Zhiba NBA

Chapter 198 (190) "Elvis" Paul

Bobcats owner Robert Johnson has been in a good mood recently. That night he was sitting at home, watching the TV and enjoying the team's game.

The Bobcats had just established a team last season, and the team lacked manpower and experience, and the final results were not satisfactory.However, since the Hornets moved away (the Hornets moved to New Orleans, and then temporarily moved to Oklahoma City due to the hurricane), local fans in Charlotte have been looking forward to the NBA team.By this season, they held the second pick and selected Wake Forest point guard Chris Paul in the draft.Johnson originally coveted Marvin Williams' potential and talent, but finally chose Paul with the support of the team's core Gerald Wallace.Paul is also a good choice, of course. He is a native of North Carolina and will play for his hometown team with all his heart.But at the time Johnson was skeptical that his diminutive frame could handle NBA-level confrontation.

Real knowledge comes from practice, and through actual combat tests, Paul can not only adapt to the NBA arena, but also play like a duck to water.Leading the team to successive victories completely exceeded expectations.They have already won consecutive away games against the Hornets and Celtics. If they beat the Magic today, it will be a rare three-game winning streak.This is an unimaginable achievement for the Bobcats, which was an underdog team a few months ago.

Johnson watched the game carefully, and after a fierce battle, the Bobcats finally narrowly beat their opponents by 6 points and successfully recorded three consecutive victories.Paul contributed a game-high 22 points and 10 assists.

"Hahaha." Johnson, who had watched the game, looked up to the sky and laughed, in a particularly good mood. "Who is the next opponent?"

The assistant on the side immediately replied: "Two days later, the home game against the Rockets."

"The Rockets?" Johnson's smile froze, "Yesterday they seemed to have just beaten the Raptors in an away game. They are really tough opponents."

***
For any team in the league, no one wants to meet the Rockets at this time.After defeating the Raptors by 20 points in the away game, they have won 19 consecutive victories, and the next opponent is likely to be the background of the Houstonians' 20-game winning streak.

The Denver Nuggets became this unlucky guy, and what made it worse was that starting center Camby was also absent due to a broken right pinky finger.Without the Nuggets of Nene Camby and the two generals, the inside line simply cannot compete with the combination of Yao Ming and Bosh.They quickly lost Houston by 15 points.

《20连胜》这一标题迅速占领了各大体育媒体的头版。火箭就此追平了雄鹿在71年创造的记录，并超过了湖人在00年创造的19连胜。现在他们的身前，只剩下33连胜的老湖人了。

***
On this day, Robert Johnson came to the arena early, anxiously waiting for the fire cat battle.The Warner Center arena was built and put into use in 2005, making it the youngest arena in the league.Every time Johnson came to the stadium and sat in his exclusive VIP seat, he would feel very happy.

Now Johnson can be said to have three blessings: one is the team's gratifying record and winning streak in away games;A few days ago, Michael Jordan, the god of basketball, came into contact with Johnson on a whim, intending to buy some shares, and then become a shareholder of the Bobcats.Jordan also grew up in North Carolina since he was a child, and studied in North Carolina at university.He also has deep affection for his hometown. Apart from commercial factors, he also wants to give back to his hometown.

Everything goes well, just wait for the team to end the Rockets' 20-game winning streak and win for Charlotte.

On the first goal of the game, Paul assisted Slovenian center Brezek to hit a jumper after the pick-and-roll.Brezek has the typical soft touch of European players and is very accomplished in mid-range shooting.

The Rockets in the winning streak are in high spirits, so naturally they cannot show weakness.Reid shot through the opponent's defense with a three-pointer, which made the home fans shut up.

Paul took advantage of Gerrard's screen to get rid of Billups with an acceleration, and then made a clever change of direction to bypass Yao Ming for a layup.

"It's amazing!" Yao Ming admired secretly.The shooting arc of Paul's layup is very high, and it can completely bypass the tall center and hit the center of the basket.

Bosh immediately hit back in the shot.Paul also made a pass to an open Gerald Wallace, who made a jumper.

"What an incredible rookie, a strong contender for the best rookie of the year!" Even the well-informed Barkley was shocked.

"It is said that on the day of the draft, the Lakers and Rockets behind were all waiting to select Paul, but it was a pity that the Bobcats picked him up ahead of schedule. Now it seems that the Bobcats' move is very wise." Smith said.

The Bobcats' weakness is also obvious, their guard's height disadvantage is too prominent.Paul is only 183cm, while another guard veteran Brian Knight is only 178cm.Not to mention Reid and Roy, even Billups has a high advantage.Chauncey decisively turned to back hitting, using his stronger body to force Knight, turned around and hit a jumper.

Paul hit a pass to find Wallace, who was cutting inside, for an easy layup.The home fans cheered.As soon as the two sides came up to fight each other, the game was really good.

But when Billups stabilized the rhythm, the disadvantages of the Bobcats lineup were fully exposed.Yao Ming got the ball from the low post and played steadily to meet Brezek with a throw.

Carrying the team forward alone, Paul suddenly accelerated and broke through Reed, rushed to the inside with lightning speed, turned around to face Yao Ming, threw the basket behind his back, and the ball went in!
"Good shot!" Barkley praised: "Today's top ten shots have been locked."

The starting small forward for the Bobcats is Bernard Robinson, a player who is far from comparable to Jefferson in terms of strength and fame.Jefferson is naturally not in vain, he singles Robinson layup.

Paul used Wallace's screen, slightly avoided Reed's defense, and shot a three-pointer, and the goal was scored!

At this time, an allusion suddenly appeared in Yao Ming's mind - the battle between the three heroes and Lu Bu.The Rockets took turns scoring more points, and the Bobcats were completely Paul's one-man show. Whether it was scoring or assisting, it seemed that every ball passing through his hands turned into a wonderful pen.

But the difference in the bench lineup is enough to determine the outcome of the game.When Paul rested, although the Bobcats replaced last season's best rookie Okafor to give the team more inside support, but no one can replace Paul's role.Roy and Spann of the second team of the Rockets easily killed the Bobcats' weak perimeter defense, and the score was quickly pulled away.It was too late when Paul returned to the court. In the end, the Rockets overcame their opponents with 11 points and achieved 21 consecutive victories. Since then, they have surpassed the Bucks and dominated the No.2 NBA winning streak.

After the game, Gerald Wallace, who had a good relationship with his old teammates, talked and laughed with everyone.He patted Bosh on the shoulder and said happily: "I didn't expect you to grow up so fast, now you can't take advantage of my matchup."

Bosh smiled shyly and hugged Wallace.Gerrard is his good big brother and gave him a lot of help when he first joined the team.

No brothers, no basketball.Although fate made them masters in the south and the north, brothers off the court will always be brothers.

(End of this chapter)