Super Evolution of Basketball

Chapter 473 Rocket
In the second round of the playoffs, the Lakers played against the Rockets. The Lakers ranked second in the regular season and the Rockets ranked third. The Lakers have home court advantage.

The first game between the two sides was held at the Staples Center. The Lakers' Jeff Green has not yet returned, and it is estimated that he will not be back for half a month. The Rockets' Harrell and Decker cannot play due to injuries, but the impact is not great.

The fans at the scene were enthusiastic. Last year the Lakers fell to the Thunder. The fans were brooding. It is a pity that this year unless it is the Western Conference Finals, they will not fight the Thunder again. Moreover, the Thunder's two juniors are long gone. Objectively speaking, the Lakers can no longer take revenge.

So let's vent all the anger of being eliminated in the playoffs last year on this year.

"Beat the rocket, beat the rocket!"

"Down with Harden, down with Harden!"

On the court, individual small areas shouted slogans, and everyone from the Houston Rockets lined up into the field amidst the shouts.

The big screen flashed, and the first player to come out of the player tunnel was Gerald Green. His braid tied on the top of his head was distinctive and easy to distinguish.

Then came the lanky Capela, then Griffin.

In the commentary seat, O'Neill saw Griffin, turned his head and said to Barkley beside him, "Why do I feel that Griffin's back is arched?"

Barkley laughed: "Hunch your back, maybe your arms will hang down a little more."

O'Neal: "You mean Griffin is short-handed?"

Barkley stared: "I didn't say!"

This old guy wants to trick me again!

The relationship between Yuan Qingshan and James Harden is not as close as LeBron James and Stephen Curry, but they also had contact before, which is not bad. Before the game started, the two hugged each other.

"Yuan Qingshan, you've been very popular recently, you've broken into the top 10 MVPs in just one season." Harden let go of Yuan Qingshan, patted him and said.

Just as Yuan Qingshan was about to answer, a huge palm landed on Harden's shoulder, pulling him back.

Blake Griffin.

Yuan Qingshan and Harden were slightly surprised, not knowing why, Griffin put his mouth next to Harden's ear and said, "Don't get too familiar with the enemy!"

"Okay... okay." Griffin turned and left, Harden was behind him, spreading his hands helplessly at Yuan Qingshan.

Yuan Qingshan was not angry, but thought Griffin's temper was quite funny.

Compared with coach D'Antoni's shiny and neat hair, the younger Walton seems a bit casual.

Wharton and D'Antoni shook hands politely. They didn't communicate much before. Strictly speaking, Wharton is D'Antoni's next generation, and they really don't have much friendship.

Walton watched and watched the clips of the Clippers in the first round. Similarly, he has also studied the Rockets in the past few days. The key to the Rockets being called a strong team lies in offense. Harden and Griffin are the strong points of attack. As for the starters Dellavedova, Ariza and Capela, their offensive performance is average.

So the key to this round of the series is: lock Harden.

The day before, Wharton talked to Yuan Qingshan and asked his opinion. Yuan Qingshan said that he could go to the second position to defend Harden, and Murray changed to point guard.

Wharton worried that Murray was too young and inexperienced to complete the work of organizing the series, so he hesitated for a long time, and finally decided that Murray would defend Harden in the first game.

Murray has to put all his energy on the defensive end and doesn't need to worry about offense.

At this time, at the Staples Center, the lights on the roof of the arena were turned on again, and the game began immediately.

Whiteside and Capela competed for the ball. Capela was lighter and thinner, but his bounce was not as good as Whiteside's. The Lakers got the ball.

Judging from the current round of this round, Yuan Qingshan will face Dellavedova.

Dellavedova was born in Maryborough, Victoria Port, Australia, with a height of 193 centimeters and 91 kilograms.

He entered the NBA Draft in 2013 but was not selected.

In September of the same year, he signed a two-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers to start his NBA career.

In the 2015-16 season, he won the NBA championship with the Cavaliers. He is the team's backup point guard and the organizer of the backup lineup.

His contract expired last summer, and the Cavaliers did not have enough salary space to keep him, so he signed with the Houston Rockets and came to the West.

Dellavedova is a white combo guard with excellent ball handling, willing to pass the ball, able to shoot three-pointers, rarely breaks through and draws fouls, lacks speed and athleticism on the defensive end, but is very active.

The Rockets' No. [-] position has always been weak. Although Dellavedova is the champion's backup point guard, it is still a bit weak to play the starting point guard in the Wild West where there are many strongmen. The Rockets' No. [-] position has not been resolved.

Coach Wharton did not arrange for Yuan Qingshan to move to the second position to defend James Harden, so his task is to connect the team well and be a good controller, and use his offensive power as a strong point to attack the Rockets' defense.

On the field.

Yuan Qingshan controlled the ball and pushed forward. He was not in a hurry for the first ball, but kept observing the dynamics of the players.

In the second position, when Murray faced Harden, his expression froze, and it seemed that he was extremely nervous. At this time, it was obvious that the Lakers had the ball, but looking at Murray's posture, it seemed that he was defending Harden.

At the third position, Ariza is an excellent defender. He has a well-proportioned body, outstanding athletic talent, and rich experience. The disadvantage is that his characteristics are not clear. It is undoubtedly a shortcoming for Paul George, who can shoot everything.

In the fourth position, Griffin vs. Towns, this group of duels looks good. Downs is 211 cm and 113 kg, and Griffin is 208 cm and 119 kg. Downs is taller and Griffin is stronger.

Before the game, Yuan Qingshan discussed with Towns that Towns should use his range and flexibility to fight Griffin, and try not to get entangled with the opponent. Griffin is stronger and more experienced than him, so it is easy to eat Downs with strength.

Towns should pull more to the mid-to-long range for jump shots. Even if Griffin can save and block shots, if he pulls out and hits more, it will accelerate the consumption of Griffin's physical strength.

In the fifth position, Whiteside is facing Capela, Whiteside is 213 cm, 120 kg, and Capela is 208 cm, 103 kg.

In terms of height and weight, Capela and Whiteside are not at the same level. Contrary to the duel between Griffin and Towns, Whiteside should make full use of his physical advantages to force Capela.

The reason why Capela can play well in the league has something to do with Harden and Dellavedova feeding him the ball. Since last season, Capela has the title of cake king.

However, after Griffin arrived, the pies flying to Capela were significantly reduced, and it was easier for Griffin to eat the pies, and the pies were more delicious.

How to restrict Griffin from eating cakes is also a difficult problem for the Lakers.

At present, there is no good way for Wharton. If Towns is sent to fight Griffin, he is worried that Towns will be injured.

(End of this chapter)