Basketball Legends: Strikers Are King

The excitement of Pacers fans did not last long. In the second away game, the Pacers unfortunately lost to the Bobcats with a score of 89-90 and failed to continue their victory.

The new leader of the Bobcats, Kemba Walker, scored 30 points and even made a fatal steal at the last moment to help the team secure victory in the opening game of the new season;

All five of the Pacers' starting five were in a slump. Three of them failed to score in double figures, and the other two only scored 12 and 14 points. On the contrary, Hansbrough and Stephenson scored 15 points each, supporting the team.

attack.

After the game, Qi Tian walked straight to the opposite side and chatted with alumnus Kemba Walker for a while.

Kemba Walker was deeply impressed by Qi Tian. After all, no one would have thought that a player who could only play as a substitute in the college team would become like an enlightened player after entering the NBA and enter the playoffs step by step.

In the team's starting lineup.

The two communicated for a while, and after making an appointment for summer training, Qi Tian left with his teammates and returned to Indiana.

In the third game, the Pacers at home will face the Kings.

The smug Kings suffered two consecutive defeats at the beginning of the new season, ranking at the bottom of the league with the Pistons and other teams with a record of 0 wins and 2 losses.

Even if they lost to the Bulls in the opening game, even though Rose was away, the Bulls' interior man Noah Abzel and outside man Hamilton played together, making it difficult for the Kings to resist.

On the contrary, against the Timberwolves in the second game, the Kings lost completely. The defense was penetrated by the Timberwolves substitute guard 28-year-old Barea. While Barea scored a game-high 21 points, he led the team for the third time.

They shot 8-0 in the fourth quarter and killed the game in one fell swoop.

In the third game, even if they faced the Pacers, the Kings did not want to continue their losing streak and be embarrassed at the lowest point.

"Don't care about the opponent's defense, we will give full play to our advantages and we will never fail!"

Kings head coach Keith Smart said somewhat eagerly,

"If you get a chance, give it to Cousins ​​in the paint, and be more decisive in taking action!"

He had to be impatient. Last season, the Kings ranked second to last in the Western Conference and took the No. 5 pick.

Another high-draft pick does not satisfy the team management. Smart certainly knows the reason why Westphal, the head coach last season, was fired. Isn't it because a bunch of high-draft picks have not been well trained and the team's record is poor?

No improvement at all!

So at the beginning of the season, he set the goal of training rookies and trying to make the playoffs.

It stands to reason that everything must be done step by step. There is no big move in the summer. It is really wishful thinking for the Kings, who retain the second-to-last majority of their lineup from last season, to reach the playoffs in the Western Conference.

But the Kings' team management didn't think so, so they praised the head coach and gave the team's head coach a death order:

Try to make the playoffs, otherwise you won't be able to stay on the team next season.

Smart was helpless, but he could only do it. He said to Cousins:

"The opponent's inside defense is very strong, you have to play smarter."

"Are you saying I'm not smart?"

Cousins' magical brain circuit instantly defeated the head coach. Smart muttered a few times, sighed heavily, and said:

"Fight according to the offensive method you are familiar with, believe in yourself."

"I have always believed in myself, don't you believe in me?"

Smart waved his hand and told the players to come on stage quickly, otherwise he would be angry to death.

On the other side, Vogel said to the team members with a stern face:

"The performance in the last game, I don't want to see again today."

"The team's interior defense must be good, rebound protection must be done well, and the offense must be carried out under Hill's organization. There should be no independent thoughts and performances."

"There are quite a few people on the bench waiting to come on."

"Do you understand?"

All the Pacers shouted in unison and walked onto the playing field.

"clear!"

Looking at the defenders in the opposing lineup, the out-of-position defenders from the two teams looked at each other and smiled.

Now, who can enter the starting lineup first has a clear winner, and the next step is to see who can make the All-Stars.

The referee signaled the centers of both sides to jump the ball in the middle circle, and then blew the whistle to start the game.

"Crack!"

Hibbert grabbed the ball and shot it behind him.

Hill held the ball to organize the offense, and Thomas immediately stepped forward to defend.

Hill came to the top of the arc and waited for his teammates to move.

Inside, Cousins ​​and Jason Thompson were immediately entangled with Hibbert West, and Evans and James Johnson also followed Qi Tian and George.

"Defend!"

"Defend!"

"Sacramento, go ahead!"

Kings fans on the sidelines immediately cheered for the team.

The height of the defender in front of him made Hill want to show off, but he was a point guard after all, so he decided to lead his teammates first.

"Roy!"

Hill broke through the pick-and-roll and passed the ball to Hibbert under the basket.

Cousins ​​saw Hibbert get the ball and immediately jumped up to block the shot.

But Hibbert didn't take the shot directly as he wanted, but instead passed it to West who was cutting.

West scored an easy layup.

"0-2."

Hibbert also made a contribution on the defensive end, preventing Cousins' shot, but Evans counterattacked with a steal.

Thomas Jr. received a pass from Evans and took the shot confidently.

"clang!"

The basketball jumped out of the hoop.

But Thomas grabbed the offensive rebound and passed it to James Johnson.

George successfully blocked the opponent's attack, but Evans rushed to the basket and grabbed the rebound;

Thomas missed a three-pointer, and Cousins ​​grabbed the rebound and scored a tip-in.

"This special code..."

Vogel only felt that his blood pressure was a little high. He just said to protect the rebounds before going on the court, but the starting players made a big mistake and missed three offensive rebounds in a row.

Fortunately, the Pacers played steadily, Hibbert West scored continuously inside, and Hill and Qi Tian also succeeded in high jump shots.

After two and a half minutes of play, the Pacers led their opponents by 5 points 10-5.

"It seems that the winning point in today's game is the inside line."

Hill looked at Cousins ​​and Hibbert who were stuck and made a decision in his mind.

Cousins, who scored 5 points for the team, was blocked by Hibbert in this attack and did not grab the rebound.

"Quick attack!"

Hill received the ball and decisively accelerated, rushing towards the frontcourt with George Qitian and others.

Thomas, Evans and Johnson quickly returned to defense.

But Hill feinted a shot, broke through and attracted the defense, and passed the ball to Hibbert who followed up, assisting his teammate for a layup.

"5-12."

After realizing that the opponent only relied on the inside line, Hill, Qi Tian and other outside lines used their flexible footsteps to constantly harass the inside line, and indeed caused the opponent's mistakes continuously.

Cousins' offense was also affected by frequent double-teams and he was hit hard many times.

"Apply for substitution!"

Entering rotation time, Vogel chose to gradually replace the bench.