Chapter 691: Goodbye, old man
When the Trail Blazers, who lost a home field, traveled to San Antonio, no one expected them to return to Portland with a 3-1 scoreline. What these guys did in San Antonio was almost a miracle.
Although in the overall score, the Trail Blazers have a large lead. But in fact, every game is not easy for Anjie and them.
Ricard is very happy now, not only because they are about to reach the Finals for the second year in a row, but also because through this high-level competition, the Trail Blazers will definitely play better in the Finals!
If the Trail Blazers can win the championship this year, they really have to thank the Spurs. For two years in a row, it was the Spurs who helped the Trail Blazers complete their final experience. In this last game, I don't know what kind of state the Spurs will be in to deal with it.
Will they give up absent-mindedly? Or the unrelenting resistance to the end. Either way, the Trail Blazers will play the way they always do.
Western Conference Finals, today, let the Trail Blazers end it all at the Moda Center!
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Popovich brought the Spurs to Moda Center early this morning, and no matter what the outcome, Popovich had to give it a go. What if, just in case, the Spurs did complete a 3-1 comeback? The San Antonio Spurs are a legendary team that has the ability to do the impossible.
So today, the Spurs didn't break the jar as people think. It's about starting early and wanting to play at the best level in the evening.
Duncan kept practicing back-to-back singles under the trainer with the mat, and seeing that Duncan, who was already 38 years old, was still working so hard, the rest of the Spurs did not dare to be lazy.
Isn't Duncan tired? He will certainly get tired more easily than a young man! But for the sake of this team, and for the sake of setting an example for his teammates, Duncan had to do it.
Later, when the shooting drills were carried out, Duncan's training vest was already soaked. No player has sweated more than him.
Popovich didn't stop Duncan from doing this, but there was one person who couldn't stand it anymore.
Just as Duncan was about to shoot the ball again, he found himself barely able to jump again.
"Go get some rest, Tim." Suddenly, there was a sound on the basketball court.
Players, you look at me, I look at you, all looking for the owner of this voice.
"You're too tired, take a break, we still have to play in the evening?" Leonard walked out of the crowd and stood in front of Duncan.
Everyone was surprised that on weekdays, Leonard was simply a copy of Duncan. He didn't talk much, and even his expression of "facial paralysis" was the same as Duncan's. But today, this taciturn guy actually took the initiative to stand up and persuade Duncan to rest. It's just too far to hit the west and come out!
"I'll take everyone to shoot together, don't worry, we won't be lazy." Leonard patted Duncan on the shoulder, and the corners of Popovich's mouth curled up when he saw this scene, and smiled quietly.
Although this season, there is a good chance that the Spurs are about to lose. But at least for now, Bopopovich sees a future for the Spurs!
Meanwhile, at the home team's training ground, Ricard doesn't have as much to worry about. Because the present and future of the Trail Blazers are training in front of themselves.
Anjie is also a leader who likes to use actions to motivate his teammates, but unlike Duncan and Leonard, Anjie also likes to communicate with his teammates with words.
The Trail Blazers' training ground was always full of shouting, and Anjie would always joke about his teammates from time to time to relax the atmosphere of training.
In this way, the quality of the players' training has improved and they don't feel too tired.
Looking at the fake championship pennant hanging on the training ground, Ricard thought that maybe this time next year, there will be two pennants hanging on it.
Training time always flies quickly, and after An Jie easily received a massage treatment, tonight's game is about to officially start.
Tickets for the Moda Center are once again sold out, and all Portland fans want to see their team make it to the Finals.
When the players entered, they were completely overwhelmed by a sea of red. Every Trail Blazers fan wore an official red T-shirt, and the spectacle was spectacular.
But the players on the court have no hesitation, no matter how exaggerated the scene outside is, their hearts can only be placed on the 436-square-meter basketball court in the center of the arena.
Wu Hua prepared his camera, and he couldn't wait to see An Jie take the team to a higher level.
"Come on! Angier! Wu Hua secretly cheered up his friends in his heart, and Wu Hua would help him keep every wonderful picture of An Jie on the field. Now, it's just a matter of victory to decorate these amazing photos!
From the beginning of the game, Leonard played very aggressively. This guy may really realize that he can't continue to play under the umbrella of GDP. Now he has to stand up on his own, instead of waiting for the aging GDP to solve the problem.
As it turned out, Leonard's sudden attack caught the Trail Blazers off guard. Iguodala found it difficult to limit the young forward's scoring pace.
Leonard's perfect physical condition and high basketball IQ made him shine in front of small forwards who were selected to the defensive first team this year.
However, Riccard soon adjusted his defensive strategy, and Anjie began to worry more about Leonard.
While Leonard was messing up the Trail Blazers' defense, Duncan, the old guy, suddenly stepped up.
In the first few games, Duncan, who was defended by An Jie, scored several points in a row while An Jie was focusing on Leonard.
The Spurs, the old and new core, joined forces to make this game unexpectedly intense.
If it weren't for the Trail Blazers' offense still maintaining a high level, it is possible that the Spurs would have led the half now.
56-58, the Trail Blazers, who had the advantage of the home court, could only enter the second half of the game with a slight two-point advantage.
"You've all seen it! The Spurs didn't come here to disarm and surrender! They are still fighting, then we will fight with them to the end! Leonard's kid is smart, but he still lacks some experience. In the second half, we could set a lot of defensive traps for him. Ricard said, starting to take a marker pen and write on the whiteboard. Every player at the bottom is very serious, and they want to end the fight sooner than the fans!
In the second half, the two sides changed sides and fought again. As soon as Leonard came up, he found that his offense seemed to be running into some trouble.
As soon as you break through, you will immediately fall into the encirclement of the Trail Blazers players. After being stopped, Leonard didn't have much of a good pass opportunity or space to attack the frame. I have to admit that the Trail Blazers' defensive system is really mature, and the tacit understanding between the players is also very good.
Leonard tried several times, but failed to score. The third time, when Leonard's pass was finally stolen by Lillard, Popovich knew that Leonard's point could not be used, at least for the time being.
"Phew, I'll score for him!" Just when Popovich was at a loss, Duncan, who was resting on the bench, took the initiative to fight.
In the first half of the game, Duncan, who had already played a hand, is now quite confident in himself. Seeing that the score was being pulled away again, Popovich waved his hand and asked Duncan to go to the technical table to prepare!
Angel's block will be Tony. Parker even fanned the ball to the ground, Burrese. Dio wanted to step forward and help his fellow Frenchman, Parker, but when he saw Angel's murderous eyes, Dio immediately gave up on the plan.
An Jie did not reason with the referee, but raised his left hand to indicate that it was indeed his own foul. An Jie had to do this ball, and he didn't feel anything to be ashamed of.
Taking advantage of this deadball, Duncan once again put on the line. Everyone knows that Duncan came on the court to help Leonard continue to score.
As it turned out, it did feel good to get into Duncan. He can repeatedly hook or shoot under Anjie's tight defense.
Anjie's defense is no worse than the previous games, and it can only be said that Duncan is dreaming of returning to five years ago today.
On the offensive end, Duncan can rely on his touch to score. But on the defensive end, Duncan still has nothing to do with Anjie.
In terms of strength, in fact, An Jie doesn't take much advantage of Duncan. The key is that An Jie not only pushes with his back, but also has a wealth of offensive means that an old man like Duncan can't defend against it.
The dazzling footsteps of all kinds won the screams from the stands and the commentary area.
When David. Robinson was beaten by Olajuwon, and his feelings may be the same as Duncan's now.
Just when the Spurs were sinking into the abyss, and when the Trail Blazers were about to take full control of the game, Manu. Ginobili, the "demon knife" who gets older and less stable, suddenly broke out.
Ginobili first hit consecutive shots outside the three-point line, and when Matthews wanted to block his three-point shot, Ginobili used a breakthrough full of feints to beat Matthews without temper.
Today, the Spurs have had enough surprises for the Trail Blazers. But surprises can only last for a while. Only a long-term and stable performance can make the last laugh. And today, the most consistent person is undoubtedly An Jie.
From the time he came on the pitch until now, there has been little fluctuation in this guy's performance. An Jie can score the goals that should be scored, and An Jie will not let go of any of the balls that should be defended.
This guy is like a clockwork machine, always executing everything accurately.
The score has been very scorching, but while Ginobili, Duncan, Parker and Leonard are all collectively dumb, Anjie is still continuing his scoring momentum.
Perhaps, that's why the Trail Blazers were able to advance. They have a leader who can dominate the team at any time!
In the final 34 seconds of the game, Leonard broke through for a layup. Iguodala was already on the verge of being dragged down by Leonard by this time, and he simply couldn't keep up with the young striker.
However, just as Leonard was about to score that crucial goal. A pair of big hands fanned from behind and pressed the basketball on the rebound!
An Jie's long arms and big hands helped him at the moment, although Leonard's arm span was also very exaggerated, but An Jie still won first.
After the block, An Jie hit the ground and passed. The basketball bounced through the crowd and into Lillard's hands.
Parker, who had been following Lillard, didn't expect Anjie to deliver the ball accurately, and he could only watch Lillard continue to accelerate, throw himself away, and then fly to split the dunk.
"Oh my God, a ground-hitting pass that runs through the pitch! Do you know? Seeing this pass reminded me of a lot of names. Jason. Kidd, Steve. Nash, Rajan. Rondo, Jason. Williams....... But absolutely, there will never be a single big name that will pop up in my head. Ann, now that has changed all that. In the future, when we discuss the best passer in NBA history, we will definitely not miss Anjie! "Kenny. Smith was frightened by the pass, and after that goal was scored, the margin was stretched to six points. At this point, the Spurs' hopes are completely shattered.
After Leonard's desperate three-point shot, the red light on the rebound flashed, and the entire Moda Center felt like an earthquake.
Fans are jumping and jumping, and their team has once again reached the finals that can touch the O'Brien Cup!
"It's crazy, if only it were us who wouldn't have won." Parker looked around, and the image reminded him of the former ATT Center.
What about Duncan? Duncan wasn't with the Spurs players. Because as soon as the game ended, An Jie went to Duncan to hug and talk.
"I admire you Tim, you're really great. After this series, I finally understand why the fans love you so much! "Anjie's respect for Duncan cannot be diluted even by victory.
"I respect you equally, Ann. You've shown me what the greatest players on the planet are like. Hey, don't be proud, there's a strong enemy waiting for you. Duncan patted An Jie's shoulder, even if he lost, Duncan's emotions didn't seem to have many waves. Perhaps, this is the style of a general.
"Come on, Tim, I hope this is a memory for both of us forever!" An Jie said, taking off his jersey. It was clear that he wanted to swap Duncan.
Duncan didn't hesitate, and quickly took off the black jersey and put it in An Jie's hand. "You've won us again, boy. But next time, our new leader may not let that happen! ”
As he spoke, Duncan pointed to Leonard, who was glazed by the elimination.
"That kid may be a very strong opponent, but it's going to take a few years! Don't bother Tim, the championship of the past few years, I've got it all! ”
Duncan's heart suddenly shocked, An Jie, this kid, never seems to say big things......
A great opponent makes for a great series. What kind of performance will the Trail Blazers, who have been honed through the Spurs, perform in the Finals?
Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers, whoever makes it to the finals will be out of luck! Because the defending champions are even stronger than last year!