super small forward

Chapter 429
"Crying Superman."

"The earth is very dangerous. It's all Mr. Z. It's all ruthless people. You'd better go back to your planet and cry."

"We have Whiteside..."

"..."

"..."

Staples Center was full of fans holding signs, all aimed at Howard.

If the record of the Lakers last season did not surpass the Rockets by much, it is hard to say that their team will play better without Howard. Two excellent months, replacing Whiteside with Kobe, who has recovered in the second half of the 12-13 season, may not make any difference to the Lakers' record last season.

But this season is different. The Lakers' record is crushing against the Rockets. The Lakers have the league's No. [-] frontcourt group, and they can proudly mock Howard.

In fact, the ridicule was strong enough last season, but now it can be more unscrupulous.

For Howard, most Lakers players have nothing to like or dislike, so they don't feel much.

Except for Kobe, who held grudges, Gasol, who was pushed to the bench by Howard, and Nash, who couldn't play the pick-and-roll well with Howard, the rest of the Lakers now have a general feeling for Howard, neither like nor hate.

Most of the Lakers players came after Howard left, except for Kobe, Gasol, Nash, Thackeray, and Liu Ren.

Thackeray couldn't even play at the time. He was the last rookie in 12. The internal conflicts in the team had nothing to do with him. Liu Ren was the same, and at the end of the 12-13 season, he used Howard to attract the defense for many games. Data, and then mixed up the tricks, so it's not really annoying.

Counting the memories of Liu Ren's previous life, he can't say how disgusted he is with Howard, but he just doesn't like his attitude towards the game.

But Liu Ren also agrees with Howard...Happiness, people just want to be happy.

The Rockets beat the Lakers, one is the home team of domestic fans, and the other is the most popular team in the country. How could such a game not be broadcast on the court.

The big bald head again: "Welcome everyone to watch today's game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets. I am the guest commentator Yu Jia. Today I am partnering with the famous basketball commentator Mr. Su Qunsu. The Lakers are temporarily ranked in the West First, the Rockets are ranked fourth in the Western Conference. I personally think the difference in strength between the two teams is not as big as the record seems. I think today will be a fierce game. Howard played well in the past few times when he returned to the Staples Center , I would like to ask Teacher Su what's his opinion on today's game?"

"I think the advantage of the Lakers is obvious. First of all, in the home game, Howard's performance is very affected by emotions, and he loves face. I believe everyone knows this. You can see that his mentality has changed since he was smiling all the time today. affected."

"Teacher Su is right," Yu Jia said flatteringly again, "Today the Lakers are all targeting Howard's fans at home. When he entered the arena just now, the audience booed him, but he was still laughing. Obviously, he wanted to prove to the Lakers how happy he was. Then, in terms of strength, Mr. Su analyzed the gap between the two teams, and the record will be so different."

"The main thing I think is the coach. Both teams are led by superstars. The Lakers are Kobe, Liu Ren, and Gasol. The Rockets are Harden and Howard. Of course, the Lakers are better than the Rockets in terms of other stars. The Lakers are too young. There are too many, but I personally think this is not the main reason. If the Rockets were coached by Popovich, the record would definitely not be what it is now. Both the Lakers and the Rockets are teams with a very deep lineup, but the two teams employ completely different people. They are all 10-man rotations. Except for LaVine and Henry who play very little time, everyone else plays a lot. Even Clarkson, a rookie, has started recently. When Nash plays, he can almost have a quarter of playing time. But the Rockets often rotate 8 players, and many players played well in the last game, but they won’t be able to play in the next game.”

"Yes, that's right, so in terms of player strength, what do you think, Mr. Su?"

"The overall strength of the players is undoubtedly stronger on the Lakers side. This is recognized by everyone in the NBA. The Lakers have too many talents. Even the veteran Gasol seems to have a new life this year. Don't look at him. Only averaged 13 points, 7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, but he had nearly 5 assists! And the average playing time was only 23 minutes per game. In terms of winning, he did better than Howard. Howard’s performance against tall centers is a comparison The downturn depends on Harden's performance today, and Harden is the key to determine the Rockets' upper limit."

"Teacher Su's analysis is very reasonable, hey, the competition is about to start, let's focus on the competition first..."

……

……

The atmosphere on the Rockets side is very dignified. They are competing fiercely with the Clippers for the fourth record, and they are at a disadvantage. It is only because the Rockets are No. 4 in the Southwest Division that they stay at No. [-]. The Clippers are very upset about this. Dissatisfied, because the Blazers' record is only the same as that of the Clippers, and the Rockets have one less win than the Clippers.

From the perspective of the Rockets, it is difficult to surpass the Trail Blazers and Warriors. It is basically impossible to surpass the Lakers. Their goal for the remaining 40 regular season games is to keep fourth.

But to keep the fourth is to have the real record fourth, otherwise even if they finally get fourth in the West, but the record is worse than the Clippers, even if the Clippers are No.5, the Clippers still have a home game in the first round of the playoffs Advantage.

The atmosphere on the Lakers side is very relaxed. The Lakers haven't lost against the Rockets in the past two years. They played against the Rockets at the beginning of the season. Whiteside's defensive advantage against Howard is too obvious. Tonnage and nimble footwork make Howard impossible to defend.

The game was about to start. Kobe stood up and said to his teammates who paid little attention to this game: "Today's game is very important. The Rockets are likely to be our opponents in the second round of the playoffs."

Kobe stopped talking and looked at the teammates in front of him. These young players were very relaxed.

Obviously the Lakers players are proud again.

Kobe continued: "I know, what you think is that the Rockets' record is only fifth in the West, and the fourth is just luck to take advantage of the first place in the division. Maybe the Spurs and Pelicans catch up and they will fall to sixth. Seven."

The Lakers players are listening to Kobe, and Kobe really spoke to their hearts. In their view, the Rockets have only two endings, because the Trail Blazers and Warriors are better than them. They either meet the Clippers in fourth place, or they fall. .

Play the Clippers, just the Rockets... Lakers players think it's fun to think about it. The Rockets have been abused by the Clippers twice this year.

At this moment, Kobe changed his expression, instead of being so gentle, he looked ferocious: "Now listen to me, you little bastards! Who the hell isn't trying to get the opponent down in this game, just give it to me!" Get out! I'll let him be traded away tomorrow! Hassan, prevent Howard from dying!"

This group of young people originally thought that Kobe was just trying to preach to them not to be careless, but they were startled by Kobe's sudden yell.

Depend on!Kobe still remembers his feud with Howard!
"As ordered!"

The Lakers players hurriedly warmed up, looking for the feel of shooting.

Liu Ren let the trainer with the team do stretching for himself, and at the same time looked at the ball-handling points with Nash, Green, Gasol, Antetokounmpo, and Clarkson, as well as head coach D'Antoni and assistant coach Bixta Kobe, who discussed the game with his husband, felt that he should be careful to be watched by petty eyes!

Liu Ren has seen how much vengeance Kobe has. Liu Ren has seen it many times, but this time Kobe actually still remembers the vendetta that has lasted for nearly two years so clearly. It seems that he can't continue to offend for the time being!
Kobe's roar was successful. Liu Ren saw the changes in his teammates. If the teammates before this were like a group of hooligans who hadn't stolen anything for a long time, now they are a group of brutal and vicious bandits...

The non-organized players are also discussing something here.

"Robert, Hassan, kill that happy crybaby in a moment!" Nick Young said.

If there is anyone who hates Howard the most among the players who joined the Lakers after Howard left in 13, it must be Nick Young, Clarkson, McCollum, Henry, and LaVine, who grew up watching Kobe Bryant. .

Unlike Liu Ren, they have not received any kindness or glory from Howard. They returned to the Lakers because Howard left and the team was about to collapse.

Now these people are playing much better than when Howard was there, and they can vent their displeasure with Howard wantonly.

However, Nick Young has been unlucky recently. He injured his elbow during the rest of the first two days, and even fractured his bone. He has to rest for nearly a month.

Fortunately, the Lakers now have Korver, so Nick Young can rest during the regular season.

Everyone knows that Nick Young is a player with a big heart in the playoffs, and it is very important to the Lakers' road to championship, so he put on a plaster bandage directly.

"Damn Howard! Come on, our All-Star starter Robert!" Others also shouted, cheering for Whiteside and Thackeray.

Gasol must not be able to guard Howard, and Green is too short, and Thackeray and Whiteside, who are taller and tonnier, must deal with Howard.

Thackeray looked at the group of teammates with grief and indignation, and nodded.

When it comes to the All-Star starter, Thackeray is heartbroken!

Last season, he was selected as the All-Star starter, and Howard was squeezed into the bench. Howard hated him to the core. Every time he met Howard, he would go crazy...

"I'm not Hassan, who can kill me, which star insider in the west will go crazy when he sees me..." Thackeray was so tired...

……

The happy Howard is chatting with McHale in a happy and happy manner. He doesn't want to show his displeasure in front of the Lakers fans and the team he hates the most, and wants to prove how happy he is in the Rockets.

Howard attaches great importance to this game against the Lakers. Whoever loses can't lose to the Lakers, and he must avenge all his previous revenge!That was the only thing happy Howard cared about, and for the rest, just being happy.

Beating Gasol, Whiteside, and Thackeray is Howard's goal today.

Since he didn't make the All-Star last season, his hatred for the Lakers has deepened. At this point, he hated Thackeray, and then he was repeatedly grabbed by Whiteside, an "abandoned child" in the NBA. , he hated Whiteside again, and then Gasol was extremely efficient this season, ranking first in the interior, higher than Anthony Davis, and people often say that Howard is not as good as Gasol, so he hated it again gasol...

Suddenly Howard sneezed, and McHale asked concerned: "Are you cold?"

"It's okay, but the nose is a little itchy." Howard thought to himself who is speaking ill of me behind my back?

Howard's perception of himself is still the super center that surpasses other centers in the league...

……

……

Soon, the game begins.

jump ball!

The jump ball is a very miserable thing for the Lakers this season. Gasol's efficiency is high. After all, he will play the league's first center in the Bulls this season, and he will also be selected as the All-Star starter, the best team, etc. honor.

But his jumping ball is really mediocre. Except for opponents who are also not good at jumping, he can win by relying on his wingspan.

The Lakers did not struggle, Howard won the jump ball, and the Rockets attacked first.

Lakers starters: Jeremy Lin, Kobe Bryant, Liu Ren, Green, Gasol.

Playing Beverly, a point guard at the All-Defensive Team level, D'Antoni felt that it would be safer to use Jeremy Lin.

This is what he said to the outside world. In fact, although D'Antoni promoted Clarkson as the starter, he still took care of Jeremy Lin. At the same time, he regretted that Jeremy Lin could no longer reach his original peak.

This time against the Rockets, against the team that sent Jeremy Lin away with an almost humiliating trade, D'Antoni still wanted to give Jeremy Lin a chance to take revenge on the Rockets.

Rockets starting: Beverly, Harden, Ariza, Jones, Howard.

After the Rockets won the jump ball, Beverly advanced with the ball. Howard came to the three-point line as a screen, and then went down. Beverly used the screen to kill the inside.

Green had to come out to delay, Jones took advantage of the situation and cut into a reasonable collision zone, Beverly passed the ball to Jones, Jeremy Lin rushed towards the ball, and the ball flew, unexpectedly, it happened to hit Howard who was running inside after the pick-and-roll, Howard Quickly pick up the ball.

Jeremy Lin almost broke the ball, which was the time difference. Gasol immediately pounced on Howard, raised his hands high, and wanted to use his height and long arms to interfere with Howard.

But Howard didn't use any skills at all, and directly hit Gasol's chest with the impact of rushing into the paint, pushed Gasol away, pulled the green onion from the dry land, and smashed the ball into the basket.

Gasol is still a little miserable against Howard's type of players. Howard is not at all cowardly when he stands up and fights him, but he can't defend against Howard when he rushes.

Although Howard's explosive power is not as good as before, his rough technique is still rough, but as long as he rushes up and hits in, he can directly put the basket or make a small throw or even dunk. As long as he hits enough, he will directly dunk.

Gasol spread his hands to Bickerstaff and D'Antoni on the sidelines, saying he had no choice.

Gasol is not a face-saving person at this age. He wants to help Kobe deal with Howard now. Since he can't defend himself, he should tell the coach directly.

Even if it is Thackeray, Howard may not be able to play. He can only rely on cooperation with his teammates or a second attack. The last thing Howard can do in singles is a big center with height and tonnage.

In terms of tonnage, Gasol is getting worse every year. As he grows older, he needs to lose more weight to maintain flexibility. Just like Duncan, his assisted defense is still excellent, and his single defense is much worse.

Taking advantage of this wonderful slam dunk replay, Su Qun explained the Rockets' goal: "This ball is also considered luck. Howard just picked it up, but today the Lakers' inside starter is also a problem. If it is Whiteside, Howard still I will be afraid of the opponent's explosive power, but Gasol and Howard don't have any worries. As long as they hit it, they can directly dunk. Although the rest of the Rockets seem to be running around, they are actually defending Howard. The pressure... Heh, the new and old No. [-] shooting guards are facing each other, wow, Kobe plus one..."

Kobe blew on the "gun" in his hand, full of arrogance. The fans at the scene were silent because of Howard's dunk, but now they began to cheer loudly.

The slow motion is replaying the shot of Kobe's low singles Harden hitting and causing a foul.

After Howard scored, the slow motion was replaying, but the replay returned to the replay, the game was not dead, and it was still going on. When Su Qun explained the offense, the Lakers quickly counterattacked and played the transition. The Rockets returned to defense in time, but the defense Kobe's people changed from Beverly to Harden.

Kobe holds the ball in the low post to the left of the rim, with his back against Harden.

Harden deserves to be a player with the strength to compete for the first shooting guard. He is very good in strength. He was able to resist Kobe's back impact, only retreated a little, and immediately pushed back.

Kobe has known for a long time that Harden is strong. After losing weight, Kobe’s strength is not necessarily Harden’s opponent. However, Kobe is a skilled player, and his back-to-back technology is second to none. Shoulder, a forceful movement of turning to the left.

Seeing this, Harden immediately wanted to move his footsteps, but Harden immediately took it back. He didn't believe that Kobe turned around so directly, it must be a fake move!
But Kobe just turned around and cut it!

Harden hurriedly blocked it.

The young man's footsteps were much faster than Kobe's, blocking Kobe, but Kobe had already stepped into the three-second zone with half of his foot.

Kobe turned his back on Harden again, and turned to the baseline again.

This time Harden immediately moved his footsteps to follow, but Kobe really made a fake move this time, and immediately retracted his body, turning over and throwing a jumper!

Seeing this, Harden screamed inwardly, jumped up and stretched out his hand to interfere, but only touched Kobe's elbow, the ball fell steadily into the basket, and the referee whistle immediately sounded, 2+1!

Liu Ren saw Kobe playing Harden in a low position, and his eyes were so greedy. This thing looks simple, but there are really few people who can use it so easily.

Kobe made a free throw and the Lakers led 3-2.

(End of this chapter)