the great gatsby

Chapter 374 The new season begins!

Amid all the complication, the 2011-12 competition finally kicked off.

December 2011, 12 coincides with Christmas. The first game of the season is the Christmas War, which is both the opening game and the Christmas War.

The league has arranged five games on this day. The first is the match between the Knicks and the Mavericks who met in the finals last season, followed by the comeback Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics, who may be the last season. The Golden State Warriors and the Clippers, which formed a strong lineup, fought against each other, while the Magic played against the Thunder.

The most watched of the five games was the game between the Knicks and the Mavericks. The Mavericks lost in the Finals last season. This time the Mavericks made a comeback, not only maintaining the entire core lineup, but also making up for the biggest flaw, Chandler. Le's arrival has caused the strength of both sides to wax and wane. Not only has the Mavericks grown in strength, but the Knicks' strength has also declined. The Knicks, who have lost their three main players, Chandler, Kevin Martin and Billups, are no longer as strong as they are now. It was so strong last season.

ESPN is responsible for this national live broadcast, but there are only two ESPN trio left, and Mark Jackson has become the head coach of the Warriors.

Mike Brin said with a smile: "Our old man Mark is now on the Warriors' bench. He accepted the Warriors' employment as the head coach. I wish him good results in his new position. The future games can only be played by the Warriors." Me and Jeff hosted."

Jeff Van Gundy sincerely wished Mark Jackson: "I hope he can lead the Golden State Warriors on the right path, bless him."

The Mavericks starting lineup today is: Jason Kidd, Vince Carter, Sean Marion, Dirk Nowitzki and Tyson Chandler.

The Knicks' starting lineup is a bit strange. Point guard Gatsby, small forward Carmelo Anthony, power forward Amare Stoudemire, Stoudemire, who has been injured for about a year, finally arrived at the It was paid before the start of the season, the center is Andrew Bogut, and the starting shooting guard is neither Nick Young nor Gerald Green, but rookie Klay Thompson!
Jeff Van Gundy said strangely: "Why is Thompson not Nick Young starting? Thompson is just a rookie. In such an important game, can he really take on such a big responsibility?"

Mike Breen introduced: "Klay Thompson is this year's rookie. He came to Washington State University. He was selected by the Bucks with the No. [-] pick in the draft, and then he was traded to the Knicks. Stephenson, who has shown great strength, shows how much the Knicks value him.

He showed the potential of a top three-point shooter in college, but his shot selection is not good, his independent offense is mediocre, and he doesn't pass much. He is a pure end point, but his defense is very good. Generally speaking, this rookie is worthy of it. As for his pick, whether he can compare with Stephenson depends on his performance. "

The game was held at Madison Square Garden. Not only was there a game today, but also the championship ring was awarded before the game started. Chandler also got his championship ring.

Gatsby smiled and congratulated Chandler. Chandler was a little embarrassed to face Gatsby. Gatsby comforted him: "Tyson, I'm very grateful for your help to the team last season. You don't have to feel ashamed." , Your choice is not wrong, the NBA is a business league, and there is nothing you can criticize for your actions."

Tyson Chandler was relieved, the Knicks he admired most was Gatsby, and he was the least willing to let Gatsby misunderstand him.

Game start.

Chandler and Bogut jumped the ball in the middle circle, and Chandler gave the ball to Kidd first.

Kidd dribbled the ball across the frontcourt and handed it to Carter. Thompson was defending Carter. Seeing that he was a rookie defending himself, Carter deliberately weighed the strength of the rookie. He followed Carter closely and did not lose his position. Although Carter hit a jumper with a difficult emergency stop, Jeff Van Gundy nodded approvingly.

"This guy's footwork is very good, and his defense is not as impetuous as ordinary rookies. His footwork is solid, he doesn't make random shots, and his prediction is very good. Although Carter hits a mid-range shot, the defense is already in place."

Gatsby patted the frustrated Thompson, and comforted him: "Don't worry, it's fine if the defense is in place, not every attack can be defended."

Thompson nodded.

Gatsby added: "Put your expression away. You don't need so many expressions in the game. Remember not to show a frustrated expression, so your opponent will be more confident."

Gatsby held the ball for half court and made a gesture. Thompson started to run. With the help of Bogut's screen, he got an open space at the 45-degree three-point line. Gatsby passed the ball, and Thompson received the ball without hesitation. Just shoot, hit a three-pointer, hit the first ball of his career!

Madison Square Garden fans cheered loudly for the rookie.

Mike Brin said with a smile: "This guy is good off the ball, and he dares to hit. After running out of open space, he catches the ball and shoots without hesitation. He is indeed a pure shooter!"

This is the training that Gatsby gave Thompson during the offseason. Gatsby told Thompson that his task is to run, without thinking too much about things, just run out of open spots and shoot. Thompson likes this style of play very much. Because this is a style of play tailored for him.

Gatsby never worried about Thompson. In his previous life, Thompson struggled at the beginning of his rookie season.In the first month, he averaged only 3 points per game and shot an abysmal 26.7% from the field.

But by January, he was averaging 1 points per game on 7.9 percent shooting from the field and 47.4 percent from three.

By the end of the season, Thompson averaged 12.4 points per game, shot 41.8 percent from three, and made the All-Rookie team.

Thompson is an excellent three-pointer, excellent off-the-ball movement, with himself, Anthony and Stoudemire's containment, and Bogut's support and cover. The offensive environment is much better than the Warriors. With Thompson's characteristics , It's too easy to achieve results, he just needs to run out of position to catch and shoot, this is what he is best at!
On the contrary, Leonard has to practice hard. There is not much that Leonard can do offensively now. The most he can do is rush for rebounds and make air cuts. His independent offensive ability cannot be honed in two or three years, but Leonard His defensive talent is visible to the naked eye. Today's Knicks don't need him to be very strong offensively, as long as he is on hand to help the team defend the opponent's offensive leaders.

Experts are not optimistic about the Knicks, but Gatsby is very confident. After a shrinking season, Thompson and Leonard will surely surprise everyone in the playoffs. In the scene where Leonard is entangled, Leonard's defense in the rookie season is naturally worse than later, but Gates ratio will naturally make him grow faster. No matter what, it is better than Anthony's defense, right?
(End of this chapter)