Pick Westbrook

Chapter 157: Hello Thunder, Hello Sam Presti
4 month 1 day.

The Bucks challenged the Thunder away.

There are 7 games left until the end of the regular season.

Almost all the top-ranked teams in the East and West have locked up their places in the playoffs, and only during this time period will fans and spectators be very interested in watching the teams' games in the final stage.

The eighth-ranked teams in the East and West fought fiercely.

The Bulls, Charlotte Bobcats, and Raptors in the East are still desperately fighting for the last two seats.

Of course, the Bulls are almost certain to make the playoffs, but the Bobcats behind them are still desperately trying to squeeze into the seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

Heat coach Erik - Spoelstra and the team boss Wade are almost bewildered by the operation of the Bobcats.

Spoelstra even bluntly said in an interview after the end of the last game: "Is it just a Bucks team? Look, scare you Bobcats."

Of course, Spoelstra said so, the seventh position in the Eastern Conference is quite secure.

The ninth-ranked Raptors are still 3 games away from the Bobcats, and they still have the possibility of surpassing in theory. Bosh is also desperately leading the team to launch a charge. Try to lose as many games as possible in the next 7 games.

On the other hand, the competition in the West is much smaller. Only the Thunder and Grizzlies are still competing for the last seat.

As for the first seven seats, it can only be said that all of them have a 60% winning rate. This is the pressure of the western demons dancing wildly.

Both the Thunder and the Grizzlies have a winning percentage of around 50%, and there is only one game difference between them at present, and it is still unclear who will win.

Li Lai was impressed by the Thunder team. After losing Westbrook and Harden one after another, they could still compete for the playoffs. The Thunder also reached the Western Conference playoffs at the buzzer with this winning percentage.

"So it's not terrible to win, and it's embarrassing to be short of someone. It seems that the big brother is better."

"Durant is almost certain to win the scoring title this season, averaging 31 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists per game."

"If it weren't for Durant's reasons, James may not only be able to chase the regular season MVP this season, but also the scoring champion."

Li Lai's face became more serious.

The little emperor James has become more and more difficult to limit, and it is only two seasons before he becomes a full body.

In the 11-12 season, James will learn to play back and increase his three-point shooting percentage to 37%. At this stage, James will successfully reach No.1 in the league. It is no wonder that the Eastern Conference will fall into his long-term rule in the future. Let the trash brothers bear the infamy for a lifetime, but who would have thought that the trash brothers are actually not trash.

"LeBron, I know you are great, but we still have to settle last season's account this season."

The referee blows the whistle and the game is about to begin.

Li Lai looked at the court again. Durant had already walked on the court, and the Thunder's general manager Sam Presti was still sitting in the first row of the audience.

Barkley joked at the live commentary stand: "Kenny, what do you think Sam Presti will think when he looks at Westbrook on the court now?"

Kenny Smith pursed his lips and said, "What else can I think about, I have all the thoughts I want to die."

"In the shocking deal between the Thunder and the Bucks, the Bucks' management exchanged for Westbrook from the Thunder with the No. 8 pick Bogut + team leader Michael Reid + the No. [-] pick in the first round. "

"At that time, everyone said that the management of the Bucks was mentally retarded and let the Thunder form a small Big Four. What happened?"

"Bogut tried to reimburse Gasol in the playoffs last year, but he suffered a fracture, a ruptured Achilles tendon, and a concussion. He almost became a stupid child and saved his life. It’s all been great luck.”

"And Michael Reid's state has also begun to decline year by year. This season, he even averaged only 11 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists per game. He is almost declining into a role player."

"Look at Westbrook this season."

Barkley didn't continue to make matters worse, but laughed like a pig butcher's ghost in front of the commentary stand.

Sam Presti looked extremely ugly in the front row of the audience, and the faces of the Oklahoma fans behind him were even more ugly.

"That Westbrook is almost our player. Think about the power of his partner with Durant. A league scoring champion and a quasi-MVP. Isn't the combination of the two is Michael Jordan + Shaquille O'Neal?"

O'Neal seemed to hear someone calling his name on the Bucks bench, and turned around curiously, "I'm not O'Neal? Who is Jordan?"

Kenneth Smith continued: "In the last dozen games, Westbrook has scored in double figures in assists, and now he is very close to the league miracle of averaging a triple-double."

"It can be seen that the entire Bucks team is supporting Westbrook to achieve this record. If he is really allowed to complete it, I am afraid that basketball fans all over the world will tremble."

Buckley nodded in agreement.

大O奥斯卡-罗伯特森在1962-63赛季获得了场均30分12个篮板11次助攻的三双数据，但那已经距离现在整整47年，如果威斯特布鲁克能同样在这个赛季完成这样的神迹，那他将是NBA整个历史上第二位获得场均三双的球员。

With such a record, even if James' performance on the court is full of dominance this season, he still has to give way.

Game start.

Bucks regular starter.

Thunder starting lineup: point guard Eric Maynor, shooting guard Michael Redd, small forward Kevin Durant, power forward Jeff Green and center Serge Ibaka.

Midfield jump ball.

Ibaka jumped high and powerfully won the ball from Yi Jianlian.

At this time, no one gave him the nickname 28 cards, averaging 7 points, 8 rebounds and 1 block per game.

Although the data does not look gorgeous, what is visible to the naked eye is his defensive ability and defense ability on the court.

"The Thunder's current lineup on the court is not afraid of the Bucks' offensive system, and can even be completely on top."

"This should be the most flexible team against the Bucks that I have ever seen except the Celtics."

Barkley became more and more curious about this game.

Don't let the Bucks capsize in the gutter. If they are defeated by the Thunder, it will not only help the opponent to further establish an advantage in the Western Conference playoffs, but will also be ridiculed by the media after the game.

Can't even beat the Thunder, how dare you claim to be number one in the league?What MVP do you want to grab?

on the field.

Westbrook watched the Thunder players concentrate on the field. Of course, he will always have only two faces on the court, one is concentrated, and the other is Megatron.

Westbrook naturally knew about his deal. He still clearly remembers the scene when Li Lai personally put on the Bucks green hat for him. Hammond cried and told himself that the Bucks got him because they went bankrupt. .

Looking back at Westbrook now, it seems that Li Lai has worked hard to train him from the beginning, from sharing the best rookie with Rose to the current second place in the MVP list, he can do all of these things Because Li Lai solved his three-point shooting problems and taught him how to not handle the ball like two villains fighting on the court.

Westbrook even clearly remembered the scene of Li Lai trying so hard to invite Reggie Miller out of the mountain for him.

"Everything I have today was given to me by the coach, and I will not allow anyone to humiliate him."

"Of course, if he wants to bully anyone, I will support him without hesitation."

Sam Presti: I thank you for supporting him, sir.

Westbrook looked back at the court with that belief in him.

Eric Maynor held the ball across the half, just near the center line. Westbrook had quick eyesight and quick hands and made an overhand ball after a close defense, abruptly taking the ball from Eric Maynor.

"This is only 3 seconds into the game?!"

The Thunder players and fans at the scene were stunned. Eric Maynor's level is not bad. He averaged 5 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists per game this season.
"It's bad enough. In this game, Eric Maynor is estimated to be eaten alive by Westbrook."

Westbrook made a fast break with the ball.

Eric Maynor chased and defended hard, but Westbrook, who was carrying the explosive bag, was so fierce that he pushed him away abruptly.

Eric Maynor could only look at the opponent's free throw line and scored with a two-handed dunk.

"come!"

After the dunk, Westbrook clenched his fists and yelled like catharsis, which looked very scary.

Eric Maynor was almost stunned by the yelling. He just thought that the guy in front of him played with such high passion.

The game continues.

Jeff Green serves in the backcourt.

Eric Maynor looked at the vicious Westbrook in front of him and without thinking, he passed the ball back to Jeff Green.

The latter looked at the ball in his hand and was stunned, "I'm a power forward, not a guard!"

But at the moment of passing the ball, Westbrook rushed directly into Jeff Green's arms like a crazy buck, and snatched the ball from the opponent's arms abruptly.

"How reckless!"

Westbrook scored with a one-handed layup.

Jeff Green spread his hands, looking dull.

Eric Maynor was even more confused, and said, "This is your mistake."

The referee picked up the basketball on the floor and raised his hand as a signal to serve quickly.

Jeff Green served again, and Eric Maynor moved up the court to keep the distance, so as not to be intercepted by Westbrook again and easily hit the basket.

Michael Reed mentioned with some vigilance that the backcourt was ready to respond.

Jeff Green made a long pass, and Westbrook rushed over immediately!

"Huh?! Come again?"

Barkley stood up in shock, watching Westbrook and Michael Reed collide.

call!
Relying on his strong physical talent, Westbrook once again broke away from Michael Reed and grabbed the ball.

Jeff Green rushed to help defend, and Eric Maynor moved near the free throw line to block Westbrook's path.

But for this ball, Westbrook went up to meet the man, took off from the free throw line in one step, and scored abruptly with the defense of the two.

beep!beep!
Still a 2+1!

"13 steals in 3 seconds?"

Barkley was dumbfounded.

He has commented on so many games in the NBA, and this is the first time he has seen such a scene.

Kenny Smith was shocked and speechless. The Thunder were pierced through the line of defense by Westbrook alone, and now they can't even send the ball?

Not to mention these two, even the coaching bench of the Bucks was completely confused.

Tyronn Lue said: "Although Westbrook's defense has improved a lot compared to last season, is this consecutive steals a bit too exaggerated?"

Marshall nodded and said, "Three steals at the start, Westbrook is going to go crazy in this game."

Li Lai let out a long breath, but he believed that this was Westbrook's regular performance. After all, he was the most passionate player in the entire Bucks team, but your Thunder played so casually on the court, this must be against the league. The attitude of the first team?

Thunder coach Scott Brooks on the sidelines was furious, "You don't understand how to serve a ball, what are you doing?"

Durant put his hand in the frontcourt and shook his head speechlessly, "So I've been standing here alone?"

Also standing alone with him are Yi Jianlian, Artest, Rasheed Wallace and others.

If it wasn't for Rasheed on the court, Curry would have wanted to do a butt dance to cheer it up.

Serve again.

This time Durant rushed to respond, that is to say, the Thunder prepared 4 people in the backcourt after serving the ball. Ibaka in the frontcourt looked a little embarrassed at the bunch of Bucks players around him.

"It's like I was beaten by four people."

After Eric Maynor held the ball for half court, he then decisively gave the ball to Durant like a hot potato.

The Thunder's current style of play is very simple, that is, Durant singled out, and then Jeff Green singled out.

It's just unfortunate that it was Artest who guarded Durant and Rasheed Wallace who guarded Jeff Green.

"The Thunder's two strongest offensive players played against the Bucks' two strongest defensive players. At the same time, Artest is also the second in the DPOY list this season. Currently, most people think of it as a pair in the league. One of the best defensive strikers."

In Barkley's view, this is a very meaningful game to test Durant's scoring ability.

If he can single-play Artest, then he will definitely become a super scorer like Kobe, Tracy McGrady and Anthony in the future.

But if he fails to cross this step, it can only show that he still needs to continue to work hard to prove his talent.

Of course, with Artest's defense, even the peak Kobe, Tracy McGrady, Anthony and others, it is difficult to play singles indiscriminately. What Durant needs to prove is that he can score goals on Artest's head.

"Fortunately, when Artest defends pitchers with better height and wingspan than himself, he does not have the dominance of suppressing level. He is better at playing against powerful players."

"So Durant has a natural advantage, and it's not that he has no chance at all."

Durant still remembers the Bucks' defense against him last season. It was all kinds of balls hindering his dribbling rhythm, and he was blocked by the opponent several times.

Therefore, during the off-season, Durant deliberately strengthened his ability to dribble and attack with the ball. Now he will no longer be frequently intercepted by opponents and cause mistakes like last season.

Afraid of Durant's shooting, Artest did not choose to take a step back to defend, and because of Durant's exaggerated pace and one-step breakthrough ability, he did not dare to defend closely, so he chose to defend sideways and took the initiative to give Space for Durant to break through on the left.

The overall defense of the Bucks has a tacit understanding.

When Artest released the left offensive space, Rasheed Wallace was already standing in the position of helping to defend the left offensive. As long as Durant dared to go to the basket, he had to face the Bucks' most defensive defense. Good two players.

call!
Durant's step is fast!And go left, really bold!

Artest is decisively defending close to him at this time, limiting the space for Durant's emergency stop and jump shot. As for the route of breakthrough, someone will naturally handle it.

"Rashid!!!" Artest yelled.

Durant has already broken through to the waist, and Rasheed's double-team suddenly hit. At the same time, Westbrook helped defend in front of the open Jeff Green. Durant had to attack the ball by himself.

Barkley let out a long breath, a little lamenting the overall defensive ability of the Bucks.

The entire league only knows that the Bucks are an offensive team that has surpassed the Suns, and their scoring average is a big distance away from the entire league, but everyone ignores that the Bucks are also the [-]th defensive team in the league. team.

"First in the league in offense and tenth in defense at the same time, this kind of dominance reminds me of the Lakers in the OK combination. At that time, they were the second in offense and ninth in defense."

"It's no wonder the Charlotte Bobcats are desperate to get to No. [-] in the Eastern Conference."

Swish!
The ball is in!
"how can that be!"

Barkley recovered from shock.

After seeing Rasheed Wallace's double-team, Durant made a decisive fallback jumper from the free throw line.

The key is to get in.

"It feels really silky."

Kenny Smith shook his head again and again.

Although Durant's reclining is not as great as Kobe and Nowitzki, his own wingspan and height are extremely exaggerated, and a slight receding can gain more shooting space than the previous two .

"That's why Durant is the league's scoring leader this season, and he deserves it."

"His shooting also reminds me of Anthony, who is also in the western team. Many people said that his template was McGrady in the draft, but now it seems that he should be a different player from McGrady and Anthony. "

Artest looked at Li Lai on the sidelines, which was also the tacit understanding he had established with Li Lai for a long time.

Li Lai knew that Artest was telling him that with his height and wingspan, it was difficult to limit the talent of Durant. In fact, Li Lai had already discovered this when he was playing against the Knicks a long time ago. The problem.

Artest's defense is indeed very good. He is especially good at individual bites and strength confrontations. He is also very good at defending the opponent's movement with the ball. However, he is not omnipotent and has no defensive weaknesses. His biggest weakness is that he is difficult to defend. Limit this kind of players with excellent height and wingspan, excellent shooting skills and offensive skills.

So Artest's gaze was asking Li to find a way to limit Durant.

Li Lai on the coach's bench suddenly smiled.

This smile made Tai Lue and Marshall tremble with fear.

"The coach has to teach the opponent to be human again."

Bucks offensive round.

Li Lai stood up and yelled towards the field: "Take a double team, fight with your body, and force the ball."

The Thunder players on the field all looked at each other dumbfounded. What kind of offensive tactic is this?
But Artest and Rasheed heard clearly that this is the defensive tactic for the next round.

Rashid also reminded Artest in a low voice at this time: "That guy only averaged 3 assists per game this season. I think his ability to break double-teams and turn the team into an effective offense is not strong, so we have to continue to use the double-team strategy to strengthen. Defensive intensity, forcing his teammates to finish the game."

Artest nodded, this is probably the best strategy to defend Durant at present.

Rasheed recovered and glanced at Jeff Green who was eavesdropping in front of him.

"What are you listening to? Do you have to deliberately arrange offensive tactics to beat you?"

Westbrook held the ball, Yi Jianlian made a high pick-and-roll, and Ibaka decisively switched defenses.

Like Garnett, Ibaka is also a master of big defense and small defense, so Westbrook's first wave of breakthroughs after switching defenses was not successful.

Ibaka was startled with fear, because Westbrook's breakthrough was so fast and too fierce, he was almost knocked away by him and squeezed in.

Westbrook returned to the outside of the three-point line. According to the previous style of play, after the first tactic attack failed, the ball should be returned to Yi Jianlian's hands immediately, and the second tactic of playing big and small or high-position cards was played. tactics.

Yi Jianlian is already ready to ask for the ball, and Eric Maynor and Ibaka are a little nervous.

Because Yi Jianlian's ultra-long three-pointer and outside ball breakthrough ability are the best among big players.

But Westbrook was a little reckless tonight, and unexpectedly opened his hand for a three-pointer.

Swish!
Go in!

Kenny Smith said in surprise: "Westbrook is a bit fierce tonight!"

Barkley remembered the three steals at the beginning of the game and said the same: "The Thunder hastened to increase their defensive strength. Westbrook may have to eat dumplings tonight."

The head coach of the Thunder, Scott Brooks, is not a mediocre person, and he also saw this, so he signaled the players on the field to start double-teaming Westbrook.

But double-teaming the Bucks?

"The Thunder still haven't suffered from the Bucks."

In the next round, Curry hit 3 consecutive three-pointers, and Artest and Rasheed scored from Westbrook's pass.

The Bucks set off a terrifying 25:12 offensive wave in a single quarter, and almost beat the Thunder dizzy in the first quarter.

At the end of the first quarter, the Bucks took a large lead at 40:25.

Barkley, who was still hoping that the Bucks would not capsize in the gutter at the beginning, was speechless at this time.

How did the Thunder play?
No one can play besides Durant and Jeff Green?
An Ibaka can defend, but he can't limit the offense of the entire Bucks.

The point is that Durant is playing extremely uncomfortable on the court now. Since he scored the first goal, Artest and Rasheed began to teach people on the spot, and they double-teamed crazy in advance continuously, and even did not give Durant Rand's chance to dribble.

Look at the data of Westbrook of the Bucks, 12 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals in a single quarter?

"Hit it with a hammer."

The game continued in the second quarter.

Li Lai still kept Westbrook, who was in hot form tonight, on the court, and took pitchers Andre Ingram, Danny Green, Villanueva and Croshire.

Barkley, who saw both Danny Green and Crohill on the field, directly covered his face.

These two are the water fountain administrators of the Bucks. Chris Hill is almost waving the towel off the court this season, and Danny Green only plays in garbage time, and his performance in the previous games is not good. , So the Bucks are underestimating the Thunder?

The head coach of the Thunder, Scott Brooks, had the same idea as Barkley, and was very angry with Li Lai in his heart.

"Do you really think that you can look down on people like this because you are the team with the best record in the league?"

Only what happened next let Scott Brooks and Barkley know that Li Lai didn't underestimate the Thunder at all. This was just a tactical system that the Bucks didn't often use.

Li looked at Westbrook, "Give me a blast."

Westbrook nodded. "Give me time for a song."

The game continues.

Westbrook broke through with the ball, and the Thunder double-teamed the defense.

Westbrook steadily delivered the ball to Danny Green on the bottom line.

Swish!
"This shot is very firm!"

hit!

Some Thunder players on the field didn't react.

In the next round, the Bucks attacked again, and Westbrook carried the explosive package to the inside again. All the players of the Bucks stood on the outside, and no one stood on the inside.

The Thunder double-teamed again, and this time the opportunity came to Andre Ingram.

Swish!
Hit again!

Kenny Smith flipped through the pre-match data in his hand and said: "Andre Ingram is a three-point shooter with the same shooting percentage as Curry. No one should let him go!"

Thunder players on the field: Then you teach me who to let go!

Immediately afterwards, Villanueva and Crozier got together and hit a three-pointer.

Only 3 minutes into the game, the Bucks stopped the Thunder again.

"These three-point shots were too fierce. If I remember correctly, this should be the Rockets' one-star four-shot lineup, but the center Dameng Olajuwon was replaced by guard Westbrook. "

"Coach Li Lai deserves to be a first-class offensive coach in the league. He perfectly interpreted this tactic and successfully transferred it to Westbrook, the core of the defender's possession of the ball."

"It's been a very successful tactic."

"Congratulations to Westbrook, I'm already in double figures in assists."

Off the court, Scott Brooks held his head and was speechless. He glanced at the scoreboard, and the Bucks had already led by 20 points, and it was only the beginning of the second quarter.

"Hit the hammer!"

Scott Brooks simply replaced Durant in advance, and let him try to save the game alone in this game.

Nash, the head coach of the Nets in later generations: I think so too.

And Durant has indeed shown super giant potential this season. After the Bucks did not send Artest and Rasheed to the field in the second quarter, he successfully harvested the game in consecutive singles.

But Westbrook was still unconvinced, and confronted Durant in various ways, and even sprayed trash talk directly on the court.

Westbrook went to the basket and was successfully interfered by Durant.

Westbrook: "You only have this ability, you can only vent your anger from the bench, and you have the ability to single out Ron and Rasheed."

Durant stood in front of Westbrook, "You singled out to play two people at the same time? Why don't you play nine on the court!"

The referee at the side looked at the two men who were still cursing arrogantly in front of him and was a little speechless, "Made, the two mentally retarded people treat me like nothing."

In the end, the Bucks still won 125:105.

Westbrook had a shocking quadruple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 20 assists and 10 steals.

　There is only one chapter, and I will update it on Monday.

　　Brothers, remember to send the tickets.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)