NBA: Starting with Jokic template

Chapter 120 Habits (55)

As they were talking, the competition was about to begin.

The 10 starting players of both teams also officially appeared on the field.

The Thunder still has the four young players plus Sefrosa.

The Lakers, on the other hand, consist of F4 plus Metta World Peace.

With Nash's return, Blake, who was the temporary starter last time, has returned to the bench.

Looking at the lineup, both sides are star-studded.

This battle is destined to be the focus!

It was also broadcast live across the United States without any controversy!
Howard and Lin Chuan were on opposite sides.

"I won't let you beat me up again in this fight."

Howard's expression was serious, but what he said made Lin Chuan burst out laughing.

"That's not what you said. Are you giving in?"

Unexpectedly, Howard just said that he would not let him beat him up, which made Lin Chuan lose the intention to fight him.

This guy, it seems, really thinks of himself as a blue-collar worker.

Lin Chuan shook his head and lost interest.

Bend your knees slightly and be ready to jump at any time.

The referee throws the ball into the air.

The game officially begins.

Howard has springs under his feet.

The whole person bounced up quickly.

No matter how good Lin Chuan's prediction was, he still couldn't win the opening jump ball.

Nash dribbled the ball forward quickly and passed it directly to Kobe at the free throw line. The moment he received the ball, Kobe passed it to Ibaka who was retreating and turned around, and scored a two-point layup.

Help the Lakers get the first points of the game!

"it is good!"

The fans at the scene immediately began to cheer.

"After D'Antoni took over as coach, the Lakers also started to play a run-and-gun style. They only took four seconds to finish the first possession of the game."

Yu Jia immediately began to explain,
"Nash's accurate passes allow teammates in open positions to immediately get shooting opportunities. Lakers players, including several big-name players, are more willing to participate in offensive runs."

"But I just don't know if these players' old arms and legs can withstand such frequent running. You know, their opponent is the undisputed strongest team this season, the Thunder!"

Zhang Weiping also expressed his concerns.

The Lakers scored the first goal, and the Thunder naturally did not want to fall behind.

"I come!"

Westbrook was advancing with the ball, and when he heard Lin Chuan's call, he passed the ball habitually after crossing half court.

Lin Chuan received the ball in the low post, and Howard immediately pressed close to him to prevent Lin Chuan from attacking.

However, Lin Chuan had already made the decision for this game.

He is not prepared to play alone selfishly anymore.

The next second after he held the ball with his back to the basket, Lin Chuan glanced across the court.

Lin Chuan passed the ball through Howard's crotch with a ground shot.

Westbrook rushed to the basket, grabbed the ball, took off like a helicopter on the spot, and slammed the ball into the basket!

"boom!!!" Lin Chuan did not attack, but he used his familiar passing technique to mobilize the entire team.

"Beautiful! In fact, Lin Chuan's vision was blocked by Howard's defense during this pass. He couldn't see the situation on the court clearly. But he still seized the opportunity in a split second and decisively chose to pass the ball to Westbrook who was in the open position."

Seeing Lin Chuan pass the ball without looking at anyone, Zhang Weiping slammed the table and immediately praised him highly.

"Yes, the Thunder's tactics were excellent in this shot. They let Durant rush over from the wing to screen Westbrook. After Westbrook cut in, Durant chose to stay outside the three-point line."

"Durant's three-point deterrence forced Metta World Peace to not switch defense and chase to the inside, while Nash was blocked by Durant and stayed outside the three-point line and could not chase Westbrook."

"Then Lin Chuan passed the ball to Westbrook, who dunked directly into the empty basket!"

"Tsk tsk, how are the Lakers going to deal with the Thunder's offensive tactics?"

Yu Jia gave an immersive commentary, with his head shaking all over.

It's time for the Lakers to attack again.

Metta World Peace quickly served the ball from the baseline, and Nash started running with the ball.

Kobe and others also ran all the way.

But his old arms and legs obviously cannot keep up with the Thunder team whose average starting lineup is less than 25 years old!
Although it only took 5 seconds, all the Lakers players ran to the frontcourt.

But it only took 4 seconds for all the Thunder players to get into position and prepare for a positional battle with the Lakers!
"Wow, the Lakers want to play run-and-gun, but they are too slow. The Thunder's young players are much faster in retreating than they are in attacking."

Zhang Weiping pointed at the screen and spoke to the audience.

"Yes, it seems that the Lakers are forced to engage in positional warfare."

Yu Jia spoke.

But as a former MVP, Nash's tactics are never that simple.

Gasol stepped up to provide screen for Nash.

Nash immediately rushed into the penalty area around the screen.

Facing Nash, whose peak shooting percentage has entered the 180 club, Lin Chuan, who is sitting under the basket, naturally would not underestimate him. He took a defensive stance and waited for Nash to break in.

Nash rushed into the penalty area with the ball without hesitation, but when facing Lin Chuan, he suddenly took the ball and passed it with his right hand to Kobe who was unattended at 45 degrees!

"To suffer!"

Lin Chuan immediately changed his defensive target and took a step towards Kobe's position.

But at the same time, at the moment when Lin Chuan was shaken, Nash quickly pulled the ball back and his whole body was parallel to Lin Chuan.

But one is facing the basket and the other is facing away from the basket.

Facing the empty basket, Nash held the basketball with his left hand and made a layup.

"Don't think about it!"

But Lin Chuan is far from as simple as Nash thought!
Although a simple fake pass completely fooled Lin Chuan, the 100-point inside defense was much more than just a blessing for Lin Chuan!
With his right foot on the wooden floor, Lin Chuan used his muscle strength to turn himself around. At this time, Nash had already shot and the basketball flew towards the basket.

"Snapped!"

At the last moment of the rise, Lin Chuan's left hand arrived first and hit the backboard. The lower half of the basketball was hit by Lin Chuan, and the whole basketball bounced back into the court.

Kobe grabbed the second rebound and wanted to attack, but Lin Chuan turned around again, and with his hands so fast that an afterimage appeared, he cut the basketball, which Kobe had not yet completely closed, to the ground.

Durant grabbed the basketball again, brought it to the frontcourt and made an emergency stop and shot to end this round!
"Oh my god! Lin Chuan blocked the shot!"

Yu Jia's tone became excited.
"Who could have imagined this! In this round! Nash completely shook off Lin Chuan with his fake pass. Even though he was already a whole body length behind, Lin Chuan was still able to turn around and force a block!"

"Let's take a look at the slow-motion replay! We can see that if the ball was played a little later, it would have been interference! Lin Chuan's defensive ability is so terrible!"

Zhang Weiping's tone was not so excited, and he started to tease,
"The last time Lin Chuan got a triple-double in blocks in this arena, the Lakers still rashly attacked the basket. It can only be said that they are not used to Lin Chuan's defensive ability. When they enter the paint again, they will get used to being blocked by Lin Chuan a few more times."

I've gotten used to getting blocked a few times... Look, it's okay if Zhang Weiping doesn't speak, but once he speaks, if the Lakers players hear it, they'll be so pissed off!

(End of this chapter)