Legend of Tomorrow

On the evening of December 12, the Suns faced the Lakers at home.

Live broadcast across the United States on TNT Radio, commentator Barkley introduced the lineups of both sides and said: The Lakers' summer reinforcements were relatively successful. They traded Butler for the stronger Artest, and their No. 1 position is not as weak as last season. . However, I think it will be difficult for Kobe to succeed in revenge against Jason. The Suns have a stronger lineup this season.

Kenny Smith said: Jason seems to have a kind of magic. There is no rookie around him who can't perform well. He always has a way to help his teammates perform and help them gain confidence. Roy is the highest draft pick of the Suns in the past 10 years. Rookie, played well.”

Barkley smiled: Jason once said that Roy's template is Kobe. I don't know if they will match up today.

After the warm-up, the players from both sides came on stage. The Suns' five players: Guo Xu, Bell, Roy, Marion and Stoudemire.

Looking at the starting lineup, you can tell that D'Antoni did not plan to solidify the defense today. He wanted to go all out to attack the Lakers. The two insiders who are good at defense sat on the bench.

Lakers five: Smush Parker, Kobe, Artest, Odom, Bogut.

Reaper Parker is still the Lakers' starter, averaging 28.6 minutes per game, scoring 10 points and 2.6 assists, shooting 43.2% from the field, 36.5% from three-point range, and 1.2 three-pointers per game.

Parker was reused by Zen Master Jackson, relying on his slightly better three-point ability. The Lakers' starting lineup needs a point guard who can stretch. Ellis mainly focuses on breakthroughs, and Farmar still needs time to practice and become familiar with the Lakers' triangle offensive routine.

The Lakers can only rely on double-teaming to defend Guo Xu. The three guards will definitely not be able to defend alone. Jackson has no better choice than Parker.

Bogut won the jump ball and the game was on.

Parker passed the ball across half court, and Kobe took the ball to the low post on the right side. Marion and Bell double-teamed. Kobe shot the ball, Odom made a three-point jumper from the open center, and the rebound was grabbed by Marion.

The Suns' consistent strategy is to double-team Kobe near the penalty area and let other Lakers players shoot. If Kobe is far away from the basket, they will defend alone, and the defense will be successful the first time.

In the Suns' position battle, Guo Xu dribbled the ball to the frontcourt. It was not easy for the Lakers to double-team him because all Suns players had shooting range.

Stoudemire moved outside the three-point line to set a screen for Guo Xu. He held the ball and turned to the right to go to the weak side. Bell was the only one in the corner. If Kobe came to help defend, Guo Xu would pass the ball and it would be an opportunity. .

Kobe didn't come out, and Guo Xu also had a way to make the Lakers uncomfortable. He held the ball and drove past Bogut. He lowered his center of gravity and brought it to the 45-degree penalty area in one breath, and then passed the ball back to the center.

Parker couldn't just sit back and watch Guo Xu get out of position and catch up from behind. Bogut didn't want him to go straight to the layup, so he had to follow. Stoudemire was empty in the middle. He caught the ball and shot from the free throw line and hit the net. 2 to 0.

Even if Stoudemire took a rest for a season, the two still had such a tacit understanding that they could cooperate with their eyes closed and knew what the other's next choice would be.

Guo Xu burst into the penalty area and attracted the big man to switch defense. Stoudemire stood in the middle and waited for the opportunity. Even if the pass was not open, he would have a height advantage when facing the opponent's defender for a jump shot. It is also difficult for a heavy guard who is 190cm tall to interfere with Stoudemire's jump shot, and cannot even close his eyes.

The Lakers' offense was similar to the previous one. Kobe was double-teamed in the low post and then distributed the ball. Odom faced the frame to catch the ball without shooting, and Marion rushed out very quickly.

Odom passed the ball to Parker, who then passed to Artest, who passed the ball to Bogut in the low post on the left.

This routine is good. Bogut singled out Stoudemire because he had height and weight advantages. He leaned back twice and turned around to hit the hook. 2 to 2.

When the Suns attacked, Guo Xu took the ball to the frontcourt and gave his teammates a signal with two fingers. Stoudemire did not pull to the outside and provided Roy with an off-ball screen on the left side.

Artest is a strong small forward who is not afraid of confrontation. He will use his body to disrupt the opponent's offensive rhythm. If he has any weaknesses, it is that he is not very fast due to his weight.

Roy received the pass without pausing, and immediately changed direction and broke through inside. Artest bypassed Stoudemire and ran along the three-point line. Roy's choice completely got rid of him, and he accelerated and passed the switch. Bogut, who was not active, entered the penalty area and dunked with one hand before Odom defended. 4 to 2.

This wonderful dunk ignited the atmosphere at home, and the audience applauded enthusiastically.

Roy is now excellent in immediate combat. He always has a way to put the ball into the basket, and his efficiency is not low. His physical test data this year are not bad, but they are not at the top level.

The disadvantage of his ball-holding style is that he can't provide assists to Guo Xu. Fortunately, Guo Xu doesn't care about statistics this season and doesn't want to brush up, so it doesn't matter.

When the Lakers attacked, Kobe no longer caught the ball in the low post for a single. Instead, he caught the ball on the right side and made a three-threat jump shot. He knows that he will be double-teamed when he goes to the low post. This is how the Suns guarded him last season. With one step inside the three-point line, the Suns only defended him alone.

Kobe, who had adjusted his playing style, took action before Marion could help defend. Bell did not reach out to interfere, and the ball bounced out of the frame.

Long-distance two-pointers are not Kobe's strength, but they have always been his skill with the highest proportion of shots. No one knows why he likes large two-point shots so much. Maybe it’s because he and Tracy McGrady have trained together. This kind of shot is most likely to be described by fans as picturesque.

This season, Kobe averaged 7.3 long-range two-point attempts and hit 3.1, shooting only 42.6% from the field. This data is already a new high in his career, but it is far from stable. When he is having trouble, his hit rate at this distance can be over 50%. Under normal circumstances, he will hit the ball continuously, and sometimes his hit rate is not even 30%.

Stoudemire grabbed the rebound and passed it. Guo Xu advanced with the ball at full speed. He reached the three-point line in 3 seconds with his speed. Parker did not dare to press for fear of being passed. Kobe was attracted by Bell to the right corner and could not help defend. .

Isn't this still the strength of single defense? It's obvious that he looks down on me.

Guo Xu figured out how to play by observing his opponent's position during the half. He paused slightly on the right side, held the ball in his left hand and changed direction to the right, forcing a breakthrough into the three-point line.

Parker is of no use in defense. He can only guard against Guo Xu's layup, but cannot guard against his passing.

Guo Xu saw the right opportunity and passed the ball from close range to Marion who was following up in the middle. The Hacker's injury was completely healed. He was half a body ahead of Odom in the race. He caught the ball and started to hit the basketball. 6 to 2.

Odom jumped half a beat from the side, which was actually only a slight interference. When Marion plays the role of power forward, all big men will feel uncomfortable against him.

The Lakers attacked, and Kobe gave the ball to Odom. He held the ball in a single to Marion and wanted to return one.

Odom feinted with the ball in the middle, then broke through and relied on Marion's physical advantage to force a layup. Marion followed from the side without jumping up, and raised his hands to signal the referee I didn't foul to interfere.

Odom's layup missed the basket due to confrontation. He landed with his right leg first and failed to find a good balance. He stumbled and gave up on defense.

Bell picked up the rebound and passed it to Guo Xu. After receiving the ball, Guo Xu quickly brought it to the frontcourt without waiting for his teammates. He shot a three-pointer one meter outside the left three-point line and relied on his rhythm to avoid Parker's block. Cover, the ball went in again. 9 to 2.

The home fans applauded and cheered together, and retired Lakers veteran Rick Fox sitting in the front row was no exception.

The on-site cameraman did not pay attention to Fox and gave a close-up shot of the Lakers' backcourt. Odom was injured as he walked limping in the penalty area and waved to the sideline.

Zen Master Jackson quickly requested a timeout...