NBA's strongest prince

Chapter 76
McGrady isn't that bad either, he's an All-Star after all, it's just that Russell has a bit of resentment towards this guy, a side effect of watching football in his previous life.

As a top swingman, McGrady's biggest problem is that the peak is too short.

He started out doing dirty work. He was originally a hard-working player, but he was spoiled when he got a big contract in the Magic. His mentality changed. He thought he was invincible, and he often looked down on everyone. He was very arrogant, but led the team himself. However, no results could be achieved.

Transferring to the Rockets, McGrady also had longing.

Now that something is wrong, he is upset, but in the first season of cooperation, he and the Rockets were still in the honeymoon period, but the record was not that good.

In this game, he wanted to play a beautiful singles, but the Suns and a group of long-armed monsters, how could they give him a chance.

As a result, his shots were elegant, his hit rate was not high, and he made continuous mistakes along the way.

While he was in a daze, Russell passed Joe Johnson several times in seconds.

Joe Johnson felt hot. Only 4 minutes into the game, the Suns led by double digits.

Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy was dumbfounded. It was the first time he had encountered such an unreasonable opponent from the Suns since he coached the Rockets.

In fact, the sun also encountered a little trouble.

That is Yao Ming's ability to protect the frame. Stoudemire was blocked by Yao Ming once he hit the basket full of confidence.

Although Stoudemire's speed is fast, he is still easily interfered by Yao Ming in a positional battle.

But there is no need for the Suns to let him go inside to fight against Yao Ming. The Rockets are not only slow at the fifth position, but also at the fourth position. The 32-year-old Juwan Howard has already degenerated.

So the Suns seized the opportunity to make a quick counterattack in the transition between offense and defense. Russell flicked his arm, which was fatal to the Rockets.

The Rockets can't adjust well because their bench is even worse.

Fortunately, Mutombo used his experience to suppress Varejao after playing, otherwise the Rockets would collapse in the first half.

Only when I met myself did I know how unreasonable the Rockets' lineup was. They didn't find a good helper for the star at all. Although the Suns didn't completely throw the score away, they played very easily.

That is to say, Stoudemire didn't play so comfortably, but he kept getting to the free throw line and then missed a few more.

In the second quarter, McGrady felt better when he took the bench.

Because Yao Ming should not be taken into account, he can make a move with confidence, and the rest of the Rockets can only do some dirty work.

And Stoudemire also took the opportunity to show his prestige, and the Suns still lead steadily.

This is nothing to show off, and the Suns' lineup can be regarded as restraining the Rockets.

Yao Ming is a threat inside, but he can't keep up with the speed of the Suns. Yao Ming goes down and the Rockets are not much different from those weak chicken teams. They can't make any waves at all.

Coach Van Gundy also saw the clues, but there was nothing he could do.

Even if they try to slow down the rhythm, because there are not enough good organizers, the efficiency will not be high.

So he didn't blame the players, he just poured a little chicken soup during the intermission.

The Suns' strategy is very simple. They want to play faster and completely disrupt the Rockets' defense.

In the third quarter, Yao Ming shot 100% inside, but the ball just couldn't be handed over.

Under the leadership of McGrady, the Rockets continued to hit the iron outside, and Russell felt a little bit distressed at the basket.

Of course, the Suns' defense will also actively promote the Rockets' outside shots, and they will shrink when Yao Ming receives the ball.

As far as McGrady's three-point shooting percentage is less than one-third, what he can do is to play with ecstasy.

Russell also brought a substitute for a while this time, and his efficiency with the substitute is also extremely strong.

Even, if he has a substitute for a long time, the Sun's substitute will look terrible.

It's just that compared to the main lineup, bullying the opponent's rotation lineup is still not so cost-effective.

Under his pass, Martin quickly scored in double figures.

When Barbosa's physical condition was a bit repeated, the Sun's substitute scored points, and Martin became No.1.

It's just that Martin is a scorer, and the Suns still need Barbosa's not very good organization, so Barbosa's status will not decline.

Another purpose of Russell bringing the substitute is to let Battelle play a little longer and perform better.

For things like the China Derby, Russell will definitely make it happen, and he will also send assists.

"Good shot, Battelle hit a three-pointer!"

"Russell is a reasonable player to play. If Yao Ming had such a helper, the Rockets would not play like this."

"Director Zhang, how do you solve the rocket's problems during this time?"

"I think the first thing the Rockets need to solve is offense, and then defense. Why do you say that? Well, the offense must increase its shooting percentage, and the defense must protect the rebound."

Huaxia is also very concerned about the duel between the Suns and the Rockets, and the two commentators are also a little tangled now, whether to support the bus or Dayao.

Both Yao Ming and Battelle played well in the third quarter, and they immediately became excited.

However, under Russell's leadership, the Suns' lead has gradually come to double digits.

The Suns can't get in inside, wasting Yao Ming's point, and the outside is much worse than the Suns.

The Suns hit more than [-]% of their three-pointers, and the Rockets made more than [-]%. How do you say this?

However, the Rockets' outside line is still fanciful and confident, and Van Gundy is also good-tempered. If Russell is the head coach, a blacksmith like Sura must sit on the bench and reflect on himself.

It's a pity that Van Gundy felt that this guy's defense was okay, and he didn't have anyone in his hands, so he could only pinch his nose to recognize it.

In the final quarter, there was still no suspense in the game. Marion beat Juwan Howard and told his opponent what it means to have both offense and defense as an All-Star.

The Suns used Stoudemire to pull Yao Ming out, and the Rockets' rebounds could not be guaranteed.

Yao Ming is improving every season, but unfortunately, his weaknesses are also obvious. The Rockets' lineup can't bring out his advantages at all, so when the critical moment comes, Yao Ming can't play much role.

In the last 5 minutes, the Rockets still hadn't narrowed the score gap, and they began to bet on three points.

The Suns are used to this kind of situation, and they are particularly good at defending.

As long as the opponent misses a three-pointer, it is easy for them to push back.

The Rockets made consecutive shots at this time, and McGrady missed one.

Instead, David Wesley and pitcher Joan Barry, who came off the bench, hit one each, but this time it was too much.

After the game, Yao Ming also felt very helpless to the reporters, saying frankly: "Our speed is far behind theirs, and the level of offensive and defensive conversion is not as high as theirs."

(End of this chapter)