NBA: Starting with James Harden

How strong was Peja?

In 2006, Peja signed a 5-year, $64 million contract with the Hornets.

Although the shooter's basketball career always collapsed due to injuries, in the first two seasons with the Hornets, Peja continued his good form, averaging 17.4 and 16.8 points per game, and his three-point shooting percentage remained at about 40%. In the

07-08 season, Peja played 77 games, the second highest in his career, with a 44.1% three-point shooting percentage and an average of 3 three-pointers per game, both of which were career highs.

In his second season with the Hornets, he, Paul, West, and Chandler led the Hornets to a team record of 56 wins.

All along, Peja's performance has made the outside world feel that he is not too far away from his peak.

In the game against the Charlotte Bobcats on November 14, 2006, Peja scored 42 points, which was his highest score in his career.

It is hard to imagine that a super shooter's career high score would be obtained in the later stage of his career, which also shows that injuries have stolen the talent that should have been fulfilled from his career.

As a scorer, Peja's output has been stable and terrible. Throughout his career, he has 4 seasons with an average score of more than 20 points per game. In his career, he has scored more than 20 points in 318 games, but he has only scored more than 40 points in a single game twice.

He can be regarded as Klay Thompson who lacks"scoring explosiveness". He is the kind of player who can output steadily in every game and does not occupy too much ball rights.

Li Zhen knows Peja's characteristics clearly.

Peja is considered the best shooter that Paul has ever partnered with in his career. Whether it is Nick Young, Redick or Gordon in the future, they do not have such excellent hardware configuration as Peja.

2.03 meters tall, excellent wingspan, average confrontation and speed, the ability to post up + small points, and excellent passing ability that most wing professional shooters do not have.

Shooter is the position that is least afraid of age.

This is a very severe challenge for Li Zhen's defense.

Peja will run frequently.

In order to get playing time, Li Zhen also gritted his teeth and told himself that he must bite Peja madly and not give him any chance..........

The two-minute break was over.

The players from both teams stood still.

Li Zhen was still sitting on the sidelines, picking up his towel. Barea was mumbling beside Li Zhen.

"Li, although you played well, you can't just sit there and do nothing."

"Your shout in the last game was not loud enough, and your waving of the towel was too soft."

Barea's admonition left Li Zhen speechless.....

One day, he will get rid of this guy's nagging.

I want to go up to greet the cheers, not to cheer for others......

Mavericks starting lineup: Kidd, Caron Butler, Marion, Nowitzki, Dampier

Hornets starting lineup: Collison, Peja, Peterson, West, Okafor.

Fans at the Airline Center finally remembered Li Zhen's name after two consecutive games.

Fans held up light signs with Li Zhen's name.

The number of Li Zhen's fans has exceeded a thousand, and more and more fans wear Li Zhen's jerseys to lead the arena.

Compared with Nowitzki's low-key and simple personality, a thorny rookie like Li Zhen also gives fans more stimulation.

In the last game, it is said that Wade cursed Li Zhen in the locker room after the game and vowed to treat Li Zhen well in Miami.

Such conflicts made Li Zhen more famous.

After the game started.

As Li Zhen expected, the stronger Mavericks took the advantage.

In this era of slow rhythm, the Mavericks' positional warfare is one of the strongest in the league. Even with Paul, the Hornets can hardly have too many advantages at home, not to mention that they don't have them now.

Nowitzki is the point that the Hornets cannot defend.

Collison also showed his immaturity. This season, he averaged 12.7 points and 5.4 assists per game. Although such data is considered good among rookies, he can only be educated when he meets Kidd.

Li Zhen played one-on-one with Kidd. Kidd's physical confrontation is definitely the top among point guards.

This old guy is very strong in defense, and Collison is very embarrassed in front of Kidd.

The Hornets can only rely on David West and Peja to score. West and Peja have high shooting percentages. The two of them are struggling to support the Hornets' offense.

The pace of this game is too slow. Although the advantage is on the home team, the fans feel a little bored.

Compared with the last game against the Heat, Li Zhen's vigorous and fierce after he came on the court, the current game is too dull.

When will this rookie No. 6 be able to play?

Will it be the second half again?

Just when the fans were waiting a little sleepy, Carlisle called a timeout and Li Zhen stood up.

There were still 2 minutes and 02 seconds left in the first quarter.

Li Zhen made his first appearance in the first quarter.

After Li Zhen ran onto the court, Carlisle continued to exhort him:"Focus, focus, defend that guy!!"

Peja had already hit three three-pointers in the first quarter.

The score was 15 to 21, and Peja accounted for three-fifths of the points.

Li Zhen's task was arduous.

Li Zhen nodded heavily at Carlisle, indicating that he was very confident.

The timeout was over and the game resumed.

Terry, Butler, Haywood, and Najera were on the court with Li Zhen.

On the Hornets side were Collison, Thornton, Peja, James Posey, and Okafor.

The Hornets attacked.

Li Zhen had playing time in the first quarter for the first time. He was obviously very excited and started to pressure Peja directly from the frontcourt.

Peja is 33 years old this year. He has just played for nearly 10 minutes and is a little tired.

However, Peja didn't care about Li Zhen's defense. He had experienced too many games and had seen all kinds of defense.

After arriving at the frontcourt, Peja started to run.

Peja first cut inwards at 45 degrees from the right side, then paused and ran back to the left baseline. He wanted to use his teammates' screen to create an opening!

But Li Zhen's defense was very active. Peja's speed had an absolute advantage, and Li Zhen was able to keep up with his running position.

Okafor's screen was perfectly bypassed by Li Zhen.

Peja had no chance.

Collison could only change direction and take a step forward and then shoot a mid-range shot against Terry.

"Swish!!"

17 to 21, Collison's mid-range shot was very stable.