bookcurios Chapter 214 The Contest for the Top of the League
Chapter 214 The Contest for the Top of the League
Chapter 214 The battle for the top spot in the league
After reaching the achievement of 22 consecutive victories.
The Heat's record has reached 45 wins and 12 losses, with a winning rate of 79%, and they are almost alone in the league.
According to this winning rate estimate, the Heat's final record this season will be a terrifying 64 wins or more, which is close to the best record in team history created by the Big Three in the 12-13 season.
This is undoubtedly an impressive achievement.
after all……
James, the league's number one player, is gone.
They experienced a strong shock in the middle of the season. Bosh, one of the Big Three, was replaced for Gasol. The entire important rotation was cleaned up, and Wade was injured.
Under such circumstances, it was naturally not easy to achieve such an impressive record, and it shocked countless people.
of course.
Even though the Heat are so strong, they still cannot reach the top spot in the league.
Because there was a big mountain pressing in front of them.
It is the Atlanta Hawks. Their current record is 46 wins and 12 losses, beating the Heat (45 wins and 12 losses) and the Golden State Warriors (44 wins and 12 losses), temporarily ranking first in the league.
As long as the Heat defeat the Hawks, they will successfully reach the top of the league, break the Rockets' original 22-game winning streak, and rank third in the winning streak.
It can be said……
This battle is the battle for the top spot in the league.
Won.
The Heat will truly be the best in the league and trample everyone under their feet.
Lost.
That would be equivalent to giving up the top spot.
The importance cannot be overstated.
In addition, the last time the two teams met, the Eagles suffered a shocking reversal of 31 points. Sefolosha even fouled Xue Liancheng at the last moment, but still could not prevent the Eagles from being nailed to the pillar of shame.
The grievances between the two parties are here, and naturally they have attracted much attention.
before the game.
Although neither side showed any oppositional emotions, they seemed to be ready to attack.
The Heat's Gasol is still absent, and the starting lineup is Xue Liancheng, Wade, PJ Tucker, Ibaka, and Haslem.
Haslem nominally started in place of Gasol, but did not actually play much time.
The Eagles were also hit by injuries, Teague and Carroll were both absent, and even Horford was in a doubtful state, making a temporary decision to play before the game.
One can imagine how determined they are to defend their No. 1 spot in the league.
Their starting lineup is: Schroder, Kent Bazemore, Korver, Millsap, Horford.
Neither side is perfect, but they both showed determination to win this game.
Haslem and Horford jump ball.
Haslem is indeed too old. Even though he has the advantage of height, he still cannot jump over Horford, who has faster bounce and higher jump.
The Eagles started their first attack.
Schroeder was a rookie selected by the Hawks with the 17th pick in the first round last year. His performance in his rookie season was not very good.
But this season, he has gradually emerged.
Becoming an absolute substitute for Teague, relying on his excellent speed, he averaged 10.6 points and 4.1 assists per game.
Such data was obtained with less than twenty minutes of playing time.
Has shown great potential.
If converted to thirty-six minutes, it is equivalent to 18+7. Adding the factor of absolute control, the final figure may be around 18+7.
In fact.
After losing again in the playoffs next year, the Eagles directly dismantled the team and traded Teague to help Schroeder, and Schroeder lived up to expectations, indeed hitting a quasi-All-Star level of 19.4 points and 6.2 assists.
but……
In view of Schroeder's poor defense and extremely unstable state, coupled with strict defense, the finishing ability at the basket has plummeted.
It turned out that Schroeder was actually not suitable to be the core of the team.
In the end, he was cleared out by the eagle.
But now Schroeder is really high-spirited.
After the attack, facing PJ Tucker, he changed direction directly in front of him and strode past Tucker.
Then side step mid distance.
I voted directly.
Enter through the frame.
Finally returned to defense.
When passing by Xue Liancheng, he deliberately smiled at Xue Liancheng.
Xue Liancheng was confused.
It does not make sense?
It wasn't the person he was guarding against, so why did he provoke him?
His first thought was that Schroeder was responding to the shocking reversal in the previous game.
But it was quickly rejected by him.
He felt that Schroeder was so arrogant because he was extremely dissatisfied with his super new star.
Because during this period, he often encountered this situation. Some players always made incomprehensible provocations against him for no reason.
What's more, she even threatened to make him look good.
no doubt……
These people all feel that if they are allowed to have the ball, their performance will definitely be no worse than him.
What these people have in common is that they are young, just emerging, and extremely confident.
Xue Liancheng's reaction to them was just to smile and say nothing...
Do you really think 20+10 is so easy to get?
I don't know the heights of the sky and the depths of the earth...
In fact.
After the game, these people stopped pressing.
reason?
The attack frenzy led by Xue Liancheng was completely helpless, and a wave of horizontal pushes could directly beat them to the ground.
What else is there to do?
and so.
This time was no exception.
Xue Liancheng simply ignored Schroeder.
Quickly advance after receiving the ball.
result.
Unexpectedly, Schroeder actually came forward.
Is this...to guard against him?
Looking at Schroeder, who was skinny and obviously smaller than himself, he felt a little lost for a moment.
What the hell...
What a commendable courage!
At this time, he didn't know whether to admire Schroeder's courage or Budenholzer's courage.
Really unexpected.
but.
Since the other party wants to give a big gift, he will naturally accept it.
Don't ask Haslem to call up the pick-and-roll.
Start directly.
Schroeder is only 185cm tall and weighs only 78kg.
This size and tonnage are really similar to ordinary people.
How could it withstand Xue Liancheng's devastation.
Just slump your shoulders and squeeze in.
Schroeder stumbled, stepped back, and gave up two positions.
Xue Liancheng was stunned.
He also didn't expect that Schroeder would not hit him.
But he reacted quickly.
Step back to the three-point line.
Just raise your hand.
Only then did Schroeder stand still and wanted to rush over.
But it's too late.
Xue Liancheng has already made a three-pointer.
With the 10% hit rate bonus, the ball finally passed directly through the needle.
Three out of three.
This time.
Schroeder failed to laugh.
Obviously.
In this round, Xue Liancheng had already made him feel a strong sense of oppression.
Just a physical contact made him stagger back. One can imagine the disparity in strength and tonnage between the two.
Look back.
Schroeder had a calm expression on his face and galloped over.
If you want to repeat the same trick, use the method of changing direction in front of the body to beat PJ Tucker.
only.
Tucker was already prepared, took half a step back, kept a certain distance, and prepared to prevent an attack.
This caused Schroeder to step over.
I was surprised to find that I didn't get through Tucker completely.
You can only use your auxiliary hand to push forward.
pity.
PJ-Tucker's strength is also enormous.
The two collided together, like a hyena colliding with an elephant, which looked quite funny.
At last.
Schroeder didn't care and turned over to make a strong shot.
This is exactly the kind of player P.J. Tucker likes to defend.
First of all, he will use the absolute strength of his body to press the opponent's body, and then squeeze it with his flesh. This causes the offensive player to turn over, but the take-off height is actually much lower than usual.
When the body is out of balance and the shooting posture is deformed, how can the hit rate be guaranteed?
After all, not everyone is Jordan Kobe, who can find a balance point in fierce physical confrontation, and then accurately send the ball into the basket.
What's more...
Schroeder's strong shot in this round was made with Tucker completely close to his body.
This resulted in him having to lean back as much as possible.
But because the jump is not high, and you lean back so much, the release point will naturally become very low.
finally.
PJ Tucker slapped the ball directly on Schroeder's head, who was completely out of balance.
Then it bounces back.
After PJ Tucker picked up the ball, he immediately handed it to Xue Liancheng.
The Heat went fast.
Schroeder, who was lying on the ground, was in a panic. He could only endure the pain in his body and get up quickly.
result.
Just ran halftime.
The Heat's offense is over.
Xue Liancheng and Wade completed the connection again, the former assisted the latter in the alley-oop.
Two points scored.
Budenholzer's face turned green on the sidelines. He walked to the midline and shouted toward the court: "Get the tactics out..."
And in fact.
Everyone knew that this was said to Schroeder.
Schroeder's face was already livid.
He glanced at Xue Liancheng subconsciously, gritted his teeth secretly, and curled his lips.
In the last match, he was absent due to injury and did not really feel the fear of being dominated by Xue Liancheng.
A huge point difference of 31 points.
He was not present, so he naturally couldn't feel the despair and suffocation.
Especially the ball that Xue Liancheng killed the game could directly make the blood in the bodies of all the Eagles players freeze instantly...
And now...
He just felt Xue Liancheng's power.
But still a little unconvinced.
Eagles attack.
this time.
Schroeder didn't dare to mess around anymore. After handing the ball to Horford, he ran to a 45-degree angle to handle the ball.
Horford at this time.
Still very strong.
Or to be precise, it should be very comprehensive.
Face-up offense, post-up singles, left and right small hooks, footsteps under the basket, blocking and grabbing the board, can defend big and small, and can also support high positions and organize passes.
He even developed a good three-point shot later.
It's really comprehensive.
There are few noticeable flaws.
This is the reason why Horford has repeatedly received maximum salary contracts.
But he cannot be specialized in every ability.
In other words, he can do everything.
But nothing can be perfected.
The ability to break through the face frame is good, but after encountering obstacles, they cannot get rid of them.
His post-up play is decent, but he doesn't have the absolute power to hit it hard.
The small hooks on the left and right are threatening, but they are definitely not his regular offensive weapons.
The steps under the basket are good, but they are only good. If you want to use your steps to finish, it is far from enough.
He has a good sense of position and grasping the board, but his height and tonnage are limited. Facing a strong inside line, he can only eat dirt.
He can defend big players, but he has nothing to do when he encounters a strong insider.
He can also guard against small ones, but there are many people who can train him in the military.
There is also a high-position support system, but the passing threat is not as great as imagined.
Horford is okay with these things, but he is far from the top.
This is the reason why he has never become a star in the NBA for so many years.
He never scored 20+ points in a season. The highest point was 18.6 points last season, but he only played 29 games. It is of little reference.
In one season, the rebounds averaged as high as 10.2 per game, but compared with those inside monsters who frequently scored 13+14+, they lacked some convincing.
The highest assists in the early stage are 3.5, and the emphasis on support in the later stage is 4.7, but they are far from the offensive axis level.
and so……
Looking at Horford, he is such a player who is neither good nor bad, and is on the verge of being an All-Star.
After getting the ball in this round.
I just looked back and forth, found that there was no chance, and sent it out again.
He has no ability to create scoring space at all, or is as extreme as Xue Liancheng, who completes the ball at the moment of opportunity when his teammates are running.
no……
Absolutely not……
finally.
The ball spun around and Millsap finished at the basket.
Got 2 points.
But anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Eagles are struggling to score.
There is no absolute strong point. You can only rely on more screens, more runs, and more passes to create space and opportunities.
But facing the Heat's full defense.
The Eagles actually never had a chance.
When Millsap scored the goal, he took advantage of Haslem's slow pace and made a quick shot before the flanking attack came.
if not……
With this ball, the Eagles are likely to be forced into a 24-second violation.
This is still at the beginning of the routine.
If it were in the playoffs, the Hawks' teamwork tactics would be even more unworkable.
Under various physical confrontations and suffocating defenses, once you fall behind and then cannot attack, it means that you have a high chance of losing power.
Not to mention explosive scoring power.
It is almost impossible to get the score back.
The most important thing is that in the high-end game at the last moment, both sides were on tight defense and kept attacking the defense. No superstar stepped forward and forced the score.
So……
It means that the possibility of you losing the game will be infinitely magnified.
Budenholzer tried his best, but still failed to learn the essence of Popovich.
No matter what period the Spurs need superstar ball, GDP is still there...
Although these three people are usually inconspicuous, especially in the later stage, their statistics are mediocre, but when they need to attack difficulties, their ability is absolutely undoubted.
Even Leonard in the later stage can rely on mid-range one-on-one to solve problems.
And what about the eagle?
Who has such ability?
The answer is: no.
back...
Xue Liancheng faced Schroeder again, without any hesitation, he rushed in directly.
This time Schroeder learned his lesson, he pushed his chest forward and kicked his back legs on the ground.
But in the face of absolute power and tonnage, all tricks are just fancy.
Xue Liancheng bumped into it.
Schroeder still didn't stop retreating.
finally.
Xue Liancheng stepped forward and got stuck.
Then forcefully rush forward.
At this time, no matter how fast Schroeder is and how agile your movements are, the interference with Xue Liancheng will be extremely limited.
Bazemore, who replaced Carroll in the starting lineup, had to double-team.
But Xue Liancheng still didn't stop at all, pushing Bazemore forward.
This resulted in Schroeder chasing after Xue Liancheng, and Bazemore in front of him.
result.
The pincer attack between the two people actually had no effect.
He was pushed all the way to the free throw line by Xue Liancheng.
The scene looked very shocking.
finally.
Horford had to bring it up.
Xue Liancheng then passed the ball to Haslem at the basket.
The latter unbuttons easily.
Budenholzer on the sidelines was stunned.
According to his previous idea.
It was Schroeder who defended Xue Liancheng, and when Xue Liancheng broke through, Bazemore immediately came over to help defend against the attack, forcing Xue Liancheng to play the ball.
As soon as Xue Liancheng plays the ball, Bazemore can use the small man's flexibility and speed to immediately rush back to fill the defensive gap.
result.
The two flanked each other, but Xue Liancheng pushed them forward, without any effect at all.
This was completely unexpected and shocked him.
He didn't expect Xue Liancheng to be so strong.
This round.
Xue Liancheng completely shattered his defensive assumptions, leaving him feeling helpless.
In fact.
Xue Liancheng carried the two men to break through, which seemed very shocking, but in fact everything was done with skill.
He used the tonnage of his body to trap Schroeder and block him behind him.
This can minimize Schroeder's interference with him.
Then break through against Bazemore, let alone.
His strength and tonnage were originally placed here. Bazemore may be physically stronger than Schroeder, but he is not much stronger.
and so……
All this seems difficult, but in fact, for Xue Liancheng, it is not a truly effective pincer attack at all.
This created this famous scene.
This time.
Schroeder's face finally turned pale.
He didn't know Xue Liancheng's skills.
All he knew was that Xue Liancheng was pushing him and Bazemore, but they were helpless and were dragged forward like rags.
this moment.
Deep in his heart, he felt fear for Xue Liancheng for the first time, felt the terror of Xue Liancheng's power for the first time, and clearly realized the gap between the two.
Ok?
This gap is between heaven and earth.
Simply insurmountable.
It makes people feel a sense of surrender in their hearts.
because……
It is too strong.
So strong that he had to admire him.
After all, if you think about it from his perspective, facing such an intense attack, he might have stumbled around or even lost the ball.
Moreover, he has been in the league for almost two years, and basically all the players he should match up with are matched up.
Never before has Xue Liancheng been able to break into the restricted area with two people on his back.
Even if he is as strong as LeBron James, he is just charging forward unstoppably.
Xue Liancheng attacked him and Bazemore from outside the three-point line!
The two are completely different.
this time.
How could he be dissatisfied?
In his opinion, Xue Liancheng is the strongest player among the defenders.
really……
There is no false person under the great reputation.
Xue Liancheng didn't know that he had conquered an opponent.
At this time, he had already returned to defense.
We are waiting for you.
If he knew that Schroeder thought so, he would definitely give a thumbs up: You kid has a little vision...