Chapter 118: A Lonely Hero
As for the game between the Kings and the Thunder, the outside world now agrees that the Thunder will win easily, and at the same time, the outside world is also unanimously bearish about the prospect of the Kings outside.
ESPN: "2-4, Injuries, Kings Trapped ......"
Yahoo Sports: "Injury troubles, break down the future schedule of the Kings. ”
TNT: "Falling fast, the Kings aren't strong anymore!" ”
Sacramento Bee: "Internal and external troubles, what is the future of the Kings?" ”
At the pre-game press conference for the Kings vs. Thunder, reporters also expressed concern about the current situation of the Kings.
"Mr. Westfaal, the team is not having a good record right now, and at the same time the three regular main players are struggling with injuries, what are the changes to the team at the moment?" A reporter from ESPN asked.
Coach Westphaal frowned and said, "Uh...... You're right, the team is facing a lot of difficulties now, but although DeMarcus, David, and Caron are out, I believe that others can step up! The team will keep going! ”
"Mr. Tyrek, I'm a reporter for the Sacramento Bee, first of all, congratulations on your selection as an All-Star, I believe that as the leader of the team, there must be a lot of pressure on you right now, do you think the team can stay competitive in such an unfavorable situation?"
"Pressure? I don't think there's any pressure to have such good teammates around, we're still second in the West, and our goal this season is to make the playoffs, we just need to get there......
Sacramento, Sleep Train Arena, just as the Kings vs. Thunder game is about to begin.
"Gentlemen and ladies! I'm Grant Grant, the sideline commentator for today's game. Napier, this is my partner Jerry. Raezz. After a humbling road trip, the team is back in Sacramento and will play the next six games at the venue, but at home, the challenge is much greater than at any time before this season......," Napier said.
"Yes Grant, who would have thought that the team would suffer so much misfortune in six away games, it's not common for injuries to come in such a short period of time...... DeMarcus, David, Caron, the team's entire starting frontcourt is all absent, and Francesco can fill the vacancy in Caron's position relatively well, but the absence of Cousins and David, the star duo of the inside, is indeed a big problem...... "Reiz on the side is also very worried about the team's current situation.
"We still have to believe that the team can cope with these difficulties, and today the team will face the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are the number one team in the West. Sefolosa is out of the squad due to injury, and their starting line-up today is Russell. Westbrook, De Quinn. Cook, Kevin. Durant, Serge. Ibaka, Kendrick. Perkins. The Kings put out Tyreco. Evans, Jimmy. Butler, Francisco. Garcia, Kenneth. Farid, Hassan. Whiteside's starting lineup, in the previous game, Kenneth and Hassan, the athletic substitute inside, showed good improvisation, although Hassan is not outstanding, but what the center should do is also decent, Kenneth is a rookie, but to be honest I think he has the strength to play as a starter, and his physical talent is one of the best in the entire league! ”
"But...... Kenneth and Hassan's interior combination is far from DeMarcus and David on all levels...... "Napier impassionedly expressed his optimism about the new interior starters, but was poured cold water on Reez.
"Uh......"
"But Grant, everything still has to be seen on the court, and then ...... The team also has Tyrek ......" Reez changed his words with anticipation in his eyes.
At least one-third of the Kings fans who watched the game were wearing Tyreco's jerseys, and everyone was looking forward to the team's hero leading the team out of the predicament!
In the shouts of the fans, the jump ball game between the two sides officially began!
Whiteside touched the ball first and dialed it to Tyreco, and when Tyrek held the ball, all eyes were on him!
Tyrek knew it in his heart at this time, not only did the fans look at him directly, but the Thunder team focused all their defensive attention on Tyrek.
Due to Seflosa's absence, the Thunder's outside defensive arrows are missing, and Tyrek, who was supposed to be defended by Seflosa, will be opposed by Westbrook. However, despite Seforosa's absence, the Kings' only offensive strength at this time is Terrick, and the Thunder have completely focused their defense on Tyreck, and the remaining four outside Westbrook are ready to flank at any time.
“Ty~~~reke!!!”
“Tyreke! Tyreke! Tyreke! ”
“Typhoon! Typhoon! Typhoon! ”
Hearing the tsunami-like cheers of the fans at the scene, Tyrek knew that the team was not in good shape and facing a strong opponent at this time, and in his home stadium, Tyrek needed to get high and play a dominant performance, even if he couldn't win in the end, he had to shoot the last bullet!
Tyrek dribbled to the court and directed his teammates to take position, then locked his eyes on Westbrook in front of him.
Cousins's absence as the tactical axis has made many of the team's tactics ineffective, but West, who also has a certain ability to respond to high positions, can replace Cousins in the team's offensive tactical system to a certain extent, but now the two are absent at the same time, and Farid and Whiteside, who replace them, are at most basket finishers, and they don't have the ability to respond at all. Today, the Kings' tactics are simple, almost all offense is initiated by Tyreck, and the rest of the players on the court are responsible for opening up space.
Seeing that his teammates had already stood in position two steps before the middle of the line, there was already enough room to break through at this time, and Tyrek suddenly started without hesitation!
Although Westbrook's defensive ability is not as good as Seforlosha's, but with his outstanding physical fitness, he also has a good defense, in the face of the sudden start of Tyreck, Westbrook hurriedly stuck to the defense, hindering Tyreck's acceleration, he is also a guard who is good at impacting the inside, and knows that Tyrek is basically impossible to defend once he speeds up.
Tyrek is still a few steps away from the three-point line at this time, there is a lot of space in front of him, facing Westbrook who is pasted up, Tyrek uses the change of rhythm to continuously change direction under the crotch, slow and fast, fast and slow, and then suddenly accelerates and leans on Westbrook with his body, and forcibly exceeds Westbrook from the left side of a position!
Tyrek marched with great pace, and Cook, who was defending from the left side, was already broken into the penalty area by Tyrek who smashed Huanglong before he could reach out.
Facing the inside defender Ibaka, Tyrek had already made a decision when he was close to the inside, and Tyrek, who had already rushed up, naturally faced the defenders and made his rampant European step!
Tyrek is the perfect combination of strength and flexibility, his European stride is big and rhythmic, one right, one left, with the swing of the upper body, easily passing Ibaka!
At the same time, Tyrek stretched out his long arm from Ibaka's side and steadily slammed into the basket!
Coherent! It's like being in a no-man's land! Like a spiritual snake, it flashed through all defenses and went straight to the heart of the opponent!