The Way of the Center

When An Jie walked out of the player channel and stepped onto the court, he happened to see the Spurs players coming out at the same time.

The tunnel for the Spurs was across from the Trail Blazers, and that fellow Aldridge craned his neck to search the crowd. When he saw Anjie and Lillard, the low-key and silent guy suddenly laughed.

"You two brats! Are you bringing a bunch of brothers to take away the victory!?" Aldridge greeted Lillard and Anjie with open arms, hugging Lillard and Anjie tightly.

"You guy, how could you lose to the Warriors like that last season? Today, I'm here to teach you how to win." An Jie patted Aldridge on the back, and this guy walked with him During the peak period, he was one of An Jie's best friends.

Although he said harsh words, An Jie was just happy to meet Aldridge again.

"Don't talk big, buddy, Leonard won't give up the victory." Aldridge said, looking at Kawhi Leonard who was silently warming up. When he was still with the Trail Blazers, Aldridge didn't think this quiet guy would become the future of the Spurs. But his growth has exceeded everyone's expectations. Now, Leonard is also one of the first-line superstars in the league. If he was not injured by Pachulia last season, it is not certain whether the Warriors can advance.

"What about you? Are you willing to give up the victory?" Anjie stared at Aldridge with great interest.

"Me? I'll kick your ass off, Ann!"

"Hahahahaha!" The three old friends laughed in the middle circle. Although they laughed happily now, the fans knew it. After the game starts later, none of these three very good buddies will be soft-hearted.

The NBA is a professional league, and all three of them are professional players. Sometimes, professional players and professional killers are quite similar, because when they are working, even if they meet their best friends or even mentors, they must shoot and kill them!

After the three chatted a few more words, they each returned to their own warm-up half. The moment they turned around, the smiles on the faces of these three guys disappeared instantly.

The warm time of reminiscing about the past is over, and there will only be fierce and cruel battles on this basketball court!

The grand finale of the opening game of the new season, no matter which side it is, they don't want to lose. What's more, this game is still in San Antonio. Aldridge definitely doesn't want to lose at home, even though he knows how terrifying Anjie's strength is.

Warm-up, playing the national anthem, player introduction ceremony... After a set of procedures, the time has come to nine o'clock in the evening. After waiting for so long, An Jie was finally able to stand on the middle circle. The battle he longed for has finally arrived!

Because former Spurs center Dewayne Dedmon chose to opt out of his contract this summer, he joined the Eagles. Therefore, Paul Gasol, who had just renewed his contract with the Spurs, had to start at the fifth position.

Gasol is indeed a very good player, and he is also one of the legends of Spanish basketball. But when this accomplished Spaniard stood in front of An Jie, he was still a little nervous.

The 37-year-old Paul Gasol knew that when he faced An Jie later, he would definitely have a very difficult life. Not to mention the 37-year-old Gasol, no insider in this league will be easy when facing Angie.

In the early days of Anjie's career, there was another Craig Smith who could always restrain Anjie by mistake. But with Anjie's continuous growth, improvement and finalization, this league can no longer find an insider who can fight against Anjie.

Thinking that he might be tortured by An Jie in various ways later, Paul Gasol couldn't help swallowing. So much so that when the referee threw the ball into the air, Gasol hadn't had time to react.

"Paul seems a little distracted,

The ball was already in Anjie's hands, and the Spaniards started to jump. If Gasol wants to show his performance today, he must be vigilant! "

Anjie easily patted the ball into Lillard's hands, and Lillard gestured and slowly advanced.

Although the Trail Blazers now have a group of players who can run and jump, Ricard still insists on focusing on slow pace and positional warfare. He hasn't forgotten who the core of this team is, and he hasn't forgotten that his team revolves around the center forward!

Lillard stopped two steps away from the three-point line. Paul George and Iguodala quickly started running. Leonard had to be vigilant. After all, Paul George in the Trail Blazers now George is also a top scorer!

Leonard and Danny Green bit George and Iguodala tightly respectively. Judging from the current situation, let alone scoring goals, George and Iguodala have no chance to connect the ball!

But the running positions of George and Iguodala were just restraint. The two of them successfully brought the Spurs' defense to the flanks, but the center opened the door!

Lillard did not choose to break through by himself, but passed directly. The basketball went straight to the inside through the empty middle.

Angie leaned against Pau Gasol to receive the basketball, and Gasol's heart was beating wildly. He didn't know how Angie would attack in the future, because this offensive kaleidoscope could do almost anything. Facing the unknown is often the scariest thing on the basketball court!

Anjie winked at Morris, and Morris understood, stayed away from the basket, and prepared to hang Aldridge away, creating a chance for Anjie to play singles.

Aldridge hesitated for a while and decided to continue defending the basket! He would rather let Morris shoot, but also complete the double-team with Gasol!

This is the dilemma of Anjie on the offensive end after Aldridge left Anjie. Morris is indeed strong, but on the offensive end, he can't give Anjie too much support. People can leave him empty, and then double-team An Jie wholeheartedly.

Thinking about it before, if someone dared to put Aldridge like this, the Blazers' offense might have ended.

In the face of double-teaming, An Jie remained calm in the face of danger. For so many years in the vertical and horizontal alliance, what kind of double team An Jie has not encountered? As a top insider in the league, breaking double teams is the most basic skill!

Aldridge and Gasol have driven Anger to death, and now there is very little room for Anj to pass the ball.

But it was in this small space that Anjie found Lillard through the crowd.

Lillard didn't stay long after receiving the basketball, but immediately threw the basketball out again.

"Huh?" Seeing the basketball flying towards the top of his head, Aldridge couldn't help turning his head and looking back.

At this time, the strong Andrew Morris has already taken off aggressively to face Aldridge! His goal is naturally the basketball thrown by Lillard!

"Damn it!" Aldridge wanted to stop Morris, but before he could take off, Morris' strong body pressed up.

Aldridge can only raise his arms high now, but can't do anything. Morris received the basketball as he wished, and smashed the ball into the basket through Aldridge!

"Boom!" The basketball hoop made a loud noise, and waves of shouts came from the commentary area. There was no sound in the ATT center. Morris' alley-oop dunk just now made everyone's glasses drop!

"You gave him too much space to sprint, you can't let this guy rush, no!" Popovich yelled at Aldridge from the sidelines at the beginning, and Aldridge picked up the basketball on the ground reluctantly. He didn't expect that it was Andrew Morris, who looked the least threatening, who finally ended the attack.

What about Anjie? The guy smiled triumphantly. He knew that Morris' strength had always been underestimated. Although his technical stuff is rough, Morris's physical fitness and athleticism, as well as his desire for basketball, are definitely at the top of the league.

20 million in 2 years, if it weren't for Anjie, Morris' salary would have doubled wherever he went!

"Well done buddy, it blew up, your mother blew up the whole audience!" An Jie clapped his hands vigorously with Morris. At this moment, he seemed to have returned to ten years ago. At that time, they were still called the Whirlwind Three Musketeers...

After being scored by Morris, Aldridge no longer dared to double-team Anjie unscrupulously. Although Morris can't shoot, he can still score in ways other than shooting.

In order to prevent Morris from rushing up, Aldridge had to keep a close distance from him. However, such a distance simply cannot allow Aldridge to take care of Anjie at the same time.

So, Pau Gasol's most feared moment came. An Jie played post-up singles at the basket twice in a row, both with ease.

He first used a hook to make Gasol feel remorseful, and then used a strong dunk after turning around to beat the Spanish tower very helplessly.

In the end, Aldridge decided to double-team Anjie! He didn't want to believe that Morris could succeed in every alley-oop.

After the Spurs did this, they obviously received some results. Lillard made a turnover to throw an alley-oop pass to Morris. And Morris also found that he couldn't find the space for a full sprint now. The first goal just now was scored, and there was indeed some luck in it.

The Spurs successfully defended the Trail Blazers for two rounds, while Aldridge and Leonard each used a mid-range shot to close the gap.

Just when the Spurs were about to control the rhythm of the game outside the fans of the ATT Center, the situation on the field changed again!

After another Kawhi Leonard hit, Lillard seemed to be gesticulating a little bit differently on the ball.

Anjie looked at Lillard, who directed the offense, and he immediately ran out of the three-second zone, instead of waiting inside to feed the ball as before.

Just when people thought that An Jie wanted to catch the ball from outside the three-point line, he suddenly covered his crotch with his hands and stood beside Leonard.

At this moment, Paul George suddenly activated! He used the pick-and-roll to get rid of Leonard and went out of the three-point line. Lillard started to pass the ball in time, and Leonard also quickly got rid of the entanglement with Anjie.

George shot the ball as soon as he caught it, and Leonard desperately blocked it. If Matthews was disturbed like this instead, maybe Anjie should consider fighting for offensive rebounds. But now, the shooter is called Paul George!

The basketball flew over everyone's heads in a very high arc. After that, it went straight through the net and hit a three-pointer!

"Beautiful fit, nice finishing touch! Lillard, Ainge and George are the perfect trio. Oh my god, if I didn't say it, I would definitely think they were already on the same team several years!"

George raised his arms high in the sign of three. An Jie applauded for George while retreating. The deadlock was easily broken by Paul George.

Aldridge picked up the basketball again, and he looked at the five guys waiting across from him.

Lillard, George, Iguodala, Morris and Anjie...

Such a lineup is indeed too strong. It's probably not enough just to see An Jie dead.

This Trail Blazers team is completely different from the past two years. Every point of their presence on the court is very threatening. It can be said that their current lineup is armed to the teeth!

Aldridge couldn't help but pursed his lips. If he wants to win, it may be more difficult than he imagined... 89