Pick Westbrook

Chapter 327 Even More Serious
Post-match press conference.

A reporter suddenly mentioned that the Bulls and Knicks also had games tonight, and Rose's injury was brought up again.

"Coach Thibodeau is a very good coach, his work attitude is widely circulated in the coaching circle, but I still don't think he did a right thing."

"I will not let Chris Paul play so hard in the regular season, let alone let the core players continue to play in garbage time, because it will ruin the opponent's entire career."

Li Lai said with a serious face.

Paul couldn't help but look at the coach more at this time.

Only now did he understand why Li Lai would control his playing time so strictly during the regular season, even if he would rather lose some games for this reason.

Paul couldn't help heaving a long sigh at this moment.

He knows what level of player Rose is, and he also knows how incomprehensible the opponent is when he breaks through. Now the opponent is likely to suffer a very serious injury, and the prospects of his entire career are worrying.

Day two.

Rose was joined by coach Thibodeau and Bulls general manager Gar Forman at the news conference.

"Teared cruciate ligament!"

"Derek, do you know what kind of injury this is?"

Rose just got the result of the injury from the team doctor. At this time, the emotion on his face was very depressed. He remembered Coach Li Lai's repeated exhortations and reminders to him, and he was also worried about his future.

Rose took a deep breath at this time, and he still politely answered the reporter's question.

"The team doctor has told me that long-term stretching or abduction of the knee joint, excessive flexion, adduction, and rotation can cause damage to the ligaments in this area."

"If the operation is successful, I can return from injury in 6-8 months, which means that I may miss the entire next season."

"Even after the injury has healed, the activity of the joint will still be greatly reduced, and it will be restricted when bending or straightening, and there will be a feeling of stiffness and pulling locally."

Hearing this, even the sharp-tongued reporters couldn't help but feel sorry for Rose at this time.

No one expects to see someone get hurt, even if it's just a stranger.

"You played 38 minutes in the regular season at one point, and you played the third quarter and the first half of the fourth quarter in that game last night."

"At that time, the Bulls had a 15-point lead, why didn't you come down and rest for a minute or two?"

Another reporter asked slightly angrily.

Thibodeau didn't regret it. He said: "Since Chicago lost Jordan, the city has been looking forward to their hero."

"Fans in this city firmly believe that Derek is their favorite. Westbrook in the same class has become a double MVP, and even Curry behind him is hotly discussed as the league's three-point leader."

"Ross is a player who is not weaker than the two at all. He also deserves such glory. The Bulls' Big 4 lineup is aimed at the championship this season."

"At this point, the whole Bulls team has the same goal, and everyone is working hard for that championship."

"Besides, the Bulls hired me to win the game, and all my rotations are for this goal."

The reporter couldn't help but interrupted: "We know that the Bulls are the favorite team for the championship this season, but why can't we change it?"

"For example, cut Rose's playing time a little bit so that he can take a break in the middle of the game, or don't play too hard during the regular season."

"In order to compete with the Heat for the league's first record, the Bulls played more minutes at the end of the game than before the All-Star Game."

Thibodeau was at a loss for words for a while, because the Bulls did strive to hit the top of the league's regular season record in the second half of the regular season. Instead, they have been in the league's top record heat team, reducing James' average playing time and taking turns to rest Bosh. and Wade.

"I decided to do it."

Rose saw the coach's embarrassment at this time, and said to help.

Thibodeau took a breath and turned around in shock.

Rose continued: "Because I wanted to win the first regular season MVP trophy in my career, coach Thibodeau gave me more playing time and helped the Bulls win the league's first record."

The reporter obviously didn't believe such words. He intensified his accusation against Thibodeau and said: "Everyone knows that Coach Thibodeau is the head coach who likes to fuck players the most in the league."

"At this point, coach Tylen Lue and Thibodeau of the Bucks are known as the league's refusal to change, and they are even dubbed the fat-headed fish combination by the fans."

"We think Rose's injury is your problem! No doubt about it!"

Thibodeau was extremely angry when he heard this, because of the fat head fish combination.

Tyronn Lue is not fat, so who is this fat? !

He was very angry and said: "Popovich, Phil Jackson, Li Lai, they all let the core players play for a long time at some point."

"Would you talk to them like that?"

Rose on the side saw that the press conference had turned into a quarrel scene. He was in a bad mood because of his injury and got up directly to leave here.

Bulls general manager Gal Forman quickly got up to follow.

Even if Rose suffers a serious injury such as a torn ACL, the Bulls have no intention of giving him up at all.

The Bulls' management still believes that Rose is the team's future and hope, and they will do everything they can to heal Rose's injury this summer.

Thibodeau also chose to leave at this time. He looked at Rose's leaving back and knew that the other party was still defending him until now, so he couldn't help saying something softly.

"He's a good boy."

At the back of the conference room, Rose suddenly heard a text message from his cell phone, and he took it out to have a look.

"Phoenix has a doctor who is very good at treating such injuries, named Thomas Carter. I have contacted him for you, and he is willing to treat your injuries."

"Keep a positive and optimistic attitude. Don't worry. If you really can't stand up and play on the court, I will teach you to be a head coach. Even if you sit down, I can get you back to the NBA. Li Lai. "

Seeing this, Rose suddenly burst into tears, and all his uneasiness and helplessness after being injured suddenly burst out at this moment.

"No one knows what a player thinks after an injury, no one knows what a player fears after an injury, and no one knows what a player fears after an injury."

"Coach Li Lai knows, he knows."

Game [-] of the playoffs.

The Hornets host the Rockets for Game [-].

Before the game, the CCTV commentary had a full 30 minutes to chat about the game.

Zhang Weiping said on the line at the New Orleans Arena: "See, the entire Rockets team came to the arena for training 30 minutes earlier."

"They gave [-] percent to this Hornets team."

"I heard that after the last game, the entire Rockets went to the video room to analyze what they did well and what they didn't do well in the last game."

"At the same time, the coaching staff of the Rockets divided all the 15 offensive and defensive tactics of the Hornets throughout the game, and cracked and targeted them."

"In tonight's game, the Rockets will definitely show a very bright performance."

Both Su Qun and Yu Jia knew that the Rockets and Yao Ming really wanted to make a breakthrough this season.

Although their lineup is not particularly strong, no matter compared with the Lakers or the Spurs, they have obvious flaws.

Even compared with the weaker Grizzlies and Clippers, the gap is obvious, but the entire Rockets team still believes that they can make a breakthrough.

Because Yao Ming is currently the best center forward on the planet.

Yu Jia said: "It's just a pity that the owner of the Rockets has always been famous in the league for being skinny. If it wasn't for their owner's reluctance to invest a lot of money in the team, the Rockets' strength would not be so strong."

"I really hope that this team can play a very impressive performance under the leadership of Dayao."

Su Qun said with great concern on the side: "Although the Hornets are a team that has just announced their rebuilding, and the team's overall lineup is relatively young, their strength is not bad."

"Paul is at least one of the top five point guards in the league. DeAndre Jordan averaged a double-double this season and showed a very good state."

"Leonard has outstanding talent and almost snatched the best rookie of the season from Irving. Jimmy Butler has made rapid progress. He and JR Smith have formed a very famous backup offensive and defensive combination in the league."

"Coupled with veteran assistants like Vince Carter and functional players like Diaw and Lewis, now even Oden can play well in the playoffs."

"This Hornets team is really tough."

Of course, in addition to the team lineup, Su Qun believes that the Hornets' coaching staff also has obvious advantages.

Li Lai is a championship-level coach, Stevens has fully proved his ability in the NCAA, as for Du Feng.
"I heard that Coach Du Feng has greatly improved his training and coaching ability in the NBA this season, and he has also learned very valuable things from the Hornets' coaching staff."

"The Chinese men's basketball team has been debating whether to choose coach Guo Shiqiang or hire a foreign coach to coach the women's team this season, but I heard that both of them admitted during the interview that it is difficult to come up with a very good match for Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian. Combined use plan."

"So the basketball team has been undecided about the candidate for the head coach of the Guojia team."

"This year's Olympics is very important to the Chinese men's basketball team, because we are almost 99% sure that Dayao will not participate in the next Olympics."

"The Chinese men's basketball team wants to break through historical results. This year is the last and the best time."

Yu Jia talked about the NBA playoffs aside.

Su Qun also knew the sporadic inside story about this matter. He said: "Now the basketball team is considering hiring Du Feng as the new coach of the Chinese men's basketball team."

"But now that the Hornets are playing in the playoffs, Du Feng has not responded to this matter yet."

New Orleans Arena.

Zhang Weiping looked at Du Feng, who was on the coaching bench of the Hornets. This time he went to the NBA to report on the playoffs. He also brought a mission from the basketball side.

That is the matter of communicating with Du Feng about the heroine team.

Of course, this is not to say that Du Feng can become the head coach of the Guojia team for sure.

Zhang Weiping was born as a player. At his peak, he was even called a Chinese magician. He knows basketball very well.

Coupled with decades of interviews and reports on the NBA, Zhang Weiping is very clear about the current concept of basketball play and the advantages and disadvantages of the international arena.

So this time he was entrusted by the Basketball Association to come to meet with Du Feng. On the one hand, he was to investigate whether Du Feng was really qualified for the job of head coach of the women's team. On the other hand, he was to discuss with the other party about returning to China.

"But that little guy Du Feng actually rejected my invitation yesterday, bluntly saying that it is now the team's playoffs, and he will never be distracted by thinking about anything outside the court, so I haven't contacted him until now. .”

Zhang Weiping is very worried about this matter, because the selection of players for the Guojia team has officially started on March 3, and Guo Shiqiang is currently the team's head coach temporarily.

Such an approach is of course not a long-term solution.

If Zhang Weiping fails to contact Du Feng as soon as possible and give a satisfactory answer from the basketball team, then it will definitely not be a good thing for the women's team in the Olympic Games.

"That guy Xiao Du doesn't give me face, it seems that I need to find someone who can cover him."

on the field.

Game start.

Hornets regular starting lineup.

Rockets regular starting lineup.

Midfield jump ball.

Yao Ming jumped off the offensive ball.

The Rockets attack.

Kyle Lowry advanced with the ball, and Kevin Martin took the initiative to receive the ball on the strong side.

At this time, Yao Ming and Kevin Martin were on the same side, and the defensive attention of all Hornets players was on Yao Ming.

Kevin Martin singles Leonard.

Continuously dribbling the ball under the crotch to find the rhythm, Kevin Martin relied on Leonard to break through and prepare to draw a foul.

It's just that Kevin Martin didn't expect that he leaned on him like this, and Leonard shortened the defensive distance directly, and immediately made a fast break with a long-handed steal.

Paul received the ball at the top of the arc, and Vince Carter had already taken off at the free throw line.

boom!
UFO fried frame!

"how so!"

On the coaching bench of the Rockets, coach Kevin McHale spread his hands in confusion, and was extremely speechless about the scene on the court.

Because Yao Ming played such an impressive performance in the last game, he did not win a victory for the Rockets. Instead, his shooting percentage fell because of his physical problems. Kevin McHale accurately analyzed this point.

So from the very beginning of this game, he hoped that Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin could play more proactively after the opening.

As a result, Kevin Martin was abruptly intercepted by Leonard and did not play any role at all.

"That's the difference between Kevin Martin and an All-Star player."

"He can score, and he also played a very good performance in the regular season, but once he reaches the level of the playoffs."

"Kevin Martin's ability is a bit completely inadequate."

Kenny Smith analyzed.

Barkley nodded again and again, agreeing with his old partner very much.

He said: "The Rockets' failure to find a qualified helper for Yao Ming during the off-season is their biggest failure."

"Of course, the Rockets' team salary space is indeed on the verge of triggering the luxury tax, so their general manager Dog Mo did not make very bold operations."

"On the contrary, players like Earl Boykins and Samuel Dalembert were signed sporadically with the veteran's basic salary."

"But Earl Boykins and Samuel Dalembert have played less than 40 games combined this season, and they don't help the Rockets' strength at all."

This is why the Rockets have a very good lineup combination of Kyle Lowry, Kevin Martin, Chandler Parsons, Luis Scola and Yao Ming, but they still can't perform well. .

Because their bench lineup is too hip, most of the time Kevin McHale will send the starter Kyle Lowry or Kevin Martin to lead the team's bench lineup.

The point is, neither of them has reached the strength to lead the substitute players alone.

There is Yao Ming, but Yao Ming cannot be on the court all the time, and his physical problems are also a factor that must not be ignored.

"As a playoff team, the Rockets have too many problems. Such problems doom them to never win the championship."

CCTV commentary desk.

Yu Jia couldn't help complaining: "The owner of the Rockets never thought that the team could win the championship, because it would cost too much money."

"Look at the Heat, Bulls, Bucks and Lakers this season. They burned enough money to sign an All-Star."

"The Rockets won't burn so much money for Yao. They only care about Yao's economic benefits and the Chinese market. As long as the team can make money, that's fine."

Su Qun sighed after hearing this.

In his opinion, Yao Ming may never win the NBA championship, because he knows that the opponent will definitely not force the Rockets, and will definitely not apply for a trade with the team.

"Loyalty is the most special thing about Dayao."

on the field.

Kevin Martin glanced at Leonard, who was waiting in front of him. He had already seen the opponent's strength, and he shook his head again and again, and quickly handed the ball to Kyle Lowry for the opponent to handle.

Kyle Lowry glanced at Chris Paul in front of him, also feeling embarrassed.

因为上一场比赛对方将他全场防得只有12投4中，10分3篮板5助攻。

Regardless of personal defensive experience or organizing teammates to help defend, Paul is a very good player and the absolute leader of the team.

Kyle Lowry frowned solemnly at this time, and he thought to himself: I just want to become an outstanding player like Paul, and now it should be a precious opportunity to be able to play against the opponent and compete in the playoffs , how can one stand still and be afraid?

call!
Facing Paul's defense, Kyle Lowry played very resolutely. He called Yao Ming's pick-and-roll and immediately went inside. Vince Carter from the bottom corner rushed in to help defend.

Kyle Lowry made a solid pass to the open Chandler Parsons, who made a decisive [-]-pointer.

"Chandler Parsons is a good player."

Stevens couldn't help but praise.

Hearing such praise, Li Lai nodded in agreement, and then said with a smile: "It's just a pity, Chandler Parsons came to the NBA just to make money, and he doesn't have a dream."

"Otherwise, the future Rockets can be expected."

Du Feng and Li Lai also had a relaxed mood at this time, he said: "The Rockets cannot rely on Chandler Parsons to compete with us.

"If Yao Ming continues to choose to keep his strength in the first quarter, we can beat them in one quarter at most."

The picture on the court is indeed the same.

Paul and Jordan formed an alley-oop cooperation. The latter blasted the frame vigorously, and then Leonard used a three-pointer and a breakthrough to help the team score consecutive points.

Seeing that the team fell behind by 6 points in just half a quarter, Yao Ming gritted his teeth and decisively terminated Coach Kevin McHale's tactical arrangement, and began to take the ball actively.

Mid-range fadeaway jumper, ground hook under the basket, flexible footwork and layup.
The single game is over.

The Hornets lead 27:25.

The second game.

Hornets regular rotation.

Rockets rotation: point guard Kyle Lowry, shooting guard Kevin Martin, small forward Chase Budinger, power forward Patrick Patterson and center Marcus Camby.

After seeing the Rockets' rotation, Du Feng said a little nervously: "Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin are on the court at the same time."

Du Feng quickly found the pre-game preparation information, and he found that the Rockets had Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin appear on the court 5 times during the regular season.

They are games against the Lakers, Spurs, Heat, Bucks and Bulls.

Stevens looked at Li Lai and reminded, "This should be the Rockets' strongest rotation. They have learned the lessons from the last game, and they will increase the offensive firepower of the rotation in tonight's game."

Stevens is very clear that at this time the Hornets only have two good defenders, Butler and Beverly, and the two also need to undertake very heavy defensive tasks on the court, not just defending against players alone.

But now, with Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin on the floor, and Butler and Beverley have to focus all their energy on defending those two, it's going to be hard for them to play against the rest of the Rockets on the floor. Players assist.

Even if Oden has a very good performance on the defensive end in the game, his problem is very similar to that of DeAndre Jordan, that is, he cannot be defended at all.

So at this time, once the Rockets pick and roll from the outside, the Hornets must use help defense or double-team defense, then the Rockets players on the court will definitely have open shots.

Only Kyle Lowry was on the court in the last game. Butler can still help defend at this time. Now that Kevin Martin is also playing, who else can help the Hornets defend?
Stevens frowned slightly and looked at Li Lai. He really wanted to know what method the other party would use to solve this problem at this time.

"We already have a solution."

Li Lai said calmly.

Stevens and Du Feng frowned at the same time.

They naturally knew that Li Lai had predicted before the game that the Rockets would let Yao Ming minimize his offense in the first quarter of tonight's game, so as to preserve his energy for the crucial decisive moment.

But they never knew when Li Lai gave a way to defend Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin at the same time.

"Does the coach still have any tactical concealment from us?"

At this time, Stevens and Du Feng had such thoughts in their hearts at the same time.

If Tyronn Lue knew about the two people's thoughts, the other party would probably laugh at them for underestimating Li Lai's stomach.

Li Lai reminded: "I said that I will design some offensive tactics for Oden at this time. This is the best tactic to break the Rockets' double perimeter and continue to stay on the court at this time."

"At the same time, Kevin McHale was an undoubted All-Star as a player, but obviously his ability to coach the team is not enough, and it is far worse than Rick Adelman's coach. "

"Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin are on the court at the same time, so even if Yao Ming ends the break and plays again, should the two of them rest?"

"If there is a rest, the Rockets will not be our opponent even if they have Yao Ming. If there is no rest, then tonight's game is just a repeat of the last game."

"Coach Kevin McHale gave Yao Ming enough rest, but at the same time kept Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin in a cycle of physical inadequacy."

"What are they going to fight us with?"

Du Feng nodded repeatedly when he heard this, secretly lucky that he was not on the opposite side of Coach Li Lai, otherwise it would not be enough to be eaten alive by the other party.

Stevens is concerned about the previous matter at this time.

"Why Oden can play offense, and how the Hornets can use offense to counter the Rockets' double perimeter combination."

The game continues.

Kyle Lowry executes the pick-and-roll on the outside, and Oden and Beverly quickly switch defenses.

It's just that while switching defenses, Beverly tried to maintain Kyle Lowry's perimeter defense and didn't follow Marcus Camby into the penalty area as soon as possible.

On the other hand, Oden adopted a defensive strategy of shrinking the inside line. Although Marcus Camby was half a step late to keep up with the opponent, his defensive position was always on Lowry's passing route.

"This defense is very detailed!"

Barkley couldn't help but praise.

Kenny Smith hadn't seen the subtleties of this defense yet, but his old partner Barkley naturally saw his situation, and at the same time, he also knew that the fans on the scene and in front of the TV probably didn't see it either, so he opened his mouth explained.

"The Hornets' defensive strategy is very bold, because even if Oden is half a step too slow, even if he defends the pass line, it is easy for Camby to get a chance for an alley-oop dunk."

"But the details of the Hornets are here, Camby, he is 38 years old, I don't believe he can complete the offensive style of the lob dunk."

"I don't believe it, the Hornets' coaching staff doesn't believe it, all the fans don't believe it, the Rockets coaching staff doesn't believe it, even Lowry doesn't believe it."

"So Lowry will not boldly pass the lob, but at this time the Hornets' defense is not waiting for anyone, because Beverly is about to switch back."

"If Lowry doesn't want to waste this offensive opportunity, the only option at this time is to hit the basket. After all, Beverly is guarding the line and defending. He can't shoot at all."

Kenny Smith suddenly remembered Barkley's analysis of Oden before, and he said in surprise.

"Both Oden and Jr. couldn't defend. Now Lowry has no choice but to go inside. Isn't Oden back in the defensive area he is good at?!"

Barkley nodded solemnly and said: "This is the strength of the Hornets coaching staff."

"No, to be precise, it should be the strength of Coach Li Lai."

"Because this is the defensive coordination that Pippen and Rodman, the Bulls' dynasty, often used, but coach Li Lai obviously made some minor adjustments to it."

"He's the best head coach in the league doing this kind of thing."

Kenny Smith thought of the old iron bucket formation, small ball tactics, zone defense and contraction defense, and he nodded in agreement.

"It's indeed Coach Li Lai's style."

Lowry only ate Oden, he found a support point after changing directions continuously, leaning on Oden to prepare for a layup.

He was bullying Oden, whose knee and ankle were seriously injured, knowing that the opponent couldn't jump up, and planned to use this to complete the offense.

boom!
There was a powerful and heavy slapping sound.

Lowry only felt his scalp go numb and a force hit his arm, and he didn't need to look to know what happened.

"Blocked! Oden blocked again!"

"JR Smith picks up the rebound, and the Hornets make a fast break."

boom!
JR Smith rewarded Jimmy Butler with a one-handed dunk.

After completing this cooperation, the two clapped hands and celebrated in a tacit understanding.

next round.

Kevin Martin's roster hit Butler again caused a foul.

It was the second foul by Kevin Martin in two consecutive games. Jimmy Butler couldn't help shouting on the court: "FXXK!"

Switch offense.

Beverley drives the ball to Diaw, who pulls wide to the three-point line.

JR Smith raised the top of the arc, and Kevin Martin quickly followed.

As a result, what Kevin Martin didn't expect at all was that JR Smith suddenly ran back and got the opportunity to cut into the basket directly, and Dior passed the ball very fast.

Marcus Camby, who had been the best defensive player, had an excellent defensive awareness and immediately put forward to help defend JR Smith.

But at the same time, Oden, the defender behind him, completely missed something.

JR Smith threw the ball into the sky with one hand, but he obviously does not have the passing skills of Paul, and he has not calculated that Oden is completely unable to jump now.

So this pass, a little high!
Oden struggled to jump into the sky and received the pass, but at this time he was unable to complete the alley-oop dunk, so he had to land again and take off for the second time.

Marcus Camby came after him, but it was too late.

"what!!!"

Oden blasted the frame vigorously and at the same time landed frantically to vent his emotions.

Stevens couldn't help laughing at this moment: "JR is a bad thing turned into a good thing. If his pass just now was lower, you wouldn't see the picture of Oden dunking Marcus Camby. "

Du Feng couldn't help but swallowed aside.

"This is Oden. I didn't think he was so powerful before."

CCTV commentary desk.

Yu Jia was about to go crazy, seeing this dunk made his blood boil.

"After a lapse of 748 days, Oden once again completed dunks at the basket. The No. [-] pick who once overwhelmed scoring leader Durant dreamed of returning to the top."

Su Qun said with a smile: "No, no, we have never seen Oden at his peak. This is at best a dream of returning to the NCAA college championship."

Rockets coach.

At this moment, McHale patted himself on the head angrily.

Oden exploded again!
The last game was defense, this game is defense plus offense, where did the Hornets come up with such a strong substitute.

The dynamic talent alone is enough to give McHale a headache. God knows how abnormal this player is when the dynamic talent is not reimbursed.

on the field.

After dunking the basket, Oden was very excited. He pointed at the New Orleans Arena and said solemnly: "I'm back, NBA."

Facing the Hornets, who once again had an offensive advantage, McHale could only replace Yao Ming in advance.

After the latter came on the field, he immediately forced Oden to score with a hook under the basket in singles, and at the same time caused a foul by Oden.

Li Lai smiled lightly.

"McHale is trying to die."

Li Lai immediately called a timeout, Oden was substituted for a rest, Jordan Jr. played, and at the same time, the main players of the Hornets, who had rested for a long time, played one after another.

At the end of the third quarter, the Hornets tied the Rockets 80:80.

But in the fourth quarter, the Rockets' problems reappeared, and this time they were even more serious.

Yao Ming missed the attack, Kyle Lowry hit the iron with a three-pointer, and Kevin Martin made a foul and stood on the free throw line, but it was not enough.

The Hornets won the game 108:101.

"The big score is 2:0!"

"The next game will be in Houston, and we hope the Rockets can pick themselves up as soon as possible."

(End of this chapter)