If I were Yi Di in the NBA

Chapter 35 Fighting the Rockets Again
"The second scene of the battle between Yi Jian and Yao Ming, the excitement continues."

"Obviously, Yao Ming's ability is stronger. In the Houston game, it can be said that Yao Ming led the team to win with his own strength. But Yi Jian's style of play is even more explosive, and his athletic talent is also top-notch in the United States."

"Coming to Seattle, the rhythm of the two teams has hardly changed. The overall strength of the Sonics is still weaker, and the Rockets are more likely to win the game."

"Moreover, the Rockets are more eager to pursue the record this season. The Rockets are a playoff team, and they are eager to make a breakthrough in the playoffs, while the Supersonics are more concerned about the growth of young players."

The change in the game did appear during the rotation period. The Rockets increased their attack intensity, but in fact the change in the power forward position was only related to Yi Jian. The overall change in the Rockets was McGrady.

McGrady has a higher tactical status than Yao Ming in the Rockets. He was still recovering from the previous game and didn't play so much. McGrady is obviously in a much better state this time.

So the focus of the Rockets' attack shifted from Yao Ming to McGrady.

The Supersonics are happy to see their success. They really have no way to defend Yao Ming, and McGrady is not that troublesome yet.

There are players who do hard work inside and outside the Sonics, but there are some things they can't do.

Facing the Rockets, it is even more difficult for them to defend Yao Ming.

So the Sonics cooperated very well, and began to help defend Yao Ming more, allowing the Rockets to shift their attacks to the outside.

At his peak, McGrady was considered a powerful All-Star.

But because of injuries, his strength has been declining.

This season is okay, next season he will completely withdraw from the All-Star level.

The current McGrady is far less troublesome than a star of Kobe's level. The Sonics can barely deal with it, and Durant can be matched.

Moreover, McGrady's two-pointers and free throws are the worst since entering the league this season, and his three-pointer shooting rate is less than [-]%.

As an opponent, whoever chooses is willing to see a less threatening All-Star main attack.

The Rockets' coaching staff must also know these things.

However, people need to pass the ball inside, and the main attack is more difficult.

In addition, the Rockets need to coax McGrady, who has a more difficult temper, and hope that he will play more main offenses so that he can restore his peak strength and lead the team further in the playoffs.

There are many factors, but Yao Ming's lower status in the Rockets is undoubtedly related to his personality.

Good people being bullied.

Therefore, when McGrady was the main attacker, he quickly scored in double figures, and his efficiency was not bad, that is, he missed free throws.

But at this time, the Rockets have replaced a lineup with stronger offensive power, and the requirements are more than that.

For the Supersonics, Szczerbiak performed well when he came in, Durant continued his state, Yi Jian started to show off his power, and the score was overtaken in an instant.

Because Durant performed better today, the Supersonics have the upper hand than the opponent.

This is crucial for Durant, as is Yi Jian's stable performance.

In fact, after the Rockets made substitutions, Scola or Landry were actually very active.

But when it comes to defense, sometimes the effect is not the same if it is a little worse.

After Yi Jian can receive the ball more in the right position, the Rockets can't defend at all.

"Yi Jian is really handsome in playing like this, and as long as he catches the ball at the right point, he basically can't miss it, which is more stable than Yao Ming."

"Actually, there are still a few times, but the hit rate of hitting the inside is really high."

"It's too powerful, too explosive. Why does it feel more explosive than in the domestic league? It turns out that the defensive strength of the NBA is worse, and the manual dog head..."

"Yi Jian has really improved significantly after entering the NBA, so players should go out."

At the end of the second quarter, Yi Jian scored inside again, but McGrady missed a three-pointer at the buzzer, and the Sonics led by 9 points.

Back in the locker room, Yi Jian was also a little excited.

In these two games between them and the Rockets, there must be more domestic fans watching, and this is a good opportunity for him to increase his popularity.

If they have a chance to win this game, they must seize it.

"This is our territory, we must win the game."

"In the third quarter, we must not be like we were on the court. Brothers, help me, I will ask for a midnight snack."

Yi Jian asked for help very forcefully, and he communicated with his teammates before the two games.

A large number of domestic fans pay attention and want to perform, and others can understand.

The point is, Yi Jian was originally the main attacking point of the team, and he was the most stable one.

"Don't worry, Yi. The fans in your country are so active in voting for the All-Star, we all understand..."

Just like many Rockets players can get tickets, the same is true for the SuperSonics. It is also very fun for some players to take the opportunity to make a little limelight.

Besides, being able to show your face in front of Chinese fans will also have opportunities for commercial endorsement.

This is Yi Jian's influence, he will use it without hesitation, there is no shame in it.

Therefore, he also prefers Dan Fegan's style, and sometimes he has to put pressure on the team.

Of course, the premise is that you really have this ability.

If it can make money for capitalists, the player is fine, but if it can't make money for capitalists, even if they kneel down, the opponent may not be willing to stutter.

In the Rockets' locker room, Adelman emphasized the combination of inside and outside, as well as the team's passing and cutting, and also talked about defense.

He thinks the Rockets should do better, "We played the game and shouldn't relax and act like we did today. We lost too many easy opportunities."

In the third quarter, the competition between the two sides became more intense, and fouls also increased.

The Sonics try not to take Yao Ming's shots from the inside, and go around the front to defend him to catch the ball. If they fail and Yao Ming receives the ball in the low post, they will have players to help defend or foul.

In this case, the Sonics' lead has been stable.

Until McGrady comes on, anyway, the Rockets have two All-Stars.

Durant didn't have the shooting percentage of the first half in the second half, and his inconsistency returned.

Relatively speaking, McGrady is still more stable than the rookie.

In fact, McGrady's style of play is also a type of touch. When he feels good, he is really not so easy to defend.

But everything is still within the controllable range. After all, McGrady is a star player. He often has to hold the ball and pause, and the defensive players can react. And at this time, there is no need to worry too much about his passing.

The star style of play can often determine the outcome of the game, but only if the players used are strong enough, because this is a clear frontal defense.

McGrady's defense at the peak of the Sonics may have been useless, but now it is not so easy to use.

The Supersonics know that the opponent is going to fight, and the defense has to go up.

On the offensive end, they also have to stabilize.

When Durant was unstable, Yi Jian did his part.

(End of this chapter)