Chapter 706 [Opening Battle]
When the Knicks wanted to practice in the heavy rain, another news came that due to the impact of the hurricane, the Knicks vs Nets originally scheduled for October 31 would be postponed.
This was confirmed by NBA Vice President Silver. "The mayor informed us this afternoon that, based on the latest investigation into the impact of the hurricane, he feels that delaying the Knicks-Nets game would be better for fans and the safety of the team. New York needs to avoid excessive traffic stress, because the police have more important things to do. ”
On the 30th, a statement was issued saying that the game would be held as scheduled, but the traffic and police problems were obviously much more serious than the organizers expected.
For the first time in history, the championship opener was cancelled. The game was postponed, and the Knicks' first game was changed to a home game against the Heat on the 2nd, so the players were given more time to rest.
The Heat's reinforcement efforts in the summer were not very successful, and the attempt to poach Ray Allen was turned down. Referring to the tragic situation of the Heat in the past two seasons, Ray Allen really doesn't want to risk joining the late season. In the end, the Heat went for the next best thing, bringing in Rashad Lewis, who was cut.
The Heat didn't find any big names on the inside. There is no doubt that they lack a strong interior player, and Bosh is clearly not up to the task, playing center and being ineffective defensively. They brought in Anderson, "Birdman". Despite being 33 years old, Birdman can still run non-stop, buckle and block. He played in only 32 regular-season games last season due to injury, and he is an injury concern.
As for the guard line, the Heat are a bit miserable, just getting a rookie Norry Cole, and Byron Davis, who has been in serious decline.
In the first game against the Knicks, all the players of the Heat attached great importance to it, and they were eliminated for two consecutive years, which was too much hatred. Coach Spoelstra gave the order to give it his all and play as a playoff game.
Heat fans are extremely dissatisfied with Spoelstra, believing that he can't bring out the full energy of the Big Three, and if he can't improve his record this year, it's time for him to change his coach. In fact, last year the management wanted to change people, but there was no better candidate.
On the 1st, the streets of New York were basically cleaned up, and although a lot of money was lost, it would not affect the economy for the United States. This is still lighter than the disaster in New Orleans back then, at least everyone is fine. The luxurious community where Zhou Xuan is located has completely returned to normal.
Zhou Xuan flew to Miami with the team for a simple training, and the coaching staff already had a detailed plan for the first game.
On the 2nd, the fans came to the stadium with great enthusiasm to watch the revenge battle. The Heat players have been more prepared these days.
At the beginning of the new season, a ring ceremony will be held as usual. It's a tradition in the NBA every year, not the opening game, but it creates another embarrassment. Heat players will watch their opponents take their rings at home.
David Stern presented Dolan with the ring, and then the owner handed it out to the players one by one, and the players took turns saying their impressions. When he arrived at Zhou Xuan, what he said was very simple: "I hope that this time next year, we will hold this ceremony again, not here." ”
Stern said to Zhou Xuan: "I also wish you can play well this year, win more personal honors, and the future of the league belongs to you." ”
If Zhou Xuan wins the MVP again this season, it will be the regular season MVP for three consecutive years, and you can talk about the historical status. No one said that Zhou Xuan was Jordan's successor, but he was unique and brought great attention to the NBA.
As for the Heat, Stern has run out of patience with them, and James' performance has disappointed him completely. The Lakers were also disappointing, forming a super lineup, but the result was a 7-game losing streak in the preseason, which was a big surprise. The Nets have just put together the Big 4 and need time to run in, and at this time, people are still most optimistic about the Knicks.
In the latest edition of the power rankings, the Knicks beat other teams and ranked first in the league.
Watching the Knicks players get the rings, James, Wade, Bosh and others were so angry that they vowed to win at home today.
China's CCTV5 broadcast the game live, Su Qun said: "Zhou Xuan is still expressionless, and the Heat players are also developing in this direction." Although it was the first game, it was crucial for both teams, as they were important opponents in the playoffs and both wanted to get off to a good start. ”
Yang Jian said with a smile: "Judging from the time he has been in the league, Zhou Xuan is like James's nemesis. James is now declining in popularity, he left the Cavaliers, refused to allow the Knicks to join the Heat, and every step was terrible. If he stays with the Cavaliers, maybe Yao Ming will also renew his contract, even if he can't win the Knicks and can't win the championship, at least he can earn a good reputation. Now he is struggling in the east as a 'defector'. ”
Su Qun said: "The rumors about James' transfer did not stop in the summer, and he eventually stayed. Now the Heat team wants to beat the Knicks and the Nets, I think it will be very difficult. Not only role players, but the form of Bosh and Wade has also declined dramatically. Bosh, in particular, is anxious about his rebounding ability. ”
Heat manager Pat Riley was the most depressed, and he formed the Heat Big Three and was named the best manager. He wanted to create a dynasty, and the plan was very good, as long as he played results, he would definitely have strength, and he didn't want high-paid players to vote, and role players were not a problem. Now it's those people who are joining the Knicks.
Scola and Bleche gave the Heat one, and their strength can increase a lot, and they can start directly, but now they can only look dry.
Players from both sides stood in the middle of the field. Knicks starters: Zhou Xuan, Matthews, Leonard, Scola, Chandler.
Scola started and was experienced, playful and adept at attacking with low footwork. This ensures a low-post offensive point, and can also be shot high after blocking and dismantling.
In the second quarter, Anderson and Bleche came off the bench, also combining inside and outside, and the attack was stronger. D'Antoni's arrangement is very targeted.
Heat five: Chalmers, Wade, James, Dunleavy, Bosh.
Chandler jumped to beat Bosh and the Knicks took the lead.
Zhou Xuan cooperated with Scola in the front court, James changed defenses, Zhou Xuan took the ball on the right side and retreated to the frame, and took a step inside the three-point line on the right side to face James.
Do you want to single me out? I'm not going to let you score easily. James thought to himself. However, he thought wrongly, Zhou Xuan dribbled under his crotch and took a step towards the bottom line, and the ball was dropped to a low position.
Chandler pulled out to give Matthews off-ball screen, and the perimeter was misaligned. Bosh didn't dare to let go of Matthews, and he stood relatively far away, forming a single Dunleavy under the basket by Scola Shieldy.
Scola leaned back, first half-turned to the middle, then retracted his right foot and turned to the baseline to hook the ball in. The two were of similar height, and Scola turned for the first time, and his long hair almost fell to Dunleavy's face, which played a distracting role. Although Dunleavy has height, he can't play power forward. 2 to 0.
In the defense, Scola and Zhou Xuan clapped their hands, although this goal is not an assist, it has Zhou Xuan's credit. If James isn't under the basket, then the Heat's interior defense will be flawed.
The Heat attacked, James controlled the ball at the top of the arc, Leonard defended, there was a gap in size between the two, and Leonard put a step far to defend and break through. James shifted to the right and he immediately followed, and James leaned back and turned to the left to follow.
In the playoffs last season, Leonard showed excellent defensive ability, he did a good job of defending breaks, even better than his predecessor Battier, and he also got the true pass of Battier, and knew the true meaning of sealing the eyes defense. James's actual position is a power forward, and if he blocks with Bosh again, the effect is not obvious, so he passes the ball to Wade.
Matthews and Wade are also old rivals, and they follow very closely, when they first entered the league, Wade played Matthews and scored casually, and now the gap between the two is narrowing, Wade's breakthrough is not as sharp as before, Matthews rarely attacks with the ball, but the three-point shot is extremely accurate, and he is the first choice for the Knicks No. 2 position, and he is stronger than Wade.
Wade and Bosh played blocking and dismantling, passing to Bosh in the middle, Matthews switched defenses and was close, and Bosh also had no good chances. The Heat players passed the ball several times, James singled out Leonard, the jumper was missed, and the rebound was obtained by Chandler.
Knicks positional battles. Zhou Xuan distributed the ball to Leonard, and then ran to the bottom right corner without the ball in the middle. James followed, and Leonard gave the mid lane to Scola.
Scola didn't attack strongly, standing tall with his back to protect the ball, and after Zhou Xuan covered the bottom line and Chandler without the ball, he passed the ball to the left low post, and Bosh hurriedly defended it.
Zhou Xuan hoisted the ball to the left low post. Chandler takes the ball under the basket and shoots on the board. James claims to defend five positions, but not all of them can be defended, so he can defend against 216CM Chandler with a height of 205CM, and he can't block unless he jumps early on the side. Chandler scored on the board, 4-0. Zhou Xuan's first assist.
The Heat attacked, and Leonard died Kajames broke through. Battier watched from the sidelines, thinking to himself that it was almost time for him to rest when the season was over.
He knows that it will be difficult to get a Knicks extension when his contract expires, and Leonard is already better defensively than him. Looking at the offense, Parsons can shoot and shoot much better than him. However, he is already very satisfied with winning a championship with the Knicks.
James couldn't break through on his own and gave the ball to Wade again.
Wade and Bosh blocked, Scola switched defenses, and Vedra got up with the ball and jumped to accelerate past Scola . Chandler quickly retracted the basket to make up the defense. Wade ran to split the ball, and Dunleavy received the ball in the left corner of the outside line, and scored with an open jumper. 4 to 3.
The Knicks were again on the Hawks offense, Zhou Xuan passed to Scola and Chandler on the side covered Leonard, who cut to the right low post. Zhou Xuan circled back on the left side of the baseline and received a pass.
Bosh followed Leonard to the bottom right corner, James defended Chandler, and there were several misplaced opportunities on the court. Zhou Xuan didn't pass the ball again, singles Dunleavy dribbled the ball under his crotch twice in a row and took a step towards the bottom line, attracting the opponent to move sideways, and then handing the crotch dribble to his right hand, taking the ball and moving it quickly laterally, and scoring a 60-degree jumper on the left side, 6-3.
Zhou Xuan scored his first goal of the new season, and after the lineup change in the summer, their offense was still as good.