Chapter 1449 1448. Full of Positive Energy (Asking for Guaranteed Monthly Tickets)
“It seems I should practice this more…”
Smart people always know how to make themselves better. James had consciously learned Liu Mang’s step-back. Although he didn’t have Liu Mang’s strong ability to get rid of defense and force the opponent to defend closely, he had the height advantage and could create some better breakthrough opportunities.
This time, James found the direction of learning again.
James should have been beaten by the Celtics in the 2008-10 season. Seeing Rondo, who was not good at shooting like him, repeatedly played super-sized triple-doubles in the playoffs with his footwork, he began to realize the importance of footwork. It was not compared with one more step. The offense of jumping one more step was tightly controlled by Garnett. Only after losing the "favor" of the league did he really develop his footwork. Later, when he returned to the Cavaliers, he was nicknamed "Olajus" in the playoffs after that, and he turned like a gyroscope in the interior.
But this time, Rondo met Liu Mang and started to learn in advance according to Liu Mang's footsteps, which made James understand in advance how people with poor shooting skills should operate when rushing into the inside. Seeing Rondo's beautiful attack at the beginning, James envied Rondo's footsteps.
But... James is jealous of the Hawks' draft ability!
The Cavaliers ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference last season and eleventh in the league, and also got the 19th pick in the first round, but the guy who was selected as the most jumpy guy in NBA history... really can't do anything except running and jumping...
Receiving the ball from Chandler, James advanced to the frontcourt.
Liu Mang was chasing Peja, and Rondo was also running with Bamboo and Damon Jones. The two of them were already cold in their hearts and couldn't get rid of them at all. They believed that their running ability was not bad, but his running was purely based on speed, but when they met Liu Mang and Rondo...
The Hawks sent these two people to start, and the purpose was this, to defend against this outside shooting combination who could average 9 three-pointers in the last three games of the second round.
Marion came to the top of the three-point line to defend James. James's ability to shoot three-pointers is not bad. He can score 1.6 per game in the regular season this season and 1.9 per game in the playoffs. He dare not let go.
McGrady, who is a few centimeters taller than Marion, defends his old teammate Gooden. Kwame Brown uses a similar defense to Chandler just now. He doesn't need to worry too much about Chandler, just guard the inside.
Liu Mang saw the defensive choices of McGrady and Marion, and he was relieved to leave his back to them. Peja couldn't defend here, so Liu Mang chose to believe that his teammates could limit James.
Don't say it, James is really not easy to play against Marion alone!
It is really difficult for Marion to defend Garnett alone. Garnett's ability to attack is average, and he is only a tough player like Duncan, Nowitzki, and Randolph. Without considering hardness, he is like a fully enhanced version of Jermaine O'Neal, shooting more accurately, breaking through faster, rushing better, and reaching more flexibly... Marion really can't defend.
But defending James... I have to say, Marion is really the same level as Artest and Pierce in defending James, so suitable!
With a height of 2.01 meters, top-level speed, power forward-level physical confrontation and super long wingspan, he will not be easily shaken off...
In the regular season, James was defended by Marion and Granger. He does have a certain three-point ability. Yes, his 33% hit rate is not high or bad, but it cannot be used as a regular offensive method. Marion is well prepared to defend against breakthroughs.
James really can't get rid of Marion, and waved to Chandler for a pick-and-roll.
Chandler pulled out to screen and roll for James, Kwame Brown did not follow him out, and Marion did not retreat, but went around Chandler to block James' step-back three-pointer. After bypassing Chandler, he chased after James who had no chance to step back and chose to break through.
As for the mid-range... James' free throw hit rate is less than 70%, who cares about his mid-range shot? The Magic were able to defend James before, relying on similar defensive methods.
Kwame Brown under the basket was very aware and took a step at the right time, not giving James the space to take three steps to the left. James could only go to the right and was sandwiched by Kwame Brown and Marion. James forced a shot...
It was too far, outside the right side of the three-second zone, not James' scoring distance. James forced a shot and hit the left side of the basket and flew out!
Liu Mang rushed in when James shot and grabbed the rebound before Chandler rushed in!
Liu Mang rushed too hard and almost jumped out of bounds when he grabbed the ball. He tiptoed forward and barely stabilized his body a little bit inside the baseline.
At this time, Liu Mang heard the exclamations of the fans around the basket and the voices shouting "out of bounds" to the referee, but the referee at the baseline saw clearly that the tip of Liu Mang's shoe was still one and a half centimeters away from the baseline and ignored it.
Seeing Liu Mang's wild dog-like rebounding action, everyone else was scared. Chandler almost bumped into Liu Mang's back, and Liu Mang was really knocked out... The reporters carrying cameras outside the baseline had no time to dodge, and Liu Mang would most likely get hurt if he fell on them.
Liu Mang's active fighting encouraged the Hawks, and the Cavaliers felt disappointed, but also felt a sense of admiration.
"He's already the best player in the league, and he's still fighting so hard! How can I not work hard!"
Not only the players on the court, but even the fans on the sidelines who were hostile to Liu Mang felt full of positive energy!
"It was a close call... I got a rebound!"
Liu Mang protected the ball and turned around. Seeing the Cavaliers players desperately retreating, Liu Mang didn't feel surprised. Although he felt the despair of Peja, Damon Jones and Gooden, the other side would definitely fight. After all, it was their first time to play in the Eastern Conference Finals.
But he actually felt the other side's fiery eyes...
"These guys, are they gay?" Liu Mang couldn't help but squeeze his hips. After relaxing, he passed the ball to Rondo who had already run to the midline, and then ran to the frontcourt.
After Rondo advanced to the frontcourt, the Cavaliers' defense had already consciously adjusted. Rondo chose to pick and roll with Marion. Rondo used McGrady's cut-in to run back to the right corner. Marion cut in from the left, and Rondo's own right pick-and-roll and breakthrough threat compressed the opponent's defense into the inside, and then threw the ball to Liu Mang who cut in from the middle and ran back to the top arc!
Liu Mang received the ball at the top arc, and James, who switched to defend Rondo, ran out from the inside. James was already desperate for this defense, but still rushed to block it.
But...
Liu Mang didn't shoot!
Liu Mang shook off a shot, knocked James flying, and rushed into the inside. Chandler, Peja, and Gooden were attracted to block one step inside the free throw line. Liu Mang stopped suddenly at the free throw line and threw the ball into the basket with one hand...
"What a waste!"
Two inside players and a 2.06-meter forward blocked Liu Mang, and saw that Liu Mang directly pushed the ball out. The three had the same feeling.
But...
Liu Mang didn't shoot!
The ball flew to the left side of the basket. Kwame Brown took a step and jumped up. He touched the ball in the air with both hands and pressed the ball into the basket!
"It's not wasteful, but choose a steady alley-oop!"
When they cursed at him, the Cavaliers players were not surprised. They were surprised by Liu Mang's pass after he had completely pulled out the inside defense!
"1 assist and 1 rebound!" Liu Mang returned to defense excitedly.