The Whip of the God of Basketball

More than an hour before the game started, Toyota Center began to become lively, with more and more spectators. Leon could see that there were many Chinese fans at the scene. Indeed, as Yao Ming gains a foothold in the NBA, the Rockets' status in China and the hearts of Chinese people is getting higher and higher, and they have almost become the home team of the vast majority of Chinese fans.

When he came to Houston to play last year, although the public opinion was also very heated, there were still many voices questioning Yao Ming at that time. It is different now. He has completely won the respect of the United States with his performance. At the press conference before the start of the game, Yao Ming was also asked about comparisons with Wang Zhizhi. He said, "Wang Zhizhi will always be ahead of him."

Leon knew that this was Yao Ming's humor, and that Wang Zhizhi was indeed ahead of Yao Ming in every aspect; but Leon also knew that this kind of humor would hurt Wang Zhizhi, because he knew that the subtext of Yao Ming's humor was "In addition to age, He's a little older than me, the team is a little better than mine, and there's nothing he can do to compare to me."

Yao Ming may not have meant this, but he couldn't help but think so. Leon understood people's psychology well, and he knew that this was a good opportunity for Wang Zhizhi to break out.

In terms of strength, there is no need for the Celtics to be afraid of the Rockets. The only thing Leon needs to worry about is that the Rockets often play the role of giant killers this season. They do not have an overwhelming advantage against weak teams. The team often performs beyond its standard; secondly, the Celtics are close to 20 consecutive victories in this game, and the mentality of both sides will have a great impact on the outcome of the game.

Leon said he doesn't value 20 consecutive wins. In fact, no one who can win doesn't want to win. Even if he knows that failure will come one day, he still has to keep fighting for victory.

Leon doesn't care about records, but he won't let go of victory.

Therefore, in this kind of away game where the giant killer is encountered and mentality plays a key role, the surprise team is very important. In previous games against the Rockets, Wang Zhizhi had played the role of a surprise player, and now Leon has placed his trust in him as always.

………………

The game officially started at 7:30 in the evening. The brand-new Toyota Center has a Chinese flavor everywhere. Not only is the color red, the most festive color in China, but even their home logo is designed by absorbing the essence of Chinese calligraphy. .

The Celtics' starting lineup was as usual, while the Rockets sent out a small lineup of Yao Ming, Jim Jackson, Mobley, Francis and Scott Padgett. This was also because the team's main insider Cato was absent due to injury. game, so Rockets coach Van Gundy simply sent out a small lineup.

Leon was a little surprised by Van Gundy's formation. This coach, who is known for his defense and has brought huge changes to the Rockets this season, actually played with him like a senior and a junior. Although Padgett is nominally a senior Forward, in fact, he is an out-and-out small forward in terms of playing style. He likes to shoot three-pointers and is also very weak on the defensive end.

Leon knew Van Gundy was taking a gamble. Since Cato couldn't play, it wouldn't make any difference defensively when facing Kevin Garnett whether he played Taylor or Padgett. It would be better to go to someone with a wider attack range. Padgett creates more trouble for Garnett on the offensive end.

"It's a whimsical choice. If it were me, I would definitely play Taylor. Trying to avoid his edge before the game even starts. Even if it works wonders, it won't work every time." Leon thought to himself after seeing Van Gundy's arrangement. As a coach with many tricks, Leon is now paying more and more attention to head-on confrontations with hard power. He believes that tricks may have a temporary effect, but in a seven-game series, the accumulated experience in head-on collisions will Momentum and growth are the foundation for becoming stronger and defeating your opponents.

Van Gundy is a good coach, an out-and-out workaholic, and he is extremely meticulous in preparing for games. He is exactly the same as Leon in this regard, but as a coach who became a monk halfway, there is still something missing in him.

The game officially begins as the referee throws the ball in the center circle. Yao Ming took the lead in dialing the basketball, and the Rockets started their first offense.

Yao Ming is 7 feet 6 tall and is so huge on the court that PJ Brown and Kevin Garnett have become thinner and smaller in front of him. The Rockets' first offense also started from Yao Ming.

Compared with last season, Yao Ming's body shape has changed significantly. His legs are thicker, his arms are stronger, and his body is thicker. He looks more burly and majestic when wearing the new jersey. When he sat down on P.J. Brown in the low post, Brown was buried behind him, the Rockets pulled away, and Francis passed the ball to Yao Ming.

The Celtics had no double-teaming or interference and allowed Yao Ming to play alone. Of course, the result was that Yao Ming turned over and shot a jumper after receiving the ball. Brown couldn't even touch Yao Ming's hand and watched Yao Ming hit the jumper.

This is the meaning of a super offensive insider, to make everything simple and make the opponent's defense meaningless.

Yao Ming scored the first goal for the Rockets and set the tone for the first quarter. The Rockets focused on attacking inside, but the Celtics insisted on not double-teaming, and they responded with their offensive performance.

The Celtics' strong point is undoubtedly Garnett. Padgett has no way to match up with Kevin. After Yao Ming made a two-pointer, Garnett immediately responded with a mid-range shot, also ignoring Padgett. defense.

The two sides relied on their respective strengths inside to hurt each other, but obviously the Celtics were better, because PJ Brown is PJ Brown after all, and his defensive level is not comparable to Padgett's. After scoring, the veteran was obviously a little angry. He began to add more moves in defense, and began to use his way around to destroy Yao Ming's catch. In this way, he stopped Yao Ming's two attacks. The score between the two sides became 9:12, with the Celtics leading by 3 point.

The Rockets began to shift their offensive focus to the outside, allowing Francis and Mobley to start the main attack.

Before the game, in addition to the Chinese derby between Wang Zhizhi and Yao Ming, another eye-catching topic was the backcourt confrontation between the two sides. Arenas Garrida faced Francis Gamobli, and they all attacked and attacked each other. Defense, a quick ball handler and a shooter who can defend, Francis and Mobley appear to be more wild, while Arenas and Reid have been proven in the finals.

With Yao Ming restricted, Francis attacked one man and forced his way into the paint from the center, causing Garnett to foul, and his folding layup almost hit. After making two free throws, Arenas was not to be outdone. He also forced a breakthrough in the middle. He was not afraid of Yao Ming and forced a layup.

Yao Ming is still not experienced enough on the defensive end. When Arenas changes speed, he loses his footing. As a result, Arenas takes advantage of the time difference and makes a small throw.

The two sides fought fiercely back and forth, and the Rockets did not lose at all. Sometimes they even played very impressive shots. At the end of the first quarter, the score between the two sides was 29:27, with the Celtics leading the Rockets. Two points, it can be said to be evenly divided.

In the second quarter, the Celtics still maintained their suppression of the Rockets, but Yao Ming and Francis were both in good condition. You and I will fight after you finish the fight, and they actually helped the Rockets to their death. Hold on to the score. The Celtics' attack was always relatively scattered and did not form a continuous wave of offensive attacks. On the defensive end, Leon did not use a super strong ultimate defense. It felt like he was leading the Rockets to follow.

This situation is obviously not favorable to the Celtics, because this is Houston. Once the Rockets gain momentum, the situation on both sides cannot be detected in the first half, and it may be difficult to tell in the second half.

However, Leon sat firmly on Diaoyutai. Wang Zhizhi had not played a single minute of playing time in the first half. Wang Zhizhi himself was anxious, the Chinese fans on the sidelines were anxious, Yao Ming was a little anxious, and the host of a Chinese TV station thousands of miles away Even more anxious.

"Oh, this... should go to Wang Zhizhi, he has experience with Yao Ming."

But Leon is still not in a hurry. He knows that the third quarter is the moment to change the situation. Judging from his understanding of the Houston Rockets.