The Way of the Center

The white center with curly hair and arms full of tattoos is sitting next to Malik Rose at the moment, watching the team he has been in for four years draw with the Mavericks with a score of 23 to 23, but there is no emotion in his heart .

At the end of the first quarter, he applauded silently for his teammates. When the players gathered around Jeff Van Gundy to listen to the tactics, he calmly stood outside the crowd.

He didn't care about what Jeff Van Gundy arranged. It wasn't that he didn't focus enough, but he knew he didn't have a chance to play.

He was selected by the Sound Team in 4 years, and the number of appearances in the first three seasons of his career did not add up to 82 games. This season, he didn't even get a chance to play. If it weren't for the Thunder's massive injuries, Van Gundy's rigid employment might prevent him from even making the 13-man roster.

"The last hope of the white American center!"

"Another high school genius."

"The inside line of the sound team finally has a pillar."

This is when he just participated in the draft in 2004, the outside world spoke highly of him. If he hadn't chosen to skip college and go directly to the draft, his pick would have been more than just 12th.

With a height of 2.13 meters and a weight of 123 kilograms, this guy's physical condition is good enough and his talent is quite good. However, like most fallen geniuses, he was eventually defeated by endless injuries.

A torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee turned him from a genius to mediocrity, from a pillar of the Sound team to a fringe figure on the team.

Since entering the league, his head has become longer and longer, with more and more tattoos, but his performance on the basketball court has become worse and worse.

Both Kostic and Collison are too slow! The two of them couldn't quickly switch defenses with Anjie, but they couldn't take the risk of letting Malik Rose, who was only 2 meters tall, go up to the fourth position. Although Malik Rose is positioned as a forward swingman, with Jeff Van Gundy, a small lineup will never be used.

Jeff Van Gundy glanced at the players around him. Who else can effectively partner with Anjie to limit Nowitzki's swing?

Finally, Jeff Van Gundy's eyes fell on the No. 31 white center who was only a head shorter than Anjie. Since they have brought them, it is better to let him go up and try.

"Robert!" Jeff Van Gundy yelled, and the name surprised all the players present.

"Ah!?" Even Robert Swift himself,

No one thought that Jeff Van Gundy would call his name. He was still standing at the outermost edge of the crowd, looking at his teammates around him for no reason.

"You play center in the second quarter!" As soon as Jeff Van Gundy said this, everyone opened their mouths in astonishment.

"Ah? That... oh, okay..." Robert Swift slowly moved towards the center, on stage? He hadn't heard such an order for a long time.

If nothing else, the Mavericks will definitely let Nowitzki and Dampier take turns at the beginning of the second quarter. Because if only the Germans play alone, Anjie, who lacks Dampier's restraint, will stay in front of Nowitzki every step of the way. In order for Nowitzki to play at his best, Claire will definitely let these two guys rest and play at the same time.

And now the Mavericks' bench does not have a real fifth position. Brandon Bass, who is 2 meters 03, will be the guy who is most likely to appear at the center position. Although this skilled power forward performed well after being transferred to the Mavericks, his huge height disadvantage should not allow him to beat Robert Swift to pieces. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Jeff Van Gundy decided to let Swift play to see how he was doing.

"Robert, what you have to do is very simple. Defend the penalty area, grab rebounds, pick and roll for teammates, and don't need to grab offensive rebounds. I want you to return to defense quickly, so as not to let the Mavericks play a fast break." Several basic arrangements are Van Gundy gave Swift the full quest.

Robert Swift nodded silently. He moved his arms that were completely covered by tattoos. This look really meant "Birdman" Anderson.

"Friends in the audience, the second quarter of the game has begun. Coach Jeff Van Gundy really followed the rotation plan and asked An Jie to rest first. Eh? The person who replaced An Jie was neither Collison nor Kostic, this guy Is it... Robert Swift?"

Not only the commentator, but even Mavericks head coach Rick Claire and the Thunder fans at the scene did not expect Van Gundy to play this card.

This season has played 55 games, but this No. 31 is the first appearance this season. Because of the hard-won chance to play, Robert Swift didn't dare to be sloppy. His positive attitude was enough for Van Gundy.

The second teams of the two sides played for five minutes, and the Mavericks took a three-point lead thanks to Jason "Glider" Terry's excellent play. The Thunder’s second team did not perform badly, especially Damien Wilkins, who was eager to prove himself. Not only did he score 6 points on 3-of-3 shooting, but he also contributed 2 steals on the defensive end. , Let Terry's dream of opening the score be shattered.

Robert Swift was replaced by Jeff Van Gundy after playing for three minutes. It was not because of his poor performance. On the contrary, it was precisely because of his enthusiasm and good basic skills that impressed Van Gundy that Van Gundy decided to let him Come down to rest and prepare for more important missions later.

Five minutes into the second quarter, after the team fell behind by three points, Jeff Van Gundy "arrived as scheduled" and called a timeout. Now it's time for his main force to debut!

"All players on the field! Kostic, you just came down and rested for a while, Robert, you go to the fourth position!" Van Gundy ordered, and Swift was stunned again.

He was replaced within three minutes of playing, and he thought the head coach had given up on him. But now, Van Gundy asked him to play with the first team.

"Your task is still not complicated! Tie Eric Dampier to me! I want Anjie to face Nowitzki without interference!" Although it is not complicated, it is a Collison and Kirsty The task that Qidu failed to complete is an important task related to the outcome of the game!

Although in terms of overall strength, Swift is not as good as Kostic and Collison, but in terms of enthusiasm and mobility alone, Swift is definitely above those two guys.

Swift thought he was dreaming, but at this moment, he was really standing with the first team of both sides. Beside him was the Thunder's most important defensive pillar, Anjie!

"Hmph, isn't it just to hang around that arrogant guy from the Mavericks team and let my rookie teammates get a chance to show off? It's not difficult!" Swift smiled, and it was obvious from his rebellious appearance that Swift It is by no means a good thing.

After returning from the timeout, the Mavericks' offense, Eric Dampier, still aimed at Anjie and prepared to pester him, trying to prevent Anjie from getting a chance to defend others.

But this time, before he was about to pester An Jie, he was approached by the big man with tattoos on his arms first.

Swift and Dampier were roughly "wrapped" together. Wherever Dampier went, Swift would follow him. The stealthy but effective jersey grabbing action made it even more difficult for Dampier to get rid of the entanglement.

After Kidd took the ball to the three-point line, he immediately hit the ground and passed it, allowing Dirk Nowitzki to get the ball at the designated position.

The German received the ball, turned to face the frame, but found that the person defending him had become the recently hot No. 16 of the Thunder.

Nowitzki's offensive methods are rich, and a rookie center is not enough to make him misfire. But compared to Collison and Krstic, Anjie's defense put him under a lot of pressure.

On the first step-back jump shot behind his back, Nowitzki was disturbed by Anjie's terrifying defensive height and lost his aim. It's not that Nowitzki is incapable of completing difficult shots, but the sudden increase in defensive intensity obviously made him not have time to adapt.

"The Thunder team finally executed a successful switch! Anjie's first defense made the German chariot return without success!"

"Everyone misses shots." Charles Barkley said disapprovingly.

On the defensive end, Robert Swift helped Angie contain Dampier. On the offensive end, Jeff Van Gundy had no intention of misaligning Dampier and Angie. Although Dampier's defense is indeed good, Angie's offensive ability is not enough Dampier can't pass this level either.

However, the passionate Swift on the offensive end still held Dampier stuck. Although Nowitzki is tall and long, his defensive ability is not outstanding. With a softer style of play, he weighs only one kilogram more than An Jie, but his strength is not comparable to An Jie.

Anjie relied on Nowitzki to force his way into the penalty area with a back hit. Anjie turned around and raised his hand. Nowitzki thought that this Asian kid was also planning to return the favor with a step-back jumper.

Unexpectedly, when the German rushed forward, Anjie bowed at the waist, flashed past Nowitzki, and made an easy layup.

Until now, Anjie has only scored his first point of the game, but his performance has reassured the Thunder fans.

In the next attack of the Mavericks, Nowitzki chose the offensive point outside the three-point line. Anjie, a big man with a range, is not undefended. From Koufus in college to the current German tank, he has met several such opponents. Most centers don't know what to do on the perimeter, but Ainger is clearly not one of them.

"Dirk missed the second consecutive goal, and Ann's defense played an obvious role!"

After the "German Chariot" hit the iron, An Jie made another victory with a big hook with a stretched posture.

"Angie scored four points in a row! Now who would question his state?" Even Barkley had nothing to refute Kenny Smith at this time.

Westbrook, who scored 12 points in the first quarter, only scored two points in this quarter. The reason is the same as that of Anjie. He made zero shots and scored two points with free throws. This was the source of all Westbrook's scoring in the second quarter.

"Angie and Nowitzki are leaning together again. The duel between the two technical big men is really exciting!"

Nowitzki defended very hard this time, and Dampier also wanted to double-team. Although Swift can entangle others very well, it is obvious that Dampier has not taken his offensive ability seriously.

"Dampier dropped Swift who was tangling with him near the free throw line, and Angie was double-teamed!"

Don't double-team An Jie, this sentence is not alarmist.

An Jie saw Dampier wrapping up, and then saw the 2.13-meter Swift cut inside and raised his hand for the ball. How to end this attack, the idea couldn't be more clear.

Ainger was double-teamed facing the basket, but he completed the ground pass in the gap between the legs of Nowitzki and Dampier. Swift, with good maneuverability, rushed to catch the ball and dunked it, scoring his first point this season.

"Robert Swift! Beautiful dunk! Let's watch the replay, let's see how a guy with such a big target got in without knowing it! God Charles, did you see that Angie's dunk? The ground pass was so accurate."

After the powerful dunk, all the Thunder fans in the Chesapeake Energy Arena stood up and cheered, and Giardina, affected by the fanatical atmosphere, couldn't help waving her arms. At this moment, she is not a star, but an ordinary pass fans.

"I guess most people don't know who the guy who dunked just now is, but he is already one of the veterans of the Thunder team. He is one of the few old players who have remained from the time of the Sound Team. Jeff. Coach Van Gundy simply dispatched a surprise soldier, which is completely inconsistent with his previous rigid employment characteristics!"

In fact, Jeff Van Gundy was also forced to change his employment style. In the past, he didn't like to train rookies, but after he came to the Thunder, he had to focus on rookies. Before, he didn't like to use marginal characters, but now that no one is available, he has to make new attempts.

However, Van Gundy's two style changes brought the team better and better.

Eric. Dampier must now be vigilant against Swift, this guy only needs a split second, can quickly cut into the restricted area and pose a threat to the basket.

Dampier's close defense is very good, but when he is not fast in his defense, he seems a little powerless when he does not have a close matchup.

Anjie once again held the ball and played a single with Nowitzki. This time Nowitzki was not deceived, but his block hit Anjie's forearm. Nowitzki not only sent Anjie to the free throw line this time, but also failed to prevent Anjie from scoring a hook. Another chance to hit a three-pointer, he knew that the Chinese would definitely not let it go.

When Nowitzki scored two points at the buzzer with his iconic step-back jumper, the competition between the two sides also came to an end in the second quarter.

For a star of Nowitzki's level, it is impossible for you to restrict him from scoring a point. But instead of letting the opponent score 40 points easily, it is better to put more pressure on the opponent and let the opponent's shooting rate drop.

48 to 44, under the leadership of Anjie, the Thunder still held the advantage, leading by 4 points, and did not let the Cowboys led by the German take advantage.

Scoring seven points on 3 of 5 shots, Anjie's scoring performance was nothing compared to the first quarter. When the team needs him to stand up and score, he will never back down!

In addition to Anjie's excellent performance, Swift's unexpected four points are the biggest surprise for Van Gundy. He didn't expect this guy who was almost abandoned to complete the task at all. It seems that in the second half, he will continue to increase Swift's playing time.

"The last hope of the white American center." Robert Swift recalled his past glory amidst the cheers of the fans at the scene.

Be the last hope? There is no hope. But being a showrunner, Swift can still do.

Nowitzki knew that the difficulty for him to score in the second half would only continue to increase! (To be continued.) 8