NBA Old Age Star System

Chapter 306 Three consecutive victories at the beginning, new problems
Harden's shot hit the iron, Capela wanted to grab the rebound, but was stuck by Nance.

The rebound was finally taken by Paul George. At this time, Su Tian had already rushed out, so George directly made a long pass.

The basketball was accurately passed to Su Tian's hands, and Su Tian got the ball and went straight to the front basket.

Paul didn't follow up in time this time, and watched Su Tian get further and further away from him.

Su Tian rushed to the basket in the frontcourt and dunked with both hands, ending the battle.

4-0
The Lakers' defensive counterattack was successful again, and the defense presented by the Lakers as a whole made Harden feel a little suffocated.

At this time, D'Antoni called a timeout in time. Although it was only the first two rounds, the problems exposed by the team were very serious.

"Listen, James, the Lakers' defense has become extremely tough. The team needs you at this time, and needs you to lead the team and lead everyone to break this deadlock."

D'Antoni looked at James and said.

Harden nodded and didn't speak, but the serious expression on his face said it all.

As for the Lakers, Wharton just looked at the three of Su Tian and said: "The Rockets are not that easy to deal with. The Rockets' offensive ability is not inferior to the Warriors. We must not be negligent."

Hearing Wharton's warning, George said with a smile: "Don't worry, coach, this is our first nationally broadcast game when we come to the Lakers. We will definitely not embarrass the Lakers, and if we really lose, it will be us." It takes more pressure."

Butler also nodded and said: "Indeed, don't worry, Mr. Coach, we will work hard."

Seeing that the two stars promised each other, Walton was relieved.

Soon, the timeout ends and the game continues.

After playing again, Paul took control of the ball and tried to drive the team through his own ability, but as Paul got older, his body began to decline gradually, and he couldn't break through Su Tian's defense at all.

In desperation, Paul had to hand over the ball to Harden.

Harden got the ball and started his singles performance against Butler.

After consecutive crotch dribbles, Harden quickly made a breakthrough. Butler reacted quickly and followed up in time, but then Harden directly returned to the three-point line with his signature double step back and made a direct three-point shot.

Swah——

A three-pointer hit directly.

4-3
The Rockets' offense started to function normally because of Harden, but not every time Butler singles can have such a good effect.

When the Lakers were attacking, the Rockets' defense was simply unable to resist, and the Lakers' shooting percentage has been maintained at a good number.

At the end of the first quarter, the score came to 31-25, and the Lakers temporarily led by 6 points.

In the second quarter, Su Tian rested on the court, and George led the team on the court.

On the Rockets side, Paul led the team, and the two Pauls competed on the court.

Halfway through the second quarter, the Lakers' leading score has reached double digits, and the younger Paul has the advantage.

In the second half, George took a break, Su Tian and Butler played again, the Rockets also made personnel adjustments, Harden replaced Paul.

Su Tian confronted Harden again.

Brunson advanced to the frontcourt with the ball and passed the ball directly to Su Tian.

After Su Tian got the ball, he didn't rush to attack, but tried three threats to test Harden's defensive center of gravity.

This season's Harden is completely different from the previous Harden, and even different from the Harden of any period in Su Tian's impression, because at this time Harden is extremely focused on defense, and this is the first time Su Tian has seen such Harden.

Seeing Harden's serious look, Su Tian couldn't help but said: "James, don't be so serious, you are not my opponent anyway."

As soon as Su Tian finished speaking, before Harden could speak, he made a breakthrough directly.

Harden's reaction was a bit slow, and he could only follow Su Tian's side, and came to the basket while fighting.

After the two came to the basket, Su Tian directly collected the ball and made a fake move for a layup. Then Su Tian suddenly changed his face frame to a back frame, and directly shot a jumper.

Swah——

Su Tian's sudden change of move caught Harden by surprise, and Su Tian's backwards hit directly and accurately.

"Su, when did you learn this trick?" Harden was full of doubts.

"Of course it's when you go shopping at nightclubs." Su Tian said with a smile.

"..."

"Damn you!"

At the end of the second quarter, Harden still failed to make the point difference into single digits, and the two ended the first half with a 12-point difference.

At this time, Barkley began to "point out the country" in the studio.

"The Lakers can beat the Rockets by double digits in halftime, which is enough to prove that the Lakers are far ahead of the Rockets!" Barkley said confidently.

"However, the Rockets' three-pointer has not been opened yet. If the Rockets' three-pointer is hit, the double-digit point difference is not a problem at all." Kenny Smith said.

"Kenny. You also said that the Rockets didn't hit the three-pointer! Do you think the Rockets didn't hit the three-pointer just because they didn't feel good? Please take a look at how the Lakers' perimeter defense is suffocated! "

Kenny Smith was powerless to refute when he heard what Barkley said. After all, the Lakers' perimeter defense was indeed enough to make people feel suffocated.

"Compared to the Warriors now, I would rather see the Lakers win the championship! I am also more optimistic about the Lakers winning the championship!" Barkley said suddenly.

"why?"

"Because the Lakers' offense and defense are more balanced, their defense is no worse than any team in the league! The offense is only slightly inferior to the Warriors."

I have to say that Barkley's speech at this time is quite reasonable. Su Tian was originally the MVP of the regular season last season. This season, George and Butler were introduced, and the team's strength did not increase at 01:30.

At this time, there are also two states in the locker rooms of the two teams.

On the Lakers side, Walton is still emphasizing not to be arrogant and impetuous, and the game will never end until the last moment.

On the Rockets side, D'Antoni is encouraging everyone to take more three-pointers and catch up with the point difference as soon as possible.

The intermission ended quickly, and the third quarter began.

In the third quarter, both sides unanimously replaced the entire main lineup, both wanting to suppress each other as soon as possible.

The first ball was given to the Lakers in the third quarter, and Su Tian advanced to the frontcourt with the ball and directly called Nance for a pick-and-roll.

With the help of the pick-and-roll, Su Tian initiated a breakthrough. When he broke through to the free throw line, Su Tian made a weird ground pass, which was directly and accurately passed to Paul George who was slipping the baseline.

George got the ball and made an easy layup.

This ball not only fully demonstrated Su Tian's passing ability, but also perfectly demonstrated the tacit cooperation between the Lakers stars.

"I said a long time ago that the success of the Lakers is not accidental! The Lakers will definitely become the best Big Three combination in the NBA in the past five years!" Barkley said.

At this time, Kenny Smith suddenly reacted and said, "The past five years? So you deliberately excluded the Heat's Big Three? It's just been five years since the Heat's Big Three won the championship."

"Ahem, you're overthinking Kenny, that's all I'll say."

There was constant work in the studio, but the Rockets were not feeling well on the court at this time.

Facing the Lakers' perimeter defense, Harden can't find many solutions. He can only use his personal ability to solve hard.

But I have to say that Harden in this period is really worthy of a regular season MVP, he has reached the peak in all aspects, and he can also play a good offense against Butler's single defense.

Halfway through the third quarter, the point difference was already hovering around 8 points, and the Rockets may stabilize the point difference at single digits at any time.

At this time, Walton called a timeout in time. After the timeout, the Lakers' defense changed. Butler defended alone, and George and Su Tian assisted in defense.

This time Harden's shooting rate began to decline, and the point difference was once again stabilized at double digits.

At the end of the third quarter, the point difference had reached 14 points.

"Don't tell me, Luke Walton still has some strength. After a timeout, the point difference returned to double digits. The Lakers' timely adjustment to defense is still effective." Kenny Smith said.

Hearing Kenny Smith praise Luke Wharton, Barkley immediately began to complain.

"Of course, you must know that Coach Wharton was the best head coach last season! He must have extraordinary strength." Barkley said with a smile.

In an instant, laughter echoed throughout the studio.

Although most people ridicule Wharton, Wharton still has some abilities, but not much.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, both Paul George and Butler rested off the court, and Su Tian came on the court with a substitute.

Although it is a substitute, the Lakers' bench is not weak at all.

Caruso, Su Tian, ​​Dun Luo, Kuzma, Wood.

Su Tian, ​​who is in the state of the king of the last quarter, does not need much help at all. He can directly bring the substitute to wear the Rockets to death. This is how the Lakers won the Rockets last season.

But with a helper this season, Su Tian doesn't have to be so tired.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, the point difference came to 15 points. Butler and George played again. At this time, the Rockets had already taken the entire main lineup.

However, under the deterrence of the Lakers' Big Three, the Rockets still failed to make a comeback.

In the end, the game ended, the Lakers successfully won the Rockets 115-97, and the Lakers ushered in two consecutive victories.

Su Tian scored 26 points, 11 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steals, still the best in the game.

乔治表现也不错，全场拿到21分9篮板4助攻，巴特勒全场拿到20分5篮板3助攻1抢断。

Although Butler's data is not bad, Butler's expression is not good, because Harden's performance in this field is really good. As Harden's main defender, Butler feels very embarrassed.

詹姆斯-哈登全场拿到38分10助攻5篮板，克里斯-保罗全场拿到11分8助攻3篮板1抢断。

Because of Chris Paul's matchup with Su Tian, ​​the statistics are not outstanding, but the impact on the team is still far-reaching.

And Harden is the team's first scoring point, and Butler has indeed tried his best.

After the game, Su Tian approached Harden for a hug.

"Su, I really didn't expect that you Lakers really succeeded in building this lineup!" Although it has been several days since the news of Butler coming to the Lakers, Harden is still shocked at this time expression.

"You are not bad either. This year, when you break through the blockade of the Warriors, we will join forces in the Western Conference Finals!"

"Okay! It's a deal!"

After the game, Su Tian followed to participate in the post-match interview, but Butler did not go to the interview this time, because Butler said that he would practice more.

Facing Butler's stubbornness, Su Tian had no choice but to agree, but just reminded Butler, pay attention to safety, and don't practice too much.

In the post-match interview, even though Butler did not come, some reporters still asked about Butler.

"Butler's defensive performance against Harden this time is not good. Is Butler the weakest of the Big Three of the Lakers?"

Facing such sharp questions, it is best for Su Tian himself to answer them.

"First of all, a game doesn't mean much. Secondly, the three of us have no strengths or weaknesses. We just do what the team needs us to do. Maybe if I go to defend Harden in this game, the situation will be worse than it is now. Oops, at least we won now, right?"

Su Tian's answer was resounding, showing the demeanor of the team leader, and the reporters on the scene began to applaud.

After the post-match interview, Su Tian returned home and saw a message from Butler.

"Sue, thank you."

Su Tian knew that Butler was thanking him for what happened in the interview just after the game.

So Su Tian replied with a message.

"Jimmy, we're brothers, and that's what I'm supposed to do."

Although Su Tian still felt a little awkward when he said such words, but the black people in the United States are accustomed to this. Words such as brothers, family, etc., easily allow himself to blend in.

After defeating the Rockets, the Lakers once again ushered in a strong enemy, no, maybe it is not considered a strong enemy now, the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs have been buzzing this summer. Through Leonard's trade, DeRozan was brought in, and they formed a new dual-virtue combination with Aldridge.

The Lakers are still sitting at home in this battle, waiting for the challenge from the Spurs.

The Spurs' starting lineup for this game is Bryn Forbes, DeRozan, Cunningham, Rudy Gay, Aldridge.

Of course, the Spurs' bench also has good role players, Mills, Belinelli, Pau Gasol, Bertans.

It's just that the Spurs' lineup is just not bad, and they are simply unable to stop the bombing of the Lakers' Big Three.

In the end, the game was completely controlled by the Lakers. The Lakers defeated the Spurs 122-107, and the Lakers ushered in a three-game winning streak.

DeRozan was obviously restricted by the Lakers. After Butler blamed himself in the last game, his defense became stronger this time, putting enough pressure on DeRozan's defense.

DeRozan only scored 12 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists.

But at the same time, the Lakers were severely beaten inside by Aldridge. Aldridge scored 37 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, the highest score of the Spurs.

Although this battle was easily won, the problem of lack of inside defense was exposed, which still requires the team to find a way to make up for it.

After all, you can't count on offense to win every game after that.

(End of this chapter)