The Way of the Center

Durant, Westbrook and Anjie each scored a goal, which made the battle-tested Phil Jackson break out in a cold sweat. That guy Van Gundy, I don't know what method he used to make this Thunder team look like a chicken blood.

Although the game was played at Staples, the Thunder looked more like the team playing at home. The booing of the Lakers fans seems to be their spiritual food. The louder the booing, the braver this group of guys. In the first quarter of the game, the defending champion Lakers were completely suppressed.

Kobe's shooting rate was not ideal under the interference of Sefoloza. Although Bynum was full of enthusiasm, he didn't have many ways to score points when facing the same hot Anjie.

Fisher and Artest were forced to shoot outside, but the Thunder's tight defense left them at a loss. If it weren't for Gasol's still steady performance, the Lakers would be beaten without any face!

In the second half of the first quarter, even if the second teams of both sides played, the situation did not change in the slightest. Van Gundy's actions will not only affect the starting five, but the emotions of the substitute players will also be mobilized. Lakers fans could hardly believe their eyes when the first 12 minutes of the game ended.

17 to 29, it's a pity that this is at Staples, the home team is in front, and the visiting team is behind!

"I don't know what happened to the Lakers, no, what happened to the Thunder! It's not an exaggeration to say that this is the best game in the Thunder series." Reggie Miller never underestimated Thunder, but widened the point difference to double digits in the first quarter, which really surprised the former Pacers legend.

The quality displayed by the Thunder in the first quarter was simply perfect. Offensive and defensive transitions, tactical movement, shooting percentage, shot selection...all the things that should be done well, the Thunder did their best. The Lakers obviously messed up under such resistance. Kobe's poor performance is the epitome of the poor performance of the entire Lakers.

The Zen master's prayer may not have been heard by God, and in Staples, this bad thing still happened.

"Are you afraid!? We are here to get match points! Don't think that there are seven games to play in the series, and you can give up the victory at will! The Suns have already eliminated the Spurs with a score of 4-0, We are waiting for us in the Western Conference finals! Delaying one more game is to give the opponent more time to prepare! Don’t forget our goal, our goal is the championship, not the Western Conference semifinals!" The players just came from After the field, the Zen master didn't talk about any tactics, but lost his temper first. A head coach should have a temper and his own personality, otherwise how can you manage your stars?

When the Zen master got angry, even Kobe could only lower his head and listen quietly. The Lakers' bench was dead silent, which was incompatible with the grand appearance ceremony before the game.

And the Thunder team,

Van Gundy has no time to waste words. Even though the Thunder played very well in the first quarter, he still saw a lot of problems. There are three quarters of the game to play, and he doesn't want to let his guard down on the Lakers because of a small victory in the first quarter. Maybe this group of young people on the Thunder will get carried away easily, but Van Gundy will never make such a mistake!

"Your players are really good, coach." In a huge office, two men in suits and ties were staring at the TV. What was shown on TV was the fifth matchup between the Lakers and the Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals. One of the fat, bald men spoke to the other.

"They are now Coach Jeff Van Gundy's players. Without Van Gundy, these two boys would not have reached this point." When Ricard said this, he didn't know whether he should be happy or disappointed.

"But without you laying the foundation for them, Coach Van Gundy can't add to it. Mr. Ricard, we have already watched a quarter of the game, so we can't just sit here and watch the game all night." The bald man said Then, he took out a few A4 papers full of writing from his briefcase. There was no doubt that these things were contracts.

"When we watch the game, the purpose is to let you examine my level, whether I can correctly analyze the situation on the court, and whether I can give better suggestions. I didn't say anything in the first quarter, and you just so sure that I am competent. ?” Ricard looked at those contracts, he didn’t know if he had made a decision.

"I don't need to investigate further. Everything you did in college is the best proof of your ability. To be honest, before you took over the Cyclones and led the team into March Madness, I didn't know Iowa State University also has an NCAA Division I team. Leading a group of little-known players to break through the siege, what else can you prove yourself more than these?" The bald man seems to think highly of Ricard , because it has been two and a half years since he sent someone to observe this young marshal!

"My daughter was born less than a year ago, I don't want to be too far away from home, and you know, the pressure of working in the NBA is much higher than in the NCAA. I don't know if I can do it. Finally, and finally The important point is that I hope that my position is that of a head coach, not an assistant coach. I don’t want to be an assistant under someone else.” Ricard’s last sentence is the focus of his hesitation.

"Mr. Ricard, many great NBA coaches started as assistant coaches. For example, the coach Jeff Van Gundy we see now was only a small assistant coach of the Knicks. To be honest, you have never With any experience in coaching professional basketball, you only have three years out of high school. It is too risky for you to sit directly in the head coach position. Starting as an assistant coach will benefit you a lot and learn a lot .And I won't go to the assessment for two and a half years for an assistant coach. We signed with you just to get you right one day!" The bald man expressed his determination, indeed, he would not waste his tongue for an assistant coach . Instead of choosing the kind of coach you don't understand, it's better to train one yourself.

Ricard thought about it. If he really had the opportunity to be the coach, he would be very excited...

"Bang!"

"Oh! Ann's big kick!" It wasn't until Kenny Smith exclaimed loudly that Ricard's thoughts returned to the TV.

"Let's watch the game first. Let me think about the contract." Rickard neither accepted nor refused. It's not the NCAA, and he barely thought about it when the Cyclones invited him. But this matter, which may change the trajectory of one's life in one fell swoop, is indeed something worth thinking about.

An Jie and Morris, who were struggling on the court, didn't know that their former mentor was negotiating with an NBA team in the office. They have entered a crazy state now, trying their best to score and defend, and now the only thing in their minds save ideas.

After Gasol shined in the first quarter of the game, he was immediately embarrassed by Morris in the second quarter. For a guy like Da Man Niu, you must not provoke him. Because of this, it will only increase the chances of this guy's super performance.

In terms of hard power, Morris is not as good as Gasol, but the stubbornness of the big bull makes him a determined defender.

He has no flashy skills, no super scoring ability. But he will go out of his way to grab every rebound, defend every matchup, and do whatever dirty work the coach puts him to do. He is the patron saint of An Jie, although An Jie, a butcher, would eat very well even without guards.

"Rodman, Dennis Rodman. I have been thinking of someone close to Morris, and now I think of it! Although Morris's off-court incidents are far from the big bug, his rebounding and defensive ability still need to be improved , but in terms of playing style, this guy is really similar to Rodman." Charles Barkley has not forgotten the guy who ruled the league in rebounding back then. Achievement. But his defensive and desperate attitude can completely make him the Rodman of the Thunder.

With Morris, Anjie can focus more on offense. It's really hard to imagine what the Thunder will grow into in the future. Durant, Westbrook, Angie and Morris, when these guys have all grown up, there will still be teams in this league that can stop them exist?

The Lakers should be thankful that they met a young Thunder team. In the second quarter, the Lakers were obviously woken up by Zen Master, but they didn't get close to the score, it just kept the Thunder from widening the point difference.

25 to 26, this is the single quarter score of the two sides in the second quarter. Durant's shooting involved the Lakers' defense, Westbrook's breakthrough tormented the Lakers' nerves, and Anjie's steady play in the interior consolidated the Thunder's advantage.

The Lakers have actually adjusted, but the first quarter was stretched too far. Now it is very difficult to chase points against the still hot Thunder team.

42 to 55, although the Lakers have slowed down, they are still 13 points behind.

The Staples Center was unnaturally quiet, and the haughty Angeleno rarely shuts up during a game.

Phil Jackson didn't believe that the third youngster's condition could continue to be so good, but after halftime, the Thunder's third youngster's momentum did not stop at all.

He can no longer be passive. In the second half, the Lakers must actively take the advantage back!

The Lakers have encountered countless talented teams, but no matter who they are, they can't stop them from winning the championship! The Magic led by Howard was not good last year, and neither is the Thunder led by San Shao this year!

We can't think of this as the Western Conference semifinals anymore, because if we fail, this will be the last series of the season for the Lakers!

The gap of 13 points is not so big that it cannot be recovered. This intermission is destined to be very difficult for Zen Master.