I’m Really Playing Basketball

Chapter 258 Shaq, you can’t run away!

After defeating the Hornets and Hawks at home at the beginning of March, the pairing of O'Neal and Chen Xiao was once again hyped by the American media.

Because the Cavaliers' current eighth position in the Eastern Conference has been stabilized, and the Nets' first position in the Eastern Conference has basically no team that can challenge it, the probability of the two teams meeting in the playoffs is already very high. big.

In this case, Chen Xiao and O'Neal have a grudge against last season's finals, and Chen Xiao also said, "Even O'Neal's grandma cannot bring down two of the strongest teams in history." 'Such a famous saying, and in this year's All-Star Game, Chen Xiao sabotaged O'Neal's journey to Los Angeles, and as the leading brother, led the All-Stars from the East and West to take turns with O'Neal.

It would be strange if these American reporters didn't hype up such a bloody feud and such a complicated relationship.

This is big news!

So throughout March, the news in the United States was all about the feud between Chen Xiao and O'Neal, and the discussion of what would happen after the Cavaliers and Nets met in the playoffs.

At the same time, in the media, reporters and Nets or Cavaliers insiders continued to break the news. O'Neal spoke out again today, Chen Xiao mentioned O'Neal again in internal conversations today, and so on.

Mainly O'Neal is talking.

After all, the Nets are No. 1 in the Eastern Conference and the Cavaliers are No. 8 in the Eastern Conference. The whole world can clearly see the huge gap in strength between the two teams.

The two teams are really not on the same level.

How can the weak keep saying they want to teach the strong a lesson? Of course it is the strong who keep saying they want to teach the weak a lesson.

In fact, Chen Xiao has never spoken to O'Neal in private.

Although the Cavaliers started with a winning streak in March, their eighth position in the Eastern Conference has become much more stable.

But the schedule is still not that simple.

Throughout March, the Cavaliers' schedule was not that easy. The reason why O'Neal, a big guy, kept talking outside the media was not for other reasons, but to disrupt Chen Xiao's mentality and the Cavaliers' mentality.

How could Chen Xiao be fooled?

Chen Xiao will definitely not be fooled!

So throughout March, after two consecutive victories, Chen Xiao led the Cavaliers to a good record of 7 wins and 6 losses in the remaining 13 games.

Well, don't think that 7 wins and 6 losses is not a good result.

In these thirteen games, the Cavaliers' opponents include the Bucks, Raptors, Pacers, Jazz, Pistons, 76ers, Nets, Mavericks and other strong teams.

Especially since most of these games are away from home.

Although the Cavaliers' schedule in March is not as devilish as January, it is still difficult.

Therefore, the Cavaliers, who posted a record of 9 wins and 6 losses in March, are considered very good, not to mention particularly good.

Because after these 15 games in March, the Cavaliers' current record is 42 wins and 32 losses.

At this time, the Hornets' record was 38 wins and 36 losses. The Hornets' record, which was originally ninth in the Eastern Conference and the greatest threat to the Cavaliers, has dropped to the tenth position in the Eastern Conference.

The ninth place in the Eastern Conference has become the Bucks led by Ray Allen.

The Bucks now have a record of 40 wins and 33 losses.

The Bucks played well under Ray Allen in March and even beat the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

So after the end of March, the original three teams in the Eastern Conference competing for eight became two teams competing for eight.

The Cavaliers stabilized their record in this difficult March, but the Hornets failed to stabilize and fell directly behind.

The Cavaliers were able to stabilize their record in such a sprint stage of the regular season under such great pressure, instead of collapsing directly like the Hornets.

Of course, it's because the two leading players of the Cavaliers, Chen Xiao and James, are brothers and sisters, and they work together well.

Unlike the two players from the Hornets, they couldn't figure out the right to take action in the fourth quarter. They lost many games that they could have won.

Throughout March, Chen Xiao averaged 13 hits in 28 shots per game, averaging 35.5 points, 6 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game with a 46.4% shooting rate.

Throughout March, Chen Xiao's number of shots was second only to the Cavaliers' most difficult month of January. In January, Chen Xiao averaged 29.8 shots per game.

It can also be seen from this that the more difficult the Cavaliers are, the more they rely on Chen Xiao.

Therefore, when Chen Xiao averaged 28 shots per game in March, his shooting percentage dropped significantly compared to February.

In the 13 games in February, Chen Xiao averaged 25.7 shots per game, 12.7 hits per game, 34.9 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 49.4%.

But as the number of Chen Xiao's shots increases, Chen Xiao's efficiency also decreases.

However, for NBA players, being able to maintain a shooting percentage of more than 45% while averaging close to 30 shots per game is actually very impressive.

In the history of the NBA, few people can do it.

It is precisely because the Cavaliers currently rely too much on Chen Xiao for scoring. Chen Xiao finished the season in March and his total score this season has reached 2,543 points.

You know, Chen Xiao has only played 74 games this season, which means that Chen Xiao's scoring average this season has reached an astonishing 34.36 points per game.

This average points per game ranks firmly second in the NBA scoring list.

Well, it's very stable. It's far away from Kobe who averaged 37 points per game in the first place. It can't catch up. It's also far away from Iverson who averaged 31.5 points per game in third place.

Of course, Iverson played in and out of this game and only played about half of the game. Therefore, due to insufficient games, Iverson was not included in the scoring list.

Therefore, the third scorer is Ray Allen, who averages 27.8 points per game.

After Ray Allen is Pierce, who averages 26 points per game.

After that, it's Garnett.

As for some other players in the top five positions, McGrady and Carter have not averaged more than 24 points per game this season because they have other superstars around them.

Losing a lot of shooting rights, in exchange for a crazy increase in the team's strength, this is also another kind of life.

It's hard to say which is better, the life of Chen Xiao and Kobe or the life of Carter McGrady.

In January, February and March, Chen Xiao's scoring was very crazy, and his average data per game was also very strong. However, because his record was not that good, Chen Xiao did not win the Best of the Month again in December. Get the best of the month.

However, I got 4 Best of the Week awards.

At this point, Garnett is much happier in the West this season.

This season, except for Peja who won the Best of the Month once in the first month, all the Western Conference Best of the Month went to Garnett.

By the way, the Cavaliers were able to stabilize under such great pressure in March, of course, on two legs.

In addition to Chen Xiao's crazy scoring, James's crazy assists also contributed.

Throughout March, Xiao Zhan averaged an astonishing 12 assists per game.

Now Xiao Zhan's scoring average has begun to increase against Nash.

Nash's ability to lead the team this season has shocked many people across the country.

Everyone originally thought that the Raptors, who were last in the Eastern Conference this season, actually reached the seventh position in the Eastern Conference, and are even now threatening the 76ers, who are sixth in the Eastern Conference.

This is something that many people have not thought of.

The running-and-shooting frenzy brought about by Nash and D'Antoni in the Raptors and the shooting-shooting frenzy brought about by Ray Allen in the Bucks are definitely one of the most beautiful sights in the league this season.

Relative to the evaluation received by Ray Allen, Nash's evaluation this season is even higher.

After all, Nash had a better record with the Raptors.

Therefore, many people now believe that Nash's organizational ability is comparable to Kidd.

Everyone is laughing at Cuban for replacing Nash and implementing the so-called five-star strategy.

After Nash came to the Raptors this season, he had a good life. His evaluation continued to improve, and his recognition continued to expand. However, the assist leader is not necessarily the best player in the organization.

Those with more assists are not necessarily those with strong assist ability.

Without a very reliable and stable scoring point around him, even if Nash's organizational ability is better than that of James, it will be increasingly difficult to compete with James for the assists title this season. Basically, it is impossible.

Xiao Zhan is now assisting Chen Xiao, which is really addictive.

Especially in the fourth quarter, when the team reaches its most critical moment.

Xiao Zhan dribbled the ball there and moved there. After almost 15 seconds, he passed the blame to Chen Xiao. Chen Xiao raised his hand and shot. If he missed the shot, he missed the shot. If he hit the shot, it was an assist.

Let me tell you, with Chen Xiao's current ability to catch the ball, his hit rate is not low.

Therefore, according to NBA official statistics, Chen Xiao is the player who scores the most in the fourth quarter in the NBA this season, averaging 12 points per game, while James is the player who averages the most assists per game in the fourth quarter, averaging 12 points per game in the fourth quarter. 4.15 assists.

Imagine that Nash was there with Milicic and the others in a pick-and-roll, and spent a long time passing the ball to Milicic. His chance shooting percentage may be the same as that of a cancerous shot like Chen Xiao. You say, Nash was there to provide assists for a long time. Efficiency, take the lead with little Zhanbi?

It is very rare that Nash can persist until this point and is ahead of Xiao Zhan in assists. He is already very strong.

In short, Chen Xiao, Xiao Zhan and the Cavaliers were very happy throughout March.

Therefore, on March 25, Chen Xiao and Xiao Zhan went to the Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey to watch the NCAA's top 16 game, Wake Forest University versus St. Joseph's University.

However, facing the support of Chen Xiao, James and Anthony, Wake Forest University led by Chris Paul finally lost to St. Joseph University led by Jamal Nelson and Delonte West 80-84.

With the help of his brothers, Paul felt very sad after losing the game.

This game was blown away by Nelson and West, who combined for 48 points, which is amazing in the NCAA.

In this game, Paul only made 2 of 6 shots and scored 12 points and 8 assists. It can be said that he lost both offensively and defensively.

However, as a first-year player, leading the team to the top 16 is very good.

Therefore, Chen Xiao, James, and Anthony all comforted Paul, but being comforted by the three of them made Paul feel even more uncomfortable.

Chen Xiao and James Anthony knew why Paul was so uncomfortable.

Because Paul is preparing to participate in the draft after the NCAA ends this year.

The success of Chen Xiao, James and Anthony in the NCAA really stimulated him.

If he performs well in the NCAA this season, he can enter the NBA with a high pick.

After playing very well in the first two games of the tournament, as long as he can win this game against the strongest backcourt combination in the NCAA, Paul can move from the lottery to a higher pick.

After Paul scored 29 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks in the last game, let me tell you, scouts from most NBA teams were dispatched.

As long as Paul defeats Delonte West and Nelson in this game against St. Joseph University and leads Wake Forest to the top 8, then Paul will participate in the 2004 NBA draft and be at least the top three picks. Bit.

It's a pity that at the most critical moment, Chris lost his temper.

This made Chen Xiao, James and Anthony feel sorry for him.

So, now Chris Paul is sad.

Moreover, only he can solve such sadness, regret, and remorse. Chen Xiao and his brothers really have no solution.

After watching Paul's game on March 25, the Cavaliers led by Chen Xiao and James were double beaten away from home by the 76ers and Nets, two super teams in the Eastern Conference.

Although the 76ers are sixth in the Eastern Conference this season, experts have ranked the 76ers in the third tier.

Experts believe that the 76ers cannot have a higher record.

But this season, the 76ers feel that as long as they are not seventh and eighth against the Magic and Nets, sixth and third actually don't matter.

Ray Allen could lead the Bucks and Black Pacers last season.

The 76ers believe that Iverson can also lead the 76ers to the Black Pacers.

Therefore, instead of letting Iverson fight for the regular season record, it is better to let Iverson rest this season and focus on competing in the playoffs.

This is also the strategy of the 76ers to fight hard.

Therefore, regardless of the fact that the 76ers are sixth in the Eastern Conference this season, the Cavaliers have never won against the 76ers this season...

On April 2, 2004, the Cavaliers' first game in April was an away game against the Bucks. Now the Cavaliers and Bucks are just one win away. If the Bucks win this game, they still have a chance to finish eighth. Entering the playoffs.

If the Bucks lose this game, almost everything will be over.

Therefore, the Bucks, who played at home in this game, played very fiercely from the beginning. Ray Allen made 5 of 7 in the first quarter, scored 15 points in a single quarter, and hit 5 three-pointers in a single quarter.

Of course, the Cavaliers will not show weakness. Chen Xiao made 6 of 8 and scored 14 points. Compared with Ray Allen's crazy shooting of three-pointers, Chen Xiao did not shoot a single three-pointer in the first quarter, all of them were two points. Shoot.

The Bucks are frantically defending Chen Xiao's three-pointer. If you don't allow me to shoot, I won't shoot. It's not like I don't have other offensive abilities.

In the first quarter, the Bucks led 31 to 29 by two points.

Obviously, with Ray Allen so accurate and leading by 2 points in the first quarter, the Bucks were naturally dissatisfied.

Sure enough, in the second quarter, after Ray Allen's touch dropped slightly, the Cavaliers scored 26-24 in a single quarter to tie the score.

In the third quarter, Ray Allen's touch returned and he could shoot like crazy again.

And this quarter was not only about Ray Allen's touch, Reed's touch was also explosive. He made 5 of 8 in a single quarter, 3 of 4 three-pointers, and hit 13 points. In addition, Ray Allen's 17 points in a single quarter. , these two scored 30 points in a single quarter.

In the third quarter of the Bucks, it was like a splash and a waterfall, almost drowning the Cavaliers.

Fortunately, Chen Xiao made 9 of 14 in a single quarter, 1 of 2 three-pointers, 5 of 5 free throws, and stabilized the score with 24 points in a single quarter.

The Cavaliers ended up trailing by only 4 points, 30-34.

At the end of the third quarter, there was no joy on the faces of the Bucks players, who were leading by 4 points at home. They were all filled with regret.

The Bucks were so fierce in the third quarter. The Tsunami brothers of Ray Allen and Reid scored 30 points in a single quarter, but they were still bitten by the Cavaliers led by Chen Xiao.

The Bucks' defense against Chen Xiao in this game was too focused on the three-point line, which gave Chen Xiao a lot of mid-range and close-range shooting opportunities.

The Bucks' defense in this area was mediocre to begin with, so of course Chen Xiao grabbed it and hit it hard.

As long as the third quarter bites, the Cavaliers have a chance.

If Ray Allen and Reid are as accurate in the fourth quarter as they were in the third quarter, the Cavaliers will admit it.

But obviously, this probability is still very small.

In the fourth quarter, the Bucks scored 18 points.

In the fourth quarter, the Bucks made 3 of 14 three-pointers.

In the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers, led by Chen Xiao, who made 6 of 10 in a single quarter and scored 14 points in a single quarter, scored 26 points in a single quarter.

In the end, the Cavaliers defeated the Bucks 111-107 on the road.

In this game, Chen Xiao took 38 shots in the game and hit 24 of them. He had a good shot and scored 58 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists.

58 points is also the highest score in Chen Xiao's career.

At the same time, James made 9 of 19 shots in this game, scoring 20 points, 7 rebounds and 17 assists.

Well, most of Xiao Zhan's assists in this game were given to Chen Xiao. Chen Xiao alone contributed 12 assists to Xiao Zhan in this game.

After watching this game, Nash, who is still very interested in assists leader this season, felt desperate.

After defeating the Bucks on the road, the Cavaliers, with 43 wins and 32 losses, have basically confirmed their eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

And after losing this game, the Bucks, with 41 wins and 34 losses, basically have no hope of the playoffs.

After all, there were only 7 games left.

By the way, after Chen Xiao scored a career-high 58 points in this game against the Bucks, Chen Xiao's career total points reached 4837 points, and he was only 163 points away from the 5000-point mark.

According to Chen Xiao's scoring average this season, he can reach 5,000 points in his career in five games, and up to six games.

He has reached 5,000 points in two seasons of his career. This is much better than the youngest player in history to reach 5,000 points.

James can definitely surpass Chen Xiao and become the youngest person to score 5,000 points in the future, but it is absolutely impossible for James to score 5,000 points in two seasons.

Therefore, after playing against the Bucks, Chinese media and American media began to pay attention to whether Chen Xiao could reach 5,000 points this season.

On April 10, 2004, the Cavaliers played the second game of a back-to-back home and away game against the Heat at home.

In the previous four games against the Warriors, Raptors, Grizzlies and Heat, the Cavaliers achieved a record of 2 wins and 2 losses. In these four games, Chen Xiao scored 43 points, 32 points, 28 points, and 36 points respectively. .

After playing these four games, Chen Xiao's career total score has reached 4973 points, which is only 27 points away from the 5000-point mark.

In terms of Chen Xiao's scoring ability, although the Heat are very strong, it is still very easy for Chen Xiao to score 27 points in this game.

Therefore, in this game, Chen Xiao is almost certain to reach 5,000 points in his career.

Chen Xiao scored 5,000 points in his career, and it was also a Chinese derby.

One can imagine how huge the impact this game has had in China.

The game reached the final moments of the third quarter. Chen Xiao received a pass from James after dribbling past half court and faced Odom for the final attack.

Facing Odom's defense, Chen Xiao did not attack directly. Instead, he played a pick-and-roll with the team's center Tyson Chandler, switching Yao Ming in front of him.

Facing Dayao's defense, Chen Xiao broke through with a step, deceiving Dayao to retreat, and then followed up with a step-back jumper. Under the interference of Dayao's efforts with his short hands, Chen Xiao made a mid-range jumper. Two point shot.

Hit!

The 28th point of this game!

After Chen Xiao hit the shot, he smiled and stretched out the fingers of his right hand towards Dayao.

"Dayao, this is for you!"

Seeing Chen Xiao like this, Dayao felt dumbfounded.

Embarrassing~

At the same time, Chen Xiao was excitedly saved by James behind him.

At the same time, Wade, not far away, looked at the excited James and embarrassed Yao Ming with envy.

On the other side of the ocean, in China, Chinese fans choked up when they heard Teacher Zhang's excited voice, and many people also choked up.

"This is the 5001st point of Chen Xiao's career!"

"The first Chinese player in NBA history to score 5,000 points in his career is born, and he is!"

"Chen——Xiao!!"

When Teacher Zhang called out Chen Xiao's name, the whole land of China seemed to be resounding with the same name.

I don’t even know how many people shouted this name on this day, and their voices were hoarse.

100 to 111!

Chen Xiao chose to let Dayao give him five thousand points as the background.

Dayao, on the other hand, chose to use a failure as a gift to Chen Xiao.

Well, milestones, mileage, haha.

At the same time, Chen Xiao made 12 of 27 shots in this game and scored 38 points in the game.

April 14, 2004, New York, Madison Square Garden, Cavaliers away game against the Knicks.

Because the Cavaliers unexpectedly lost to the Bucks at home in the last game, the eighth place in the Eastern Conference that had no suspense once again became suspenseful.

Before this game, the Cavaliers and Bucks both had a record of 45 wins and 36 losses.

And because the Bucks and Cavaliers have a 2-2 record, the winning rates of the two teams in this division are also the same, and the winning rates of this league are also the same.

If both teams win this game, even the winning percentages against the playoff teams in this league and the other league will be the same.

In this case, the Cavaliers and Bucks even have to show off the difference in points.

The Bucks' last opponent was the league's first-ranked Nets in the Eastern Conference.

Before the game started, O'Neal laughed and announced that all the Nets' main players would take turns for this game.

The Knicks announced that all the main players will play in this game.

100 to 90!

The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks hard in the last game.

If the Bucks defeat the Nets by 58 points or more in the last game, the Bucks will overtake the Cavaliers and become eighth in the Eastern Conference due to small points.

The game between the Cavaliers and the Knicks is over.

James immediately asked about the score of the game next door.

Only Chen Xiao's face was smiling.

According to O'Neal's words before the game, it seems that he is really ready to let the Nets let go.

Crazy release.

Xiao Zhan was worried about this, but Chen Xiao never had any worries about this.

"He won't, he will lose, and he will never let 58 points go."

Chen Xiao was convinced.

Because he doesn't have the final say on the Nets alone.

He is not qualified!

"This kid!"

Seeing Chen Xiao's smiling face on TV, without any nervous expression, O'Neill gritted his teeth.