The Way of the Center

When Oladipo shook Courtney Lee and used a step-back jumper to score two points. The first quarter of the battle between the Trail Blazers and the Thunder also officially ended.

An Jie stood up and high-fived his teammates one by one after the rest. Rickard scowled, looking unhappy. The score on the big screen at the scene has now become 25 to 20, with the visiting team at the front and the home team at the back.

The Trail Blazers, who are known to play the first quarter of the game, are rarely behind at home. In the past, the Blazers took the lead in the first quarter, and then the coaches of other teams looked for ways to reverse the situation. But today, the situation is completely reversed. The leader became the visiting team, and the person who needed to find a way to reverse the situation during the intermission became Ricard.

Shabazz Napier was sinking his head right now, knowing he'd screwed up everything. If it weren't for his incompetence as the master, the team's defense would not be in a mess. When Westbrook broke through himself easily, everyone on the Trail Blazers had to react.

And these chain reactions often allow Westbrook to find a gap.

"Okay, Shabazz, don't blame yourself. It's not anyone's fault that the team fell behind. We are all responsible." Just when Napier was thinking wildly, Anjie patted the little defender on the shoulder.

From the first game of the first round of the series, Anjie always comforted Napier tirelessly. It's not easy for Napier to live in Lillard's shadow. He and Lillard are not at the same level of players, but fans often like to compare him with Lillard.

No way, who made this guy the only point guard on the Trail Blazers outside of Lillard? At the beginning of the season, Ricard thought that George would be reimbursed for the season, Morris would be reimbursed for the season, and even Anjie. Ricard had made plans after he was reimbursed for the season.

Only Lillard, Ricard never thought of. Under such circumstances, Napier had no choice but to bite the bullet and go forward.

In the past, the Trail Blazers always had an experienced No. 1 veteran to lead the team's second team. But now, the Trail Blazers have only one relatively immature young point guard.

The pressure on him was already huge enough, and An Jie didn't want this guy to be crushed before he played. Therefore, always encouraging him and helping him solve difficulties is An Jie's solution to this.

But An Jie himself knew that only encouragement was not enough. Now the Trail Blazers must come up with a substantive plan to break through the Thunder's tight defense before it is possible to move back to the situation.

Napier will definitely not be able to continue to serve as the starting point of the offense. Either Iguodala will control the ball, or Anjie will play the No. 1 position again.

Thinking about it, An Jie couldn't help but looked up at Ricard. Coincidentally, Ricard also looked at him. It seems that this guy already has an answer in his heart.

"Ann, George, come to the center." Ricard beckoned, and called An Jie and Paul George, the two strongest scorers, to him.

"In the second quarter, I want you to have more interaction on the court like Anthony and Westbrook. Ann, you continue to pass the ball later. But today, your task is not to revitalize the team. I only want you Revitalize George, can it be done?" Ricard knew that when facing the Thunder's high-intensity defense, the star is the only choice to break the situation.

If you continue to let others waste opportunities, the Thunder will only play more and more smoothly. Instead of that, it's better to let George and An Jie go for a shock. Maybe, the two of them can really make a hole?

"Only revitalize George?" An Jie frowned. He originally thought that Ricard would ask him to mobilize the entire team.

"That's right, I only need George and you to score. Others, try to find a gap for me, and if the ball hits you, you must also catch it!" Ricard glanced at the others again, what he meant It is clear that although George and Anjie will be the main attack points, this does not mean that others can stand and watch. When George or Anjie is double-teamed, others will get a chance!

The red light on the backboard suddenly turned on, and the electronic buzzer in the arena also rang harshly. The rest time between festivals is over, and the battle between the two sides is about to continue.

"Okay, guys, we all heard what the boss said! Pull up, the battle has just begun! 1, 2, 3, pioneers!" An Jie stood in the middle, mobilizing everyone's morale After that, he turned and walked into the field.

Use the star to break the opponent's iron-walled defense? This style of play is very uncommon in the Trail Blazers.

The game restarted, and the Thunder took the lead in attacking. At this moment, Anthony is resting on the bench, and the Thunder's lineup on the court has become the same as last year.

Oladipo's breakthrough layup was easily blocked by Morris. Without Anthony's restraint, Morris could concentrate on defending the penalty area. His current opponent, Jerami Grant, is a striker with outstanding physical fitness. This guy is good defensively and can run and jump, but his shooting is terrible.

Morris ignored him at all, and directly blocked the visiting Oladipo from the door.

After the successful defense this time, Anjie and George immediately ran to the frontcourt. The time to test the effectiveness of tactics has arrived!

An Jie suddenly stopped outside the three-point line, and Donovan immediately directed Adams to press against An Jie. Even if it is beyond the three-point line, it is best for someone to keep an eye on An Jie at all times.

Adams did a great job, even though An Jie doesn't seem to be a threat now, Adams has always stuck close to An Jie. After An Jie was seen dead, he kept running, trying to find a space. But Adams' unwavering defense prevented Anjie from even getting out of position.

Seeing Napier staring at him in bewilderment, An Jie blinked slightly at the little guard.

Napier suddenly realized, he looked in the direction of Anjie and started to pass the ball!

"Idiot!" Adams cursed inwardly. It seemed that the defender was so nervous that he even lost the ability to think. If I stick to An Jie so hard, his ball will definitely not be passed!

Adams is ready to steal the ball, and everyone's eyes are on Angie and Adams. However, the basketball flew in the completely opposite direction.

"Don't look at the pass! Napier's real target is Paul George! Boy, Napier's eyes made him fool the entire Thunder team!" Jeff Van Gundy yelled in surprise, he really didn't know, this How did the guy who was so nervous that he couldn't move his legs in the first quarter manage to control the ball calmly.

Only Napier knew that he had to thank An Jie for all of this! If it weren't for Anjie's trust and encouragement, Napier might even tremble when he dribbles the ball past the three-point line, let alone not watching people pass the ball.

After George received the basketball, he suddenly accelerated and passed the Thunder's backup forward Andre Robertson in one step.

Adams has been sent to the outside by Angela, and Jerami Grant is firmly stuck behind Morris. In other words, what George is facing now is an empty basket!

Westbrook tried his best to chase back, ready to make up for all this with a big chase. But George, who jumped high, didn't give Westbrook any chance.

Following An Jie's footsteps, the superstar who parachuted into the City of Tear apart, tore apart the Thunder's impregnable defense with a tomahawk-style snap!

"Beautiful dunk!"

"Wow, I can't believe what I just saw!"

"Perfect offense, this is the true strength of the Trail Blazers!"

For a moment, all the commentators in the commentary area shouted in surprise. George nodded his head rhythmically, enjoying the endless applause in the Moda Center.

Ricard waved his fist, it seems that his strategy is completely fine!

After changing the Thunder's offense, Westbrook, who was eager to score, did not continue to pass the ball this time, but took the ball directly and rushed to the basket. In normal times, even if Westbrook doesn't score, he can still make a foul.

But Anjie, this guy has blocked Westbrook since college. He is too aware of Westbrook's habits. He saw Anjie slapping the basketball in Westbrook's hand cleanly. After Oladipo picked up the basketball, he was stabbed by the aggressive Napier before he could hold it firmly. Walk!

"God, I don't know what Ann said to Napier during the break. All I know is that this kid is going to cause a lot of trouble for the Thunder right now!"

Before Napier had time to get up to speed after the steal, the Thunder's defense was quickly in place. Ricard had to admire the speed of the Thunder's return to defense. Almost instantly, they completed the transition from offense to defense.

But no matter how quickly the Thunder returned to defense, Rickard was no longer afraid. Now, the Trail Blazers are fully capable of prying open gaps in positional battles!

Napier's continuous crotch dribbles in front of Westbrook made everyone's mouths grow. It's not that Napier's movements are so difficult, but people didn't expect that this guy who was just so nervous would dare to dribble at Westbrook. Action in front of you.

When the No. 1 position is no longer restricted, George and Anjie can calmly move and wait for the pass.

Anjie took Morris' off-the-ball pick-and-roll and walked beyond the three-point line. Napier easily passed the ball and delivered the ball safely.

Adams, who had just squeezed out of Morris, immediately raised his upper arm and stuck it up, but Anjie passed the ball again.

George received a pass from Angie in front of the basket, and before Robertson could recover, George threw the ball into the air.

Just now, An Jie took advantage of the opportunity of Adams' forward center of gravity too forward and suddenly cut to the basket. George's toss, which was neither too high nor too low, was just enough for An Jie, who was cutting inside, to catch the basketball.

An Jie grabbed the basketball firmly in the air, and he saw the expressions of everyone on the Thunder team caught off guard. This kind of moment is really enjoyable!

An Jie's arm exerted strength, and he slammed the ball into the basket, and then, bang!

"Smooth cooperation! My God, after a season, I have never found that the connection between George and Ann can be so tacit!" Mike Brin clasped his head in his hands in surprise. During the entire offensive process, the Trail Blazers did not Any stoppage. The basketball was in motion, and the Blazers' moves were never chaotic.

In the next round, An Jie, who entered the penalty area, assisted George to make a shot from outside the three-point line. Not long after the start of the second quarter, the Thunder's five-point advantage disappeared instantly. But the Trail Blazers, who had a weak offense in the first quarter, completed the overtake!

Billy Donovan wouldn't wait until the team trailed by six or seven points before reacting. He immediately called a timeout, hoping to change his strategy and destroy the strong momentum of the Trail Blazers.

When they left the field, Anjie and George put each other's shoulders on each other's shoulders and smiled. People will always miss the unrivaled offensive performance of the trio of Lillard, Aldridge and Ainger. But now, Anjie and George have told everyone with practical actions that the Trail Blazers have already entered a new era!

Ricard happily patted the shoulders of his two leading scorers. He knew that these two guys could do far more than that...