646: Legendary player, nothing more
The Indiana Pacers of the 90's were owned by Reggie. Miller's. This lanky guy inherited all the traits of the Pacers, tough, gritty, desperate to survive, and he is undoubtedly one of the greatest stars in Pacers history. This lanky defender from Los Angeles has captured the hearts of fans all over Indianapolis.
Maybe it's a coincidence, maybe it's predestined. When Henson brought another tall, lanky boy from Los Angeles to Indianapolis, people inevitably brought him and Reggie to the city. Miller makes comparisons.
Although these days, the Pacers are not a certain era of players. But just when it comes to the current Pacers, Paul. George's name will definitely be able to occupy a place!
It's just that this season, George's style has suddenly changed a little. After four games in the regular season, George actually scored 20 points in only one game. There is no doubt that such data is very inconsistent with people's positioning and expectations for him.
But today, Paul. George broke all doubts with his abilities. He's proven to be still the Pacers' fearsome scorer and an integral part of this championship team.
Still, an undeniable superstar!
On the pitch, George is still in control. Popovich had no clue about George's superbly individual scoring ability today. He was able to block Antetokounmpo's passing lanes, he was able to block Antetokounmpo's box attacks, but he couldn't contain George.
Because compared to Antetokounmpo, George's offensive style is more diverse. Antetokounmpo's offense is something you can't stop even if you know what he's going to do.
And George's offensive range can continue from beyond the three-point line to the basket. Whether he wants to burst, throw or pass, there is no rule to follow at all.
This time, watching George come with the ball, DeRozan was tense. He didn't expect that the hardest game he played after coming to the West would be against an Eastern team!
George had just arrived outside the three-point line when the Spurs' bag arrived. Forbes and DeRozan wrapped the Pacers No. 13, and Popovich deliberately put Oladipo. Although Oladipo has improved his three-point shooting percentage this season, he is not a projection guard after all.
Basketball courts are sometimes like that, betting on probability.
For George, the bag clip is completely commonplace. If the Spurs don't wrap him up today, it will make him feel disrespected.
George calmly handed the ball to Rondo, who came out to pick it up, and then went inside the moment the pass was completed. Meanwhile, Lopez and Antetokounmpo opened up space for George.
Oladipo received the basketball and threw it into the air at will, and before people could react, George suddenly pulled up from the middle and caught the basketball in the air.
During the gliding process, George's body was fully stretched, and countless photographers left images of him gliding through the air, which Henson believed would be a beautiful sight.
The body is falling, the arms are hard, and the buckles are smashed wildly! Paul. George ended the attack with a very difficult ultra-long-distance glide catch.
Break with the ball, catch and shoot, pull up the rod to make a layup...... In previous fights, George showed mostly his technical stuff. And this time, George used an air catch to show off his athleticism.
In the stands, the fans went crazy, and so did the commentators. Because after this dunk is completed, George has already scored his 40th point in this game!
Reggie. Miller remembers the first quarter when he predicted that George should score 30 points. But now, George has exceeded his goals.
"40 points, 40 points personally! George continues to set a new record for his personal high this season! I don't know when this number will stop increasing. But I'm sure George was very unhappy with the doubts that were being given to him! Don't you hate him for scoring less? Today, George is giving you a full display of individual scoring ability! ”
Reggie. Miller applauded George, and it wasn't the first time George had scored 40 points at the Bankers' Living Arena, but it was the most enjoyable Miller had ever seen.
Because today, George showed one of his most mature selves. He is stronger than ever!
About two or three years ago, Henson believed that George, who was already playing at superstar level, still had room for improvement. Now, George's performance proves Henson's conjecture.
"Pause, pause!" Amid the cheers of the Pacers fans, Popovich had to call a halt to the game. How not to interrupt the game, the Pacers can swallow the Spurs whole with the momentum just now.
By this time, the game had reached the eighth minute of the fourth quarter, and there were less than five minutes left before the end of the game. And George's 40th point has widened the gap between the two sides to 17 points!
This point difference is very embarrassing, and the Spurs want to chase it, but it is not easy. I want to give up, but I am unwilling.
Popovich had no choice but to continue to increase his defense against George. But in this way, the "Greek monster" he feared the most before the game was completely liberated.
But Popovich can't help it, he has to make a choice. Even this choice will still cost Popovich his life.
The old man shook his head, and secretly cursed Henson a bastard a hundred times in his heart.
The scene of two bottles of poison is Henson's favorite. And today, Henson placed two bottles of poison in front of Popovich. George is still Antetokounmpo, at the mercy of Popovich.
Sure enough, after the restart, Antetokounmpo was resurrected. His continuous impact and breakthrough points made the game lose its suspense.
And in the process, George also received a pass from Antetokounmpo and hit a three-point shot. Eventually, the No. 13 walked off the court with 43 points, five rebounds and five assists, and when he left the court, more than 28,000 fans chanted his name from all over the banker's life arena.
Legends, that's it.
"19-of-26 shooting, 5-of-8 three-pointers! Paul. George scored 43 points efficiently and completely killed the Spurs. It's clear that Coach Henson has greatly increased the number of shots George has made today, and tactically, George has also received a lot of support. In the end, George did not fail in this support. I don't know what Coach Henson's doing has to do with the recent rumours, but there's no doubt he's succeeded again. ”
After George came off the court, he hugged Henson deeply.
"This is just the beginning, sir. At the end of the season, I'll win the championship for you. ”
George knew that victory was the best way to say goodbye to Henson.
In the end, the score of the game was fixed at 116-96. It is a great pity that the Spurs did not escape the fate of being slaughtered by 20 points.
Demar. Derot was in favor of being the saddest player of the day, and not only did he allow George to score 43 points, but he also shot just 5-of-18 and scored just 15 points on 27.8 percent shooting.
I believe that after this game, the media that were originally questioning George will unanimously aim their guns at DeRozan again.
"You bastard, that's how you welcome old friends?" When he shook hands with Henson after the game, Popovich pretended to be angry, but in fact, he had already accepted a fact.
Henson is already almost the most powerful head coach in the league!
"Hahahaha, blame the reporters who questioned George. An annoyed George that even I can't control. Henson hurriedly threw the pot at the reporters and offered to treat Popovich to a drink in the evening as compensation.
Men's friendships are sometimes like this, and one second ago they may still be fighting for their lives. After a second, they were able to sit together and talk and laugh with peace of mind.
"Great victory, George proved himself. And Henson also continues to lead the league with a winning record. After the Warriors capsized in the gutter, the Pacers didn't follow in the footsteps of the Warriors. This is the first round of this season in which the Pacers won against the Warriors. I believe that there will be many more matchups like this in the rest of this season. ”
Reggie. Miller summed up the game in the last paragraph. George earned respect and Henson won the rankings.
The next day, ESPN published an article. Henson didn't read the content, but the title Henson liked it very much.
"43 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, questioning Paul. George? You know a ball! ”