Chapter 685 [Last Chance, Unite Fans]
The two teams in the Western Conference are also old enemies. The Mavericks have been eliminated by the Lakers led by Yang Rui for several consecutive years, and they have been tortured. Now, almost everyone feels that the Clippers are like the Lakers who won three consecutive championships, and the Lakers are like a lottery team.
ESPN proposed that if the Mavericks defeat Yang Rui's team, it will prove that this finals has a high gold content and is the best opportunity for Nowitzki and others to prove it.
NBC Radio's comments were even more exaggerated: "This season is the Mavericks' best chance to win the championship, and it may also be the last chance. If you can't seize it, it will be very difficult to win the championship again in the future. All the teams led by Jerry Young will go through the second season." The run-in will make him super strong. More importantly, the Clippers' salary is below the salary cap, and they can also bring in a star this summer."
After reading the news, the Mavericks management is under a lot of pressure.
The Clippers are one of the teams with the most abundant salary space in the league this summer. This season, they have only two high-paid players, Dunleavy and Paul. Dunleavy's contract will expire with 10 million free, which makes the Clippers want to renew. Renew the contract with whoever you contract, poach whoever you want, and you may not have to pay luxury tax if you poach two stars.
How will the Mavericks compete with the Clippers in the future? Even if the Clippers get another second-rate star, their strength will be improved a lot.
Looking back at the Mavericks, Nowitzki is 33 years old and his condition may decline at any time, making it difficult to deal with Griffin.
Terry is 34 years old and his condition has begun to decline. This year will be his final peak.
Marion is 33 years old and is transforming from an All-Star to a defensive blue-collar role player.
Prince is 31 years old and is in pretty good shape, but he was also a defensive role player at his peak.
The 38-year-old Kidd is getting slower and slower. He has transitioned to the No. 2 position. He doesn't know how long he can play.
This year is really the last chance for the Mavericks to win the championship. Gasol is the only young player at the core of the team.
On May 13, the first battle between the two sides started in Los Angeles.
In the visiting team's locker room, Rick Carlisle encouraged morale and said loudly: "In this series, we can only win but not lose. The media analysis said that this is our last chance to win the championship. It is not alarmist. Unless the Clippers encounter serious problems next season Injuries, otherwise it will be stronger, but it’s hard for us to say.”
The expressions of the Mavericks players were all serious. They knew Yang Rui's history.
He led the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals in the first season, and broke the regular season record in the second season and won the championship; he led the Wizards to win the championship in the first season, helped Jordan realize his dream, and retired with a championship ring; he led the Lakers to win the championship in the first season. , broke the regular season record in the second season, Yao Ming and Kobe won the regular season MVP...
This resume is so powerful that it is almost inhuman.
Now Yang Rui joins the Clippers in his first season and has the best record in the regular season, Paul MVP. They don't think it's Paul's fault. The Clippers' success is due to Yang Rui's good use of people.
Carlisle said: "The reason why I say this is not to be pessimistic, but to ask everyone to cheer up, use all their strength, and fight until the last minute. If we beat the Clippers, I firmly believe that the Mavericks will win the championship."
Usually the coach will say something like "you have to have no regrets even if you lose", but the Mavericks are a group of veterans, how can they not have regrets if they lose? Carlisle saved this kind of words to relieve players' pressure. What they have to do now is use their rich game experience to defeat the Clippers.
Yang Rui has many similarities with Carlisle's views when it comes to boosting morale.
"Everyone can't relax for a moment. We must fight for every ball and defeat the Mavericks. We will definitely win the championship, because the finals will be against the Cavaliers. It's not that I look down on them. Not being swept is a victory for the Cavaliers."
The players all smiled. Although the Big Three of the Cavaliers didn't play well in the game, their reputation is still very impressive. Yang Rui said that they will definitely defeat the Cavaliers, adding a powerful psychological hint that will enhance the players' confidence.
The Clippers have many young players. At this point in the game, excellent psychological quality is more important than technology.
Yang Rui continued: "You are very strong, but you must try your best to deal with the Mavericks. Our team has a weakness, which is lack of experience in the game.
The scale of whistleblowing in the playoffs is different from that in the regular season. I think you have felt it before. In terms of confrontation, you have to be tougher. "
The young players have become very serious, the competition in the playoffs is more intense, and there are double standards.
Jordan, Griffin, and Mahinmi felt the strongest. It was impossible to perform dunks as easily as in the regular season. Their opponents would foul them hard and send them free throws, and free throws were not their strong point.
Even after practicing for a season, Griffin, who is more accurate among the three major insiders, only made 67.7% of his free throws in the playoffs.
In the playoffs, insiders who can shoot stably are more likely to be effective, like Nowitzki, while offensive insiders will face tough defenses, leading to a decline in status.
Yang Rui said to Paul: "Chris, you have to be quick when counterattacking. As long as Gasol and Nowitzki come out together, attack behind them. Rudy (Gay), you have a very heavy task today, try to interfere with Nowitzki." It doesn't matter if you can't defend Ski when he shoots. The offensive end must come back, so everyone is ready to go out."
The players came out. The Clippers home court was full. The fans also uniformed their uniforms and wore red commemorative T-shirts.
CCTV5 Zhang Liang said: "This year, in addition to two sets of traditional jerseys, the Clippers also launched a set of Chinese red jerseys. Although Yang Rui is not a Chinese national, he has a strong Chinese complex. The Clippers use this way to express their respect for him. of respect.”
Yu Jia said: "The Clippers wore this jersey today. I think it means a good start. This jersey is much more beautiful than the other two sets."
After joining, Yang Rui put forward opinions on the jerseys. One set of Chinese red is a must, and the other two sets will also be redesigned in the future, changing the color and style.
The reason is simple, the Clippers' jerseys are too ugly. If the style of the jersey makes fans have no desire to buy it, how can the commercial value be increased?
As for the home team generally wearing light-colored jerseys and the away team wearing dark-colored jerseys, this is negotiable but not required. Today the Mavericks will wear white jerseys.
Zhang Lili said: "Lakers fans have rarely worn uniforms for many years, but Clippers fans seem to be more united. And on the sidelines, several entertainment stars have changed into T-shirts."
Yu Jia said: "Jerry's three girlfriends are not here today. Two are filming and one is preparing to have a baby. If they come, they will be a beautiful sight at the Clippers' home court."
At this time, many fans watching the live broadcast online began to discuss Yang Rui and Scarlett's children.
"I hope to have a girl. A mixed-race baby will definitely be very beautiful, just like Tom's mixed-race girlfriend, with long breasts and thighs, and eyes and pupils like gems." (Daddario: Why do their children look like me?)
"This child is so lucky. He grew up with a golden key in his mouth. Will he become a fat ball when he is very young, like Scarlett before?"
"I just want to know how high this child's IQ will be after inheriting his father's genes. What can he do in the future?"
"I wonder when Stana and Nina will have a child? No matter how they are born, their family is of mixed race."
"I think the most amazing thing is that there was no turmoil in their family because of religious issues. Scarlett is of Jewish descent, Jerry is of Chinese descent, Stana is of Serbian and Croatian descent, and Nina is of Bulgarian and Slavic descent. Descendants, what should they believe when they come together?"
The last question was asked by an American netizen. There are many kinds of religious denominations in the United States. If you don’t believe in a religion, many people will recommend it.
Therefore, they unanimously declare their faith in Christ, but they never go to church. They just do it perfunctory and save a lot of trouble.
After the players warm up, the game is about to begin.