I’m Really Playing Basketball

After Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Charlotte Bobcats and the Magic, Zach Randolph, who had been ranked fourth in the previous two series, and who was about to slip to fifth place, became the prettiest kid at the post-game press conference. .

Randolph, who attended the post-game press conference with Chen Xiao, arrived at the press conference and was given a standing ovation by Chen Xiao and all the reporters.

It can be said that Chen Xiao directly filled Randolph's glory in this game.

What an honor it is to be so respected by the tenth player in the official NBA history rankings?

After the game, Randolph felt like he was in high spirits wherever he went.

Regardless of whether his outburst and suppression of Duncan in this game was because Duncan didn't know him well enough before the game, or because Duncan had physical problems after playing the game two days ago, in short, this game made Zaclan Dov became completely famous.

Once upon a time, the Blazers were still regarded by many as a rotten tofu who could only brush up statistics. Now he has actually grown into a traditional power forward who is so good both offensively and defensively.

The current Randolph is really a bit like Chris, who played the Bucks last season.

Xiao Pao was also questioned before he played against the Bucks in the playoffs last season as a data brusher. After the game, everyone was convinced that his strength was worthy of his data.

And now, Randolph is doing the same, proving his ability again.

It can be said that tonight is the happiest night of Randolph's career.

After all, he has already received a big contract and has good statistics in the NBA. His lifelong pursuit is to gain the respect of others.

This is true whether you are like this now or whether you want to be an All-Star.

Although he has not yet made the All-Star list because the NBA has entered a golden era, it is obvious that he is now on the road to proving himself.

After the game between the Bobcats and the Magic, Chen Xiao and Jordan spared no effort in praising Randolph.

There is a reason for this.

No matter which opponent the Bobcats play against, Chen Xiao is the player that the opponent values ​​most.

In this series, Chen Xiao and Jordan want to push Randolph out and make Randolph the key to the Bobcats' victory.

Generally speaking, head coaches like Pat Riley and Popovich are definitely not fooled.

But Rivers, the head coach of the Magic...

It's not that Jordan was disrespectful to Rivers.

After all, Rivers is Chen Xiao's senior at Marquette University.

However, since his playing days, as a senior, although he is domineering and arrogant, he is prone to panic and unclear thinking at critical moments.

Therefore, when Jordan used this strategy, Chen Xiao thought it was feasible.

I have to say that although Jordan's coaching ability is average, his heart is really dirty!

How can an ordinary rookie head coach be as ruthless as Uncle Qiao?

The first man in NBA history, who is respected by all his teammates as "evil, bad, ruthless", to a certain extent, is really born for the position of leader, whether he is a player or a head coach.

Coupled with his incredible draft vision.

Sometimes Chen Xiao really wonders if Jordan is a man with his own system like him.

No, this man even looks stronger than his own system.

Chen Xiao felt that he really released a monster by letting Jordan go out to be the head coach of the Bobcats.

On May 24, 2007, G2 between the Bobcats and the Magic continued to play at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

Because the Bobcats defeated the Magic in a suppressive manner in the last game, this game is particularly important for the Magic before the start of this series.

For the Magic, this game is really a game that cannot be lost.

Although it's nothing to start an away game 0-2, they are the strongest team in history after all!

He was so boasted before the game, but he was beaten 2-0 by the Bobcats. Think about it, what would those American media experts who like a game think?

That must be the rhythm of magic!

In fact, after G1, many people started to take advantage of the Magic. For example, they traded Tracy McGrady away. As a result, when the Magic needed to play in isolation at critical moments, no one except Duncan could have strong enough stability.

This blame must be thrown on the management of the Magic.

You know, after the Heat were eliminated in the last series, the Magic management's choice to trade McGrady will be a godsend.

Maizi, who was fishing, was shot innocently and ridiculed crazily.

How long has it been? Maizi, who is fishing, feels that he is going to be washed clean.

In short, the current Magic feels that it is very dangerous.

Of course, they still have strong confidence in their ability to advance.

The Lakers in the West felt like they were about to be expelled from the NBA after G1, but in G2, didn't Kobe Bryant lead the Lakers to a strong comeback with 38 points in a single game?

Doug Reeves felt that so could he and the Magic.

In the last game, the Magic lost not only because of Jordan's good tactics, but more importantly, they ignored the strength of Bynum and Randolph. When they were preparing for the game, they never thought that these two would be the best in the first two games. The Bobcats inside line did not play in this series.

There was no way, they really believed it. Randolph and Bynum were very weak when facing Milicic, O'Neal and Josh Smith, and they would definitely be even more lazy when facing them.

But for Randolph and Bynum, Duncan and Ben, Prince and Milicic, O'Neal and Josh Smith are really completely different.

The Raptors' three invincible front lines are really restrained, and they are everywhere.

And Ben, Duncan and Prince are not very athletic forwards who like to fight one-on-one with them. They really love them.

Facing the Raptors, they couldn't display their own characteristics, and the Raptors didn't allow them to use them, but facing the Magic, they were able to show off their strengths.

Rivers didn't know it before, but now, Rivers knows it.

Therefore, in the second stop between the Magic and the Bobcats, although Rivers did not adjust the Magic's starting lineup, in terms of the focus of the game, he obviously paid more attention to the targeted defense of Randolph and Bynum. .

The NBA playoffs are like this, targeting and counter-targeting. After I adjust, you adjust accordingly, and then we adjust in a spiral.

I have to say that Rivers has done a lot of homework.

At the beginning of the game, the Bobcats took advantage of Randolph's previous offense. Jordan used Randolph's strong offense from the beginning of the game to try to suppress Duncan.

But facing the well-prepared Magic, Randolph made 2 of 5 in the first quarter and only scored a measly four points.

Bynum was even worse. In the first quarter of this game, he went 0-for-2 and failed to score a single point.

Of course, although Bynum is not good at offense, he is still very good at defense. His characteristics are very suitable for defending the Magic. He contributed 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block in a single quarter.

Although Bynum is not as popular as Randolph recently, his positive role on the court cannot be ignored.

From a tactical point of view, if Randolph is allowed to frantically play Duncan alone in an attempt to open up the situation, this tactic will definitely fail.

Randolph's own offense did not open up, but Duncan on the opposite side made 2 of 2. Although the focus was on defense, his offensive performance was very efficient.

Obviously, judging from the first quarter of this game, Duncan won this much-anticipated duel between Duncan and Randolph.

While defending Randolph very well, he can also attack efficiently, and his strength is obviously better than Randolph.

But from a strategic perspective, Jordan's strategy of using Randolph to fight Duncan was successful.

Why do you say that?

Don't look at Randolph and Bynum, the two main offensive insiders.

The key is Chen Xiao, Xiaopao and Granger's offense is very accurate!

Randolph and Bynum were so strong in the first quarter of the game that they pinned Duncan and Ben in the penalty area.

Although the two people are inefficient, relying on the threat of the last game and the crazy bragging of Jordan and Chen Xiao, Rivers dares to let them go?

After the score was scored, Chen Xiao, Granger, and Xiaopao, who received the return ball from Randolph or Bynum, had a very good singles opportunity.

Granger played against Hamilton in isolation. In the first quarter, he made 3 of 3 and scored 7 points with a 100% shooting percentage. Granger is indeed much taller than Hamilton. Although Hamilton's defense is good, he suffers from such a height and defense. I really like Granger's own touch.

When Granger feels good, it's really difficult to defend.

And don’t forget that Rivers’ main focus in this game is to take care of Randolph. He must have someone to help defend from the outside. This person is definitely not Prince who defends Chen Xiao. He can only allocate part of Hamilton’s energy. Come to help defend.

Doesn't this give Granger a chance?

That is to say, Granger played too cautiously and reasonably. Otherwise, in the first quarter, tsk tsk...

Although Chen Xiao was not as accurate as Granger, he still scored 4 of 7 in a single quarter and scored 10 points in a single quarter.

Of course, although the small cannon was 2 out of 5, it was indeed slightly more accurate than the previous game.

Therefore, when the game came up, Rivers did realize what he had promised before the game. Randolph and Bynum could not continue to explode in this game.

But after the first quarter, the score between the two sides was 26 to 19!

In the first quarter of this game, the Bobcats actually won more than the previous game!

This left Rivers speechless and confused on the sidelines.

Did they say that the Bobcats won the last game solely because of Randolph?

Randolph and Bynum's dark side was suppressed, so why do the Bobcats seem to be stronger?

Why is this happening?

It's very simple. Although Randolph and Bynum did not open up the offense, they were always on the line defensively. Although Duncan focused on defense in the first quarter, it was still okay to take more shots on offense. Why did he only take a few shots in the first quarter? twice?

Isn't it because Randolph's defense is so good?

Of course, this result goes both ways. Randolph's defense of Duncan is very important, and it is also related to Rivers asking Duncan to focus on the defensive end.

Duncan's offense has no main attacker, and the Magic simply don't have anyone who can stably play this kind of traditional positional singles.

In the first quarter of the last game, the Magic even forced Ben to take 3 shots. He made 0 of 3 and scored 2 points on free throws.

How to play this?

Therefore, after the first quarter of this game, Rivers was not the only one who was shocked.

Even the commentators on the sidelines and the experts in front of the TV were also shocked.

"It turns out that it wasn't our illusion that the Magic couldn't beat the Bobcats in the last game?"

"It turns out that Magic really can't beat Bobcats!"

"Magic playing the Bobcats actually gave me the feeling of the Heat playing the Magic, the feeling that after being restrained, there is nowhere to exert strength!"

After Barkley finished shouting in shock, Kenny Smith next to him also nodded crazily: "In the game between the Magic and the Bobcats, it seems that Duncan is needed everywhere, but there is only one person in Duncan, and there is no way to take into account all aspects. Michael's This tactic of bringing basketball back to tradition is unbelievable, and the Bobcats are forcing the Magic to play the way the Bobcats do best!"

"If in this series, the Magic cannot find a super single player who can help Duncan in the starting lineup, then every game will be torture for Duncan, either to let the Bobcats' outsiders explode, or to let Randolph explode, no matter it is the Bobcats' Whether it explodes from the outside or inside, in short, he must not be able to explode on the offensive end!

Facing Jordan's play style that is full of malice to Duncan, it is impossible for Duncan to give full play on the offensive end in this series! "

I have to say that this round of the series between the Bobcats and the Magic is really good to understand.

After all, neither Jordan nor Rivers is the kind of head coach who can play tricks on tactics.

Therefore, the game between the Bobcats and the Magic is always clear and obvious.

Even ordinary fans, after watching the first quarter of the game, felt that the Magic's game was about to hang.

In fact, the Magic did lose in the end.

In this game, the Bobcats beat the Magic 93-90 at home.

The game looked very close in the end, but anyone who actually watched the game knew that the Magic really had no chance throughout the game.

The reason why the score was close was because in the last 40 seconds, the Magic, which was already 8 points behind, gave up the game. Robert Horry, who was replaced, hit two three-pointers to close the gap.

But these two three-pointers actually have no impact on the game.

Even if the Magic fouled in the end, Jack was only 1 of 2, which was useless, because there was no timeout, and there was only 0.6 seconds left in the game...

In this game, the Bobcats played well in the previous game. Both of them pulled in this game. Bynum made 2 of 9 and scored 6 points, while Randolph made 4 of 15. , scored 10 points.

The two scored 16 points in this game, 6 of 23, and they have reached a level.

This data is just like an undercover agent.

However, anyone who has watched this game knows how powerful the two are.

If it wasn't for Randolph's crazy singles Duncan, hold Duncan down.

If it weren't for Randolph's crazy grabbing of 17 rebounds, he would press Big Ben tightly to guard the rebounds.

In this game, it is absolutely impossible for Granger to shoot 7 of 10 and score 17 points in a single game.

Roy also couldn't hit 5 of 6 and was efficient with 11 points in a single game.

Of course, Chen Xiao scored 11 out of 20, and his stats of 27 points in a single game were actually very stable.

And this stability is the most important thing for magic.

Everyone is unstable in such a traditional singles position. Even though Duncan is stable, his output is not high. Why do you have stability and high output? !

In this game, Duncan made 7 of 12 shots, 16 points and 10 rebounds. The data is actually very questionable. In this one-on-one duel with Randolph, Duncan is definitely the winner.

But the individual won, but the team lost.

Moreover, he committed six fouls in this game.

The Magic have always focused on protecting Duncan's foul count.

Duncan's six fouls are rare.

Now that it has appeared, it means that the Magic really can't protect him.

He is needed everywhere, how can he have any protection?

In fact, except for Duncan, the performance of other Magic players cannot be said to be bad. Although Parker was still inefficient in this game, he scored 12 points, Hamilton scored 5 of 8 and scored 16 points, and Ginobili scored 16 points. 17 points, and Horry on the bench also scored 13 points.

but.

Looking at the entire game, the Magic always felt like they were missing something.

So what is missing?

Why do I always feel that the Magic are always a little worse than the Bobcats in the game and are overwhelmed by the Bobcats?

At the end of the game, TNT's director was very talented and showed the scene of McGrady beating Chen Xiao and Xiao Zhan in 35 seconds and 13 minutes in front of the Cavaliers.

Yes, the Magic are missing a player who can create miracles!

The Magic don't have players who can perform miracles.

But the player who created the miracle was not placed in the right position.

Therefore, after TNT played the most classic moment of Tracy McGrady's career, it put the camera on Ginobili.

This lens language is simply amazing.

"Offense or defense? When you don't have McGrady who can attack and defend, you can only gamble!"

Yes, now the Magic need to gamble.

As for Rivers, what he hates most is gambling.

because……

"Every time I make a gamble that changes my destiny, I lose in the end!"

On the plane from Charlotte to Orlando, Rivers gritted his teeth, looking serious and unwilling.

As for the Magic players next to him, the atmosphere was a bit dead at this time.

They really didn't expect that the first two games of this series would turn out like this.

In fact, it was not just them, everyone had not thought of it.

"This posture looks exactly the same as our last round!"

The next day, when Wade and Yao Ming met, they said so.

After playing the first two games, the Heat also felt that they were about to be swept away by the Magic!

In the last round, the Heat were even worse, losing two consecutive games at home instead of losing two consecutive away games like the Magic.

"I thought this season should belong to us..."

Looking at the situation in the Eastern Conference Finals at this time, Wade finally sighed.

It would be great if the Magic and Bobcats met in the Eastern Conference semifinals...

Such is fate.

A champion never needs more than strength, but also the favor of fate.

The Magic, the Heat, the Bobcats, and even the Nets and Raptors all need fate this season. At the same time, the distance to the end is only a matter of fate.