basketball player

Chapter 374 Chapter 372: Star Player

Henson was a little nervous, but the Pacers players were more confident in the game.

After being killed by James at the buzzer, instead of being discouraged, the players were very eager to win back.It has to be said that the team that gets more frustrated and courageous is often the scariest team.The current Pacers are obviously in such a virtuous circle. Although they lost the last game, their morale is still high.

David West even said bluntly in an interview before the game: "Although Sean tried to scare me with those dirty methods, I will continue to attack bravely as always. He can't scare me."

"The lore in the last game also shows that we have pushed the Miami Heat into a desperate situation. That kind of ball does not mean that they are much better than us. I believe that even LeBron James cannot grasp that kind of opportunity in every game." Paul is also extremely confident. After all, they experienced a more difficult situation than this last season, but they still won the series and the subsequent championship.

Sometimes, even if there are no morale-boosting words, the players can adjust themselves.For a team that has achieved 72 wins, a loss in one game is not enough to break them down.

Today, the biggest change for the Pacers is undoubtedly replacing Danny Green with Leonard.Leonard once again served as the starter, which Spoelstra and James had expected.Before the game, James kept his eyes fixed on Leonard.He hasn't forgotten how he lost his temper when he was guarded by Leonard in the playoffs last season.

If we say that Henson's sudden change of starting lineup last season was quite surprising.So this season, Henson let Leonard start is expected.Everyone knows that Leonard is the key to contain James, and it is only a matter of time before Henson lets him start.

But Henson still believes that Leonard's ability is definitely beyond most people's expectations.

Throughout the regular season, including the first two rounds of the playoffs, Henson did not completely liberate Leonard.First, the Pacers' performance is stable and there is no reason to break.Secondly, Henson also hopes that Leonard can accumulate more experience and use it as a secret weapon when he needs it most.

Now, it's time.Leonard's ability is already stronger than people imagined, not to mention after getting the attribute bonus.

It's time for a complete showdown to the outside world in this game.The stars of the Indiana Pacers are not only Paul and George!
"It's still Leonard. This young man's progress this season is visible to the naked eye. In the Eastern Conference finals last season, it was his excellent defense that changed the situation of the series. However, Leonard's appearance last season was a bit unprepared. This season, we are not sure whether Coach Henson's defense change will still be effective."

As soon as Kenny Smith finished speaking, the live camera's lens was aimed at Bosh who was standing in the middle circle and preparing to scramble for the ball. "Dragon King" is undoubtedly one of the most watched players today, and Pacers fans want to see how he will "win cleanly".

The referee blew his whistle, and the cheers from the stands rushed to his face.Bosh took the lead to get the ball first for the Heat, and Chalmers took the ball slowly.It can be seen that Henson deliberately shrunk his defense, mainly to prevent the Heat's impact on the inside.Therefore, Leonard did not entangle James with all his strength, but let him take two steps.

Seeing this situation, Chalmers handed the ball directly to James.When James received the ball, he was still one step away from the three-point line, but when no one came up to defend him, he pulled up and shot directly!

By the time Leonard sealed it, it was already too late.The basketball goes into the net without even touching the rim!With the first goal in the game, James gave Leonard a blow!

"LeBron's three-pointer has sounded the alarm for the Pacers' defense. Don't think that it is safe to shrink the penalty area. In the playoffs this season, LeBron's three-point shooting percentage is as high as 37.5%, which is undoubtedly a level above the passing line. In contrast, in the playoffs last season, LeBron's three-point shooting percentage was only 25%. Therefore, you can let LeBron go last season, but this season is not necessarily the case."

Seeing James hit a three-pointer, Henson didn't say anything.You can't change your tactics randomly just because the opponent scored a three-pointer. James can indeed kill the game, but he never kills the game with a three-pointer.

In the next round, George singled out Wade with the ball.When George has an absolute height advantage, Wade is very, very difficult on the defensive end.Spoelstra's plan is not to switch, but to help.

Wade deliberately let George go in the middle, and when George broke through, James immediately flanked him!Spoelstra thinks he knows Leonard very well. Leonard can indeed score, but there is still a big gap between him and the role of "scorer".

Once George passes the ball to Leonard, James will immediately interfere.In Spoelstra's view, as long as Leonard's outside shooting encounters the slightest interference, he will not succeed.

However, what Henson hit was the opponent's "take it for granted"!Leonard has always been Henson's key training target. His own growth rate is amazing, plus he has one more progress bonus badge than others.This guy's progress is much greater than what people see on the surface!

Seeing James double-team, George really scored the ball, and the receiver was Leonard!

James immediately jumped back according to plan, and stretched his arms as far as possible.In the past, the Heat were stolen by Leonard because they directly gave him a big space.But this time, James' defense is very oppressive!
But even so, Leonard still made a decisive shot!Before the start of today's game, Henson told him more than once, "If you have the chance, don't hesitate! It's time for the world to know the real you!"

James' active return to defense didn't even make Leonard frown. Under the slight interference of Heat No. 6, Leonard's shooting was extremely calm.Only open shots are a threat?Sorry, that's a thing of the past!

Then, a very miraculous scene happened.After James' opening long-range three-pointer, Leonard made another three-pointer under James' active defense!At the beginning of the game, both sides scored goals in the most unexpected way!
"Kawhi Leonard, his shot is very decisive! Can you believe it? Two forwards who are recognized as incapable of shooting actually made a three-pointer!"

Henson applauded gently from the sidelines. Leonard's three-point shooting percentage this season is actually not low, but he has taken fewer shots, and as a substitute, not many people will care whether his three-pointers have become more accurate.

James shook his head. He thought Leonard's goal had some luck in it.But soon, Leonard used another master layup after a breakthrough, proving his scoring ability!
"For the second round in a row, after the Heat's offense failed, Leonard actually scored for the second round in a row. This time it was a beautiful breakthrough, and the ball was still going up despite Bosh's interference. I have to say that the Heat must take care of Leonard's defense. If he is given too much space, he can really score!"

Spoelstra didn't expect Leonard's breakthrough to be so determined that Paul and George had no chance to score at all.

James glanced at Leonard, but couldn't find anything from the emotionless face of the "gibbon".

In the Eastern Conference finals last season, Leonard also had a good scoring performance, but he immediately returned to normal after entering the finals.In the regular season of this season and the first two rounds of the series, Leonard did not show too strong offensive talent.Leonard, as one might imagine, can score, but isn't a scorer.

It seems that Noah also played a few games with 20+ points in the playoffs this year, but no one will use him as a scorer.Therefore, when the opponent is defending, the priority for him is also the lowest.

Until now Leonard has scored five points in a row, but the Heat still don't believe in evil.They still prefer to focus on Paul, George and Horford. How many points can Leonard score in a game?
Spoelstra rushed into the field and shouted a few times, which probably meant to let the team proceed as planned.

This time, Wade wanted to use his own impact to cause the Pacers to foul inside.But today, George, who doesn't have to worry about James, made it difficult for Wade to move an inch. Seeing that he couldn't break through, Wade had to suddenly pull up and shoot at close range!

Wade's movement is beautiful and the timing is very sudden.But George's height and long arms made "The Flash" very helpless.Under George's serious interference, Wade's emergency stop jumper knocked out of the frame.Once again, the Heat missed their offense.Paul took the rebound himself, then pushed slowly.

As soon as Paul passed the midfield line, George used the off-ball screen to look for opportunities, which undoubtedly made everyone in the Heat nervous.However, Paul did not pass the ball to George on the right side of the court, but passed it to Leonard who was on standby at 45° on the left side.

"This..." Spoelstra's eyes widened. Leonard's first goal was an open shot after receiving the ball.The second goal was to cut in empty-handed and catch the ball for a layup.

But this time, he held the ball himself from beyond the three-point line!This formation. Is to single James with the ball?
"Are you kidding me!" James was also stunned, but he didn't dare to slack off, and stretched his arms in front of Leonard.

Leonard grabbed the ball with one hand with his right hand, raised it high, and seemed to pass it, but suddenly lowered his center of gravity when his teammates opened up the space, and accelerated the breakthrough!
With a simple three-threat action, Leonard gained a half-position advantage.James immediately used his perverted body to resist Leonard, this kid is simply ignorant!

However, what James never expected was that he failed to withstand Leonard's impact!This No. 2 is very strong, and he can carry James' perverted body and continue to go inside!
"Leonard broke through against LeBron!" Kenny Smith was also taken aback. No one could have imagined that Leonard's ability to break through with the ball is so stable!
Going to the basket against James, Leonard suddenly stopped, then raised the basketball and swayed a shot, and shot Bosh who rushed to the basket to defend.Bosh also knew that what he said had aroused heated discussions, so he played very actively today.But it seems, a little too positive.

And James rushed too far because of Leonard's emergency stop, and with an emergency stop, Leonard got rid of all the defenders, and then easily scored a layup under the basket.

"Scored 7 points in a row, Kawhi Leonard, he actually scored the Pacers' first 7 points of the game! Coach Henson seems" Kenny Smith looked at Henson with a calm face, and swallowed, "It seems that he intends to make him the core of today's offense!"

James succeeded in the singles, and Leonard returned to his own half diligently, preparing for the next round of defense.

Leonard is a sixth man?Is a defensive titan?Is a sapper?No, neither.

Today's game, Henson will let people all over the world know.Kawhi Leonard, is a star player!
(End of this chapter)