Coach: Coaching the Grizzlies at the beginning, playing the bantam

The temperature in Brooklyn in early June was gradually rising, but in comparison, the atmosphere inside the Brooklyn Arena was even hotter.

Today, there will be a world-renowned showdown here - the first game of the NBA Finals between the Nets and the Lakers.

Outside the stadium, a huge electronic screen continuously played the exciting moments of the two teams, attracting passers-by to stop and watch.

Inside the stadium, the stands on all sides were packed, and the cheers and shouts of the fans merged into a boiling ocean.

Reporters carried cameras and celebrities sat in VIP seats, ready to witness this historic moment.

However, in this carnival atmosphere, the Nets' star center Cousins ​​seemed a little out of place.

He was wearing training clothes and doing warm-up exercises silently on the sidelines. Although he tried to keep smiling, his brows were full of fatigue.

Before the game, Cousins ​​unfortunately caught the flu. Although he tried his best to recover, he still looked a little weak.

After the warm-up exercises, Cousins ​​walked to the bench and sat down, his face pale and his breathing rapid.

His teammates gathered around him and asked about his physical condition. Cousins ​​forced a smile and said he could still hold on.

At this moment, reporters flocked to Nets head coach Lu Yong, wanting to know Cousins' physical condition and whether he would appear in today's game.

Facing the camera and microphone, Lu Yong appeared calm and at ease.

"Cousins' physical condition has indeed been affected," Lu Yong admitted. "He has contracted the flu, which is a severe test for his physical and mental state."

Reporters rushed to ask: "Will Cousins ​​play today?"

Lu Yong nodded and said with a firm look in his eyes: "He will play. Cousins ​​is an important member of our team. His fighting spirit and perseverance are what we admire. Although his physical condition is not the best, he is eager to contribute to the team."

The atmosphere at the scene was instantly ignited, with fans' expectations and concerns about Cousins ​​intertwined.

They know that this game is of great significance to the Nets, and whether Cousins ​​can stand up at the critical moment will be a major highlight of the game.

The players walked onto the court one after another. Cousins ​​slowly stood up surrounded by his teammates, with a determined look in his eyes.

He knew that what he was about to face was not just a basketball game, but also a challenge to himself.

………………

Inside the studio, the lights were soft and bright. Two huge screens displayed the Nets and Lakers team logos respectively. The atmosphere was tense and full of anticipation.

Well-known domestic commentators Yang Yi and Wang Meng sat on high-back chairs, facing the camera and microphone, preparing to conduct pre-match analysis for the upcoming first game of the finals.

Yang Yi adjusted his tie and spoke first: "Hello, everyone! I am Yang Yi. Today, we ushered in the much-anticipated finals, the Nets vs. the Lakers. This series has been a hot topic on the Internet and has attracted a lot of attention."

Wang Meng took over the conversation: "That's true, Mr. Yang. I'm Wang Meng. This game can be said to be the biggest highlight of this season. Both teams are very strong, and each has distinct characteristics and advantages."

Yang Yi nodded: "Yes, the Lakers are known for their inside strength. They have the strongest inside combination in the league. The Nets are known for their fierce outside firepower and tacit cooperation, especially their three-pointers, which often make opponents unable to defend."

Wang Meng added: "Moreover, the Nets' bench depth is also very formidable. They can field a team of strong players from the bench. This will be a point that the Lakers need to pay special attention to."

"Speaking of this," Yang Yi changed the subject, "Recently, there have been many analyses and comments about this series. Some people think that the Lakers' inside advantage will give them the upper hand, while others are optimistic about the Nets' outside firepower. What do you think, Wang Meng?"

Wang Meng thought for a moment and replied, "I think this series is indeed full of suspense. Both teams have the strength to win the championship. The key is to see who can play to their strengths in the game and suppress the opponent's strengths. However, I personally tend to favor the Nets. Their outside strength is too strong, and the teamwork is tacit, which is very important in the playoffs."

Yang Yi smiled and said, "You have a point. However, we cannot ignore the Lakers' strength. They have the strongest inside line in the league, and they also have good outside shooting ability. The outcome of this game may not be determined until the last minute."

The two smiled at each other, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed. At this time, Yang Yi suddenly mentioned Cousins, the main player of the Nets: "By the way, Wang Meng, what do you think about Cousins ​​being infected with the flu? What kind of performance do you think he can play in this game?"

Wang Meng frowned. "This is indeed an uncertain factor. The impact of influenza on athletes can be significant or minor, but considering Cousins' physical fitness and willpower, I believe he can overcome this difficulty. Even if he is not in the best condition, he can still play his role in the game."

Yang Yi nodded: "I agree with you. Cousins ​​is a very good player. His experience and strength will have a positive impact on the Nets. Moreover, the Nets have other excellent players who can fill his vacancy, so the outcome of this game does not entirely depend on Cousins' performance alone."

Wang Meng added: "Yes, basketball is a team sport. Although the performance of one individual is important, the strength of the team is the key to victory or defeat. I believe this game will be a very exciting match."

Yang Yi concluded: "Okay, dear audience friends, our pre-match analysis ends here. Let's wait and see who will win the finals."

As the two finished their conversation, the lights in the studio gradually dimmed.

The picture on the screen switched to a real-time picture of the stadium, and the cheers and shouts of the fans could be heard one after another.

Although the game has not started yet, a tense and exciting atmosphere has already filled the entire studio and the stadium.

...............

The lights gradually dimmed, and the entire arena fell into a mysterious darkness.

The fans seemed to hold their breath as they waited, waiting for that exciting moment.

Suddenly, spotlights shone towards the center of the court, illuminating the dark field as bright as day.

The atmosphere at the scene was instantly ignited, with cheers and shouts rising one after another.

The starting lineups of the two teams began to scroll on the big screen. The Nets still had those familiar faces: Brunson, Mitchell, Durant, Porzingis and Cousins.

They are like five mountains, standing firmly in the Nets camp.

The Lakers also sent out their strongest lineup: Wall, Bradley, James, Kuzma and Davis.

This is a competition between superstars and also a feast of basketball skills.

As the DJ on the scene played his exciting music, players from both teams began to come out one after another.

The first to enter the venue were the Nets players. Under the lights, they walked towards the court like gods of war.

Brunson and Mitchell walked side by side, confident smiles on their faces, as if they had seen the dawn of victory.

Porzingis and Cousins ​​followed closely behind, their tall bodies looking even more muscular under the lights. The last player to appear was the Nets' star player, Durant.

The moment he stepped onto the court, the Nets fans at the scene instantly became excited.

They waved flags, shouted Durant's name, and their screams and shouts merged into a sea of ​​joy.

Durant smiled and waved to the fans. His appearance undoubtedly brought the atmosphere to a climax.

In comparison, although the Lakers' appearance also won warm applause from the fans, it seemed a little inferior to the crazy cheers of the Nets fans.

However, this did not affect the fighting spirit of the Lakers players. They had firm eyes and steady steps, and it was obvious that they were ready to meet the challenge.

The players each stood in their respective positions, looked up at the basket, as if they were silently making a vow.

The lights on the scene came on again, illuminating the entire stadium like daylight.

The cheers of the fans gradually subsided, they knew that the next game would be a thrilling contest.

Amid all the noise and expectations, Durant stood quietly on the court, his eyes flickering with desire for victory.

He knew that this game was not just an ordinary duel, but also a stage for him to prove to the world that he had the ability to surpass Jordan.

He took a deep breath and prepared himself for the upcoming challenge.

The pre-match entrance ceremony is over, but the fans’ enthusiasm and expectations are far from over.

Fans are looking forward to the players' wonderful performances on the field and expect that this competition between superstars will bring them endless surprises.

The voice of the live DJ sounded again, announcing that the competition was about to begin.

The fans returned to their seats, ready to enjoy this wonderful basketball feast.

The players also returned to their own half and began their final warm-up exercises.

The upcoming games will be a severe test of their skills and will, but they are fully prepared to meet this challenge.

With the referee's whistle, the game officially started.

The shouts and cheers of the fans once again resounded throughout the stadium, as they cheered for the team they supported!

The referee held the basketball and walked steadily to the center circle, his eyes scanning every player who was ready.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the basketball in the referee's hand, as if it was a bomb about to explode, and who would be the detonator was still uncertain.

The atmosphere was extremely tense, and every second seemed to be stretched, making people feel the fierce confrontation that was about to happen.

Finally, the referee threw the ball high up, and at that moment, the entire stadium seemed to hold its breath.

Cousins ​​and Davis were like two leopards ready to pounce, jumping at the same time to compete for this crucial basketball.

Davis' athletic talent was fully demonstrated at this moment. His jumping ability was obviously stronger than Cousins, and he easily passed the ball back to the Lakers' half.

At this moment, the Lakers got their first chance to attack.

Wall dribbled the ball quickly across half court. His movements were agile and decisive, leaving his opponent no chance to steal the ball.

Then he passed the ball to James. After taking the ball, the basketball superstar immediately started their familiar pick-and-roll cooperation with Davis in the middle.

James' ball-handling skills are extremely proficient. He cleverly uses Davis' pick-and-roll and breaks through to the basket with all his strength.

The Nets' defensive formation was completely disrupted at this moment. Durant tried to keep up with James' rhythm, but it was too late.

James made a precise ground pass and sent the ball to Davis who was following up on the other side.

Davis' competitive state tonight was obviously better than Cousins. After receiving the ball, he turned quickly and easily passed Cousins.

At this moment, Cousins ​​seemed a little overwhelmed, and his defensive pace obviously could not keep up with Davis' rhythm.

Davis rushed into the basket and scored a two-handed dunk, making the score 2:0.

When the Nets fans at the scene saw this scene, they couldn't help but feel a little worried.

They saw that Cousins ​​had been beaten too easily in this round and looked very bad. This worry quickly spread in the audience.

"What's wrong with Cousins? He looks totally out of shape." said a fan with a frown.

"Yeah, this won't work. The Lakers' Davis is in great shape. If Cousins ​​can't improve his defensive intensity, this game will be in jeopardy."

"I hope this is just a temporary downturn and Cousins ​​needs to adjust quickly."

Following Davis' powerful dunk at the start of the game, Yang Yi and Wang Meng in the commentary booth also gave their comments at the right time.

"Davis looks to be in pretty good shape today." Yang Yi spoke first, his eyes fixed on Davis on the court, as if he wanted to see more clues from this superstar.

Wang Meng nodded and continued, "Indeed, from the opening round, Davis showed top-level speed and strength. In comparison, Cousins ​​seemed a little overwhelmed."

"That's right," Yang Yi continued, "Judging from the defense in this round, Cousins' body is obviously not in the best condition. The flu may have had a certain impact on him, which is reflected in his movement speed and reaction ability."

Wang Meng also sighed: "Yes, although a minor illness like influenza is not life-threatening, it may affect the competitive state of athletes. It seems that Cousins ​​needs to overcome not only technical challenges but also physical discomfort today."

The conversation between the two allowed the audience to have a deeper understanding of the situation on the field and also added a sense of anticipation and tension for the upcoming game.

Yang Yi added: "However, basketball is a team sport. One person's poor condition does not mean that the whole team will lose the game. The Nets have other outstanding players who are fully capable of making up for Cousins' shortcomings."

Wang Meng nodded and agreed: "Indeed, the charm of basketball lies in its team spirit. Moreover, the game has just begun, and everything is still possible. We hope that the Nets can make adjustments and see if Coach Lu Yong will make substitutions later." (End of this chapter)