Basketball's most talented forward is on the left

On January 3, the NBA resumed its war and the first round of 2009 began!

The earliest start time is at Madison Garden, where the New York Knicks play against the Houston Rockets at home.

Before the game, the New York Knicks did not have an advantage in the predictions of various media. Whether it was the predictions given by tnrt or espn, this game was a close battle.

It doesn't sound very suitable for the Knicks' status as the league's number one. The Knicks have even defeated teams like the Cavaliers and Lakers. Although the Rockets are currently ranked fourth in the Western Conference, they are a real strong team. Is it still possible?

Can it be better than the Lakers?

But that’s not how it works. Anyone who only looks at rankings and does not look at lineup and style to make predictions is a hooligan. Everything in the world is interdependent, and the same is true for basketball. A strong team that seems to be impeccable may have a style that is judged by others.

The seemingly average team was completely restrained.

Otherwise, the Mavericks could have been beaten so badly by the Warriors that year? Could the Jazz have been the Rockets' stumbling block for so many years?

That's the truth.

As for this game, New York's style will not be restrained by the Rockets. It can be said that both teams have their own advantages.

One of the Rockets' advantages is undoubtedly the third position.

At this position, they have accumulated two strong men who can rank among the top five defensive players in the league. The defensive lineup composed of Battier and Artest is not afraid of any opponent in the league. Even if James encounters him at this time, it will be very painful.

Not to mention McGrady, the swingman at forward and guard. Although he only averaged 15.6 points per game this season and shot only 38.9% from the field, the former superstar can still perform decently in a certain game.

Compared with them, New York's third position is just like paper. Chandler is weak defensively and Novak can only shoot.

Rub, it also rhymes.

However, the Rockets' biggest advantage is still at the fifth position. Yao's existence is undoubtedly the Rockets' confidence. He is also the Rockets' only trump card and the league's biggest weapon in the low post this season.

In the 2008-09 season, he played 975 rounds in the post, averaging 12.7 rounds per game, accounting for 66.3% of his personal offense, shooting 52.9% from the field, and scoring 964 points. He scored 0.99 points per round, surpassing 85% of the players that season.

.

As long as he is in the low post, Dayao is the one who can make the final decision, and he is also a qualified defender of the penalty area. Once he stands 226 centimeters inside, any team's breakthrough will be restricted.

The Knicks are also a team that relies on Zuo Li. The Knicks' inside line is undoubtedly the biggest reason why they can stand in their current position. Let's not mention Randolph and David Lee. The existence of Zuo Li will make the league

Most teams feel a headache.

The Knicks have undoubtedly relied on Zuo Li to get to this point. Judging from the games the Knicks lost, it was all caused by Zuo Li being restricted to a certain extent. For example, they were defeated by the Celtics twice because the Celtics used their thick inside line.

This prevents Zuo Li from fully exerting himself, thus taking the initiative on the scene.

Therefore, whoever has the advantage between Zuo Li and Dayao in this game will take the initiative, so from this perspective, it is more reasonable to give a probability of about 50:50.

…

At 6 o'clock in the afternoon, Madison Square Garden was packed. The three consecutive away games in the Western Conference gave New York fans a boost of confidence, and also aroused the enthusiasm in the hearts of the fans. In the first game of the new year, the entire New York fans were restless, so

Although there was a long queue at the ticket office here last night, the pre-game tickets were still sold out early. During the day today, front-row tickets were even sold for US$10,000 each.

The hot football market is so scary.

Before this time, the auditorium will receive envious looks from people, because everyone here is either rich or noble.

Spike Lee danced on the sidelines and delivered crazy output to the Rockets bench. His mouth was like honey. The Knicks have done well this season, and his target of output finally became all visiting team players.

Eli Manning, the leading quarterback of the New York Giants, came to the court again after half a month, and Ewing, the former core of the Knicks, also came, and he didn't forget to catch his son and teach him a lesson before the game.

True - father and son game.

But tonight they are all supporting roles. With the dim lights and exploding sparks, the Knicks team completes their appearance.

Zuo Li in the finale naturally attracted most of the attention. The cameras following him all the time showed people's preference for him. The stars among the Knicks generals showed his status. Before the game, all the beauties on the sidelines were enthusiastic about him.

The greeting makes men all over the world cry and howl with jealousy.

But it's not just the fans and spectators who pay attention to Zuo Li. The Rockets next door have also been watching Zuo Li.

Of course, their gazes are different from those of the fans. Their gazes carry more scrutiny and a hint of ill-intention!

Artest: "Hey, we're going to torture them here tonight!"

Shane Battier: "Don't be so confident. Are you sure you can handle this guy Zuo Li?"

Artest: "Who am I!? Ron Artest! I've broken Michael Jordan's ribs, and I'm afraid of a little rookie!"

"But, ahem, even if I can't do it, I still have you..."

Scola: "Hey, don't worry, we will definitely make this guy feel a little different tonight."

…

Before the game, the conversation between these three people undoubtedly made one thing clear. The Rockets were fully prepared, and their focus was undoubtedly the core of the Knicks, Zuo Li!

Over there, Zuo Li naturally didn't know that his opponent was not just Dayao, but the entire Rockets team, nor did he know that the tactics the Rockets had prepared for him were insane.

He is studying with D'Antoni how to limit Dayao.

According to D'Antoni's idea, the Knicks have to play fast tonight, and speed is undoubtedly what Yao is least good at.

Zuo Li agreed and suggested that the defensive end could move forward to defend Yao.

To be honest, defending Dayao is definitely a huge test for Zuo Li. His wingspan is longer, but the 10 centimeter gap is still huge. In the first game against Dayao, O'Neal was blocked 5 times in a single game.

There is evidence, and Dayao is very good at confrontation, especially his lower limbs. Even Ao Pang and Howard can't hold up, and Zuo Li is currently quite choked.

Coupled with Yao's good hand skills and accurate free throws, this method of dealing with Howard is completely impractical, so Zuo Li needs to use a different way to defend.

However, when the game started, Zuo Li himself was the first to suffer the consequences!

Both sides start.

Rockets: Dayao, Scola, Artest, Tracy McGrady, Brooks.

Knicks: Zuo Li, David Lee, Chandler, Larry Hughes, Dragic.

jump ball!

There is no doubt that Zuo Li won the ball with his speed. Dayao was not in a hurry and instead smiled at Zuo Li.

This smile, I laughed to the point of s... Sorry, I am being staged.

On the Knicks' first attack, Zuo Li holds the ball. Dayao ignores Zuo Li and goes straight down the line. The one guarding Zuo Li is not Scola, the insider, but the league's famous tough guy gangster, Ron Artest!

This is the Rockets' first move!