The world's best combo guard

Chapter 136 133 [Injury Zhongyong? 】

The Portland Trail Blazers can be regarded as one of the typical representatives of the ill-fated season. In the middle of the season, although the team management managed to trade off the locker room cancer Jeff McGinnis, but this team has entered the millennium. It is difficult for a team that has not improved much to slow down all at once. The overall strength of the team this season is not bad, and they just barely entered the playoffs.

Let's be honest, Portland fans are so tired of the team's current lineup that they even played the "Push to rebuild" banner in the final few games of the regular season.

In the playoffs against the powerful Lakers, they didn't have much hope for them. Portland fans just hoped that they would not lose too badly.

.........

Staples, when the referee blew the whistle to start the game, the super-large display screen above also displayed the starting lineups of the two sides for the game.

Visiting Portland Trail Blazers: Small forward Ruben Patterson, power forward Daley Davis, center Zach Randolph, point guard Damon Stoudemire, shooting guard Dirk Anderson.

Home team Los Angeles Lakers: small forward Devin George, power forward Karl Malone, center Shaquille O'Neal, point guard Li Hao, shooting guard Kobe Bryant.

O'Neal's jump ball helped the Lakers get the first wave of offensive possession. When the basketball came to Li Hao's hands, many people were paying attention to the Lakers No. 10, because Li Hao was the only one in the Lakers' starting lineup. A rookie in the playoffs, everyone wants to see how this fledgling rookie in the playoffs will perform.

To be honest, Li Hao, who was advancing with the ball at the moment, felt a little nervous. For him, from the moment the referee blew the start of the game, he already felt the arena atmosphere different from the regular season.

In the stands, it was almost the same color. Li Hao felt that he had come to the Golden Empire. At a glance, there were golden yellow tones everywhere.

Zijin Dynasty!

Golden yellow is the main color of the home court, which is different from the colorful dresses of the regular season fans. When the playoffs come, the fans in the stands all wear jerseys that match the home color. This formation looks shocking enough.

When Li Hao advanced to the front court with the ball, he had another feeling that was different from the regular season. Blazers player Dirk Anderson immediately rushed towards him. There are also many small moves, which seem to have raised the defense to another level.

Li Hao took a deep breath and had to admit that it was difficult for him to adapt to this rhythm. Immediately, he handed the ball to Kobe who stepped forward to cover.

Compared with Li Hao's discomfort, Kobe was obviously more prepared and more experienced. He rushed to the basket immediately after holding the ball and faced Randolph's block. Although he failed to score, But Randolph caused a shooting foul.

"Lee, you have to get hard"

When Kobe walked to the free throw line, Devin George walked over and patted Li Hao on the shoulder. After all, they had worked together for a season. Devin George and the others knew Li Hao's current state.

From their point of view, it's normal for Li Hao to have such a performance, and it's the same way they came to play in the playoffs for the first time.

Of course, as those who have come here, they must remind Li Hao, otherwise Li Hao's link will become the key target of the opponent.

Although he was a little stunned by German George's use of the three words "harden up" to encourage himself, Li Hao still nodded. He had to adjust his state immediately.

On the defensive end, Li Hao faced the Blazers point guard Damon Stoudemire. From the perspective of physical fitness alone, Damon Stoudemire is definitely better than Li Hao, but his skills In general, this is why he has not been able to become a top point guard. It is rumored that the Blazers management has gradually lost patience with him. Maybe this is the last few games he played in the Blazers.

Damon Stoudemire glanced at Li Hao. He didn't dare to underestimate the best rookie in the new division. However, he was also very smart, and he directly leaned on Li Hao with his body. He knew that his advantage was where.

Li Hao couldn't help but gritted his teeth. He felt the third point that the playoffs were different from the regular season. Unlike the regular season, the physical confrontation in the playoffs was really reinforced concrete.

Li Hao was backed by Damon Stoudemire one after another, and he was about to retreat to the basket. For a while, Li Hao seemed helpless.

If Kobe hadn't rushed over to help defend, Li Hao was sure that Damon Stoudemire would have been able to complete a single against himself with this ball.

"Lee still seems to be trying to adapt to the playoffs, both offensively and defensively, his performance looks a little stiff"

As the only legendary point guard in NBA history who has achieved an average triple-double in a single season so far, Oscar Robertson appeared on the TNT commentary stand as a TNT special guest.

When he saw Li Hao showing hesitation on both the offensive and defensive ends, he spread his hands and said regretfully.

"I agree with Oscar's point of view. You know, people have been talking about whether Lee can adapt to the playoffs during this period. In fact, in the history of the NBA, there are many players who performed well in the regular season but suddenly misfired in the playoffs. What's more, Li is a first-year rookie." Big mouth Barkley, as always, tried his best not to be optimistic about Li Hao.

After playing for 4 minutes in the first quarter, Li Hao's performance was very flat, and could even be described as unqualified. He struggled very much, both offensively and defensively. It seemed that he was a bit out of place with the entire team. .

Didn't score a single point, didn't have a single assist, and didn't have a relatively successful defense.

It can be said that Li Hao was the worst starting player for the Lakers during these 4 minutes.

And because of Li Hao's invisibility at this point, the Lakers' game rhythm during this period was not very good. When Phil Jackson called the first timeout, they were 4 points behind the Blazers. This is something that many people did not expect .

Phil Jackson on the sidelines couldn't turn a blind eye to Li Hao's struggling performance during this period. He glanced at Li Hao, then at Gary Payton who was on the bench, and then made personnel adjustments. replace.

Phil Jackson didn't give up Li Hao completely because of these 4 minutes, he just wanted to let Li Hao adjust his mentality through this substitution. Obviously, with Li Hao's current mentality, it is difficult to stay on the court.

When Li Hao was replaced because of his mediocre performance, many fans in the arena showed a slightly disappointed expression. They had great hopes for the best rookie who soared in the regular season, but now it seems that, Li Hao is probably the legendary player who suddenly misfiring in the playoffs.

(End of this chapter)