Super All-around Point Guard

When other teams encountered Xie Chen, no matter whether it was single defense or double-teaming, no matter what methods they used to restrict Xie Chen, they could not stop Xie Chen from going berserk. He could score more than 100 points in one game, but Popovich Qi actually only sent Leonard to defend Xie Chen, and even allowed Xie Chen, who could score 100 points, to only score less than 40 points. I have to say that it is good to have the most difficult defensive player in the league. , not afraid to meet any superstar.

If it weren't for Xie Chen's steal and block data last season, then Leonard would have been the best defensive player without a doubt. Even if Xie Chen defeated Leonard in the end, the two would still have the same votes in terms of votes. Not much different, Leonard still got a lot of first-place votes. The most important thing is that in the hearts of many players, especially big-name stars, such as LeBron James, Paul George, Stephen Curry and others, Leonard He is a better defender than Xie Chen. Xie Chen's physical confrontation, height, and wingspan are not as good as Leonard's.

Is it difficult to prevent Xie Chen from getting angry? Popovich doesn't think so. It's enough to send Leonard. As for being so nervous?

Popovich asked Leonard: "How many quarters can I last?"

Leonard said: "Within three overtimes, there is no problem."

Popovich also nodded with satisfaction after hearing this. He knew that Xie Chen's physical strength was amazing. He could still have amazing physical strength and condition from the first quarter to the last quarter, but Leonard's physical strength was also among the top in the league. exists, but Popovich is still a little dissatisfied with Leonard's answer, because Leonard said that he could only last three overtimes. Popovich felt that three overtimes were a bit too little, at least. Five overtimes is enough. After all, Xie Chen has played in more than three overtimes, and it has been proved that even at that time, Xie Chen can still have a good shooting percentage. Leonard said that he can only support three. In overtime, it was obvious that he still admitted that he lost to Xie Chen.

I wonder if Leonard saw what Popovich was thinking, and then continued: "After three overtimes, I think I have left the game with six fouls."

Only then did Popovich smile: "Well, let's go to training. Remember to speak clearly once in the future. Don't imitate Tim Duncan."

…

Finally, the day came for the Spurs and Lakers game. Yesterday, the Golden State Warriors also defeated their opponents by a huge score of 40 points. Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant clocked out at halftime. It seemed that they were unwilling to let Xie Chen The Lakers took the lead and stood up to prove that they could defeat their opponents without any suspense.

When the Lakers meet the Spurs this time, everyone generally believes that the Lakers will never be so lucky to clock out in three quarters. The Spurs are by no means a team that can be defeated in three quarters. As long as the Spurs play normally, they will definitely be able to drag the Lakers to the end. Then another question will arise. If Xie Chen plays all four quarters, how terrible will his data be? He had four double-doubles in a single quarter in the first few games, but didn't play much after that. If he performs such data again tonight and plays the whole game, he might break the record again!

But anyone familiar with Popovich knows that Popovich will never allow Xie Chen to be so presumptuous in front of him.

When the Lakers came out, when Xie Chen appeared in front of everyone, there were both cheers and boos. Especially after Xie Chen entered the court, all the fans at the scene encouraged Xie Chen to go to the Spurs dugout to find Popovich. strange.

In many consecutive games in the past, Xie Chen went to the opponent's dugout to threaten the coach before the game, which has become an interesting scene in the game. Xie Chen threatened the Blazers coach, and the Blazers coach was so angry that he called the NBA commissioner to complain and also threatened The Suns coach caused everyone on the scene to call out the name of the former Suns coach, which made the Suns coach lose face. Many people wanted to see what would happen if Xie Chen threatened the most respected coach in the NBA?

Popovich was born in the Air Force Academy and majored in Soviet studies in college. His ambition was to go to Moscow to be an agent, and he received professional training and started a spy career. He later worked as an assistant to Larry Brown and Nelson and took over Since becoming the head coach of the Spurs, he has made the playoffs every year since 1997 and won five championships.

How could Popovich be frightened by Xie Chen's big words?

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" It was precisely because they knew that the Spurs coach was not afraid of Xie Chen that the fans at the scene began to shout Xie Chen's name non-stop.

This was the first time Xie Chen heard the away fans calling him like this before a game. Even at home, he had never been so enthusiastic.

Xie Chen stretched out his hand to wave to the fans, but the shouts continued. The shouts were obviously not due to adoration.

Luol Deng thought Xie Chen didn't know the fans' intention to call Xie Chen, so he came over and said: "They want you to go to Popovich. In the past, you threatened the opponent's head coach in every game. They really want to See what it would be like if you threatened Popovich."

Xie Chen said: "Of course I know what these people are up to. I don't want to threaten that old man. That old man can do anything!"

Seeing that Xie Chen did not respond for a long time at the scene, the shouts changed to boos. Some VIP fans shouted at Xie Chen that Xie Chen had no courage. Xie Chen was really annoyed!

"Aren't we just chatting with Popovich? These people are so persistent!" Xie Chen put down the basketball and walked towards the Spurs.

As soon as Xie Chen was coming, the atmosphere reached a climax before the game.

Popovich had also been standing on the sidelines waiting for Xie Chen for a long time. Popovich looked at Xie Chen with a smile. Although Xie Chen had only entered the league a few years ago, after all, he already had two championships in hand. This was worth the investment. Coaches like Povich also respect him.

Popovich took the initiative to reach out and said: "Long time no see. I heard that you are very annoyed tonight. Do you want to score 100 points or break a record? No one in this arena has ever scored high scores or broken any records. I am actually looking forward to it. You do it."

Xie Chen knew that he couldn't believe a word of Popovich's words. Maybe the old guy had already dug a hole for him to jump into. Xie Chen said: "Why would I be annoyed when I meet you?" Tim Duncan often said The words are 'the future is yours'. He lied to LeBron James for so many years, but he really retired after saying this to me. It was too late for me to be happy when I met you, but I have been used to leaving early in games recently. I guess I’m not used to playing a full game yet.”

Popovich still heard the threat from Xie Chen. Xie Chen was obviously telling him that he still had to clock out in three quarters for this game!

What Popovich is thinking at this moment is that our Spurs are not a cat-and-dog-level opponent like the Trail Blazers, Jazz, and Suns. Do you want to end the battle in three quarters against the Spurs? Let’s dream!

But Popovich still smiled and said: "You are number one in the Western Conference. I know it will be difficult for us to beat you, but you know your popularity is so high. This year's All-Stars are the top vote-getters. Many people came to the scene. I want to see you play, so I will definitely let you play in the fourth quarter."

Xie Chen didn't say any harsh words. Even if Popovich said that the Lakers would win this game, Xie Chen would still find a way to question and refute it. After all, the Spurs have the qualifications.

After the game started, Xie Chen encountered Leonard's death-winding defense!

In one-on-one defense, Leonard faced Xie Chen. He had the advantage of height and arm length, but his flexibility was a bit poor. One of Xie Chen's most terrifying scoring methods was Curry's three-pointer. If Leonard Germany can't guard Xie Chen's three-pointers, so limiting Xie Chen to less than 40 points in a single game is delusional. Therefore, when Leonard is defending, he focuses on guarding against Xie Chen's shots. Even if Xie Chen uses his speed to get rid of it, Leonard can still provide some interference with his long arms.

It has to be said that Leonard's defense is not at the same level as the defense that Xie Chen encountered in the previous games, because his long arms can break the ball in your hands at any time, so you have to stay alert at all times, with Westbrook's breakthrough speed It is very fast, but once there is a confrontation, Leonard is still no match for him. As soon as there is physical contact between the two, Leonard will cut it off, and the hand is cut off very cleanly, and the referee will not be called at all. Punishment.

Seeing this situation, the fans who were used to seeing Xie Chen's madness breathed a sigh of relief. They finally met an evenly matched opponent. The opponent was too weak and kept wreaking havoc, which was boring to watch.

In fact, Leonard is more suitable to guard small forwards like James. Guarding against Xie Chen is still easy for Xie Chen to break through, and it will greatly consume his physical energy.

No matter who Leonard is guarding, it will trigger a phenomenon, that is, the opponent's shot rate will decrease. Whether he is guarding Curry or James or guarding Xie Chen today, it is the same. As long as he faces Leonard and touches the ball The probability of converting into a shot will then decrease.

Xie Chen and Leonard are fighting for defense tonight. If Xie Chen really wants to go crazy today, even if he can't score 100 points, there is still no problem in scoring 70 or 80 points. But doing this all the time is not conducive to the progress of the entire team. .

After playing three quarters, Xie Chen only scored 20 points and had more assists, but he did not reach double figures. Although Xie Chen’s 20 points may not seem like many, they are already the highest score among all players, because this is a defensive game. In the battle, the score was very low for both sides.

In the end, there was only one minute left in the third quarter, and the Spurs still led the Lakers by one point.

"Recently, at the end of the third quarter, not falling behind by more than 15 points is considered very good. The only one who can lead the Lakers in three quarters is the Spurs. A strong team is really different."

"And Leonard's defense against Xie Chen was also very successful. He only allowed Xie Chen to score 20 points in the third quarter. The key was to limit his outside shots very well. Popovich just let Xie Chen break into the basket again and again. , he is probably very happy to see Xie Chen fall again and again, because Luke Walton will definitely be very nervous."

Walton naturally doesn't want to see Xie Chen use his body to score every time. He knows that Xie Chen has a strong layup ability. If Xie Chen really wants to score in front of Popovich, with Leonard's defensive strategy , beating them all the same.

"I guess many people now think that I can't score under Leonard's defense. In the next minute, I will give them a surprise." Xie Chen saw that there was only the last minute of the third quarter, and he was used to the end of the third quarter. At that time, we were ahead of our opponents, so we will start playing more seriously next.

Xie Chen was lucky. He first saw the Spurs' passing route and completed a steal. Then he immediately made a fast break and Leonard naturally followed closely.

During the half-court attack, Leonard's death entanglement gave Xie Chen a headache, but with this kind of fast break starting from the backcourt, when there was no one in the entire frontcourt, Xie Chen could play in this huge and empty area. The venue should give full play to his advantages, which are his speed and flexibility.

Xie Chen reached the three-point line on a fast break, took the first step, and quickly changed direction to the left, shaking Leonard hard. However, after all, he is the strongest defensive player in the league other than Xie Chen, and he would not do it in such an instant. After being able to solve it, Leonard quickly adjusted his body and rushed forward again.

Xie Chen just pulled back and did not stop the ball. He had already expected that Leonard would follow again. Then, Xie Chen saw that Leonard had just raised his foot and made another change of direction to the right. In fact, in this kind of attack, Leonard had already lost when he took the first stagger. From that moment on, all the initiative was completely in Xie Chen's hands. The second blow was that Xie Chen had already Ready for Leonard.

Then, Leonard suddenly lost his balance and fell to the ground.

At the same time, after Xie Chen changed direction, he made a handsome step back, with his feet outside the three-point line, and Curry made a three-pointer!

Uh-huh!

Hollow into the net!

"Xie Chen's set of steps is so cool! Both of them are top-notch defensively, but in terms of offense, Leonard is far behind Xie Chen!"

"It took me three whole quarters to score a good goal. What's there to show off? According to me, Leonard was just trying to prevent Xie Chen from being a little bored and not concentrating."

Xie Chen didn't know how Leonard felt after being knocked down by him, because there was nothing written on this guy's face.

Regardless of his mood, after the Lakers successfully defended the next ball, Xie Chen faced Leonard again and made a pull-up jumper directly above his head!

"Strengthen!"

"It's too forced!"

Uh-huh!

Hit another three-pointer!

Xie Chen used McGrady's three-point ability. Xie Chen originally copied McGrady's ability on that day. I don't know if this is the reason. The more he uses it when there is not much time left, the higher the hit rate. .

In the last attack, Xie Chen switched to the other side and hit another three-pointer.

Xie Chen scored nine points in a row, leading the Spurs by eight points. Those who had previously questioned Xie Chen being guarded by Leonard stopped talking.

Even Popovich was a little nervous. He felt that it was too difficult for Leonard to limit Xie Chen to less than 40 points in a game alone.

"The Lakers are still the king of the three-quarter game. Even the Spurs couldn't lead the Lakers in the third quarter. Before, the Pelicans were only behind by single digits in the three quarters, but the fourth quarter still became garbage time. The Pelicans didn't push Xie. Come on, Spurs, okay?"