NBA opening draw to twilight Shaquille O'Neal

Chapter 634 See who is the corpse

After establishing a united front and clarifying goals, the next step is the time to choose.

From the 22nd to the end of the month, the Trail Blazers still have 3 games in March, including a back-to-back away game.

To be honest, the schedule is not easy.

After these 5 games, entering April, there are still 4 games waiting for them.

In the total of 14 games, there are many teams that are fully equipped for the playoffs such as the Warriors, Suns, Clippers, Lakers, Pelicans, Thunder, and Mavericks.

For example, in the next game, their opponent is the Golden State Warriors.

But the game against the Warriors is crucial, because they are the team in the league most likely to catch up with the Trail Blazers.

进入3月份以来，勇士队一共取得了10胜2负的战绩，战绩来到了55胜13负，而他们却只落后开拓者3个胜场。

In terms of threats, the Warriors rank first, and no one dares to say second.

Therefore, no matter how tired Wang Zelin is now, he still has to do his best to play against the Warriors. This is not only related to the record ranking, but also affects the regular season MVP battle.

Moreover, once the two sides meet in the playoffs in the future, the side with a higher winning percentage in the regular season will naturally have an advantage.

For the top teams, sometimes even a half-point advantage is enough to become a key factor in changing the balance.

To be honest, without opening the eyes of the sky, the Warriors are definitely a super dark horse that disrupted everyone's plans this season.

It's nothing more than being dark for a while at the beginning of the season. No one thought that they could go all the way to the present and continue to the end of the season.

If it weren't for Wang Zelin's superiority in both team record and personal data, I am afraid that Curry will become the best choice for the MVP of this season's regular season!
It's a pity that if you give birth to a king, why give birth to a library.

However, this does not mean that Wang Zelin will be able to stabilize Diaoyutai.

As a foreign player, he was able to win an MVP trophy. In the eyes of many conservative media experts, it is already a godsend. To complete the defense, he must be ahead of the major competitors in all aspects.

Therefore, the first place in the regular season must not be given to the Warriors. He must use an absolute crushing advantage to achieve the MVP defense!

……

There are still two days before the Warriors will be played on the 24th. Wang Zelin and his teammates take the time to rest and prepare for the strong enemy.

It's just that in the past two days, the media has not been idle.

It can be said that some fans and the media are looking forward to the Blazers breaking the Bulls' record of 96 wins; but more people are actually looking forward to the Blazers losing.

After all, there is only one championship, and no matter how many fans the Trail Blazers have, it is impossible to have more fans than the other 39 unions.

As the Blazers were double-killed by the Grizzlies, a heated discussion quickly triggered discussions among countless fans.

What jumped out was ESPN expert Henry Abbott. He caught Wang Zelin's performances of 22 points in one game, 23 points in one game and 27 points in one game in the past three games.
"Facts have proved that Wang Zelin is a system player. Look at the last game against the Grizzlies. Once LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard scored less than 20+ points, he completely lost his scoring ability in front of the Grizzlies' iron barrel, and finally only scored 27 points..."

In fact, the moment Henry Abbott made these remarks, many colleagues wondered whether that guy was blacking out Wang Zelin or bragging about Wang Zelin?
What does it mean to score only 27 points?
You know, Westbrook, who now ranks second in the league in points per game, averages only 27.2 points per game. The king scored 27 points, is it very low?
Yes, compared to Wang Zelin's previous consecutive 30+, 40+, or even 50+, it is indeed a decline, but this has to be viewed in conjunction with the entire league.

It's really painful to watch!

……

Time came to the 24th, the last stop of 4 consecutive away, the Trail Blazers came to Oakland, Golden State.

At the pre-match press conference, when Wang Zelin was asked about this hot topic, he did not express his thoughts. Instead, he sincerely suggested in front of the media:
"Mr. Henry Abbott, I think you might try your hand at comedy. Really, believe me, you have a talent for it!"

Amidst the roar of laughter, the episode came to an end, and everyone's attention returned to tonight's game.above.

To be precise, it was cast on the Golden State Warriors.

In the past few days when the Trail Blazers were resting, the Warriors just played another game at home yesterday. In the end, at 107:76, they easily destroyed the Washington Double Guns from afar.

In that game, Bradley Beal scored a game-high 12 points, Wall could only score 11 points, and then Kevin Seraphim and Ramon Sessions on the bench scored 12 points each.

Then, in fact, no player scored in double figures.

To talk about the biggest undercover agent tonight, Wizards star Wall made 16 of 4 shots and 3 of 0 three-pointers. He almost smashed the basket in Oracle Arena.

勇士队这边斯蒂芬·库里发挥依旧稳定，全场14投8中，其中三分球8中5，拿到全场最高的24分，外加5篮板6助攻2抢断。

得分第二高的是替补席的伊戈达拉，9投6中，三分球5中2，拿到14分5篮板3助攻。

And Draymond Green with 13 points, Klay Thompson with 12 points, and Marsley Speights with 11 points.

A total of 6 Warriors scored in double figures!
After winning the Wizards, the Warriors' record has also become 56 wins and 13 losses, firmly sitting second in the Western Conference and second in the league.

The Trail Blazers, the league's No. 58 team with 10 wins and [-] losses ahead of them, don't seem to be far away.

The supremacy of the Portland Legion seems to be swaying in the wind and is at stake.

There is more than half a month left before the end of the regular season. The Trail Blazers, who suffered from the away game against the Grizzlies in the last game, are in a weak state. The Golden State Warriors, who are watching behind them, seem to have half a foot on the throne of the Western Conference.

At the press conference, a reporter asked Wang Zelin a question:
"The Golden State Warriors have won 6 consecutive victories and are getting closer and closer to the number one in the league. But now, the situation seems to be unfavorable to the Trail Blazers. Do you still think that the riser can keep the number one throne in the league before the end of the success?"

After hearing this question, Wang Zelin's whole eyes changed, his face suddenly turned from sunny to cloudy, and he stared at everyone very seriously:

"As long as I don't fall, the Warriors will never climb up. Tonight, the Blazers will step over the Warriors' corpses and move on!"

David Vanderpool turned his head and glanced at Wang Zelin next to him. The guy's eyes were so murderous that it was hard to look directly at him.

In the last dozen or so games, the competition for the first place in the regular season will be fiercer than ever!
……

"Wang, if you are tired, don't force yourself, you are our guarantee for the playoffs."

After the press conference was over, Wang Zelin hurried back to the locker room. At this moment, Depple, who was following behind him, couldn't help shouting.

"Huh? Barely... Haha David, you underestimate me too much. Don't worry, we will win tonight!" Wang Zelin turned his head and smiled confidently at Vanderpool.

"But……"

Van der Poel knew that Wang Zelin was a competitive person, and he would not let the Warriors succeed easily, but just as he was speaking halfway, Wang Zelin pressed his shoulder.

"David, just relax, I know it well. Not only do I have to win the regular season, but I will still be strong in the playoffs! You know, my goal has always been to make the Blazers the fourth dynasty team in history. Before establishing a dynasty, I will not fall easily."

Patting Van der Poel on the shoulder, Wang Zelin immediately returned to the locker room.

ah~
Looking at the figure that was fading away, Vanderpool sighed.

He knew very well that at certain times, Wang Zelin was no less paranoid than Kobe. Once he was sure about something, no one could change his mind.

In fact, if you think about it carefully, many great superstars in history once had their paranoid side.

Wang Zelin is now on a continuous road to greatness.

Vanderpool couldn't help lighting a cigarette, even though there was a bright no-smoking sign behind him...

A few minutes later, he stubbed out his cigarette and walked into the coaching staff's office.

Can the three consecutive championships be achieved so easily?
He doesn't know, but... the number one in the league, he knows that Wang Zelin definitely doesn't want to disappoint all the fans who support him.

Now, as the core and soul of the team, Wang Zelin's will basically represents the will of the entire Trail Blazers team - be great or die!

Obviously, he has made a choice.

……

At the end of the day's preparations, at 18:30 in the evening, Wang Zelin took his teammates into the Oracle Arena.

Looking at the opposing lineup, Wang Zelin felt that it was not unreasonable for the Cavaliers to perform so well this season.

Curry and Thompson formed a terrifying firepower coverage; Draymond Green can both defend and organize, and his current three-pointer has not been completely lost; Barnes on the wing is also a tough and ruthless character on the defensive end.

Iguodala is also in the sixth man position.

It seems that this guy has gradually withdrawn from the Warriors' starting lineup, but his strength is definitely above most players in the same position in the league.

Players from both sides warm up.

Before the game, Curry played his repertoire at home.

I saw Curry, under the eyes of everyone, from the player channel 20 meters away from the basket, and shot a long-range three-pointer.

It has become Curry's habitual performance before the start of every game to shoot long shots from the player tunnel before the game.And as the Warriors' record has risen this season, Curry's habit is also known to more fans.

Earlier, this habit originated from a bet between him and the team's deputy general manager Santa Croce. At that time, the two bet: if Curry can hit a three-pointer in the player tunnel, then he will treat Curry to a big meal;

In order to win the bet, Curry took time to practice his shooting skills in the player tunnel, and finally reached the state where he is almost a hundred shots today.

Swish!
With Curry's ultra-long hit, the entire Oracle Arena was boiling.

I don't know when it started, Warriors fans are almost obsessed with believing that as long as Curry can hit the ultra-long three-pointer in the opening game, it means that he feels overwhelming today, and the Warriors will win the game regardless of any strong opponent.

Today, Curry did it again.

The Warriors players who were warming up on the field were also full of smiles. It could be seen that they were extremely confident and did not pay attention to Wang Zelin and the Blazers who were full of murderous spirits before the game.

For the fans, this is always a day worth celebrating, because as long as the Blazers are defeated, they will be struggling to catch up to the first place in the regular season for a whole season. It will no longer be a luxury, but it is very likely to become a reality.

The game has not yet started, but the Warriors fans are extremely confident that the Trail Blazers, who just lost to the Grizzlies a few days ago and have recently experienced three away games, will definitely fall here tonight.

You are the defending champion, but you were double-killed by a mere Grizzlies?
The Warriors also played two games with the Grizzlies before, one 105:98 and the other 100:93. They defeated the Grizzlies in both previous games.

This is what a top team should look like as a champion!
Instead of being like a coward who only knows how to bark before the game, thinking that he can show his toughness.

"NBA defending champion, at this level, even the Grizzlies can't beat!"

"Look, Stephen will definitely make a killing tonight!"

"Steph is the real MVP!"

At this time, the Warriors fans have long forgotten the fear of being defeated by the Blazers by 106:89 at the beginning of the season by 17 points, and they booed the Blazers players as soon as they came up.

not only that.

Wang Zelin's speech before the game also made the Warriors players gnash their teeth with anger.

After the warm-up, return to the rest area.

Drummond grinned and complained: "Wang Zelin is really arrogant! We are one of the best teams this season. Didn't they win two more games than us? Damn, does he really think that we are still the same as we were at the beginning of the season?"

Klay Thompson on the side also saw Wang Zelin's remarks on his mobile phone, and he, who has always been good-tempered, couldn't help complaining: "That's right, Wang is too disrespectful to his opponent!"

"Hey, let's have a good fight with them tonight. Didn't we lose 17 points last time? Let them spit out the money and profits this time!"

Green clenched his fists, his face full of confidence.

"Okay, guys, don't be so angry. Staying calm and focused is what really helps us win this game!"

Curry smiled and ended the short conversation between the two teammates.

Even though Curry has always been an optimist, it doesn't mean that he doesn't desire to win or be number one in the league!

In fact, in his heart, why doesn't he yearn for a championship?

After graduating from high school, there were no prestigious schools to provide scholarships, and when he entered and left the league, he was often criticized for being thin and glassy.

Along the way, Curry remembered all the disapproval and cynicism!
Now that he finally has an opportunity to defeat the defending champion Trail Blazers to prove himself and the strength of the team, he will not let it go easily.

Today, let him see who stepped over whose corpse!
(End of this chapter)