NBA: Starting with Jokic template

Chapter 140: Changing the style of play to limit the Rockets (55)

"I didn't expect the Rockets to be so resilient. Facing the top-ranked Thunder team in the league, they were able to keep the score close after half the game."

Zhang Weiping was somewhat emotional.
"Although the team leader has changed and the players have been replaced, the Rockets' tenacious will has always been there."

"Yes."

Yu Jia continued,
"Yao Ming was sitting on the sidelines watching the game. After watching the game, he must be happy for both sides."

…………

"Oh, this kid Harden has really learned bad things."

Back in the locker room, Durant sat down on a chair and snorted.

"That's right. I've never seen him commit fouls so enthusiastically before."

Westbrook wiped the sweat from his head and agreed.

Lin Chuan crossed his arms and stared at Durant, who was nicknamed "Big Loop".

After staring at Durant for a few seconds, he felt a little nervous.

"Watch what I do."

"It's all because of someone's good example."

Lin Chuan turned his head away, hinting at something.

But everyone knew who he was talking about.

Durant was not embarrassed, he just smiled.
"Okay, since Harden has learned my tricks, let me take charge of the attack in the second half and take them down!"

Brooks nodded slightly, approving Durant's decision.

Lin Chuan also agreed.

After all, apart from anything else, those two double step-backs are quite exhausting for a player of his size.

In the second half, Durant stepped up and took over the game, and he played with ease.

"By the way, Harden's moves are indeed difficult to defend against players in similar positions, but I think you are a good fit, Kevin."

Lin Chuan suddenly spoke, attracting everyone's attention.

"I?"

Durant pointed at himself.

He is a typical player who is better at attacking than defending.

It’s not that he’s bad at defense, but compared to his offense which has reached perfection, his defense is indeed not that good as he has never even entered the defensive lineup.

But Lin Chuan suddenly called his name and asked him to defend Harden, who had already scored 28 points in the first half and was about to break 50 points.

He expressed some confusion.

Seeing everyone's puzzled expressions, Lin Chuan touched his nose and explained,

"Yes, Kevin's defense is not great, but his body is very suitable for defending Harden's moves. For the guards, even if they can react to the double step-back, it is difficult to defend properly due to the body size problem. Harden can easily turn it into a three-point shooting training."

"The problem with centers is the same. Due to their size, it is difficult for them to keep up with Harden's movements, and they are not suitable."

"But Kevin has long arms and a tall stature, and quick reactions, so he can limit his double step-back. I suggest you try it."

At this point, Serge Ibaka suddenly raised his hand.

"You said."

Lin Chuan pointed at Ibaka.

He opened his mouth and said,

"Then I'm also suitable. Besides, I can jump high, so it's easier to block shots."

"Yes."

Durant also agreed with Ibaka's point of view.

Lin Chuan nodded slowly.

"That's right, and your defense is even better."

"Then why..."

"but!"

Before Ibaka finished speaking, Lin Chuan suddenly made a reversal.
"After you leave, you can't let me defend two people in the interior alone, brother."

“Although I’m good at defense, it’s still very stressful to defend two people at once.”

Seeing Lin Chuan's sudden dead eyes, Ibaka put down his hand somewhat embarrassedly.

After a short 15-minute break, Lin Chuan stretched himself, got back into the game state, and stepped onto the court again.

Now that the playoffs are getting closer and closer, we need to slowly adjust our condition to adapt to the intensity of the playoffs in the near future.

Back on the field, the fans' cheers began to rise.

The Thunder attacked and Westbrook took the ball to the frontcourt.

He deliberately moved away from Durant's position and asked Lin Chuan to come forward to cover him.

With two people covering, the Rockets were forced to choose one defense.

They chose to chase Westbrook.

But this time, Westbrook and Lin Chuan are not two cups of poison.

Instead, he formed the third cup with Durant!

The ball was passed back to Lin Chuan, attracting Parsons' attention.

He couldn't help but take half a step towards Lin Chuan's position and turned his head.

"Durant was left open!"

"Now Lin Chuan has to decide whether to play the ball himself or pass it to Durant!"

"For Durant, this kind of defense is basically no defense!"

Lin Chuan didn't hesitate at all. He ignored Jeremy Lin who was trying his best to steal the ball from him and made a high pass to Durant who was half-open.

The moment he received the ball, Durant jumped up and shot decisively.

Parsons arrived late and didn't even have time to interfere with Durant with his hands.

My three-point sword is the flame of hell!

"Shh!"

Durant's Grim Reaper's scythe harvested the enemies and the three-pointer went into the net!
"A team with a lot of offensive points is good. Anyone can shoot a three-pointer if they pass the ball."

Zhang Weiping shook his head enviously.

In contrast, the Rockets team on the opposite side seemed to have a much smaller space.

Harden received the ball and dribbled across half court, wanting to use the same trick again against his old rival Sefolosha.

But suddenly it was discovered that Sefolosha suddenly ran to the wing to defend Parsons, while Durant was replaced.

"Oh? Does the Thunder want to use Durant to defend Harden?"

Yu Jia was somewhat surprised by the Thunder's strategy.

"Maybe they want to give it a try. Since they can't even defend against Sefolosha who has better defensive awareness, why not try someone with a better physique? Maybe that will work wonders."

Zhang Weiping looked at the position change on the screen and offered his own opinion.

"Kevin, are you here to guard me?"

Harden was a little surprised, then couldn't help but smile, dribbling the ball.

"Your defensive skills are not good enough."

Durant raised his eyebrows indifferently.
"Hit one first!"

"it is good!"

Harden was full of energy, lowered his body, and started dribbling.

"Here it comes! This is the starting move! Harden's several double step-back three-point shots in this game all started with this crotch dribble to find the rhythm!"

"But after halftime, the Thunder still haven't found a solution!"

"Let's see if Durant will come up with another solution!"

Harden's rhythm changes were so thorough that Durant was dazzled and his steps became messy.

Harden found the opportunity and rushed in, shaking off Durant.

In the interior, Ibaka and Lin Chuan, two shot-blocking masters, were staring at Harden, ready to make a move.

If he doesn't choose to retreat, the two will also give Harden his favorite hot pot!
Durant chased closely, and then Harden made an emergency stop and started retreating!
"Two retreats and Durant was thrown off!"

“But he still caught up with me!”

"Harden takes action!"

“I’m being disturbed!”

(End of this chapter)