Looking at the history of the NBA, the regular season MVP is definitely the most important individual honor.

Of all the regular season MVP candidates, none of them came off the bench.

You're all MVP, and the coach asked you to come off the bench, so isn't he a big fool?

And, if a player has the quality of MVP but comes off the bench, then he will definitely win the Sixth Man of the Year as well.

So far, only Bill Wharton has won both awards in history.

Walton didn't win the same year, with MVP in '78 and Sixth Man of the Year in '86.

This season, Li Liang's best sixth man is a sure thing, and he currently ranks second on the scoring list, behind Curry.

In the MVP selection list, Li Liang is also ranked second, behind Curry.

If the Warriors have the best record of the season, there will be no suspense in the MVP race.

Just like the Clippers in 14 years, because of the second 70 wins in the history of the Clippers, Li Liang finally won his first MVP trophy.

If Li Liang wants to complete the unprecedented MVP+ sixth man this year, he must at least surpass the Warriors in the regular season.

If it can break the record, it will be even more incredible.

Mike Brown is also well-intentioned, in order to stimulate Li Liang, let him play well, play his best, and brush up on the data, he really used various methods.

In fact, Li Liang's attitude towards the game has always been serious and very attentive.

But Thunder's strength is indeed too strong, and many times Li Liang doesn't need to exert his strength at all, nor does he need any props or skills.

So it gives Brown the feeling of "this guy is lazy".

Now that Brown said this, Li Liang was really a little moved.

At this point, the game has already begun.

Howard and Adams jump ball in the center circle.

Howard may not be able to do anything else, but the level of the jump ball is still quite high.

The Rockets took the lead in gaining the offensive ball in the opening game.

Beverley controlled the ball over half court, and the Rockets continued to block and dismantle, pass the ball, block and dismantle again, and pass the ball again on the outside.

At the start of the season, the Rockets will also try to open up the game with Howard in the opening court.

By mid-to-late season, Rockets head coach McHale, who is probably one of the best low-post attackers in NBA history, couldn't stand Howard's monotonous and inefficient low-post offense.

As a result, Howard has completely incarnated as a cake eater and a defensive gate, and he can eat cake and be the core of the defense with peace of mind.

The main point of attack is still on Harden.

Compared to last season, Harden is fat again.

No, it should be said that Harden is stronger again.

This is his fourth season with the Rockets, and he has fully established himself as the team's leading core.

He is one of the league's most unstoppable scoring methods.

But what makes him the heart of the Rockets is more important because of his excellent passing awareness.

After receiving the ball and Motai Yunas completed the block, Motai went down, and Harden made a pass to the interior without looking at anyone.

Motaiyunas made a layup against Collison, but was interfered with by Adams, who came to help defend him, and missed.

In the rebounding scramble, the ball happened to fly outside the left three-point line, and Beverley happened to be standing there again.

After receiving the ball, a large open position for three points.

There is no one within a radius of three meters.

The defense against Beverley was supposed to be Westbrook, who was crouching in the three-second zone and ready to grab a rebound......

The rebound was not grabbed, the ball collapsed too far, and Beverley shot directly with three points and hit!

Li Liang saw Westbrook's defense, and he really didn't know what to say.

You're a point guard, so aggressive in grabbing rebounds!

Although Beverley is not a player who needs to be defensive, then you can't be so empty!

Donovan's expression on the side was the same as Li Liang's.

But Westbrook can't be blamed for the ball, who knew it would fly that far under scramble?

If you don't follow the routine, if you grab the rebound, isn't it a counterattack and fast attack.

The defensive thinking on the Rockets' side is also very clear, pinching.

Resolute wrapping of Durant as soon as he started.

Durant is also a passer, and after encountering a trap, he found Collison at 45 degrees on the right side.

With no one in front of him, Collison hit a mid-range jumper.

The Rockets use a two-tower lineup, and to be honest, this lineup is really a bit of the opposite when the league is big, four, small, or even five small.

In some games, the Rockets can really do wonders by relying on the twin towers, but in other games, the defense will be under tremendous pressure.

Just after that goal, Motai was completely unguarded, giving Collison a chance to open a big space.

Then, Harden held the ball in the low post and hit Roberson with his back, turned around and went to the bottom line!

Suddenly!

Didn't get in!

Came out again and returned the ball to Ariza on the flank.

Ariza's hapless ball-handling level was even worse, and after two dribbles, he found that there was no chance, so he could only give Howard in the low post.

The Thunder's defensive lineup, which highlights a hand length, is very pressive against the ball-carrier's defense.

After Howard receives the ball, a classic Ewing style moves sideways with the ball and catches a small left-handed hook.

There was no hit under the interference of Adams.

This time, Westbrook was able to control the rebound in his own hands.

Take the lead, quickly counterattack with the ball, face the defense of two rocket players, and share the ball alone!

The person passed, the ball passed, and then the ball was too big and flew directly out of the bottom line......

Blunder......

Li Liang shook his head again on the bench.

Of course, Westbrook can't be blamed entirely for this ball, because Howard dug in the back without grabbing the rebound, interfering with Westbrook's dribbling rhythm and causing him to go big, can this be out of bounds.

At the beginning, the two sides fought a little chaotically.

Then, Ariza missed a three-pointer from the outside, the Thunder counterattacked, and in the end, for some reason, the ball was given to Collison again.

Collison turned around with a hook hand, which also missed.

Immediately, on the Rockets' side, Ariza received the ball in the corner, and after feintting, he broke through the bottom line with the ball and made a layup!

Collided with Adams, almost didn't get killed, and missed the layup.

The Thunder had an easy chance to counter, and Westbrook hit a pull-up jumper.

Li Liang sat on the bench and really couldn't stand it.

What's going on?

Pulled to the same level by the rocket?

Durant has touched the ball once so far and then handed out an assist.

Why not give Durant more balls?

The Rockets clearly contain Durant, and using Durant's defensive attraction can better tear apart the Rockets' defense and create opportunities for others.

If you talk about the previous Thunder, Durant didn't play at the beginning in order to retain physical strength.

The current Thunder has no pressure in this regard at all, and there is still an MVP sitting on the bench, what kind of strength do you have.

I just can't get the ball.

And the Rockets have realized that they can't give the ball to Ariza anymore, and don't think about scoring goals if they give Ariza again.

The ball was still in Harden's hands.

Harden took advantage of Motai's blocking, forced the basket on the left side, and after being helped defended, he made a beautiful pass to Howard who was inserted on the other side.

Howard catches the ball and dunks with both hands!

This is the most common and classic way for the Rockets to score.

The Thunder are also starting to get the hang of it, giving the ball to Durant.

The Rockets didn't hesitate to double Durant in a double wrap.

Durant can only give Collison to Collison, who then passes to Roberson under the basket.

Robertson moves smartly, but after receiving the ball, he has no room to attack under the basket.

Then he passed the ball to Westbrook in the bottom left corner - and after a circle, the ball was still in his hands.

Three-point shot in the bottom left corner!

It's a good opportunity, but the problem is that it's not Westbrook's.

He made a small number of three-point shots from the bottom corner, mostly focusing on the front and two 45-degree shots.

This shot was a bit hasty, and it still didn't hit.

Harden held the ball and counterattacked slowly, seeing that there was no chance, he braked sharply, dribbled back to the three-point line, and then made a three-point stop!

"Bang"!

Still missed!

Li Liang stabbed Donovan beside him and said, "Coach, let me go, I'm afraid the audience will leave." ”

Donovan said: "Right away, I'll let you play as soon as there's a dead ball." ”