newbobooks 274 Western Conference Finals! The pressure was felt from the very beginning!
274 Western Conference Finals! The pressure was felt from the very beginning!
three days later.
Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals is here!
Staples Center.
8 p.m.
The Clippers and Lakers are about an hour away, as is the Los Angeles derby.
"boom!"
The stadium was packed with excited fans who screamed, cheered, waved flags, and shouted, creating an extremely intense atmosphere for the game.
This is the popularity of "City of Angels," the second largest city in the United States.
This is the kind of excitement a Western Conference Finals game should have!
On the field.
Both teams' players are warming up.
"Shh!"
"Shh!"
Su Hao kept practicing his hook shot from the outside, knowing that the Lakers' three big men would relentlessly gank him in this series.
You can attack from inside the penalty area, but it certainly won't be comfortable.
So... he needs to connect with the outside offense. He doesn't have a mid-range shot or a three-pointer, so he needs to connect with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's "skyhook".
It's quite inevitable.
"Shhhhh!"
Curry's long-range shots were incredibly accurate.
Given the opportunity, Curry is able to seize it.
Gordon was also shooting threes, David Lee was practicing his footwork under the basket, and Iverson was practicing his mid-range shots.
This is his second time playing in the Western Conference Finals since 01, and also his second time reaching the Western Conference Finals in his career.
Although I'm now playing a supporting role.
But their desire for the championship has only grown stronger.
He will not only accept the role of substitute, but also take it seriously. If there is a chance to win the championship this year, he doesn't want to wait too long.
Strive to the utmost.
Give it your all.
This year.
They won their first championship.
Knowing they were the defending champions and how strong their overall strength was, the Clippers took it even more seriously and went all out.
Lakers side.
Odom, Bynum, and Gasol kept glancing at Su Hao; tonight... their target was the Hulk.
This is also the defensive strategy devised by "Zen Master" Phil Jackson.
"The Villain" Artest stared at Curry, a ruthless glint in his eyes, "I can't handle that monster Su Hao."
but.
If you, also a Gemini, are so frail and delicate, then it's hard to say.
I'll completely shut you down, so you won't even have a chance to shoot. Let's see how your three-pointers will be effective!
A former Defensive Player of the Year, now a formidable "3D" defensive force.
Artest has every right to say that.
Kobe, on the other hand, remained calm and collected. As long as the team followed their defensive strategy and contained the Clippers' star duo, he could score at will.
The Lakers are full of confidence.
As the defending champions, they are not afraid of any team.
Both sides were highly motivated.
This is the playoff stage, this is the Western Conference Finals.
Everyone wants to win, everyone wants to reach the Finals, everyone wants to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy—it's all for victory.
Then let's give it our all.
"boom!"
Amidst the thunderous cheers of the arena, warm-ups ended, and the starting lineups from both sides took to the court. Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals had officially begun!
Clippers starting lineup: Point Guard: Curry, Shooting Guard: Gordon, Small Forward: Rasoul, Power Forward: David Lee, Center: Su Hao.
Lakers starting lineup: Point Guard: Kobe, Shooting Guard: Artest, Small Forward: Odom, Power Forward: Gasol, Center: Bynum.
Fisher was originally slated to play point guard, Kobe Bryant to play shooting guard, Ron Artest to play small forward, and Lamar Odom to play super sixth man off the bench.
but.
To counter Su Hao, the Lakers have been using a targeted lineup since the first game of the series.
"Jumpball!"
The ball contest between Su Hao and Bynum.
"drink!"
Bynum gritted his teeth, trying to take Su Hao's first blood, but unfortunately... the two were simply not on the same level.
How can humans possibly compete with giants?!
Even with Bynum giving it his all, Su Hao easily leaped and casually launched the basketball into the air, giving the Clippers the first possession.
"Damn it!"
Bynum was quite displeased to see Su Hao so relaxed.
I don't know.
Throughout his career, Su Hao has never lost a contest for the ball.
"Bang bang bang!"
Curry pushed the ball over and positioned himself at the top of the key. Artest immediately followed up, but did not apply strong defensive pressure to Curry right away.
It's not impossible.
Rather, it's unnecessary.
Curry isn't a player like Su Hao, so there's no need to specifically target him.
Artest is confident that he can shut down Curry in one-on-one defense anytime, anywhere.
If you let him relax first and then launch a surprise attack, it will instantly throw Curry off balance, leaving him bewildered and struggling to move.
however.
Even with normal defense, Curry doesn't have many opportunities to attack freely.
He still needs to find Su Hao, who is a strong point, first, let him get the ball, draw out his threat, and then the other players will have more opportunities to attack.
Ready to pass the ball.
But... just as he was about to look for Su Hao, he couldn't help but frown.
Odom and Gasol positioned themselves one in front of Su Hao and the other behind, blocking his path and giving him no chance to receive the ball.
Simultaneously.
"Little Shark" Bynum was battling Su Hao off the ball from the very beginning.
Although his strength was not as great as Su Hao's, he was still one of the top centers. He started to wear down Su Hao relentlessly.
I can't give it to you.
Curry looked serious and hesitated before finding Rasul in the low post on the right side, where he had a shooting opportunity.
Rasul jumps.
"Bang!"
Missed.
That's what the Lakers wanted to achieve.
Even if Rasul hits, it doesn't matter. As long as Su Hao doesn't attack, as long as Su Hao is worn down, that's enough.
"no!"
Rasul missed only one attack.
Curry decided not to pass the ball that way; even if the opportunity wasn't good, he would force the ball into Su Hao's hands first.
"Bang bang bang!"
Next round.
The contest between Su Hao and Bynum continued. After exchanging a glance with Curry, Curry delivered a high-arcing lob shot.
"Kick!"
"Kick!"
Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom both jumped with all their might, but neither of them could touch the basketball.
Su Hao leaped up and grabbed the basketball before Bynum could reach it, and Bynum immediately pressed him hard against him.
Pure consumption.
Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom also gave chase.
The intensity of their physical battles was comparable to that of Richard Jefferson, McDyess, and Duncan when they played against the Spurs.
Can Su Hao do it?!
It can also be like a "tank" to forcefully resist.
However... this competition has only just begun. If the competition continues, Su Hao feels he will not be able to keep up as time goes on.
They definitely couldn't handle it.
"boom!"
In the first offensive play of the Western Conference Finals, Su Hao shoved Bynum aside, faked Odom, and then turned around with a dreamlike footwork to get past Gasol.
He slammed the ball down.
His powerful and skillful attack was incredibly stylish and won thunderous applause!
but.
After scoring, Su Hao did indeed squint and concentrate. He had felt considerable pressure and some unease from the start of the game!
"The Lakers are a tough opponent."
I must play very carefully, seriously, and aggressively, while minimizing mistakes and seizing every opportunity in offense and defense; only then will I have a chance!