The Way of the Center

"Cameron, can you explain why your shooting percentage suddenly became so low in the second half of the game!?"

"Russell, what do you think of Carmelo Anthony's ups and downs!?"

"Coach Billy Donovan, how do you solve the problem of the distribution of the ball between Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony!?"

At the press conference after the game, the Thunder team, which played away and lost the game, was unexpectedly favored by reporters.

Of course, reporters came to interview Oklahoma City not because of their performance, but because they just lost an important game with a huge score difference of 18 points. And Anthony, who has a major relationship with the loss of this game, is also one of the core of the Thunder.

You know, before this duel started, the media had already been hyped up. The popularity of the Thunder and Trail Blazers series even far surpasses that of the Spurs and Warriors on the other side.

In a high-profile situation, the Thunder was besieged by reporters and it became a certainty.

"There is no problem between Cameron and Russell. They distribute their shots evenly. After all, we have played like this for a season. We lost today. We can only say that our defense was not good enough. And who shots? This kind of thing doesn't matter much." Donovan was actually a little dissatisfied with Anthony's performance in the second half. The All-Star small forward wasted too many opportunities in the second half. Even if those opportunities are only half of them, the Thunder will not get into trouble.

But dissatisfaction is dissatisfaction, and Donovan certainly cannot express his dissatisfaction at this moment. And he also believes that Anthony will not play abnormally in every game. Similarly, it is impossible for Anjie and George on the Trail Blazers to play so well in every game.

"Coach Ricard, what do you think of Ann's five blocked shots in this game!?" Like the Thunder, the media reception room of the Trail Blazers is also full of people. But unlike the Thunder, the reporters' questions about Ricard were questions that made the guy laugh from ear to ear.

"How do you think? When you see Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony and others can only use crazy shots from the outside to fill the gap, you know how I think about this. An completely Blocked our penalty area, and the Thunder's offense stalled for a while. Five blocked shots? If it wasn't for how many pretending to be called fouls, Ann had more than five blocked shots!" Speaking of An Jie's defense, Ricard is very proud.

Angela Morris' combination is indeed very strong, so powerful that even a team with fierce offensive firepower like the Thunder is helpless.

"Coach, how much do you think Damien's absence has had an impact on the team?" Another reporter with gold glasses stood up and raised his hand to ask questions. Ricard obviously looked at it with a very different look. Gave this guy a glance.

Don't look at this question as commonplace, but it's actually digging a hole for Ricard! If Ricard said something towards Lillard, the next day, the media would definitely change the headline of the news to "The coach is dissatisfied with Napier's performance and said he was disappointed!"

Ricard smiled slightly and pointed at the microphone. "The loss of Damien is a loss to the entire series because he was injured by a malicious foul. There are too many wonderful moments in this series. Fortunately, we still have Napier. His excellent performance ensures that The victory of the game also made the fans proud to continue to see the high-level game. Alright, sir, the next question!"

Ricard's answer was perfect, and the young reporter was still a little too immature. He had to be a little more cunning if he wanted to make idiots from that old fox.

After the press conference was over, in addition to the reporters in the player channel, there were only a few players participating in the press conference.

Coincidentally, on the way back to the locker room, Anjie ran into Westbrook and Anthony, who were also just after attending the press conference.

Anthony glanced at An Jie, then left on his own. But Westbrook couldn't pretend not to see it like Anthony.

"Hey, congratulations, buddy, you guys played well." Westbrook forced a smile and fisted An Jie.

"Okay Russell, you don't have to congratulate me. I know, you must be bored now. Who will be happy if you lose the game?" Anjie did not smile and say thank you, but encouraged Westbrook to release his heart. Real thoughts.

"Huh, buddy, you still know me. Yes, I'm in a bad mood now, brother. 18 points difference, are you **** serious? How come there are people like you who are so cruel!?"

"Hahaha, that's right, this is my brother! Hey, we can say good things before the game, don't be soft! You see, I did what I said." An Jie smiled triumphantly.

"Wait for Ann, you won't keep winning like this. Take a good rest, our business is not over yet." Westbrook said as he walked past Anjie. An Jie looked back at the figure wearing the No. 0 jersey. As an opponent, this guy was very difficult to deal with. Don't think that an 18-point victory will not stop Westbrook. As long as he is not eliminated, Westbrook will never know what it means to give up.

Maybe this victory will make the next game easier, but maybe this game will make every subsequent game more difficult? The playoffs are a cruel game in which you will never know the result without winning the fourth game.

※※※

The night after the loss, when the team returned to the hotel to rest, only Westbrook and Anthony were still leaning against the technical stage of the Moda Center.

"Do you know why I chose to leave the Nuggets and go to the East? Russell." Looking at the seats around, Anthony suddenly asked Westbrook this question.

"Why? Because New York is a big city?"

"No, because of the 2010 playoffs, we, who were ambitious, lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder!" Anthony suddenly raised his head. Back then, Russell was still his opponent.

"I remember! The Thunder and the Nuggets fought for six games before finally deciding the winner. The series was really tough, but you also brought us a lot of trouble." Westbrook also recalled that one. It’s a pity that after passing the Nuggets that year, the Thunder were won by the championship Los Angeles Lakers in the second round.

At that time, Kobe was still the ruler of the alliance in full swing. But now, it is the second year after Kobe retired.

"To be honest, Russell, the one who impressed me the most in the playoffs that year was not you, nor Kevin, but Ann! Although Ann was only the Thunder’s third scoring point, he was more Just do some support and defensive work. But when I lost the game, I told myself, hurry up and leave the West, Cameron. With this big man in the West, it is difficult to rush out. So the second year of the season. In the mid-term, I insisted on going to the New York Knicks to work with another big man who was awe-inspiring and unconvinced. Later, it turned out that my decision was correct. Ann ruled the entire West and even the entire league. Can only be concealed by his light." Anthony looked up at the ceiling of the Moda Center, thoughts full of thoughts.

"Then why are you back again?" Russell asked jokingly.

"Because I was thinking at the time, why can't we be the one ruling the league? So, I came to Oklahoma!"

Obviously ~www.NovelMTL.com~ Anthony's answer touched Westbrook. It's impossible for a victorious guy like Westbrook to feel nothing like this.

"I did not perform well in the second half of the game today. In the next game, I promise I won't be so impatient." Anthony knew that from the coach to his teammates, they were taking care of themselves, so they didn't say. In fact, he knew very well that his poor performance in the second half was the main reason for the team's defeat.

"I'm so happy to work with you, Cameron." Westbrook climbed onto the technical stage. Sooner or later, he will board here and become a winner!

"Would you like to see the scenery above?" Westbrook stretched out a hand at Anthony!

"The day after tomorrow, we have to do a big job here!" Anthony said, taking Westbrook's hand and boarding the technical stage.

The vision of the winner is so good...

As Anjie thought, his former teammates would not give up so easily. The hardest part of this series is coming soon...