The Way of the Center

The Moda Center, the densest place in Portland, is not very popular with Paul.

Chris Paul, as a top point guard in the league, fell into the Moda Center in the playoffs time and time again. As long as Anjie blocks in front, the Western Conference Finals seems to be only a dream for Paul.

The previous experience of the Clippers' defeat at Moda Center is still vivid and unbearable. This **** place, just walking in, made Paul feel very depressed.

"What's the matter?" James Harden's voice broke Paul's thoughts. Paul looked back at his bearded teammate, smiled and shook his head.

"Nothing, hehe. Just think, why come here again."

"This place is a nightmare for everyone. But this year, we will change everything!" Harden's expression is very firm. Once, the Rockets were also here. Once, James Harden could only be the funeral of the pioneers.

But those are already there. The current Rockets have become very different!

Harden, who is already very mature, is no longer the kid who could only score points by cheating and fouling, and Chris Paul is no longer the lonely hero who can only come forward at the critical moment. The Rockets head coach D'Antoni also brought his former run and vigor to Houston.

Although the Rockets' record in the regular season this season is only eighth, even the Blazers themselves do not dare to despise them.

The Rockets fell in the regular season rankings, thanks to **** injuries. But the Rockets with a complete lineup are by no means an opponent that the Trail Blazers can easily defeat.

"Let's go Chris, it's time to warm up!" Seeing that Paul's equipment was almost changed, Harden got up from his seat and jumped twice.

"Let this **** place become history!" Paul clenched his fists and pushed open the locker room door. The other Rockets players filed behind the two guards, Portland, here we are!

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Anjie looked at Harden and Paul who were warming up opposite, then looked back at Shabaz Napier, who was warming up nervously and with a thin body. Although during Lillard's absence, Napier, the former NCAA Tournament MOP winner, did not play badly, but in the face of the aggressive Paul and Harden, Anjie couldn't help but worry about Napier.

"Hey, relax man, there's nothing to be nervous." Anjie walked behind Napier and pressed his shoulders to the post-90s guard.

"Huh, don't be nervous, don't be nervous..." Napier took two deep breaths. Although he is not the team's main scoring point, he will not be the target of the opponent's focus. But Napier knew that once he became a breakthrough for Harden and Paul's offense, it would be very unfavorable for the team.

Although Napier has a tough style and is not afraid of physical confrontation, when facing two top guards, Napier still doesn't know if he can do everything well. If the team gets into trouble because of himself, Napier will be quite guilty.

"It's okay, we are looking behind you. You just need to do your best, you can do it!" An Jie seemed to see through Napier's mind. After all, who had no worries when he was young?

Napier smiled slightly. Although it was just a few simple conversations, Anjie made Napier bolder and more relaxed than before.

After adjusting Napier's mood, Anjie also plunged into the warm-up. The atmosphere of the war, I haven't felt it for a long time...

Before the game began, the Rockets Chinese player Zhou Qi approached and embraced An Jie. Almost all the Chinese who were present were cheering. Two Chinese players met in the playoffs, which was the first time in history.

When Zhou Qi returned to his own half, Anjie saw James Harden also cheering on Zhou Qi. It seems that the leaders of both sides hope that the young players in their team will not be affected by tension.

Although Zhou Qi will not be the starter of the team like Napier, but as a member of the rotation player, Zhou Qi's performance will also be directly linked to the result of the game.

After Harden finished speaking, Zhou Qi unconsciously cast his eyes on An Jie. When training with the national team, Zhou Qi knew very well how terrifying An Jie's strength was. He couldn't believe that he was about to compete with such a passer-like guy on the NBA playoff stage as an opponent.

An Jie could tell that Zhou Qi, the kid, was not completely relaxed. So in the eyes of fans all over the world, An Jie gave a thumbs up at the tall and young yellow-skinned guy on the Rockets bench.

"This is really a rare picture on the basketball court. The head star of one team gives a thumbs up to the players of another team. But in the NBA where there are few Chinese people, Ann is doing this too. It makes sense." Jeff Van Gundy likes Anjie's general style very much. The picture of Anjie raising his thumb just now, he must find Wu Hua to collect a photo for his collection.

"Now I am also looking forward to Zhou Qi's performance. In the regular season, Zhou Qi has not played a highlight moment. Although it is only a short-lived moment, who can guarantee that this Chinese will not shine in the playoffs. What? After all, the playoffs themselves are a stage to nurture stars!" With the lessons from An Jie, Mike Brin is also full of expectations for Zhou Qi, who is also from China.

Although Zhou Qi can't compare with the rookie An Jie at present, who can tell the future?

All these foreshadowing have allowed fans to have a peak of expectations for this game.

When Anjie and Rockets starting center Clint Capela stood in the middle circle, the cheers of the fans in the Moda Center had reached its peak.

Capella looked at An Jie calmly, the strong center from Switzerland is much more calm than Zhou Qi.

However, in front of An Jie, who is 2.19 meters in height, Capella, who is only 2.0 meters in height, looks so "small". Sure enough, the referee had just thrown the ball away, and Anjie took it into Napier's hands. In the jump ball stage, Capela has no chance at all!

Just after halftime after receiving the ball, Napier ran into Chris Paul who came to entangle. Paul's defense is inseparable, even if he is not facing a top guard like Lillard, Paul is unambiguous.

Napier did not expect that Paul would take such "careful" to himself. In order to keep the ball from being taken away by Paul, Napier had already spent all his energy.

Paul's fast hand, I don't know when it will suddenly come out. Napier must concentrate on the dribble to ensure that the ball will not be lost.

"Iguodala ran out of space! Hey, Napier didn't realize this. He was still dribbling the ball. Chris Paul put a lot of pressure on Napier. From the beginning, the Rockets planned to lock up. The offense of the Blazers is dead!" Seeing Napier missed another chance, even Jeff Van Gundy was sweating for the Blazers. If the Trail Blazers' offense begins to disintegrate from the first position, it will be in big trouble!

Paul’s desperate entanglement forced Napier to give up the ball. When Paul George received the basketball by hand from outside the three-point line, the Blazers’ tactics had been completely disrupted and could not continue. Up.

There is no way, George beckoned, and in the last ten seconds, he only had to play alone!

"Opening the singles, James Harden personally defended Paul George! George changed direction directly under his crotch! Harden's reaction was very quick, he blocked George's offensive line!" After years of experience, Harden's Defense is no longer the state of "eye defense" back then.

Although you can't expect Harden to suddenly become an outside defensive gate, at least for now, George will not be so easy to pass.

Seeing that he hadn't passed Harden in the first time, George immediately planned to make a second breakthrough.

George took a step back, drew a little distance from Harden, and then suddenly accelerated toward Harden's right hand.

George had just wiped Harden, and before he could be happy, he ran into Ariza.

"Tvor's defense was very timely! He boldly dropped Iguodala, but successfully stopped Paul George!"

There is not much offensive time left, and now George has only two options. Either force shots under double-teams, or barely pass the ball, giving your teammates a chance to shoot at the last second.

George glanced right in front of him, and immediately decided to choose the second way of handling the ball.

I saw George pass under the tight double-teams of Harden and Ariza, and the basketball flew inside.

The pass was so high that Anjie had to jump high and stretch his arms as much as possible to barely win the basketball.

When Anjie received the basketball, there was only one second left in the 24-second offense. If Ann waits for the landing before attacking the frame, I am afraid it will be too late!

So An Jie, who turned his back to the basket to receive the pass from George, was stunned by his waist and abdomen in the air forcibly turning around.

An Jie's body was suddenly twisted into a "twist", the lower body was still facing back, but the upper body was twisted toward the basket.

It was in this situation that Anjie made a shot. All of this added up and it took less than a second.

However, An Jie was stunned to throw the ball in this incredible way. This is undoubtedly a wonderful goal, but at this time, no one will cheer for this goal.

"It's really close, the Rockets almost turned into a 24 second defense! Although the last moment An Jie scored in this unconventional way must be a blow to morale, but the Rockets' defense at least made people see hope! They are on the right path!"

"Next time don't hesitate, pass it faster!" When retiring, Anjie reminded Napier loudly. It's great to score that goal just now, but the Blazers can't rely on that incredible ball to get points every time.

After hearing what Anjie said, Napier nodded and wiped the sweat from his forehead. It was only the first round, and he was sweated profusely by Chris Paul's pressing.

Before returning to his own half time to catch his breath, Napier found that Paul was controlling the ball and rushing through the half time with extremely fast speed and rhythm. I almost forgot, the current Rockets are a fast-paced team that runs and blasts!

Napier had to immediately plunge into the defense against Paul ~www.NovelMTL.com~ even if this guy hasn't even had time to adjust his breathing.

Paul did not break through the flawed Napier, but suddenly braked outside the three-point line!

After that, Paul made a strong pass, and the basketball crossed over half of the court and flew to Harden, who did not know when to run to the corner.

At this moment, George has been stopped by Ryan Anderson's pick and roll. What Harden got was an opportunity to shoot close to the open! This is the benefit that Chris Paul brought after joining the Rockets. As long as Harden can run out of the gap, Paul's pass can be delivered in time no matter where he is. This, but the previous Beverly and others absolutely could not do it.

This bearded guard did not hesitate after receiving the basketball, the nightmare of Moda Center, he must personally destroy it!

Bending knees, taking off, shooting, shooting, fingering... Harden's shooting moves in one go, without any muddle.

And the orange basketball fell into the net under everyone's attention!

"With a three-pointer, the Rockets overtook the score! In this offense, the Rockets successfully scored in less than seven seconds! For the Blazers, a faster offensive and defensive rhythm will definitely become a huge challenge!" Mike . Brin excitedly analyzed the situation on the field to the fans. This destined exciting game is really getting more and more interesting...

After Harden scored a goal, he gave a cordial high-five to Paul. When the two guys who were dissatisfied with Moda Center joined forces, Anjie had to be careful.

Paul and Harden, the Rockets' gorgeous guard line, there are countless other possibilities. What An Jie sees now is just the tip of the iceberg.

Such a Houston Rocket seems to be really different. Want to defeat them, I am afraid it will not be as easy as before.