champion heart

Chapter 57 57. The Game Begins

On the evening of November 11rd, the Eagles' home court, Phillips Arena!
The entire arena is crowded with people. Obviously, the fans are very satisfied with the team's operation and reinforcement during the offseason, and they are willing to pay for the team.

TNT is making a series of preparations before the game. Barkley, O'Neill, and Kenny Smith are chatting.

O'Neill: "Charles, what do you think of tonight's game?"

Barkley: "Damn Shaq, don't you just want me to talk about who will win tonight's game! Or is it another bet?"

O'Neill: "Dude, that's what you said. I really don't intend to bet with you tonight. Believe me, I really don't want to let you drink mustard juice again!"

After finishing speaking, O'Neill looked at Barkley with deep meaning.

"Okay, Shaq, you have to stimulate him again, and Charles is going to compete with you in lifting barbells again!" Kenny Smith willingly played the role of peacemaker.

"Listen Shaq! I'm going to make another bet with you, whoever loses will drink a bucket of mustard!"

"Or don't drink mustard juice, I see you look too painful, let's go to the competition to lift the barbell this time, I have practiced more, you will no longer be my opponent!"

O'Neill showed off his unicorn arm while talking!

"FXXK! Don't talk nonsense, just drink mustard juice!"

Kenny Smith, who was sitting in the middle, looked helpless, and he had no chance to interrupt at all.

When these two guys meet, they pinch each other!

Of course, this is also a major feature of TNT's live broadcast, and fans are also talking about it.

"Listen to Shaq, I think Atlanta will win the game. You should continue to be your Lakers fan as usual, and continue to cheer for your Downe!"

"OK, that's it, believe me Charles, you will lose badly! LA will win!"

……

On the big screen of TNT, the starting lineups of both sides tonight were given in advance.

Lakers: Blake, Nick Young, Downe, Gasol, Whiteside.

Eagles: Teague, Korver, Millsap, Carroll, Horford.

The on-site DJ enthusiastically introduced every player of the Eagles. When Millsap came out of the player channel for the last time, the game officially began soon!
Tonight's game is the Hawks' third game of the season. In the last game, they won the Toronto Raptors at home.

After a day's rest, they sat at home again and faced the challenge of the Lakers.

Although the Eagles won one game in the first two games of the season, their on-court performance cannot afford to lose sleep. They still have a lot to do to adapt the new lineup.

……

The Eagles don't have any absolute superstars, and Tang De doesn't know much about this team. He only knows that their style of play is similar to that of the Spurs.

After all, the team coach Budenholzer is from the Spurs uniform group.He was Popovich's assistant coach in 1996.

His arrival will implement all the previous Spurs' methods on the Eagles!
This is why the title of the Eagles "Eastern Spurs" comes from this!

Those who come out of the Spurs, whether they are coaches or players, are not bad in this league.

In his second season with the Eagles, Budenholzer led the Eagles to win 60+ games and became the new overlord of the Eastern Conference. He also successfully won the award for the best head coach of the year!
Including in the 18-19 season, Budenholzer successfully brought Antetokounmpo to the league's MVP, led the team to dominate the Eastern Conference, and won the best coach again!
So, for Budenholzer, he definitely has something.

With the whistle of the referee, the game officially began.

Horford and Whiteside jump the ball in the middle.

With the cheers of the home fans, Horford slowly walked towards the middle circle.

The referee threw the ball, Baibian took off calmly, and smoothly passed the ball to Blake's hands in the backcourt again.

TNT commentary seats.

O'Neill: "Needless to say, there are very few people who can beat LA's center on the opening jump ball!"

After listening to O'Neill's words, Kenny nodded and said, "Shaq is right. Hassan's jumping ability is really outstanding!"

Buckley didn't say a word, and looked around with resentful little eyes.

"Is he good? How come he has the opportunity to play in the NBA now?" Barkley wanted to say that.

But he also clearly knew that Baibian was indeed strong in athletic ability.

After patting Baibian's junior, Tang De slowly ran forward.

Tang De didn't participate in the first wave of offense tonight. He just walked on the field and defended in front of Carol.

Blake dribbles to the hoop, and as usual, what a drive is, Blake never knows.

All his dribbling is to find opportunities to pass the ball!

Blake turned around from the basket, and with the help of Gasol's support, he passed the ball sideways to Nick Young.

Nick Young made a mid-range shot!

2: 0!

The Lakers' first wave of offense was very clever, and they easily scored 2 points!
Yang Shaoxia now really feels that it was right for him to come to the Lakers. Although the salary here is much less than before, he is happy!
What is more important than happiness?
Nothing matters, just be happy.

The teammates here are very good, everyone can play together.

Except for Kobe occasionally scolding himself, everything else is so perfect.

And with the help of LA's reputation, Nick Yang's own trendy brand store is not doing very well.

Many Hollywood big-name stars have bought clothes in his store, and Nick Young is also very generous. When his teammates go to his store, they just take whatever they want!

Of course, the premise is not to go too far, after all, Yang Shaoxia has to live, right?
It was the Hawks' turn to attack, and Teague advanced with the ball.

The All-Star point guard is actually quite selfless on the court and has a good passing awareness.

Under his combing, the Eagles' offense has been playing smoothly.

The reason why the Eagles can imitate the Spurs' style of play is that Teague has a very important reason.

So the team did not hesitate to keep him at a price of 4 million for 3200 years during the offseason!
Teague holds the ball with his left hand at the top of the arc, and his right hand constantly directs his teammates to position.

That's what a good point guard should do.

Scoring yourself is never the first priority, organizing teammates is.

Carroll stepped up to pick and roll Teague, and Teague quickly dribbled around Blake.

Gasol on the left helps defend in Teague's path.

Facing Gasol's long arm, Teague pulled the ball back one step.

Blake's pursuit was in place, and Gasol slowly withdrew to his original defensive position.

Teague lobs Millsap.

Gasol has not completely settled, Teague seized the time difference and passed the ball to Millsap in time.

Millsap also took advantage of Gasol's unsteady footing, turned his back and shot!
Two points scored!

2: 2!

TNT commentary seats.

Barkley: "Nice job, keep going like this, hit Shaq in the face!"

O'Neill: "Kenny, please go and get me a bucket of mustard juice, I can't help but want to pour this guy in right now! Damn guy, he deserves a beating!"

(End of this chapter)