The Way of the Center

Kobe was panting heavily. Although this was already the second round of the playoffs, Kobe didn't feel like playing in the playoffs until today.

Facing the Blazers in the first round, the Lakers played extremely easily, and the Blazers' defense could not be compared with the Thunder.

Although Kobe had made sufficient preparations before this game, the Thunder's defensive strength still exceeded his expectations. His poor shooting percentage today was more or less affected by the sudden increase in defensive intensity.

Kobe turned his head to look at the Thunder's bench on the other side. Durant, Westbrook and Angie's breathing rate is still normal. At least compared to his old guy, the three of them are very energetic. up.

"Bryant, I will arrange more pick-and-rolls and responses for you in the fourth quarter." Phil Jackson knew that only by creating better opportunities for Kobe could he save his catastrophic shooting rate today.

"Hmm!" Kobe gritted his teeth and stared at the court. The Trail Blazers and Thunder were not the main imaginary enemies of the Lakers this season. They easily passed the Trailblazers level, and the Thunder can't have any accidents!

"Kevin, although you will have fewer shots in the fourth quarter, I still want you to continue to run actively. Even if you run without the ball, it will involve the nerves of the Lakers. As long as you are active, your Only teammates can get a chance!" Van Gundy wrote and drew on the tactical board, and the score after the last quarter of the game will be the final score that determines the outcome. No matter which side it is, they all hope that they will be the ones leading at the last moment.

Until the game had to start, both coaches still felt that the rest time between quarters was too short. There is still a lot of words in the stomach, and they have to send this group of big men to the field.

An Jie stood up, he was undoubtedly the highest point on the field. Van Gundy looked up at this Chinese man with a tough expression, he was really similar to Yao Ming back then.

"Let's go, Ann, remember, you are the core of the offense." Finally, Van Gundy patted An Jie's butt, and the Thunder team came on stage!

Jackson did not retain his strength this time, and the starting five of the Lakers also appeared from the beginning of the fourth quarter. And Zen Master's purpose is also very clear, from the very beginning, he must take the initiative!

This time, Livingston's advance was very slow. Seeing this situation, the Lakers' defensive players first let out a sigh of relief. The crazy impact of the No. 0 defender made them exhausted. Now, watching the Thunder slow down the pace so much, they have a chance to catch their breath.

Only Bynum didn't think it would be easier this way. He knew that the Thunder suddenly slowed down the tempo just to give Anjie enough time to settle down.

as expected,

As soon as Anjie stepped into the three-point line, he took the initiative to find Bynum. And his wide back has been squeezing towards the basket.

Every inch of land counts, this is what Divac taught him back then. Before catching the ball, An Jie's back and legs continued to exert force, intending to squeeze out a favorable position before catching the ball.

Looking at Bynum's hard-working expression, Phil Jackson knew how much pressure he was under. If even Bynum finds it difficult to defend, then Gasol can't be the second choice.

How much strength does it take to push a 129kg guy back to the ground? Jackson didn't want to think too much, except for Yao Ming and O'Neal, almost no one could remain motionless under Anjie's push. What's more, facing Anjie now is Bynum who has seriously degraded lower body strength.

Seeing that he was only one step away from stepping into the three-second zone, An Jie suddenly raised his right hand high and extended his palm. And his left hand held Bynum to prevent this guy from interfering with his catch from behind.

Bynum, who was completely covered by Anjie, had no chance. He could only watch Anjie calmly receive the ball in the dangerous zone. The entire Staples Center booed loudly. It didn't mean they were strong, it just meant they were scared!

The number 16 of the Thunder wearing blue jerseys has made them fall into nightmares time and time again. Los Angeles fans can only cheer themselves up with boos, hoping that the boos can make Anjie's performance abnormal.

But they were just deceiving themselves and others. Not only would booing not affect An Jie's performance, but it would make this bloodthirsty butcher even more excited!

Van Gundy needs an offensive core, so I will fulfill the responsibility of an offensive core.

When one foot stepped into the three-second zone, An Jie turned around towards the basket using that foot as the axis.

"It's moving!" Bynum's nerves were highly tense, which also made his reaction speed faster and more sensitive than usual.

"Don't be a fake move...don't be a fake move..." Seeing Bynum block Anjie almost perfectly, the fans in the entire Staples Center were praying, hoping this This time the Chinese will return without success. But as I said before, they are just self-comforting!

Being highly nervous has advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that it can make Bynum's sense of smell more sensitive, but the disadvantage is that it is easy to be deceived by the opponent!

An Jie did plan to hook directly, but he didn't expect Bynum's defense to be impeccable. But there are so many things in Anjie's arsenal, so many that he can use countless methods to turn decay into magic.

See Bynum's well-timed quick jump. An Jie quickly used his fingers to grab the basketball that was about to be released. Afterwards, he arched his back, kept his pivot foot still, and took a step forward with the other foot.

This step not only allowed him to pass by Bynum who was taking off, but also gave him an opportunity to attack right under the basket.

Gasol wanted to rush to make up the defense, but found that Morris was sticking to him tightly, and his hands were still clutching his jersey. Don't forget, Da Man Niu is one of the first teachers An Jie learned these bad tricks from.

Anjie made a light jump right under the basket. He didn't jump very high, but his height and wingspan still allowed him to dunk easily in this situation.

As soon as Bynum landed and turned around, he saw Anjie soaring into the air. He would like to take off for the second time to stop the opponent, but the chance of fouling himself is greater that way.

Under the impact of Westbrook, Bynum has already committed four fouls. The fourth quarter has just begun, and he can't let himself get into trouble with too many fouls.

"Bang!" Watching that annoying No. 16 dunk in front of his eyes, Bynum couldn't say how uncomfortable he was. But there was one fact that he had to admit, An Jie defeated himself again.

Bynum could only pick up the basketball that bounced off the ground, and the disappointed expression of the little shark was really rare.

"Are you afraid of Andrew?" An Jie smiled provocatively at Bynum after scoring the goal. He will not let go of any opportunity to destroy the opponent, especially when he is the core of the attack!

The Lakers' counterattack, not to be outdone, ended with Kobe's missed shot from beyond the three-point line.

Bynum can't get the ball at all now. The more passive the Lakers are, the more Kobe wants to score by himself. Gasol tried to get into good positions several times, but Bryant didn't make the pass. Although the Spaniard has a good relationship with the Black Mamba in private, when Kobe only has the basket in his eyes, he doesn't care about anyone's feelings.

In the subsequent offense, Kobe did not choose to shoot outside the three-point line, but used his best turnaround jumper. Although this trick has become Kobe's signature, it is impossible for him to make a 100% hit.

After seeing Kobe's shot, Bynum quickly turned around, but stuck Anjie behind him, occupying a favorable position for rebounding.

As far as Bynum's positioning technology is concerned, it is really not bad. An Jie tried his best to go around, but found that Bynum would not give an inch.

The little shark took off vigorously, and in a favorable position, he caught the rebound before Anjie. After being aggrieved for so long, Bynum couldn't hold it anymore!

Let you see now, am I the little fish hiding behind Kobe!

Bynum took off for the second time immediately after landing. He has scored countless such goals, and he has even done it on many well-known insiders.

Bynum's hand had just passed the basket and was about to force it, but he found that the basketball in his hand was starting to get out of control. The huge force from behind pressed the basketball against the backboard.

In the next second, not only the basketball in his hand, Bynum felt the great pressure from Anjie. He was unstable in the air, not only failed to dunk the ball, but also fell a lot.

As for the basketball, the basketball was firmly nailed to the backboard by An Jie! Phil Jackson is the person who knows Bynum best. When training in the team, Bynum has never been so embarrassed. Even during the regular season, the Sharks rarely encounter this situation.

Phil Jackson already paid enough attention to An Jie, but now he understands that he still underestimated him!

No foul, no foul on Angie's beautiful pegboard hat. Under the astonished expressions of the Lakers players, Angie made a long swing in the backcourt. Westbrook, who had rested for so long, started to run again. Blue and white lightning flashed across the Staples Center, from the backcourt to the frontcourt , Straight to the point.

Bynum's expression is no longer gritted teeth, but pain! This game was hell for him, no matter the offense or the defense, he was blown away by Anjie in all directions!

An Jie didn't show mercy, that's what young people are, they don't have the word enough is enough in their minds. Language, small movements, and performance, Anjie launched an all-round attack on Bynum today. At Staples, An Jie didn't plan to make any reservations.

Not only did Anjie perform well, Westbrook also boosted his morale because of the fast break just now. His breakthrough can now not only create fouls, but also directly score goals.

Facing Westbrook who is in good condition, there is no way to restrict him except to hug him. Bynum also got his fifth foul because of this, the Zen master shook his head, and Bynum's time today is over.

One is to consider Bynum's knee that may explode at any time. Second, even if Bynum continues to stay, he will soon end up with six fouls.

Jackson took Bynum and replaced him with Odom. Afterwards, the guy who was tortured by Anjie inhumanely became Paul Gasol who was as tall as Bynum.

Gasol is not as strong as Ander, and he doesn't have Bynum's weight advantage. The crazy Anjie did whatever he wanted on Gasol. Every time the two collided, Gasol felt that all the muscles in his body were protesting against him in the form of soreness.

The sound of Durant and Kobe striking the iron will still sound intermittently, but no one on the Lakers can respond to the scene of Anjie raging at the basket.

Fans at the Staples Center put their heads in their hands in disbelief as the Lakers trailed the Thunder by seven with just five seconds left in the game. In other words, the proud Los Angeles native is only five seconds away from failure!

With Kobe's final three-pointer, the game ended. However, the hit of this ball has no meaning.

87 to 83, Phil Jackson never imagined that his Purple and Gold Army would be defeated at home!

Anjie and Westbrook collided in the air at the moment the game ended to celebrate. At the same time in Oklahoma, many strangers clinked glasses together in the bar for the victory of this game.

The "country people" in the mouth of Los Angeles fans defeated them again! Moreover, it is still in the Western Conference semifinals!

Although the Nuggets are indeed much weaker than last year, they were swept out by the Thunder in the first round, not all because of the Nuggets themselves.

The current Oklahoma City Thunder has the strength to win any opponent! Even if this opponent is the defending champion! (To be continued.)