NBA: Starting with Jokic template

Chapter 91: One attack and one defense to counterattack Howard, and spit trash talk (15)

"Hey, Kevin!"

Seeing Durant miss three consecutive three-pointers, even missing one shot out of the blue, Lin Chuan frowned and walked up to call him.

"Why, you don't feel well today?"

Lin Chuan pointed at his hands.
"Look, you missed several goals."

Durant shook his head.

"No, don't worry. I've played so many games this season and I haven't had a single shot percentage lower than 50. It's no problem."

Hearing Durant say this, Lin Chuan's anxiety was slightly relieved. After all, as the team's top scorer, if there was a problem with his touch, the game would definitely become difficult.

Worried that Durant might really lose power, Lin Chuan quickly tried shooting himself.

Fortunately, although the game yesterday was long and intense, he had fewer subsequent shots and was assisting most of the time, so he didn't consume too much physical energy. His touch had been good until just now, which made him feel a lot more relieved.

At least he can still play a backup role.

The last half hour of warm-up before the game ended quickly, and they returned to the player tunnel to wait for the game to start.

Everyone slowly ran into the court, waiting for the Lakers players to come on stage.

As the lights changed, the DJ began to introduce the performers.

"Dwight Howard!"

Howard, the Lakers' biggest signing this season, was the first to appear.

Ran into the court amid the cheers of Lakers fans.

Next came Metta World Peace and Gasol. As former All-Stars and championship contributors, they received even bigger cheers when they appeared on the stage.

Next up was Steve Blake, who got a lukewarm response.

He also knew that if Nash had not been injured, he would have had little chance of replacing the starter.

But when they got down there, everyone knew that the man the Lakers fans had been waiting for had arrived.

The lights changed dramatically, and the DJ's voice became more exciting.
"Next, it's our team spirit! Kobe Bryant!"

Kobe ran out of the player tunnel and the lights followed him all the way to the court.

Instantly, the fans' cheers became several times louder, shouting "Kobe, Kobe!"

"Wow, it's really a big brand."

Lin Chuan complained quietly.

"Yeah, he's one of the top ten superstars in history, and he's the soul of the Lakers, so he'll definitely be given enough fanfare."

Lin Chuan heard the envy in Durant's tone and he understood it.

After all, Durant longed for respect in his previous life, and even ran to the Warriors who had just defeated them, just to win the championship and surpass James, the only rival in his eyes.

But in the end, he was nicknamed "Surrender Du" and "Cupcake". Although he received honors, he was not respected.

"Don't worry, you won the first championship with the Thunder and are now the best player in Thunder history. When the market gets bigger, you will also be able to have such a grand occasion."

Durant nodded in agreement.

Game start.

Howard jumped to the ball first, and Blake dribbled across half court and passed it to Kobe.

Howard and Lin Chuan were stuck in position, and suddenly said,

"Boy, you don't really think you've reached the top of the league, do you? You're just a player from a weak basketball country. The reason you're so successful is that you just haven't met me. Your physical fitness is so average. I can beat you up with my muscles!"

Kobe made a simple breakthrough and took down Sefolosha, then made a jump shot after reaching the free throw line.

The Thunder served the ball, and Lin Chuan ran to the front court while counterattacking Howard beside him.
Listening to Howard's chattering at the beginning, Lin Chuan also decisively hit back,
"Really? But it seems like you were beaten by Yao Ming."

"He and I are from the same country, and his physical fitness doesn't seem to be that outstanding. How come it's different from what you said? Jumping Man?"

Howard's face turned even darker when he heard Lin Chuan talking about Yao Ming. He had been blocked by Yao Ming every time he met him before. He could not refute this fact anyway. Lin Chuan received the ball in the low post, turned his back to Howard, and performed a dream step. Seeing Howard jump up like a fool, Lin Chuan turned his body sideways to the basket and scored a small hook shot.

"It seems like you can't defend me."

Lin Chuan said disdainfully.

"Fuck, watch me beat you with the next ball!"

Howard quickly ran to the frontcourt and reached out to Blake for the ball.

"Give me the ball, I'll make a shot!"

Blake had no choice. Howard was a big shot to him and he couldn't afford to offend him, so he passed the ball.

Howard was very strong and hit Lin Chuan several times.

Lin Chuan was pushed back by him.

As he got closer and closer to the basket, Howard could hardly control his smile.

"You're still trying to defend me with this much power?!"

Howard turned around and wanted to make a layup, but was blocked by Lin Chuan.

Lin Chuan made a long pass to create a fast break, then turned around and started talking trash to Howard.

"You're still playing singles at this level, your skills are crude and not even as good as my grandma's."

Howard felt so embarrassed after being beaten head-on by Lin Chuan in both offense and defense that he couldn't even save face.

All the bold words he said before the game turned into a boomerang and came back to haunt him.

This made him even more irritated and anxious, and he wanted to fight back quickly.

The Lakers were on offense and he wanted the ball again, but this time it was Kobe who had the ball.

Kobe didn't indulge him, but instead asked him to go forward and set a screen.

Howard stepped forward to set a screen, then cut inside with Kobe, raising his right hand to catch the ball and dunk.

But Kobe ignored this brainless jumping man and broke into the inside and forced a layup, causing Ibaka to foul.

During the free throw, Lin Chuan leaned down again and started attacking Howard beside him.

"Look, Kobe treats you like a senior blue-collar worker and wants to play one-on-one. Do you have the ball?"

Howard glanced at Lin Chuan and tried to control his anger.

He was still unfamiliar with the Lakers team. It would be a waste of time if he was tricked into losing his temper with Kobe just because of a few words from him.

Kobe once said that he would teach him how to win the championship, although he treated it as nonsense and did not like Kobe's style of playing as a blue-collar center, but now they are on the same team after all, and working together to defeat the opponent is the most important thing.

Kobe took a deep breath and made both free throws.

It was the Thunder's turn to attack, and Westbrook also broke into the inside and made an extremely difficult layup.

Two points scored.

It was the Lakers' turn to attack again.

Kobe stood at the top of the arc with the ball, Howard immediately rushed forward to screen and Kobe broke through to the free throw line and passed the ball to Gasol in an open position.

Gasol made a layup.

Lin Chuan was a little surprised to see that Howard didn't fall for it.

He originally wanted to use these trash talks to provoke Howard and force him to play against him, so that he could block his shots crazily and beat the Lakers. Unexpectedly, he actually took the initiative to step forward to cover Kobe and was willing to be the attacker.

Lin Chuan couldn't help but look at him with a higher opinion.

I originally thought he was brainless, but now I see, he isn't completely hopelessly stupid.

(End of this chapter)