Chapter 85: First Playoffs Win (Part I)
"This is definitely an act of extreme arrogance! Although the Cavaliers are leading 3-0, it does not mean that they have qualified. We all know that respecting your opponent is the most basic thing, but apparently J.R. Smith is not aware of this. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cavaliers were to lose today. ”
After Smith's wild remarks, Jones, a columnist for USA Today, wrote.
In the same way, the national media also criticized J.R. Smith's arrogance.
Seeing JR. Smith being besieged by the media, LeBron James, the boss of the Cavaliers, quickly stood up and explained to his teammates: "Smith just wanted to inspire the 76ers to say this on purpose. We have never taken any opponent lightly and are not qualified to do so! ”
James gave an explanation for Smith's arrogant statement, but such a far-fetched explanation is definitely not convincing.
The media did not believe James's justifications at all, but they did not continue to criticize Smith that day.
Because they're waiting, waiting for the results of the next game between the 76ers and the Cavaliers.
If the Cavaliers lose by then, the media criticism will only drown out the Cavaliers.
James and others also know that they have completely blocked media interviews in the past few days and are silently preparing for the next focus battle.
Journalists from LeBron. When James heard the explanation, they naturally didn't forget to ask Zhang Zifeng, the boss of the 76ers.
When hearing the explanation conveyed by the reporter, Zhang Zifeng said expressionlessly, "If JR. Smith wanted to inspire our fighting spirit, then well, he did it." We'll make him regret doing it! ”
"Zhang, are you confident that you can win the next one?" The reporter hurriedly asked.
"Now we are fighting high and I believe we can win!" Zhang Zifeng said without hesitation.
On the evening of April 23, the fourth game of the first-round series between the 76ers and the Cavaliers was held at the Wells Fargo Center Arena, the home of the 76ers.
When the first Cavaliers players, especially JR. Smith, ran out of the tunnel, they were greeted by a flood of boos and humiliation from the 76ers fans!
"Don't think how great you are, Zhang Zifeng will teach you a good lesson today!"
"You're going to lose tonight, you're going to regret it!"
"Son of a bitch, after tonight, you'll cry and go home to find your mom to feed you!"
When Zhang Zifeng ran out of the court, the 76ers shouted loudly:
"Zhang, defeat this bitch and let him know how good you are!"
"Zhang, defeat this group of idiots and advance to the next round!"
……
Hearing the shouts of the fans, Zhang Zifeng thought to himself: Even if you don't say it, I will do it!
The game is about to start with starters from both sides.
Standing on the court, Zhang Zifeng stared at JR. Smith on the side, and the whole person was murderous.
This murderous aura was felt even by the 76ers players standing next to them.
Tonight's game is still the battle for the opening jump ball is still Loaf and Noll.
The referee walked between the two men, and after a whistle, the ball was thrown into the air!
The ball was in the air by Knoll towards himself for a split second.
As soon as Zhang Zifeng jumped up and grabbed the basketball, he ran forward with the ball like lightning.
Zhang Zifeng rushed to the front court like a yellow lightning. As soon as James and JR. Smith ran back to the halfcourt, Zhang Zifeng jumped directly on the outside without waiting for the other players to settle down.
When Zhang Zifeng jumped, Smith reacted and jumped up to block.
But by this time it was too late, the ball was already flying in the air, and all J.R. Smith could seal was air.
At this time, everyone in the arena couldn't help but look at the basketball and turn their heads towards the basketball.
Chen Wei and Zheng Xinguo also stood up and clenched their fists to cheer for Zhang Zifeng.
Swish!
The ball swoops headlong into the basket.
76ers fans saw Zhang Zifeng use three points to help the 76ers open the scoring as soon as he started, and the arena erupted in huge cheers in an instant!
"Come on, Zhang!"
"Yes, just do it. Zhang, blow up that dog offal! ”
……
After Zhang Zifeng landed on the ground, he said to J.R. Smith, "You should think about where to go on vacation after this round!" ”
JR. Smith heard disdainfully say: "It's just a goal, the final victory must be ours!" ”
Seeing that Zhang Zifeng, who had performed very badly in the previous few games under his own marking, dared to argue with himself today.
JR. Smith couldn't swallow this breath, and he said to James, "Wait a minute, let me attack, I'm going to fight back!" ”
In the past, even if you played the whole game plus a few overtime games, you could still hold on.
But as he got older, James gradually felt that if he fought too hard in the first half, his physical strength would not be able to keep up in the fourth quarter.
Now Smith is asking for offense with the ball, considering that his offensive ability is still good, James also wants to retain his strength until the fourth quarter, so he said, "Wait and pass to you, remember not to lose to that guy!" ”
J.R. Smith nodded hurriedly when he heard James agree. "No problem, look at me!"
As soon as JR. Smith ran to the front court, he received the ball from James.
Seeing JR. Smith receiving the ball, Zhang Zifeng hurriedly stepped forward.
Don't let this bastard get through!
The team is despised, and Zhang Zifeng knows that he carries the expectations of many fans.
I'm looking forward to teaching that arrogant JR. Smith a lesson.
As the boss of the team, Zhang Zifeng has no reason not to work hard.
Zhang Zifeng stood in front of Smith and waited for him.
I won't let you get complacent!
J.R. Smith took a look at the situation on the field.
Teammates have opened up space for themselves to play singles, and it's up to you at this time.
I took a step forward, and then suddenly I changed direction and accelerated.
JR. Smith went inside like a sharp knife.
J.R. Smith's breakthrough speed is not as fast as Iverson's and Irving's.
But it's definitely not to be underestimated.
Zhang Zifeng hurriedly followed sideways, squeezing the other party with his body, trying to force him to the bottom line.
Without the first breakaway, J.R. Smith slammed back and retreated beyond the three-point line.
An unexpected three-point jumper!
But when JR. Smith made a move, Zhang Zifeng reacted quickly and jumped up as soon as possible!
Zhang Zifeng flew up and pounced, his right hand stretched out.
J.R. Smith was taken aback.
Although JR. Smith has been competing with Zhang Zifeng in the first few games.
He never thought that Zhang Zifeng's reaction would be so fast today.
It's like knowing in advance that you're going to step back, that you're going to shoot.
J.R. Smith simply didn't have time to think about anything else at this time.
Already in the air, he has to deal with the ball as soon as possible.
Is it to vote or to pass?
In an instant, JR. Smith knew that he could only throw the ball.
A moment of hesitation allowed J.R. Smith to miss the perfect moment to make a move.
Zhang Zifeng's big hand pressed firmly on the basketball.
J.R. Smith is capped!
With a snap, the ball slammed straight into the floor from the air. Bounce off the front.
“oh! MY GOD! JR. Smith is blocked, this ball Zhang Zifeng did beautifully! ”
Mike. Brin exclaimed from the commentary platform.
The 76ers fans burst into thunderous cheers when they saw their most hated guy stunned.
Zhang Zifeng blocked JR. Smith's shot, and the ball flew forward.
As soon as he landed, Zhang Zifeng rushed to basketball for the first time.
At this time, JR. Smith did not have time to regret it, and quickly turned around to grab the ball.
The ball bounces irregularly after hitting the floor, and the height gets lower and lower.
Zhang Zifeng fell directly to the ground in an instant and pounced on the basketball.
Holding the basketball in his arms, JR. Smith rushed over to snatch the basketball from Zhang Zifeng's hand.
James and Irving also ran up at this time and were ready to grab the ball.
Zhang Zifeng hurriedly took a look, Grant and Josh. Smith had already run forward.
Zhang Zifeng lay on the ground, forcibly turned around, waved his hands, and forced JR. Smith's hands to grab the ball away.
Then throw the ball hard at Grant with both hands.
"Zhang Zifeng desperately fell to the ground and grabbed the ball, as the captain of the team, he is leading by example to inspire his teammates at this time!"
"JR. Smith is grabbing the ball, and Zhang Zifeng is desperately protecting the ball."
"Zhang Zifeng passed the ball, and in an extremely difficult situation, Zhang Zifeng still accurately passed the ball to his teammate Grant!"
Mike. Brin explained aloud.
Grant received a pass from Zhang Zifeng, and there was no obstacle in the front court at this time.
To the cheers of the 76ers fans, Grant stormed into the Cavaliers' restricted area and came up with a big windmill slam dunk.
“oh! Grant ignited the passion of 76ers fans with a wonderful dunk! But the biggest contributor to this ball is their captain Zhang Zifeng. It was Zhang Zifeng who blocked JR. Smith, and it was Zhang Zifeng who fell to the ground for the first time and grabbed the ball to collect it, so that Grant's violent dunk was born. Zhang Zifeng explained what it means to be a captain! It is that when the team is in difficulty, I will do everything I can to help the team, whether it is offensive or defensive! ”
Mike. Brin shouted uncontrollably.
The 20,000 fans at the scene saw it and overturned the stadium with their fanatical cheers.
Zhang Zifeng's performance made 76ers fans ecstatic, and also infected other players of the 76ers.
Under the leadership of Zhang Zifeng, the 76ers played with momentum and once led the Cavaliers by 9 points in the first quarter.