Zhiba NBA

Chapter 168 (160 Seven) Returning to the Finals

On June 6, the Toyota Center Arena ushered in the 9 NBA Finals.After several twists and turns, last season's Eastern and Western powerhouses reunited in the finals. This is the first time two teams have met in the finals for two consecutive years after Jordan's Bulls and Utah's Jazz.

This reunion was not easy. The Pistons experienced the turmoil in Auburn Hills, and the inside pillar Daben was suspended for the game. After struggling to catch up in the later period, they returned to the second place in the Eastern Conference.In the Eastern Conference finals, they encountered the challenge of the powerful enemy Heat, and they were able to return to the stage of the finals after a fierce battle.The Rockets encountered repeated blows from injuries. After the top star Tracy McGrady experienced several absences in the regular season, he finally fell completely in the playoffs.Fortunately, other players played well and eventually eliminated the top three Niu Mayang and successfully advanced.

Before the game, the Pistons' locker room was not filled with an atmosphere of revenge, but relaxed.

"T_Mac still hasn't entered the competition list. It seems that he won't be able to play in the first few games." Bodillo added with a long sigh: "It's a pity, I still want to beat him to win the championship with my own hands."

"If the recovery progresses quickly, he may also come back in the sixth or seventh game of the finals." The old coach "Smart Star" Larry Brown said: "We will try to eliminate the Rockets within 5 games. If McGrady returns, the outcome of the game will be unpredictable."

"Their fourth position is still so weak, no one can guard me. And McGrady and Bobcats are gone, no one can guard Dejan, we will win!" Rasheed laughed.

Hamilton and Big Ben also laughed.In their view, the Rockets without McGrady are far inferior to the Heat.This finals is not a battle of revenge between the loser and the winner, but a lucky bargain.Even the wily Larry Brown thinks so. He has reached a preliminary verbal agreement with the Knicks, and he is going to go to New York to take office in a glorious way after winning the championship trophy.

(Small allusion: In July 2016, Brown’s lover Billups revealed that Brown discussed his next contract with the Knicks many times during the Finals, which had a negative impact on the players. In the end, the Pistons lost 7 to 3 to the Spurs and missed the chance to defend the title. It is worth mentioning that Billups and Brown have a good personal relationship, and Chauncey should just tell the truth)
Only Milicic sat alone in a corner, quietly watching his teammates and coaches having a lively discussion.Due to Brown's high expectations of him and his slow progress, Brown has publicly criticized Milicic to the media many times.The young man almost lost his self-confidence.

After 10 minutes, the starting players of both sides were already on the field.Yao Ming and Daben are the starting centers of their respective teams, and they have already reached the position of the jump ball.

"McGrady is not here, I must work hard to score more points." Yao Ming secretly made up his mind.

"My defensive target is still Hamilton. This guy is more threatening in the mid-range shot, and I can handle it. The key is the offensive end." Chauncey also thought secretly.

"My goal is to stare at Bodi Loga. Don't think about showing off on the offensive end, just stand in the bottom corner and wait for the three-point opportunity." Jefferson stared firmly at the Seychelles.

"This guy with long arms is more athletic than me, so don't be careless." Turkoglu faced Prince without any carelessness.

"Let this bearded guy take a good look at my current strength! I'm not a rookie who was easily beaten by you last year!" Bosh looked at Rashid with high fighting spirit.

"We were swept by the Pistons 0-2 in the regular season, but those two games were played in November last year. Half a year has passed, and this time is no longer what it used to be." Tang Shuai said to Yuan Fei: "I believe these boys can create miracles. Without Tracy, they can beat their opponents."

The jump ball was still Yao Ming's superiority. He didn't even look back after taking the ball out, and ran directly to the opponent's basket.After Billups got the ball, he strode forward without hesitation. Bodi Loga stretched out his long arms and tried to block him, but Chauncey bent down and slipped under his arms.

"Small guys have their own advantages!" Chauncey quickly pushed Yao Ming to the basket, but Daben hadn't stood in a proper defensive position, so he had no choice but to pull his opponent down.The referee whistled, and the first attack in the finals started with a free throw.

Yao Ming steadily made two free throws and took the lead.

Hamilton held the ball under Billups' tight grip, and Chauncey pressed hard. It was difficult for Hamilton to break through, so he used his height advantage to make a horizontal drift shot and missed.Bosh grabs the rebound.Here, Jefferson missed a breakthrough layup under the interference of Daben. Prince bypassed Yao Ming and hit the ground and made a pass in the penalty area. Daben got the ball and dunked easily without defense, 2:2.

Turkoglu assisted in the organization, dribbling the ball one step beyond the three-point line and suddenly throwing it to Jefferson who cut the penalty area.Jefferson was in a good position at the basket and Ben was stuck behind Yao Ming, and he made an easy layup.

"This ball reflects Heaton's progress. He has the demeanor of a big point guard." Smith praised.

"Tall organizers have a very broad vision. In the history of the NBA, only a few people such as Magic Johnson and Bodi Loga have this advantage." Yuan Fei added.

Bodi Loga suddenly sprinted, trying to catch the Rockets by surprise, but the Rockets players were very focused, and even the big man Yao Ming returned to the defensive position as quickly as possible.The Pistons once again fell into a difficult positional battle. In the end, it was Bodi Loga's breakthrough that made three players barely layup and put the ball in.

"As expected of Bodi Loga, this guy is still an MVP-level player." Even Tang Shuai had to admire his opponent.

"However, we defended well. Tracy's injury in the regular season now seems to be a blessing in disguise. After several exercises, everyone has adapted to the rhythm of the game without him." Yuan Fei said: "We don't have a scoring leader from the outside, so we have to moderately lower the rhythm and use the inside to fight against opponents. Play like the Spurs."

Yao Ming observed the tight positioning of the two Wallaces, and pulled the ball to the right 45 degrees outside the three-second zone to catch the ball and directly jump shot.Daben is not tall enough to interfere at all, and the goal is scored!

"Very decisive jump shot, Yao didn't hesitate at all!" Even Barkley was full of praise: "Yao proved his shooting deterrence, how will the Pistons respond? You must know that it is difficult for them to interfere with the shooting of a 7-foot-6-inch big man."

Prince missed a three-pointer and Bosh protected the rebound.Billups advanced to the frontcourt and handed over to the inside again. Yao Ming played back singles on the left wing. He saw Jefferson, who was in a good position on the right wing, and delivered an accurate pass.After catching the ball, Jefferson immediately made a fake move of shaking from side to side. He missed a breakthrough layup but caused a foul by Hamilton.

"Jefferson dared to make moves today. The layup just now looked a bit like McGrady." Kenny Smith said: "Yao's pass is also in place, and he played the role of the central axis."

"Maybe the soul of T_Mac is still fighting with his teammates." Barkley also joked.

Jefferson made two free throws, 4:8.

Yuan Fei kept nodding.That's it, even though Jefferson Reed, Turkoglu and others are usually inconspicuous, they were all stars who could call the wind and rain in their previous lives.When they are really given room to play, they can also shoulder heavy responsibilities and fight against powerful enemies.

　Add more on weekends, the Mid-Autumn Festival is over, all book lovers are at work, right?Another long week ahead, come on.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)