Healing Basketball

Chapter 162 162. Anthony the Sweet Yuppie
"...the Spurs are 32-14, which is not far behind us.

We still have 5 games before the All-Star Weekend. Although they are all home games, the opponents are very strong!

Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers, Jazz, Timberwolves... Grass...

What did that voice mean?Uh...grass, is a plant...

Don't pay attention to these details. The Spurs and Timberwolves will play against each other the day after tomorrow, which is very good for us to maintain the second place in the West.

They're both going to play the Pistons... Actually, I could be a Pistons fan.

Next, the Nuggets, Clippers, and Jazz, we must win these three games, and the Lakers and Timberwolves, we also have to win the next game to be safe, and it is best to win the Timberwolves..."

Maurice Cheeks was surprised and moved when he heard Liu Xiu analyze the next 5 games for his teammates.

Of course he understood what the players were talking about—the competition for the Western All-Star head coach!
This topic was also in the news this morning, but it wasn't the hot news, but Maurice Cheeks saw that news.

Because he became one of the three favorites for the Western All-Star head coach!

Last year's Western All-Star coach was Adelman of the Kings. The All-Star coach cannot be re-elected. Currently, the Kings rank first in the league with 36 wins and 9 losses. It is unlikely that they will be surpassed before the All-Star Weekend. At the end, whichever team ranks second in the West, the head coach of that team will become the Western All-Star head coach.

The All-Star head coach really doesn't care much about fans and the media.

But as a head coach, he must be very concerned.

This is something that cannot be met.

But Maurice Cheeks didn't expect the players to be so concerned about this matter...

On the other side, the warden and his inmates didn't know why, when someone brought up this matter, everyone gathered in the arena to discuss it.

It may be that they haven't done anything related to the team for too long. When the "Rose Bay Seven" formed a group, the Trail Blazers will be extra active whenever they encounter something that requires teamwork.

For example, working hard to create better conditions for Liu Xiu to hit the All-Star starter, such as playing against the Wizards to help Randolph soar points... For example, now, everyone wants to help the head coach compete for the All-Star position on the sidelines!
……

……

Being in the Denver gang, the cool and elegant image of the third talent show Carmelo Anthony was gradually invaded by gangsters and tainted with ruffianism.

In addition, Anthony's appearance is not bad, and the female fans gave him the nickname of "melon".

He gets comments from his best friends - as sweet as a yuppie.

Anthony also learned a self-introduction in Chinese-Hello, I am Carmelo Anthony who is so sweet and yuppie.

After entering the NBA, Anthony's temperament has become more prominent.

It's not that he has become more ruthless and capable of fighting, on the contrary, he doesn't fight now unless necessary.

He can laugh off a lot of things.

Anthony himself can feel the changes after he stepped into the society for half a year. He thinks he is more mature.

Until, I saw this man again - Liu Xiu, the warden!

At dinner last night, this guy was all about the All-Stars.

Absolutely not because he couldn't beat him, but because he was a guest at this guy's house, so he didn't beat him!
It is impossible to fight, so see the truth on the court!
A new month has arrived. At 2:1 p.m. on February 7st, the Trail Blazers played against the Nuggets at home.

The Nuggets have played 47 games, and their current record is 28 wins and 19 losses, beating the Rockets to rank eighth in the West.

On the opposite side, there are Nene, Camby, Chris Anderson, Francisco Elson... such opponents, the Trail Blazers will not be careless.

In order to deal with Andre Miller's big ass, Maurice Cheeks arranged for Liu Xiu to start tonight.

Speaking of which, as a team's substitute, Liu Xiu won the All-Star vote... This is even more special than when another player with the [-]th overall pick in the first round was selected as the All-Star starter as a substitute.

Maurice Cheeks made the right choice. In the first quarter, Liu Xiu restricted Andre Miller to 2-of-0 shooting and scored 2 points only by free throws.

The Nuggets, who have a great touch tonight, also scored 28 points in a single quarter because Andre Miller did not attract pincers during the back-up stage.

The reason why 28 points is not particularly high is because the Trail Blazers scored 32 points in a single quarter in the first quarter!
Liu Xiu made 5 of 2 shots in the first quarter, and all 5 shots were outside the three-point line. Given the opportunity, he shot decisively. He shot 40% of the three-pointers, which is very good. He played 9 minutes and scored 6 points and 2 assists. .

Flying Squirrel, who played in the second half of the first quarter, also scored a three-pointer, with a 2-of-1 three-point shooting performance.

The two brothers made a total of 7 of 3 shots from the outside with excellent outside shooting performance, which opened up the space very well.

加上兰多夫的7分4板、天尊的6分1助攻……开拓者队首节一共上场8人，全部都有得分！

Unlike the previous matches, this time, the Nuggets did not explode because they started so well and fell behind, nor did they make adjustments in a panic.

In the second quarter, the Nuggets steadily implemented their established tactics and actively made adjustments. While scoring 25 points in the second quarter, they limited the Trail Blazers to only 23 points!
After halftime, the Nuggets chased the score to 53 to 55, with only 2 points left.

In the first quarter, the Trail Blazers relied on a three-pointer that could open up space, and forced the Nuggets, who were in excellent form tonight.

但第二节刘秀2次三分出手全部铁了，首节打了9分钟5中2的三分，变成了半场打了15分钟三分7中2……

Of course, after Liu Xiu missed two consecutive three-pointers, he actively adjusted his play style. When he was off the ball, he looked more for cuts and flanks to help with pick-and-rolls and transfer passes, instead of shooting from the outside all the time.

But this only circumvents the problem of whether he should shoot when he has a three-point opportunity. He enters the inside, and the outside containment effect is gone.

The Trail Blazers scored in the second quarter. In fact, there were fewer outside shots. The Nuggets' strategy was to strengthen the confrontation and then shrink the defense to hit the track and field. The Trail Blazers reduced the outside shots and naturally fell into the Nuggets' Defensive traps.

……

During the intermission, the Blazers, the coaching staff and the players were very stable. They were still leading, but the lead was narrowed in the second quarter.

After completing the adjustments, the Trail Blazers returned to the court.

The warden, Kobe Terminator, outlaw lunatic, butcher, and Tianzun who are about to play are all very excited when they look at the young stars who are about to play on the opposite side.

After they played against the Nuggets before, they were sure that this team had talent not weaker than theirs, but at that time the team's running-in and experience were far inferior to their Trail Blazers.

And such a team, if they really improve, they must improve faster than their Trail Blazers, which have shown good strength at the beginning of the season.

Tonight's game is very difficult to play, much more difficult than the last match.

Winning and losing, they are completely unsure now.

But that's called a game!
Nuggets' upcoming lineup: Andre Miller, Voshan Leonard, Anthony, Chris Anderson, Nene.

The Nuggets players were also extremely excited.

The relationship between the two teams is good, and when they start the game, their thoughts are purer - they just want to win!

Although the players on both sides are under a lot of pressure at this moment, they all enjoy the game.

Soon, the second half of the game began.

The Trail Blazers have made a lot of tactical adjustments.

Enhanced the protection of defensive rebounds, increase the rush of offensive rebounds, and more actively use the opportunities of medium and long distances.

As the Trail Blazers thought during the halftime break, the opponent did focus on the defensive strategy of strengthening confrontation and actively shrinking.

The Blazers could take advantage of those long-range opportunities, and they did.

But they have a lot of offensive rebounds... which means that their mid-range shots are really iron!
In competitions, it doesn't mean that if you think of a way and have the ability to execute it, you will definitely be able to play well.

Throughout the third quarter, the Trail Blazers had an absolute advantage in terms of shots and rebounds.

The Nuggets, who got 23 rebounds in the first half, only had 7 rebounds in the third quarter!The Trail Blazers had 15 rebounds in a single quarter, more than double that of the Nuggets.

But in this quarter, the Trail Blazers made 21 of 6 shots, plus a lot of free throws caused by offensive rebounds and fouls, and only scored 22 points.

You know, if a foul is caused, if no goal is scored, free throws are not counted into the number of shots.

掘金队只有17次成功出手，17投10中，其中三分球5中3，加上5中4的罚球，单节拿到27分！
After three quarters, the Nuggets overtook the Trail Blazers 80 to 77 and entered the final quarter by 3 points!
Liu Xiu felt what is called 'we didn't do anything wrong but we lost', but they didn't lose yet, they didn't give up.

The situation encountered tonight is no more difficult than the iron-blooded battle between the Jazz and Grizzlies. It is not a setback, but it is not going well.

During the break during the festival, Liu Xiu actively discussed with the coaching staff.

There is one point that Liu Xiu agrees with the coach and the chief assistant coach-the outside shot must not be missed. Players who have the opportunity and the opportunity have the ability to shoot must shoot.

Just trying to find a way to get closer to the basket.

The chief assistant of a steady tactician, the immature warden, and the bold coach all came up with an idea...

……

The final game has begun.

The lineup sent by the Trail Blazers: Little Flying Squirrel, Liu Xiu, Ruben Patterson, Randolph, Tianzun.

The lineup sent by the Nuggets: Earl Boykins, Voshan Leonard, Anthony, Nene, Francisco Elson.

The Trail Blazers took the lead.

Liu Xiu hit Voshan Leonard in the low post.

Liu Xiu is a little short in height, but Liu Xiu has to grow a section in his wingspan. His strength has an absolute advantage, and he can't beat the board and hit the throw!
Played very decisively.

Then, Boykins missed a throw in the singles against the flying squirrel.

When the Trail Blazers attacked, Liu Xiu still sat down and played in the low post.

The Nuggets flanked Liu Xiu, but on the basis of maintaining the interference of Liu Xiu's ball space, Liu Xiu made a decisive decision, turned left and wiped the board to shoot... Go in again!
Randolph + Miller's double-back bonus. Although Voshan Leonard was the starting shooting guard of the Jagged Heat back then and had an excellent defense, Liu Xiu was hard-pressed one-on-one.

81 to 80, the Trail Blazers lead by 1 point!
Liu Xiu's resolute and decisive style of play was beyond the Nuggets' expectations.

Liu Xiu's spirit and physical condition at the end of the quarter were also beyond the Nuggets' expectations.

But the Nuggets are not in chaos. Anthony singles Kobe's Terminator, singles with a step-back and hits a two-pointer, stabilizing the situation!
Unlike Liu Xiu, who deserves to be the No.13 pick, Anthony performed well tonight, shooting more than [-]% from the field, and is the backbone of the Nuggets.

When it came time for the Trail Blazers to attack, Liu Xiu chiseled for two rounds. It was time to slow down and it was Randolph's turn to play back.

Just now the Nuggets wanted to free up Ruben Patterson, who came to the area one step outside the free throw line, to flank Liu Xiu, but because of tactical problems, there was no flank, and he was beaten twice in a row.

Now Randolph, who is more powerful in the low post, is here, and the Nuggets chose to attack!
With the same technical level, the threat of post-up play inside is definitely better than outside play.

Randolph was flanked, and Liu Xiu took the opportunity to use Tianzun's pick-and-roll on the left side of the three-second zone to get to the free throw line. In the middle, the catch of the rhythm is adjusted by half a step, and the long two-point shot is shot when the ball is lifted...

in!

Perimeter shooting is finally here!

As soon as the feel is opened, it is like a spark that ignites the withered grass in the cold winter, and the feel of the Trail Blazers gradually warms up.

However, the Nuggets have been in good shape tonight, scoring at least 25 points in a single quarter in the first three quarters.

The Trail Blazers felt warm, and they only played a performance that could compete with the Nuggets.

But this is already awesome!

In the live broadcast of TNT Sports, Kenny Smith strongly praised the resilience of the Trail Blazers, as well as positive and effective adjustments, as well as patience and persistence.

Barkley still chose to hate Liu Xiu.

Kenny-Smith asked: "Charles, aren't you a big Warden fan? I heard you also ordered a suit of the same style that he will wear at the All-Star weekend."

Barkley was not angry, and replied: "The loyal fans will point out what he has done badly."

"..."

On the court, the Trail Blazers and the Nuggets started a tug-of-war between you and me.

At this time, looking back at the performance of the Trail Blazers in the third quarter, I found that it was not so unbearable.

At least by relying on offensive rebounds and free throws, the score was supported, but it was overtaken, not opened up.

This is the current tug of war.

At 9 minutes and 11 seconds into the final quarter of the game, the Trail Blazers launched a wave of onslaught.

兰多夫背打2+1、刘秀反击上篮得手，接下来替换迈尔斯上场的法外狂徒还进了一个漂亮的补扣，三人合力打出一波7比2，率领开拓者队以101比99反超掘金队2分！
The Nuggets need to stabilize, who will stand up...

It's him, it's him, it's him!
Anthony made a three-pointer with a defensive step against the outlaw lunatic and smiled... so sweet!
(End of this chapter)