If the Knicks are the most surprising team in the East, then the most surprising team in the West must be the Hornets.
Before the start of the 2007-08 season, if someone said that the Hornets would become the top two teams in the Western Conference, even die-hard Hornets fans might think it was a humorous joke.
After all, after the team moved from Charlotte to New Orleans, it has always been an underdog in the NBA. Especially when they came to the Wild West with so many powerful players, it became a luxury for the Hornets to enter the playoffs.
Looking back at the 2006-07 season that just ended, the Hornets ranked tenth in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs.
David West averaged 18.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game and was nothing more than a "quasi" All-Star.
Peja just transferred from the Pacers. Although he still contributed 17.8 points and 4.2 rebounds, he is no longer the fearsome top shooter he was during the Kings period.
At that time, Paul averaged 17.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 8.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He was indeed a good prospect for an excellent point guard. However, Paul had only graduated from the second grade. If he wanted to lead the team to rise, I am afraid that It will take some more years.
However, the Hornets, with a fully healthy lineup this season, slapped countless people in the face with practical actions.
Court general Chris Paul can always control the rhythm of the court well; the sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic, who was traded last season, continues to show his precise shooting ability, which brings Paul's breakthrough A huge amount of space.
David West's mid-range shot after the screen is ridiculously stable. He and Tyson Chandler provided Paul with a double-screen tactic, one behind the screen for a mid-range shot, and the other for a slide-down dunk after the screen, which was hard to guard against. :/
Outside Maurice Peterson plays a 3D role, and on the bench there are shooter Rasu Butler and point guard Janillo Pargo who can always quickly enter the role after coming off the bench.
Compared to Li Yan, who evolved into a violent combo guard, Chris Paul is considered the inheritor of the classic point guard.
On the offensive end, Paul can use his outstanding speed to break through and cause damage after picking and rolling with Tyson Chandler and David West. He can also steadily hit mid-range shots in the mid-range.
And once the opponent comes forward to attack, he can quickly find Peja and Peterson on the outside; or he can give Chandler an alley-oop to create a low one-on-one opportunity for West.
On the defensive end, Paul's close marking made it difficult for many opponents to compete, and he was able to quickly read the opponent's defense, then judge the movement of the ball and complete fatal steals.
Paul ranks 19th in the scoring list, 2nd in the assists list, and 1st in the steals list. He definitely deserves to be ranked third on the regular season MVP list.
Although the media here pride themselves on being tolerant and democratic, when they see that Li Yan, as a Chinese, wants to expand in basketball, a sport that has always been dominated by Americans, many American media still hope that the record will remain. in American hands.
Considering that the Knicks' next opponent is the Heat, who have lost Wade and are already in trouble, the burden of sniping Li Yan falls entirely on Chris Paul and his Hornets.
The atmosphere before the game was well rendered.
ESPN published a lengthy interview with Chris Paul on its front page. In the interview, Paul was very motivated and promised that he would give his best.
As for ESPN's rival, TNT conducted an exclusive interview with Li Yan, and the content was naturally diametrically opposed to ESPN.
In TNT's report, some media outlets led by ESPN were called "entertainment media" by Li Yan because they have always looked down on Li Yan.
Of course, what fans are most concerned about is whether Li Yan can continue to get a triple-double.
…………
Madison Square Garden.
The New York Knicks face the New Orleans Hornets at home, and the focus battle is about to begin.
The starting lineups of both sides.
Knicks: Li Yan, Quentin Richardson, Ron Artest, Yi Jianlian, Zach Randolph;
Hornets: Chris Paul, Maurice Peterson, Peja Stojakovic, David West, Tyson Chandler.
The game starts soon.
After a jump ball in the midfield, Yi Jianlian moved the ball towards his own half with his fingertips.
The basketball was given to Li Yan, who held the ball across half court and faced Chris Paul.
Paul is different from other short guards. His defensive ability is very good, his chassis is very stable, his movements are flexible, and he makes endless small moves. Li Yan doesn't like to play against Paul very much.
Randolph covered his crotch and lifted it up, and Li Yan and Randolph played a pick-and-roll.
Through the screen, Li Yan entered the paint area.
Tyson Chandler's cover defense was very timely, and his protection of the basket was very good.
Li Yan observed the situation and penetrated the Hornets' defense with a ground-breaking pass.
The basketball passed through the gap and accurately found Zach Randolph.
The frequency of Randolph's pick-and-roll moves has increased a lot compared to the beginning of the season. His connection with Li Yan has become the Knicks' killer move.
The Hornets had no time to react, and Randolph easily made the layup.
"Shua!" 2 to 0!
After scoring the goal, Randolph gave Li Yan a thumbs up. Even putting aside the "force value", Li Yan has now conquered the "unruly" "Big Black Bear" with his performance on the court.
Hornets' offensive possession.
Paul steadily controlled the rhythm. Facing Li Yan's pressing, Paul did not panic. He steadily protected the basketball.
In the same position, Paul and Chandler played a pick-and-roll.
Facing Randolph, Paul's continuous shaking made the "Black Bear" very uncomfortable.
Continuous dribbling tests, Paul turned sideways to collect the ball very quickly, Randolph failed to keep up with the rhythm and Paul seized the opportunity.
Mid-range shot.
The basketball crossed a rainbow and "swish!" hit the net hollowly.
Small and big is Paul's signature, and he is also a sure shot in the mid-range.
After Paul scored, he raised his eyebrows at Li Yan.
Li Yan was amused, Brother Chris Pao was provoking me?
Knicks round.
Li Yan held the ball, but Paul didn't rush to grab it. He knew Li Yan's level.
This time, Li Yan didn't want to pick and roll, but the Hornets started to help defend against the attack without any moral ethics.
Maurice Peterson is a lesser-known outstanding defensive player with a diligent attitude, height, size and mobile feet that is not inferior to the swingman in the league.
With Morris Peterson assisting in defense, Li Yan immediately gave up the idea of forcing a breakthrough inside.
He gave the ball to Randolph on one side and immediately started running without the ball.
Randolph's footsteps are very flexible, but Chandler's defensive quality is also very high.
Just when Randolph wanted to force a hit, Li Yan bypassed Yi Jianlian's cover and appeared on the bottom line.
Randolph had a flash of inspiration and threw the ball towards the basket.
Li Yan jumped off the ground and completely suppressed David West in the air.
"Boom!" The thunderous slam made Madison Garden boil instantly!
If you think "NBA Start Template Magician Leads Iverson" is exciting, please paste the following URL and share it with your friends. Thank you for your support!
(Website of this book: )
