Eight hundred and sixteen: Third duel
In the summer of 2008, it was the first time Anjie met Westbrook. As soon as this very strong and resolute-eyed defender appeared, An Jie was deeply impressed.
Westbrook, who was studying at UCLA at the time, was already an NCAA superstar. His perverted physicality is something that few people in the college league can compete with.
However, An Jie's performance made everyone fall through the glasses. This guy not only defended UCLA's number one star Kevin Love, but also made Westbrook suffer.
In that era when college leagues were dominated by outside players, Anjie's appearance undoubtedly made many people's eyes shine. Although the Whirlwind team still lost that game in the end and was eliminated from the tournament. But the story of Anjie and Westbrook has only just begun.
After entering the league, the two became teammates by accident. Together with the already up-and-coming Kevin Durant, the Thunder formed the "Thunder Three" that shook the league. It's really hard to imagine that the top three guys in the scoring list today were playing for a team in the first place. However, what is even more unimaginable is that these three guys have never even played in the finals.
No one knows how many championships the Thunder can win if the original three young continue to work together. But the NBA has no ifs, and Anjie's injury made him the first player to leave the Thunder.
In his first season with the Trail Blazers, Anjie met his former club, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the Western Conference Finals.
This match is for Anjie what he did against Westbrook in the NCAA. It's the ultimate showdown of winning and going, and losing.
But An Jie didn't expect that the result of the game would be the same as back then. The Trail Blazers lost, and although they fought until the last minute, the Trail Blazers' not very strong lineup could not help Anjie go further.
It was the second time Anjie and Westbrook had met in an important match, and it was also the second time Anjie had lost at the hands of Westerbrook.
In the years that followed, the Thunder and Trail Blazers never met again in the playoffs. Anjie and Westbrook's careers have also changed dramatically.
Westbrook, who was the first to enter the finals, has never tasted a championship until now. The departure of Durant and others made Westbrook even more heartbroken.
And An Jie, who was eliminated by the Thunder that year, created a dynastic miracle. After that, Westbrook, who fought alone, and Anjie, who lost a lot of helpers, both spent two years of immersion. It wasn't until this season that the Thunder and the Trail Blazers, Anjie and Westbrook, returned to the limelight again.
Last summer, the Trail Blazers acquired two of Angel's best friends, Morris and Paul George. After the Thunder lost Durant, they finally welcomed Anthony to join.
Judging by the results of the regular season, both the Trail Blazers and the Thunder have made great progress. The addition of Anthony has undoubtedly greatly increased the strength of the Thunder after losing Durant. On the Trailblazers' side, Anjie is also ready for a second triple championship.
Just when both teams had passed the first round and were ready to move on, fate once again brought Anjie and Westbrook together.
"What are you looking at?" Catherine saw that An Jie had been sitting on the sofa in a daze with a photo frame in her hand since she got up, so she leaned in curiously.
"Oh, nothing, a little distracted, hehe. An Jie smiled, put down the photo frame, and began to go to the toilet to wash.
Catherine picked up the photo frame, and inside it was the makeup photo of Anjie's rookie season.
Having lost two major matches in a row to Westbrook, Anjie must have wanted to win this time.
Catherine knew that friendship between men was a very wonderful thing. Privately, the better he and Westbrook have a relationship, the harder and more eager the two guys will be to beat each other when it comes to the game.
She put the frame back in its place and wiped the dust off the frame. This alliance has become very different from what it was back then. If you meet Westbrook again this time, Anjie will definitely not fail!
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"This guy is crazy. During the break, Anthony looked at Westbrook, who was still running on the field, and couldn't help but smile.
Westbrook's form seems to have been mobilized to the top, and the mention of Anjie and the Trail Blazers makes this guy feel like crazy excited.
No, although now that the training is over, everyone is exhausted. But only Westbrook did not allow himself to stop for a moment.
"Hey, Russell, you can save some energy for tomorrow's game. Anthony yelled, joking with Westbrook.
"Don't worry, Cameron, I can't run out of strength!" Westbrook finished speaking, and in the midst of his frantic running, he suddenly stopped and jumped high. A beautiful pull-up jump shot and hit again!
Thunder coach Billy Donovan shook his head, and when the Thunder have Westbrook in this form, they rarely lose.
Now even he, the manager, is a little looking forward to tomorrow's game. This Thunder team definitely has the strength to wrestle with the Trail Blazers team who lost Lillard!
Anjie and Moda Center, get ready for the onslaught!
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"Are you here?" After An Jie changed his jersey, he took out his mobile phone and sent a text message.
"I'm in the locker room, man, your locker room has been renovated again? It's getting more and more luxurious. After a while, Angel received a reply from Westbrook.
"Well, of course, the Trail Blazers are also a dynasty team. ”
"Don't be complacent, man, that was once. ”
"Okay, don't play tricks, see you on the field!"
"See you on the field!"
An Jie put away his phone and stood up from his seat. He looked down at Nike's brand new jersey and jumped twice with excitement.
"Russell, that kid is here. Next to Anjie is Morris, who also has a good relationship with Westbrook.
"Yes, here, let's go, Morris, let's go out to meet him!" Anjie said, pushing open the locker room door. He and Morris became the first two Trail Blazers players to play warm-up.
When the two guys walked out of the tunnel, Westbrook just happened. The three of them glanced at each other, and the next second, they all laughed happily.
", big man, how do I feel like you're metamorphosed again!"
"It's little Sabonis next to you who is too thin. Morris said, opening his arms. The three of them hugged each other tightly, and at this moment, they were not opponents, but brothers!
"How's the game going, and where is your good helper?" Anjie looked around, but didn't find Anthony.
"The King of New York is still changing, don't worry, my good helpers and I, I'm going to kick you in the ass!" Westbrook said, reaching out his fists and striking Anjie and Morris in the chest.
"If you have the ability, you can try it and call your King of New York together!"
"I will, Ann! just wait for George to collect your body!"
"Well, I'm not going to be polite later. ”
"Me too!"
With that, the three turned to leave. Westbrook closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This is the third time he and An Jie have met in an important match, and the first two times, he won. Hopefully, God is still on His side today.
Fans began to pour into the stadium and the shouts were getting louder and louder. The players of both sides have all taken to the field and officially started to warm up. Rickard and Donovan were also on the bench ready for the final deployment.
Everything needed for a big war is ready. Now, just waiting for the referee's whistle to blow, AnJie and Westbrook will present a wonderful game for the fans.
has come to this point, no matter who it is, An Jie will not be soft.
Whether it's the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or the King of New York, in Portland, the Dark Knight, will ruin everything with his own hands!
"Come back!"
"Come here, let's make the final deployment!"
The coaches of both sides shouted in unison, and the players of both teams began to gather towards the bench.
Three referees on duty stand on the sidelines, one of whom is holding the match ball, ready to start the game.
Anjie and Westbrook both put away their smiles, from now on, the war has broken out in full swing!
No matter how good brothers they are, in the face of war, there is only cold-bloodedness and killing!