If I were Yi Di in the NBA

Chapter 209 The Gap Between Stars

In the final quarter, the gap between the Suns and the Thunder was reflected.

Nash is not a scoring point for the Suns, and he basically didn't make any shots in the final quarter.

After all, it is impossible not to force a shot in the defense at the end of the playoffs, and Nash rarely forces a shot.

The sun's first scoring point is Stoudemire, who is now facing Yi Jian and can't play at all.

This is the gap between the second-tier strong teams in the Western Conference and the top-tier teams. They lost a superstar at the critical moment.

Even if the Suns are in good shape in the playoffs, they can face off against the Thunder, but in the end they just can't.

The value of superstars is not only reflected in salary.

If the Suns have Kobe or James now, there will be no problem on the offensive end, and even a powerful All-Star who can handle singles will be better.

It's a pity that they don't have one. Nash and Stoudemire are relatively average in singles.

Together, the two of them have cooperated for too long, and the singles are even more ordinary.

Sometimes habits are also very important. If you are not used to standing up at critical moments, even if you stand up reluctantly, you will not be able to break through the opponent's defense.

In the first half of the fourth quarter, the Suns were still actively playing the team.

The Thunder let Yi Jian play and Durant play. The Suns have no players to fight against, so they can only play as a whole.

However, after half a quarter, they found that the overall efficiency was not as good as the stars.

They had no choice but to start letting Stoudemire play.

Yi Jian only fouled three times, and it seems that it is not a good idea to use Stoudemire to rush.

However, the Thunder's defense is tight, and outside throws are not suitable, so they can only try their most commonly used methods first.

Stoudemire's impact is what they have always relied on.

Roar!
Stoudemire finally made a foul and couldn't help shouting.

Then he saw Yi Jian's disdainful eyes, he was angry but also a little guilty.

Because this kill was not obtained by Yi Jian from the front.

Now the sun dare not let Stoudemire directly attack Yi Jian, but through the pick and roll.

The Suns repeatedly looked for opportunities through pick-and-rolls. In Yi Jian's defense, he would first continue Nash and then switch back. The Thunder would not completely switch defenses.

This is because Yi Jian goes to the inside to defend the team better overall, and the Suns seldom play a big challenge on Yi Jian. They will pass the ball back, and Yi Jian will switch back to prevent Sta Demier jumped up.

During this process, there is still a small gap left for the sun.

Stoudemire just occasionally seizes this gap and is releasing depression.

As the No. [-] scoring point for a strong team in the Western Conference, it is so difficult to misplace and bully individuals, which is really aggrieved.

In fact, the Thunder did not lead by much in the halfway point of the last quarter, around 5 points.

If this point was in the regular season, the Suns would not have erased it every minute, but now facing the Thunder, they actually feel difficult.

Fans may not have a direct feeling, just seeing that the Suns offense is in trouble.

Players on the field know how difficult the Thunder's defense is to crack.

In the last 5 minutes, the sun did not force it.

Instead of letting Stoudemire go hard, he chose to pass the ball.

This is also a way, and even many times it is the right choice.

But in the NBA playoffs, sometimes the right choice is not necessarily good.

At critical moments, it is difficult for ordinary players to withstand the pressure and hit shots.On the contrary, stars have a better chance of succeeding in difficult shots.

When the time was up to 3 minutes, veteran Hill made two free throws for a kill.

But then Yi Jian shot two points from the outside and made a steady hit.

Seeing that time was running out, the Suns also began to deliberately try three-pointers.

Veteran Hill still has the responsibility and dares to shoot, but unfortunately he didn't hit a three-pointer.

At the last moment, Richardson made a forced shot from the outside and scored a hit.

However, after he hit the ball, the Suns were still 4 points behind, and there was only one minute left in the game.

The Thunder are in the lead, and they are taking their time on offense.

When the time was almost up, Yi Jian passed the ball to Durant.

Durant missed the mid-range shot, but Yi Jian has already rushed to the offensive rebound.

Yi Jian made a successful offensive rebound at the critical moment, and Sun subconsciously fouled.

Yi Jian stood at the free throw line and basically didn't run.

After he hit the free throw, the Suns made a fast attack, and Richardson made another three-pointer, but this time he missed.

After Yi Jian protected the rebound, the sun had no time and could only choose foul tactics.

Soon, as the Suns missed a three-pointer again, the game came to an end.

Although the Thunder did not show the state of crushing in the first round, they were really stable at the end of the quarter.

After the game, the head coach of the Suns Gentry was also helpless. He said: "Our shooting percentage has fluctuated. If we can make a few more three-pointers, maybe the result of the whole game will be different."

The media commented on Yi Jian, who scored 29 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists, "He has shown a strong dominance."

"Yi Jian's lethality and offensive threat are unparalleled."

They also praised Durant, "Durant's existence prevented the Suns from double-teaming Yi Jian."

For the small lineup that the Suns are best at, the Thunder are not afraid.

Their head coach Brooks said: "When facing all this, we no longer feel fresh. We have encountered various challenges this season, and we are used to facing any opponent."

"We can keep up with each other's rhythm, and we can also bring them into a rhythm they are not used to."

Yi Jian said after the game: "In the first quarter, the situation was a bit unexpected, but we didn't feel flustered. We firmly believe that as long as we do our own thing well, the situation on the field will change."

"We just keep improving and do our own thing well, and do every detail for victory."

"The opponents are strong this round, but we are ready."

The Thunder are indeed fully prepared, because Yi Jian has been pursuing the championship and believes that they have a chance. He has been urging the team to do various tasks throughout the season.

Moreover, their preparations will become more and more adequate as the game progresses.

After the first game, the Thunder made a summary.

The players also know what improvements they need to make in the second game.

The most terrifying thing is that they have the strength to make this improvement.

Even if some teams discover their own shortcomings, but because they really can't do it, there is nothing they can do.

The Thunder have a strong lineup, are talented and hardworking, so why should other teams compete with them.

Two days later, the second battle between the two sides started.

The two teams are still the original starters, probably because they feel that the team does not need major changes yet.

The Suns wanted to make another wave at the beginning, but they didn't expect that their lead in the first game was actually due to luck. Nash didn't have a shooting percentage at all.

Although Nash also wants to show enough aggression, he really is not this style.

And Stoudemire was suppressed again.

(End of this chapter)