April 20, the day of G1 in the first round of the playoffs between the Lakers and Clippers.
There will be four playoff games starting today.
This game between the Lakers and Clippers is the first game of this year's playoffs.
At the same time, the showdown between the Lakers and Clippers is also the most watched showdown in the first round of this year's NBA playoffs.
The Clippers have stars such as Chris Paul, Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and Billups.
That is, in the West, it ranked sixth.
If placed in the Eastern Conference, the Clippers can kill at will except the Heat.
As for the Lakers, they are responsible for the traffic of the NBA this season. The current Lakers are called F7.
The four top defenders, Ganash, Howard and Yi Jianlian, are seven stars.
This does not include Coach D, the most popular head coach in the NBA.
At the same time, this series with the Clippers is also the first time Coach D has led the team to the playoffs.
This also added a lot of attention to the Los Angeles Derby between the Lakers and Clippers.
According to a survey by local media in Los Angeles.
The G1 game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers will have a large number of Chinese fans coming from all over the United States.
There are even many Chinese fans from across the ocean.
After all, the Los Angeles Lakers except Coach D, a Chinese coach.
There is also Yi, China's current star player.
The restaurant at the Lakers training facility.
Lakers players are having a meal together after training in the morning.
In addition to Lakers players, there were also many Los Angeles Lakers staff, trainers, coaches, reporters, relatives, etc. in the restaurant.
At this time, the person receiving the most attention in the restaurant was not Coach D, nor Kobe, Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Carter, Nash or Howard.
But it's the Lakers' two young water cooler keepers.
"What's going on today with Greg and Devin?"
At this time, everyone in the restaurant was looking at Oden and Ebanks.
There's no way around it, the way these two people eat is really eye-catching.
After Auden finished eating, he was licking his plate one by one.
After licking it once, he added it again.
After adding it a second time, I added it a third time.
In our great America, don’t we eat half and lose half?
Do you need to lick it so cleanly?
It felt as if I had experienced a great famine.
It felt as if he had been abused by the Conley family when he was a child.
"Greg doesn't want to leave even a little taste, does he?"
Not far away, Coach Mata, the head coach of Ohio State University, looked at the old Conley next to him with an ugly expression.
"I swear, I never abused Greg. He and little Mike were treated the same by me!"
I saw old Conley looking very confident.
Coach Mata was doubtful.
Then Auden started licking for the fourth time.
Damn it!
Conley Sr. felt like he was going crazy.
Because of Oden's growth experience, everyone in the American basketball circle knows it.
Although Oden is now the water cooler keeper of the Lakers, he was once the great emperor and the proud son of heaven.
Oden's flow is superstar-level.
Therefore, Old Conley felt countless eyes staring at him for a while.
Old Conley wanted to cry.
He once led Oden to cheat on the contract, but he really never abused Oden. Even if he cheated on the contract, it was not for himself.
So, Greg, stop licking, okay?
Then on the other side, a group of people were staring at little Ariza, Devin Ebanks.
At this time, Ebanks kept his back straight while eating.
While eating, there was no sound at all.
It makes me look like a eating robot.
No, I treated myself like a soldier.
And it's definitely not the Cao Dan stuff of the American soldiers!
Where did you study?
After finishing the meal, Ebanks did not just leave the tableware there like others did.
But holding the dinner plate...
Snap!
Snap!
Snap!
Damn it!
Ebanks put the cutlery neatly while walking goose-stepping.
After putting it away, he also put away the messy tableware next to it.
This is not the end.
He even swept the floor!
After sweeping the floor, he gave a standard military salute to the dumbfounded cleaning lady next to him.
Damn it!
Many Chinese reporters who came to interview the Lakers for the first time were dumbfounded.
This military salute is definitely the most standard Huaguo military salute, right?
After the salute, Ebanks straightened his back, waved his hands rhythmically, and walked out of the restaurant.
"..."
See this incredible picture.
Many Chinese and American reporters at the scene were dumbfounded.
Especially Chinese journalists.
Coach Xiao Du, did you even have military training with the Lakers?
"Teacher Zhang, Coach Xiao Du, have the prestige of the Lakers reached this level?"
Teacher Zhang Lili said that he didn’t understand either!
After leaving the restaurant.
Ebanks was very excited.
After the Lakers played the Spurs game, he thought it would be great if the coach could personally teach him how to play basketball.
Unexpectedly, after the coach gave him the black wristband, the coach actually appeared in his dream, teaching him to play basketball and teach him to be a qualified soldier.
After 10 years of training, in his dream, he not only became a qualified soldier, but also a qualified basketball player.
The dream was so real that it felt like reality to him.
Coaches are real.
His Chinese is also real.
His defense, his breakthrough, his three-pointers, and his mid-range shots are also real!
Thanks for this great dream!
Thanks coach!
Thank God!
Thank you to the army and thank you to the motherland for your training!
Um?
Ebanks was stunned for a moment.
Is there something wrong with thanking you just now?
Well, there should be no problem, right?
On the other side.
Auden brought the tasteless tableware that he had licked to the dining table.
Looking at the incredible scene of waste at the dining table, Auden felt heartbroken for a moment.
I wish I could eat all the wasted food.
Thinking about the scene in his dream where he was hungry three times a day, sometimes nine times in three days, Auden sighed one last time.
Damn America!
Damn capitalism!
"Greg, what are you doing?"
"Ah, Mr. Mata, Mike, why are you here?"
"Coach D asked me to come. He said you will start in this game against the Clippers."
Coach Mata finished speaking with a smile, and Oden was shocked.
My first start?
coach? !
I think of the coach in my dream who saved me after being homeless for 10 years.
Auden suddenly wanted to cry.
In the dream and in reality, he was saved by the coach.
Seeing Oden like this, coach Mata looked at Oden very seriously and said.
"Greg, remember, the only person in this world who can really help you is Coach D. The only NBA head coach who truly treats you sincerely is Coach D. He is the one who can fulfill your dream and help you get back to where you belong. , or only Coach D, you should not have other choices in your career, do you understand?"
"Understood, Mr. Mata, I know everything!"
Oden's answer was more serious than Coach Mata expected.
"I feel relieved now."
Coach Mata smiled.
Seeing Mata and Oden like this, the old Conley next to him curled his lips.
He has always felt that there is a famous saying that is very correct.
Don't let loyalty hurt you.
but……
If Greg's loyalty is to Coach D, he really has nothing to say.
Even he felt it.
"Coach D deserves all the loyalty and praise."
…
…
"Ding, your player Ebanks' favorability towards you has been adjusted from 98 to 99. Please check it."
oh?
Du Kang, who was studying Ebanks' player card, was a little surprised to see this system prompt.
Ebanks will also become another player after Kobe, Tracy McGrady, Iverson, Nash, and Oden whose favorability reaches 99.
By the way, Arab League and Carter's favorability towards him has reached 100, and they have received player template cards.
Du Kang clicked on Ebanks' player card again.
Overall rating: 80
Potential: 82
Inside score: B, position average: B
Mid-range shooting score: B, position average: B+
3-Point Score: B, Position Average: B+
Playmaking: B-, Positional Average: B+
Perimeter defense: B+, positional average: B+
Interior defense: C, positional average: C
Rebounds: C, Positional Average: C-
Basketball IQ: A-, Position Average: B+
Athleticism: A-, Positional Average: B
Cutting layup 80, standing dunk 70, cutting dunk 80, close shot 75, mid-range shot 82, three-point shot 80, free throw 80, fadeaway jumper 75, post control 75, shooting IQ 85, passing accuracy 70 , 80 ball control, 80 receiving ability, 70 passing IQ, 70 passing vision, 70 offensive stability, 85 perimeter defense, 80 defensive stability, 70 passing insight, 95 physical strength, and 90 overall durability.
Acceleration: 85, Speed: 88, Bounce: 85, Strength: 80, Lateral Movement: 85
Now Ebanks has changed from a talented player who can't attack, defend, and has no basketball IQ, and can only run and jump, to an all-around role player who can attack, defend, and have ball intelligence.
To say that Ebanks is an excellent 3D player may be a bit reluctant.
Excellent 3D, no matter what players say, 3 and D must be A- or above.
Ebanks is now an all-around ordinary 3D player who is very good in running and jumping.
Well, I know a little bit of everything.
There are no shortcomings and no loopholes.
Such a player is most suitable for the current Lakers.
It is also best suited for the playoffs.
Ebanks finally looks like a little Ariza now.
Du Kang is very satisfied with the fact that he used an ordinary glory point to create an all-round role player like Ebanks.
I have to say that glory points are indeed precious.
Whether it is purple or ordinary, they are very precious.
This is completely re-creating a player.
It is very suitable for cultivating young players, as well as cultivating some veterans who can continue to grow, like Kobe.
After watching Ebanks, Du Kang looked at Oden.
Overall rating: 83
Potential: 99
Cutting layup 70, in-situ dunk 85, cut dunk 75, close shot 80, mid-range shot 60, three-pointer 25, free throw 70, back hook 80, post fade jumper 70, post control 80, shooting IQ 80 , Passing accuracy 60, Ball control 60, Offensive stability 70, Interior defense 90, Blocking 90, Offensive rebounds 80, Defensive rebounds 90, Lateral agility 60, Help defense IQ 80, Defensive stability 80, Speed 60, Acceleration 60 , strength 85, bounce 75, stamina 85, overall durability 80
When Oden first joined the team, his defensive attributes were pretty good.
The offensive attributes are basically eye-catching.
Now Oden's offensive attributes can be seen a little bit.
The close-range attack is already a bit heated.
And the defense, especially the interior defense, is even better.
After all, when he first joined the team, his interior defense was A-level, and this is what Du Kang values.
Inside score: B+, mid-range score: D, three-point score: F, playmaking: D, outside defense: D, inside defense: A+, rebounds: A, athletic ability: C+, basketball IQ A-, growth potential: A+
When Oden first joined the team, he was basically an F except for his interior defense, A- in rebounding, and A+ in potential.
Now, Oden's attributes can really be seen.
After all, a center with an overall rating of 83 can actually be a starter for other NBA teams, and he is a very qualified starter.
Moreover, after Oden awakened the purple dream steps, the strongest thing was not his attributes, but his skills.
With purple fantasy footsteps, Oden's inside offense is only B+. With the blessing of purple fantasy footsteps, he may be able to perform A- or even A-level inside offense.
A post player with A- or A-grade interior offense, A+ interior defense, A-grade rebounding, and A-basketball IQ.
That is definitely an All-Star level center. If he can maintain a stable A-level interior offense, he will be a quasi-star level center.
Therefore, Oden is now a center with All-Star level practical ability. If he performs well, he can play at a quasi-star level.
Of course, considering his physical condition, well, he's also an All-Star in the half.
After having Howard, Arab League and Mai Zi in the paint, they now have Oden, a big center who can perform at the level of a half-court star.
The Lakers' inside line can finally be said to be adequate.
In the playoffs, the Lakers can also face many challenges.
Be reasonable.
He is stacking up big men in the Lakers, and he is really not as ruthless as the old guy Pop in the Spurs.
The insiders that Pop has accumulated in the Spurs are not as good as him in terms of strength.
But the variety is unusually rich.
Some are responsible for three-pointers, some are responsible for organization, some are responsible for being an all-around leader, some are responsible for rebounding, and some are responsible for mid-range.
There are all types.
In comparison, this is the most reasonable way of accumulation.
Unlike Du Kang, many of the insiders he accumulated have overlapping functions.
Everyone is very versatile, but this actually compresses the space of others.
Fortunately, except for Howard, the other three players, including Mai Zi, A Lian and Oden, cannot play the whole game, so the time can be staggered.
Well, Gasol and Jamison and Jordan Hill were not swapped in here.
The tactical status of these three people in the Lakers is not high.
The main thing is that Du Kang has no tactical system and relies on the star's own playing style.
Gasol needs structure now.
Jamison is now almost surrounded by the UAE.
Jordan Hill is even worse.
"Du, I have already told the players at the training ground about the starting lineup for the afternoon game."
"How was everyone's reaction?"
Du Kang asked curiously.
"no response."
Du Kang smiled.
No reaction is the best reaction.
"Good job Steve."
"No, Du, this is your prestige and has nothing to do with me."
The star players of the Lakers will not submit to Du Kang's starting position in tonight's game because of him.
"Du, you informed the starting lineup in advance. I think soon the whole country will know the starting players for the Lakers tonight."
Clifford said with some worry.
He knew that there was actually no way around this.
The starters given by Du Kang tonight are Oden, Howard, Ebanks, Kobe and Iverson.
Ebanks and Oden, two water cooler keepers.
If this were announced before the game, it would definitely cause shock to the Lakers players.
Many Lakers players are preparing to start. Du Kang suddenly uses young people. This will of course have a huge impact.
So if changes are to be made to the starting lineup, in the NBA, players are generally told in advance.
Well, for ordinary NBA teams, players will not leak secrets.
But, this is the Lakers.
It's just a leaky wall.
"Steve, be more confident. You told me, maybe, we are really strong?"
Clifford, who looked worried, looked at the smile on Du Kang's face and was stunned for a moment.
Finally he nodded with a wry smile.
"Du, maybe you are right again."
…
…
April 20, 2013, Staples, Los Angeles.
This is destined to be a game that will go down in NBA history.
Because Coach D, who led the Lakers to 40 consecutive wins in the regular season and broke the NBA's longest winning streak record, will lead the team to the playoffs for the first time in his career.
It is precisely because it has such great significance.
This game attracted a large number of D fans from all over the United States and the world.
In front of the TV.
Pat Riley, James, Wade, Larry Bird, Jordan, and even Celtics general manager Danny Ainge were watching this game at this time.
This is not to mention Popovich, Scott Brooks, George Karl, Durant, Westbrook, Duncan and other Western Conference opponents.
"Pop, there was news before this game that the Lakers will start Oden and Ebanks. Do you think this is a smoke bomb?"
Popovich frowned.
"Do you think Coach D needs to lie to Pooh?"
"..."
Budenholzer fell silent for a moment.
Yes, the Clippers and Winnie really don't need to lie.
but……
Thinking back to the Lakers' starters for this game announced in advance.
Oden, Howard, Ebanks, Kobe, Iverson.
OMG!
Really crazy!
Forget about two centers.
Ebanks has proven to be a failure in the NBA with nothing but athletic ability.
Kobe is currently in the stage of being spoiled, and his illness has not yet healed.
And with the two centers inside so crowded, does Iverson have room?
Coach D’s starting lineup seemed awkward.
No wonder Vinnie was so excited at the pre-game press conference.
At Staples, Lakers players began to appear.
Clifford and Ham came out with the Lakers' bench.
"Oh my god, the one licking the wristband is Nash, the one cheering is Tracy McGrady, and the one jumping up and down is Carter, the UAE, and the UAE. It's the first time I see a team. The benches are so luxurious!”
"If it weren't for Coach D's great ability, you would definitely not be cheering for the Lakers' bench now. You would only say that the Lakers are too old, hahahaha."
O'Neal laughed, looking at the star player of the Lakers bench who was enjoying the cheers of the fans, O'Neal wished he could take his place.
"Coach D's starting lineup in this game was very bold. I thought Coach D would ask Kobe to be a substitute. His recent state is worrying. Unexpectedly, Kobe still started. The Lakers' starting lineup seems to be very dangerous. I don't know. What is Coach D’s consideration?”
"Oden and Ebanks may be very important players in the playoffs in Coach D's mind. I hope they can get the feeling of the playoffs when they face the Clippers?"
"Maybe it's not just that. Coach D is afraid of the speed and agility of the Clippers' Jordan and Griffin, and wants to block their inside space!"
Just as TNT's trio was discussing the Lakers' strange start in this game, the Lakers fans at the scene let out the biggest cheer of the game so far.
"He is our invincible savior!"
"Ouch~Coach D!"
"He's the creator of a 40-game winning streak!"
"Ouch~Coach D!"
"He is the creator of the most beautiful Lakers!"
"Ouch~Coach D!"
"He brought light to Los Angeles!"
"Ouch~Coach D!"
"He is our legend, the most elegant godfather from afar——"
"Coach D!!!!!"
Led by the Lakers DJ, the cheers of the Lakers fans in the audience were shocking.
This is a unique appearance ceremony for the Lakers.
Coach D, the head coach of the Lakers, came on five starts ago.
At other teams, the final team receives the biggest cheers.
In the Lakers, Coach D gets the biggest cheers when he plays alone.
"Incredible!"
O'Neill stared at all this with his mouth agape.
Although this was not the first time he had seen such an appearance ceremony.
But I was still deeply shocked.
"Shaq, are you envious? Are you jealous?"
"Don't you? Charles!"
A coach who received the goods received cheers that even superstars would envy and envy.
It can only be said that in the history of the NBA, there is only Coach D!
"Only Coach D like this is the most worthy of defeating!"
Clippers head coach Vined Nagro watched all this with excitement.
In this game, the Lakers want to use their Clippers to train?
Coach D is really arrogant!
"Guys, you saw that during the Los Angeles game, there were almost no Clippers fans around. This place is also our home court. Are you willing to do that?!"
"Coach D put two water fountain keepers in the starting lineup. Are you willing to be treated with such contempt?!"
"Tonight, let us take back our glory on our own turf and end Coach D's undefeated legend!"
Before the game started, Clippers head coach Vined Nagro's pre-game speech was very effective.
On the jump ball of the game, Jordan beat Howard almost like a chicken.
After defeating Howard, Jordan roared at Howard.
How could Howard stand being treated so badly by Jordan?
Now that he is so popular and so strong, how dare you, a mere Jordan, make a mistake in front of me?
Haven't you seen that old guy Kobe is now honest in front of me, and even gave me the management of his first training camp?
Howard was just about to confront DeAndre Jordan.
Suddenly, a white figure emerged.
Farke!
be cheated!
Although White Monster Griffin's hands are short, his speed and explosiveness are bug-level among inside players.
Based on Oden's defensive stability, Howard felt that his defensive mistake this time would definitely be criticized by the coach!
Griffin has power, speed, explosiveness, and bounce.
Even though Oden, who was fighting and retreating, had already positioned himself under the basket, Griffin was still fearless after pushing away Ebanks.
His layup against someone is one of his special skills!
"Is Griffin going to lay up with Oden?!"
"Coach D is so miserable. Two young players he reused in the starting lineup will be humiliated by Griffin in one round!"
only……
A moment later, O'Neal, who had just said those words on the sidelines, was dumbfounded.
Snap!
Oden directly caught Griffin's layup in the air!
"Farke!"
"Is Oden's defensive IQ so high?"
In front of the TV, many Blazers fans were stunned.
They all still remember Oden's poor defensive performance against star inside players when he was with the Trail Blazers.
But what happened to Oden's layup just now when he caught Griffin?
After catching Griffin's layup, Oden handed the basketball to Iverson.
The Clippers' opening fast-break sneak attack ended in complete failure.
This failure left Griffin in the dark.
This is definitely not the Oden he is familiar with!
He is familiar with Oden, this defense should give him 2+1!
Du Kang smiled on the sidelines.
This is Oden with an A+ level interior defense and an A-level basketball IQ.
In the first simulated game against the Clippers, Griffin and DeAndre Jordan made the inside combination of Howard and UAE very uncomfortable.
The reason is that Griffin is so good at running, he can run and burrow, just like a loach.
The whole person is simply like a weakened version of Randolph, with a super enhanced range of movement and athletic ability.
Ah Lian couldn't stand him.
And Griffin's passing support ability is also extremely strong.
Being able to drive DeAndre Jordan, that simulation of the Clippers insiders almost maxed out the Lakers insiders.
After that simulation, Du Kang knew that facing the Clippers insiders, he must not give them any space inside.
No chance for layups or dunks. If you can make a shot from outside, that's up to you.
"Awesome! Oden's defense this time is amazing! Is this what Coach D expected?"
"Is this the real reason why Coach D started Oden?"
The three TNT commentators were exclaiming.
Fans online are also exclaiming.
On the sidelines, Clippers head coach Vined Nagro looked a bit ugly.
"Humph, it's just defense. Let me see how your starting lineup can attack!"
Vined Nagro is very confident.
"The Clippers are shrinking their defense!"
"Except for Barnes who is following Kobe and Griffin who is one step ahead of Howard to defend his three-pointer, everyone else is shrinking!"
Just when Denagro was very confident.
"Do you think you are still the proud man you once were? Do you think Iverson will pass the ball to you if you are stuck now? Even if Iverson passes the ball to you, do you think you can beat me!"
"Back then, when you were at the top of your game, KD and I, all of us had to look up to you. Now, you have to look up to us!"
"Thank you Coach D. He gave you a chance to compete on the same stage as me. Otherwise, you are no longer worthy of standing with me!"
On the court, Jordan kept talking trash.
The two were contemporaries.
Jordan, like Durant, is a player who lives in Oden's shadow.
Now the people I once looked up to are in trouble, and they are not normal if they don’t spray them.
Oden, who faced Jordan's crazy trash-talking defense, said nothing.
Instead, he stuck Little Jordan tightly behind him.
Oden glanced at the sidelines out of the corner of his eye.
The coach is asking Iverson to pass the ball.
Teacher Maizi did not doze off and had already stood up.
That look seemed to be saying...
"If you can't defeat this guy, you are the one who disturbed my sleep!"
very scary……
Iverson passed the ball.
The moment Iverson passed the ball, Oden moved!
After receiving a pass from Iverson, Oden made a smooth fake move to turn around.
"It's impossible to turn around in front of me!"
In the entire NBA, there is no center more flexible than him!
He, Jordan, is the admiral of this era! !
"What?!"
Didn't turn around? !
Oden, who was about to turn around just now, did not turn around, but quickly pulled his body back.
Seeing this scene, the audience at the scene and in front of the TV were very shocked.
What's even more incredible is that when Oden lifted the ball with both hands, Jordan, who was defending behind him, was directly knocked away!
Seeing Jordan being sent flying, the entire Staples was silent!
"Oh my god, is this?!"
O'Neal and Barkley and Kenny Smith were dumbfounded.
Oden, the NBA's most famous big man who can't move around the basket.
Such an insider, he actually played it just now...
"Dream steps! This is a dream step!!! Incredible Oden!!! Incredible Coach D!!! He actually made Oden learn the dream steps!!!"
Buckley came back to his senses and yelled crazily.
And in front of the TV.
Olajuwon is stupid.
"This level of dreamy footsteps..."
I really never taught Auden!
Forget it about McGrady, Oden?
Why? !
Similarly, the admiral who was in front of the TV at this time had a bitter look on his face when he saw this familiar picture.
After all these years, I still can't stand the excitement.
Then, looking at the Clippers center and admiral on TV, I inexplicably saw the shadow of myself back then.
After sending Jordan flying, Oden made a very light and unpretentious turn and completed an easy layup under the basket.
2 to 0!
Oden, who had just defensively blocked Griffin, defeated DeAndre Jordan with his dream steps in a single.
After completing this unassuming layup, Oden didn't celebrate or roar.
Just plainly preparing to return to defense.
However, when passing by Jordan, he faced an incredible look in his eyes.
"That was just luck, right?"
Auden smiled.
"DeAndre, do you know how I have lived these ten years?"
"..."
ten years?
Little Jordan was confused.
You haven’t even been in the NBA for ten years!
"In these ten years, that step has been the only light in my life."
This is the light given to me by coaches and teachers.
"..."
"I could make you look up to me before, and I can do the same now."
Looking at Oden's back.
Little Jordan gritted his teeth.
impossible!
I do not believe!
…
…
Because I typed until 1 a.m. yesterday, today’s update time is a bit messy. I’m really sorry. It will be restored tomorrow. Thank you everyone for your support. I love you (*^▽^*).
(End of chapter)
