Defending champion

Chapter 48 Battle with the Rockets

At 7:30 U.S. Western time, the New Orleans Hornets' game against the Houston Rockets started on time.

"Let us welcome from Michelle High School... 6 feet 9 inches... our Hornets power forward... Michael Jack..." The DJ at the scene first reported Jack's name.

The United Center, and then overwhelming applause, hit like a tide.The wonderful performance of Jack in these few games is obvious to all Hornets fans. Jack has conquered some fans in this city with his performance.

Jack enjoyed this call very much, he was intoxicated in this call.

After high-fiving Chris Paul and David West very excitedly, Jack was the first to run to the center of the court.The next ones to play are jr Smith, Russell Butler, and of course the core of the team, Chris Paul.

After the appearance ceremony is completed, then, after a series of home activities such as raising the national flag, the game officially begins after the referee's whistle.

On the big screen at the scene, the lists of both sides and starting players appeared.

The Hornets fielded the main lineup: Center: Hilton Armstrong Power forward: David West Small forward: LS Earl Butler Shooting guard: JR Smith Point guard: Chris Paul

The main lineup sent by the visiting team is: Center: Yao Ming Power forward: Hayes Small forward: Battier Shooting guard: Tracy McGrady Point guard: Ralph Alston

Jack was not mentioned in the starting position, even though Jack had mentioned to Byron that he had to be mentioned in the starting position for this bet.

However, Byron firmly disagreed. It was impossible for Byron to destroy the integrity of the team's lineup for a big bet.The starting lineup cannot be changed casually. It is not known whether such a change is good or bad. Byron dare not take a risk easily.Byron assured Jack that Jack had no less than 38 minutes of playing time in this game.

Now that Byron has said this, of course Jack will not go back and worry about his playing time.He is just worried about how to complete the feat of 20+20!
The inside line of the Rockets is mainly guarded by Yao Ming and Hayes, the two titans.And Hayes is about to face Jack directly.Jack will inevitably fight Hayes at the basket.

Hayes is also called "Haiye" by the fans, and Hayes is still a player that Jack liked very much in his previous life.Jack admired Hayes' height of 1.9 meters [-] to appear in this position of power forward.

Hayes' foothold in the league is mainly on defense.Haiye's rebounding ability is good, especially the offensive rebounds are quite unexpected, and the defense is strong enough.At the same time, Hayes also has the ability to steal the ball and block shots.

Hayes is the kind of player who focuses on defense and light offense. Compared with his defense, Hayes' offensive ability is really nothing.His best attack method is post-up singles under the basket, but due to his height defect, he is often blocked by big men under the basket.

After Jack's analysis, Jack felt that the chances of accomplishing the goal today are very high, if it is against Haiye.The most basic point is that Jack has a height advantage.However, if Yao Ming came out to disrupt the situation, it would be another matter.

Game start.

"shoot!"

Yao Ming took advantage of his height and easily transferred the ball to Alstom during Hilton's scrimmage.

The position of the Hornets' players was very timely, and the Rockets did not have the opportunity to form a fast break in time.Seeing that the fast break was not successful, Alstom controlled the rhythm.

The rocket's tactics are very clear, they mainly play from the inside, focusing on Yao Ming.

Yao Ming, who was inside, pouted his butt against Hilton, and immediately asked Alston for the ball.

Seeing that Yao Ming succeeded in claiming the position, Alstom lobbed the ball to Yao Ming.

Against Hilton, Yao Ming has a great advantage both in height and in strength.Yao Ming just arched his butt hard, and Hilton took a few steps back.The center of gravity retreated and retreated, Yao Ming seized this opportunity, turned around backwards, flicked his wrist, the basketball drew a very, very high arc, and the basketball rolled into the basket.

"Yao Ming made a turnaround jumper and scored the ball as soon as he came up. Yao Ming's touch looks really good today. It seems that the inside defenders of the Hornets are struggling today!" the commentator predicted.

"It's true. The Hornets' inside line is not high enough, and the inside line is at a disadvantage. If the outside line cannot be opened, the Hornets will be in trouble." Another commentator replied.

Chris Paul immediately led the team to counterattack.

After Paul broke through Alston's defense in a change of direction, he found that jr Smith, who was ambushing at the 45-degree foot on the right, had a neutral position.Paul made a very penetrating pass and threw the ball to jr Smith. Smith didn't know how many times he practiced during training.After catching the ball, he pulled it up directly and shot a jumper.

"Jr Smith, three-pointer!" The dj shouted frantically.

"Hey! Dude, it seems that the Hornets came prepared today? The touch of the outside players is really not bad!"

"Yeah! This match is going to be played!"

Rocket attack!

Even if Yao Ming didn't catch the ball inside, he was still very intimidating.Hilton, the inside defender, didn't dare to be careless at all, and David West, who was next to him, always had to put part of his attention on Yao Ming.

If Yao Ming received the ball inside, it would be very scary.If you want to defend at that time, you can only foul.

The Rockets are still very determined to hit the ball inside.

As soon as Yao Ming received the ball, the Hornets' players immediately shrank back.Moreover, it shrinks very tightly.

After seeing that he had attracted enough defenses, Yao Ming saw that Battier, who was ambushing in the bottom corner, had an open three-pointer.Yao Ming quickly distributed the ball in his hand.

Shane Battier did not disappoint Yao Ming's trust either. As soon as he caught the ball, he raised his hand, raised the knife and dropped it, and made a very straightforward three-pointer.

"Battier made a three-pointer!" The dj announced loudly.

The two sides are like this, you come and go, and the score is constantly soaring.

In the end, at 13 draws, the Hornets were out of touch.

Paul missed a mid-range jumper and the rebound was taken by Yao Ming.

The Hornets' defense was not timely enough. Tracy McGrady scored zero for the entire game. In the end, Tracy McGrady threw himself and ended the attack with a very entertaining dunk.

Because of this dunk, the momentum of the Rockets also rose.All the soldiers of the Rockets seemed to have had chicken blood.All of them behaved very fiercely.

Butler's layup took off Hayes, who was under the basket, and the Rockets seized this opportunity to counterattack.The quick counter-attack ended with a layup by Alston, adding two points for the Rockets.

The Hornets' basket seems to be covered. The Hornets' soldiers, no matter how they shoot, they don't make it.On the contrary to the Rockets side, they scored all the goals that the Hornets could not score through quick counterattacks.

Seeing that the situation was very bad, Byron immediately called a timeout.Make adjustments.

At this time, the first quarter is still more than 6 minutes away from the end of the first quarter.

Taking advantage of the timeout, the on-site commentator commented on a game:
"The main reason for the Hornets losing points is because the Hornets have no advantage inside, they can't grab rebounds, and there is no chance for a second offense. Moreover, the Hornets' defense is also a problem. It doesn't matter if the ball is not scored, but the Hornets The team's retreat was not timely enough. Defense is a big problem, and Byron waits to solve the problem of defense."

"Man, what do you think the Hornets are going to do later on?"

"I think they should replace their defensive champion Jack. Jack's defense in the first few games is indeed very good. I think as long as Byron replaces Jack, the Hornets' defense should be able to improve. of."

"Dude, do you think that as long as Jack is replaced by Jack, the problem can be solved fundamentally?"

"No, buddy., I didn't say that. Jack can only temporarily relieve the pressure on the defense. If the Hornets want to win, their outside touch must be open. If the Hornets want to fight inside. , the Hornets must have failed."

On the Hornets bench.

"Jack, you go up and down, David, Smith, you go down, Mason, you go up. Jack, you must protect your rebounds. Mason, your main task is to reduce McGrady's efficiency. Don't try to make him score less." Byron Scott yelled at the Hornets players from the sidelines.

After Jack got the instructions to play, he immediately took off the uniform he was wearing and prepared to play.

Byron came over and whispered in Jack's ear, "I hope you still remember our bet."

"Of course I remember the coach. Besides, I'm sure I won't lose. Just watch!" After leaving these words, Jack came to the court full of confidence to prepare for the game.

Looking at Jack's back, Byron looked thoughtful.

I thought to myself: I hope you can surprise me, Jack.

(End of this chapter)