The way of the center

Chapter 687 Goodbye, Old Man

When the Trail Blazers lost a home game to San Antonio, no one thought they would return to Portland with a 3-1 score.What these guys have done in San Antonio has been almost miraculous.

Although the total score, the Trail Blazers lead by a large margin.But in fact, every game is not easy for An Jie and the others.

Ricard is very happy now, not only because they are about to reach the finals for the second consecutive year, but also because through the experience of this high-level competition, the Blazers will definitely play better in the finals!

If the Trail Blazers can still win the championship this year, they really have to thank the Spurs.For two consecutive years, the Spurs helped the Blazers complete their final training.In this last game, I don't know what kind of state the Spurs will respond to.

Are they absent-minded and just give up?Or the resistance to the end.Either way, the Blazers will play the way they always have.

The Western Conference Finals, today, let the Trail Blazers end it all at the Moda Center!

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Popovich brought the Spurs to the Moda Center for practice early today. No matter what the result is, Popovich must give it a go.What if, just in case, the Spurs really completed a 3-1 reversal?The San Antonio Spurs are a legendary team, and they are capable of accomplishing the impossible.

So today, the Spurs did not break the pot as people imagined.Instead, he started practicing early, eager to play the best level in the evening game.

Duncan kept practicing back-up singles under the trainer holding the mat. Seeing that the 38-year-old "old" Duncan was still working so hard, the rest of the Spurs did not dare to be lazy.

Isn't Duncan tired?He certainly gets tired more easily than a young man!But for this team, and to set an example for his teammates, Duncan had to do this.

Later, during shooting practice, Duncan's training vest was soaked.Looking around, no player sweats more than him.

Popovich didn't stop Duncan from acting like this, but there was one person who couldn't stand it anymore.

Just as Duncan was about to shoot the ball again, he found that he hardly had the strength to jump up again.

"Go and take a rest, Tim." Suddenly, such a voice came from the basketball court.

Players, look at me and I look at you, all looking for the owner of this voice.

"You are too tired, take a rest, we have to play the game tonight?" Leonard walked out from the crowd and stood in front of Duncan.

Everyone was very surprised. On weekdays, Leonard is simply a replica of Duncan.He didn't talk much, and even his "facial paralysis" expression was exactly the same as Duncan's.But today, this taciturn guy actually took the initiative to stand up and persuade Duncan to rest.It's simply too far to hit the west side!
"I'll take everyone to shoot together. Don't worry, we won't be lazy." Leonard patted Duncan on the shoulder, and Popovich smiled quietly when he saw this scene.

Although this season, the Spurs are likely to be about to fail.But at least now, Popovich sees the future of the Spurs!
Meanwhile at the home team's training ground, Ricard has less to worry about.Because the present and future of the Trail Blazers are training vigorously in front of me.

An Jie is also a leader who likes to use actions to drive his teammates, but unlike Duncan and Leonard, An Jie also likes to use words to communicate with his teammates.

The Trail Blazers training ground is always full of shouting, and Anjie always makes fun of his teammates from time to time to relax the training atmosphere.

In this way, the quality of the players' training has improved, and they will not feel too tired.

Looking at the fake championship pennant hanging on the training ground, Rickard thought, maybe this time next year, there will be two pennants hanging on it.

The training time always passed quickly, and after An Jie relaxedly accepted a massage therapy, tonight's game was about to officially start.

The Moda Center was once again sold out, and all Portland fans wanted to see their team reach the Finals.

When the players entered, they were completely submerged in a sea of ​​red.Every Trail Blazers fan was wearing an official red T-shirt, and the scene looked spectacular.

But the players on the court have no hesitation. No matter how exaggerated the outside scene is, their hearts can only be placed in the 436-square-meter basketball court in the center of the arena.

Wu Hua got his camera ready, he couldn't wait to witness An Jie bring the team to a higher level.

"Let's go! An Jie!" Wu Hua secretly encouraged his friend in his heart, and Wu Hua would help him keep every wonderful scene of An Jie on the court.Now, all it takes is victory to embellish these wonderful and colorful photos!

At the beginning of the game, Leonard played very aggressively.This guy may really realize that he can no longer continue to play under the protection of GDP.Now he must stand up by himself instead of waiting for the old GDP to solve the problem.

Facts have proved that Leonard's sudden attack caught the Trail Blazers by surprise.Iguodala found that it was difficult for him to limit the scoring pace of this young forward.

Leonard's perfect physical condition and high basketball IQ make him shine in front of the small forwards selected to the defensive first team this year.

But soon, Ricard adjusted his defensive strategy, and Anjie began to worry more about Leonard.

While Leonard was disrupting the Blazers' defense, Duncan, an old guy, suddenly stood up.

In the first few games, Duncan, who was guarded by Anjie without any performance, scored several consecutive points while Anjie focused on Leonard.

The old and new core of the Spurs teamed up to make this game unexpectedly fierce.

If it weren't for the Trail Blazers' offense still maintaining a high level, it is possible that the Spurs are now leading at halftime.

56 to 58, the Trail Blazers, who had the home court advantage, could only enter the second half with a weak two-point advantage.

"You have all seen it! The Spurs are not here to surrender! They are still fighting, so we will fight them to the end! That kid Leonard is very smart, but he still lacks some experience. In the second half of the game, we can Set up a lot of defensive traps for him." Ricard said, and began to draw and draw on the whiteboard with a marker.Every one of the players below took it very seriously. Compared to the fans, they wanted to end the battle earlier!

In the second half, the two sides changed sides and fought again.As soon as Leonard came up, he found that his offense seemed to be in some trouble.

As soon as he breaks through, he will immediately fall into the encirclement of the Trail Blazers players.After being forced to stop, Leonard had neither a good chance to pass the ball nor room to attack the frame.I have to admit that the Blazers' defensive system is really mature, and the tacit understanding between players is also very good.

Leonard tried several times, but failed to score.For the third time, when Leonard's pass was finally copied by Lillard, Popovich knew that Leonard's point, at least for the time being, could no longer be used. .

"Huh, I'll score for him!" Just when Popovich was at a loss, Duncan, who was resting on the bench, took the initiative to ask for a fight.

In the first half of the game, Duncan, who has already played well, is now quite confident in himself.Seeing that the score was likely to be opened again, Popovich waved his hand and asked Duncan to go to the technical table to prepare!

Anjie's block knocked Tony Parker to the ground even with the ball. Boris Dior wanted to go forward to help his French compatriot Parker, but when he saw Anjie's killing eyes , Dior immediately gave up this plan.

An Jie didn't argue with the referee, but raised his left hand, indicating that it was indeed his foul.An Jie had to do this for this ball, and he didn't feel any shame.

Taking advantage of this dead ball opportunity, Duncan went into battle again.Everyone knows that Duncan came on the court to help Leonard continue to score.

Facts have proved that entering Duncan feels really good.Under Anjie's tight defense, he can make repeated hooks or shots.

Anjie's defense is no worse than the previous few games. It can only be said that today Duncan dreamed of returning to five years ago.

On the offensive end, Duncan can rely on touch to score.But on the defensive end, Duncan still had nothing to do with Anjie.

In terms of strength, in fact, Anjie can't take much advantage of Duncan.The key is that An Jie not only knows how to push back, but also has rich offensive methods, which makes it hard for old players like Duncan to guard against.

All kinds of dazzling footsteps won screams from the stands and commentary area.

When David Robinson was beaten by Olajuwon, he might feel the same as Duncan now.

Just when the Spurs were falling into the abyss step by step, and when the Trail Blazers were about to take full control of the game, Manu Ginobili, the "demon knife" who became less stable as he got older, suddenly broke out.

Ginobili first made consecutive hits from outside the three-point line. When Matthews wanted to block his three-point shot, Ginobili made a breakthrough with fake moves all over his body, which made Matthews lose his temper. .

Today, the Spurs have brought enough surprises to the Blazers.But surprises can only last for a while.Only long-term and stable performance can you have the last laugh.Today, the person with the most stable performance is undoubtedly An Jie.

The guy's performance has barely fluctuated since he started playing.Anjie can score all the goals that should be scored, and Anjie will not let go of any ball that should be defended.

This guy is like a clockwork machine, always able to execute all instructions accurately.

The score has been very anxious, but when Manu Ginobili, Duncan, Parker and Leonard collectively misfired, Angie was still continuing his scoring momentum.

Perhaps, this is the reason why the Trail Blazers were able to advance.They have a leader who can dominate the team at any time!

In the last 34 seconds of the game, Leonard made a layup.Iguodala was almost worn down by Leonard at this time, and he couldn't keep up with the young forward.

However, just when Leonard was about to score this crucial goal.But a pair of big hands slapped him from behind, pressing the basketball firmly against the backboard!

An Jie's long arms and big hands helped him at this moment. Although Leonard's wingspan was also very exaggerated, An Jie still won the victory one step ahead.

After the block was blocked, Anjie hit the ground and made a pass.The basketball bounced through the crowd and into Lillard's hands.

Parker, who has been by Lillard's side all the time, did not expect Anjie to deliver the ball accurately like this. He failed to steal the ball, and he could only watch Lillard continue to accelerate, throw himself away, and then fly and dunk. .

"Oh my god, a ground-up pass all the way through the court! You know what? Seeing this pass, it reminds me of a lot of people's names. Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Rajon . Rondo, Jason Williams but definitely, definitely not any big man's name will come to my mind. Ann, now that changes all. We will discuss the best passer in NBA history in the future Anjie will definitely not be missing when there are people in the game!" Kenny Smith was quite frightened by the pass just now, and after that goal was scored, the point difference was also widened to six points.Now, the hopes of the Spurs are completely shattered.

After Leonard's desperate long-range three-pointer, the red light on the backboard flashed, and the entire Moda Center was like an earthquake.

The fans are running and jumping, their team has once again reached the finals where they can touch the O'Brien Cup!
"It's fucking crazy. It would be great if we were the winners." Parker looked around. This scene reminded him of the ATT Center.

Where is Duncan?Duncan wasn't with the Spurs players.Because as soon as the game was over, An Jie went to talk to Duncan for a hug.

"I admire you Tim very much, you are really great. After this series, I finally understand why the fans love you so much!" Anjie's respect for Duncan cannot be diluted even if it is a victory.

"I also respect you, Ann. You let me see what the greatest player on the planet is like. Hey, don't be proud, there is still a strong enemy waiting for you." Duncan patted An Jie on the shoulder, Even after losing, Duncan's emotions didn't seem to be much turbulent.Perhaps, this is the demeanor of a general.

"Come on, Tim, I hope this will be a memory for both of us forever!" Anjie said, taking off his jersey.Obviously, he wanted to trade with Duncan.

Without hesitation, Duncan quickly took off the black jersey and put it in An Jie's hands. "You beat us again, boy. But next time, our new leader might not let that happen!"

As he spoke, Duncan pointed his finger at Leonard, whose eyes were dull because he was eliminated.

"That kid may be a very strong opponent, but it will take a few more years! Don't worry Tim, I'll take care of all the championships in these years!"

Duncan's heart suddenly trembled, An Jie seems to never speak big words.
A great rivalry made for a great series.What kind of performance will the Trail Blazers show in the finals after being honed by the Spurs?

Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers, no matter who can reach the finals, they will be unlucky!Because the current defending champion is even stronger than last year!

(End of this chapter)