One of the biggest highlights of the game between the Lakers and Celtics is the showdown between James and Wade.
After the two brothers turned against each other, James made it clear that he wanted to step on Wade to achieve his own greatness, and at the same time, he wanted to throw the blame for his failures in the past few years on Wade.
So what James said before the game started can be said to have broken Wade's heart.
He has already done this for James, and in the end, he was still treated like that by James. He didn't know how to defend himself, but Coach D said that he didn't need to defend himself. As long as he defeated James in this game, he would be able to win. It reminds people of how powerful the five-centimeter-short Jordan was who flew into the sky and escaped from the earth 10 years ago.
At that time, Wade didn't even need to defend himself. No one dared to say what he does now.
Wade believed it.
So, when Wade and James are on the court together.
The scene of Wade's mental collapse that James was waiting for did not appear.
Wade is a consumable that he carries wherever he needs it. Now he needs to score 50 points on Wade's head. Therefore, in this game, he needs to use Wade to sacrifice the flag.
Wade has a high reputation. He has performed very well this season and is in the top five of the MVP rankings. There is no better way to build momentum than directly KOing Wade and Curry, the two most popular MVPs.
Based on his understanding of Wade, as long as he says those words, Wade's mentality will definitely collapse. Then in this game, he can fight however he wants when facing Wade.
And with Coach D's character, Wade collapsed. Coach D will not give up on Wade, and may even trust Wade more.
This is why he jumped up and started a war with Wade before the game.
This season, he is so eager for MVP!
Only a double MVP championship can wash away the dirty water thrown at him by Coach D in the past few years.
If the MVP ends up being given to Seth Curry, Oden or Wade this season, he won't be able to sleep!
Even for him, the stage has been set for him for those behind him, and now is the time for him to aggressively move to the center of the stage.
He has no choice!
"Dwyane, I really have no choice! Since you have no role in the Lakers now, then just die for me again on the court!"
James looked at Wade deeply and said nothing.
Wade looked at James, who had no expression on his face at this time, and was still in a daze.
He wanted to see from James's face whether the words he said before the game were sincere and whether in LeBron's heart, he really viewed him that way.
Do you really feel that he was cheated by you in the Heat? Do you really feel that Dwyane Wade is a villain who is holding back James in the Heat?
Is he really a useless clown who sucks James' blood?
Wade wanted to see something, but in the end, Wade saw nothing.
This filled Wade's heart with disappointment instantly.
Although before going on the stage, the coach had told him that the only thing he could do in this game was to kill, charge crazily, and kill crazily.
However, he still had great expectations.
However, the greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment.
The Lakers won the jump ball at the beginning of this game, and the Lakers took the lead in the second quarter.
McAway received Jokic's baseline serve and prepared for a fast break.
The Lakers' rotation in the second quarter was McAway, Wade, Pierce, Covington and Jokic.
This is a full rotation lineup with one senior and four juniors.
On the Celtics' side, the rotation is Smart, Evan Turner, Jae Crowder, Jeff Green, and James.
In addition to James, the Celtics also have a full rotation, and it is a very special full rotation.
The five players on the Celtics' side are all strikers.
Even Marcus Smart, who is a point guard, is 1.93 meters tall and is very good at defense.
Obviously, the Celtics' rotation is imitating Pat Riley's five-forward tactics.
Du Kang was not surprised by this.
In the Christmas Day game, the Celtics led by 28 points in the first half. But in the second half, the situation suddenly changed, and the Celtics actually had no chance to use the five-forward strategy.
Even in the simulation, the Celtics made fantastic starts every time, so even in the simulation, Du Kang never saw the shadow of the five forwards.
In other words, at that time, the Celtics did not practice the five-forward strategy well.
Therefore, this game is definitely the first time the Celtics have used the five-forward strategy in a game.
Seeing the Celtics' five-forward formation on the court, the commentary box was in an uproar.
The experts in front of the TV were also in an uproar at this time.
Obviously, they didn't expect that the Celtics could actually put together a five-forward lineup! ! !
Pat Riley was stunned in front of the TV.
Celtics head coach Miracle Monty is a godly man who can relate to all factions in the NBA.
He is a disciple of Larry, and he is also a disciple of Bobo. He has studied under old Nelson and also studied with Pat Riley.
When he and Du Kang fought against each other for the first time, he invited all his masters to come out.
After so many years, Monty Williams dreams about that first confrontation with Coach D, and wants to recreate that game.
That game was his peak!
After that game, he could never find that peak feeling again.
After all, the Pelicans are not a team with a stable lineup, and he does not have the resources to replicate these systems. Even if he has been studying hard over the years, he still does not have the resources.
And now, there is!
The Celtics have the personnel and the resources.
After the Christmas game, his status with the Celtics has improved, and he can also play the system he wants in the team.
From December 25th to February 20th, almost two months later, he finally came up with a tactical system for the Celtics!
Regarding the Celtics' starting system, he needs to consider the feelings of the Big Five. The lineup cannot be messed up. No system can satisfy the Big Five. Therefore, he did not move in the starting lineup.
But in the rotation, Miracle Monty moved, and once he took action, it was amazing!
Not to mention these experts, fans, and even Pat Riley were shocked, as you can imagine.
"I didn't expect that Monty actually got it together..."
Pat Riley's eyes widened in surprise.
In the five-forward tactic, people are actually the most difficult to recruit.
Then there is the core of the system.
Smart, the top pick a year ago, chose to play in the NCAA for one more year, and eventually fell into the hands of the Celtics. He can defend, has athletic ability, has impact, and has a certain ability to pass, control and organize. Suitable for a height of 1.93 meters.
Turner was a role model four years ago, but he failed to succeed. The 76ers had a new team core and chose not to renew his contract. No other team was willing to take over such a player who had everything, but everything. A mediocre player, in the end, the mid-level player worth 7 million in 2 years went to the Celtics.
Jae Crowder, a second-round pick three years ago, spent two years in the league before being signed by Danny Ainge for $7 million in three years.
Turner and Jae Crowder were also two of the reasons that prevented Garnett and Pierce from returning to the Celtics. The Celtics chose to give the spots to these two instead of Pierce and Garnett.
The bodies of these two people are indeed very suitable for playing five forwards, but do they have this ability?
Pat Riley was full of curiosity.
Not to mention Jeff Green and James.
These two have great reputations in the NBA, and there is no problem for them to play as the fifth forward.
Just when Pat Riley was curious, Popovich was also curious in front of the TV, and even looked ugly.
Pat Riley is no longer on the front line. He can look at the Celtics' five forwards with a more relaxed attitude, but he can't do that with Popovich and the Spurs!
The Spurs have indeed been rebuilt this season, but they have not given up on the championship!
Others who have this mentality include Warriors head coach Cole and Rockets head coach D'Antoni.
Especially D'Antoni, he even felt that the five forwards created by Miracle Monty in the Celtics were just for him!
In the current league, whether it is Coach D's Farke basketball + unlimited singles, or his running and gunning with unlimited defense changes, the lineup is actually made as lightweight and small as possible.
This is the general trend of the NBA. Big centers are not useless anymore. If you have a big center like Yao Ming, you are of course invincible.
However, there is only one Yao Ming, and Yao Ming is still injured and is out for the season.
Under such circumstances, when Oden has not yet completely proven his quality, a small lineup is invincible.
Even Coach D has a small lineup!
However, among so many small lineups, the one that restrains other small lineups the most is definitely the five forwards!
The five forwards have all the advantages of a small lineup, without the disadvantages of a small lineup. They can attack and defend, and they are not disadvantaged by their height.
If the Celtics really practice the five-forward tactic, who else can beat this team?
If the Celtics really master the five-forward strategy, even if they are not invincible, it will be infinitely difficult to defeat the Celtics.
"Bobo, Coach D must be panicking now!"
Popovich nodded.
"Anyone in a situation like this would panic."
Even I would panic when seeing a team like the Celtics come up with such a lineup. This is definitely not a joke.
In fact, the Lakers players on the court quickly let all the spectators see their panic.
At the beginning of the second quarter, the Celtics adopted a five-forward tactic, and Smart quickly pressed McAway across the court.
McAway used his super explosive power to break through Smart. Up to this point, McAway has done well, but it is obvious that he underestimated the difference between the full-court press of the five forwards and the full-court press of the ordinary lineup. of.
quick!
In one word, fast!
If there is one more word, it would be too fast!
Just as McAway got rid of Smart through an explosion, James' double attack came over.
Just as McAway was about to turn around to protect the ball and prepare to pass it out, Smart, who he had just gotten rid of, appeared behind him and cut the basketball out of his hand!
As soon as the second quarter started, the Lakers made a mistake!
This stunned the Lakers fans at the scene!
You know, at the last moment of the first quarter, the Lakers' morale was so high that they chased the 20-point difference to only 2 points!
The Lakers fans at the scene are now waiting for Wade to beat James violently, and the Lakers take the lead in the second quarter!
Now when the game starts in the second quarter, Smart steals, James makes a fast break, and then bang!
32 to 28!
James' dunk brought the score between the two teams to 4 points!
James' double attack, catch, and fast break are all done in one go, without any redundant movements!
After the dunk, James immediately extended his right index finger to the amazing Monty on the sidelines.
“LeBron James is paying tribute to Amazing Monty!!!”
"The five forwards that Miracle Monty plays in the Celtics' rotation are tailor-made for LeBron James!"
"LeBron James loves this kind of basketball so much!!!"
James likes the Celtics' style of play, which is visible to the naked eye. What a happy smile on his face.
Compared with positional shooting, this kind of fast break is his romance!
And on the defensive end, everyone around him can defend. He only needs to sweep, only needs to help defend, and only needs to help connect in the middle. Everyone around him can do the hard work. This is also something that makes James feel very comfortable.
more importantly!
Wu Feng, he is familiar with it!
In the Heat, he has always played as the core of the five forwards, just because the Big Three have Chris Bosh. Therefore, the Heat's five forwards are not five forwards on the outside, but the core is definitely the core of the five forwards.
So, this is a two-way journey!
James himself actually didn't expect that Miracle Monty would play a five-forward tactical system in the team's rotation.
Seeing James' tribute to the amazing Monty at this time, the Lakers fans at the scene were silent.
"I know that every time I play Miracle Monty, it's never going to be easy!"
"Every time Coach D meets Magical Monty, there will be some weird things!"
"But the great Coach D doesn't seem to be panicking now?"
"Wait! I seem to know why Coach D left McAway, Wade and Pierce on the bench!!! Coach D wouldn't have expected that Miracle Monty would play five forwards during the rotation of this game, right? !!!”
Kenny Smith looked at Coach D who was applauding the Lakers players on the side of the court, his eyes widened, and he stood up excitedly.
After Kenny Smith shouted loudly, O'Neal next to him was also a little dumbfounded.
"Coach D deliberately kept Wade, Pierce, and McAway in the rotation. Isn't it to preserve Wade's physical strength and let McAway and Pierce help Wade consume James?!"
In fact, O'Neal is not the only one who thinks so.
Even James himself thinks so. He feels that Coach D put Wade on the bench, and then did not start two players who are worthy of him, McAway and Pierce, just to consume him and protect Wade.
Even James thinks so. It can be seen that this is the consensus.
After all, in the duel between James and Wade, no matter how stupid you are, you won’t believe that Wade can defeat James one-on-one under normal circumstances, right?
Therefore, there is no problem for Coach D to make such an arrangement.
But now, the hypothesis put forward by Kenny Smith is very interesting!
"Mike, this is the first time the Celtics have played five forwards in an official game, right?"
"I'm sure it's the first time!"
Budenholzer said with great certainty, while Popovich was still doubtful.
If it was really the first time, how could Coach D guess it before the game?
but!
Popovich looked at Coach D on the TV who was applauding the Lakers players.
If it wasn't really predicted before the game, why didn't Coach D panic at all?
And at this moment, there was another exclamation on the TV!
"No, the Lakers are going to make another mistake!!!"
The game continued in the second quarter, and the Lakers continued to attack.
Wade was still a little dazed by the indifferent James.
So it was McAway and Pierce who carried the ball.
In fact, with the strength of McAway and Pierce, even if Wade is in a daze now, there is no problem for the two of them.
This time, McAway did not stick to the ball. After using his super explosive power to get past Smart's personal defense, McAway immediately passed the ball to Pierce.
but!
James is too fast!
James was just about to come over to flank him. After he passed the ball to Pierce, James immediately returned to Pierce and completed the flanking attack on Pierce with Evan Turner, who switched to Pierce's side.
Pierce's frequency of handling the ball is a bit slow. This is a common problem among veteran stars. He has to dribble twice to get the ball.
Pierce, Carter, Wheat, Kobe, and Iverson all have this problem.
But this time, Pierce is definitely not to blame.
Because he had no luck at all, he was flanked by James and Turner!
Pierce was also smart. He jumped up and slammed the basketball in his hand onto James.
James couldn't avoid it and was hit hard on the knee by Pierce's basketball.
However, after James was hit by Pierce, the basketball rebounded not toward the outside of the court, but toward Pierce!
Pierce is witty.
James is also very witty!
Unable to avoid it, James used his wit to finally bounce the basketball onto Pierce.
In the end, Pierce still made a mistake, the Lakers still made a mistake, and the Celtics had the ball.
Evan Turner quickly served the sideline ball, but James ignored the ball and rushed directly to the frontcourt.
For James, the Lakers inside without Garnett, Barkley, Antetokounmpo and Ebanks is so damn exciting!
This time the Celtics failed to form a fast break.
Fight positional warfare.
James still got to the Lakers' basket!
After James' football breakthrough broke through Pierce, he went directly to Jokic under the basket.
Facing James' breakthrough, Jokic's defense was still at the first level.
Watching football is the realm of football.
So when James took three steps, Jokic jumped up.
As everyone knows, James can still take the fourth step!
In the end, Jokic could only watch in stunned silence as James rode on him and completed a one-handed chop!
34 to 28!
The Celtics continue to widen the point difference!
And the Celtics led by James are going on a killing spree!
After James smashed Jokic, he glanced disdainfully at the parallel import No. 1 pick.
What the hell, I was almost drafted to the Celtics by Danny Ainge, and I was almost fooled by this parallel import!
Compared with this parallel import, Wiggins, who was selected with the sixth pick in exchange for thick eyebrows, is as fragrant as you want!
This parallel import top pick is also Coach D’s baby, and he can’t even compare to thick eyebrows!
Being smashed by James with a walking attack, Jokic's character was so angry that he wanted to go up and argue with James on the spot.
But in the end, Jokic was held back by his teammate Pierce.
"Nikola, if you want to be sent off, go and argue with LeBron James!"
"Nicola, do you think you are the biological son of the NBA and Adam Silver's biological father!"
Jokic suddenly discovered that he was neither the NBA's biological son nor Adam Silver's biological father.
In the end, Jokic could only endure this breath.
Seeing Jokic's angry look, Oden in front of the TV smiled bitterly.
"Boy, just get used to it...you still have time to learn."
Oden recalled the time when he was teased by James, and the bitter smile on his face turned into a sweet memory.
"There are three realms of defending James' breakthrough."
"The first level is to look at the ball as the ball and the person as the person. This means that defensive players only look at the surface when defending James."
"The second level, watching the ball is not the ball, watching the person is not the person. This refers to the defensive players who have begun to learn to think about the meaning behind basketball. James, it is not necessary to abide by the rules of basketball. Greg, when you reach this state , you can sometimes see through James' breakthrough, and sometimes you can defend James' breakthrough."
"The third level is also the last level. Watching the ball is still the ball, and looking at the people is still the people. This means that when the defensive players face James, they have a profound understanding. Even people like James who do not follow the rules will not play the game if they are not following the rules." Rule-abiding basketball and breakthroughs are still just ordinary people playing ordinary basketball. No matter how many steps James takes, in the end, he still has to attack the basket. If you can understand the final operating rules of basketball games, if you can understand human nature , James and his basketball will have no secrets in front of you."
This is Yao's secret weapon to teach him to defend James.
In the end, Oden felt that he had only reached the second level.
As for the highest third level, Oden feels that he is still a little behind.
Maybe in this world, you can only reach the third level?
In front of Yao, LeBron James, no matter how many steps he takes, is really like a chicken!
At the beginning of the second quarter, James forced two mistakes from the Lakers and scored 4 points in a row. This made James almost extremely excited.
A mere Jokic also wants to rush over to him for a solo. Does this kid really think he is worthy?
"I am the number one scholar, you are also the number one scholar, I am the emperor, and you are just a parallel import waste!"
Jokic, who was pulled by Pierce, felt like he was going to explode.
Serbs, when did you ever get scared?
Even Milicic, the second best player in the rankings, has never been timid in the NBA!
However, as Pierce said, James can mess with you, but if you mess with James, then get out!
If he really gets out, the coach will definitely give him a hair dryer!
The coach allowed them to go 0-for-30 on the court, and the coach would never allow them to bring down the team for their own personal grudges.
Jokic is a very smart young man.
He understands this.
"Next attack, I'll do it!"
Jokic has to take the initiative to take the next attack, and the players on the Lakers court have no objection.
but!
"The key now is that we need to get the ball into Nikola's hands and we can't make any more mistakes!"
After Pierce finished speaking, the other players on the court looked at Wade almost subconsciously.
Facing the five forwards, McAway and Pierce still have a little less ball control points.
Covington and Jokic are not stable with the ball now.
Wade needs to step up.
As the player who really wants to compete with James Sala in this game, James has already ridden the Lakers' face to deal damage. Can Wade still endure it now?
Two consecutive mistakes made Pierce and the Lakers players know what they were missing now. They lacked someone who would make the Celtics dare not attack Pierce and McAway so unscrupulously.
And Wade is the best candidate!
McAway once again dribbled the ball past half-court.
Smart's press came again.
Because of the previous two sweeteners, the defensive intensity of the Celtics' front five is increasing.
McAway isn't even that pushy anymore!
"McCaraway passed the ball! Oh my god! Wade caught the ball!!!"
Seeing Wade take the initiative to lean on Jae Crowder behind him to receive McAwee's pass, the Lakers fans at the scene immediately became excited after a burst of exclamation!
At this time, James was equally excited.
After Wade turned his back and passed Jae Crowder, James immediately waved Crowder to guard Pierce, and he himself came to Wade.
James is too familiar with Wade!
Wade is equally familiar with James!
The two of them didn't know how many one-on-one and one-on-one confrontations they had on the training ground.
Of course, the final result will definitely be Wade winning more.
One-on-one has always been Wade's strength, not James's strength!
However, the game is not the same as the American one-on-one game. There is no three-dribble rule, and there are no rules about what defensive players must not do.
James pressed forward directly.
Even James doesn't intend to allow Wade any possibility of dribbling.
Wearing a magical outfit, even if the defensive intensity is over the line, the referee will not call it a blow.
James' advantage is too great!
Wade wanted to distance himself, but James ran directly into him!
The man falls and the ball flies!
And James grabbed the basketball that Wade dropped and went straight for a fast break!
Seeing Wade being knocked to the ground, everyone was dumbfounded!
Even Paul on the sidelines and Anthony in front of the TV were dumbfounded!
When Dwyane steps back, collide with him!
LeBron, this is really going to destroy Dwyane! !
Bang!
James dunked successfully!
36 to 28!
The score continues to grow!
Wade was still sitting on the ground, looking at James walking over.
Wade stretched out his hand, but James ignored it.
even!
"Dwyane, why are you fighting with me?"
James smiled and said in Wade's ear, then left with a smile.
And Wade was left completely stunned.
"OMG!!!"
This plot!
James understands traffic! ! !
However, James didn't notice.
The eyes of his flow baby sitting on the ground have completely lost focus!
Wade seemed to change from color to black and white.
Du Kang on the sidelines smiled.
(End of chapter)
