The Basketball Court Swordsman

In December 2005, Artesia High School just lost the first game of the season. On the plane back to California, Artesia High School's basketball team coach Scott Pella walked along the aisle, looking for his talented but somewhat shy star James Harden.

"We can't win unless you start to take more shots in the game." The coach told the young player that he needs him to score, he needs him to dominate the game, and he needs him to end the opponent.

It seems that from that day on, shooting and scoring and dominating the game have become what Harden does every game. With this belief, Harden began to emerge in college, and he became one of the greatest basketball players in Arizona State's history. In the sophomore season, Harden averaged 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, and his shooting percentage reached 50%! After 1995, only 5 college players can have this kind of all-around data, including great players like Dwyane Wade and Brandon Roy.

The belief in scoring and dominating the game allowed him to successfully enter the NBA, and he is still playing the role of a flower show. With this belief, he won the best sixth man of the season and reached the finals with the team.

Whenever the team is in trouble, Harden remembers what Scott Pella said to himself on the plane in December 2005.

Just like now, Scott Brooks walked up to Harden, patted him on the shoulder, "It's up to you, James."

"James Harden is on the field. He replaced Sefrossa. Coach Brooks needs more offensive firepower! There is no doubt that Harden can meet his tactical needs!"

After the timeout, the camera gave Harden a close-up. This highly anticipated best sixth man was a key reason the Thunder were able to eliminate the Spurs in the last round of the series. In particular, his ability to finish the fourth quarter allowed the Thunder to win a lot of 55 kicks.

Although Harden is playing a shooting guard on the court, if Harden is on the court, he will take care of the ball. This time is no exception. Harden confidently took possession of the ball for half the time. With him, the Thunder's offensive organization will be better. After all, Westbrook is a guard with only the basket in his eyes. And James Harden, he didn't want to be just a shooter since high school.

Harden stopped outside the three-point line and passed the ball to Durant, who ran out of space. Durant didn't shoot because Green still pressed close to him. Four minutes before this, Durant had missed several goals. If it was Westbrook, he would certainly not care how many opportunities he wasted, but Durant was different.

So this small forward, who was just as overweight as George, had not yet fully formed the dribble, stopped his steps. He is waiting, waiting for James Harden to run away!

James Harden is an all-around scorer, he can break through with the ball himself, and can also attack without the ball. But today, Harden found it not easy for him to get a gap.

Facing the San Antonio Spurs, he may be able to get rid of the aging Ginobili with a simple reverse run. After all, Popovich puts the defensive focus on Durant and Westbrook, and Harden's obstacles are not big.

But in Indianapolis, Harden's anti-run did not play any role.

In the end, he had to play a ball-free screen with Perkins. Although Perkins is similar in height to Horford, he is very strong and is a very good pick and roll.

George was stopped by Perkins, but instead of chasing Harden, he ran straight to Westbrook. Because of Chris Paul, he has completed the defense for George!

What is the key defense object? Do not let you get a gap all the time, this is called the key defensive object!

"Damn it!" Harden cursed secretly, but he still didn't get a chance. Paul George's defense has caused Harden a headache, not to mention that he is facing Paul, who was selected as the best defense of the season!

The Thunder's offense couldn't work. The Pacers cut off the connection between the three and the younger as much as possible, forcing them to fight alone!

Brooks is a "growth" coach. He knows how to train young people, but he is not a master of tactics. In the face of Henson's focus on Harden's defense, even Brooks has nothing to do, let alone the young players on the court.

Seeing that Harden didn't have a chance to run, Durant broke through with the ball himself and then stopped a jump shot. There is no doubt that he has been introduced into Henson's defensive trap, because the Thunder three singles are exactly what Henson wants to see!

"Hey!" It was another strike, and it seemed that Durant still hadn't recovered the touch. The much-anticipated Harden did not show any performance.

The Pacers immediately fought back, their advancing speed was still fast, and they were not afraid of running against the young Thunder. Harden has a very fatal flaw, which is similar to Carmelo Anthony-he can't concentrate on the defensive end.

When George had got the gap, Harden was still looking at Paul, who was in possession of the ball. It wasn't until the basketball passed Harden's eyes that he knew that something was bad!

Thus, George hit the first three-pointer of both sides of the game! James Harden's appearance not only did not help the Thunder open the situation on the offensive end, but also made George play easier than before. After all, Harden's defensive ability and the "Swiss Army Knife" cannot be compared.

George roared after scoring, Henson rarely saw him so excited.

Yes, before the series began, people were talking about James Harden, saying that Harden would be the sharp edge of the Thunder's finisher. And Paul George, who is about to face Harden, seems to be completely ignored, and no one mentions it.

He reached the finals with the Pacers as the team's second scorer in his second year, which was taken as a matter of course. His contribution of nearly 18 points per game in the playoffs so far is taken for granted. Against the Heat, George's successful defense against Wade was taken as a matter of course...

People's eyes are all attracted by the light of James Harden, the best sixth man, but they never realize that Paul George is also a very outstanding young player!

This kind of aggrieved and unwillingness eventually transformed into strength, making George extremely excited on the court.

After responding with a successful defense against Harden and a beautiful three-pointer, George's emotions finally exploded.

That's why this tall second position, who usually doesn't talk much, will roar like just now.

"Hmm..." Henson curled his lips. He admitted that he didn't expect George to be so excited because of these things.

After that, George seemed to be the Leonard in the Eastern Conference Finals and became the "Arabic" of the Pacers, while Harden became the "James" of George.

Throughout the first quarter, George defended Harden and made 1 of 7 shots! Not to mention, George scored 9 points in a single quarter, 7 of which were scored on Harden's head.

Scott Brooks did not replace Harden in advance, he originally wanted Harden to hit the end of the first quarter. But Harden, who was supposed to be a surprise soldier, turned into a weak underbelly for the team, which Brooks didn't expect.

It wasn't until the "Swiss Army Knife" re-appeared that it stopped George's scoring momentum. But in the same way, after the loss of Harden, the Thunder's offense has not changed.

After half of the first quarter, the Thunder trailed by 13 points. The Pacers' performance today was perfect, but just when everyone thought Henson had completely controlled the scene, the scorer Durant broke out!

He first hit consecutive three-pointers within 35 seconds to narrow the points difference! After that, he repeatedly staged difficult jump shots. The defense of Green and Leonard seemed to be non-existent in front of Durant's fiery touch.

In the last 4 seconds of the first quarter, Durant launched the final blow. With Leonard's body completely out of balance, Durant still hit the ball and hit the buzzer, making Henson couldn't help but smashed a tactical board.

Henson is not to blame his players. If Durant scored because the defense was not doing well, Henson would not be so angry. But when you get the best defense and still get a goal, the anger can't be restrained.

Most of Durant's goals in the second half of the first quarter were scored with the ultimate defense! Henson had thought that Durant would get a high score, but Durant's 12-point performance in a single quarter was beyond Henson's acceptable range!

Scoring leader Durant played a full 12-minute game. It seems that Scott Brooks's ability to play the main force is no worse than Thibodeau. But because of Durant’s second half of the quarter, the Thunder almost wiped out the 13-point disadvantage. That’s why Brooks is not without any offensive tactics, but the Thunder is still one of the best offensive teams in the league. One reason!

The third minor's personal offensive ability concealed Brooks' weakness in this area.

24 to 29, the Thunder only entered the second quarter with a 5 point advantage! Henson controlled himself and tried his best not to get angry at the players. After all, Durant scored so many points, it is not the players' fault.

Since the defense can't contain a Durant with full firepower, then use the offense to attack! What attack? Don't forget, the Pacers can have a Paul George who scored 9 points in a single quarter! And this guy is the easiest to be forgotten!

"George." Henson walked to George, just like the high school coach who walked to Harden in 2005.

"We can't win unless you start taking more shots in the game."

It's time for everyone to get to know this low-key Los Angeles boy.