basketball player

Chapter 241 239: The Forgotten Player
In December 2005, Artesia High had just lost its first game of the season.On the plane flying back to California, Artesia High School basketball coach Scott Pera walked along the aisle of the plane, looking for his talented but shy little star—James Harden.

"We can't win unless you start taking more shots in the game." The coach told the young player that he needed him to score, he needed him to dominate the game, and he needed him to end the opponent.

It seems that from that day on, scoring shots and dominating the game has become what Harden does every ball.With this belief, Harden began to emerge in college, and he became one of the greatest basketball players in Arizona State University history.In his sophomore season, Harden's averages per game became 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists, and his shooting percentage reached 50%! After 1995, only five college players had this kind of all-around stats, including greats like Dwyane Wade and Brandon Roy.

The belief in scoring and dominating the game allowed him to successfully enter the NBA, and he is still a third-ranked show.This belief allowed him to win the best sixth man of the season and reach the finals with the team.

Whenever the team is in trouble, Harden will think of those words that Scott Pera said to himself on the plane in December 2005.

Just like now, Scott Brooks walked up to Harden and patted him on the shoulder, "It's up to you, James."

"James Harden is on the field. He replaced Sefoloza. Coach Brooks needs stronger offensive firepower! There is no doubt that Harden can meet his tactical needs!"

After the timeout ended, the camera gave a close-up of Harden playing.This high-profile sixth man of the year was a key reason why the Thunder were able to eliminate the Spurs in the last round of the series.Especially his finishing ability in the fourth quarter allowed the Thunder to win a lot of 55-off shots.

Although Harden plays shooting guard on the court, if Harden is on the court, he will take care of the ball handling.This time is no exception. Harden confidently controlled the ball through the half court. With him, the Thunder's offensive organization ability will be better.After all, Westbrook is a guard who only has eyes for the basket.And James Harden, he didn't want to be just a shooter since high school.

Harden stopped outside the three-point line and passed the ball to Durant who ran out of space.Durant didn't take the shot because Green was still closing in on him.Four minutes before this, Durant had missed several shots.If it was Westbrook, he certainly wouldn't care how many opportunities he wasted, but Durant is different.

So this small forward, who had the same high center of gravity as George and hadn't fully formed his dribble, stopped himself.He is waiting, waiting for James Harden to run out of opportunities!

James Harden is an all-round scorer, he can break through with the ball by himself, and he can also attack without the ball.But today, Harden found that it is not easy for him to get a gap.

Facing the San Antonio Spurs, he might be able to throw off the aging Manu Ginobili with a simple back run.After all, Popovich focused his defense on Durant and Westbrook, and Harden encountered little obstacles.

But in Indianapolis, Harden's backrun didn't help.

Eventually, he had to play an off-ball screen with Perkins.Although Perkins is about the same height as Horford, he is very strong and is a very good pick-and-roll player.

George was stopped by Perkins, but instead of chasing Harden, he ran straight to Westbrook.Because of Chris Paul, he has already completed the supplementary defense for George!
What is the key defensive object?It will not let you get a gap all the time, this is called the key defensive target!

"Damn it!" Harden cursed secretly, but he still didn't get a chance.Paul George's defense has already given Harden a headache, not to mention that he is facing Paul who was selected to the best defensive team this season!

The Thunder's offense couldn't run, and the Pacers cut off the connection between the three players as much as possible, forcing them to fight alone!
Brooks is a "formation" coach, he knows how to develop young people, but not a master tactician.Facing Henson's focus on Harden's defense, even Brooks has nothing to do, let alone the young players on the field.

Seeing that Harden didn't have a chance to run, Durant broke through with the ball and then stopped for a jumper.There is no doubt that he has been introduced into Henson's defensive trap, because the Thunder's three-man singles is exactly what Henson wants to see!
"哐!" It was another strike, and it seemed that Durant's touch still hadn't recovered.And Harden, who was highly anticipated, did not show any performance.

The Pacers counterattacked immediately, their advancing speed was still very fast, and they were not afraid to run against the young Thunder at all.Harden has a very fatal shortcoming, which is similar to Carmelo Anthony-he cannot concentrate on the defensive end.

When George was already free, Harden was still looking at Paul who was in possession of the ball.It wasn't until the basketball passed Harden's eyes that he knew something was wrong!
So, George hit the first three-pointer for both sides of the game!James Harden's appearance not only did not help the Thunder to open up the situation on the offensive end, but also made George play more easily than before.After all, Harden's defensive ability cannot be compared with the "Swiss Army Knife".

George roared after scoring a goal, and Henson rarely saw him so excited.

Yes, before the start of the series, people were discussing James Harden, saying that Harden would become the Thunder's sharp edge to end the Pacers.And Paul George, who was about to face Harden, seemed to be completely ignored, and no one mentioned it at all.

He reached the Finals with the Pacers as the team's second-leading scorer in just his sophomore year, and he was taken for granted.His contribution to the playoffs, averaging close to 18 points per game, is taken for granted.George's successful defense of Wade against the Heat is taken for granted
People's eyes are all attracted by the brilliance of James Harden, the best sixth man, but they never realize that Paul George is also a very outstanding young player!
This kind of aggrieved and unwillingness eventually turned into strength, which made George extremely excited on the court.

After responding with a successful defense of Harden and a beautiful three-pointer, George's emotions finally exploded.

That's why this tall number two, who usually doesn't talk much, roared like just now.

"Yeah." Henson pouted, and he admitted that he didn't expect George to be so excited because of these things.

After that, George seemed to be transformed into Leonard in the Eastern Conference Finals, becoming the Pacers' "surprise soldier", and Harden became George's "James".

Throughout the first quarter, George defended Harden on 7 of 1 shots!That's not counting, George scored 9 points in a single quarter, 7 of which were scored on Harden's head.

Scott Brooks didn't replace Harden in advance. He originally wanted Harden to play until the end of the first quarter.But Harden, who was supposed to be a surprise soldier, has instead become the team's weakness, which Brooks didn't expect.

It was not until the "Swiss Army Knife" reappeared that George's scoring momentum was curbed.But at the same time, after losing Harden, the Thunder's offense has not changed at all.

After halfway through the first quarter, the Thunder trailed by 13 points.The Pacers' performance today was perfect, but just when everyone thought Henson had completely controlled the scene, the scoring leader Durant broke out!
He first hit consecutive three-pointers within 35 seconds, narrowing the point difference!Afterwards, he repeatedly staged difficult jump shots. The defense of Green and Leonard seemed to not exist in front of Durant's fiery touch.

In the last 4 seconds of the first quarter, Durant launched the final blow.In the case of being completely unbalanced by Leonard, Durant still made the ball and hit the buzzer, which made Henson couldn't help but smashed another tactical board.

Henson is not blaming his own players. If Durant scored because of poor defense, Henson would not be so angry.But when you defend to the extreme and still get scored, the anger can't be suppressed.

Most of Durant's goals in the second half of the first quarter were scored with the ultimate defense!Henson had thought that Durant would score high points, but Durant's performance of 12 points in a single quarter was beyond what Henson could accept!

The scoring leader Durant played a full 12 minutes of the game. It seems that Scott Brooks' main force is no worse than Thibodeau.But it was precisely because of Durant's explosion in the second half that the Thunder almost wiped out the 13-point disadvantage. This is why Brooks is not without offensive tactics, but the Thunder is still one of the best offensive teams in the league.
San Shao's personal attack ability conceals Brooks' weakness in this area.

24 to 29, the Thunder entered the second quarter with only a 5-point advantage!Henson controlled himself, trying not to get angry at the players.After all, it's not the players' fault that Durant scored so many points.

Since the defense can't contain a full-fire Durant, then use offense against offense!With what attack?Don't forget, the Pacers have a Paul George who scored 9 points in a single quarter!And this guy is the easiest to forget!

"George." Henson walked up to George, just like the high school coach who walked up to Harden in 2005.

"We're not going to win unless you start taking more shots in the game."

It's time for everyone to get to know this low-key Los Angeles boy.

(End of this chapter)