I’m Really Playing Basketball

The Cavaliers' nine-game winning streak ended in the first game of February.

On February 3, 2003, in an away game against the Heat, which was second in the Eastern Conference and second in the league, the Cavaliers lost 88-100 away from home, giving up the first place in the league they had just won.

In this game, Cavaliers head coach Carlisle is still practicing the formation.

To be honest, the Cavaliers and Heat have already played one game before this season, and Carlisle did not find a way to deal with the Heat in that game.

For Carlisle, if the Cavaliers want to win the championship this season, they need to break out of the Eastern Conference.

This season, among the teams in the Eastern Conference, whoever can break out of the Eastern Conference will be the best candidate for the championship.

This is no joke.

The teams in the Eastern Conference are really strong this season.

The six teams led by the Magic, the Heat and the Four Madmen have really destroyed the entire league this season.

Even the Pistons and Pacers, who were very strong in the league in the past few seasons, are firmly on the edge of the top eight in the Eastern Conference this season.

This season, the top eight positions in the Eastern Conference are firmly held by six teams: the Cavaliers, Magic, Heat, Raptors, Nets, and Bucks.

The top six are just these six teams, the only difference is that the rankings vary from moment to moment.

Therefore, the Cavaliers' championship opponents this season are these five teams.

Magic, Nets, Raptors, Bucks, regardless of the outcome of these four teams, in short, the Cavaliers have a way to compete with these four teams.

It is true that a method can be found.

Regardless of whether it is a 50-50 draw or any other draw, in short, the Cavaliers have a winning rate against these four teams, and it is not low. In addition, the team has Chen Xiao, a player who is extremely good at creating miracles. To be honest, Yes, Carlisle has a lot of confidence in playing these four teams.

As long as they can complete the final puzzle pieces, these four teams should be said to be very confident.

But the Heat are different.

Carlisle really has no way to beat this team. At least, he hasn't found any way yet.

He has already played two games with the Heat in the regular season, and there are not many opportunities for him to test in the regular season.

In this game, Carlisle used a five-forward strategy with Chen Xiao at center, Diaw at power forward, James at small forward, Barnes at shooting guard, and Hardaway at point guard. In the end, the Cavaliers almost lost in three quarters.

Regardless of the fact that the Cavaliers lost 88 to 100 in this game by 12 points, in fact, the Cavaliers really had no chance in this game. After the third quarter, they were basically defeated.

In the first half, the Cavaliers actually led by 3 points, 54-51, but in the third quarter, Hardaway collapsed, and then the Cavaliers collapsed, losing to the Heat 15-26 in a single quarter.

Among the five players in the five-forward tactic, there really cannot be any failure, otherwise, there will be gaps in the entire network.

Moreover, Yao Ming is too lethal to the five-forward tactics.

In addition, you also have a gap, isn't it a collapse?

However, judging from the first half of this game, the five forwards were still effective against the Heat.

At the very least, for the first time in the past two seasons, the Cavaliers led the Heat in the first half.

To be honest, in the past two seasons, the Heat have really been the sufferer of the Cavaliers.

In short, if it is assumed that the five-forward strategy proves to be useful for the Heat, then Hardaway's gap will become particularly important.

The Cavaliers' swingman at the second and third positions or the third and fourth positions will really drive Carlisle crazy.

Of course, before Carlisle is driven crazy, Cavaliers general manager Paxson must be driven crazy first.

"Rick, we don't have a single player. Even if we give away this year's draft pick to the Knicks, we still can't get a swingman that meets your requirements!"

To be fair, in this league, there is a shortage of excellent swingmen, especially those who are good at both offense and defense, and there is an even greater shortage of players who are good at both offense and defense.

Such swingmen are not for sale by their respective teams. Even if the Cavaliers use the Knicks' draft pick this year, they cannot get them.

The Knicks are currently eighth from the bottom in the league. At this position, the Knicks' draft picks are actually on the edge of the lottery.

If you want to say it's good, it's definitely good, but it's not that good either.

Even if the Cavaliers' first-round pick is given away, to be honest, it will be difficult for the Cavaliers to replace an excellent swingman that meets the Cavaliers' requirements.

Paxson knows Carlisle's urgency, with only two games left this season against the Heat.

But he can't help it.

You can't make something out of nothing, right?

Losing to the Miami Heat on the road, the Cavaliers gave up the first place in the league and the first place in the Eastern Conference.

At the same time, he fell from the first place in the league to the third place in the league.

It seems that on February 3rd, the Cavaliers are still unlucky.

In fact, there was not no good news for the Cavaliers on this day.

Chen Xiao, who led the Cavaliers to 13 wins and 2 losses last month, finally averaged 33 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. Another head player of the Cavaliers averaged 26.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 10.4 assists last month. James, who had 2.5 steals and 1 block, was jointly elected as the Eastern Conference Player of the Month last month.

However, Chen Xiao has no use for this month's best C-level potential card.

Now Chen Xiao is learning the steps and throws at the basket with Rahim, so he may need potential cards to quickly improve his strength.

Chen Xiao's current D-level experience card is somewhat overflowing, but C-level is still very lacking.

In addition, on February 3rd, the league's 2005 Eastern and Western All-Star starters were also announced.

For the Cavaliers, Chen Xiao and James were both selected as starters.

The starting lineup for the Eastern Conference this time is center Yao Ming, forwards Chen Xiao and Carter, and guards James and Wade.

The starting lineup in the West is center O'Neal, forwards Garnett, Grant Hill, and guards Kobe and Luo Ge.

This All-Star starter has a few points.

The biggest highlight is of course that Grant Hill, who missed the entire season last season, was once again selected as an All-Star starter.

The Mavericks forward received more than 1.4 million votes for this All-Star Game, second only to Garnett's 2.1 million votes, among Yi Jianlian's 1.1 million votes, Nowitzki's 850,000 votes, and Anthony's 660,000 votes. superior.

I have to say that although he took a whole year off, Grant Hill's popularity in the United States is really the highest.

The second highlight is that Wade and Luo Ge both became All-Star starters for the first time.

Luo Ge's competition in the Western Conference is too small. Big Brother Ke is currently struggling with the Lakers, and Luo Ge himself has also strived to lead the Spurs to rank second in the Western Conference.

As for Wade, Wade's starting, we have to talk more, Iverson's 1.6 million votes, Ray Allen's 1.58 million votes, plus Nash's 1.2 million votes, these are strong enemies.

Wade can win with 1.65 million votes, which is really not easy.

Ray Allen is extremely popular in the United States because of his three-point play that leads the Bucks to crazy offense.

Lei Zhentian, do you think this is a joke?

By the way, the nickname Lei Zhentian was given by Mr. Zhang and Chinese fans. Well, in China, Ray Allen is also quite popular.

Mainly, the play style of Ray Allen and the Bucks is so beautiful.

Chen Xiao is now a Ray Allen fan.

To be honest, anyone who doesn't like Ray Allen's crazy three-point shooting game is not a basketball fan.

Chen Xiao also wants to learn, but his wingspan is too long and his shooting speed is too slow. If he can't learn it, he really can't learn it.

Once you have grown up, don’t think about such things as fast.

And Iverson, not to mention, has cultivated a large number of die-hard fans over the years.

Therefore, in the lingering relationship with Ray Allen Iverson, when he finally defeated Ray Allen and Iverson and became the All-Star starter with the greater foundation of the Chinese fans, Wade cried excitedly.

"Chen, I finally understand. Chinese fans are now the key to starting the All-Star Game. I want to learn Chinese!"

Dude, you just found out.

Xiao Zhan's Mandarin now sounds like "Yancheng flavor".

So, Xiaotai, how late you are!

A king fried is really big!

You deserve it, you only entered the All-Star starting lineup for the first time in your third season!

In addition to these two highlights, the third highlight of the All-Stars this time is that the Jazz's young power forward Yi Jianlian actually ranks third in the forward position after Garnett and Grant Hill.

Although Yi Jianlian played well in the Jazz this season, averaging 8+6 per game, but this data is not bad for a 20-year-old rookie. Isn't it nonsense to want to overwhelm Nowitzki and Anthony?

I have to say that the influence of Chinese fans is truly Dior.

If it weren't for Grant Hill's efforts this season, Yi Jianlian might have made it to the All-Star starting lineup.

In the end, Yi Jianlian was relieved that he was not able to make the All-Star starting lineup.

To be honest, he didn't dare to ask for such an All-Star starter, nor did he want it.

Since this All-Star start has three major and two major points, of course it also has one biggest noisy point.

That is, as the defending champion and currently ranked second in the league, the Magic team does not have a single starter.

Duncan and McGrady are the third and fourth forwards.

It wasn't that Duncan and McGrady didn't have enough votes, but that Chen Xiao and Carter were too strong.

However, although he can't be the starter, Duncan and McGrady's All-Star substitutes are definitely no problem.

By the way, it was Chen Xiao's third All-Star start this time.

Yao Ming is also the third All-Star starter.

For Chen Xiao and Yao Ming, this All-Star starting is not so unusual.

Of course, for Chinese fans and spectators, this is something worthy of national celebration.

When Chen Xiao and Yao Ming became the All-Star starters for the third time, no one in the United States said they were unworthy anymore.

Now in the United States, no one is saying that Chen Xiao and Yao Ming are not worthy of the All-Star starters.

But there are still some who are not convinced.

On February 4, 2004, the Cavaliers returned to their home game against the Magic. The Magic played away in this game was very 'excited'.

Especially the Magic's outside super giant McGrady.

Originally, the Cavaliers were almost dismantled by the Heat yesterday, and this game was directly dismantled by the Magic brought by McGrady.

122 to 111, the Cavaliers lost at home in this game.

In fact, the state of the Cavaliers in this game is very good.

Although tired is a bit tired, but everyone's game state is good.

Counting Chen Xiao, James, Raheem, Xiao Mo, and Barry, the five players in the team scored in double figures.

It's just that the magic on the opposite side is even more fierce, and McGrady is even crazier.

In this game, the Magic's McGrady made 17 of 35 shots, 4 of 11 three-pointers, and 8 of 11 free throws. He scored 46 points.

To be honest, since Medina and Chen Xiao have almost the same height and wingspan, no one on the Cavaliers can guard him. If he wants to take a shot or make a pull-up, then he can only limit it as much as possible.

Xiao Zhan actually worked very hard on defense in this game, but he just scored. What can you do?

In the United States, many people say that Tracy McGrady's talent was born for basketball. This is not just a boast.

Why doesn't anyone here in the United States say that Chen Xiao's talent was born for basketball?

Of course it's because Chen Xiao doesn't have the skills like Tracy McGrady.

Chen Xiao and Tracy McGrady have very similar body shapes, and their static talents are almost identical.

But Chen Xiao has good shooting, good strength, and better defense.

As for Tracy McGrady, his skills are good, very, very good.

Especially compared to the two rough guys Chen Xiao and Xiao Zhan, Tracy McGrady's skills are very good.

As a basketball player, if your skills are not good enough, it is difficult for you to say that your talent is born for basketball.

Of course, Chen Xiao is better than Xiao Zhan.

Chen Xiao's shooting skills are good and his shots are picturesque.

It doesn't matter if it's rough before shooting, it doesn't matter if the shot is beautiful.

And Xiao Zhan... mourned silently and did not cry.

Ahem, Xiao Zhan's shooting action is also quite unique, haha.

After losing to the Magic at home on February 4, the Cavaliers had four days of rest at home. On February 8, they faced the challenge of the Toronto Raptors, currently fifth in the Eastern Conference.

The Cavaliers had lost to the Raptors before this season. In that game, the Cavaliers were too tired and ultimately lost the game against the Raptors.

In this game, the Cavaliers had four days of rest and of course they were striving for revenge.

For the Raptors, who are also one of the four crazy teams in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers are very serious about this game.

Chandler, Chen Xiao, James, Korver, and Mo Mo, this starter is definitely the Cavaliers' most capable and crazy starter.

On the Raptors' side, there are center Milicic, power forward Marshall, small forward Josh Smith, shooting guard Laga Bell, and point guard Nash.

Neither Chen Xiao nor James played point guard in this game.

The reason is, of course, fear.

Afraid of Nash.

Just kidding, I'm not afraid, but I can't guard against Nash. Isn't it a waste to put yourself in front of Nash?

The Raptors will not let Nash guard Chen Xiao and James when they are defensive.

This season, under the leadership of Nash, the Raptors performed very well. However, at the beginning of this game, the Cavaliers, who had been recuperating for so long, took the lead and led the Raptors by 9 points 33-24. In one quarter of the game, Chen Xiao made 4 of 5 and scored 12 points. James scored 4 of 9 and 8 points were considered average. In this quarter, Xiao Mo chased Nash and defended Nash to 0 of 3. He only relied on free throws to win the whole quarter. 1 point is truly shocking.

However, Nash is indeed Nash. In the second quarter, Nash quickly found his offensive state. He made 6 of 8 in a single quarter, 1 of 2 three-pointers, 1 of 1 free throws, and returned a single quarter with 14 points. The Raptors outscored 36-31 in the second quarter.

Judging from the score in the second quarter, the Cavaliers had no problem playing in the second quarter.

It's mainly the Raptors' dream.

The Cavaliers made 15 of 26 in the second quarter, a 57.7% shooting rate, and a 50% three-point shooting rate. Is this enough?

But the Raptors' 70% shooting rate and 60% three-point shooting rate!

"This is a game between the four crazy players in the Eastern Conference. On the offensive end, anything magical can happen!"

At the end of the half of the game, even Teacher Zhang couldn't help but sigh.

The four crazy teams in the Eastern Conference are crazy offensively, and it's really impossible to do that.

Especially the Raptors and Bucks.

To be honest, the Cavaliers and Nets are not the most crazy offensively. Among the four crazy, the Cavaliers' offense is actually the last, stronger than the Nets.

The Nets have the strongest overall offensive and defensive strength among the four crazy teams, with 93 offense and 93 defense.

The Cavaliers are second in overall offensive and defensive strength among the four crazy teams, with 90 in offense and 90 in defense.

Among the four crazy players, the Raptors are the first in offense, with 95 offense and 85 defense.

The Bucks are tied for first in offense and worst in defense, with 95 offense and 80 defense.

The Cavaliers' offensive ceiling is very high this season, but the one with the highest ceiling is the Raptors.

The Raptors and Bucks are the teams that can produce all kinds of magical offensive statistics in the NBA this season.

In this game against the Raptors, at the end of the first half, the Cavaliers, playing at home, led by 3 points 64 to 61.

In the third quarter, the Cavaliers and Raptors played 30-30, and the Cavaliers continued to enter the fourth quarter with a 3-point advantage.

In the fourth quarter, after Milicic hit the iron with two points in the first attack, James assisted Raheem to make a mid-range shot, 96 to 91. The Cavaliers extended their lead to 5 points in this game.

Immediately afterwards, Raheem caused a foul by Jalen Rose and made two free throws, 98 to 91, and the score continued to expand.

At this time, the Raptors replaced Nash in advance.

After that, the game suddenly changed suddenly.

In just five minutes from when Nash played with 10 minutes and 47 seconds left in the fourth quarter to 5 minutes and 47 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Raptors led the lead by Nash 107 to 106 to overtake the score!

Even if Chen Xiao comes on early with 9 minutes left in the game, there is no way to stop the Raptors' momentum of chasing points, they can only delay it.

But after that, the two teams fell into crazy anxiety.

In the end, in this incredible offensive battle, the Raptors defeated the Cavaliers 125-123 on the road.

Nash hit an almost buzzer-beating mid-range shot with 2 seconds left in the game, leading the team to a 125-123 lead.

In the last two seconds, the Raptors frantically attacked Chen Xiao. Chen Xiao had difficulty connecting the ball. In the end, the Cavaliers were forced to call two timeouts because Chen Xiao could not serve the ball and let Chen Xiao serve the sideline ball.

Chen Xiao's sideline ball was sent to Xiao Mo's hand. This was the choice of the assist experience card. Xiao Mo from outside the three-point line made a slight adjustment, and was blocked by Milicic who rushed out crazily.

In the end, the Cavaliers lost.

Chen Xiao has had many failed experiences using scoring experience cards.

This time, it was the first time I failed to use the assist experience card.

125 to 123, the Cavaliers suffered three consecutive losses. As of February, the Cavaliers have not won a game.

But this is also related to the opponent being too strong.

The Raptors in this game are really amazing.

Nash made 12 of 20 shots and had 33 points and 17 assists. You know, Nash scored 1 point in the first quarter, and the other 32 points came in the last three quarters. Among them, 11 points and 7 assists in the fourth quarter, which was simply explosive.

In addition, Milicic made 11 of 18, 28 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Josh Smith also made 8 of 20 in this game, scoring 19 points and 16 rebounds.

Marshall made 4 of 9. Under Chen Xiao's defense, he made all five three-pointers and scored 8 points.

However, Jaylen Rose made 9 of 18 shots and scored 22 points.

Milicic and rookie Josh Smith have been key to the Raptors this season.

For the Cavaliers, Chen Xiao made 13 of 20 shots and scored 37 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists.

Xiao Zhan shot 9 of 22 and scored 24 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists.

As core players, Chen Xiao and Xiao Zhan also performed very well.

In addition, Rahim also scored 23 points on 8 of 15 shots.

Xiao Mo and Ke Volbari also hit a total of 8 three-pointers.

As role players, the Cavaliers' role players also performed poorly.

The team shot 51% from the field and 60% from three-point range throughout the game. What else is there to pick?

The Cavaliers' offensive performance in this game has been to the extreme.

The only reason for losing is that the Cavaliers' offense is not as strong as the Raptors' offense.

Of course, losing in the end was just a matter of seconds.

After losing to the Raptors, the league announced a new MVP ranking.

At the top of the list at this time is Wade, who is ranked No. 1 and leads the Heat to No. 1 in the league.

The second is Chen Xiao and James, who lead the Cavaliers to third in the league.

The fourth is Duncan of the Magic.

The fifth is Nash of the Raptors.

The sixth is Ray Allen of the Bucks.

The seventh is Carter of the Nets

Then Ron Howard of the Spurs, O'Neal of the Suns, Tracy McGrady of the Magic, and Kobe Bryant of the Lakers followed closely.

It can be seen that the championship this season is likely to be competed by the top six teams in the Eastern Conference.

The regular season MVP is likely to be the same, and the competition for this year's regular season MVP looks very tense and exciting.

After the Cavaliers lost to the Raptors at home, before the All-Star Game, the Cavaliers still had four teams: the Nuggets, Hawks, Lakers and Timberwolves.

In these four games, the Cavaliers finally found the feeling of victory.

Except for back-to-back away games, which were lost in ice and snow in Minnesota, they won all three other games.

In the 52 games played before the All-Star Game, the Cavaliers had an excellent record of 42 wins and 10 losses.

This record ranks third in the league and third in the Eastern Conference, second only to the Heat and Magic.

After losing to the Timberwolves in an away game, Chen Xiao left Minnesota with James and the Cavaliers players who were going to participate in the All-Star Weekend and went to Denver.

Now the entire NBA league has entered into a festive atmosphere of All-Star.

But the Cavaliers' management is really looking a little gloomy at this time.

Because there is only one week left before the trade deadline!

And just when Paxson was desperate, a strange yet familiar phone call came in.

"Hi, Jim, I'm Michael, Michael Jordan."

"..."

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