warrior godfather

Chapter 625 Winning the Championship Depends on Your Teammates

December 12, San Francisco, pm, 25:06.

Durant followed his teammates and walked into the Chase Center, his eyes wandering around, looking at the new arena.

Counting the playoffs, Durant played at the Oracle Center second only to the Chesapeake Energy Arena, home of the Thunder. He is familiar with that old arena.

Walking along, a Warriors cheering T-shirt from eight years ago came into Durant's sight. It was hung on the wall and framed by glass. Above it was a broken wall framed by glass and the wall of the player tunnel. The color is very different, slightly yellowish.

The corner of Durant's mouth curled up slightly. This is the hole Dirk Nowitzki smashed with a chair after the Mavericks were hacked by the Warriors. The cheering T-shirt had Nowitzki's signature on it. Moved to Chase Center.

Being able to see familiar things in a strange place made Durant feel a sense of intimacy in his heart, but soon, he remembered the Thunder's many defeats against the Warriors in the playoffs, and the shallow look on his face just appeared. The smile slowly disappeared.

The Thunder were not hacked by the Warriors, and even won the Warriors once in the Western Conference Finals, but Durant felt that he was nailed to the pillar of shame just like Nowitzki.

In Durant's most proud season, he was elected as the MVP, won the scoring title, and led the team to the finals. Although he did not beat the Bulls, everyone recognized his strength, and he has since become the top player in the league In the ranks of superstars, he was able to stand side by side with Curry, Rose, James, and Kobe.

However, before Durant was happy, the Warriors quickly broke the Bulls' record of 72 wins and won the playoffs with a terrifying record of 16 wins and 1 loss. His reputation fell to the bottom of the valley.

The scoring champion and mvp he won so hard were given to him by Curry, and Curry's injuries suddenly became more interpreted. Without Curry, Kevin is the king.

Durant obviously lay down for a season due to injuries, but he seemed to have done something heinous, and was sprayed all over his body.

Of course he couldn't bear this kind of humiliation, but he also knew that this had nothing to do with the Warriors. The Warriors have never belittled Durant. It was the media who portrayed him as a sad loser for the sake of traffic, regardless of the facts. A sinister villain who did not hesitate to hurt Curry for the sake of honor.

This is the wall that everyone pushes, who let him be reimbursed for the season, and the Thunder didn't make the playoffs?
The media and fans don’t care about this or that, they only know that Durant is the boss of the Thunder, and the Thunder didn’t make it to the playoffs. It’s also the finals against the Bulls. You can’t beat Durant, but Curry can. , then I have to use Curry to step on your feet hard, and spit a few mouthfuls of disdainful phlegm on you by the way, who makes you inferior to Curry?

Of course Durant couldn't bear the humiliation.

The remaining sanity prevented him from directly confronting fans and reporters, but he used his trumpet to vent his anger on the Internet, lined up with those sunspots, left messages under those reporters and commentators who mocked him, and even took out precious During the break, I spat on dozens of floors with others, and let out a bad breath.

Hmph, let you scold me again, come on!
The only thing that makes Durant feel pity is that his heroic demeanor on the Internet cannot be seen by others.

Moreover, no matter how hard he sprayed, it couldn't change the fact that he would be deflated when he met Curry. Those black people firmly grasped this point. No matter how sharp his words were, he would at most be a tie.

There is only one way for Durant to truly gain the upper hand-to defeat Curry face-to-face.

Basketball speaks by strength, and anything verbal is false.

Why is James still ridiculed by many Cavaliers fans after returning to the Cavaliers from the Heat?
Because he came back in despair as a loser.

If James wins the mvp and the championship in the Heat, and then returns to the Cavaliers, it will be the return of the king and his return home.

But he didn't get anything. How could a star who left for the championship and returned without a championship be recognized by the fans in his hometown?
Durant wants to reverse his disadvantage in public opinion, and there is only one way to go. He must defeat Curry in a head-to-head confrontation, and just the regular season is not enough, he must do it in the playoffs.

This Christmas battle is just the beginning. Durant has made all preparations and adjusted his state to the best. He is just waiting to win today's nationwide live broadcast of the powerful dialogue, and let those black people shut up first.

In fact, Durant's confidence is not that high today. He has lost too many times to the Warriors, and there is a lot of shadow in his heart.

But the performance of teammates such as Westbrook, Gobert, Ibaka, and Kanter gave Durant a lot of encouragement, like rays of sunshine, dispelling the shadows in his heart.

Since the start of the game, Westbrook has averaged 23.5 points, 10.4 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game. He almost averaged a triple-double per game. He is very versatile-at least in terms of statistics.

Ibaka averaged 12.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2 blocks per game. He can defend well without occupying the ball.

After two years of training, Gobert finally grew up. He averaged a double-double of 10.1 points, 11 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. Together with Ibaka, he built a solid wall in the Thunder penalty area.

Kanter can't defend well, but he can score points. He is a substitute anyway, and his defense requirements are not that high. With 12.7 points and 8.1 rebounds, and a 58% shooting rate, he went for the best sixth man.

You Curry has been pressing me, isn't it because you have a bunch of good helpers?
Now that I have one too, I'm still afraid that you won't succeed?

Durant never said that, he is not James, he wants face, but this is his heartfelt voice.

The injury last season made Durant rest at home for a long time, and it also made him slowly figure out a lot of things.

Curry is surrounded by Leonard, Clay, Green, and Antetokounmpo; Rose is surrounded by Butler, Gasol, and Noah; James is surrounded by Wade, Bosh, Irving, and Love. Helper, so they can reach the finals and win the championship.

And there is only Westbrook around him, so he was suppressed by the Warriors for many years, and later reached the finals, taking advantage of Curry's injury, and finally lost to Rose, who had more helpers.

Durant watched the Warriors win the playoffs all the way, and finally won the cup, and then turned out the list of the best team and the best defensive team, looking at Green, Leonard, Clay, Butler, Gasol, Noah name, he realized.

The biggest secret to winning the championship depends on how many teammates are selected to the best team and how good they are. Curry is even better, so the Warriors won.

If you want to win the championship, it doesn't matter how well you play. Everyone is the mvp and scoring leader. How much difference can be made depends on your teammates!

Fortunately, I have a helper now, just wait, I will win the Christmas battle today!
Durant walked into the visiting team's locker room, and was illuminated by bright lights, and the last shadow in his heart disappeared.

……

Durant was relieved by the stadium atmosphere at the Chase Center. The noise in the Oracle Center was too loud, and the sound waves in the auditorium were like a tsunami, impacting the nerves of the players all the time, making the players of the visiting team play under high pressure.

The noise in Chase Center is much less, there are fewer seats here, and the space looks larger, making people less depressing.

What made Durant a little envious was that the screen at the Chase Center was too big, the sound effects were so good, and the entrance ceremony was very shocking, much better than the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

It's good to be rich, if Bennett is as rich as Coach Z, James probably won't leave...

Finally, the entrance ceremony of the Warriors players was over, and players from both sides came to the court.

Durant looked at the four familiar people on the opposite side, Curry, Clay, Leonard, Green, plus the less familiar Olynyk, abandoned all distracting thoughts, and entered the most focused state.

No matter how the position of the center changes, as long as these four people are still there, the Warriors will still be the Warriors. He must not be distracted and must go all out to hope to win the game.

Next to Durant, Westbrook, Robertson, Ibaka, and Gobert lined up. Compared with the opposing Warriors lineup, it is a bit shabby, but it is also one of the best lineups in the league. Against a small team like the Thunder It is even more rare to gather such a lineup.

"Di-"

Gobert successfully jumped the ball and the game started.

Durant squatted in the corner to open up space in the first round, watching Westbrook and Gobert play the pick-and-roll.

In the first few years of entering the league, Durant wished he could hit every ball by himself, but now he is tired of too many singles. Compared with scoring by himself, he would rather see his teammates open first.

Westbrook lived up to Durant's expectations. With the help of Gobert's cover, he broke through to the inside, passed Olynyk who was helping to defend, and made a layup, 2:0.

nice shot!

Durant shook his fist, which was a good sign.

Looking back, Durant followed Leonard closely, Green held the ball at the top of the arc, and the Warriors seemed to be going to pass and cut.

Durant is very annoyed by the rumors, everyone is one-on-one, and they do it with real knives and guns, isn't it?

He hates complex switching, hard screens and the feeling of nerves being tense all the time. When playing other teams, he doesn't have to do this. Only the Warriors are always running around, which is different from other teams.

Fortunately, this time Leonard just made a screen for Clay and squatted in the bottom corner. Durant didn't have to run around, but Curry got a little space with the help of Olynyk's screen and received the ball three times. Point hit, 3:2.

How did this guy make such a shot?He is obviously not very tall, and his arms are not long...

Durant looked at Curry, who was celebrating the goal, and was very surprised.

Although he has played against Curry many times, he still can't figure out why Curry can make these difficult three-pointers.

Robertson's defense is not bad, he is about to seal Curry's face, but the basketball just rubbed his fingertips and flew over.

This is a talent that is completely beyond Durant's understanding. Long arms, height, long legs... Curry doesn't have it. His body looks so thin, but he can make a three-pointer beyond imagination. The ball beat itself time and time again.

Durant doesn't think he is worse than Curry, and he can't be worse than Curry, otherwise wouldn't he be blinded by his peerless talent?

The round transition, Westbrook dribbled the ball halfway, Durant directly reached out for the ball, and Westbrook passed it.

Durant waved his hand to signal his teammates to pull away, and then hit Leonard single-handedly. With a large drag step, he double-changed backwards, swayed a little gap, pulled up and shot.

brush!
Leonard's interference was a little slower, and that's it, the basketball flew past his fingertips, hollowed into the net, 4:3.

After Durant scored a goal, he took a special look at Curry. He wanted to see Curry's reaction.

See, what you can do, so can I, and it's more difficult.

But to his disappointment, Curry didn't respond, and didn't seem to see Durant's difficult mid-range shot.

The Warriors turned around and continued to pass and cut. Leonard covered Curry. Durant didn't want to see Curry shoot a three-pointer and rushed towards him.

But Green did not pass the ball to Curry, but threw the ball inside. Durant looked back and found that after Leonard finished the screen, he immediately cut to the penalty area and received a pass from Green. Gobert was unable to defend , Leonard made a dunk, 5:4.

Fake!

Durant clapped his hands, a little annoyed, his attention was all attracted by Curry, and he gave Leonard a chance to make an air cut.

He glanced to the sidelines, and the Thunder's new coach Billy Donovan was sitting in a chair, his hands folded and resting on his chin, his face calm.

The Thunder failed to make the playoffs last season, Brooks was fired by the Thunder, and Billy Donovan, a well-known NCAA coach, took office.

Durant has been with Donovan for more than three months, and he is already very familiar with his facial expressions. His expression is just fine.

When he started to stand up and suck his teeth, it was when he was really dissatisfied.

Of course Durant is not afraid of Donovan, but he values ​​today's game very much. He doesn't want to make a mistake. If Donovan is dissatisfied with his defense and thinks he is not good at defending, he will change it immediately.

Judging from Donovan's expression, he has no problem with Durant's fierce defense.

But Durant was very upset when he saw the expressionless Leonard running past him after scoring.

This season, Leonard averaged 22.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.

But Durant doesn't think so. A 3D player also wants to compete with me?
Looking back, Durant continued to reach out to Westbrook for the ball and singled out Leonard.

The Warriors also cooperated very well, letting Leonard defend Durant alone.

Green's state has declined this season. The Warriors' defense relies more on Leonard. High up, the Warriors welcome anyone to single Leonard.

However, Durant is the one who is different after all.

He bent down and dribbled the ball continuously under his crotch. Leonard's position was very stable, but Durant adjusted his rhythm twice, pulling up and shooting. The wingspan is similar to Durant, but Durant is taller than him.

brush!
Durant went into the net against Leonard's mid-range shot, 5:6.

After scoring the goal, when Durant retreated, he deliberately ran past Curry and glanced at him provocatively.

Come on, let's see who is stronger!

Curry noticed Durant's eyes and saw what he meant, but just smiled and didn't respond.

It's just the regular season, what's there to compete with?
Durant attaches great importance to this Christmas battle and regards it as a battle of revenge to reverse public opinion.

But in Curry's eyes, this is just an ordinary regular season, and he wants to spend Christmas at home.

The different mentalities of the two sides made the balance of the game slowly tilt in the direction of the Thunder.

In the first quarter, the Thunder and Junior started the singles mode. Durant scored 12 points and Westbrook had 8 points and 3 assists.

The Warriors continued to insist on passing and cutting. Curry had no energy. Clay's touch was as bad as ever. He made 3 of 0 three-pointers. Only Leonard scored 8 points in a single quarter, which made the Warriors not far behind. 23:28 behind the Thunder by 5 points.

Durant has a high success rate against Leonard in singles, but conversely, Leonard's success rate in singles against him is not low.

Durant doesn't think Leonard can be compared with him, but he and Leonard can only explode each other, and slowly accept this reality, he and Leonard seem to be players of the same level.

But Leonard went down to rest after playing for 3 minutes, which made Durant breathe a sigh of relief.

It is very difficult for him to defend Leonard. Leonard does not have fancy moves or many fake moves, but he is very confrontational and powerful. A few head-to-head moves can create shooting space.

Most importantly, he has the Splash Brothers around him to open up the space.

Although Clay is not allowed, no one dares to let him open. Westbrook never leaves him, and Robertson sticks to Curry all the time, and doesn't even participate in the defense.

Olynyk also transferred Gobert out of the penalty area. As long as Leonard breaks through Durant's defense, it will be a smooth road, and the offensive space is too wide.

When Durant was attacking, he was surrounded by Gobert, Robertson, and Westbrook. The Warriors could shrink the frame at any time. When he played Leonard, he was all one-on-one.

After switching to Wiggins to defend him, Durant was much more relaxed.
……

In the second quarter, Durant sat off the court to rest, and Westbrook brought a substitute on the court.

With Durant not here, Westbrook has all the power, the Thunder played very unrestrained, and the pace of the game was very fast.

But this is also the rhythm that the Warriors like. The Warriors are best at fast breaks and counterattacks. Antetokounmpo and Leonard are both good players in pushing fast breaks, quickly smoothing out the point difference.

Both teams play fast breaks, but the Warriors' defense is better. Antetokounmpo and Leonard shrink the frame to make up for Looney's weak frame protection. Westbrook's impact is contained. Especially in front of Antetokounmpo, also invisible.

The Thunder's defense is much softer. As a center, Kanter's defense is as thin as a piece of white paper, with no frame protection at all. Antetokounmpo and Leonard are like two siege hammers, destroying the Thunder in the restricted area. Fortress, unstoppable.

Off the court, Durant watched the two teams come and go, running faster and faster, and the Warriors played fast breaks again and again, feeling more and more anxious.

How can I fight like this, I'm going to lose!
Donovan seems to have heard Durant's voice. Just after 7 minutes and 34 seconds into the second quarter, he turned to look at Durant:

"Kevin, how's your rest going?"

"I feel good, let me play!" Durant replied immediately.

Subsequently, Donovan took advantage of a dead ball opportunity to exchange Durant and Gobert back in advance.

He couldn't compete with Zhang Yu for the depth of the lineup, so he could only die as the main force.

Zhang Yu didn't disrupt her rhythm because of Donovan's adjustment.

He still sat firmly on the Diaoyutai, waited until 5 minutes and 43 seconds, and pinched his watch to make a substitution.

Using the substitute against the main force, the point difference that the Warriors managed to recover was stretched a little further.

But after the Warriors' main force came on the field, they made adjustments and arranged more tactics for Curry and Leonard. Clay, who made 3 of 0 shots in the first quarter, could only act as a space point to open up space.

The fault tolerance rate of playing Thunder is not that high, and Zhang Yu doesn't have so much time to find a touch for Clay.

Although both the Thunder and the Bulls are second in the division, the Bulls are in the East and have some advantages. The Thunder are actually stronger than the Bulls, and the Warriors must respond earlier.

Durant's provocation finally had a response. Curry no longer fished, he showed all his strength, played pick-and-roll with the ball, and misplaced Gobert, Ibaka and even Durant.

Leonard doesn't play Durant alone anymore, he has better choices.

Leonard screened for Curry on the weak side. As long as the Thunder switched defenses, the ball would pass to him.

Westbrook is prone to distraction without the ball, and he is very active in single defense against the ball, but Leonard relies on his size and strength to crush Westbrook to a close-range position, and then turn over for a jumper, Westbrook can't interfere.

The Warriors' offense opened up, but Donovan never changed his defense and insisted on switching defenses. Even if it was a misplacement like Curry hitting Gobert, the Thunder would give it without hesitation.

After the second quarter, the Warriors led the Thunder by 65 points 60:5.

In the third quarter, the Warriors continued to focus on dislocation offense, with Curry playing small and big, and Leonard playing big and small.

The Thunder continued to switch defenses, leaving the Warriors open.

This is what Donovan thinks is the best way to defend the Warriors. He wants to break down the Warriors' offense into singles again and again, and resolutely prevent the Warriors from playing a smooth passing and cutting system.

After he took over as the head coach of the Thunder, he carefully studied the Warriors' game video and thought he had found the Warriors' weaknesses.

The reason why the Warriors' passes, cuts and pick-and-rolls work is because the opponent is too afraid of splashing three-pointers, rushing too hard to the outside line, often ignoring the defense of the penalty area, forcing the weak side defender to shrink, and there will be gaps on the outside line. Can't keep it.

Since they can't defend, it's better to switch defenses directly, misplace the Warriors, and don't give the Warriors an empty space.

And Donovan believes in the defensive ability of the Thunder players. Robertson, Gobert, and Ibaka are all elite defenders in the same position, and they have the level of competitive defense.

Durant and Westbrook are talented, have excellent athletic ability, and are prone to problems in defense without the ball. Unlimited switching defenses can keep them focused at all times and avoid being stunned by the Warriors' running positions.

Zhang Yu saw Donovan's thoughts, and he had to admit that switching defenses was indeed the nemesis of Chuanqie.

However, Curry and Leonard are not afraid to switch defenses. Passing and cutting is a bonus to role players and a constraint on stars.

When the Warriors didn't pass and cut, the opponent ushered in a truly terrifying moment.

　Make up for today.

　　Note: After the Thunder moved to Oklahoma City, they did not inherit the history of the Seattle SuperSonics.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)