Since the UAE was waived by the Dallas Mavericks, domestic fans have not seen domestic players play in the NBA for two seasons.
Zhao Chen's emergence in the regular season gave many fans an excuse to watch the NBA.
Durant and Westbrook have a lot of fans in China. With the increase in domestic media coverage of Zhao Chen, fans have also learned more about these two superstars.
It's like the difference in the attention McGrady received before he went to the Rockets and after he went to the Rockets.
Durant and Westbrook both have strong playing styles, talent and skills, and fans like to watch them play.
In China, there are many fans who like Durant and Westbrook.
Therefore, this Thunder playoff game has also received unprecedented attention in China.
CCTV even sent Zhang Weiping and Yu Jia to the scene to explain.
Chesapeake Energy Arena is getting busier.
Zhang Weiping took the microphone and said: "This season, the Thunder's offense is the same as its record, which ranks first in the league. There are three players in their lineup who average more than 20 per game. This is a huge test for the Grizzlies' defense. The Thunder also have a home game tonight. Advantage, they are determined to win the G1 game."
Yu Jiaze continued: "I think the Thunder cannot be careless. The Grizzlies' defense ranks second in the league this season, second only to the Miami Heat. The competition in the playoffs is defense. If the defense is not up to par, they will encounter difficulties at home." It’s not impossible.”
The two commentators began the analysis before the game.
At this time, in the home dressing room, the role players became a little nervous, and they lost the joking atmosphere.
Everyone’s expressions looked very heavy!
Since the 2009-10 season, the Thunder have entered the playoffs every year, reaching as far as the finals, but in the end they all failed!
The difference between the playoffs and the regular season is that if you lose a few games here, you really go home.
Every opponent will fight you with real swords and guns at every turn, without giving an inch!
Only true superstars can maintain efficient performance in a series.
The reason why Zhao Chen is still considered only the third giant of the Thunder and cannot be compared with Durant and Westbrook is largely because he has not experienced the test of the playoffs.
Only by experiencing the touchstone of the playoffs can Zhao Chen be considered a true super giant!
Zhao Chen was very calm because he knew that his strength was that of a superstar!
Even without the training of the playoffs, his strength is there.
What strength brings to Zhao Chen is self-confidence!
"Zhao, the playoffs are different from the regular season. You need to make more preparations. Of course, don't be too nervous and relax." Westbrook came over and warned Zhao Chen.
"Well, I'm confident." Zhao Chen said confidently.
"That's good. When I was a rookie in the playoffs, I was extremely nervous, but in the end I found that it was no big deal for them. Just perform as usual." Westbrook said to Zhao Chen.
"Will do."
Westbrook, Durant, and Zhao Chen are the three players who have remained relatively calm.
They have absolute strength and are very confident in themselves.
This calmness is by no means relaxing, but they are more serious.
"If you can't handle the ball, give it to me." Durant also came to find Zhao Chen.
Ever since Scarlett responded to Durant's message, Durant has become even more desperate to win the championship.
"OK." Zhao Chen nodded.
After chatting with a few teammates, Zhao Chen also got the equipment.
Not a moment.
Head coach Brooks clapped his hands and motioned for all the players to gather around for final tactical emphasis.
"Let go of the offense, don't be timid, we are the strongest offensive team in the league, use your offensive power to completely tear them apart!!!"
Brooks is no longer the rookie coach he was back then. He knows that what determines whether the team can win at this time is no longer tactics, but whether the Thunder can perform to their level.
As far as the strength comparison between the two sides is concerned, as long as they perform normally to their level, the G1 battle will be stable.
The Thunder's playoff tactics are not much different from those in the regular season, which is to create opportunities for superstars to fight one-on-one or mismatch.
No matter how strong the Grizzlies' defense is, as long as it is individual defense, the offensive talents of the Thunder superstars will be even better.
As long as they don't get caught in the Grizzlies' attack and defense, the Thunder's offensive tactics are unsolvable.
The Grizzlies also know the Thunder's tactics, and the Thunder's singles tactics are almost obvious, but knowing it and guarding it are two different things.
"no problem!"
"Kill them!"
"Must win!"
"Must win!"
The Thunder players all showed their vitality at this moment! !
At this time, domestic fans also turned on the TV channels to cheer for the Thunder!
"Come on Thunder, kill the grizzly bear!"
"Zhao Chen is awesome again!!!"
"Looking forward to Zhao Chen's playoff debut!!"
As the game approaches, there are more and more messages from fans on major post bars and forums.
According to the SMS support statistics compiled by CCTV, the support rate of the Thunder and the Grizzlies is as high as 98% to 2%.
The huge popularity gap is enough to illustrate the preference of domestic fans for this game.
The Thunder's high support rate is not just the influence of Zhao Chen, but also the fans' love for the Thunder's style of play.
Westbrook's ultimate transition.
Durant is as skilled as a guard.
Zhao Chen's all-around offensive method.
Fans enjoy an unparalleled visual experience from Thunder games.
Of course, fans are not only familiar with the Thunder's Big Three, they are also familiar with the Thunder's role players, general manager, and head coach!
...
Appearance ceremony.
Standing next to the tunnel.
What filled Zhao Chen's ears was a tsunami of cheers.
Even before he entered the venue, he could feel the enthusiasm in the atmosphere! !
"Let us welcome...Zhao,,,Chen" DJ called Zhao Chen's name in the fifth place.
After Zhao Chen heard the sound, he ran out. What caught his eye were the blue and white home jerseys!
Zhao Chen’s female fans started screaming loudly! !
All Oklahoma City fans show their passion for basketball to the world.
Because of Thunder, this city is known to many people.
Standing on the court, Zhao Chen kept beating his chest.
Listening to the cheers and screams at the scene and feeling the unique enthusiasm of the playoffs, Zhao Chen had some unique psychology at this moment.
The playoffs are indeed different from the regular season.
The pre-game ceremony in the playoffs is relatively long. After waiting for about ten minutes, the game started!
Thunder starting lineup: Westbrook, Sefolosha, Durant, Ibaka, Perkins.
Zhao Chen was playing as a substitute, and Brooks felt that he needed to put more pressure on the Grizzlies' second team.
Zhao Chen doesn't mind whether he is a substitute or a starter. He started from the bench. As long as he can win, he can be a substitute or not.
These personnel all depend on Brooks' arrangements, and the head coach's flexibility is needed in the playoffs.
Grizzlies starting lineup: Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Courtrey Lee, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol.
The Grizzlies put together a lineup with above-average defense in five positions.
Such defensive ability is very arrogant!
soon.
Players from both sides take their positions.
Ibaka and Marc Gasol stand firm in the midfield!
The referee threw the ball high!
The Thunder's playoff G1 game has officially begun!
