"Enemies Showdown, Rockets VS Thunder!" 》
"The battle of grudges is about to take place, and the Demonic Combination will fight against the three giants of Thunder"
"The Rockets eliminated the Trail Blazers and met in the Western Conference semifinals! 》
"Harden: I've been waiting for this day for a long time!" 》
"Durant: I'm looking forward to the showdown with James. 》
.....
The Rockets beat the Thunder, a topical matchup that aroused media carnival.
This feud started when the Thunder were eliminated by the Heat in 2012.
After the Thunder were eliminated in the 2012 Finals, some media spread the news that James Harden went to a Miami nightclub during the Finals to hang out. James Harden, who was sluggish in the Finals, encountered doubts from Oklahoma City fans, and then in the subsequent summer's contract extension , because the Thunder continuously renewed the contracts of Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, etc. with maximum salary or close to maximum salary, the Thunder was close to triggering the luxury tax. The Thunder finally chose to send Harden away because of saving US$5 million.
James Harden never thought about leaving the Thunder. During the period when he was traded, he was very depressed and could only continue to find himself in Houston nightclubs.
James Harden feels that his efforts have not been recognized. He has strength but has not received the respect and trust he deserves.
Then Deng continued to get lost in the nightclub, bringing his nightclub status to the court in Houston.
Although Harden's offense was good, his defensive attitude was not good. He defended with all kinds of looks, and the Houston fans sprayed him again.
Harden has always been very resentful towards the Thunder. He really wants to prove to Thunder fans and Thunder executives that his trade was a mistake.
In the past, Zhao Chen also thought that the Thunder executives were stupid, but as he has been in the NBA for a long time, Zhao Chen also understood why the Thunder executives headed by Presti made such a decision.
At that time, the Thunder tasted the sweetness from the draft.
Luxury tax? They didn't even think about it.
Just like they are used to saving money, they would definitely not be willing to spend huge sums of money to eat well.
There is no doubt that the performance and role of Westbrook and Durant were stronger than Harden's at that time. Ibaka's inside role is also obvious. It will be difficult for the Thunder to give Harden another job that satisfies him. Contracted.
The Rockets can give Harden the contract he wants, and the Thunder can also gain a bargaining chip.
It looks good.
Although judging from what Harden has achieved in the future, this good deal is extremely stupid.
But from the perspective of the time, such a decision was not too special.
What's more, if James Harden stays with the Thunder, will he have a chance to grow into the Harden that the Rockets have?
Player growth is not just about personal abilities, but also requires a platform.
The Rockets can give Harden unlimited shooting opportunities and various singles arrangements, but in the Thunder, Harden can only be a small substitute.
Leaving the Thunder also achieved Harden's personal achievement.
Zhao Chen will not evaluate the gains and losses of Presti's work. He does not care about the team's previous operations, nor does he pay attention to Harden's grievances with Westbrook and Durant. What he cares about is whether he can succeed this season. , can the Thunder defeat the Rockets in this series.
The Rockets came to Oklahoma City on a special plane the night they defeated the Trail Blazers.
After training the next day.
Howard smiled and said to the Oklahoma City reporter: "To be honest, I am not afraid of OKC. Their inside line was beaten by Mark and Zach. I can also beat their inside line. The difference between us and the Grizzlies is that we We have James Harden on the perimeter, and James Harden is better than Zhao and Russell."
Because of the win over the Trail Blazers, Howard's relationship with Harden has improved to a certain extent, and he also praised Harden.
James Harden told reporters: "I'm not trying to prove anything. You all see my performance. I am the cornerstone of the Rockets. Everything here must be better than OKC."
The reporter asked: "Do you have any conflicts with Russell and KD? Do you resent them for not helping you?"
Harden shook his head and said: "No, no, they are my brothers. This is a problem of the management and has nothing to do with them."
James Harden had a good relationship with Westbrook and Durant. He did not hate them. At that time, Durant and Westbrook had just won big contracts and did not have much say in front of the management.
The reporter asked: "Some fans say that Zhao Chen is the best configuration for the Thunder to win the championship. What do you think?"
Because of the regular season match, Zhao Chen and Harden exchanged some trash talk. Harden had a bad impression of Zhao Chen: "Winning the championship is not that simple. It will be clear after experiencing the finals. Zhao Chen is indeed very strong, but That's not true, he won't do any better at OKC than I did."
Harden's answer was confident.
Jeremy Lin also accepted an interview with reporters and talked about Zhao Chen: "He is an excellent player. I often watch his videos. His playing style is suitable for all yellow players to learn from. His shooting is very accurate and his technical movements are very solid. His performance is incredible to me, and to me, he is the best skill player in NBA history."
Jeremy Lin knows the disadvantages of yellow people's physical talent in the NBA, but Zhao Chen has accomplished all kinds of crazy deeds here.
Jeremy Lin also admires Zhao Chen in his heart, so Jeremy Lin believes that Zhao Chen's skills are the best in history.
He was also eager to try out the upcoming confrontation between the two.
Beverley said: "They won't have an easy time in front of them, I will freeze their back line!"
.....
When Rockets players showed provocation in interviews, Thunder players also started talking to each other in the media.
Adams: "They want to blow up the inside? Who does Dwight think he is?"
Ibaka said disdainfully: "Dwight is so confident. He is outdated. It is not five years ago now."
Zhao Chen also expressed support for his teammates: "I think Dwight may have some misunderstandings about our inside line. I believe he will learn a lesson from this."
Westbrook was troubled by Beverley's words: "I don't know what that guy's name is, but his words are so arrogant that no one can freeze us."
.........
May 3rd.
The opening day of G1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Zhao Chen drove a sports car to the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
As the playoffs progress, Oklahoma City's enthusiasm for basketball becomes more and more crazy.
The Thunder's blue and white colors can be seen everywhere here, and there are many people wearing Thunder jerseys on the road.
Many restaurants have also advertised on the roadside that Thunder players will get free meals if they come to eat.
Along the way, fans heading to the arena greeted Zhao Chen in the car.
Zhao Chen also responded to these fans in a friendly manner.
By the time Zhao Chen arrived at the arena, the arena was already packed with fans.
With the help of security and police, Zhao Chen's car could successfully drive into the parking lot.
After parking the car, Zhao Chen met Robertson who had just got out of the car.
"Zhao, your fans are so crazy." Robertson said with lingering fear.
Zhao Chen's female fans blocked the entrance to the parking lot...
Zhao Chen shrugged and said, "I don't want them to be like that either."
"Haha, Zhao's charm is unique. There are many women in the nightclub who want to date Zhao. Zhao, are you interested? Let me introduce you to a few female fans who love you. You can communicate in depth." Yi Baca also parked the car and came down and said jokingly.
"If Zhao goes there, are you sure he can survive?" Robertson said with a smile.
"Haha, yes, they are too hungry." Ibaka laughed.
Zhao Chen is used to teasing from his teammates and he doesn't mind making these jokes.
Zhao Chen naturally has many advantages in chasing girls, but he doesn't like to mess around.
That kind of life is too decadent.
"Segi, you can introduce some girls with big butts to James Harden and make him weak, then we will be safe this round." Zhao Chen teased.
In Zhao Chen's perception, Ibaka is like a madam.
"This is a good idea, haha, I know his taste." Ibaka thinks this matter is very practical.
"Before giving it to him, let me inspect the goods." Zhao Chen boasted.
"Haha, no problem."
The three of them chatted all the way back to the locker room.
