The Way of the Center

"Hey buddy, we've had a good season and we're in second place so far. Ω『Although the ranking is the same as last season, but due to our increased popularity, the boss says we're almost within the range of the March Madness tournament. What? Well, I didn't disappoint you and Mike, me and the boss didn't let the team down when you two left. The new guys are good, but they...how can I say... .. The personality is not to my liking, so I still miss you and Mike. By the way, it seems that you two have not been very smooth recently. There are rumors that Mike may be cut by the Trail Blazers, and you, The team's road to the playoffs is not going to be smooth due to injuries. I can only wish you both the best of luck. This is the last regular season game of the season and I'm about to realize my March Madness dream. You and Mike have to work hard too! No one can lose!"

The Cyclone team also had a game today. Before the game, Morris sent such a text message to Anjie to encourage the all-powerful "Three Musketeers of the Cyclone". Because Angie and Taylor are so busy, the three of them don't have much time to connect with each other. However, the short text greetings and chats between the three of them have never been interrupted.

This is the Cyclones' last regular season game of the season. After this game, the Cyclones will once again show themselves on the stage of March Madness. Morris was naturally very excited, and such emotions could only be shared with his closest friends. Anjie and Mike Taylor are the two closest friends of Morris.

Time really flies. A year ago, An Jie was still struggling to qualify for the March Madness. After only 360 days, An Jie has become a professional player. The stars have played against each other, and they have already participated in the highly anticipated NBA All-Star Weekend, and his goal has changed from March Madness to the NBA Playoffs.

An Jie is sitting in the team bus at the moment, heading back to the Oracle Arena with the incomplete lineup. To face the group of warriors who fought like chicken blood again, just thinking about this game makes people feel tired.

"Come on, Xiaojie."

"Be careful not to get hurt."

"If you are too tired, tell the coach not to over-wear your body."

Except for Morris, Anjie always received a lot of text messages before every game, Catherine, Divac, parents, Muslav...no matter who they were, Anjie kept their blessings in his heart.

"Hey, yes, the game is about to start. Believe me, I will show my best performance." Westbrook, as usual, had a phone call with his family before the game. Everything is so normal, except for Malik Rose and Thabo Sefolosha who joined the team before the trade deadline, everything is the same as usual. But An Jie felt a special feeling that a big battle was coming.

The recovery of the Suns is very rapid, and the Jazz will not fall behind easily under the leadership of old coach Jerry Sloan.

To squeeze into the playoffs, every game is indeed a big battle for the Thunder. Especially after losing to the direct competitor Sun in the last game, the situation facing the Thunder is even more precarious.

"Although neither side is considered a strong team, they always spark sparks every time they meet. The Warriors fought the powerful Los Angeles Lakers to the last second in the last game. I believe they have no reason to relax in the face of the Thunder! "Mike Breen explained the Thunder game again. He just wanted to see with his own eyes how those young people got out of the predicament, or were directly blocked by difficulties.

"The last game was a shame! What about defense!? What did we practice the most!?" Jeff Van Gundy recalled the players who were still warming up early, and in the locker room he loudly questioned his men lads.

"It's defense, coach." Durant replied in a low voice. In the last game, the Thunder were completely brought into the rhythm of the Suns' crazy offense. Playing against the Suns, the score of 14o to 122 is the result.

"Defense! Our positioning! Our defense! Our enthusiasm! You all lost to me!" Van Gundy rarely fires, but the lineup is incomplete, which cannot be used as an excuse for the team to mess up. Seeing the sleepwalking performance of the Thunder boys in the last game, Van Gundy also felt a little bit of hatred.

"No matter how the guys at Oracle Stadium play, I want you to keep your defense solid! They want to beat us time and time again with their sudden madness, and use defense to tell them, it's impossible!"

There was no sound below, and after being scolded by Van Gundy, everyone fell into reflection.

"It's another underdog. This time it's our home court. There's no reason for this pseudo-strong team to play wild in Oakland!" On the side of the Warriors, although coach Don Nelson didn't say anything, team leader Stephen Jackson said nothing. Will miss this opportunity to fan the flames.

Jackson has been dubbed the "bad boy" since his days with the Pacers. The reason why the current Warriors are fearless and dare to challenge opponents who are much stronger than themselves is that the gangster spirit brought by Jackson can be said to be the main reason. Under his leadership, the Warriors played frequently, and even the Big Three of the Celtics suffered defeats against them.

After all, Stephen Jackson was the one who led the Warriors to complete the miracle of black eight. Although he was restless, he was very professional. Victory, this is the only goal of Stephen Jackson playing the game.

"Monta, don't be afraid later, take more shots. Let the Suns score 140 points, and the Thunder's defense is not worth mentioning!" Stephen Jackson patted Monta Alice on the shoulder. This small guard has just returned from injury this season. He is one of Jackson's most trusted teammates, because it was he who assisted Jackson and Baron Davis to complete the black eight miracle.

"Don't worry that I won't dare to attack, just that you won't want to share the possession of the ball." Monta Alice is also not a good player, and her reckless playing style is often criticized by people. But one thing no one dares to deny is that this guy's scoring ability is really strong.

"Hahahaha, I'm relieved! Let's fight hard! Drive back those rookies who grew up in the greenhouse!"

"Roar!" Everyone followed Stephen Jackson and shouted. In the locker room at Oracle Arena, Jackson is more like the head coach who controls the overall situation.

"The Thunder can't easily give up the chance to win now. Compared with the Los Angeles Lakers and other opponents, the Golden State Warriors are undoubtedly their chance to win! Van Gundy and the Thunder can no longer let the opportunity slip away, if they still want to enter the playoffs !"

While the commentators of various TV stations were still analyzing the situation, the scene had already come to the link of introducing players.

Although the Warriors' performance this season is not good, it can already be said that it has nothing to do with the playoffs. But this group of players who will never admit defeat is deeply loved by the fans. So when the on-site announcer shouted the names of the Warriors players, the call at Oracle Stadium was no less loud than the voice of places such as Staples Center.

After Stephen Jackson appeared on the stage, he pointed to the Thunder's third young master, and then made a gesture of wiping his neck. There is no doubt that the chicken blood of the Warriors was beaten by this guy.

An Jie didn't respond so arrogantly, but he clenched his fists. Isn't it just defense, that's exactly the rhythm he likes!

The well-disciplined blue and white lightning and the gangster warriors, the two teams collided again, but this time, the victory or defeat will be crucial to the Thunder! (To be continued.) 8