The Way of the Center

"Cameron, can you explain why your shooting percentage suddenly became so low in the second half of the game!?"

"Russell, what do you think of Carmelo Anthony's ups and downs!?"

"Coach Billy Donovan, how do you solve the ball distribution problem between Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony!?"

At the press conference after the game, the Thunder, who played away and lost the game, were unexpectedly enthusiastically praised by the reporters.

Of course, the reporters came to interview the Thunder not because of how good their performance was, but because they just lost an important game with a huge difference of 18 points. And Anthony, who has a major relationship with the loss of this game, is still one of the core of the Thunder.

You know, this showdown was already hyped up by the media before it even started. The heat of this series between the Thunder and the Trail Blazers even far overwhelmed the Spurs and Warriors on the other side.

Losing in a high-profile situation, the Thunder was besieged by reporters and it became a certainty.

"There is no problem between Cameron and Russell. Their shot distribution is very even. After all, we have played like this for a season. Losing today, we can only say that our defense is not good enough. And who shoots This kind of thing doesn't matter much." Donovan was actually a little dissatisfied with Anthony's performance in the second half, and the All-Star small forward wasted too many opportunities in the second half of the game. Take even half of those opportunities and the Thunder won't be in trouble.

But dissatisfaction is dissatisfaction, and it is certainly impossible for Donovan to express his dissatisfaction at this juncture. And he also believes that Anthony will not play abnormally in every game. Similarly, Anjie and George on the Trail Blazers' side can't play so well in every game.

"Coach Rickard, what do you think of Ann's five blocked shots in this game!?" Just like the Thunder, the media reception room of the Blazers was also full of people. But unlike the Thunder, the questions the reporters asked Ricard were the ones that made the guy grin from ear to ear.

"What do you think? When you see Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony and others can only use crazy shots from the outside to fill the gap, you know how I think about it. Blocked our penalty area and brought the Thunder's offense to a standstill for a while. Five blocks? If it weren't for a few bad guys who were called fouls, Ann's block count would be more than five!" Speaking of An Jie's defense, Ricard was very proud.

The combination of Anjie and Morris is indeed very strong, so strong that even a team with fierce offensive firepower like the Thunder is helpless.

"coach,

How much do you think Damien's absence has affected the team? Another reporter with gold-rimmed glasses stood up and raised his hand to ask a question. Ricard obviously gave this guy a very different look.

Although this question is commonplace, it is actually digging a hole for Ricard! If Ricard said something towards Lillard, the next day, the media would definitely change the news headline to "The coach is dissatisfied with Napier's performance, saying he has let him down!"

Ricard smiled lightly and aimed at the microphone. "Losing Damien is a loss for the whole series, because he was injured by a flagrant foul. This series has lost too many wonderful moments. But fortunately, we still have Napier. His excellent performance has ensured The victory of the game also made the fans proud to continue to see the high-level game. Alright sir, next question!"

Rickard's answer was flawless, the young reporter was still too immature. He had to be more cunning to get the old fox out of his mouth.

After the press conference, apart from the reporters in the player tunnel, there were only a few players who participated in the press conference.

Coincidentally, on the way back to the locker room, Anjie ran into Westbrook and Anthony who also just finished the press conference.

Anthony glanced at An Jie, then left on his own. Westbrook, on the other hand, couldn't pretend he didn't see it like Anthony did.

"Hey, congratulations guys, you guys played well." Westbrook forced a smile and bumped fists with Anjie.

"Okay, Russell, you don't need to congratulate me. I know, you must be bored now. Who will be happy if you lose the game?" Anjie didn't say thank you with a smile, but encouraged Westbrook to release his heart real thoughts.

"Huh, buddy, you still know me. Yes, I'm in a terrible mood now bro. 18 points difference, are you fucking serious? How can there be such a ruthless person like you!?"

"Hahaha, that's right, this is my brother! Hey, we agreed before the game, don't be soft! Look, I did what I said." An Jie smiled proudly.

"Wait, Ann, you won't keep winning like this. Take a good rest, our business is not over yet." Westbrook said, walking past Anjie. An Jie looked back at the back of the man wearing the No. 0 jersey. As an opponent, this guy was difficult to deal with. Don't think that an 18-point victory won't stop Westbrook. As long as he is not eliminated, Westbrook will never know what it means to give up.

Maybe this victory will make the following games easier, but maybe this game will make every game after that more difficult? The playoffs are a cruel game where you will never know the result until you win the fourth game.

※※※

On the night after the loss, when the whole team returned to the hotel to rest, only Westbrook and Anthony were still leaning blankly in front of the technical platform of the Moda Center.

"Do you know why I chose to leave the Nuggets and go to the East? Russell." Looking at the seats around him, Anthony suddenly asked Westbrook this question.

"Why? Because New York is a big city?"

"No, because in the playoffs in 2010, we, who were ambitious, lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder!" Anthony suddenly raised his head. Back then, Russell was still his opponent.

"I remember! The Thunder and the Nuggets fought six games before finally deciding the winner. That series was indeed difficult, but you also caused us a lot of trouble." Westbrook also recalled that day Unfortunately, after passing the Nuggets that year, the Thunder were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers, the champions of the year, in the second round.

At that time, Kobe was still the ruler of the league in full swing. But now, it is already the second year after Kobe retired.

"To be honest, Russell, the one who impressed me the most in the playoffs that year was not you, nor Kevin, but Ann! Although Ann was only the Thunder's third scoring point at the time, he was more Just do some supporting and defensive work. But when I lost the game, I told myself, leave the West now, Cameron. With this big man, it is very difficult to rush out of the West. So the second season In the mid-term, I insisted on going to the New York Knicks to work with another big man with awe-inspiring talent and an irreconcilable relationship with Ahn. It turned out that my decision was correct. Ahn dominated the entire West and even the entire league. We, It can only be covered by his light." Anthony looked up at the ceiling of Moda Center, full of thoughts.

"Then why are you back?" Russell asked jokingly.

"Because I was thinking, why can't we be the ones who rule the league? So, I came to Oklahoma!"

Obviously, Anthony's answer touched Westbrook. It is impossible for a competitive guy like Westbrook to be indifferent to such words.

"In the second half of today's game, I did not perform well enough. In the next game, I promise not to be so impatient." Anthony knew that from the coach to his teammates, they were all taking care of themselves, so he didn't say anything. In fact, he himself knew very well that his poor performance in the second half of the game was the main reason for the team's defeat.

"I'm so happy to work with you, Cameron." Westbrook climbed onto the technical stage, and sooner or later, he's going to be here and be a winner!

"Want to see the scenery above?" Westbrook stretched out a hand to Anthony!

"The day after tomorrow, we have to do a big job here!" Anthony said, holding Westbrook's hand and boarding the technical stage.

The winner's vision, nice...

As An Jie thought, his former teammates would not give up so easily. The hardest part of this series is coming soon...