Next.

The game between the Thunder and the Timberwolves was also a warm-up topic.

Both sides happened to have a day off, and the league also saw the topicality of the game, so it also added fuel to the fire.

and temporarily transferred the resources of the live broadcast in the United States.

This game is not only a battle for second place in the West, but also a grudge between the players and the team's management.

McCollum, in particular, has made no secret of his aggression towards the team trading him.

"The battle for second place in the West, the first official meeting between the two teams after the trade. 》

McCollum: I'm going to knock the Timberwolves out of the playoffs. 》

Who lost the Ibaka deal? The battle of tomorrow may provide the answer. 》

Brooks: Gobert is fine, I've found a way to use him. 》

"Western Conference Second Card Battle Preview: Westbrook Will Welcome a Comeback! 》

The game hasn't started yet, and the coverage is already a blockbuster.

For this Western card two game, in the voting launched, most fans are still optimistic about the Thunder.

The Timberwolves' 21-game winning streak was ended by the Thunder himself, and even if you don't talk about that game, the Thunder's team is also the team that has hit the finals.

Although Gobert, McCollum, Curry Jr. and others had a difficult time integrating into the team at first.

But in the last game, as Coach Brooks said, they have found a way to use the new players.

Gobert and McCollum both played well in the last game, which also proves that the Thunder are looking for the right path.

The key is that Durant and Westbrook are too strong.

Especially Durant's scoring streak this past season, as well as a back-to-back spine.

This season's performance is also very strong, and the MVP award has been far ahead.

Durant is likely to win the MVP this season.

In fact, Durant did win the MVP this season.

As for most fans who are not fans of the two teams, the Thunder are an old powerhouse after all, although there is one less Ibaka.

But after so many years, Ibaka can hardly be said to be a star at the same level as Durant and Will.

Even, it's not the same level as the Harden who has left the team.

In the past season, Ibaka looked like an ordinary blue-collar player, not the core of the team at all.

Even as a blue-collar player, those days of being educated by Duncannowitzki still make fans remember vividly.

Although Gobert has had some problems in the past few games, when Coach Brooks found Gobert's manual, his own talent can really fill the vacancy of the team's center.

Coupled with McCollum's performance as a Super Sixth Man in the last game, this Thunder team may not be weak.

And fans' impression of the Timberwolves is that after Garnett left the team, the perennial Timberwolves were rotten.

Although the Timberwolves set a record of 20 consecutive wins in the opening game a while ago, the Timberwolves immediately had a 1-7 record.

All in all, this Timberwolves just give people a rather unstable feeling.

If Westbrook doesn't come back, maybe the two teams can still play a little bit, but Westbrook's comeback has made the Thunder's combat effectiveness rise a lot.

However, there are also some viewers who are optimistic about the Timberwolves.

More people are more neutral, just for fun.

Let's see if McCollum's boast of Haikou will come to fruition, and it can really slap the Timberwolves management in the face.

Minnesota.

Target Center Arena.

The attendance rate in the stadium was very high, and there were basically no empty seats, and it was full.

For a small ball market like Minnesota, the usual attendance rate can be 60%, 70% or something is already high.

Even the number of tickets actually bought has not yet reached the attendance rate.

In many cases, because the team has a large surplus of season tickets, the team will also do some ticket giveaway activities.

For example, invite some local college students or international students to send an email to ask if they want to come to watch the football for free.

The people who are invited are basically acting as the atmosphere group, and there is also the development of potential users.

But the tickets for today's game were directly sold out.

Such a scene was only when there were so many people when they hit 16 consecutive wins to break the opening streak record.

Unexpectedly, not long after, it was reproduced again.

This time is not only the battle for the second place in the West, but also many Timberwolves fans want to see how the players who were traded out before are playing.

In fact, the Timberwolves' temper is quite good in the league, which is not only the reason why the fans of the bad team are generally good-tempered.

Like when the Knicks are in a mess, the players, coaches, and management will even be scolded by the fans at home.

Most of the time, Timberwolves fans did not protest against Su Chen's operation.

It was only once last time Su Chen traded Lefou, Rubio, and Williams.

That's understandable, as soon as Su Chen came to the Timberwolves, he directly took out the money saved by the Timberwolves and squandered it.

If this is not in a hurry, it is not a question of good temper or not, it is not a matter of whether the team is good or not, it is that I don't care about the team at all.

This game is not just for the live fans to watch.

At this moment, there are still many Thunder fans in front of the TV, and fans of other teams are paying attention.

After being transferred to the national live broadcast, the gold medal commentary group also came to the target center.

"I think before we talk about this game, we should talk about the trade between the Thunder and the Timberwolves, what do you think about that deal?"

Johnson was the first to ask questions to the crowd.

"Actually, I think this deal is a lose-lose for both teams."

Kenny Smith was the first to say.

The deal is now said by the outside world, and the general belief is that the Thunder is more profitable, and a small number think that the Timberwolves have made it.

But Kenny Smith's statement is relatively new.

"Oh, tell me why."

Barkley didn't answer the question either, and went straight to Kenny Smith.

"The positioning of the two teams, the Timberwolves are a rebuilding team that needs a future, and the Thunder are a championship contender."

"As a result of this trade, the Timberwolves have lost three players who have shown clear potential, and the Thunder have lost their immediate power."

"With all due respect, in the past games, I don't think the Timberwolves have traded players to the level that Serge Ibaka is doing now."

Kenny Smith spoke eloquently and spoke his mind.

Serge Ibaka is a player whose standard strength is less than famous, and people only know that the Thunder have two superstars, Durant and Westbrook, but Ibaka is very strong.

Ibaka's strong coverage and attacking end, although not top-notch, are very multi-faceted.

Garnett's peak is actually not a top-level offense, and Garnett's offensive ability at the peak can only be said to be barely at the first-class level, and many times he has to rely on iron-blooded big shots.

In the low post, Garnett's ability is not strong.

The same is true for the current Ibaka, who is ubiquitous on the defensive end, while also relying on mid-range shots and even three-pointers to help the team on the offensive end.

It's just that Ibaka is still a notch worse than Garnett in terms of single defense and rebounding ability, but he is better at shooting longer and reaching the three-point line.

After hearing Kenny Smith's answer, everyone also thought for a moment.

They are all professionals, and even if they don't usually joke seriously, they still know a lot about the ball.

Gobert's shortcomings exposed in the past are a big drop in the rating for the insider.

The problem of the basic disc is not a problem of running-in at all.

McCollum is also physically gifted, he is on the defensive end, he is just not tough enough.

"You have a point, but Su Chen didn't think about rebuilding, and they still have to make the playoffs."

At this time, Barkley said in a weird way.

"yes, that's the problem, he's going to have to make the playoffs to get paid."

After listening to this, O'Neill said with a smile.

Even if Kenny Smith admired Su Chen, he had to admit that Su Chen was indeed too selfish to do this.

It's all come to this point, Su Chen can completely talk to the boss to cancel the gambling agreement and rebuild the Timberwolves with such a team.

In a few years, the Timberwolves will be able to complete the rebuild with this roster.

But when Su Chen did this, he obviously didn't think about discussing it with the boss at all, he only seemed to care about his gambling agreement.

"Guys, what do you think of this game?"

At this time, Johnson has already opened the next topic.

"If the Timberwolves want to win this game, they have to rely on the defense they have shown in the past, and at the same time, they have to seize the opportunity to push and convert the offense."

"But on the Thunder side, they have a higher level of stars, and they don't have any leaks defensively."

Kenny Smith was still the first to answer.

Obviously Kenny Smith did his homework for this game.

These are the answers.

"In fact, the Timberwolves' defense is still doing well, Su Chen has brought a very strong defensive system to this Timberwolves, and Ibaka has been running in well with the Timberwolves in two games so far."

"But the Thunder still have a big advantage, and Durant just scored 36 points in the last game."

O'Neill also nodded and said.

"Haha, Shaq you forgot McCollum, that guy went on the court and scored 25 points."

Barkley said with a wink.

"By the way, I almost forgot about this, this kid has already said that he wants to kick the Timberwolves out of the playoffs."

"I think the Timberwolves have to focus on defending him, and he's definitely getting ready to play the Timberwolves right now."

"Hahaha"

After O'Neill's words were finished, there was a burst of laughter from the commentary desk.

"However, the Timberwolves have a really small chance of winning this game, and they not only need to think about how to limit Durant, but also pay attention to Westbrook's surprise attack."

After laughing for a while, Barkley also said again.

None of the others refuted Barkley's point, and they generally agreed with Barkley.

The Timberwolves are a rebuilding team after all, giving people a very unstable feeling.

In the stage of 1 win and 7 losses, it is difficult to even find a voice against the tank team.

"The game is about to begin."

That's when Kenny Smith reminded.

Players from both sides warmed up in the middle of the field, and the coaches of both sides were already standing next to each other to supervise the game.

Su Chen quietly crossed his hands on the sidelines, looked at the field, and made some mouth movements from time to time.

On the other side, the Thunder's coach, Scott Brooks, is communicating with the assistant coach next to him from time to time.

This game was broadcast live in the United States, and before the game started, the director also specially cut a shot of the coaches of both sides on the same screen.

The comparison between the two coaches is also very interesting.

One has led the team to the finals, and the other has already won the championship.

Scott Brooks wears a pair of glasses and looks quite Sven.

Although Su Chen seems to be a Sven faction, the coaching styles of the two are very different.

Scott Brooks is not the main player of tactical flow, and the tactics he lays out are basically some very common tactics.

He basically doesn't make any big changes to the team on the field.

His coaching philosophy is based on believing.

Believe in Durant, believe in Westbrook, he believes in the talent of these players to solve the problem.

belongs to the chicken soup flow coach, can handle the team's player relations, so that the team's locker room atmosphere is very good.

And Su Chen is the opposite of Scott Brooks.

Su Chen likes to play tactics very much, and it is a tactic that some alliances have never heard of or seen.

In a game, it is common to switch between two completely different styles of tactical systems, as if players don't need to practice these systems to get along.

At the same time, Su Chen's methods are very iron-blooded, not as gentle on players as Scott Brooks.

Su Chen can DNP Jarrett Jack directly and turn David Lee from a star player into a rotation tail substitute.

During the Timberwolves, Su Chen could also hold down all the disobedient ones.

Josh, Iguodala, and Lore Deng all re-entered the team to start or rotate after relenting.

Even if these players were exchanged for chips by him, as long as they were disobedient, Su Chen could not use them.

Su Chen's coaching philosophy is even a bit like those old-school iron-blooded coaches, who have absolute requirements for the execution of players.

So the comparison between these two is also quite interesting.

At this time, the two also walked to the middle of the court.

Scott Brooks and Su Chen shook hands briefly, and the two didn't have much communication.

Before the game, only Curry Jr. and Su Chen came to say hello, and although he was traded, Su Chen gave him the opportunity to play.

In addition, Su Chen has a good relationship with his brother, so he also has to give Su Chen face.

But McCollum and Gobert didn't even look at Su Chen before the game, they were obviously emotional.

McCollum, in particular, is clamoring to kick the Timberwolves out of the playoffs, and he is unlikely to say hello.

Players from both sides also entered at this time.

Timberwolves starting lineup: Sergi Ibaka (C), Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF), Lore Deng (SF), Andre Iguodala (SG), Jimmy Butler (PG).

Thunder starting lineup: Rudy Gobert (C), Kevin Durant (PF), Sapo Sofrosa (SF), Reggie Jackson (SG), Russell Westbrook PG)

The Timberwolves' lineup is a set that was very familiar before.

The Thunder's starting lineup has made a lot of adjustments.

Previously, the Thunder's inside line was a double inside line structure.

Perkins and Ibaka are the Thunder's interior linemen.

With Ibaka gone, Adams could have been the starting power forward, but Scott Brooks didn't think so.

The Timberwolves don't have a so-called traditional center, and a double center can't actually guard against the Timberwolves.

So just let Durant play power forward.

Durant's actual height is indeed enough to deal with the average power forward.

Although the big forward of other teams, it is a disadvantage to let Durant defend, but the Timberwolves can play like this.

(End of chapter)