The Whip of the God of Basketball

More than an hour before the start of the game, the Toyota Center began to lively, with more and more spectators, Leon could see many Chinese fans at the scene. It is true that with Yao Ming gaining a foothold in the NBA, the Rockets are becoming more and more important in China and the Chinese, and they have almost become the home team of most Chinese fans.

When I came to Houston for the game last year, although public opinion was still hot, there were still many voices questioning Yao Ming at that time. Now it is different. He has completely won the respect of the United States with his performance. At the press conference before the game, Yao Ming was also asked about his comparison with Wang Zhizhi. He stated that "Wang Zhizhi will always be ahead of him."

Leon knew that this was Yao Ming’s humor. Wang Zhizhi did take the lead everywhere and walked ahead of Yao Ming; but Leon also knew that this kind of humor would sting Wang Zhizhi, because he knew that Yao Ming’s humorous subtext was "except age A little older than me, the team is stronger than me, he has nothing to compare to me."

Yao Ming may not have this meaning, but he can't stand people's thinking like this. Leon understands people's psychology, he knows this is a good opportunity for Wang Zhizhi to break out.

In terms of strength, the Celtics don’t need to fear the Rockets. Leon’s only thing to worry about is that the Rockets often play the role of giant killers this season. They have no overwhelming advantage against weak teams. The team often played at a super level; second, the Celtics were close to 20 consecutive victories in this game, and the mentality of both parties would have a great impact on the result of the game.

Leon said that he doesn't value 20-game winning streak. In fact, anyone who can win and who doesn't want to win will have to fight for victory even if he knows that defeat will come one day.

Recording Leon doesn't care, but he won't let go of victory.

Therefore, this kind of away game encounters giant killers, and the mentality plays a key role, the auspicious soldiers are very important. In previous games against the Rockets, Wang Zhizhi played a role as a surprise soldier, and now Leon has put his trust in him as always.

………………

The game officially started at 7:30 in the evening. The brand new Toyota Center was full of Chinese flavors. Not only was the color the most festive red in China, but even their home stadium logo was designed to absorb the essence of Chinese calligraphy. .

The Celtics started as usual, and the Rockets sent Yao Ming, Jim Jackson, Mobley, Francis and Scott Padgett's big and four small lineups, but also because the team's main insider Cato was absent due to injury. During the game, Rockets coach Van Gundy simply sent a small lineup.

Leon was a little surprised at Van Gundy’s formation. This coach, who is known for his defense and brought huge changes to the Rockets this season, has played with him for a major or four minors. Even though Padgett is nominally a major player. The forward, in fact, is an out-and-out small forward in his style of play. He likes to shoot three pointers and is weak on the defensive end.

Leon knew that Van Gundy was betting. Since Cato can’t play, then whether he’s on Tyler or Padgett, the defensive end will not make any difference against Kevin Garnett. It’s better to have a larger attack range Padgett, creating more trouble for Garnett on the offensive end.

"A whimsical choice. If it were me, I would definitely go to Taylor. Before the game started, I wanted to avoid the edge. Even if it works wonders, it won't work again and again." Leon thought after seeing Van Gundy's arrangement. As a coach with many conspiracies, Leon is now paying more and more attention to the frontal confrontation of hard power. He thinks conspiracy may have a temporary effect, but in the seven-game series, the accumulation of frontal collisions Vigor and growth are the basis for becoming stronger and defeating opponents.

Van Gundy is a good coach and an out-and-out workaholic. He has done extremely meticulous preparations for the game. In this respect, he is exactly the same as Leon, but he is also a half-way head coach, he still has something missing.

With the referee throwing the ball in the middle circle, the game officially began. Yao Ming was the first to call basketball, and the Rockets started their first offense.

Yao Ming is 7-foot-6 and is so huge on the court. PJ Brown and Kevin Garnett have become thin and short in front of him. The Rockets' first offense also launched from Yao Ming.

Compared with last season, Yao Ming's body shape has changed significantly. His legs are thicker, his arms are stronger, and his body is thicker. He looks more burly and sturdy in the new jersey. When he sat down on PJ-Brown in the low post, Brown was completely buried behind, the Rockets pulled away, Francis passed the ball to Yao Ming.

The Celtics didn't double-team or interfere. They let Yao Ming play singles. Of course, Yao Ming turned over to shoot after receiving the ball. Brown couldn't even touch Yao Ming's hand and watched Yao Ming hit the jumper.

This is the meaning of the super attacking insider, making everything simple and making the opponent's defense meaningless.

Yao Ming scored the first goal for the Rockets and set the tone for the first quarter. The Rockets mainly attacked the interior, and the Celtics insisted on not double-teaming. They responded with offensive performance.

The Celtics’ strong point is undoubtedly Garnett. Padgett can’t match Kevin at all. After Yao Ming made a two-pointer, Garnett immediately responded with a mid-range, ignoring Padgett. Defense.

The two sides just relied on the strong points of their respective insides to hurt each other, but obviously the Celtics are better, because PJ-Brown is PJ-Brown after all, his defensive level is not comparable to Padgett, when Yao Ming is on the head continuously. After the score, the veteran was obviously a little angry. He started to add more moves in the defense, and began to use circumvention to destroy Yao Ming’s catch. This way, he prevented Yao Ming’s two attacks. The score between the two sides became 9:12, and the Celtics led by 3. Minute.

The Rockets began to shift their offensive focus to the outside, allowing Francis and Mobley to start the main attack.

In addition to Wang Zhizhi and Yao Ming’s Chinese derby before the game, another topic that attracted attention was the slash between the backcourts of the two sides. Arenas Garrid, facing Francis Gamourbury, was one attack and one. Defense, a quick possession and a defensive shooter, Francis and Mobley appear more wild, and Arenas and Reid have been proved in the finals.

With Yao Ming restricted, Francis attacked by one man and forced into the inside from the center, causing Garnett's foul, and his folding layup was almost hit. After two free throws, Arenas was not to be outdone. He also forced a breakthrough in the middle, facing Yao Ming without any fear and forced a layup.

Yao Ming's experience on the defensive end is still not rich enough, Arenas was a bit messy with a shift, and Arenas used the time difference to make a small throw.

The two sides played very fiercely between you and me, and the Rockets did not lose the wind on the scene~www.readwn.com~ and even sometimes they were able to play a very imposing ball. The score of the two sides was 29:27 at the end of the first quarter. The Alters lead the Rockets by two points, which is evenly divided.

By the second quarter, the Celtics still maintained their suppression of the Rockets, but Yao Ming and Francis were both in good shape. After the two were you, I came to fight. You are one by one and I will help the Rockets to death. Biting the score. The Celtics' attacks have always been scattered, without a continuous wave of offensive attacks, and Leon did not resort to super-powerful ultimate defense on the defensive end. He felt that he was leading the Rockets to follow.

Such a situation is obviously not favorable to the Celtics, because this is Houston, once the Rockets play momentum, the situation on both sides of the first half cannot be found, and it may be difficult to say in the second half.

However, Leon sat firmly on the Diaoyutai. Wang Zhizhi had not got a minute of playing time in the first half. Wang Zhizhi himself was anxious. The Chinese fans on the sidelines were anxious. Yao Ming was a little anxious. He was far away from the host of Chinese TV. More anxious.

"Oh, this...it should go to Wang Zhizhi, he has something to do with Yao Ming."

But Leon is still in no hurry. He knows that the third quarter is the time to change the situation, judging from his understanding of the Houston Rockets. (To be continued.)