Healing Basketball

   Chapter 162 162. Sweet Anthony of Yuppie

  “…The Spurs are now 32-14, not too far behind us.

   We have 5 games left before All-Star Weekend. Although they are all home games, the opponents are very strong!

  Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers, Jazz, Timberwolves…Grass…

   What did my voice just mean? Uh...grass, it's a plant...

   Don't pay attention to these details, the Spurs and Timberwolves will play against each other the day after tomorrow, which is very beneficial for us to maintain the second place in the West.

   Both of them are going to play the Pistons...Actually, I could be a Pistons fan.

   Next, the Nuggets, Clippers, Jazz, we must win these three games, the Lakers and Timberwolves, we also have to win the next game to be safe, it’s better to win the Timberwolves, then it’s safe…”

  Maurice Cheeks was surprised and moved when he heard Liu Xiu analyze the next 5 games for his teammates.

   Of course he understood what the players were saying - the Western Conference All-Star head coach battle!

   This topic was on the news this morning, but it wasn't the hot news, but Maurice Cheeks saw the news.

  Because he became one of the top three favorites for the Western All-Star coach!

Last year's Western All-Star head coach was Adelman of the Kings. The All-Star coach cannot be re-elected. At present, the Kings are the first in the league with 36 wins and 9 losses. It is unlikely to be surpassed before the All-Star Weekend. That is to say, the game before the All-Star Weekend At the end of the season, whichever team is second in the Western Conference, the head coach of that team will become the Western All-Star head coach.

  All-star head coach, really not many fans and media care.

   But as a head coach, he must be very concerned.

   This is something that can be encountered and unattainable.

   But Maurice Cheeks didn't expect the players to be so concerned about this...

   On the other side, the warden and his fellow inmates don't know why, when someone raised this matter, everyone gathered in the arena to discuss.

   It may be that I haven’t done anything related to the team for too long. When the ‘Rose Bay Seven’ formed a group, the Trail Blazers would be extra active whenever they encountered something that required teamwork.

   For example, working hard to improve the record to create better conditions for Liu Xiu to hit the All-Star starting, such as playing the Wizards to help Randolph soar... For example, now, everyone wants to help the head coach compete for the All-Star position on the sidelines of the game!

  …

  …

  Being in the Denver gang, the cool and elegant image of Carmelo Anthony in the third flower show was gradually invaded by the bandit, and stained with ruffian.

   In addition, Anthony looks okay, and the female fans gave him the nickname of 'melon'.

   He got reviews from his best friends—sweet yuppie.

  Anthony also learned a Chinese self-introduction - Hello, I am Carmelo Anthony, a sweet yuppie.

   After entering the NBA, Anthony's temperament became more and more prominent.

   It's not that he has become tougher and more capable of fighting, but, if not necessary, he will not fight now.

   A lot of things, he can laugh it off.

  Anthony himself can feel the changes after he stepped into the society for half a year, he thinks he is more mature.

   Until, I saw this man again - Warden Liu Xiu!

   At dinner last night, this guy stuck with the All-Stars.

   It’s definitely not because he couldn’t beat him, but because he was a guest at this guy’s house, he didn’t beat him!

  It is impossible to fight, so see the real chapter on the court!

   A new month has arrived. At 7:30 pm on February 1st, the Blazers vs. the Nuggets kicked off.

   The Nuggets have played 47 games, and the current record is 28 wins and 19 losses, beating the Rockets in the eighth place in the Western Conference.

   There are opponents like Nene, Camby, Chris Anderson, Francisco Elson...the Blazers will not be careless.

   In order to deal with Andre Miller's big ass, Maurice Cheeks arranged for Liu Xiu to start tonight.

   Speaking of which, Liu Xiu, as a substitute for a team, won the All-Star vote... This is even more special than another first-round 13th overall pick who was selected as a substitute for the All-Star starter.

  Maurice Cheeks made the right choice. In the first quarter, Liu Xiu restricted Andre Miller to 0 of 2 shots and only scored 2 points from free throws.

   Tonight, the Nuggets, who had an excellent feel, also scored 28 points in a single quarter because Andre Miller didn't attract the pinch in the back play stage.

   The reason why 28 points is not particularly high is because the Trail Blazers scored 32 points in a single quarter in the first quarter!

Liu Xiu made 2 of 5 shots in the first quarter, and his 5 shots were all from beyond the three-point line. Given the opportunity, he made a decisive shot, with a 40% three-point shooting rate, which is very good. After playing for 9 minutes, he scored 6 points and 2 assists. .

   Momomoko, who played in the second half of the first quarter, also made a three-pointer, 1-of-2 three-point shooting performance.

   The two brothers made a combined 3 of 7 shots from the outside, which opened up the space very well.

   In addition to Randolph's 7 points and 4 rebounds, and Tianzun's 6 points and 1 assist... The Blazers played a total of 8 players in the first quarter, and all scored!

   Unlike the previous games, this time, the Nuggets didn’t have a mental explosion because they started so well and fell behind, and they didn’t make adjustments in a panic.

   In the second quarter, the Nuggets steadily implemented their established tactics and actively adjusted. While scoring 25 points in the second quarter, they limited the Trail Blazers to only 23 points!

   After halftime, the Nuggets chased the score to 53-55, with only 2 points left.

   In the first quarter, the Trail Blazers relied on a three-pointer that could open up space to force the Nuggets who were in excellent form tonight.

   But in the second quarter, Liu Xiu's 2 three-point shots were all iron. In the first quarter, he scored 2 of 5 three-pointers in 9 minutes, and turned into a 15-minute three-pointer of 7 of 2 in the half...

   Of course, after Liu Xiu missed two three-pointers in a row, he actively adjusted his style of play. When he was without the ball, he sought to cut in and flank to help with pick-and-rolls and intermediate passes instead of shooting outside.

   But it just avoids the problem of whether he should shoot if he has a three-point opportunity. He enters the inside, and the outside restraint is gone.

The Trail Blazers' score collapsed in the second quarter. In fact, the outside shots decreased. The Nuggets' strategy was to strengthen the confrontation and then shrink the defense to attack the track and field. The Trail Blazers reduced outside shots and naturally fell into the Nuggets. Defensive traps.

  …

   During the halftime break, on the Blazers side, the mentality of the coaching staff and players was very stable, they were still leading, but the lead was narrowed in the second quarter.

   After adjusting the layout, the Trail Blazers returned to the court.

   The warden, Kobe Terminator, extrajudicial fanatic, butcher, and Tian Zun, who are about to play, are very excited to see the young stars who are about to play on the opposite side.

   After they played against the Nuggets before, they were sure that this team had talent no less than theirs, but at that time, the team’s running-in and experience were far less than their Blazers.

   And such a team, the real progress, must be faster than their Blazers, who have shown good strength at the beginning of the season.

  Tonight's game is very difficult to play, much more difficult than the last match.

  Losing and winning, they are completely uncertain now.

   But that's called a game!

  The Nuggets' upcoming lineup: Andre Miller, Wesham Leonard, Anthony, Chris Anderson, Nene.

   The Nuggets players were also very excited.

   The relationship between the two teams is good. When they play, the idea is more pure - just want to win!

   The players on both sides were under a lot of pressure at this moment, but they all enjoyed the game.

   Soon, the second half of the game started.

  The Blazers' tactical adjustment was huge.

   Enhanced the protection of defensive rebounds, increased the rush of offensive rebounds, and made more active use of mid- and long-distance opportunities.

   As the Blazers thought at halftime, the opponent did focus on the defensive strategy of strengthening confrontation and actively shrinking.

The    Blazers could take advantage of those mid-range opportunities, and they did.

   But they have a lot of offensive rebounds... which means their mid-to-long shots are really solid!

  The game is not to say that if you think of a method and have the ability to execute it, you will definitely be able to play well.

   Throughout the third quarter, the Trail Blazers had an absolute advantage in the number of shots and rebounds.

   The Nuggets, who had 23 rebounds in the first half, only had 7 rebounds in the third quarter! The Blazers had 15 rebounds in a single quarter, more than double the Nuggets.

   In this quarter, the Blazers made 6 of 21 shots, plus a lot of offensive rebounds and fouled free throws to get 22 points.

   You should know that if a foul is caused, if no goal is scored, the free throw will not be counted into the number of shots.

   The Nuggets only had 17 successful shots, 10 of 17 shots, 3 of 5 three-pointers, plus 4 of 5 free throws, and scored 27 points in a single quarter!

   After three quarters, the Nuggets overtook the Trail Blazers by 3 points 80-77 and entered the final quarter!

  Liu Xiu felt what is called 'we did nothing wrong but we just lost', but they didn't lose, they didn't give up.

   The situation we encountered tonight was not as difficult as the Jazz and Grizzlies battles. It was not a setback.

   During the break, Liu Xiu actively discussed with the coaching staff.

   There is one point that Liu Xiu agrees with the coach and the chief assistant coach-the outside shot must not be missed, and the players who have the opportunity and the opportunity have the ability to shoot, they must shoot.

   Just find a way to get closer to the rim.

   Steady tactical master chief assistant, immature warden, and bold-minded coach, they came up with an idea...

  …

   The final game has begun.

   The lineup sent by the Blazers: Momo, Liu Xiu, Ruben Patterson, Randolph, Tianzun.

The lineup sent by the Nuggets: Earl Boykins, Waushan Leonard, Anthony, Nene, Francisco Elson.

  The Trail Blazers took the lead.

   Liu Xiuluo backs Wesham Leonard from a low position.

   Liu Xiu's height is a bit short, but Liu Xiu's wingspan will grow a section, and his strength has an absolute advantage.

   played very decisively.

   Then, Boykins missed a throw in the singles against the flying squirrels.

   When the Blazers attacked, Liu Xiu still went to the low post to play.

   The Nuggets attacked Liu Xiu, but on the basis of maintaining the space to interfere with Liu Xiu's ball, Liu Xiu made a decisive decision, turned left and shot the plate... and then went in!

  Randolph + Miller's double-backs bonus, although Woshan Leonard was the starting shooting guard of the Jagged Heat back then, and his defense was excellent, but Liu Xiu's one-on-one hardship was just laborious.

  81 to 80, the Trail Blazers overtake by 1 point!

   Liu Xiu's resolute and decisive style of play was beyond the Nuggets' expectations.

   Liu Xiu's spirit and physical state in the final quarter were also unexpected for the Nuggets.

   But the Nuggets were not in chaos. Anthony singled against Kobe's terminator and hit two points from the singles step back to stabilize the situation!

   Unlike Liu Xiu, who was worthy of being the 13th overall pick, Anthony performed well tonight with a shooting percentage of over 50%. He is the backbone of the Nuggets.

   When the Trail Blazers attacked, Liu Xiu chiseled for two rounds and needed to slow down. It was Randolph’s turn to fight back.

   Just now, the Nuggets wanted to let Ruben Patterson out of the free throw line to flank Liu Xiu, but because of the tactical arrangement, there was no flanking, and he was hit twice in a row.

   Now Randolph, who is more powerful in the low post, is here, and the Nuggets chose to attack!

   At the same technical level, the threat of back-playing on the inside is definitely better than playing on the outside.

Randolph was pinched, Liu Xiu took the opportunity to use Tianzun's pick-and-roll to the free throw line on the left side of the three-second zone. After receiving a pass from Randolph, he made a sudden point. Tianzun dismantled it and went to the left baseline. In the rhythm, the catching of the ball is adjusted by half a step, and the long two-point shot is thrown when the ball is raised...

   in!

  The outside shot is finally here!

   As soon as this feel is opened, it is like a spark, igniting the withered grass in the cold winter, and the Trail Blazers' feel gradually warms up.

   But the Nuggets have been in state tonight, scoring at least 25 points in the first three quarters.

  The Blazers felt warm, and they only played a performance that could compete with the Nuggets.

   But this is already awesome!

On the live broadcast of   T.N.T Sports, Kenny Smith highly praised the toughness of the Trail Blazers, as well as positive and effective adjustments, as well as patience and perseverance.

  Buckley still chooses Liu Xiu.

  Kenny-Smith asked, "Charles, aren't you a big fan of the Warden? I heard you also ordered the same suit he wears for All-Star Weekend."

  Barkley didn't get angry, and replied: "It's the loyal fans who point out what he's not doing well."

  “…”

  On the court, the Trail Blazers and the Nuggets started a tug-of-war between you and me.

   At this time, looking back at the performance of the Blazers in the third quarter, I found that it was not so bad.

   At least he held the score with offensive rebounds and free throws, but he was overtaken instead of being pulled away.

   This is where the current tug-of-war.

   The game reached 9 minutes and 11 seconds in the last quarter, and the Blazers launched a wave of onslaught.

Randolph played 2+1 on the back, Liu Xiu counterattacked and made a layup. Next, the extrajudicial fanatic who replaced Miles also scored a beautiful dunk. The three worked together to play a wave of 7 to 2, leading the Blazers. The team overtook the Nuggets 101 to 99 by 2 points!

   The Nuggets need to stabilize, who is standing up...

  It's him, it's him, it's him!

  Anthony made a three-pointer against the defense of the extrajudicial fanatics, and smiled...sweet yuppie!

   (end of this chapter)