Chapter 7: The Opening Battle

The reason why the Miami Heat appeared in the second place in the East is because they played well in the preseason. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 info

In 8 preseason games, they won 8 games, the momentum is strong, Ruhr Deng averaged 20 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game in 8 games, which is a successful replacement for LeBron James to a certain extent, but the most surprising thing for the Heat is that Ruhr Deng and Chris Bosh are not as incompatible as LeBron James, in the case of Ruhr Deng averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game, Chris Bosh also averaged 24 points and 7 rebounds per game.

With the strength of the Big Three all fully exerted, it is not surprising that Zach Lowe is more optimistic about the Heat.

The 76ers who tested tactics in the preseason had poor statistics, and the reason why Zach Lowe ranked the 76ers third was naturally due to the fact that the 76ers had a plot to practice tactics, otherwise the ranking would have been lower.

Zach Lowe has always been known for his authority, but this prediction ranking is a big surprise, so many people can't understand the direction of the 76ers' new season, after all, whether it is from the introduction of reinforcements, or from the perspective of tactical changes, the 76ers in the new season seem to have not changed much, even if there are changes, they are some changes with unknown effects, and it is not yet known what the 76ers' record will be in the new season.

After all eight games in the preseason, the regular season schedule for the new season has been released.

Coincidentally, the 76ers' opponent in the first game of the season is the opponent of last season's finals, Anxi's old club Spurs, but in the first game of the season, the 76ers are away from home, and they have to finish playing the Spurs, and then return to their home court to face the New York Knicks, in order to receive their own championship ring.

Although Anxi already has two championship rings, this does not prevent him from looking forward to the third championship ring, and in order to celebrate this hard-won championship, Josh Harris specially invited someone to design it, except for a different championship ring.

Before the first game of the regular season, the 76ers' 15-man roster was released.

Ismael Smith eventually stayed, relying on his on-field activity and defence.

And in the end, it was naturally Ronny Turiav and Glenn Robinson III who were out.

The final 76-man roster of fifteen is as follows:

Point guards: McCarvey, Louis Williams, Shaun Livingston, Ismael Smith;

Shooting guards: Ann Creek, James Anderson, Troy Daniels;

Small forwards: Jack Crowder, Evan Turner, Francisco Garcia;

Power forwards: Pau Gasol, Channing Fry;

Centres: Noren Snoll, Cole Aldridge, Joel Embiid.

Sam Singki decided not to use the injury exception for Joel Embiid for the time being, and the 15-man squad was filled.

And Brett Brown is also in full swing to make a rotation plan for the team for the new season.

The 76ers' recruitment for the new season almost all revolves around the team's bench, and the new additions of Louis Williams, Evan Turner and Channing Fry have strengthened the team's bench depth.

Therefore, the thing that worries Brett Brown is that the main rotation of the 76ers last season has not been lost, and there are three more players who can enter the main rotation in the new season.

For the time being, Brett Brown is ready to use the best way to change, whoever plays well will be on, and subtly, he will complete a streamlining of the rotation lineup.

So, before the first game of the new season began, Brett Brown announced it in the locker room.

"It's a game where every one of you has a chance to play, and the first few games at the beginning of the season will be your chance to prove yourself, and I'll decide on an eight-man rotation or a nine-man rotation after a few games. ”

Bret Brown made it clear that the first few games of the season were an opportunity for the rotation players to prove themselves.

So, everyone is holding their breath and ready to prove themselves in the next competition.

ATT Arena, where the 76ers' opener game against the Spurs begins.

There are two more opening games that start on the same day, namely the Magic vs. Pelicans and the Rockets vs. Lakers, so in comparison, the 76ers vs. Spurs game is the highlight of the day.

And before the game, at the home of the Spurs, after Anxi played, there was still a noise at the scene, cheers and boos, obviously, Spurs and Spurs fans have mixed feelings for Anxi, on the one hand, they look back on Anxi's glory in the Spurs, on the other hand, they can't forget the pain of last season's failure.

Some people still remembered Anxi's exploits, so they cheered Anxi, and others only remembered that Anxi beat them last season, so they booed.

When he came to his hometown, Anxi naturally had an exchange with his old friends.

Last season, Anxi defeated the Spurs by himself, and the two teams can be regarded as having some bonds, but the relationship between Anxi and the old players of the Spurs is still very good.

After a few chats, the game began.

In the new season, the 76ers' starting lineup also has a newcomer, but compared with last season, the 76ers lineup has not changed much, only changing a center.

The point guard is still McCarvey, scoring guard Anxi, small forward Jack Crowder, power forward Pau Gasol and center Noren Snoll, the only change is Nolan Snoll, the 76ers attach great importance to Noll, and Noll's lower limit must at least be a qualified starter-level center.

As for the Spurs, their starting lineup is also fixed, with point guard Tony Parker, scoring guard Danny Green, small forward Kawhi Leonard, power forward Boris Dior and center Tim Duncan.

The original starting center Thiago Split missed this game due to injury, so the Spurs let Dio appear in the starting lineup, so for the 76ers, the biggest challenge they have to face in this game is the Spurs' offense.

Sure enough, at the beginning of the game, the Spurs won the jump ball, and after Tony Parker held the ball, a surprise pass was passed to Boris Dio, who cut into the inside, but with this pass, the 76ers' defense was completely torn apart.

Boris Dio burst into the box, drew the defenders and split the ball.

Duncan, who turned to the middle distance, received the ball, shot in the middle, and hit it with a bang!

The Spurs scored, and the 76ers' defense also caused some fans to complain: The 76ers' defense is papery?

The 76ers' defense is really too poor, the Spurs make a pass in three or two, which is an opportunity, but fortunately, the next step is the 76ers' offense, and the 76ers can play this ball back on the offensive end.

Amid the cheers of the fans on the sidelines, McCarvey held the ball through the half court and then handed the basketball to Anxi.

Anxi opened the singles, this is his first singles this season, everything is familiar, the defender he faces is still Kowhi Leonard, the two have played each other several times in the finals, and now, a summer has passed, Kowhi Leonard continues to improve, and Anxi, who has reached the peak, has not improved so much.

So, in the first single game in the opening, Anxi was unexpectedly defended by Kewai Leonard, Anxi broke through, and then turned his back, directly slid backwards, and turned his back to shoot, but at the moment when Anxi turned his back, Kowai Leonard came out quickly, snapped, and directly slapped the basketball down.

There was an exclamation in the ATT arena at first, and when the Spurs fans saw what was happening on the field, the cheers suddenly rang out.

"Kawhi Leonard defended Anxi's offense! Beautiful cut! Offense and defense switched!"

Sean Elliott, the on-site commentator, was thrilled that it was a successful defense.

Immediately afterward, the game continued.

After Kawhi Leonard cut the ball, Spurs grabbed the ball and the counterattack began immediately.

After a wave of fast-break counterattacks, the Spurs scored two more points to open the game 4-0.

The 76ers' offense, the ball is still given to Anxi.

Kawhi Leonard's defense began to make Anxi feel the pressure, and Anxi clearly felt that Kawhi Leonard had improved compared to last season's finals, and Kowhi Leonard seemed to be more pressuring Anxi on the defensive end.

However, Anxi did not back down, and the 76ers' tactical play in this game was determined at the beginning, focusing on blocking and dismantling tactics, and Brett Brown also asked Anxi to pass the ball more.

Therefore, this ball An Xi sought to block and dismantle the cover, and with the help of Pau Gasol's cover, one accelerated and rushed in.

Kawhi Leonard is stalking Anxi, he showed his progress in a summer, Anxi's blocking and dismantling people, but he couldn't completely pass Kowhi Leonard all at once.

After Anxi rushed into the inside line in three or two steps, he found the pressure given to him by Kowai Leonard behind him, Anxi gave up the idea of making a strong shot, and the inside line jumped up, dodging the interference of Kowai Leonard, and passed the basketball out.

Gave the ball to Pau Gasol in the high post, and Gasol's mid-range jumper also didn't score.

The audience cheered again.

Although Kowai Leonard did not defend against Anxi's attack head-on, Anxi passed, which in the eyes of many people, Anxi felt the pressure that Kowai Leonard gave him and avoided his edge.

So, a crowd cheered excitedly.

Kawhi Leonard's successful defense is not over, two consecutive waves of offense are unfavorable, and Anxi also has the idea of hitting a strong wave.

So, in the face of Kawhi Leonard's defense, Anxi forced his back to advance, and then turned his back, shook off Kowhi Leonard and rushed into the interior, and then connected with a pull-up jump shot.

But in the next second, with a bang, Kowhi Leonard arrived from behind An Xi and directly smashed the basketball with a big hat.

With a bang, the ATT arena resounded with enthusiastic cheers.

Kowai Leonard also waved his arm excitedly, and once again successfully defended! Compared with last season's finals when Anxi was completely blown up, he can be said to have won the first three matchups in this game.

Sean Elliott is also very happy, he sees the progress of Kawhi Leonard, three successful defenses, Kowhi Leonard's restraint on Anxi, which is very much needed by this Spurs now.

And Turner Sports' commentator Magic Johnson shouted a title at this time: "Anxi Terminator!"

"Three successful defenses, Kawhi Leonard may be the first Anxi finisher!"

For every NBA superstar who has dominated a stage, there will be a group of terminators, such as Kobe Bryant's terminators, Sean Battier, Raga Bell and Aaron Afflalo, and then James Terminators, former Anxi and JJ Barria.

Now, after three consecutive successful defenses, Kawhi Leonard is on track to become Anxi's first career finisher.

However, at this time, on the court, the Spurs opened the 76ers with a 6:0, and Anxi's subsequent strong play was also taken by Kawhi Leonard, at this moment, Anxi became serious, of course he felt Kowhi Leonard's progress, but Anxi also knew that even if Kowhi Leonard continued to improve, he could break through Kawhi Leonard's defense, because Anxi is now a kaleidoscope on the offensive end......

The 76ers had seven seconds left on offense, and they served from the sideline.

Anxi still insisted on the ball, and the 76ers did not hesitate and continued to hand the ball to Anxi.

In 7 seconds, Anxi held the ball outside the three-point line, and when the time was exhausted in the last 3 seconds, Anxi pulled out suddenly and shot directly!

This goal, Kowhi Leonard naturally couldn't cover Anxi, but he tried his best to interfere, and it still had some impact on Anxi.

It's just that Anxi's current three-point score is 99 points, and his strength is strong, and it is not something that ordinary interference can interfere with at all.

So, a moment later, with a brush, a crisp sound of wiping the net sounded, and the ball went in!

Anxi hit a three-point shot, he shot too strong this ball, and after being defended by Kawhi Leonard in a row, Anxi chose to shoot strongly and went in!

The audience was silent, and only the 76ers were left on the bench boiling.

The ball went in 3:6, and the 76ers trailed by 3 points.

Then there was the Spurs' offense.

Tony Parker gave the basketball to Kowhi Leonard, at this time Leonard faced Jack Crowder's defense, took the ball with his back, slowly advanced two steps, and suddenly turned around with his back, and after a feint shook for a while, he slowly jumped up and threw the basketball out.

It's a card-frame version of a turnaround jumper after a back-to-back single, and although the movement doesn't look smooth, it still goes in.

Only a thud was heard, and the basketball passed through the net.

Ball in!8:3.

Popovich on the sidelines clapped his hands, and Kawhi Leonard's first autonomous attack of the game was very satisfying.

In fact, since the explosion of Anxi finals last season, Popovich has also begun to reflect on himself, whether he has suppressed the stars in the team too much, if Anxi was given more opportunities to perform, or when Anxi wants to leave, give some promises on the ball, maybe Anxi can stay with the Spurs.

Unfortunately, there are no ifs.

So, Popovich felt that he should cherish the present, and Kawhi Leonard is now.

No matter how good Anxi is now, no matter how Kowhi Leonard is completely blown up by Anxi, Popovich always believes that Kowhi Leonard will become a superstar at the historical level, and now, Popovich has decided to give Kowhi Leonard more opportunities to play his personal ability, which is also one of the biggest changes for Popovich this season.

Judging by the start of this match, Popovich made the right decision......