One Guard

Just one round into the second quarter, Lillard felt like he was already out of breath. The thrill of a smooth attack at the beginning has now disappeared without a trace. Seeing Yiyang waiting on the opposite side with open arms, Lillard felt an inexplicable pressure rise in his heart.

What happened? Is his offense getting worse, or is Yiyang's defense getting better? Even if Yiyang's defense improves, how can he complete his transformation just by taking a break between sessions?

What Lillard didn't know was that what Yiyang changed was not his ability, but his attitude.

With questions in his head, Lillard led another Blazers offense. This time, Yiyang did not struggle with Lillard near the midfield line, but let him go outside the three-point line.

Guard Zero still wanted to attack, but he was unwilling to have his scoring momentum interrupted just like this. But Lillard also knows very well that trying to force Yiyang now is tantamount to suicide. So, he needs some support from his teammates.

Lillard made a few gestures, and Aldridge understood it, gave up his position and ran near the three-point line to set up a pick-and-roll for Lillard.

The pick-and-roll between Lillard and Aldridge is as dangerous as the pick-and-roll between Yiyang and Nowitzki.

If the big man doesn't cover the outside perimeter of the pick-and-roll in time, his speed will make it easy to hit the basket. But if you cover the perimeter, the pick-and-roller with shooting ability will get opportunities in the high post.

But Yiyang did not leave this dilemma to Nowitzki to deal with, because the moment Lillard took advantage of the pick-and-roll to break through, Yiyang "slid past Aldridge" like a "loach" with slippery skin. ", and quickly arrived in front of Lillard!

"Damn it!" Lillard didn't expect Yiyang to get out of the pick-and-roll so quickly and attack again. He had to slow down, and this time the attack was in vain.

As soon as Lillard slowed down, Yiyang immediately followed him mercilessly. The point guard stopped the ball inexplicably during the offense, which was a fatal mistake.

Yiyang's pressing force forced Lillard to barely hold the ball, let alone score a shot. Finally, in the gap, Lillard glanced at Batum, and then he passed the ball to his teammate without any danger.

Batum caught the ball and made a layup, but his French compatriot Gobert did not give his senior face.

Under Gobert's interference, Batum's layup went directly over the bridge, and the basketball didn't even touch the frame.

The Mavericks had just grabbed a rebound, and everyone on the Trail Blazers was running back like crazy, as if their house was on fire. This is the deterrent power Yiyang brings to the opponent. You can choose not to run, but if you slowly return to defense, Yiyang's assault will definitely make you lose points.

The Trail Blazers players returned to their own half at lightning speed, and even Lopez, a big center, had to run along with him without any special privileges. I have to admit that Stotts' team is indeed very disciplined. After all, he is also a coach from the Mavericks system, and he is still very good at leading troops.

However, Yiyang was almost halfway through. This is in sharp contrast to the scene where the Trail Blazers players nervously returned to defense just now. One party is in a hurry, while the other party is taking a leisurely stroll.

Yiyang has already established his game style today. He doesn't want to spend too much effort on the offensive end. In the first quarter of the game, Yiyang was already enjoying the offense. Therefore, fans may not be able to see performances like running around the court with the ball, passing several people and then flying for dunks.

Lillard's eyes were full of doubts, what on earth did this guy want to do?

As soon as Yiyang's toes touched the three-point line, he handed the ball to Nowitzki. At the same time, Yiyang ran to the right side of the court. Lillard tried to keep up, but was blocked by Gobert who suddenly came out.

Without the ball in the pick-and-roll, Yiyang got a shooting opportunity, and Nowitzki hit the ball back to Yiyang at the perfect time. There is no other way, Robin Lopez can only make up for Yiyang.

Facing Robin's defense, Yiyang didn't even jump, but casually threw the ball over Robin's head.

Lopez groaned inwardly and quickly turned around.

Sure enough, Gobert had already leaped up and caught the basketball in the air. Once Robin defends Yiyang, Gobert will get a chance. The Frenchman cleverly cut inside and an alley-oop was formed.

Gobert hit the dunk so hard that it seemed to shake the entire American Airlines Center Arena. Although he is thin, his sense of power when dunking is no worse than that of muscular men.

Yiyang's leisurely offense did not make the game boring at all, and he could continue the exciting offense without taking any action himself. This is a top point guard!

"Aren't you going to duel with Damien?" Although Gobert's dunk was very beautiful, Drexler was still a little disappointed. What he wanted to see was the hearty guard attack in the first eight minutes of the first quarter.

"He is also a pragmatist. In order to win, he will not consider personal scoring." Miller knows Yiyang relatively well. If he only attacks for scoring, then it will not be Anthony's turn to be the scoring champion last season. .

However, it is precisely because of Yiyang's excellent overall view that the Mavericks, who were "old, weak, sick and disabled" last season, were able to miraculously reach the Western Conference finals.

The score difference returned to 6 points, and Yiyang regained control of the initiative with little effort on the offensive end.

Once he puts himself into defense, Yiyang's leisurely state will completely disappear. He stared at Lillard and frowned. Smart people always know where to put their efforts.

"Damian Lillard changed his hands continuously. He accelerated towards Yi's left side, but Yi followed closely and forced Lillard to stop. Damien immediately changed his hands behind his back and changed direction. Oh my God. , as if he could predict the future, he moved laterally in advance and blocked Damien again. Lillard had to retreat beyond the three-point line to make room for himself to break through. But he also stuck to it, completely unwilling Give Damien a chance!" Drexler seemed to be able to feel the suffocating feeling just by explaining the words on the screen. We all know how tight the defense Lillard encountered.

After running on the outside for seven or eight seconds, Lillard didn't get any space! In desperation, defender zero had no choice but to pass the ball again.

"Are you going to use defense to lock me down?" After Lillard passed the ball, he finally had time to talk to Yiyang.

But Yiyang didn't answer, just stared at his opponent. This guy is completely immersed in the game.

In the first quarter of the game, Lillard's extra dunk in the opening game stimulated Yiyang's offensive nerves. But from now on, Lillard will face Yiyang's calm and unwavering defense!

There is a reason why Yiyang was selected to the All-Defensive Team before Paul last year.

The Trail Blazers' offense lost Lillard, which is not to say that it was completely paralyzed, but it was indeed greatly reduced in power.

Batum passed several balls to Aldridge, but Aldridge is a player who is extremely demanding on his shooting conditions. As long as the receiving position is not satisfactory at all, Ade will not attack easily.

Therefore, the 24-second shot clock came to the last five seconds as Batum and Aldridge passed the ball back and forth.

In the end, the basketball was played into the hands of Wesley Matthews, but Matthews' three-pointer from the bottom corner was seriously interfered by Tony Allen, and he almost couldn't even touch the basket.

The Blazers' offense failed again, and Stotts was already nervous on the sidelines.

After the shot, the Trail Blazers players ran hard again. And what about Yiyang? He still seemed to be taking a walk in the park. After his teammates were all in position, he took a few symbolic steps.

Will Yiyang still pass the ball? The answer is yes. After handing the ball to Iguodala, Yiyang himself stepped aside, somewhat like watching the fire from the sidelines. After all, it is impossible for Yiyang to personally handle every offensive attack of the Mavericks.

Iguodala and Tony Allen played some small-scale coordination, but neither achieved much results. Just when Lillard had relaxed his vigilance against Yiyang, Yiyang suddenly started running from the right corner to the three-point line in front of the basket!

"Cunning fox!" Lillard cursed secretly and quickly followed. It is absolutely unexpected that this Chinese who has always been active has now learned to "play dead".

Yiyang was in position, and Iguodala's pass just arrived. Yiyang took a step back, preparing to take action directly. Lillard didn't think much about it, this time he had to let Yiyang taste the power of his defense!

But when Lillard stretched out his arms and flew into the air, Yiyang did not take off to shoot, but broke through Lillard in the air! Stepping back and worshiping Buddha from outside the three-point line, Yiyang's signature fake move!

Do you think Yiyang will completely give up the offense after fully defending? No, he just found a balance in the middle.

Breaking through Lillard, Yiyang stopped behind the free throw line and made a jump shot. The basketball rolled up the net, and Yiyang used one-third of Lillard's strength to complete the scoring task that he couldn't complete despite all his efforts.

There was an 8-point gap, which made Terry Stotts feel very uneasy. But the second quarter had just begun, and he decided to observe again. Maybe the players will adjust themselves?

The former Carlisle assistant walked to the sidelines and made several gestures to the players. Lillard is in such a hot state today, we cannot let him be locked up so easily by Yiyang's defense. On the screen, Stotts asked Aldridge and Robin Lopez to set up a screen for Lillard.

If Yiyang doesn't give them a chance, they create their own opportunities.

Now, Lillard finally no longer has to face Yiyang's terrifying defense alone.

Aldridge and Robin Lopez are already preparing at designated positions, just waiting for Lillard to break through!

Lillard came to the three-point line and paused with the ball, as if he was going to slowly organize the attack. His body was facing to the right, but without warning, he suddenly changed direction and accelerated to the left.

Yiyang, who was fully focused, immediately followed up, but Aldridge's first pick-and-roll greatly delayed Yiyang's follow-up.

However, Yiyang quickly got rid of Lillard without being thrown too far away, and he continued to chase. Just as he was about to block Lillard again, Robin Lopez's second pick-and-roll came up!

Two consecutive clear-cut screens are enough for Lillard to get rid of any difficult opponent! The tacit understanding between the Trail Blazers' starting five is still very good.

Sure enough, after bypassing Robin Lopez, Lillard felt that he suddenly became relaxed! This is the first time since the beginning of the second quarter that Lillard got rid of Yiyang!

At this time, Nowitzki had been pulled to the middle distance by Aldridge, and Gobert was fished out of the three-second zone by Robin Lopez. Lillard accelerated towards the basket, and he wanted to vent all his grievances with a dunk!

"Damian Lillard got the best offensive opportunity since the second quarter. He finally broke Yiyang's dominance on the defensive end!" Drexler felt like he was relieved. Yiyang's command The suffocating defense made everyone watching the game feel uncomfortable.

Lillard held the basketball with one hand and took off, the basket getting closer and closer to his eyes. Just when he was about to swing his arm and hit the ball towards the basket, Yiyang rushed in from an angle!

Lillard hit the basket with his palm, and the basket made a loud noise! But what about basketball! ? The basketball has already been firmly pinned to the backboard by Yiyang!

"Haha! Hahahaha, after going around in a circle, Damien finally did not escape Yiyang's clutches!" Reggie Miller jumped up in excitement, and followed the surrounding fans to applaud Yiyang. .

Miller is not Barkley, and he is definitely not a fan of Yiyang. But that shot was so wonderful that Reggie Miller couldn't help but want to cheer for Yiyang.

Drexler's eyes widened. Watching Yiyang complete such a leap in person was countless times more shocking than watching it on TV! This Chinese is really incredible!

Lillard gasped and looked back at Yiyang in surprise. Yiyang had no time to show off his power in front of Lillard after landing. At this time, he seemed to be transformed into a quarterback on the football field, making a long and powerful pass into the basketball and throwing it towards the front court.

The on-site cameras followed the basketball quickly, and only then did people realize that Iguodala had already reached the front at some point. There is no defensive player within three meters of him!

Yiyang's long pass is so fast and accurate that Iguodala doesn't even need to take off. He only needs to raise his arms to catch the basketball.

Yiyang's exquisite assist will naturally not be wasted by Iguodala. The Mavericks' second leading scorer jumped up from the free throw line, put the ball behind his head with both hands, and then smashed it into the box!

Accompanying the "wailing" of the basket was the referee's rapid whistle. Lillard didn't score a point in three minutes, and the ten-point difference forced Stotts to use the timeout early.

Lillard was panting and walked off the court in embarrassment. Where is Yiyang? He still seemed to be at ease and sat back on the bench with an expressionless expression.

It is difficult for Lillard to restrain Yiyang, but the answer is vice versa, Lillard may never mention it in front of the media again.

Because it is really not difficult for Yiyang to restrict Lillard's performance.

This high-profile point guard battle may have ended prematurely due to Yiyang's "unkind" defense.