Other series were also divided, with the Timberwolves eliminating the Mavericks 4-2.

The alignment of the two star power forwards was eye-catching, with Garnett vs Nowitzki having a slight upper hand, mainly on the defensive end.

Nowitzki's "Wolves" couldn't defend himself when he was in good form, but he shot only 30.8 percent and 38.5 percent from the field in two games, scoring 15 and 17 points, respectively, both of which ended in heavy defeats.

Sam Kassel, the "Alien", was also an important contributor to the Timberwolves' first-round curse, averaging 20 points and 6 assists per game on 57.1% shooting in the series.

Although Nash scored 16+7 with a 44.7% shooting rate and a 41% three-point shooting rate, his shortcomings are still criticized, his body is fragile and there is no defense, and his turnovers are high.

At this time, Mavericks owner Cuban decided that Nash was useless, and although a good point guard was hard to find in the free market, he only planned to make a lower offer for Nash, and he would not accept Nash's view.

The Spurs eliminated the Kings 4-2, Duncan single-handedly suppressed Webb and Brad Miller, and the veteran Divac couldn't play anymore, and was rushed by Parker and Ginobili as soon as he got on the court.

Webb averaged only 18.5 points on 17.1 shots per game, and was completely embarrassed by Duncan's defense, and many fans called him "soft egg" at the Kings' home court. After knee surgery, Webb lost his explosiveness and could no longer be compared to Duncan. This summer, the top priority for Kings management is to trade Webber out.

The next round matchups in the West are Suns vs. Lakers and Spurs vs. Timberwolves.

In the Eastern Conference series, the Pacers swept the Celtics 4-0, the Pistons swept the Knicks 4-0, the Nets eliminated the Hornets 4-1, and the Heat eliminated the Bucks 4-2.

The second round in the East is Pacers vs. Heat, Nets vs. Pistons.

Dwyane Wade, who averaged 20+6 per game in the playoffs, finally entered the media's field of vision, and his exposure increased greatly. He played better in the playoffs than in the regular season, and has become the outside core of the Heat, the only remaining high-pick rookie in the class of 2003.

Before the start of the game, reporters interviewed the teams, hoping to see a war of words and add gimmicks.

The West is far more concerned than the East, Duncan VS Garnett is the matchup between the best active power forwards in the league, and Guo Xu VS Kobe Bryant and O'Neal are the matchups between the "Lakers Big Three".

The Eastern Conference playoffs are a bit boring, the best scoring stars have been eliminated, the remaining four teams are all won by team basketball, and the Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal, who averages 20+10 per game, is the one with the best stats.

Facing old acquaintance reporter Audrey Jones, Guo Xu said confidently: "There is no doubt that the Suns will advance, and I am very sure of that." The Lakers have a lot of friends of mine, but since I met in the playoffs, I won't be merciful, so I'm sorry to say sorry to them. ”

Audrey asked, "How many games do you think the Suns can advance?" ”

Guo Xu shook his head: "I don't dare to say this, look at the state." ”

In fact, he felt in his heart that the Suns could sweep the Lakers, and some of them were more hurtful than swearing, and he didn't want to say it.

The restraint of the Suns lineup against the Lakers was already evident during the regular season. Guo Xu also watched Payton's performance against the Grizzlies in the first round, and the veteran was a colanderer against him, and his pace was so slow that it was difficult to defend Jason Williams.

As for backup point guard Fisher, hehe......

The Lakers can win the game because of a hard work, it is the energy that the veterans are eager for the championship, and the OK combination bursts out for the sake of face, and never underestimate the heart of a championship. But no matter how hard they try, they will definitely play hard against a speed-oriented team like the Suns. Guo Xu talked to O'Neal about this in the regular season, and the Suns' reinforcement lineup in the summer was aimed at the Lakers and Spurs.

Audrey asked, "Which team do you like the Suns to meet in the West?" ”

"I'm optimistic that the Timberwolves will qualify, they have a significantly better roster than the Spurs, and of course the Spurs have a chance because of Duncan."

This year, the Spurs' defense is still excellent, but their offensive power is the bottom of the league, averaging only 91.5 points per game, which is not a balanced team on offense and defense. The Spurs are missing Stephen Jackson on the outside, center Nesterovic is just an ordinary blue-collar and not able to open up space like David Robinson, forward Malik Rose is injured, and the sophomore Ginobili is not a star.

In the face of this year's Spurs, it would be a shame for the Timberwolves' "three-headed monster" Gaszebiak to not win. If the Suns played this Spurs last season, they would advance to the Finals.

There are also reporters who interviewed Lakers stars and asked them to predict the outcome of the game.

O'Neal said: "I don't know, let's see, the Suns are really strong in the regular season, but we won't throw in the towel easily, we have to fight for honor." ”

"I don't think the Lakers are going to be eliminated, our players have a lot of playoff experience and know how to win, and the playoffs are different from the regular season," Bryant said. ”

The tone of the two is rare to be consistent, and they both feel that the Lakers are at a disadvantage.

Coach "Zen Master" Phil Jackson also didn't have much confidence and refused to predict the game. The coaching staff had previously met to discuss tactics and knew very well how difficult this series was, and in the same blind situation, the Suns had the upper hand with Guo Xu.

On May 2, the first game between the two sides was played in Phoenix, and the Suns had home-court advantage in the playoffs.

The players from both sides came out, Guo Xu received the warmest applause, and he instantly ignited the atmosphere of the audience by sprinkling magnesium powder, and a group of fans shouted MVP!

CCTV5 broadcast the game live, Zhang Li said: "Guo Xu's action at home is really domineering, dominating the world." This year's rookie James's nickname is Emperor, I think Guo Xu is more like an emperor than him, the Cavaliers haven't even made the playoffs, and they can enter the playoffs with 36 wins in the East. ”

Xu Jicheng said: "In the NBA, many stars have their own signature moves, and many of these moves have become classics when they retire. For high-level games like the NBA, it is common for players to rub some magnesium powder before the game. But only Guo Xu has turned this into his signature move, hoping that he can continue to do it. ”

Guo Xu really intends to keep doing it, he has always been a writer for classic things, and he is not embarrassed.

Looking at the Cavaliers' lineup, it's not too surprising that James couldn't make the playoffs in the first two seasons, and it's too inconsistent for a person who can't win to interact with fans in this way (pretending to be B), so it's better to keep a low profile.

Think about it, the scene where he was abused for 2 or 30 points after sprinkling magnesium powder at home...... Past lives often happen.

Zhang Reasonable said: "O'Neal once said in an interview that if someone replaces him as the strongest player in the league, he hopes that this person is Guo Xu, and he is very happy that this person is Guo Xu, not Kobe Bryant, handpicked by Jordan." ”

Xu Jicheng said: "Kobe Bryant is often selected for the best defensive team, and the data is not bad, but I think he and Guo Xu can't be compared at all, and the gap in terms of ability to lead the team is very obvious." ”

Zhang Li smiled: "I think the biggest gap between Kobe and Guo Xu is not on the court, but in the locker room." Guo Xu had a good relationship with everyone when he was in the Lakers, including Kobe, and when he arrived in the Suns, he had a good relationship with his teammates, and everyone often had group activities. Now Kobe Bryant has offended both O'Neal and Malone, and his relationship with Payton doesn't seem to be very good. ”

Can a person with this kind of personality be called the strongest? How can there be a core that divides the team? If O'Neal hadn't brought in two star veterans, the Lakers might have considered breaking up in the middle of the season.

After the warm-up, the Suns started: Guo Xu, Raja Bell, Marion, Haslem, Stoudamire.

Lakers starters: Payton, Kobe, George, Malone, O'Neal.