Basketball Legends: Strikers Are King

"pause!"

Rockets head coach McHale decisively called a timeout and prepared to arrange the next tactics.

The game time in the third quarter is already halfway through, and they must try their best to chase points and contain their opponents' scoring.

Vogel also took the opportunity to say to Hibbert, who was sleepwalking:

"I will replace you in three minutes. Before that, I don't want your previous problems to reappear!"

Obviously, the head coach was very angry with his abnormal performance when facing Asik.

"While we are ahead, we can take away our opponents in one wave. This is the best opportunity!"

Vogel set the tone of the game for the players, and then ended the timeout and allowed the players to return to the court.

After coming on the court, Hibbert really increased his aggressiveness and grabbed valuable offensive rebounds after Hill hit the ball.

"nice shot!"

Seeing Hibbert finally playing the role of an inside pillar, the Pacers fans on the sidelines cheered. Hibbert's second jump to prepare for a tip-in just added fuel to their enthusiasm.

Hibbert swung his long arm and threw the basketball, and the basketball flew steadily towards the basket.

But at this moment, it was that damn Asik again, jumping up to block Hibbert's layup from the side!

"clang!"

The basketball hit the backboard and made a loud sound.

Hibbert was determined not to admit defeat, reached out to grab the rebounding basketball, and dunked directly.

"61-69."

"roar!"

Hibbert raised his arms and roared, cheering himself up.

"Tch, I just dunked a basketball, what are you looking like?!"

Rockets fans quickly ignored the opponent's show of force and looked at Harden who was advancing with the ball.

"Give them some color!"

The score difference has become wider and wider. At this time, it is obviously the moment for the team leader to show his strength. Rockets fans look to the court with confidence.

The leader really showed his performance, George jumped out from the side and stole Harden!

"Quick attack!"

Without waiting for the opponent to react, George dribbled the ball quickly and broke through. Seeing Qi Tian break through from the other side, he made a decisive long pass and assisted Qi Tian to score.

"61-71."

"Hey, something's wrong?"

Rockets fans already feel something is wrong.

Every time they chase points, the Rockets' score gets closer to the opponent's score, but then, the opponent can always step up with one or two players and widen the point difference again.

At this moment, McHale chose to make a substitution and replaced Asik.

As a second-round pick, Asik performed well in previous games against Hibbert, who was taller and heavier than him. However, his physical strength was a bit exhausted. It was obvious that he was no longer qualified for the task and had to leave the game.

Asik received applause from Rockets fans, waved to the fans, and walked to the bench.

Beverley is not the only second-round pick in the Rockets lineup. Asik was selected by the Trail Blazers with the 56th pick in 2008. However, he still had a contract with Turkey at the time and did not land in the NBA two years later.

Boozer and Noah in the lineup of the parent team Bulls completely occupied the inside playing time. Therefore, after the Rockets made an offer to restricted free agent Asik, the Bulls did not choose to match and let him go.

A "powerful" inside player who averaged 3.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season.

Similar to Jeremy Lin coming to the Rockets, the contract the Rockets provided him was also a bit "toxic". The salary in the first two years was 5 million and 5.22 million, and soared to 14.9 million in the third year. This is not a bit toxic, but quite toxic.

.

Hibbert breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the end of the energetic Asik.

It's time for him to perform.

Hibbert first protected the rebound, and then after George hit the iron, he grabbed the offensive rebound and easily tipped the ball in.

Parsons forced a breakthrough, and Hibbert on the inside immediately stepped forward to cover the defense. Relying on his body like a city wall, Hibbert easily completed the steal.

"Quick attack!"

George had already rushed out, asking Hibbert for the ball.

But the moment George received the ball, Parsons rushed over and tried to counterattack, but George naturally did not let him do so and avoided Parsons' dirty hands.

"Dudu!"

At this moment, the referee blew the whistle, and under George's stunned eyes, he signaled that it was out of bounds, and the ball was awarded to the Rockets.

"Nitrogen Tomb!"

George fisted each other and handed the basketball over in frustration.

He wanted to give his opponent some color on the defensive end. After seeing Harden receiving the ball, he took advantage of his opponent's relaxation and immediately rushed over, hoping to complete the siege with Qi Tian.

But when Harden saw George rushing over, he was not surprised but overjoyed. He jumped up and threw the basketball in his hand.

Harden, who had fallen down, found George. He let out a loud scream and fell to the ground in an exaggerated manner.

"Dudu!"

"Whoosh!"

The referee's whistle sounded first, and the sound of the basketball hitting the net immediately ignited the Toyota Center.

3+1!

Four points!

"nice shot!"

The fans immediately became excited and waved their signs to cheer for the home team.

The Rockets gained momentum, and head coach McHale took advantage of the opportunity to replace Patterson and others who were not performing well, leaving only Harden on the court.

"coach?"

The assistant coach didn't get a response, and Vogel chose not to let up even when he was leading, keeping all the main players present.

"It's okay, don't get in trouble!"

Qi Tian, ​​who was wary of Harden's flop, could only come over and comfort George. Although he didn't expect that his teammates would be caught by his caution, but they were still ahead after all.

"Whoosh!"

Harden made a steady hit and added a free throw.

"65-73."

Qi Tian ran quickly, got rid of Harden and came to the open space. He received the pass from West and made a sudden jump shot.

"Whoosh!"

"65-75."

The Pacers responded and firmly controlled the score.

"The defense is still a bit lacking."

McHale looked at Harden with some regret.

As players, he, Bird, and Parish helped the Celtics win three championships, not just on defense, although they were indeed strong offensively.

He and Bird, because of their skin color, are definitely underestimated by everyone on the defensive end.

Not to mention Bird, in addition to the three consecutive MVPs, the three-time defensive second team selection has been ignored;

As Bird's assistant, McHale, who often had to guard the interior forwards for Bird, was also selected to the defensive first team three times.

"We need to strengthen defensive training later."

The Rockets head coach was thinking about the focus of the next training, and the situation on the court changed again.

After Qi Tian succeeded in the jumper, West blocked the shot from inside, Hibbert attracted the defensive ball and Hill scored, and the Pacers further expanded their advantage.

"Substitute!"

Vogel was pleased to apply for a substitution. With the lead, they now have enough time to replace the rotation players.

"Are you still a bit weak in strength?!"

Seeing their opponents blossoming inside and outside, and then looking at their own side that fell into silence, Rockets fans felt a little emotional.

But it doesn't matter, they are still growing, and all the problems discovered now have enough time to solve.