Basketball's most talented forward is on the left

While the outside world was still swooning over Zuo Li, one day later, the other participating team in the Western Conference finals was finally decided.

In the away game, the Houstonians who had created countless miracles before could not withstand the Lakers who played at home and were determined to avenge their humiliation.

4-3, the Lakers advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. Their opponent is the Nuggets who have been waiting for a full week. The game between the two teams will start on May 22.

The other game between the Knicks and Magic will be on May 21, which is the day after tomorrow.

Kobe's performance in this game was not good. He made only 4 of 12 shots and scored only 14 points. However, the Lakers still won, beating the Rockets 89-70 at home by 19 points.

Here you can see the role of the stars.

The Rockets' defense against Kobe was very good. From a God's perspective, it was even the best in all games this year, including the upcoming Western Conference Finals and Finals.

Relying on Battier and Artest, two players who were selected to the defensive second team at the same time, even Kobe's performance in these 7 games has fluctuated.

But without Yao and even Uncle Mu, the Rockets cannot pose any threat to Gasol who has returned to his normal state. Gasol scored 21 points and 18 rebounds in this game, showing the majesty of the league's top fourth position.

, and Bynum also scored 14 points and 6 rebounds.

In comparison, the Rockets are not high enough inside, their defense is not hard enough, and their rebounding protection is not enough. Landry, Scola, and Hayes really tried their best, but some things are like this, and trying your best does not mean victory.

However, their tragic backs did not reveal regrets or regrets, because before the start of this series, who would have thought that they would play seven fierce games against the Western Conference Kings without Tracy McGrady and Mutombo in the middle of the schedule and without Yao Ming.

How about completing this "mission impossible"?

Moreover, if Dayao is not injured in this series, the Rockets are likely to win the game. They have shown sufficient strength and resilience.

But, unfortunately, this is the Rockets' last glory.

Dayao's injury was more serious than anyone imagined. Tracy McGrady's half-season layoff failed to heal his scarred back. Artest and Battier's subsequent departures as well as the management's Mu Mosek's shady operations have even more trouble.

A rocket comes to an end.

To be honest, after watching this game, Zuo Li was filled with emotion.

In the last life, Zuo Li was deeply impressed by this series. From that time, the Rockets were the only team that could force the Lakers to the tiebreaker in the 2008-09 season. Subsequently, the Nuggets and Magic won in 6 games and 2 games respectively.

Lost in 5 games.

This series also produced countless famous scenes, such as Dayao's return as king, Artest's confrontation with Kobe Bryant, Battier's bloody game... there are too many.

So much so that after losing the tiebreaker, fans online unexpectedly did not ridicule or criticize the Rockets at all. Instead, they overwhelmingly praised the Rockets, and even more fans had unlimited thoughts about the Rockets next season.

ESPN also analyzed after the game and said that as long as Dayao and Tracy McGrady return healthy next season, Brooks, Scola and Artest are renewed at the same time, and they find a qualified inside substitute for Dayao, the Rockets will have a chance to go further next season.

Zuo Li also vaguely remembered that in the subsequent preview of next season, the Rockets' rating was still A. Who would have thought that in just one summer, the whole world would change.

Later, a depressed phone call from Dayao who lost the game further changed Zuo Li's mind. On the phone, Dayao felt a little disappointed and sighed more than once: "It would be better if I wasn't injured."

Yes, Zuo Li can understand Dayao's mood. It would be okay if he was swept, but he would really feel unwilling to be eliminated like this. This is human nature.

But this also alerted Zuo Li.

"You can't waste time. You can't be complacent after entering the East. If you don't win the championship, you will always be an ant.

Zuo Li originally thought that as long as he entered the Eastern Conference Finals this season, he would have to explain himself even if he lost. After all, who would be so harsh on a rookie? This is the protection period for rookies.

But seeing the rocket, Zuo Li changed his original mind.

Even if he doesn't win the championship, he still has to work hard for the finals. This season, the Knicks look good everywhere. They are united and full of strength. The team is also young, and their play style is also very advanced and changeable. The outside world thinks they are

It is a strong contender to win the championship in the next few years.

But none of this makes sense.

The Grizzlies have failed for many years and acquired a group of high-ranking rookies. Every year, analysis shows that they are expected to rise. In the future, the Timberwolves will also be the distribution center for the No. 1 and No. 2 picks, not the Huskies every season.

The results that are typed are called achievements. The analysis that is not typed is just bragging and will attract people's ridicule.

Just like the Rockets, they are still a ruthless team that can go head-to-head with the Lakers this season. Next season, they will become a weak team that everyone bullies. And the Knicks are very good this season. Who can guarantee that they will go further next season?

Woolen cloth.

Injuries, player losses and trades, player status, mentality, league environment, and other factors will all be different. No one can guarantee that the Knicks will succeed.

So Zuo Li decided to seize the moment!

"Isn't it just magic? Let's try to see who is the strongest team in the Eastern Conference!" Zuo Li closed the computer and geared up.

"But think about how to stimulate the emotions of teammates." Zuo Li rubbed his chin. Before, their goal was to enter the Eastern Conference Finals in the playoffs. Now with this result, the management is satisfied, the fans are satisfied, and the coaching staff is also satisfied. Zuo Li feels

Their mentality is inevitably a little slack, and how to stimulate the desire to fight is an important issue.

From the last round, we can see the importance of teammates. It is difficult for one person to compete with a team, let alone the importance of morale.

The opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Magic, is obviously a tougher nut to crack than the Celtics, who are missing Garnett.

The reason why the Knicks were able to defeat the Celtics was that they had an advantage inside. The combination of Zuo Li, Randolph and David Lee made the Green Army without Garnett stretched and unable to form an effective threat.

But the Magic is different. He has peak Howard, a player who is currently on par with Zuo Li. At least physically, the two are evenly matched. Of course, Zuo Li can consume Howard through a richer arsenal of weapons and even gain an advantage.

, but the Magic also have a tough guy like Gotak inside.

Former All-Star Lewis is at the fourth position, Turkoglu can play 3 or 4, and Pietrus can also shoot three-pointers.

The characteristics of these three people are destined to make it impossible for Randolph to guard against each other. At most, they will explode against each other. The same is true for David Lee, who will be restricted by them in turn.

The Magic clearly have an advantage on the perimeter. Although Nelson was injured and did not play in the last round, Alston, Courtney Lee, JJ Redick, Tyronn Lue, and Anthony Johnson are all good players who can shoot three-pointers and break through.

It can be said that the Knicks have no advantage on the outside.

This also requires the Knicks players to exert 120% of their energy to have a chance to win.

After thinking for a long time, Zuo Li couldn't think of a good way. When he came to the training hall, Zuo Li was about to forcefully feed his teammates chicken soup, but he was suddenly surrounded by a group of players.

As a representative, Randolph took the initiative and said: "Zuo Li, take us to the finals!"