knife point guard

Chapter 304 [The real peak showdown of the season]

Although Shaquille O'Neal can't give Susie a nickname, his influence on the court is still surging.

When he got to the penalty area, he directly faced Eddy Curry.

Big shark versus little shark.

Eddy Curry has been actively exercising his physical fitness this season, but facing the natural power of the genuine shark, he is still a little unable to withstand it, although he has performed very well.

O'Neal received Payton's pass, squeezed with his back, turned around, and hooked!

Flowing clouds and flowing water.

Swish!

hit.

O'Neal's natural power is terrifying, and what's even more terrifying is that his inside singles skills are also very solid, which is organically combined with his physical fitness. He is not an insider who is only good at dunking.

After changing sides and fighting again, Su Xi still made a powerful attack, entered the penalty area, and attracted O'Neal and Mourning to attack at the same time. He passed the basketball to Zach Randolph, and Randolph shot and hit easily.

Then, Dwyane Wade forced a raid into the penalty area and also passed the ball to Mourning, who made a throw.

The playing styles of both sides are very different, both focusing on internal and external connection.

The two teams went back and forth, with Miami's shooting percentage slightly better. When the first timeout was reached, Miami led 13:9 by 4 points.

Although he played for less than 6 minutes, Su Xi has already realized one thing. Under such high-intensity confrontation, the Knicks' offensive connection is still not as delicate and reliable as Miami's.

After all, Miami has been honing their system all season.

The Knicks have spent the entire season polishing the tacit understanding between the players and... doing various team building.

After the timeout, Hardaway took a break and Crawford came on.

Increase offensive firepower.

On the first play, Suhi allowed Crawford to single out Gary Payton from beyond the three-point line.

Payton was called the Glove in his prime. He was the first point guard in NBA history to be elected as the Defensive Player of the Year. This shows how powerful his defensive skills are.

But now, because of the league's new defensive policy, his defensive influence has plummeted, and his physical fitness has also declined seriously.

Therefore, he did not guard Crawford, but Crawford's pull-up jumper also failed to hit.

After Crawford struck the iron, he shook his head slightly at Su Xi.

As a twitchy player, he knew very well that his touch was not good tonight.

If Crawford is in the right shape, he must be one of the top scorers in the league. But if he's not in the right shape, he can easily become a team-breaker.

This season, he gradually became aware of this matter. When he realized that his condition was not that good, he would hint to Su Xi to reduce the number of singles he played.

Suzy took the hint.

Suddenly I felt that the mountain was huge.

Back at halftime, Wade showed off a pull-up jumper, and he hit the jumper under Su Xi's defense.

Pat Riley pumped his fist vigorously on the sidelines.

Although Susi has gotten rid of the image of being weak offensively with the ball, he has not established an image of scoring and hard-hitting ability. In this season, he is considered more of the Knicks commander, tactical initiator, and even tactical maker.

So, Pat Riley was excited standing on the sidelines.

He believes that in the playoffs, Wade's advantages will be magnified and highlighted, and his role will definitely be greater than that of James and Su Xi.

Therefore, he is not afraid of meeting the Cavaliers, nor is he so afraid of meeting the Knicks.

As long as Wade plays strongly and O'Neal establishes an advantage in the penalty area, the Heat will win.

Even if the Knicks have the first record in the regular season, they are still just a more advanced grassroots team.

In a real life-and-death series, he believes that the one who laughs last must be the Miami Heat.

Suhi and Eddy Curry played a pick-and-roll and passed the ball to Zach Randolph, who hit a jumper.

Both sides come and go.

The game was back-and-forth, not fast-paced, and the defense was very intense.

At the end of the first quarter, the leading team was still the Heat, and they led by 28 points at 22:6.

Returning to the bench, Su Xi frowned. He did not expect that he could withstand the test on the defensive end and failed to perform on the offensive end.

They made new adjustments, replacing Jaylen Rose and Ariza.

However, Jaylen did not shoulder Su Xi's expectations of him, and his scoring efficiency on the wing was low.

The second quarter was stop-and-go, and the Knicks made a lot of adjustments, including letting Tony Barty play and Jerome James to consume O'Neal's energy, but none of them really solved the Knicks' offensive problems.

42:50 of the first half.

Entering the locker room trailing by 8 points.

"Jack."

When Susie was about to enter the locker room, Isiah Thomas stopped him.

He didn't say much the entire game.

Now, he wants to say something very important to Su Xi: "Do you know what the core playoff tactics are?"

"It's not passing the ball. In the playoffs, everyone's defensive intensity and defensive willpower are very strong. Therefore, what we can do is to hand the basketball to the strongest scorer."

"Why do people say that the playoffs are a stage for superstars? Because only superstars can win series. Unity, silky passing, these are bonus points in the playoffs, but they are not necessary."

"You're supposed to go one-on-one. You're supposed to go score on the power play. That's your job."

"If you're going to surpass Jordan, that's what you should do."

Isiah Thomas said: "When you use your strong scoring ability to penetrate their defense, your teammates will benefit from it."

"Come on, Jack. You will definitely surpass Jordan."

Isiah Thomas tapped Susie on the shoulder and walked into the locker room.

Su Xi thought for a while, and then he walked in.

The Knicks barely deployed tactics.

They were just chatting.

When it was time to go on stage, Su Xi said: "Next, you cooperate with me. Send me bullets."

"Zach, be my wingman."

Randolph was the Knicks' best player tonight.

"no problem."

Everyone promised.

The experience of the entire regular season has made everyone become an inseparable group.

Su Xi took a deep breath. With 93 points of super offensive skills, it was time to show off her edge.

Kobe's super offensive skills copied by Su Xi have been integrated to 93.

Su Xi is also challenging difficult jump shots this season, but he doesn't use them much in each game.

But they are all looking for desperation in desperation.

So, it works great.

Isiah Thomas' words made Susie wake up, and he knew it was time to show his real trump card.

beep!

The whistle blows and the game continues.

Pat Riley couldn't hide his joy. He stood gracefully on the sidelines and had a feeling of victory.

Even if the Knicks changed to a new lineup, he didn't feel anything was wrong.

The Knicks' new lineup is: Hardaway, Suhi, Ariza, Randolph, Jerome.

Replace Eddy Curry with Jerome James. After Jerome James' training this season, his physical confrontation has recovered very well. He can compete with O'Neal for a while, which is why he was able to get a big contract from Isiah Thomas in the first place.

Wade used a very superb scoring technique when he played against Su Xi in isolation. He entered the penalty area, stopped quickly, turned his back, and took a step-back jump shot.

Even though Su Xi's defense has reached the top level, he still can't prevent it.

Unfortunately, Wade's jump shot missed.

boom!

Jerome protects the rebound.

Pass to Hardaway.

Hardaway dribbled the ball across half court, and Suhi stuck Wade on the wing.

Hardaway passed the basketball.

Su Xi beat Wade with his back. He was very powerful. The rhythm of his push was so strong that Wade couldn't resist it. At this time, Su Xi suddenly shook his shoulders... It was so lifelike that Wade's defensive focus was instantly broken. Su Xi turned around in the opposite direction and took a jump shot... The posture was extremely standard, and the take-off height was extremely high.

Pat Riley stood on the sidelines, and he could see the shadow of Kobe... no, Michael Jordan.

Swish!

Arrested immediately.

Su Xi's shooting height, shooting posture, and control of the basketball are almost the same as Jordan's.

Susie eats Wade in the all-important corner area.

The ball made Pat Riley highly nervous.

That area is a battleground for military strategists.

If Su Xi can set up a stick single in this place and complete efficient output, then this will definitely be disastrous for the Miami Heat.

Pat Riley frowned, and he wanted to continue observing.

Miami passed the basketball to O'Neal this time. O'Neal hit Jerome with a back. He hit hard and Jerome took a half step back. When the second hit, Jerome withdrew his stool.

At that time, O'Neal staggered back two steps, and the referee whistled for walking.

After all, he is older.

If it were O'Neal in his prime, whoever dared to retreat would have turned around and dunked with his body control ability, without any negotiation.

But no matter how hard O'Neal works now, he can never return to the state he was in when he was in his twenties.

Easy side to fight again.

Pat Riley stared closely at Su Xi.

Su Xi still stuck Wade in the corner and still played in singles.

Wade was still pushing inward, but this time Wade was a little too forceful. Su Xi seized the opportunity, quickly threw him away with her back, and made a sudden jumper... Whoosh!

Hit again.

Pat Riley panicked.

If Suhi continues to output in this position, he will inevitably mobilize the defense in other positions, and once the defense in other positions is mobilized, other Knicks players will take advantage of the situation.

Su Xi's offensive ability may not be as strong as that of Kobe and Jordan, but he is very good at passing the ball.

Moreover, his attack was also very fierce.

This gives Pat Riley a headache.

Swish!

The Heat finally scored. Wade singled out Suhi and passed the ball to Walker who came out. Walker hit a jumper.

Looking back, Su Xi was still playing singles against Wade in the established position. The moment Su Xi turned around, Walker subconsciously went to fill the position.

But Su Xi ignored his defense and made a sudden jump shot. Su Xi's take-off height was very high and there was no way to block the shot.

Swish!

hit.

Su Xi scored three goals in a row.

Pat Riley had to call up James Posey next to him and ask him to prepare to come on, replace Walker, and pay attention to the double attack on Su Xi.

The game continues.

O'Neal hit the hook.

Looking back, Su Xi singled again. This time, he turned around and passed Wade. He entered the penalty area. Mourning had to step forward. Su Xi passed the ball to Randolph. Randolph entered the penalty area and dunked with one hand.

beep!

Miami makes a substitution, James Posey comes on.

Pat Riley's worst fears came true.

Suhi's stable output has changed the Miami Heat's defensive structure.

Fortunately, the Heat's offensive firepower was still there, and Wade took advantage of Mourning's screen and hit a jumper.

Immediately afterwards, Su Xi was still playing singles in the horn area. This time he was facing the frame. He broke through one step inward, suddenly stopped, stepped back and shot a jumper... Whoosh!

Another hit.

Su Xi felt that her hand was too smooth tonight.

However, this also fully proves that 93 points of super offensive skills are already at the league's top level. At least Suhi didn't feel the defensive pressure from Wade. Maybe it's because Wade is not tall enough, and what he has, he has.

The game continues.

Both sides come and go.

Pat Riley used mad dog James Posey to mark Suhi. Suhi changed his attack mode. He attacked the penalty area with all his strength. Posey could not stop him. Suhi frequently caused damage in the paint area.

This caused O'Neal to leave the game early to rest with 6 minutes left in the third quarter.

O'Neal went off the court and the Knicks replaced Little Shark.

Eddy Curry forced an isolation on Mourning, and Zach Randolph forced an isolation on Udonis Haslem.

The inside is easy to attack and defend.

Pat Riley was unable to continue to substitute O'Neal. O'Neal's physical fitness and the number of fouls limited his playing.

The Knicks quickly regained lost ground at this stage.

At the end of the third quarter, the Knicks led by 71 point 70:1.

The situation suddenly turned to the Knicks' side.

The garbage contracts Isiah Thomas signed previously all played an important role at this time.

Eddy Curry and Jerome James consumed O'Neal's physical energy, and coupled with power forwards such as Tony Barty, Zach Randolph, and David Lee, the Knicks actually gained an advantage in the paint... You know The opponent is Miami, which has O'Neal and Mourning.

Charles Barkley raved about it on TV: "I'm starting to be willing to admit that Isiah Thomas is a great general manager, and everything he's done before has become great now that Suzy has arrived. Before, everyone said He signed one garbage contract after another. But look now, when the goat comes, everyone is activated! It turns waste into treasure!!"

Not just Charles Barkley, but Kenny Smith.

Kenny Smith is a person with a sharp tongue, and now he has to admit: "Thomas's contribution to the Knicks is undoubted. Maybe he doesn't have much talent in coaching, but he does have a strong eye for selecting people. We can look forward to it." What a super talent Seiya Thomas will use the Portland Trail Blazers draft pick to select in 2007."

Smith's words directly touched his heart.

It touched the hearts of Portland fans.

It was already sad to see Zach Randolph become a phoenix after sending him to the Knicks.

But unfortunately, Pritchard also gave them a draft pick, which was still an unprotected draft pick.

If the Blazers don't perform well next season, it's almost certain that they won't perform well.

What to do if you get the No. 1 pick?

Just like the Pistons in 2003, they got the second pick out of thin air.

With Isiah Thomas' ability, he will never make the same mistake as his former teammate Dumars. If he picks a super talent, he will join forces with Su Xi.

The Knicks' dynasty was completely built on the ruins of Portland.

(End of this chapter)