Chapter 356 Bowen’s Melancholy and Durant’s Last Fight for the No. 1 Pick
"Too hasty!"
"The Spurs are in such a hurry this season!"
San Antonio Spurs training facility.
Spurs assistant coach Don Newman looked at the Spurs players on the training ground, his brows always furrowed.
The Spurs eliminated the Jazz in the tiebreaker, which did not let the Spurs relax physically and mentally.
Not to mention loosening, it even got tighter.
because……
The Western Conference Semifinals are here!
Yes is here too!
The first-round tiebreaker between the Spurs and Jazz was on May 5, 2007.
The first game of the Western Conference semifinals between the Spurs and SuperSonics was on May 7, 2007.
I took two days off in between!
If the Spurs are a young team, two days of rest may be enough.
Look at the Spurs players on the training ground right now.
Tim Duncan: 31 years old.
Bruce Bowen: 36 years old.
Michael Finley: 34 years old.
Francisco Elson: 31 years old.
Robert Horry: 37 years old.
Brent Barry: 36 years old.
Oberto: 32 years old.
Ginobili: 30 years old.
Parker: 25 years old.
In this year's Spurs playoffs, a total of nine players averaged more than 10 minutes per game.
These nine players are also the Spurs' regular rotation players.
The remaining players had extremely limited playing time in this battle with the Jazz.
The Spurs rotate nine players in the playoffs,
8 of these nine rotation players are over 30 years old!
The average age of these nine people has reached an astonishing 33.34 years.
What age are these players?
The average age of NBA players is 26!
In the history of the NBA, a team as old as the Spurs can trace back to the Spurs last season.
But the Spurs last season returned to their old ways, but they are not as miserable as the Spurs this season.
Last season, the Spurs established their first place in the league early in the regular season.
The strokes took off in the second half of the regular season.
In the playoffs, the Spurs also encountered an offensive team like the Kings in the first round.
Even though the Spurs advanced with a score of 4-2, they looked dangerous.
It's actually very easy.
The Spurs' four wins were all by more than 10 points, with eleven or twelve players rotating at every turn.
In other words, as long as the Spurs are willing, they can defeat the Kings with a little effort!
The series between the Spurs and Kings last season was very easy, both in terms of consumption and difficulty.
The Spurs are even using the Kings as an opponent to adjust their status.
After all, the Spurs' opponent in the second round is the powerful Mavericks.
It can be said that although the Spurs last season were also very old, they really did not feel the disadvantage brought by age throughout the whole process.
Before playing the Mavericks, the Spurs only felt the benefits of experience brought by age, but did not feel the disadvantages of physical strength brought by age.
But this season.
In the second half of the regular season, they were forced into a tiebreaker by Yes.
A bunch of classic cars from the Spurs were forced to race on the highway with young luxury cars like the SuperSonics, Lakers, and Nuggets.
Although the Spurs won in the end, it was also a huge expense.
After racing with a group of young luxury cars, before their group of classic cars could calm down, there was another endurance rally with Jazz on the Gobi Desert!
Why don't you do this?
After running seven hellish rallies with the Jazz, the Spurs' old cars felt like they were about to fall apart!
Before the crumbling classic cars could take a few breaths, spotlights from all over the world came over.
It turned out that a Zanxin Bugatti Veyron was driving towards them!
The Bugatti Veyron is followed by a bunch of new Dodges.
Although the Dodges are a bit inferior, the Bugatti Veyron is indeed powerful and attractive.
The Spurs don't want to be in the spotlight right now.
Now they just want to find a quiet place to have a good rest and relax.
Duncan has been driving a Maybach for almost ten years. The quality may not be worse than the Bugatti Veyron, but it is not better than when it first left the factory.
This is even more true for the Spurs' remaining pile of Audis, Mercedes-Benzes and BMWs that have been around for who knows how many years.
This bunch of classic cars that don't get rest, relaxation, maintenance, and are always in the media spotlight may break down midway while driving.
Look at the amount of media and reporters surrounding the Spurs practice facility right now.
There were more people than when they played Game 7 with the Jazz.
Tonight's game against the SuperSonics is only the first game of this series!
These are not all the reporters in San Antonio. Many reporters were also refused outside the training ground. These reporters are a group of big names who really can't refuse.
Since he came to the Spurs, he has never seen the Spurs get so much attention.
Even when the Spurs won the championship in 2005.
All we can say is that the limited edition Bugatti Veyron is really awesome.
The most watched Western Conference semifinals in history!
Compared with the attention received by the Spurs-SuperSonics matchup, the Rockets-Sunons matchup is as transparent as a transparent one!
Yesterday, the Rockets were beaten 2-0 by the Suns.
The news across the United States is still looking forward to this series between the Spurs and SuperSonics.
ESPN invited 100 experts and celebrities, and 95 believed that the Sonics would win.
TNT invited 50 experts and celebrities, and 40 of them believed that the Sonics would win.
Even CBS, which is currently focusing on the NCAA, invited 50 experts and celebrities, and 45 of them believed that the Sonics could win.
USA Today conducted a survey of fans in 50 states in the United States. All 50 states believe that the Sonics can win!
Even in Texas, the home base of the Spurs, 51% of fans believe that the Sonics can win.
You know, Yes just swept the Mavericks!
Plus Yes' record of sweeping the Spurs in the regular season.
This Bugatti Veyron looks like a Texas killer!
Of course, those experts and celebrities just watch the excitement and don't take it too seriously, while those fans simply like Yes.
This is not so much a prediction and a look forward as it is an expectation.
Yes led the Supersonics to miraculously sweep the Black Eight, and their expectations were too great!
Let alone the unpopular old cars standing in front of the SuperSonics, even Jordan couldn't stop them.
Therefore, the SuperSonics' current overwhelming public opinion on the Spurs should not be taken seriously. It is not even of reference value.
The Spurs' group of classic cars have seen all kinds of storms, and they will not be crushed by the expectations and pressure of these people like the Mavericks.
But even so, people nagging me at home every day, saying, "You are old and ugly. You should commit suicide, or give the house to that handsome young man."
Even if you don't actually commit suicide, it will affect your mood quite a bit.
Didn’t you see that ** rarely showed up at the training ground in the past two days?
**I'm really worried that I can't help but fight with these people.
It's better to hide in your own office and secretly create bad news to deal with Yes.
After the production is completed, they will be poured out all over Yes.
By then, the Spurs' melancholy these days will be gone.
**Vicci feels that her hair is falling out a little fast these past two days.
She wasn't fucked by Duncan, she was simply fucked by Yes.
As a tactician full of bad intentions.
It took two days of production, but I couldn't produce even a drop of special effects water that could be used to deal with Yes.
Yes is so hard to say!
Based on his assessment of the strength of the two teams, the Spurs and SuperSonics.
In fact, he doesn't need to be as entangled as now.
Although now the whole country is looking forward to the SuperSonics defeating the Spurs.
But the Spurs are indeed the dominant side now.
Playing normally, he is confident that he can defeat the SuperSonics in six games.
However, solving supersonic speed does not mean solving Yes!
Yes this season kept looking like it was going to fall in the regular season, but in the end it didn't.
Not only did he not fall down, but he also picked up Sonics who fell to the ground time and time again. It was so scary!
As long as Yes is not solved, it will always make him feel less at ease.
Although he is confident that he can solve the Sonics in six games.
But it really takes six games for the Spurs to defeat the SuperSonics. That would be a huge failure for the Spurs!
Solving the SuperSonics in six games is still too late for the current Spurs.
Especially the Spurs' goal this year is the championship!
If you want to win the championship, you really can't put it off any longer.
Given the current situation of the Spurs, if it takes six games to eliminate the SuperSonics, no matter whether they face the Rockets or Suns in the next round, don't play.
The Spurs have the ability to defeat the Sonics in six games, but the Spurs must defeat the Sonics within five games!
Within five games!
If it weren't for Yes, the Spurs would definitely be able to sweep the SuperSonics.
The reason why he expected the Spurs to lose two games was because of Yes.
Now in order to win the Sonics in five games, he must find a way to reduce the two losses that Yes may cause to one, or even zero!
This is a very difficult task.
This season, he and many coaches want to solve the big problem of Yes.
But it’s already now, who has solved it?
No one can solve it!
He wants to find a way to deal with Yes in these two days, but it can only be a fool's errand.
But even if it was a foolish dream, he had to do it.
So, he has been racking his brains these days.
Crazy watching Yes’ game highlights and game videos.
The more he looked, the more frightened he became.
Yes, there have been so many great moments this season.
After watching these video highlights, he found that Yes was more terrifying than he imagined!
Faced with such a terrifying Yes, in this year's regular season, apart from double-teaming Yes, he has used almost all other tricks!
The Spurs' ace, Bowen and Duncan's 2-on-1 defense were all used!
The combination of Bowen and Duncan is a killer for any perimeter player in the league.
In the past, this killer weapon had never failed.
But this time, when faced with Yes.
The effect is really limited.
Even judging from the results, the effect should be said to be very bad, two consecutive losses!
Duncan and Bowen played two against one.
The final result seemed like Yes and Bowen playing against Duncan.
After the Spurs entered the ace combination of Duncan and Bowen, they lost two games in a row. This is from the perspective of consequences. The combination of Bowen and Duncan is ineffective against Yes.
But it seems that everyone who plays the game knows how much pressure the combination of Bowen and Duncan puts on Yes.
Especially Bowen.
Bowen earned the title of 'Yes Terminator' because of his two defenses against Yes.
Has Bowen ended Yes?
No.
But judging from the course of the game, Bowen was more of a Yes terminator than anyone in the league.
If it weren't for Bowen, he expected the Spurs to lose more than two games, maybe three games, or even be eliminated by the SuperSonics!
Facing Yes, he really tried his best. With the goal of winning, he used all methods
Except for double-teaming.
Double team?
**Vicci’s brows furrowed.
Want to try double teaming?
no!
Soon, **Vicci shook his head hard.
The Spurs can't afford to gamble now!
If it had been the first two games in the regular season, he would have tried.
But now, the Spurs really can't afford to gamble, and they can't afford to lose!
If the gamble fails and double-teaming is ineffective against Yes, and Yes is allowed to use his strongest ball handling and passing to drive his teammates forward, the Spurs will be giving away a game!
Don’t forget, Yes’s winning performance of 19.9 seconds in this year’s All-Star Skills Competition, the best movement control ability in history!
Plus Nash is certified as the number one passing master in history.
Except for Knicks head coach Isiah Thomas, no one dared to double-team in front of Yes.
,
This is a delivery!
The Spurs originally only needed to lose two games, but if they lost another game due to double-teaming and ended up losing three games, then the Spurs would not be depressed, but would be crying without tears.
Originally, they only had to play six games, but in the end he was forced to play a tiebreaker, and the Spurs collapsed!
In short, the Spurs are very depressed now, and **Vitch is also very depressed.
One wrong step, one wrong step!
After being dragged down by Yes, the Spurs' road to the championship this season has been extremely bumpy!
"It seems we can only place our hope on Bruce!"
Since we can't find a good tactical idea, we can only rely on the players' personal performance.
Now there is really no other way except to hope that Bowen can show a better defensive state in the second round.
If Bowen really excels defensively in a certain game, he will be lucky enough to suppress a certain game that Yes may lead the team to win.
Even if the Spurs succeed.
If Bowen can be lucky enough to defend two games superbly!
So……
Sweep? !
If they can really sweep the SuperSonics, the Spurs' chances of winning this year will be greatly increased!
**Vicci doesn't want to think about so many problems. He also thinks about it. If he can solve the SuperSonics in six games, then solve it. Why think about it so much.
Even if it is to compete for the championship, it will really hit the Rockets or the Sun when the time comes.
The world of people who play tactics is often so thoughtful and entangled!
"Bruce, what did ** want you to do?"
"Haha, it's nothing."
Bruce Bowen has gone and returned.
The expression on his face still looks so confident and leadership-like.
See the faint smile on Bowen's face now.
Teammates were curious.
Bowen was very upset!
Bowen felt like crying.
But his face showed a very relaxed and happy look.
After the game with the Jazz, ** told Duncan through his mouth that he intended to retire his jersey with the Spurs.
For him, this was troubling news.
This is his greatest pursuit in life.
This is also the most important achievement of his career.
Fans all over the world say that his greatest achievement in the NBA is the circle of NBA superstars who collapsed in front of him.
This really misunderstood him.
If not, he really has higher pursuits.
How could he possibly want to unify the Elbow Forest?
This time, ** asked him to go to his office, no longer relying on others to express his intention to retire his jersey.
"Bruce, if you beat the Sonics in five games, your jersey will hang in the AT&T Center forever!"
As long as you beat the SuperSonics within five games, your jersey will be retired!
No need to even win the championship.
The meaning of this statement is already obvious.
**This is almost like saying to him directly: Bruce, be awesome, use all your abilities and means to kill Yes like crazy, the Spurs and I will not treat you badly!
When other people say such things, Bowen will definitely think about them for a long time.
But the person who said this is ***.
Bowen still trusts **'s character.
He made many of them 'surrender' in front of him, in circles, how many people were there?
It is quite offending to want to become the leader of the NBA. Although he has offended so many people, he can still live such a cool and comfortable life in the NBA, which has a lot to do with the support of the Communist Party.
**For him, you can fight with the league’s vice president and league referees!
Even if there is no temptation to retire his jersey, he is still willing to work hard for the country.
He is not a white-eyed wolf.
He also knew what ** meant by saying this to him.
If there was really no other way, he also hoped that Yes would 'surrender' in front of him and become one of the rows of circles of light around him.
But, can he do it?
It can't be done!
He is also unwilling to cooperate with Yes as a second-rate boy!
The Spurs haven't produced a midfielder yet!
He really doesn't want to be the Spurs' first pick.
He also hopes that the Spurs team will not have a single kid!
Outside, the Spurs have a very bad reputation, but he really loves the atmosphere of the Spurs, loves the black **, loves the ruthless Tim, loves the cheap Manu and the boring Tony.
But in the end, he still couldn't confess everything...
Even though it was painful, he still chose to fulfill his selfishness with the dreams of his teammates.
"**, in this Western Conference semifinals, I will make zero mistakes in my defense against Yes!"
Zero mistakes in defense against Yes!
A very domineering speech.
The domineering power of the former leader of the Yulin Alliance even shocked the emperor with excitement.
That's Yes!
What does zero-error defense mean?
That means not giving Yes a single chance!
If he really wants to make zero mistakes against Yes' defense, then he will be a genius in every game!
Recalling how she was so moved and excited by his firm and domineering speech just now that she almost cried, Bowen also wanted to cry.
He also really wants to make zero mistakes on defense against Yes.
But this does not depend on his strength.
This depends on Yes' acting skills...
Congested?
Very upset...
Sad, right?
Very sad...
Life was always so fucked up, so fucked up that even if he wanted to find someone, he couldn't even give him an elbow.
He is about to face Yes, a person he can't even elbow!
In front of Yes, he is not the fearsome Bao Sanjiao.
He is a husky, he is an ATM, he has been educated by Yes into the shape he needs to be...
**, Tim…
I disappoint you...
After the Sonics came to Texas, they were stationed at the University of Texas.
The University of Texas was also home to the Sonics' first-round and Dallas-Mavs series.
Because of Tucker, the Sonics have a good relationship with the University of Texas.
Tucker is a former captain at the University of Texas.
At the Texas training facility.
It was crowded.
The spotlight is clicking.
The camera is constantly expanding and contracting back and forth.
This scene left many University of Texas players in the training hall stunned and stunned.
Even though many of them have actually watched it countless times.
But this scene is still so amazing.
In their understanding growing up, such scenes should not appear on the NBA stage.
"PJ, who do you think will win in a duel between Kevin and Yes?"
"Pj, I heard that you were beaten one-on-one by Durant last year?"
Tucker was embarrassed,
As the most popular defensive player in the league now, Tucker wants to say, Kevin is nothing, Nowitzki was defeated by me!
But it is a fact that he was beaten one-on-one by Kevin last year.
As one of the greatest players in Texas history, he fell into the second round of last year's draft. In addition to being beaten by the University of Florida in the NCAA tournament, he was also beaten one-on-one by Durant on the training field.
Even if he doesn’t admit it, Kevin’s one-on-one ability is really strong!
"Durant has excellent physical talent. He has a height of 206cm and a wingspan of over 220cm."
"His ball-handling skills are extremely skillful. His quick cross-phases, turns, pull-up jump shots and other actions can only be seen from guards."
"He has a great shooting touch and can score from anywhere on the court. No one can block his jump shot."
"In this year's NCAA, he is the player with the highest singles success rate!"
"I would say that his shortcoming is his confrontation ability."
"No wonder he has the confidence to challenge Yes!"
Listening to the words of the reporters around him, Tucker nodded in agreement.
In duels, Kevin is so strong that he doesn't look like an NCAA player!
"Kevin, do you really want to challenge Yes to a one-on-one challenge?"
As Durant's teammate and friend, Augustin is very worried.
He really didn't expect that Durant would challenge Yes in today's public training session.
That's Yes!
For Kevin, going one-on-one is risky.
Granted, if successful, his draft stock will likely skyrocket and his value will be re-evaluated.
Duncan claimed to be the No. 1 pick any year after 1995 because he had killed the famous NBA star Saint Mourning.
Of course, Yes is not comparable to Mourning, and Kevin does not need to kill Yes, as long as he performs well in this duel.
But what if it fails?
Durant is now expected to be ranked 2-3 in the draft.
His biggest competitor is Yi from China.
Overall, Kevin still has a slight advantage.
If you fail, let alone second place, you might even fall out of the top five!
Durant glanced at Ye Si, who was already waiting for him on the training ground, and walked up resolutely.
This is his last chance!
"Ten balls, you attack them all. If you succeed in five, I lose."
All my attacks?
Durant was stunned for a moment.
Finally, he nodded gratefully.
Yes is creating a stage for him!
"Durant has a strong offense but poor defense. Yes doesn't want to bully him on the offensive end!"
Upon hearing Ye Si's request, reporters on the sidelines were also in an uproar.
One-on-one duel, only defense but no offense!
Yes, you are so brave!
It would be interesting if you lose.
Soon, the uproar of reporters at the scene turned into silence!
0 out of 10!
Durant, who was invincible in one-on-one singles in the NCAA, only scored one goal against Yes's defense? !
Not good at confrontation, not good at dribbling, unstable in shooting, weak in the back...
Durant, who is versatile on the offensive end, was blocked by Yes? !
Isn’t this year’s number two hit a parallel import? !
The reporters at the scene looked at each other.
Even SuperSonics general manager Presti frowned.
Yesi glanced at Durant, who was standing motionless in front of him with his mouth open.
His eyes were slightly surprised.
But looking at Durant who seemed to have lost his soul, Ye Si said nothing, turned around and walked off the training field.
Now only Durant's lonely figure of loss and disappointment is left on the training ground.
His last attempt also failed...
Are you destined to be second?
Maybe, I won’t even be able to be second this time...
After coming back to his senses, Durant sadly left the training hall of the University of Texas under various looks.
"That boy really overestimates his abilities!"
Rondo thought disdainfully in his heart.
Is Master Jiu's ability in a duel something that someone like you can challenge?
Have you heard about Yes?
Have you heard of the strongest Yes!
Jiu Ye doesn't even use his strongest ball control in history and completely gives up offense. He can keep you clean just by using defense!
Durant has gained a lot of reputation in the NCAA this season, and Yez could feel the surprise of the reporters on the sidelines after he came off the court.
"Yes, what do you think of Kevin?"
To be honest, Tucker really didn't expect this result.
His junior is really not as weak as the reporters are discussing now!
"very good."
very good?
Yes is saying that Kevin is very good? !
Augustine, who was eavesdropping, was stunned.
Do you want to tell Kevin this information?
A struggle beyond one's ability...
Durant walked out of the training hall and shook his head mockingly.
At this time, his phone rang with the sound of an email.
Look at the email on your phone.
Durant was stunned...