The Way of the Center

In the era when Anjie just entered the league, if any team put up a small lineup on the court, the fans would definitely think that this team is crazy!

Throughout the decades of history of the nba, there has never been a shortage of athletic madmen, and old Nelson has long experimented with running and bombing with a small lineup. Before the Warriors, however, no team could succeed with a small lineup.

Back in 2008, what would happen if a team played a small lineup at that time?

The opponent's inside line will back up until you make adjustments, and the star's outside line will rush in as soon as they get the ball. Even if they don't score, there will still be big men fighting for offensive rebounds.

In that era, to defend the offense of a small lineup, it was generally to defend the penalty area and prevent breakthroughs. shoot? Just shoot from the outside, because in those days, you couldn't win by shooting alone.

However, thanks to the degradation of post players in recent years. Now even if a team plays a small lineup, big players can't blow up the opponent's inside. If you play back-to-back alone, double-teaming with a small lineup is basically a mistake.

On the defensive end, with a small team, you basically have to chase the defense, and you dare not let anyone go. Let him vote, he can really vote to kill you. Especially for a player like Curry, if you don't let him shoot, he may kill you.

Big players can't protect the frame in time, and small lineups can use sharper breakthroughs to cause damage in addition to shooting. In this era, the three-point offense is the same as the inside offense back then, and it is a routine offensive method. The soaring three-point shooting percentage of each team is also one of the main reasons why small lineups are now popular all over the world.

The Cavaliers stole a victory at the Moda Center precisely by relying on their extremely high three-point shooting percentage. As for the defensive end, since the Trail Blazers do not have a strong outside offensive point, relying on Anjie to attack the inside alone cannot solve the problem of the entire team's offense.

After all, no matter how great a player is, basketball is still a game of five.

After the game, the fans were not only discussing the outcome, but also discussing the development trajectory of the sport of basketball.

Today, the Trail Blazers are the only team to create a dynasty by relying on traditional style of play. But this year, the Cavaliers' small star-studded roster seems to be putting the Blazers, the last hope of an old-school team, in jeopardy.

This finals pushed the sport of basketball to a stage of historical change. Whether a traditional team with a super inside line can beat a small lineup team with a super outside line has become the reason why many fans continue to pay attention to the finals.

The day after the game,

An Jie didn't wake up until eleven o'clock. The continuous high-intensity combat and the hard closed training before the finals made Anjie's body exhausted.

An Jie looked at the time, although he didn't have any games to play in the next three days, but now, he only had a few hours to spend with his family.

In the afternoon, Anjie will fly to Cleveland with the team. This road trip lasted nearly a week. No one wants to be separated from their family, especially now that An Jie and Catherine have only been married for a few years, and An Xiang is still young.

An Jie quickly got out of bed, grasping every minute and every second with his family.

"Baby!" An Jie walked out of the room and shouted loudly.

"Father finally woke up!" An Xiang ran up to An Jie excitedly, holding a small basketball for children in his hand.

"What's wrong? Can't wait to start today's special training!?" An Jie squatted down and touched his son's head.

"He has been yelling all morning, I told him not to disturb your rest." Catherine walked over with a smile, looking at the father and son who are extremely obsessed with basketball.

"Hey, I have to work hard on you during my away game." An Jie said, hugging Catherine tightly.

"I really can't bear to let you go. Once I go, it will take several days. And... And I will always worry that you will be injured if you continue to play high-intensity games." Catherine also hugged An Jie tightly. People say that marriage is the grave of love, but Anjie and Catherine never feel tired of each other. These two people still cling to each other like they did in college, reluctant to part.

"This season is coming to an end soon, baby. I'm not going anywhere during this offseason. I'll just spend time with you and my son, okay?" An Jie whispered in Catherine's ear.

"Hey, let's go, let's go play basketball with Xiao Ke." Catherine smiled and changed into the jersey for her son.

※※※

The sun is soft at noon, and the temperature is suitable. The sun in early June is not too harsh. This kind of temperature and weather can always make people very comfortable.

In the courtyard of a mansion, the greatest player in Portland, An Jie, is sweating on the basketball court in this courtyard. His opponent was not LeBron James or Stephen Curry, but a three-year-old Asian boy.

Catherine leaned against the door, looking at the two men fighting bulls on the basketball court, with a happy smile on her face. Watching these two boys play basketball is probably one of Catherine's favorite things right now.

A few years ago, Anjie's small villa was still very deserted. Most of the time, only Anjie lives here alone. Moreover, An Jie, who often needs to go out to play away games, is not at home every day.

But now, this villa is full of life. The empty living room was filled with all kinds of furniture, and the unused rooms were arranged into a peaceful and warm little world. And Catherine, a virtuous wife, even kept the whole house clean.

The blond girl couldn't help touching the engagement ring on her hand. Marrying this man was probably the most correct decision she had ever made in her life. Even if Catherine gave up her modeling career, which was on the rise, she didn't regret it at all.

A happy home is more important than anything else.

In the yard, An Xiang controlled the basketball in a dignified manner. I have to admit that this guy's talent in playing basketball is really amazing. An Jie only taught him many movements once or twice, and he could learn them quickly.

This scene reminded An Jie of his own father. Although his father failed to realize his dream of becoming a professional player due to injuries. But he is undoubtedly the pioneer on his basketball road. The solid basic skills that An Jie possessed before joining the NCAA were all thanks to his father.

Back then, An Shiran, who brought his son to and from the stadium since he was a child, perhaps never dreamed that his son would become one of the greatest stars in the world.

Now, An Jie looks at his son, who knows what this kid will become in the future?

For professional players, this kind of warm family time is always short-lived. The ringtone of An Jie's cell phone brought all this warm atmosphere to an abrupt end.

The smile on An Jie's face suddenly disappeared, and he looked at Catherine, who just nodded at him.

"Hello? Boss? Well, I'm leaving for the airport right away." No need to ask, it was the Trail Blazers who were ready to leave.

Everyone else rushed to the airport together after gathering with the team. It was already a great privilege for An Jie to be able to travel freely.

"Dad, are you going to the old den of the Cavaliers?" An Xiang put down the basketball and ran to his father.

"That's called home, son. You practice what I just taught you at home, and when you come back next time, you'll have to beat me."

"Well! Dad will beat the knight, and then I will beat Dad!" An Xiang nodded vigorously, knowing that his father is the best. Therefore, he has to become stronger than his father!

"I'm leaving, baby. Don't worry, I won't let myself get hurt." After that, Anjie turned and walked towards Catherine. For so many years, every parting made An Jie full of reluctance.

"Go, my hero. Win all the games, and then, come back and win the O'Brien Cup!" After Catherine finished speaking, she kissed Anjie. An Xiang stuck out her tongue and covered her eyes with her two small hands.

An Jie knew that when he walked out of the house, what he was about to face was that brutal war.

But before the battle begins, let An Jie savor the leisure time in the afternoon. Even heroes need to relax, don't they?

As the sun goes down, the plane takes off. An Jie bid farewell to his family and rushed to Cleveland, which was in danger. I hope Anjie, who has been relaxed, can burst out with greater strength in the away game. This man is carrying the expectations of countless people...