NBA bench saves national team

"Qin, how do you evaluate the current strength of the Timberwolves? Do you think they will pose a threat to you?"

a reporter asked.

"It's much better than last season, but it's still far from threatening our Lakers. But they have a chance to reach the second round of the playoffs this season, or even the Western Conference finals, who knows?"

Qin Feng grinned and said.

The West is really messed up this year.

Except for the Lakers who have always been the best, the rest of the teams are caught in a chaotic battle for hegemony.

At present, the second echelon Thunder and the Spurs may lose their second and third positions in the Western Conference.

The Clippers, Warriors, and Timberwolves are all three teams staring at each other, and they may squeeze the Thunder and Spurs away at any time.

After asking a few more questions, the reporters ended their pre-match interview.

Timberwolves interview room.

"Harden, last season's playoffs because you went to nightclubs, which affected your performance in the game. This season, you played against the Lakers for the first time. You spent another night in nightclubs. What do you think will affect your performance in the game? status?"

a reporter asked.

"Of course, no! I have the confidence to play a good performance in this game, and I feel that I am in great shape now."

"Although I went to nightclubs, this is already my basic exercise. My body has fully adapted, so there is no need to worry about it. If I don't go to nightclubs, my body will feel uncomfortable. Play hip stretching in the middle."

Harden said confidently.

The reporters were all dumbfounded.

This is too much for him to explain to himself!

It depends on whether you can perform well in this game as you said.

"Howard, since entering the new season, your performance has been much better than last season. Do you feel like you have returned to the Warcraft at your peak?"

a reporter asked.

"No! I am still far from my peak performance, but I feel that I have gradually recovered. As we all know, I suffered from a waist injury last season, which affected my movement speed and jumping ability. Made me feel bad."

"But I have fully recovered this season. I will find myself at my peak in a very short period of time, and then help the team hit the championship!"

Howard said seriously, with a smile on the corner of his mouth.

The reporters were a little surprised when they heard this.

Howard really has a big tone!

In terms of the current strength of the Timberwolves, let alone competing for the championship, it is hard to say whether they can become one of the western seed teams at the end of the season.

This team has indeed become strong, and it is the strongest season in the post-Garnett era.

But it is obviously difficult to hit the championship.

After the pre-match interview.

The two teams completed their entrance ceremony, then ran through the long tunnel to the field where the spotlights hit the floor.

Immediately there was a roar of cheers like a tsunami.

After the pre-match warm-up.

The starters of both sides came on stage.

The starting lineup of the Lakers is Gasol, Antetokounmpo, Qin Feng, Kobe, and Lowry.

Timberwolves starting lineup for Howard, Love, Corey Brewer, Kevin Martin, James Harden.

It is also a very competitive lineup.

Not only the Big Three, but also former Kings star Kevin Martin, a scorer averaging 20+ per game.

Howard and Gasol jump the ball.

The former took the basketball out, and the Timberwolves took the lead in attacking.

After Harden dribbled the ball for halftime, he played a high pick-and-roll with Howard. After breaking through the penalty area, he threw the basketball high into the sky after attracting the defense.

Howard followed up and jumped up high. After receiving the basketball in the air, he smashed the basketball into the basket.

The opening staged an alley-oop.

Howard, who completed the dunk, landed on the ground and pointed to Harden, signaling a good pass!

Lakers offense.

Lowry dribbled the ball past half court, and the pass fell into the hands of Bryant in the low post, who posted up.

Although Martin is an excellent offensive player, he is not an excellent defender.

So Kobe also looked at this point and took the initiative to ask for the ball to attack.

clap clap clap!

The sound of hitting the ball was clearly heard throughout the arena.

Kobe pushed Martin against him and made fake moves continuously, feeling like he was full of drama. Just two tricks shook Martin's defensive center of gravity.

Then, Kobe turned around and shot a fadeaway jumper.

All in one go!

Picturesque!

The basketball arced high.

Swish.

Hollow into the net.

Timberwolves offense.

After Harden dribbled the ball for halftime, he lobbed the basketball to Love in the penalty area.

You hit my defensive weakness, then I attack your flaws.

For the Lakers' defense, the biggest flaw is undoubtedly Antetokounmpo as a rookie.

It's not that he's not good at defending, but that he lacks experience, and his body is thin and confrontational, which makes him a little difficult to defend.

Love easily pushes away Brother Antetokounmpo, turns around and hits the board with a small hook.

After scoring the goal, Love also flashed his biceps towards Antetokounmpo.

He could clearly feel Brother Antetokounmpo's thinness, as if it was a piece of paper, and it disappeared when he was pushed on by himself.

What a poor rookie...

Lakers offense.

After Lowry dribbled the ball for halftime, he passed the basketball to Gasol in the penalty area. The latter singled Howard and found that there was no chance, so he passed the basketball out.

Qin Feng received the basketball, broke through to the penalty area, and completed a layup against Howard's defense.

Timberwolves offense.

After halftime, Harden played a pick-and-roll with Love, and then moved sideways to shoot a three-pointer.

The basketball arced high.

Swish.

Hollow into the network!

In less than 2 minutes, the Big Three of the Timberwolves fired at the same time, and all scored.

In the next few minutes, under the arrangement of head coach Adelman, the basketball was mainly concentrated in the penalty area, allowing Love to continue to force Antetokounmpo.

This play has played a very good role.

Antetokounmpo couldn't guard Love at all, and was scored by him repeatedly. After playing for more than half a quarter, his mentality collapsed.

See here.

Steve Kerr also replaced Antetokounmpo in the dead ball.

"Dude, take it easy, there is a huge difference in strength between you and Love, and it is reasonable to be unable to guard against it."

"Don't forget what are your characteristics on the court? When you come on the court for a while, try to give full play to your advantages instead of staring at your weaknesses and being frustrated."

Cole patted Brother Antetokounmpo on the shoulder and comforted him.

Brother Antetokounmpo nodded, and his depressed mood eased a lot.

After replacing Antetokounmpo, Kerr replaced Markieff Morris to counter Love.

Sure enough, after replacing Morris, Love's offense is no longer so easy!