Chapter 984: Bearded Harden
Van Gundy aimed at the Cavaliers' dead end, although this team is very strong, but that Qiē is based on the premise of James' normal play, in the final analysis, the Cavaliers' tactics are no tactics, others give the ball to James, and then he decides how to play.
The gang of Al Jefferson, Kelly, Granger, Thornton and Jordan Hamilton took turns to get tangled up with James, who would go up and tear him up even if he couldn't get the ball, let alone when he got the ball.
James's body is very depleted, but he is the engine of the Cavaliers, and he has to keep running, and when he doesn't work well here, the team starts to fall apart.
Every team knows the Cavaliers' weaknesses, but they just can't control him because James is too strong, but against the Pelicans, the Cavaliers' advantage is gone.
It's no secret that James' toughest thing is his physique, and his tank-like breakaway dunks have made all teams on the inside desperate except the Pelicans. Li Feng is not afraid that James will rush inside, as long as he dares to go to the basket, then he will let him eat a big hat!
The exclusion zone is my territory, this is a no-fly zone!
James knew that, so he ended the fight with a jumper from the perimeter in the first half. This style of fighting was fine when he felt hot, but in the second half, as his body was exhausted, his hand began to deteriorate, and the Cavaliers collapsed.
The Cavaliers dominated the rhythm of the first half, and the second half was the world of the Pelicans, James's shooting percentage fell all the way, while the Pelicans' score advantage was all the way, and James led the team to launch a counterattack in the fourth quarter, but in the end it was ruthlessly wiped out by the Pelicans.
At the end of the game, the Cavaliers lost to the Pelicans 102-120, James wanted to take revenge, but he was taught a lesson by the opponent, and it was a pity. This is the last meeting between the two teams this season, and he will have to wait until next season to get his revenge.
"I wish we could meet in the finals, so I can teach you a lesson without mercy."
After the game, James said to Li Feng that he scored 35 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists on 11-of-28 shooting in this game.
Li Feng scored 41 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and 7 blocks on 18-of-30 shooting.
Li Feng has won 40+20+10 four times in the last five games, which has become popular in the entire league.
"Then I'll be waiting for you in the finals, but only if you can beat Chicago and Brooklyn."
Li Feng said with a smile. He won the game, he was in a good mood and finally got another win, which is important for the West where the competition for the rankings is terrifying.
Li Feng is too hot, but the Pelicans lost Stephen Corey, and the team doctor diagnosed that Corey will miss the regular season this season, and if he recovers well, the playoffs should be restored.
Although the number jù in Pelican Cory is not very high. He only averaged 18.5 points and 7.3 assists per game, but his projection threat was irreplaceable by anyone, and Corey's active offensive ability was the strongest on the outside except for Li Feng, and Corey's reimbursement disrupted the Pelicans' plans. The team also had to adjust.
Now that the All-Star break is approaching, teams have begun to adjust mid-season, and the Pelicans have a lot of goals.
The team adjustment has not been successful, and the Pelicans are facing a team with a strong perimeter. That's the Houston Rockets.
The Rockets didn't get Howard like they did in their previous life, and Asik naturally stayed with the Rockets, and they signed Josh Smith again. The team is currently fifth in the West and has a good shape.
Asik, Josh Smith, Trevor Ariza, James Harden, Jason Terry, this is the starting point for the Rockets.
The Pelicans faced the Rockets, who were not strong inside, and Van Gundy actually let Al Jefferson and Pau Gasol not make the squad, and did not make two starters in the case of Corey's injury. Bare. Naked contempt for the inside line of the rocket.
Of course, the Pelicans' lineup is not bad, Henson, Li Feng, Danny Granger, Paul Pearce, Evan Turner.
Li Feng and Smith jump ball to win possession.
Turner beckoned Granger to come up and block with him, and Harden personally defended Turner with the aim of strangling the Pelicans' engine.
Anyway, without Correy, there is no fear for Turner Harden.
Harden propped up his arms against Granger, staring at Turner with blazing eyes, the latter crossed steps and began to break through, he immediately bypassed Granger and stepped back, Turner broke through from the right side with the ball, and wanted to pass the inside line to Li Feng, but Harden posted it in time, if he passed the ball at this time, it was easy to be cut off.
As soon as Turner hesitated, the Rockets suddenly completed the rotation defense, and Li Feng was caught in the bag, and even if Turner wanted to pass, he couldn't pass the goal.
In desperation, Turner had no choice but to play on his own, he twisted his body violently with the ball in his right hand, then turned sideways to complete the change of direction, passed Ariza and rushed to the penalty area, jumped up and threw a throw.
As a result, Turner felt a little cold in his hand and the ball bounced out.
Asik picked up the rebound, switched offense and defense, and Terry quickly dribbled across half court before passing to Harden. Harden tried to take a step and was blocked by Granger, then passed the ball to Asik, Asik attacked Li Feng, shook left and right and then came to a right hook, Li Feng turned around and rose to the ground, and gave him a big hat heartily.
Turner advanced slowly, he passed the ball to Pierce first, the latter leaned forward and accelerated sharply, and rushed to the inside against Ariza, Josh Smith saw that the penalty area was dangerous, he didn't dare to let Pierce in, at that time, there was truth outside and Li Feng inside, and the Rockets penalty area was dangerous.
Josh Smith blocked it and Pierce immediately split the ball to Henson, who was in the open space.
Henson held the ball and wanted to make a shot, Ariza defended it, and saw the thin Ariza behind him, Henson squeezed the ball with his back to protect it, but Ariza pounced and stole the ball.
Terry wanted to launch a fast attack, but Turner pulled two steps sideways and jammed him, and Harden shook his head and shouted:
"Guys, hold on and take your time!"
He reached for the ball, dribbled it to the front court and passed it back to Terry, the jet glanced at his teammate's position, saw Asik in the low post, and passed the ball, but Asik tried a few feints to shake Li Feng away. Instead, he was pushed behind by the latter, and he shook his head and passed the ball to Harden.
Harden used Josh Smith's cover to cut inside like a sharp knife, but Granger's defense was stubborn and turned around to catch up with him.
Harden was in a bullish temper and wanted to work hard, but when he looked up, he saw that not only Granger had come up, but Li Feng also quietly moved over.
Harden could only pass the ball to Josh Smith, and the Rockets players began to patiently transfer the ball, and Josh Smith ran two steps to pass the ball to Asik again, and Asik hit Li Feng hard. Then he broke through with a nimble probe, went to the basket and made a feint, and then made a step-back jumper.
Li Feng's defense line did not move at all, and kept chasing Asik's side, the latter's feints had no effect at all, as soon as he jumped, Li Feng reached out and blocked it, there was no way, Asik could only increase the height of the jump shot, and the ball bounced out.
Two minutes after the game was played. Li Feng hit Asik under the basket, and after hitting him, he came to a violent dunk to open the situation.
In the race against the Rockets, Li Feng has been trying to avoid strong hits and consume too much body.
After Li Feng's dunk. Harden broke through for a layup, and Henson gave him a big hat out of thin air, ending the Rockets' offense again.
The two sides played for another two minutes, and the score remained at 4-2. The Pelicans edged up by one shot.
This scene shocked the fans, and the new TNT ace Reggie Miller, who was commentator on the spot, frowned:
"I bet the Houstonians must have secretly added a clear lid to the hoop yesterday. It's not like a grand final. ”
Hearing this, Howard, who was watching the game in front of the TV, almost smashed the TV directly, Nima, it's still a fucking finals, it's really fucking shameless, take yourself too seriously, right? We are easy to bully in the east or how to drop? Lao Tzu's team is also 60 wins, and the game that is going on in the east is just as intense.
McHale was able to sit still, he chewed gum and watched the game between the two sides with relish, Li Feng felt that he was not here to direct the game, but to fight birds and walk dogs.
In contrast, Van Gundy was a little excited, and the grumpy old man hurriedly called a timeout, it was not okay to play like this, he believed in cannon doctrine, and the players should attack and defend fiercely when they came on the court, and besides, this is the NBA arena and not a steel mill.
Van Gundy replaced Turner, Marshall subconsciously stood up, but the old man waved his hand, pointed at Jordan Hamilton and said:
"Jordan, you go up and use your three points to teach the Houstonians a lesson!"
Van Gundy wanted to increase his firepower, but he didn't want to lower his defense yet, so he put Granger at shooting guard, and the small forward was handed over to Thornton, and Pierce had better rest more.
The Rockets also fielded their sixth man, and Morty Yunas made another murderous appearance, once again posing as a Mr. Bodybuilder, which once again caused the scene to scream.
Jordan Hamilton dribbled the ball against Terry, and the Jets liked to hit rookies with trash talk, so they chattered all the way:
"Hey, boy, I know your father, I know your father very well. Oops, where did you say the time went? When I fought with your father, you were still playing with balls in open crotch pants, and you were so big in a blink of an eye......"
As he spoke, Terry reached out and tried to grab the ball, as fast as a ghost.
But Jordan Hamilton defended against this move, as soon as Terry stretched out his hand, he immediately dribbled the ball from his right hand to his left hand, and then his left shoulder suddenly leaned forward and his right shoulder pulled back, and quickly came and a half turn, and broke through from Terry's left side.
Terry was shaken, Jordan Hamilton sped up and ran forward, seeing this, Harden could only let go of Granger to make up for the defense, Jordan Hamilton seized the opportunity to hit the ball and pass to Granger, Granger is also a hob meat, before everyone else missed, he didn't believe in this evil, he got the ball, rushed in from outside the three-point line, opened the distance with Harden and rose up, 'hey', the basketball fell into the Nets accurately.
Harden looked back at the basketball on the ground and then at Terry, who laughed silently, and Harden was embarrassed to say anything, if he had left it before, he would have been scolding:
"What are you doing, you are an old bird, look at your current appearance, are you worthy of yourself, worthy of Lao Tzu, worthy of Houston?"
For the sake of the team's atmosphere, Harden said lightly "fight back" and ran forward.
Terry took control of the ball to the front court, waved his teammates away, he glared at Jordan Hamilton fiercely, and then accelerated the speed of the ball, his shoulders shook continuously, and the ball in his hand jumped like an elf, and Harden came up to cover him. Seeing this, Jordan Hamilton stepped back vigilantly, and at the same time, with Harden's cover, he suddenly went around to the flank, and Terry's round body rushed up from this direction, directly hitting Jordan Hamilton and overturning the latter.
"Force!" , the referee's whistle blows, giving Terry an offensive foul.
The jets were a little dumbfounded for a while, are you fucking mistaken, who is the old bird and who is the rookie?
Jordan Hamilton smirked, Thornton went up to pull him up, and he whispered, "I'll cover later." Then he lowered his head and ran to ask for the ball. Don't look at Thornton again.
With the ball to the frontcourt, Jordan Hamilton began to increase the speed of the shot, his shoulders swayed from side to side, Terry instinctively moved his center of gravity, at this time Thornton pushed Josh Smith and rushed out, and Jordan Hamilton broke in his direction, obviously trying to get rid of Terry with his cover.
Seeing this, Terry immediately retreated, constantly moving his feet to prevent Thornton from seizing his chance, but Jordan Hamilton outside the three-point line was just shaking his shoulders before. Although there was movement under his feet, he did not run out, but trotted in place.
After Terry stepped back, Jordan Hamilton also took a step back and rose from outside the three-point line. Here comes a bewitching long-range shot.
The ball whistled and flew out, arcing very high, like an orange rainbow lit up in the sky, and one end was connected to Jordan Hamilton's hand. The other end was attached to the hoop and fell into it.
9-2, the Pelicans suddenly led by 7 points. And this is already five and a half minutes into the game, and the fans in the Toyota Center are scared, what's wrong with the team, is it going to set a record for the lowest score in a single quarter in the history of Zào?
Harden is in such a mood that he can't be a hated father, he glared at Terry angrily, but still didn't criticize the old teammate.
The teammate's instrength made Harden choose to go alone again, he leaned sideways against Granger to pass the ball, and then his body's center of gravity dropped almost leaning on Granger's chest, his right foot followed up fiercely, the ball in his right hand landed vigorously and jumped, and then his left foot followed up with his right foot and then stepped forward, and he fiercely pushed Granger in.
Gritted his teeth and carried Harden, but when the ball bounced again, Harden caught the ball with his right hand and quickly half-turned and rushed to the left. At the same time, the elbow slammed into Granger's chest, and with the help of this reaction force, he completely completed the turn, and forced a breakthrough forward with his left foot.
Granger is also a tough guy, he didn't lose his defensive position after several heavy blows, and finally Harden's elbow hit made his blood boil, and he still chased after him with a muffled howl.
Harden had to reduce his speed, Asik came out to help him cover, seeing this mustache stopped and accelerated, with the help of Asik rushed into the restricted area, put away the ball and twisted his waist hook hand and then turned around and jumped, throwing the ball high into the hoop.
Rocket fans finally breathed a sigh of relief, but some people didn't feel good, because it was too difficult for the mustache to score today.
Jordan Hamilton quickly dribbled across the halfcourt, his eyes quickly swept over his teammates, and finally rushed outside the three-point line when he shouted and suddenly accelerated the speed of the ball again, Terry opened his arms and prepared to prevent his breakthrough, but at this moment, Jordan Hamilton suddenly put away the ball, unexpectedly rose from the ground, and shook his wrist with the ball in his right hand, and came to a super long three-point.
The ball whistled out, and the Rockets fans prayed in their hearts not to hit, but in the next second, the hoop rippled with snow-white waves, and the referee waved his arms and hit a three-point shot!
12-4, Jordan Hamilton looked at the scoreboard and shook his fist fiercely, McHale grinned and quickly called a timeout, where the did this rookie come out, why is it so fierce?!
A rookie forced himself to call a timeout, McHale was very angry, the old handsome man who had already participated in Zen and was about to reach the realm of ascension, and he didn't care what Harden Asik was an All-Star, splitting his head and covering his face was an angry scolding:
"Look at your damn defense, are you playing on the pitch in leather skirts? Tough, tough, give me tough! If you are deficient in calcium, then I will honestly sit under the court to replenish calcium, shit, if you are on the field, then give me the spirit! Jason, what's going on with your defense today? The kid on the other side is not as thick as your thighs, and you are helpless against him? ”
McHale glared at Terry and roared,
"Do you want Beverly to go up and give you a demonstration?"
Beverley was secretly grinning, he was really looking forward to going on the court to show off his awesome physique, Terry smiled wryly, he was really strong, Jordan Hamilton was like a bean sprout in front of him, but it was this that limited his footing, he was a good defender. But once you defend one-on-one, it will be a wolf, especially in the face of "Scuds".
Jordan Hamilton is just a Scud, a Scud taller than Terry, and a Scud shooter.
Beverley has the potential to be a very good defensive player, with a strong physique, surprisingly long arms, unusually large palms, amazing bounce, and brutal upper body strength. His speed and agility, especially his long arms, are a dribbler's nightmare, as well as his footwork and strength, all of which help him defend.
Unfortunately, Beverley's passing vision is poor, his playing spirit is insufficient, his execution tactics are more mechanical, and there are many mistakes.
Pause regression. Jordan Hamilton stood on the court again with energy, and Van Gundy told Jordan Hamilton off the court:
"Shoot, shoot me, shoot hard!"
He saw a lack of specificity in the Rockets' playup for Jordan Hamilton. I'm ready to make a surprise attack.
This is not something that ordinary people dare to do, because this is a key game in the West.
Under Terry's intense pressure, Jordan Hamilton kept changing directions to keep his breakaway possibilities and forced the Jets to step back. At the top of the arc, he handed the ball to Granger, who came up to pick it up, and went to block Harden himself, causing Granger and Terry to form a misalignment.
Harden's footwork is outstanding. With a tug of the butt, Jordan Hamilton got out of the way, still chasing Granger.
Granger ran two steps and was targeted by Harden again, and he passed the ball to Li Feng.
As soon as Li Feng received the ball, Mortiyunas and Asik squeezed up frantically, and Josh Smith was watching from the sidelines, as long as he dared to attack, he would definitely not hesitate to go up to the bag.
Li Feng should pass the ball to Henson, Thornton responds on the outside, the Rockets' defensive pressure is from the inside out, wrapping Li Feng, forcing him to pass the ball to the outside, as long as he dares to hold the ball, at least two people will be trapped, in this way, the Pelicans can only move the ball outside, and the NBA has a saying that the farther away from the basket, the more difficult it is to score, and the Rockets want to kill the Pelicans like this.
Thornton received the ball, duffled a shot to draw Terry's attention, and immediately passed the ball to Jordan Hamilton.
Jordan Hamilton got the ball without pause, almost caught it when he jumped, and then elegantly raised the ball above his head, flicked his wrist, looked directly at the hoop, and shot the ball softly.
"Huh", hearing this crisp voice, the Rockets fans trembled.
Terry gritted his teeth with hatred, and when he attacked, he crushed Jordan Hamilton with his strength and body, and hit him with all his might.
Harden ran from the low post to the right side of the perimeter, and Thornton cautiously followed, and no one dared to let go of Harden.
The Pelicans have some trouble defending, the Rockets use a three-interior strategy, Morty Yunas center, Asik power forward, Josh Smith nominally small forward can actually play power forward, Granger can only switch defense to top Josh Smith, fortunately, his toughness against the latter is quite effective.
Harden came up from the low post to cover Terry, in fact, he took the ball and passed it to Asik, the Turk immediately rushed out to catch the ball, and when he got the ball, he was about to shoot, no way, his transfer speed was too fast, and the Pelicans could only send Li Feng out.
This is the only way McHale can break the defensive threat of Li Feng, and that is to use Asik's speed, flexibility and accurate shooting ability to keep Asik moving to the high post and pull Li Feng out, otherwise with him, the Rockets' penalty area will be useless.
Li Feng waved his arms to prevent Asik's defense, and he took a step across the situation and stuck Harden, and the mustache wanted to rush in to attack the hoop, but collided with Li Feng. This guy's little black elbow is very powerful, and when he got closer, he came and smashed under Li Feng's ribs.
Harden is not the domineering and direct guy of Barron Davis, there is only one bearded man in the NBA, and that is Baron Davis.
Li Feng is not Yao Ming's good boy, after being elbowed by the mustachioed Harden, he saw Asik pass Harden, so he followed, and directly stepped on the surface of Harden's feet, Harden was about to break through, pulled his feet and ran forward, but as a result, he couldn't pull his feet and was trampled!
Harden didn't really want to attack on his own, he just passed the ball to Josh Smith, and Li Feng's kick didn't work.
After Josh Smith got the ball, he made a weird left turn and shook off Granger for a layup. (To be continued......)