The Basketball Court Swordsman

It is generally believed that Chris Paul really began to mature after experiencing a major injury in the 09-10 season.

From then on, Paul began to use the deadliest pass to assist his teammates, and use the easiest scoring to hit the opponent.

After the Pacers won three championships, people felt that Paul was already the most dominant point guard in the league. It wasn't until the first two years that Paul's reign over the League One position finally ended.

For two consecutive years, Paul's injury in the playoffs has made the outside world agree that the point guard of this dynasty team is over. The previously planted bane began to explode, and Paul's status in people's hearts became lower and lower.

This can be seen from this year's All-Star debut. In the past, in the East, Paul's starting point guard position must be untouchable. Henson even believes that Paul can still become an All-Star starter even if it is placed in the strong West.

But this year, Paul was only selected to the All-Star bench. Even if the fans are reluctant to admit it, Paul's influence is gradually declining, which is a fact.

Although Henson knew that Paul was still one of the best point guards in the league. His decline in popularity is not because of his lack of strength, but because of injuries.

But other people don't think so.

For example, Kyle Lowry from the "Trash Brothers" of the Raptors.

April 29, the sixth day after the Pacers had swept the Bulls. In Washington, DC, the Toronto Raptors finally won the sixth game of the series with DeRozan and Lowry's outstanding performance.

At this time, the series total score has also become 4 to 2. The Toronto native broke through the first round of the playoffs and became the Pacers' next opponent.

The Raptors' goal this year is not to say that it is a championship, but the Eastern Conference championship, they definitely want to win. So early to meet the Pacers in the second round, the Raptors feel they are particularly unlucky.

Although he won the first round, most reporters knew it. Their pace is likely to end here.

But Lowry didn’t think so. In an interview with the media after the game, Lowry said, “In the next round of the series, I will watch Chris to death. DeMarr will cause a lot of trouble for George. Kevin Rooney and Yi Baka will contain Antetokounmpo. In the end, we will win."

Lowry smiled confidently when facing the camera.

Look, everyone thinks that Paul is now the subject of slaughter. They seem to have forgotten how terrifying a healthy "Queen Bee" is.

And Henson's task is to help them find their memories.

April 30, also the last day of April, Henson and his players began to formally prepare for the game against the Raptors.

And tomorrow, that is, May 1, the Pacers VS Raptors Eastern Conference semifinals, will officially start.

For this Eastern Conference semifinals, the Pacers have been off for more than a week, while the Raptors have only one day off. In this regard, Henson has a huge advantage.

After arriving at the training ground on the 30th, Henson also found that the players were very excited, as if they had been waiting for the Eastern Conference semifinals for a long time.

Chris Paul appeared in the training hall early in the morning to warm up. Although Paul did not respond to Kyle Lowry's words, this does not mean that Paul is not angry.

In tomorrow's game, Paul will let Lowry see who it is.

As we all know, Lowry's performance in the playoffs is often not as good as the regular season. And Paul has always believed that a player who can only play the regular season is not a good player.

Kyle Lowry will be beaten back tomorrow.

Paul is in excellent form, as Henson expected. Falling to the Eastern Conference semifinals for two consecutive years, Paul must have tried his best to overcome this hurdle.

But in the afternoon's confrontational training, Henson discovered another new surprise besides Paul.

On the court, Paul steadily controlled the ball to advance. Facing Brogdon's mark, Paul has been pushing his little brother with small movements.

Many new players have to adapt to the Pacers' confrontational training for a while, because everyone is very serious in training.

After dispelling Brogdon's attempt to steal, Paul beckoned and motioned for Siakam to step forward to cover.

Henson now likes to use the bench and the starting lineup for confrontational training. In this way, no matter how Henson changes, there will be no such thing as lack of tacit understanding in the competition.

Paul took advantage of Siakam's cover to break through and was very aggressive during the breakthrough. But halfway through, Paul gave the ball to Siakam, who was standing on the outside.

Siakam made a false shot and fired at Old Frye. Seeing this, Siakam broke through with the ball. Although Brooke Lopez has made up his defense to the basket, Siakam has no intention of slowing down.

His momentum eventually allowed Lopez to give up blocking, and the white center could only watch the young forward No. 43 score with one hand.

"Good job, Pascal!" Paul exclaimed happily, and then high-five Siakam.

Lopez shook his head. Both guys were playing too aggressive today. Not to mention training, even in official competitions, no one can stop the cooperation of the two guys.

"Pascal seems to be very excited today." Seeing Siakam's dunks in training once again, McMillan beside Henson was moved.

"Yeah, he and Paul completely blown up the audience today." Henson smiled, he almost forgot, Siakam was traded by the Raptors.

Any player who has been traded by the parent team will definitely want to re-exhibit himself on the court to prove how ridiculous the team that traded him is wrong.

Siakam used to be dissatisfied with the Raptors not giving him a chance. Nowadays, a good opportunity for "revenge" lies in front of him, and there is also Paul, a powerful "accomplice". Can Siakam not be excited? ?

Kyle Lowry also believes that he and the Raptors can pass the game smoothly and can make the following offenses. But Henson thinks everyone of the Raptors should pray for the Pacers not to win now, because that is the only way they can fight against themselves!

In the early morning of May 1, countless fans swarmed the streets and headed for the Bankers Life Arena.

Today is the beginning of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Pacers have been in the Eastern Conference semifinals for two consecutive years.

Therefore, Indianapolis fans are looking forward to this game. They expect Henson to lead the team out of the gloom as before.

Siakam drove his second-hand SuV to the entrance of the arena. The crowd outside the arena made Siakam's scalp numb.

It is really hard for him to imagine that just a few months ago, he was even playing in the NBDL where the average number of visitors was only 2,000. And now, he is about to play the greatest game in front of thousands of fans!

Siakam looked up at the arena, then smiled with satisfaction. His huge poster was already hanging on it.

At the same time, Chris Paul has started today's shooting training with Fraser's company. Paul's expression was very serious, and the bad scenes of the past two years flashed before Paul's eyes. But Paul didn't think about it, he knew that it was time to throw these damned things away.

In the afternoon, the Raptors team bus arrived at Bankers Life Arena. Kyle Lowry made a grimace at DeRozan in the car, hoping that this depressed guy could be happy.

"Don't close your face, DeMar. This is the playoffs. Unless you save all four games of victory in your hands, nothing will be over. Look at it, I will pass you the ball today!" Rui finished speaking and got out of the car first. As soon as he got out of the car, he was surrounded by reporters.

There is no doubt that Lowry's remarks two days ago have made him the most watched player of the Raptors.

"You heard that right, I will watch Chris to death today. This is what I have to do. Only in this way can we win the game." Even though he was already on the ground, Lowry still did not subdue.

On the other hand, Raptors coach Devin Casey has also become the target of crazy besieged reporters. Regarding him, the reporter's question is simple, "Do you regret that the team had traded Siakam."

In this regard, Casey’s answer was very disdainful, "We have Serge Ibaka and Kevin Rooney, and our fourth position is very strong. So why should I regret it?"

I don’t know if Devin Casey really doesn’t regret it, or he’s still a duck. After all, he strongly suggested that Ujiri trade Siakam.

Before the game started, the reporters had already stirred up the atmosphere of the war. After interviewing the Raptors, the reporters naturally set their sights on the Pacers personnel. And the pre-match interview, how could Henson be missing?

Before the game began, a T.NT reporter approached Henson. The question was simple, "Do you think the Pacers can make it through the Eastern Conference semifinals? Will the Raptors cause you trouble?"

Faced with this simple question, Henson just smiled.

"Have you ever watched a cartoon called "How to Train Your Dragon"? Today, the Banker Life Arena will stage a live-action version of "How to Train Your Dragon"."