Reverse Growth Superstar

Most teams are helpless against James Harden's offense. Harden averaged an amazing 36.1 points per game last season, not by luck.

Last season, some people even believed that there was no player in the league who could defend James Harden alone. There is no team system that can stop Harden's scoring momentum.

As long as he wants to, he can score forty or fifty points in every game.

Last season, his performance of 30+ in 32 consecutive games and 40+ in 5 consecutive games seems to have fulfilled this statement.

Today, however, the Memphis Grizzlies and Link put an end to Harden's scoring myth.

Facts have proved that this alliance can still contain Harden.

Harden had just had the ball beyond the three-point line, and Conley on the side could not help but shrink a few steps, ready to double-team at any time.

Jokic also moved forward silently, preparing to seal the breakthrough route.

But Link pressed Harden hard, not giving him a chance to shoot easily.

The Grizzlies' defense is still very good.

If others dared to post Harden like this, Harden would have committed a foul.

However, trying to make a foul on Link has always been not a simple thing, he can always see the opponent's intentions and react immediately.

And this season, the referee's whistleblower standards for fouls have also changed. It is not as easy to make fouls as in previous seasons.

Therefore, committing a foul is definitely not feasible.

Harden had no choice, he gritted his teeth and decided to break through!

However, Harden had just stepped out and was stopped by Conley who had doubled over.

At the same time, Jokic moved to a high position, blocking Harden's route to Capella's "cake feeding".

Harden has no space at all, the Rockets' space is too small!

That's right, the Rockets have always relied heavily on three-pointers and averaged 44 three-pointers per game. The ability to open space this season is actually very average.

No way, neither Westbrook nor Capela can shoot, so as long as the Grizzlies are willing to pinch, even Harden will be helpless.

If it were last season, Paul would have a three-point threat anyway, and the Grizzlies would never dare to let Paul go so easily to double-team Harden.

But now it's different. Westbrook's three-pointer can really be ignored.

So, trading Paul for Westbrook is not necessarily a good move.

In the end, Harden still chose to hand the ball to Westbrook.

To be precise, this is a choice without choice.

Westbrook did not hesitate after receiving the ball, and took another three-pointer.

But unfortunately, even with this open three-pointer, Westbrook failed to make it.

The basketball hit the front of the basket and bounced again. This is a long rebound.

Westbrook immediately rushed into the penalty area, ready to throw himself in.

In this regard, Westbrook's explosive physical fitness often gives him an advantage.

But just as he was about to take off, he found Link "flying" over from the side and fished the ball into his arms with one hand.

With long rebounds, Link never gave up to others.

Westbrook encountered an opponent who was stronger than his physical fitness.

This time Westbrook missed again, and Mike D'Antoni no longer yelled passionately.

Because at this time, the game has reached the last four minutes of the fourth quarter, and the Houston Rockets are 22 points behind the Grizzlies!

Every time the Rockets lose their offense, it is equivalent to taking another step toward the cliff.

Until today's game, Harden and Westbrook have not scored high.

Harden has only scored 18 points so far, shooting only 40.2%.

You know, Harden is a player who averages ten points per game on free throws. But today, only 18 points are recorded.

Westbrook is even more miserable. He has only scored 14 points so far. The key is that his shooting percentage is only 29.4%.

His iron, Link felt that the rim seemed to be crooked.

He and Harden's scoring averages combined so burst, it seems that the two seem to be suitable.

However, the basketball game is not a simple formula of 1+1=2.

It turns out that Westbrook is completely useless in helping Harden open up space.

In the Houston Rockets, he couldn't dominate the ball as unscrupulously as he did in the Thunder. As a result, Westbrook could not exert his greatest power.

The Houston Rockets successfully dealt with Paul, but they are likely to be further away from the championship.

After the Grizzlies attacked again, Link assisted Dillon Brooks, who was in the corner quickly, hit a three-pointer, widening the point difference to 25 points.

Mike D'Antoni must be envious now, although the Rockets are a completely "magic ball" team. However, their ability to open space is not as good as the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies starter five have a three-point threat, and the threat is not small.

At this point, the game has basically lost its suspense.

Harden and Westbrook accounted for more than half of the Rockets' points. They can't play well, which means the Rockets can't play well either.

Link didn't score much today, he only scored 23 points now.

As Hubie Brown analyzed before the game, it is unlikely that the two sides will soar each other today.

But if the Rockets don't score, it basically means nothing.

The Grizzlies do not score points, but they can still guarantee victory.

"Today's game completely exposed the Houston Rockets' problems. Their defensive ability on the front line and their ability to open space will be a stumbling block that hinders them from furthering the playoffs."

At this time, Hubie Brown did not think this game was a preview of the Western Conference Finals.

Because of the Rockets' state, they will definitely not make it to the Western Conference Finals.

Take a look at the strong teams in the West, the Lakers, Clippers and Grizzlies. Which one is not the one with the most powerful forwards?

The Rockets' defense can only be broken.

And in the playoffs, each team's defense will only be more detailed than today's Grizzlies.

The Rockets' offense has the "habit" of a large arc of decline in the playoffs.

Don’t the fans often tease? When the Rockets can't make a three-pointer, you know they are playing in the playoffs.

In fact, this is the impact of playoff-level defense on the Rockets' offense.

Facts have proved that even in this era when offense is king, defense still plays an irreplaceable and important role.

Only offensive teams are destined to not go long. The Rockets have been disappointed in the playoffs for so many consecutive years. It is not without reason.

If the Rockets want to change the status quo, the only solution is to seek a deal.

Looking at it now, Capella is the only Rockets with trading value.

Westbrook? That guy is not something every team dares to ask for. It is too difficult to find a suitable partner for him.

But if Capella was traded, the Rockets would have no guards at all.

Hubby Brown shook his head. The Rockets are still not going well this season.

With so many points now, the only option for the Rockets is to bet on three points.

So Mike D'Antoni once again suspended the game and adjusted his tactics.

He pushed Tucker to the fifth position, let House play the fourth position, and McClemore play the small forward.

In this way, in addition to Westbrook, the Rockets have the ability to shoot three-pointers.

This can also help Westbrook open up space for him to hit the basket.

But the Grizzlies are not stupid. After coming back from the timeout, Iguodala, whose presence has gradually diminished in recent seasons, has gone into battle.

He replaced Conley, who played specifically for Westbrook.

After the Rockets came back, Westbrook's impact was resolved by Iguodala.

Iguodala's current speed really can't compete with Westbrook, but the confrontation ability is still there.

Westbrook leaned on Iguodala's forced layup, but due to the fierce confrontation, he finally knocked out.

Mike D'Antoni's heart was shocked, and the Rockets took another step toward the cliff, seeing that they were already breaking into pieces!

Subsequently, Link played as the number one and held the ball for half the time. He did not rush to fight back, but slowly waited for Jokic to take his seat.

Because the Rockets let Tucker play center, Jokic will get a chance almost equivalent to a misplaced singles in the low post!

Although Tucker is short, he has a firm footing and strong strength. It's really okay to carry some blue-collar rough guys.

But Jokic is precisely one of the most technically sophisticated centers in the league. After leaning on Tucker to receive the basketball, Jokic used an old man who barely jumped to hook and successfully scored in the low post.

D'Antoni looked at the situation on the court, his mouth twitching uncontrollably.

This Nima is too bully!

Putting a center who is no more than 2 meters tall in front of the Grizzlies is simply seeking a dead end.

In the end, the Rockets still failed to draw three pointers, and Jokic played in the low post.

When there was only one minute left in the game, the point difference had become 30 points.

The Grizzlies sentenced the Rockets to death in advance.

112 to 82, the Federal Express Arena is indeed not a good place to play the All-Star Game.

Harden played to the end, but only scored 22 points. This is very different from his previous performance of nearly 40 points per game.

Where is Link? Six steals and three blocks in the game completely blasted Harden on the defensive end.

Harden made 8 turnovers today, 3 of which were caused by Link's direct steal.

This time, the Grizzlies did not force a 50-50 match with the Rockets.

The 30-point difference is enough to illustrate the Grizzlies' competitiveness this season.

The Grizzlies' "pseudo-strong team" label has not been affixed after seven games.

Instead, they are the first to brand the Rockets a pseudo-strong team.

Are the Houston Rockets a championship team?

After this game, it wasn't anymore.

After a minute of garbage time, the score was fixed at 118 to 84. The Houston Rockets, who averaged 121 points per game this season, failed to score 90 points at the Federal Express Arena~www.wuxiaspot.com~Harden and Wei Sbruck both overturned, and their number of defeats officially exceeded the number of wins, and the record became 3 wins and 4 losses.

The Grizzlies scored 5 wins and 1 loss in the start of the strong team Rulin.

In today's game, Link only scored 25 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. The data was too ordinary.

But today's Link is even more terrifying.

First, he scored 61 points on James, and then defended Harden, the strongest second position in the 10s, to a sharp drop in his field goal percentage and points.

Link proved that he is a real offensive and defensive one.

Link is not only good offensive and defensive, but has reached the top level!

A superstar with almost no shortcomings...

Those who laughed at four consecutive championships are idiotic dreams, I guess they can't laugh much now.