Chapter 627 [Low-Key and Casual, Warcraft Must Die]

The players appeared on time, introducing the visiting team Magic first, and then the home team Lakers.

In last season's finals, the Lakers suffered a loss in their appearance ceremony. The atmosphere at home was too bland and looked no different from the first three rounds of the playoffs. Many people think this was one of the reasons why they were defeated by the Celtics.

The Green Army was accompanied by the shocking music "Requiem for a Dream". The big screen first reviewed the wonderful scenes, and then the Wolf King roared earth-shakingly in the middle, and finally ended with Pierce's "let me be hero".

Many people thought that the Lakers would make a mighty and domineering appearance this time, but the result was surprising. The team's appearance was more low-key than last season, even a little casual.

The music was a blues song that Yang Rui had never heard before. The players all smiled and waved to the fans when they came out.

Barkley complained: "The Lakers players don't look like they are about to have a decisive battle, but they look like they are participating in an award ceremony and walking on the red carpet. This is the first time in the history of the NBA Finals. They don't take Magic seriously anymore." ?”

Kenny Smith laughed: "I think it was arranged like this because Kobe couldn't play in the finals."

The front office team is really in a dilemma. Kobe can't play. The review of game highlights is embarrassing. Let's edit the footage of Kobe. He can't play. No one is watching the game. Not editing footage of Kobe feels like the team is isolating him.

Kobe didn't dare to come to the game to watch the game. Reporters would definitely interview him, ask him to talk about his feelings, and ask him how his injury was. He would want to hit someone when he heard such questions, let alone answer them. If the cameramen had given him a close-up, maybe fans would have seen him cry on the big screen...

The appearance ceremony was very simple, at least it could save Kobe's face. This was decided after the management meeting.

In fact, no matter what, the atmosphere at the Lakers' home court cannot be very shocking, because the home fans often laugh and say nothing, purely for entertainment.

After the warm-up, the starting players came out and the Lakers changed their formation.

Daniel Gibson, James Jones, Iguodala, Posey, Yao Ming.

Millsap and Odom sat on the bench together, and the two point guards who are good at breakthroughs also took a rest. All commentators were surprised.

Zhang Lili saw the clue: "Yang Rui will obviously start the attack with Yao as the core. There is no player on the outside who can break through. All four of them can open up and shoot three-pointers. This is the Magic's usual tactic."

Yu Jia said: "Many people say that Howard has replaced Yao Ming as the league's number one center this season. Yang Rui probably wants them to challenge each other to see who is the number one center. Fans definitely want to see the stars soar in points. "

Magic Five: Jamal Nelson, Pietrus, Turkoglu, Lewis, Howard.

Howard won the jump ball and the game was on.

Nelson brought it to the frontcourt and passed it to Turkoglu, and ran to the right bottom corner. Lewis was 70 degrees on the right side, and Pietrus went to the left side.

The Magic's tactics are very simple. Howard is surrounded by four pitchers, and Turkoglu plays the point forward in the middle. He is 208cm tall, and he and Lewis are in positions 3 and 4. This plan requires inside support. If the opponent defends in a zone, the two of them can always get mismatched offensive opportunities.

Of course, Hollins also hopes that Howard can play like Yao Ming, pulling out pick-and-rolls, making mid-range shots, and providing support. But Howard has never been able to practice mid-range shots well. He is just faster on air cuts, so it is difficult to break the zone defense in pick-and-rolls.

The Lakers mixed defense, man-to-man on the outside, and Yao Ming stayed near the penalty area.

Iguodala faced off against Turkoglu, keeping one and a half steps away to prevent breakthroughs and interfere with shots. Turkoglu took a step forward to get close to him, using his height advantage to find his teammates, and gave it to Lewis who was facing the frame on the right.

Lewis didn't play much in the regular season, averaging only 16 points per game. In the playoffs, he played better and better. His data improved to 17.8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. He shot 45.3% from the field and 40.5% from the three-point range. He played in isolation with the ball. It is an important tactic in magic.

After Yang Rui discussed with the assistant coaches, he arranged for Posey to play as a guest at the 4th position. He is 203cm tall and slightly shorter than Lewis.

Good at preventing breakthroughs and interfering with shooting. The most terrifying thing about Lewis is not only his ability to shoot, but also his unparalleled mobility and ability to break through at the 4th position. If Odom and Millsap are used as the main defense, the effect will be very poor.

Posey is no problem. Every thing comes down, and even Kobe has a hard time getting past him. Lewis failed to break through and passed to point guard Nelson, who couldn't get rid of Gibson.

Nelson is a short and strong pick-and-roll point guard who is good at pull-up jumpers but not good at breakthroughs. He is 183cm tall and weighs 91kg. He looks like a fat man, has average speed and can hardly create free throws.

After taking two steps, Nelson moved laterally and passed to Pietrus on the left, who was unable to break through with the ball.

James Jones is a tall and thin wing player, with a height of 203cm, a weight of 97kg, and a wingspan of 220cm. He is poor in confrontation but very fast. He can defend against face-to-face attacks and is very active in defense.

In Yang Rui's previous life, James Jones spent 14 seasons in the league without any offensive ability with the ball. He did not retire until 2017. He had three championship rings, an All-Star Game three-point champion, and was the best pitcher in the world. one.

Looking back at the Magic, the weakest position is the 2nd position.

Pietrus, Batum, and Redick shared playing time, but none scored in double figures. The first two can do everything, but they have no special skills. Redick has the three-point skill, but no body and no defense.

Under this premise, Yang Rui dared to reuse James Jones, and he was more confident in three-pointers when he was open.

Pietrus moved 50 degrees to the left and passed the ball from close range to "Warcraft" Howard who wanted the ball in the low post.

All the fans held their breath and watched the court intently, for fear of missing every detail. The two star centers were about to have a direct conversation.

Howard chose to go one-on-one. He leaned back, quickly turned around and jumped to the middle. Without any fake moves, and regardless of whether he got rid of the defender or not, he hooked the ball towards the basket with his right hand like throwing a discus.

This is barely a hook. On the sidelines, Magic center assistant coach Ewing burst into tears.

Howard embarrassed Ewing at times. Before coming to be an assistant coach, they told Ewing that Howard was the best center in the league and a rare talent in 10 years. However, after Ewing came, he found that it was too difficult to teach Howard offensive skills, just like the Jiangnan Seven Freaks. Teach Guo Jing...

When Yao Ming plays against most centers, he is an ordinary Yao Ming with a kind-faced and kind-hearted look. But when faced with the "Warcraft", he couldn't help but transform.

Seeing the opportunity, Yao Ming jumped up and slapped the ball out of the penalty area. The block was so hard that his palms seemed to emit a dazzling and mysterious light - Warcraft must die!

Iguodala picked up the basketball and went for a fast break alone. Turkoglu was experienced and retreated at full speed to prevent breakthroughs but not shots.

Iguodala dribbled the ball in front of the three-point line and changed direction to his right hand for a breakthrough, and Turkoglu followed. The first brother brought the ball to the corner, pulled the ball up with his right hand, and without stopping, turned the ball from his back to his left hand. At the same time, he changed his body to the middle, relied on Turkoglu to forcefully jump up, and scored with his left hand backhand. 2 to 0.

At the small forward position, Iguodala has an obvious physical advantage, and his explosive power is among the best in the league. Although Turkoglu is tall, his explosive power is poor and he is a floor player.

What's funny is that Turkoglu's nickname in his hometown is "Turkish Jordan", which is so unreliable that even in his youth, he never completed a 40-year-old Jordan-level flight performance. One-on-one, he has a hard time limiting Iguodala.