I’m Really Playing Basketball

In this series with the 76ers, the Nets played four games, which lasted less than a week, starting on May 6 and ending on May 11, a mere six days.

But these six days are really protracted for the Nets, and the time seems to be very long.

After the game, whether it was Kidd, Chen Xiao, or the other players and coaches of the Nets, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

"The 76ers are different from the Celtics. For our Nets, no one on this team is a defensive weakness."

You say Allen Iverson is a defensive weakness?

Are you kidding me?

Iverson is the best defensive player in the league and Richard Jefferson!

"So our team's offensive capabilities cannot be used in every position. We cannot attack the 76ers' weak positions like we did against the Celtics. Such a game will be difficult to play. However, congratulations, young man. Guys, you played very well in this round of the series, I thought this round of the series would be a round of seven games, but I didn't expect to be swept and advanced."

In the team meeting after the game, Nets coach Byron Scott was very honest.

It's also true that at the end of the first half of Game 3, he really thought it was going to be a seven-game series.

The two teams each took all of their home courts.

I didn't expect that...

After Byron Scott finished speaking, everyone looked at Chen Xiao.

Scott was very satisfied when he saw everyone looking at Chen Xiao like this.

People's eyes are sharp.

In this series, when Martin, Richard Jefferson, and Boozer are unable to demonstrate their offensive advantages, Chen Xiao becomes particularly important.

"We don't need Chen to win against a team with huge flaws like the Celtics, but to play against a team like the 76ers or the Pistons that has almost no flaws, we must have Wonder Boy!"

Byron Scott thought secretly in his heart.

No matter what opponent he faces, regardless of efficiency, Chen Xiao can score. This is so important.

It’s not that he was verbose and kept emphasizing that this point is really important!

There are only a few defenders in the entire league who can possess such attributes that can score no matter what, such as Koai McCarey Chen.

The Nets are certainly lucky to have one.

This is the huge difference between the Nets this season and the Nets last season.

What's more, Wonder Boy's key shots without false starts caused the Nets to play two or three fewer games in this series.

It was originally 4 to 2 or 4 to 3 but was beaten to 4 to 0. This is really great.

Against opponents like the 76ers and Larry Brown, one more game will really cost them their lives.

Yeah, Chen Xiao feels the same way.

In this series with the 76ers, Chen Xiao averaged 22 shots per game in four games, 8.5 hits per game, and averaged 24.5 points per game with a 38.6% shooting rate.

This is the most difficult series for Chen Xiao's offense.

Playing against the Celtics was the most difficult series for Chen Xiao, as he had to match up offensively and defensively with Pierce. However, in fact, Chen Xiao’s offense against the Celtics was controlled by Martin, and Chen Xiao’s overall performance was It's alright.

Chen Xiao averaged 29.25 points per game against the Celtics and shot 49.3% from the field.

Compared with the Celtics series, against the 76ers, Chen Xiao's scoring data really dropped off a cliff.

Fortunately, although the 76ers were difficult to beat, they finally got through it.

Moreover, Chen Xiao passed with great satisfaction.

In this way, Chen Xiao has a lot of time to rest and follow the system of Boss Ji to learn passing.

On May 12, 2003, the Nets returned to New Jersey from Philadelphia and were welcomed by a large number of New Jersey fans.

Although the playoffs have so far progressed, the Lakers and Kings have already shown an offensive strength that is more than one level higher than that of the entire NBA, so much so that the entire league has exclaimed that this year's championship will be one of these two teams. Only.

As for the Nets, they have really been ignored.

After all, the luckiest 72 wins in history. If your 72 wins are obtained by opening three quarters in every game, that is strong. If your 72 wins are obtained by winning every game, this is... well, it is also very good. Strong, but so strong that it’s hard to evaluate. It’s a 50-50 draw against strong teams and a 50-50 draw against average teams. So is this team considered a strong team or a weak team?

This is the dilemma that media experts evaluated after the Nets won 72 games. It is really difficult to judge the level of the Nets' strength. This team plays too many 50-50 games and has too many buzzer beaters.

Of course, it is correct to look down on the Nets as a whole.

Although looked down upon by experts and media across the country, the Nets have never let their 72 wins and first place in the league get humiliated.

Whether they are playing the Celtics or the 76ers, the Nets are very strong in sweeping the promotion.

In the entire league, the only team that can sweep the promotion this season is the Nets. So far, whether it is the first round or the second round, the only team that can sweep the promotion is the Nets.

No team swept the first round except the Nets.

In the second round, in addition to the fact that the Nets have swept the 76ers, the game between the Pistons and the Bucks has been tied at 2-2, the game between the Lakers and the Kings is 2-2, and the game between the Mavericks and the Spurs is also 2-2.

So, how do you evaluate the Nets team?

Let's say he doesn't deserve to share 72 wins with the 1996 Bulls, but this team's sweep of the playoffs is even worse than that of the 1996 Bulls.

When the Bulls played the Knicks in the second round that year, the Knicks stole a game, forcing them to lose in overtime.

The Nets were also forced into overtime by the 76ers, but they did not lose.

So, I can’t understand, I really can’t understand this Nets team.

After Chen Xiao and the Nets returned to New Jersey on May 12, they collectively watched the fifth game between the Kings and the Lakers.

These two teams are the most likely opponents for the Nets to face in this season's finals.

Understanding these two teams is very important.

The battle between the Lakers and the Kings at Tianwang Mountain.

Tsk tsk.

Because of the grievances between the Lakers and Kings last season, when the Kings and Lakers meet, it will really be a thunder and fire, either you die or I die, and there is no reservation at all about killing.

It can be said that every previous game was extremely exciting.

It can be imagined that this Tianwang Mountain game will definitely be more exciting.

Because of Chen Xiao's influence, the Kings this season have come out of the frustration and loss of losing last season. The Kings this season are stronger than last season.

The Lakers this season are also stronger than the Lakers last season.

So many experts not only think that the Lakers and Kings are the two strongest offensive teams in NBA history, but also think that this series between these two teams is the most exciting series in NBA history.

The Battle of Tianwangshan, the most exciting series, is naturally one of the most exciting games in NBA history, so even Wade, Yao Ming and Luo Ge, who came here later, followed Chen Xiao and the Nets to watch this game. An unprecedented war.

This battle between the Kings and Lakers truly deserves to be considered one of the most exciting basketball games in history.

Tactically, neither team can guard the other.

The Kings couldn't guard against Kobe and O'Neal's singles.

The Lakers can't defend against the Kings' team tactics.

How far the game can go depends entirely on the state of the two teams.

In this game, the two teams were in really good shape.

In the first quarter, the away Lakers took the lead, leading 38 to 34 by 4 points thanks to the outstanding performances of Kobe Bryant and O'Neal.

Both Kobe and O'Neal have strong singles abilities, and both also have strong ball-playing abilities.

The two's singles match looked like a super-enhanced version of Chen Xiao and Martin when they played against the Celtics.

This is not a question of one plus one equals two, this is a question of one plus one being much greater than two.

It's not enough to defend Kobe alone. If you double-team Kobe, Kobe will pass the ball. You can't double-team both O'Neal and Kobe, right?

Then Fisher, Horry and Devin George are ignored?

After the KO combination reunited, the Lakers' starting power forward was replaced by Horry.

This is to completely open up the space on the court.

O'Neal is responsible for singles under the basket, Kobe is responsible for singles from the basket to the three-point line, and Horry and Fisher are responsible for outside the three-point line.

The Lakers' current sense of space is very good.

Of course, this is the offensive end, because with Horry, there must be problems on the defensive end.

Especially for a team like the Kings that likes to use the back door, who can block the Lakers' back door between Horry and O'Neal?

Who can follow outside to guard Divac and Webber?

And this is why the score in this series between the Lakers and Kings is so high.

Even the reason why they scored 142 to 138 in the second game.

The two teams really can't guard against their opponents!

What you fight for is offense, what you fight for is state, and what you fight for is burning.

After the first quarter, the Kings relied on their stronger bench advantage in the second quarter and tied the Los Angeles Lakers 70-70 at halftime.

In the second half, the game between the Kings and Lakers was still quite anxious.

In the third quarter, the two teams tied 30 to 29, and the Kings won by 1 point.

In the fourth quarter, the anxiety between the two teams continued.

The King always leads by a small margin.

The turning point of this game did not occur until the last 2 minutes of the game.

Mike Bibby left the game with six fouls, and the Kings replaced Bobby Jackson, who competed with Kidders for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

In the last 120 seconds, Bobby Jackson took half of the Kings' shots, 4-1, and scored 2 points. As for the other Kings players, Webb was 1-for-2 with 2 points, Peja was 0-for-1, and Turkoglu was 0-point. 0 out of 1, 0 points.

On the other side of the Lakers, O'Neal made 1 of 2, 3 of 3 free throws and 5 points. Kobe Bryant made 1 of 2, 2 of 2 free throws and 4 points.

In the end, the Kings, who almost led for most of the game, lost this incredible battle at home 128-132.

Anyone can see who the turning point of this game is.

Mike Bibby.

Bobby Jackson.

"Rick likes to use Mike Bibby's style of point guard, but few people have as clear a mind as Mike Bibby's style of guard."

A point guard like Mike Bibby is truly a god if used well, but a real cancer if used poorly.

“Not everyone is a Mike Bibby.”

The two coaches of the Nets are feeling sorry for the King.

Because Nets head coach Byron Scott is Adelman's disciple.

Although he didn't seem to learn anything from being around Adelman.

However, Chen Xiao and Wade next to them didn't see it that way.

"This game is destined for the Lakers to win."

"At the last moment, a team that can play alone and draw fouls has an advantage over a team that keeps passing and cutting."

"At the last moment, no team can stop O'Neal and Kobe Bryant from taking turns in singles. Knowing that at the critical moment, KO is invincible."

After Wade finished speaking, he noticed that Chen Xiao's eyes were blinking at him.

"Chen, do you have any objections to what I said? Critical moments are more than just kills."

"No objection, whatever you say in this game is right."

Chen Xiao smiled slightly and didn't want to argue with Wade.

The Lakers and Kings played another exciting game.

After the game, public opinion and fans across the United States were crazily praising key stars such as KO and Weber Peja. At the same time, public opinion across the United States was also crazily criticizing and mocking Bobby Jackson, the king's last undercover player.

The Kings' last six fouls by Mike Bibby changed everything.

They all felt that it was a pity that the king lost, and they all sympathized with the king.

Seeing these public opinions, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson just smiled.

Facing our army's Kobe and O'Neal, the Kings will have key players commit six fouls. Is this surprising?

In this game, not only did Mike Bibby commit six fouls, Peja also committed five fouls!

If Bibby hadn't gone down, Peja would have gone down.

This is where the Lakers have the advantage.

No matter how strong the team is, its lethality is limited.

But in singles, it can have extra lethality!

Even if this year's Lakers don't have the referees taking care of them, we can beat the Kings!

Therefore, in terms of ordinary damage effects, there is no difference between singles and teams.

But for singles teams, there is a special attack bonus!

"In this series, the Lakers will win in the end!"

Not to brag, this series with the Kings was so exciting, but Phil Jackson has actually always been a very good guy.

No panic at all.

"As long as it comes to a critical moment, we, the Los Angeles Lakers, are invincible!"

"As long as the Lakers are not defeated in a single quarter and hit the critical moment, the Lakers' winning rate will always be higher than their opponents!"

"Who in this world can defeat the Lakers in three quarters? Only the Lakers can defeat others in three quarters, and no one can defeat the Lakers in three quarters."

"So, in the best-of-seven playoffs, the Lakers don't have to panic even if they are forced to a critical moment every time!"

"As long as the Lakers are invincible at critical moments, then the series will be invincible!"

I have to say that Phil Jackson’s logic is really good.

"So, this year's championship is already in the Lakers' bag."

As for the Eastern Conference, there is also a heart of steel that is invincible at critical moments?

Haha, again, the critical moment is not the decisive moment, the Nets will not get the chance to defeat the Lakers!

The wonder boy can kill every game.

Can he still have Miller moments?

Killers in every game don't threaten the Lakers.

Miller can threaten his invincible Lakers at critical moments every game!

In this regard, Phil Jackson is very confident.

Four consecutive championships!

Phil Jackson has seen four consecutive championships beckoning to him!

While audiences and public opinion across the United States are focusing on the battle between the Lakers and the Kings in this round of the series, the other two conference semifinals have also been played in Tianwangshan.

In the Eastern Conference, the Pistons defeated the Bucks and took a 3-2 lead.

In the game between the Bucks and the Pistons, the two teams played the same kind of game that hurt each other, almost exactly the same as the Nets and 76ers.

Ray Allen and Hamilton.

Cassell and Billups.

Michael Reed and Prince to name a few.

However, unlike the Nets and 76ers, in this group, the Pistons, who are more defensive, seem to have an advantage.

On the Western side, the Spurs defeated the Dallas Mavericks 116-103.

In this game, Duncan not only showed that he knows more about offense than Nowitzki, but also showed his better defensive side to the fullest.

The game was 12 of 19 and 10 of 14 free throws. While scoring 34 points, he also had 24 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 blocks and 2 steals. He really single-handedly defeated Norvis. Key and the Dallas Mavericks are done with each other!

In this game, Nowitzki was defended by Duncan, making only 7 of 20 shots and scoring 15 points.

And at the end of the game, the Mavericks' leader Nowitzki injured his knee.

This series between the Spurs and the Mavericks and the series between the Lakers and Kings were too fierce.

Both Nowitzki and Webber had some knee discomfort after the battle at Tianwangshan.

Because the Ron Howard incident has just ended, the issue of whether players should play injured for the team is now very hot.

After the battle between the Spurs and the Mavericks, Spurs head coach Popovich once again reiterated.

"The NBA is not the Colosseum, and players are not emotionless beasts. Our fans, management and coaches cannot put pressure on injured players and ask injured players to play. I have always thought that Ron did a great job with the Magic. Yes, he needs to think about his career. Am I using Ron's matter to put pressure on Mr. Nelson? Absolutely nothing. I know that Mr. Nelson will definitely not let Dirk play in the next game."

Seeing Popovich's righteous words on TV, Chen Xiao had some misconceptions.

Ron Howard, who was next to Chen Xiao, was really moved when he saw Popovich on TV.

Seriously, after Ron Howard refused to play the Pistons in Game 7, he and the team have broken up.

Magic fans thought he was ungrateful.

How nice are the fans to him?

How nice is McGrady to him?

The head coach of the team, Doug Rivers, is still his brother, and he is even more confidant.

But when the team needed him most, he stepped back.

From the perspective of fans, players, and coaches, Ron Howard can't justify this matter.

After all, there is no right or wrong in this.

It depends on whose side you are on.

To be honest, in this era, both fans and players are proud to play with injuries.

If Jordan's poisoning fever is gone, is there still the classic with the Jazz?

Even Ron Howard himself feels that he is not good enough, and is he the one who is wrong?

Because of his selfishness, he dragged down the team's playoff results.

Amid Yishui's criticism, apart from a few good friends such as Chen Xiao and Wade, he was really touched to have an influential figure like Popovich always standing by his side. .

After all, Brother Luo is really a good person.

After Popovich made these remarks, I don't know if he expressed true love for Ron Howard or to put pressure on Nelson. Nelson quickly responded.

"Pop is right. The Dallas Mavericks will not allow Dirk to play in the next game. Dirk asked me and Cuban to fight, but Cuban and I agreed that Dirk should not play. I think we can We will lose this series, but Dirk will win the future, and for the Mavericks, Dirk is more important than anything else."

After Nelson finished speaking, in the sixth game between the Mavericks and the Spurs on May 14, the Mavericks did not play Nowitzki.

In the end, Popovich and the Spurs finally fought another defensive battle in this series that made Popovich feel safe.

The Spurs defeated the Dallas Mavericks 90-78 at home, and finally defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

On the other side, in the series between the Kings and Lakers, Chris Webber made a completely different choice.

Chris Webber, who injured his knee, insisted on playing and eventually led the Avengers to a 125-119 victory over the Lakers on the road.

What is worth mentioning about this game is that the Kings had five players score 20+.

Peja scored 24 points, Divac scored 21 points, Chris Webber scored 20 points, and Doug Christie scored 20 points. Bob Jackson, who was undercover in the last game, did not collapse under the pressure and scored 21 points in 28 minutes.

In the playoffs, five players from other teams scoring in double figures is already very good.

The king is so good, five people directly scored 20 points, this is like a non-human being.

What is the strongest team?

This is the strongest team!

In this year's playoffs, the Kings and Lakers are really refreshing the entire NBA's new understanding of offense.

By the way, O'Neal for the Lakers made 15 of 23, 5 of 11 free throws, and scored 35 points.

Kobe, on the other hand, made 12 of 29, 16 of 18 free throws, 2 of 9 three-pointers, and scored 42 points.

The two scored 70+ points together in this game.

In this series, the two have never scored less than 70 points together.

Therefore, the KO combination is also refreshing the NBA's understanding of double combinations.

There are not many duos that score 70+ points in every game, and there are not many trios that are so good!

However, no matter what, this series between the Kings and Lakers reached a tiebreaker, just like last season.

As for the Pistons and Bucks in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks defeated the Pistons 98-89 in the sixth game away from home. This series also entered a tiebreaker.

On May 19, 2003, in the tiebreaker of the Western Conference semifinals, the Kings, who were playing at home, finally lost the tiebreaker after Chris Webber's knee finally failed in the third quarter, 110-119.

Everyone was moved when they saw Chris Webber covering his face with his jersey and crying when he was injured.

"This is a hero."

"But I don't want Brother Luo to become such a hero."

"I know."

Ron Howard looked at Weber on TV and said softly: "I won't regret it, and he won't regret it either."

In the West, the Lakers once again defeated the Kings 4-3 to advance.

On May 20, the Pistons finally defeated the Bucks 93-89 at home, and also eliminated the Bucks with a score of 4-3 to enter the next round.

They advanced from defeating the 76ers on May 11 to the start of the first Eastern Conference Finals between the Nets and Pistons on May 22.

This sweep gave Chen Xiao a full 10 days of system rest!

This time is so important!

Sweep, sweep, I want to keep sweeping! ! !

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