Chapter 402: The Aging Giant

The Mavericks officially announced that Yiyang will participate in this year's slam dunk contest, and this news seems to have touched the excitement of all fans. was originally complained about as the most boring slam dunk contest, but it instantly became the most anticipated slam dunk contest.

The fact that an Asian player can stand on the stage of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest is very special in itself. What kind of performance Yiyang, a low-key and dull guy on weekdays, will come up with at the slam dunk contest is also very exciting. Yiyang is not good at acting, he only hopes to conquer his opponent with his strength. So it is conceivable how much "hard power" Yiyang will show in the slam dunk contest.

What's more, Yiyang also has Carter, an old buckle by his side, who will help design the action. What actions can be produced by the combination between "half-human and demigod" and Yiyang also whetted everyone's appetite.

Of course, All-Star Weekend is always just entertainment. Although Yiyang and Carter are also actively preparing for the slam dunk contest, in Yiyang's heart, the regular season that is being played now is his first priority.

There are three days left until the start of All-Star Weekend, and the Mavericks have two games to play in those three days. These two opponents are the two oldest giants in the NBA league, the Lakers in the West and the Celtics in the East.

Although these two old giants have now lost the absolute dominance of the previous years, they have to admit that they are still not easy opponents to deal with.

Of course, the Mavericks have won seven in a row after their win over the New York Knicks. Yiyang's crazy performance continues, and in the days leading up to the All-Star Game, the atmosphere of the battle will not diminish in the slightest.

On Feb. 21, the day after Cuban announced that Yiyang would participate in the dunk contest, the Mavericks welcomed the Celtics on their home court.

The Celtics currently have a 15-15 record, which is clearly not up to the Celtics' expectations. In addition to the aging of the lineup, the continuous injuries of this ancient giant team are also an important reason for their struggle.

Team brain Rajan. Rondo was suspended due to injury, and the "Wolf King" Kevin. Garnett was also unavailable due to injury. Without Rondo and Garnett, the Celtics' strength will undoubtedly drop significantly.

That said, in an interview with reporters before the game, Celtics coach Doug Murphy Murphy Brown Celtics coach Doug Murphy Celtics coach Doug Murphy Celtics coach Celtics coach Dort Celtics Rivers, however, is still full of confidence.

"Yes, the integrity of our squad has been greatly damaged. But I don't think we're going to be losers in this game, basketball is a complex sport, and teams that look stronger on paper won't necessarily win. Rivers faced the camera and boasted about the mouth of the sea with his ugly duck voice.

"But yesterday, you even lost by 12 points to the Detroit Pistons." The reporter who interviewed Rivers may be a rookie, and he didn't give the championship coach any steps down.

Rivers' face turned black at once, this guy is deliberately stirring up trouble!

"The Mavericks were beaten by the rebuilding Cleveland Cavaliers? Do you think this is telling? Rivers asked rhetorically, leaving the reporter alone.

The championship coach is really angry right now, they are the same Celtics team who just won the championship a few years ago, and they still have Pierce and Ray. Allen is two superstars. Why now, the whole league seems to treat them as a weak brigade!

With a snap, Rivers slammed open the locker room door. The coach looked furious, and the players who were wearing their equipment looked at each other, what the hell happened just now?

"Bradley, I'm just giving you one assignment today! Prevent that damn Chinese from killing me! Don't let him score easily, let him know that it's too early for him to dominate the league! Rivers' sudden yelling startled everyone. Then, everyone's eyes fell on Bradley. Avery replaced Rondo as the team's starting point guard. Bradley swallowed his saliva, to prevent death? I'm afraid this task is not an easy task......

Before the game began, Rivers didn't even shake Carlisle's hand. The coach, who has already experienced three consecutive defeats, really wanted to win, but at this juncture, they ran into the Mavericks, who had just won seven in a row.

It is clear that BA coach is perhaps one of the most stressful professions in the world. Normally, if a team has a problem, the management will start with the manager. And between the players, the manager has to balance the various relationships. The manager has to endure two pressures at the same time and survive it, which is not easy.

Carlisle also understood Rivers' mood right now, so the other party didn't shake hands with him, and he didn't take it to heart.

In the first seconds of the game, Rivers stood on the sidelines to direct the game. The sound of his duck voice was particularly harsh even in the packed American Airline Center arena, and Bradley had to accept it from the start.

"Defend the kids, do a good job! Don't be afraid of him, let him be afraid of you! As soon as Yiyang had possession of the ball and crossed half court, Rivers yelled at Brad. Bradley lowered his center of gravity and was fully focused. In a team with Rondo, Bradley rarely gets a chance to show himself. Taking advantage of Rondo's injury, he must perform well and must not disappoint the manager!

Bradley's defensive ability is indeed very good in the No. 1 position, he is willing to defend and has a strong body. When Bradley was in college, he used to guard Yiyang very uncomfortable, but now Yiyang is more than a star and a half stronger than when he was in the bulldogs.

Blurring, sudden change of direction, acceleration, borrowing the pick-and-roll, Yiyang's series of movements were very smooth, allowing him to easily shake off Bradley.

As soon as Bradley came out of Haywood's cover, he saw that Yiyang was already outside the three-point line. This Green Army No. 0 hurriedly stepped forward to interfere, but with a height of only 1.88 meters, he had no way to block Yiyang's sight after being delayed.

In this way, Yiyang shot a three-pointer steadily outside the three-point line, continuing the hot hand of the previous game, and as soon as the game started, Rivers was stabbed in the heart by Yiyang. And Bradley, who was originally full of confidence, was also hit hard by this.

"It's okay, let's attack it, just attack it!" Rivers hurriedly shook his head, shook off the negative emotions in his head, and continued to shout on the sidelines. Carlisle, who was sitting on the bench, looked at Rivers with a strange gaze, as if he were looking at a grandiose clown.

Subsequently, Ray. Allen opened up some distance between him and Carter by running off the ball and got the shot. Bradley didn't dare to delay and immediately sent the ball to Ray. Aaron's hands.

Rivers swung his fist hard, and he thought the score would be equalized. However, Ray. Allen's three-pointer stumbled out and missed.

"Hey!" Rivers sighed, still reluctant to admit that several of his team's stars have struggled to play the same level as they did in the year they won the championship.

Haywood pocketed the defensive rebound and threw it directly to Yiyang. The Celtics players immediately stepped back to the basket, and everyone thought the guy was going to raid the restricted area again.

However, Yiyang suddenly sent the ball out halfway through, allowing Nowitzki to get an open shot from beyond the three-point line.

Yiyang's highlight performance this year seems to make people ignore Nowitzki's horror. But don't forget, this guy is still one of the best power forwards in the league!

The "German artillery" fired, which was bound to cause great damage. The basketball went through the net, and Nowitzki stabbed Rivers in the bleeding heart. The duo of Yiyang and Dirk will never have pity on their opponents.

The opening two goals have already established the Mavericks' control of the game. The game that followed was a microcosm of the opening two attacks. The Celtics can only be played by 34-year-old Pierce and 36-year-old Ray. Allen came to play against the Mavericks, and as for the other role players, they simply couldn't shoulder the scoring responsibility.

The Bostonians couldn't withstand the scoring storm of the Dallas Mavericks, even though Coach Rivers had threatened before the game that the Mavericks wouldn't necessarily win. But I think right now, the Mavericks' eight-game winning streak is a foregone conclusion! ”

"The Celtics didn't take a single point lead throughout the game, and they kept catching up behind the Mavericks. It's been like that for the last 40 minutes, and in the last eight minutes, don't expect the Celtics to come back to life suddenly. ”

Not long after the start of the fourth quarter, Reggie was on the commentary stage. Miller and Kevin. Haaland has already sentenced the Celtics to a "death sentence".

And what about Rivers? The guy finally sat back on the bench. It's just that his face is completely dead ash.

When the whistle blew at the end of the game, Rivers ignored anyone and still didn't shake Carlisle's hand, but got up and walked straight into the tunnel.

73-90, the Celtics lost by a humiliating score at the Center Arena of American Airlines. Nowitzki faced Chris, who started in place of Garnett. Wilcox scored a big double-double of 26 points and 16 rebounds. Entering the end of his career, Wilcox was just an ordinary rotation player, and the gap between him and Nowitzki was self-evident.

But Yiyang faced Bradley, who was the same age as him, and also scored 24 points and 11 assists. Bradley worked very hard in this game, but in the face of the absolute difference in strength, a lot of efforts can only be in vain.

Yiyang and Nowitzki's performances completely overshadowed Pierce and Ray. Alan. Thunder. Allen scored 15 points today, but his 1-of-5 three-pointers were clearly underwhelming. Pierce struggled to score 20 points, but 20 points didn't turn the current Celtics around.

The decline of the Green Shirts has become a fact, and this alliance has long entered the moment of changing the dynasty.

The Mavericks are riding an eight-game winning streak and continue to move forward with their heads held high. Although the following day, the Mavericks lost back-to-back games to the Los Angeles Lakers after Gasol's outburst, and the winning streak was terminated. But the 27-8 record in half a season still greatly exceeded everyone's expectations.

"People say the Mavericks aren't good this season, but look at them right now, they're still one of the best teams in the West. The aging Mavericks are now just one win away from the Thunder and are temporarily second in the West. Behind them, both the Spurs and the Lakers are struggling to catch up. There is no doubt that Yi's ability to lead the team has passed the test! ”

At this point, the fire of the regular season has finally slowed down. The players had a short-lived break in the midst of a season-long season with a huge shortened schedule.

For the players, the All-Star is a holiday. But for the fans, All-Star Weekend was the start of a madness!

The confrontation between Yiyang and Irving in the rookie game, what actions Yiyang will take in the slam dunk contest, and what kind of sparks Yiyang will have with those superstars in the All-Star game.

In Orlando in 2012, Yiyang will definitely bring a table full of people to the fans in Dallas!