An hour before the game started, the Oracle Arena, home of the Golden State Warriors, was already packed.
The game at 7:30 pm is a live broadcast across the United States, because there are too many things to watch in this game.
Warriors main point guard Stephen Curry, who just reached a contract with the Golden State Warriors last season, has completed a gorgeous transformation this season.
First of all, various statistics have improved to varying degrees compared to the rookie contract year, especially scoring. He averaged a career-high 24 points per game, which is infinitely close to the league's top scorers averaging more than 25 points per game.
24 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.6 steals - Curry's performance so far this season.
The biggest change brought about by the good performance is that during the first round of the All-Star voting mechanism, Curry's number of votes was second only to Kobe in the Western Conference backcourt voting. The current cumulative votes are 347,600, ranking second in the Western Conference backcourt.
Of course, this is also related to Curry's outstanding performance this season.
When the Warriors played the 75ers in their fourth game this season, he had a triple-double of 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, and also contributed 5 steals...
This baby-faced killer has had a great year in his career!
The Warriors are currently ranked fifth in the Western Conference, and the outside world only regards them as an ordinary playoff seeding team that has just changed its core.
Other Blazers players also think so.
However, Wang Zelin did not dare to take it lightly, because this team has created too many miracles in the future and brought too many shocks to the fans.
No one would have thought that baby-faced Stephen Curry would become the greatest point guard in the new century!
Even when ranking the NBA's historical status in the future, Curry, who has not yet retired, has reached the level of sitting second to third, ranking second only to "Magic" Earvin Johnson, the number one point guard in the NBA.
To a certain extent, Curry's emergence has epoch-making significance, and the Golden State Warriors team he led also has epoch-making significance.
After all, this is the first team to break the law that "a jump shooting team cannot win the NBA championship".
Players from both sides have arrived and are warming up.
Wang Zelin, Curry, Aldridge, Lillard, and David Lee appeared on the big screen from time to time. Because the five of them are players who received a higher number of votes in the first round of All-Star voting, they are very likely to attend this year's All-Star Game in New Orleans.
In the 2013~2014 season, the deadline for the first round of NBA All-Star voting is December 13, which is still half a month before the first round results are released.
But at 3:00 this afternoon, the NBA officially updated the number of player votes that day, and Wang Zelin became the first player to receive more than 500,000 votes. The second-placed LeBron James has just reached 390,000 votes, and Wang Zelin has 110,000 more votes than James...
As we all know, the development pattern of All-Star voting is that it is strong in the early stage and tends to be dull in the middle and late stages. The period when players get the most votes is basically concentrated in the first round.
This is why, in the original time and space, James received more than 600,000 votes in the first round. After the next three people came down, the total votes only stayed at 1.41 million, far away from the 2 million mark.
Judging from the current trend, the number of votes Wang Zelin received in the first round is very likely to exceed 1 million... The first-round vote king is waving to him!
No, it should be said that he has locked in the All-Star vote champion in advance.
Back on the court, let’s take a brief look at the lineups of both sides.
In terms of lineup alone, the Trail Blazers seem to have achieved crushing success.
Wang Zelin and Aldridge are both players who have been selected as All-Stars. Although David Lee of the Warriors has also been selected as an All-Star, no one thinks that he can take advantage of the Trail Blazers' interior defense.
Among the remaining players, Warriors leader Curry just made his name last season and became a scorer in the league averaging more than 20+ per game.
Everyone agrees that even if he makes progress this season, he will not be able to reach the top in one step and become a powerful active star in the league.
Putting aside the main players and talking about the bench, the gap between the Warriors and Trail Blazers is even wider. The Trail Blazers have Mo Williams + Garnett, who can steadily contribute two 10+ scoring points.
What about the Warriors?
The players in the substitute rotation who are barely passable are Marlis Speights, who averaged 8.3 points and 4.9 rebounds last season. After coming to the Warriors this season, his playing time has decreased by 4 minutes, and he is currently able to get 6+3 data.
In addition, the Warriors bench also has Jermaine O'Neal signed for 2 million yuan a year, which is the former All-Star O'Neal, Jordan Crawford and Draymond Green who is in the insignificant stage of development.
From the offensive end to the defensive end, especially the defensive end, the Warriors are completely unable to compare with the Trail Blazers.
The future almighty warrior Dream Chaser Green is still a complete rookie. Cole has not yet coached the Warriors, and he has not received the attention of head coach Mark Jackson in the team at this time, so so far, he has only averaged 6+5+1 per game, which is not a cause for concern!
The only thing you have to watch out for is No. 30 - Stephen Curry!
"Player: Stephen Curry
Location: pgsg
Height: 191cm
Weight: 85kg
…
Offensive ability
Reliance: 64 Layups: 80
Mid-range shot: 92 Long shot: 97
Dunks: 62 Passes: 84
Ball possession: 95 Free throws: 90
Breakthrough: 82
defensive ability
External defense: 70 Internal defense: 60
Rebounds: 66 Blocks: 56
Steals: 80
Overall rating: 89 (All-Star)
Talent skills
① Sharpshooter (Purple Diamond)
②Hot to the touch (gold)
③Quick Gunner (Gold)”
Curry's long-range shooting attribute value remains unchanged from last season, which is 97, but Wang Zelin estimates that it will only take these two seasons for Curry to break through to the ceiling level of 99.
The ultimate ability of 99, Wang Zelin has only seen it in Kobe's mid-range shooting attribute value in the strength section.
However, Wang Zelin was moved by the improvement of Curry's other abilities: 89~92 mid-range shooting, 78~84 passing, 80~82 breakthrough, 85~89 overall rating...
The timeline for Ku Ritian to land on the NBA historical stage is not far away!
In addition, there is Klay Thompson, whose long-range shooting attribute has broken through from 94 to 95, and his overall rating has broken through from 78 to 80. This guy is also not to be underestimated. After all, starting next season, Thompson will officially become a regular participant in the NBA All-Star Game.
Splash brothers are about to have their moment of bloom.
In the scrimmage, the Trail Blazers won the right to attack without any doubt. For example, if Wang Zelin was there, BoG would never win once in his life.
The Trail Blazers attacked, Wang Zelin supported him from the high post, Matthews ran out of the opportunity, received the pass, and Duang made the first shot.
Terry Stotts chewed gum on the sidelines, his expression unchanged. Because of this ball, Matthews got a chance to move without the ball. There was no tactical problem, the chance came out, but he didn't score... Then it can only be attributed to the player's own touch.
BoGt was about to take off to protect the defensive rebound, but there was someone who had already taken the lead...
"Zelin grabbed the offensive rebound... He took off... and dunked with both hands under the basket... This shot was so beautiful! It fully demonstrates the tacit cooperation between the Trail Blazers players. It doesn't matter if you don't score, it's okay." There are other people who will wipe your ass.”
Zhang Lili explained loudly.
Yu Jiaze said: "Ahem, Teacher Zhang, calm down, let's be calm. For the king, this is just a basic exercise."
…
"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything!" Wang Zelin said to Matthews when he was retreating.
"I know, man, I'm not that easy to knock down."
Matthews nodded.
The Warriors attack.
The Trail Blazers had a balanced offense and defense and retreated very quickly. Curry failed to find a fast break opportunity and could only fall into position.
In the home commentary box.
"Chris, how do you think Stephen will hit this shot?" Warriors legend Rick Barry asked.
"Needless to say, it must be his best three-point shot. This little guy is currently the hottest three-pointer king in the league!" Another famous star Chris Mullin said with a smile.
Because it was broadcast live across the United States, ESPN spent some money to specially invite Rick Barry and Chris Mullin, two former Warriors stars, to provide live commentary.
One is the originator of the urine pot free throw gesture, the strongest No. 24 player in history before Kobe Bryant entered the league; the other is "God's left hand", who was also a dominating superstar in the league at his peak.
The positions of the two of them are quite big.
When the two officially decided to commentate on the game, both the Warriors players on the field and the Warriors fans in the stands seemed to have received a natural morale boost. From the moment the game started, cheers resounded throughout the arena. .
Since Monta Ellis was traded away, the Warriors have generally had the ball in Curry's hands.
Regardless of how the media described it before the game, Curry knew in his heart that unless his team felt explosive or the opponent was in average condition, they would definitely not be able to defeat the Trail Blazers head-on.
Therefore, Curry, who wanted to win, chose to slow down the pace and achieve success.
Yes, you heard it right! Although he was on the underdog before the game, Curry still did not give up. He racked his brains to win, how could he give up so easily.
At the top of the arc, Lillard desperately struggled with Curry, but the latter remained unmoved. At this time, David Lee took the initiative to start a pick-and-roll. Wang Zelin followed and left the basket, mentally prepared to switch to Curry.
Curry and David Lee's pick-and-roll screen is currently the most important offensive tactic for the Warriors.
Sure enough, Curry took advantage of the screen and broke through directly. Wang Zelin immediately moved to the right to re-serve.
However, Curry just pretended to break through, took a step in, then retracted his right foot, stood outside the three-point line, raised his hand and scored a three-pointer.
Fuck, the speed of this shot is really outrageous!
Before Wang Zelin could even reach out, Curry's shooting action was over.
Don't come in! Don't go in!
The only thing he can do now is pray that Curry's touch is as bad as Matthews's.
But God doesn't follow people's wishes.
Just as Wang Zelin turned around and prepared to rush for the rebound, he caught sight of where the basketball landed and stopped in his tracks.
"Uh-huh!"
The water splashed and he hit a three-pointer.
3:2.
"Stephen~Curry!!!"
The home DJ roared crazily, inspiring the fans in the stands to cheer together.
"Hahaha, what did I say? Stephen will definitely respond to his opponent with a three-pointer." Mullin laughed.
Barry sighed: "I have to admit that this little guy's three-point talent is the first one I have ever seen in my life! I never expected that such a weak body could contain such huge energy."
Indeed, Curry, who was plagued by injuries in the third year of his career and only played 26 games, when everyone thought the star of hope was withering, he returned to the game with a stronger attitude.
Through that baby face, what people see is Curry's unyieldingness and persistence in the face of difficulties. Perhaps this is the reason why he has received a large number of fans.
Chaotingtai live broadcast room.
"Yo! I hit the first three-pointer. Warriors leader Stephen Curry should feel the same today." Zhang Lili shouted.
Trail Blazers offense.
Wang Zelin did not enter the basket and moved on the right wing, aiming to open up the paint area to facilitate Lillard, Matthews and Batum to break through.
At this time, the ball arrived, and BoGt behind him quickly got up.
Bogut is 2.13 meters tall and weighed 118 kilograms last season. In order to resist Wang Zelin, he gained another 3 kilograms in the offseason, reaching 121 kilograms.
This will make him move slower, but his strength will definitely increase.
However, the tonnage of 121 kilograms is far from enough in the face of Wang Zelin's domineering strength.
"Bang!"
There was a collision, and BoGt instantly took a big step back. Then he arched again, and BoGt was directly knocked into the reasonable collision zone.
Outside the window, Mark Jackson shook his head. This scene was so similar to last season. He had to be double-teamed to deal with the big guy.
In the elbow area of the left wing, when BoGte failed to hold on, David Lee came over to double-team, got in front of Wang Zelin, stretched out his hands, and blocked his passing route.
That left Aldridge open, cutting inside and getting into position to catch the ball.
Obviously, the Warriors underestimated Wang Zelin's passing ability and broad vision. He suddenly hit the ball, and after knocking back Bogut, a brief and obvious gap appeared in the original airtight defense of Bogut and David Lee.
He grabbed the ball with his right hand, flicked it back, and passed the ball through the gap between the two.
"Snapped!"
Aldridge had already stood under the basket, caught the pass, and dunked back with one hand, scoring two more points for the team.
4:3
"This passing skill is so detailed, and the timing is really accurate."
"If we can't solve the king's problem, it will probably be a bit difficult for the Warriors to win."
While the duo on the court explained, the Warriors launched a counterattack.
Curry rushed to the free throw line and suddenly stopped to shoot a jumper, scoring 2 points for the Warriors.
Curry scored in two consecutive rounds. In addition to demonstrating his status in the team, it also illustrates the lack of tactical system of head coach Mark Jackson.
After watching previous Warriors games, the Trail Blazers coaching staff knew that most of the Warriors' offense relied on Curry holding the ball in pick-and-rolls, and there were absolutely no rich tactical changes.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Mark Jackson will be dismissed from get out of class in the future.
Not only because of his poor relationship with the team management, but also because of his use of players, he was far inferior to Cole in the future.
It can only be said that Mark Jackson changed the culture of the Warriors, injecting defense and team into it, and it is no longer the chaos of the Nelson era.
But this is like building a house. He has laid the foundation, but as for how to build a warrior into a skyscraper, he does not have the ability.
Therefore, even though Curry scored two goals in a row, coach Terry Stotts was happy after seeing this scene.
If the Warriors allow Curry to compete with them in offense, coach Terry Stotts believes that his team will have the last laugh.
