started warming up.

Opportunities sometimes come like this without warning.

Brooks looked at the young Harden, but he had no bottom in his heart. This team is really too young, and there is really no definite candidate to say who can shoulder the heavy responsibilities.

I hope that the guy who is still growing will not let himself down tomorrow.

※※※

"Beep beep!" The referee's harsh whistle sounded again, and Chandler snarled at the referee dissatisfiedly, but Marion was promptly pushed aside.

In the stands, the Mavericks fans booed violently. These boos seemed to have not been interrupted all night.

"James Harden caused a foul by Tyson Chandler. This is already Chandler's fourth foul in this game! With 8 minutes left in the game, as the Mavericks' inside defensive pillar, Chandler must Control the number of fouls you make!" Kenny Smith immediately looked at the technical statistics. Harden had scored 15 points today. In the fourth quarter, the offensive frenzy supported by this guy and Durant made the Mavericks defense. Very tight.

"If James Harden makes two free throws, then the Thunder will overtake the score! Harden's performance today is very eye-catching. He has now surpassed Westbrook in scoring when he came off the bench. Westbrook has already made 3 turnovers. , James Harden’s stats on turnovers are still 0!"

The words of Kenny Smith and Barkley undoubtedly do not reveal a message-Harden's condition today is even hotter than the bikini beauty on the beach in Los Angeles.

Seeing Harden stand on the free throw line again, Carlisle had no choice but to shook his head. Harden is a very rich player in the air to change hands and find space for shots. He can always find a little space for shots from the gaps in the arms of the defensive player, avoid being blocked by the opponent, successfully shot, and then commit a foul. . Chandler is not a foul-prone insider, but Harden’s realistic and fake moves have made the "Boxing King" deceived several times.

When Harden received a pass from the referee on the free throw line, the boos of the home fans instantly reached a climax. However, this bearded young man turned a deaf ear. He steadily made two free throws to help the Thunder gain an important lead at the critical moment of the fourth quarter!

Subsequently, Stevenson received a pass from Yiyang on the three-point line. This defensive guard faced Harden, very confident, and started shooting directly.

But to Stevenson's surprise, Harden's defense today is very active! Stevenson was not an excellent three-point shooter, and if he was interfered with by Harden, he would miss all sights. The basketball hit the left side of the hoop and knocked out. Westbrook personally grabbed the defensive rebound and quickly pushed for the counterattack!

However, the No. 0 guard is still too impatient today. It seems that the more anxious the game and the shorter the remaining time, the more anxious this guy becomes.

Under Yiyang's anti-interference, Westbrook actually dribbled the ball onto the instep, causing the basketball to go out of bounds. Such a good fast break opportunity was wasted by a low-level error, which made all the Thunder players feel a pity.

Westbrook lost the chain again at a critical moment, and Yiyang won't waste such an offensive opportunity that relies on defense. With Chandler's screen, Yiyang broke into the three-point line and was ready to stop the jumper.

Westbrook jumped up impatiently, trying to make up for his mistake with a cover. However, the anxious state of mind has blinded Westbrook's eyes. Just now, Yiyang just made a false gesture of worshipping Buddha and did not actually shoot. Westbrook's jump made him lose his defensive position.

Therefore, Yiyang took a step back and shot with his favorite rhythm. The basketball passed through the net, and the Mavericks took the initiative again.

Brooks called the game to stop, he couldn't bear to see what happened the day before yesterday. So, when the timeout ended and the game restarted, people were surprised to find that Westbrook was actually pressed on the bench!

Substitute Westbrook was played by second-year guard Eric Maynor, who performed well today. Prior to this, Maynor had scored 13 points off the bench and was another off the bench after the Thunder continued Harden. Surprise.

But Brooks didn't want him to continue to score magically when he changed into Maynor, but he believed that at least Maynor, a clear-headed guy, would not mess things up!

Facts have proved that Brooks's positioning of Maynor is very correct. After encountering Yiyang's defense, Maynor was instantly misfired on the offensive end. But compared to Westbrook. Maynor will neither easily defensively lose position, nor make mistakes at critical moments. Most importantly, he does not stick the ball.

The task of making up for Westbrook's offensive firepower fell on Harden.

The two teams fought anxiously into the last two minutes of the game. Without Westbrook, the Thunder's offense seemed to be much smoother. At the critical moment, Harden did not lose the chain, but made two consecutive three-pointers from the outside to pull the score apart in one fell swoop.

With 36.7 seconds left in the game, Yiyang's pass found Nowitzki. Dirk made a shot from beyond the three-point line but was violated by Ibaka and got three free throw opportunities. But the German's magical halo of 24 free throws in the last game of 24 free throws has obviously disappeared. Nowitzki made only two of his three free throws. This is also the first time that Dirk missed a free throw in the Western Conference Finals since the last game.

At this time, the Mavericks are behind 100 to 104. Although the situation is very dangerous, there are still opportunities.

The Thunder attacked again, and they held the power to end the game. Harden extended to Maynor's pass from the three-point line and played a pick-and-roll with Ibaka.

Ibaka completely stopped Stevenson, and Nowitzki was definitely unable to keep up with Harden. Just when Harden thought he could kill the rim to end the game, Yiyang, the Chinese man in the No. 1 jersey, suddenly stood in front of this bearded man!

"Yi's defense is very fast, he blocked Harden's breakthrough route in time!" Seeing Harden meet Yiyang, Kenny Smith seemed to have seen tens of millions of dollars, and he instantly became excited. . It's a pity that this group of duels appeared too late!

Harden had no choice but to return the ball to Maynor, and then attempted to throw away Yiyang through an off-the-ball pick-and-roll.

But Yiyang lingers around Harden like a ghost. No matter what the bearded man does, he can't get rid of the "shadow" of Yiyang.

Yiyang's excellent defense completely locks up the outstanding James Harden. This guy, whom Brooks had high hopes for, can't even catch the ball now.

The Thunder were unable to organize an effective offense. In the last two seconds, Maynor's basketball was stabbed by Stevenson. The two rushed into a ball, but the red light on the backboard suddenly remembered.

The Thunder violated 24 seconds, and the Mavericks were stunned to defend this round!

"Also with Stevenson, the defense line composed of these two guards pulled the Mavericks back from the cliff!"

At the critical moment, the critical offense. Carlisle stopped the game, replaced Terry and Peja, and increased his offensive points from the outside.

Now the Mavericks are 4 points behind, and the three-pointer is their only option.

Carlisle's arrangement is not complicated. After Yiyang and Nowitzki played a pick-and-roll and attracted the defense, Yiyang used a pass from behind to send the "cannonball" to Peja.

However, Peja's key shot failed to hit and knocked to the side of the basket. At that moment, all Mavericks fans hugged their heads in pain.

Yiyang hurriedly fouled Maynor who received a basketball foul ~www.novelmtl.com~foul tactics, this is the last struggle of the Mavericks.

It's a pity that Mei Nuo, who was defensively defensive by Yiyang for a whole quarter of the game, was still at the free throw line. He made two free throws to make the score 106 to 100. At this time, only 2.3 seconds were left before the end of the game.

This score is naturally maintained until the end of the game. James Harden raised his arms excitedly, ran up to Brooks and hugged the coach. Westbrook, who was on the bench, closed his face, incompatible with the joyous atmosphere around him.

As for Yiyang, the Chinese defender who did his best to score 15 points and 13 assists. He didn't leave immediately after losing, but stared at the big beard.

Yiyang did not expect the team to lose a home court, and he did not expect Harden to replace Westbrook as the protagonist of the game.

It seems that his opponent is far more than Westbrook now...

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