I’m Really Playing Basketball

Amid all the pre-game chaos, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Cavaliers and Pistons is about to begin at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit.

Under Chen Xiao's insistence on playing power forward against the Pistons, after several days of testing Chen Xiao, Rick Carlisle has fully accepted that Chen Xiao can play a qualified power forward.

Except that his rebounding ability is not very strong.

Chen Xiao has all the qualities of a qualified power forward.

He is 2 meters tall naked and 2.03 meters tall with shoes. This height is indeed not high among current NBA power forwards, but Chen Xiao's wingspan of 2.21 meters can make up for this very well.

Chen Xiao looks lean now, but weighs 110 kilograms. This weight is also very good among NBA power forwards.

You know, Chen Xiao's opponent, Rasheed Wallace, weighed 102 kilograms when he participated in the draft, and his current weight is less than 105 kilograms.

Of course, Rasheed Wallace, like Pierce, has a weapon-type body shape and a big butt, which is a great addition to the inside.

Although Chen Xiao is heavy, it is difficult to fully exert his weight because of his small butt. There is no way around this.

There are gains and losses. With lean bodies like Chen Xiao and Garnett, it is really difficult to fully maximize their athletic ability.

However, this is on the offensive end. On the defensive end, with Chen Xiao's strength and weight, he will never suffer a disadvantage against Rasheed Wallace.

After all, even without a big butt, Chen Xiao weighs 10 kilograms more, has a strength attribute of 95, and a confrontation skill attribute of 90, plus 90 blocks and 90 blocks. Let's put it this way, Chen Xiao is on the defensive end. , definitely one of the top five power forwards in the NBA.

As for the offensive end, Chen Xiao can pass the ball, shoot, and post-up, so he doesn't know traditional inside offensive skills such as hook shots, throws, and footwork under the basket.

There is really no way to do this. Chen Xiao has never learned this before.

But even without these, Chen Xiao still poses a great threat on the offensive end.

Especially after Chen Xiao raised his short-range shooting attribute to 95.

Therefore, in the eyes of Rick Carlisle, Chen Xiaona is really an almost perfect power forward.

For Carlisle, the perfect player does not exist.

Everyone has shortcomings, as long as Chen Xiao's shortcomings can be made up for by other Cavaliers teammates.

So the question is, can Chen Xiao's teammates make up for Chen Xiao's shortcomings?

Chen Xiao's biggest shortcoming when playing power forward is rebounding. Chandler has a strong rebounding ability.

Chen Xiao has problems with his defensive position when playing power forward, but Chandler's defensive position and mobile defense are definitely top-notch.

What's more, even if Chen Xiao's own defensive positioning on the inside is problematic, his speed and burst are very strong compared to those on the inside, and he can use his speed and burst to make up for his defensive positioning problems.

In short, after confirming that Chen Xiao can assume the responsibility of power forward very well, Carlisle felt that the entire team suddenly became enlightened.

Chandler, Chen Xiao, Darius Miles, Korver, James.

This is the starting player prepared for the Pistons after Carlisle's experiment these days.

The reason why Crawford was not used in the starting lineup was Korver.

That's because Korver is really easy to use.

This game between the Cavaliers and the Nets was very exciting.

After this series, many of these young people on the Cavaliers have grown.

The one who has grown the most is Korver.

Korver has actually always been a very mature player for the Cavaliers.

Of the Cavaliers' rookies, Korver is the most mature.

He played four years in college. During his junior year, Korver led the team in four categories: points, rebounds, assists and steals.

There are no problems with his skills in all aspects, the only problem is his NBA game experience.

Even in confrontation, he is not that bad. When he was drafted, he weighed 95 kilograms. This season, he has been increasing confrontation, and now he is 96 kilograms, while Hamilton of the Pistons, who is the same height as him, is only 88 kilograms.

Of course, because Korver is white, his physical strength is much worse than Hamilton.

Hamilton looks thin, but he is actually very strong in confrontation.

At this point, Korver is far behind.

Therefore, Korver has problems when defending one-on-one defense, especially when the opponent has a strong back-up ability.

But Korver's problem on the defensive end was no problem at all when playing against the Pistons.

The Pistons don't have Carter or Kobe.

Korver's characteristics of active running, good height and superb shooting skills can be used very well against the Pistons.

Especially after playing in the Nets, Korver has grown and become more confident, giving Carlisle a lot of expectations.

After all, if there is anyone in the world who knows the Pistons best, it is undoubtedly Carlisle.

Except for Rasheed, most of the people Larry Brown is reusing in the Pistons are the same people Carlisle is reusing.

So familiar!

After Chen Xiao was determined to play power forward, Carlisle discovered his treasure boy Korver.

You know, before this series with the Nets, Carlisle had some disdain for Korver, who was not very defensive.

After all, Carlisle is a defensive-minded head coach.

But the difference between him and Larry Brown Popovich is that Carlisle is willing to use offensive players. He likes to use defensive players but will not discriminate against offensive players.

This is very important.

After Chen Xiao can confirm that he will play power forward, let's put it this way: Chen Xiao's movement and defense ability plus Chandler's movement and defense ability plus the help defense ability of Darius Myers.

The forward defense is invincible!

As long as your team doesn't have an offensive center like O'Neal or Yao Ming in the paint, any team that bumps into the current Cavaliers will have to kneel offensively!

This is no joke, plus James is also invincible at the point guard position.

With just Chen Xiao and the four of them, there is no problem with Korver, a single-defense rookie.

But the key is that although Korver defends rookies alone, he is also very good in assisting defense. After all, he moves well without the ball and can follow people.

If we were to play against the Nets in the last round, his lineup of Diop, Chandler, Darius Miles, Chen Xiao and James was the strongest zone defense lineup.

So the lineup he prepared for the Pistons this time, Chandler, Chen Xiao, Darius Miles, Korver and James, is the strongest defensive lineup!

The strongest help defense is a team like the Pistons that does not have a strong offensive ability!

On the afternoon of May 5, after the Cavaliers completed their last acclimatization training at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Chen Xiao once again accepted an interview with reporters across the United States.

"Chen, many people said that you said you would play power forward in this game because of Wade's angry words. After the game against the Pistons started, you would disappear from Rasheed Wallace's side. Excuse me, Is that what it’s going to be like?”

"I'm not going to disappear from him, and I think eventually, he will disappear from me."

"Chen, do you think you will scare Rasheed at the power forward position?"

"Is it weird to be intimidated by Rasheed Wallace? Dwyane did that, and I thought, I could do as good a job as Dwyane."

After Chen Xiao finished speaking with a smile in a very calm tone, the scene was in an uproar.

Although Chen Xiao's tone was calm, everyone could hear how angry Chen Xiao was now.

Moreover, Chen Xiao characterized Rasheed Wallace's elbow injury to Wade as fear of Wade, which is quite refreshing and refined.

After all, Rasheed Wallace just said yesterday: "What do you think about the Wonder Boy playing power forward? I don't have any opinion. Even Duncan, I don't have any opinion."

He is not even afraid of Duncan, but will he be afraid of Wade?

Chen Xiao's statement not only elevated Wade, but also slapped Wallace in the face.

Moreover, the reporters at the scene could not refute Chen Xiao's refreshing and refined statement.

It really makes sense.

In the first five games with the Pistons, Wade averaged 28 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and 1 block per game, with a shooting percentage of 48%. This is really amazing.

There is no problem at all in saying that the Heat can go 3-2 against the Pistons and it is entirely due to Wade.

The Pistons finally asked Rasheed Wallace to get rid of Wade. Wasn't it because the Pistons were afraid of Wade?

If Rasheed Wallace is not afraid of Wade, at least it is the Pistons and Larry Brown who are afraid of Wade.

Therefore, Chen Xiao's statement is really belittling and angering Rasheed Wallace.

As for Rasheed Wallace's character, the whole world knows that he is really not afraid of anyone, but since he implemented the strategy of the Pistons and Larry Brown, he had to bear the consequences that day.

Chen Xiao put Larry Brown's hat on Rasheed Wallace's head, and this terrible Rasheed Wallace was so angry.

When has Roaring Heavenly Lord ever been afraid of others?

This is framed!

Therefore, after hearing the reporter relaying Chen Xiao's words, Rasheed Wallace had an angry expression on his face.

For some people, fame is more important than anything else.

Some people are not afraid of death, but are afraid of a bad reputation.

For Rasheed Wallace, framing him as a coward and giving him the persona of a sinister and cunning villain is much more painful than killing him.

He has wanted to rape Rasheed all his life. When did he become that insidious and cunning villain who would injure his opponent just because he was afraid of his opponent?

You kid thinks I'm Bowen!

I, Rasheed, have lived a glorious life, but I actually equate me with a villain like Bowen? !

But something happened, and now he is really at a loss for words.

Because when he injured Wade, he himself admitted that it was not a tough confrontation. The opponent had already completed the attack. If you go to attack the opponent again, how can it be called a tough confrontation?

When he implemented Larry Brown's strategy, he really didn't think too much about it.

Now after being pointed out by Chen Xiao, this was originally Larry Brown's fault, and Larry Brown's hat was directly placed on his head. He was really angry!

Not only angry at Chen Xiao.

Also angry at Larry Brown!

Even Rasheed Wallace is more angry with Larry Brown than Chen Xiao.

Chen Xiao wanted to avenge Wade and deliberately framed him. He could bear it. This was to avenge his brother. He approved of this behavior.

But Larry Brown is not a human being. I will beat you to death. You clearly know who I am and what kind of person I am dragging someone into my arms. How the hell do you dare to trick me into doing such a thing for you? !

You are stabbing yourself with a knife!

You are asking Yue Wumu to do something traitorous to the country!

Anyway, Rasheed Wallace was really angry at this time.

Larry Brown's prestige is very strong, and in the Pistons, that's what he says.

Rasheed Wallace can only hold back his anger against Larry Brown.

There is no way to vent the main contradiction, so naturally you can only vent your anger on the secondary contradiction.

"Are you afraid of me, are you afraid of me? I want to see how you can make me afraid of you!"

Rasheed Wallace's face looked very ugly.

After saying this through gritted teeth in a low voice, Rasheed Wallace clenched his fists tightly.

He is going to blast the Wonder Boy in this series and throw away the hat that this kid is wearing on his head!

At eight o'clock in the evening on May 5, 2004, the much-anticipated series between the Cavaliers and Pistons finally began.

In New York, Wade, who had just undergone surgery, was in his high-end ward with Luo Ge, Yao Ming and others sitting next to him and accompanying him, staring at the TV in front of him.

In order to avenge Wade, Chen Xiao said that he would play power forward in this series.

Moreover, at the pre-match press conference before the game, Chen Xiao deliberately belittled and insulted Rasheed Wallace in order to elevate Wade.

All these actions show that Chen Xiao is really going to fight Rasheed Wallace hard in this series!

Thinking of this, Wade, Yao Ming and others around them were a little worried.

Although Rasheed Wallace was the one who injured him, as an opponent, Wade admitted that Rasheed was very powerful.

Chris Bosh, the Heat's potential power forward, was almost defeated by Rasheed in the series against the Pistons.

And this is one of the reasons why the Heat have never been able to win against the Pistons despite Yao Ming and his performance.

In this series between the Heat and the Pistons, Rasheed Wallace easily knocked out Bosh with one punch and was able to help defend him.

Although Chris Bosh is a rookie, his strength is still good. Although Chen Xiao is a super giant, his ability to play power forward is really not necessarily better than Chris Bosh. Moreover, even if he is better than Chris Bosh, Nor is he strong enough to defeat Rasheed Wallace.

If possible, he doesn't want teams like Chen Xiao and the Pistons to have a head-on confrontation.

After all, the fracture in his left hand had little impact on his career.

Maybe the only impact is that I won't be able to participate in the Olympics this summer.

but……

If something like this happens to Chen, I will definitely stand up for Chen at all costs, right?

No matter what, I hope nothing happens to Chen...

Wade, who used to be able to make both fists, now can only make a fist with his right hand and think.

Back at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

"Wonderboy is really a good brother. Even if he knows that as a defender, playing power forward will be against Rasheed, he still has no hesitation."

"There is no way. The whole world knows that the Wonder Boy is so righteous. For the fans of the Nets, he will fight against the strongest team in NBA history, and he will win ruthlessly!"

"Look at the comparison between the Wonder Boy and Rasheed standing together on the court. Rasheed's tendons are trembling. He is 2.08 meters tall and only weighs 105 kilograms. Who can believe it? Pierce is 2.01 meters tall. They are both 107 kilograms! The 110 kilogram wonder boy looks like he has shrunk twice when standing in front of Rashid!"

"Wonderboy is the same as Pierce at the guard position. He is a very powerful player, but seeing him standing next to Rasheed, I feel that Rasheed can lift him with one hand!"

"Mutombo's age, Garnett's height, and Wonder Boy's weight are the three major urban legends in the NBA."

Looking at the Cavaliers and Pistons players already standing there on the court, the Pistons fans at the scene were very curious.

To be fair, fans and audiences across the United States are very curious about the Cavaliers who killed the Nets.

Let's put it this way, the Cavaliers are now the number one Internet celebrity team in the NBA.

After all, this is the team that Barkley said was the best team in history.

Even if the Pistons are rival fans, the Pistons fans at the scene can't stop watching Chen Xiao as a good knight.

In fact, not only the Pistons fans at the scene, but also the Pistons players such as Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Prince, Hamilton, and Billups on the court looked at the Cavaliers players and Chen at this time with curious faces. Xiao.

Of course, Rasheed Wallace's eyes were filled with curiosity and anger.

To be honest, if it weren't for Chen Xiao's dirty talk before the game, Rashid would respect people like Chen Xiao very much.

Ever since James revealed why Chen Xiao wanted to mess with the Nets and O'Neal, Chen Xiao has become a model player in the minds of many players.

For the sake of commitment and friendship with the fans, I dare to do such a big thing even if I don't agree with you.

This persona looks like a respected boss!

Therefore, if a big boss like Chen Xiao puts a hat on him, so many people will believe him and he will care so much.

In the world of Water Margin, Song Jiang said that you are a "sinister villain" and you will not be able to escape even if you jump into the Yellow River.

That's it.

Well, Chen Xiao didn’t come up with this idea of ​​messing with Rasheed like this.

It was the strategy that Xiao Zhan came up with.

I have to say, Xiao Zhan is really smart!

Especially in terms of messing with people's mentality, Chen Xiao admitted that Xiao Zhan's talent is much better than his!

We have a smart and witty messenger of justice like Xiao Zhan guarding us on the right side. From now on, the NBA will definitely be like 'the devil is as high as the road and the road is as high as the devil', and the evil forces will definitely have no way to hide.

Therefore, seeing how Rashid wanted to kill him but was helpless at this time, Chen Xiao was still very satisfied.

If it weren't for Wade's incident, Chen Xiao would have a very good relationship with many players in the Pistons.

Hamilton is his good friend, Prince is his old college friend, Billups and Ben also have a good relationship with him.

Therefore, every time there is a game with the Pistons, Chen Xiao, who has a wide range of friends, can always chat with the Pistons players for a long time.

But in this game, Chen Xiao and the Pistons players didn't say anything before the game. Everything will be revealed in the game!

He was going to fuck Rasheed.

And Rasheed was their teammate.

Now, both sides are life-and-death enemies!

"Tonight, let's see how the Wonder Boy can do things that neither Duncan nor Garnett can do at the power forward position!"

Watching the referee Bavetta throw the basketball in his hand into the air, Barkley smiled expectantly on the sidelines.

Power forward duel!

Speaking of power forwards, Sir Barkley will not be sleepy!

At this time, on the court, Cavaliers center Chandler had already defeated Ben Wallace with a jump ball.

On the court, James did not advance the ball quickly.

The Pistons' jump ball position is very conservative, with all defensive players behind Ben.

This is a purely defensive jump ball position.

It is also a jumping ball position that rejects all fast breaks.

The Pistons are such a team, and Larry Brown is such a coach. When the two are combined, whether it is the Kings, Mavericks or Spurs this season, when they encounter the Pistons, they will have to play positional offense.

On the court, Chen Xiao, who had slowly moved inside, pushed Rashid behind him. Seeing Chen Xiao taking a position in the inside, James moved to the free throw line after a pick-and-roll with Chandler. Facing Ben's help, he jumped up and passed the ball to Chen Xiao.

After receiving the pass from James, Chen Xiao turned his back to Rasheed Wallace's defense. Without dribbling, he turned around in the low post and made a fadeaway jumper. He threw the basketball in his hand against Rasheed's defense!

"Rashid's timing of stepping forward was very good. This time the Wonder Boy was in a very deep position. His best offensive option was to use inside steps or a hook to finish. Obviously, the Wonder Boy does not know these."

The words just fell.

Bang, another brush!

The basketball hit the rim and fell into the net.

Turn over and lean back 45 degrees to hit a rebound shot.

"..."

Watching Chen Xiao slowly completing the shot on the court without even looking at Rasheed, and slowly returning to defense, Barkley fell silent.

As for the Pistons players on the court and Larry Brown on the sidelines, many viewers in front of the TV and many Pistons fans at the scene had their eyes widened.

"That shot the Wonder Boy made just now was so satisfying!"

"I don't know if it's my imagination, but I feel like Wonder Boy's Joe's back has become stronger!"

"Rashid stepped forward to defend in such a timely manner, and the wonder boy was already losing his balance when he leaned back, but he was still able to hit!"

"Furthermore, in his attack just now, from the key position to the shot to the hit, he didn't even look at Rasheed, right? Does he think Rasheed is just air, or does he disdain to look at Rasheed as a villain on the court? "

On the sidelines, many reporters were whispering.

At this moment, an accident happened. A camera reporter squatting on the sidelines suddenly stood up and rushed to the sidelines and shouted at Chen Xiao, who was slowly returning to defense.

This is a reporter from Miami!

"Wonder boy, did you just disdain to see that insidious and cunning villain Rashid on the court? Will you ignore Rasheed like air in this game?!"

Facing this excited Miami reporter, Chen Xiao stopped, then looked at him very seriously and nodded.

"yes."

After saying that, Chen Xiao slowly trotted back to the defense.

At this time, Chen Xiao's one-word answer almost ignited the focus and attention of the entire NBA world!

Tear Rasheed apart from now on!