On May 13, the Golden State Warriors bus appeared on the streets of Portland.
As early as last night, Warriors players had arrived in Portland and checked into a star hotel in the city center.
After training and rest during the day, at 6 o'clock in the evening, all members of the Warriors took the bus to the Rose Garden Arena.
The game between the two sides was scheduled to start at 8 o'clock in the evening. At this time, the sky was getting dark, but the night scene in Portland had just begun. The Warriors and players sitting on the bus saw a strange scene: a large number of players wearing Trail Blazers No. 36 Portland fans in uniforms flocked to the Rose Garden Arena from all directions.
Shops on the downtown avenue have posted various discounts and discounts.
The title of one of the luxury stores made many tourists stop and watch: For every point Portland wins against the Warriors tonight, all products in our store will be discounted by 100 yuan.
Such a unique title instantly attracted the attention of everyone on the Warriors bus, but then, all Warriors members immediately felt offended and angry.
What does it mean that every time Portland beats the Warriors by a point, our store will give them a 100-meter discount? This is completely disrespectful to them.
As the bus drove slowly, a short while later, when the Warriors arrived at the Rose Garden, the Blazers changed the stadium slogan, which made Durant frown.
"One person, one city, create a legend!"
Curry patted Durant on the back: "Kevin, there is no need to take this to heart."
Durant nodded. The atmosphere of the entire Warriors team is unprecedentedly tense now, because everyone knows that the Trail Blazers will be able to extinguish your home court advantage, so the Warriors must find a way to seize the opportunity in Portland and try to win the next game.
Three years!
For the third consecutive year, the Trail Blazers and Warriors meet in the Western Conference.
This is the first time in NBA history that two teams can meet in the Western Conference Finals for three consecutive seasons.
It is already very difficult for a team to reach the Western Conference Finals for three consecutive years, let alone two identical teams.
Take a certain 58-year-old player who does not want to be named. He has played for many teams in his career just to get a feel for the Western Conference floor, but to this day, he still falls in the second round year after year.
At the same time, it can also be seen from the side how strong the Blazers and Warriors' dominance in the Western Conference is!
Apart from the two teams, they are two insurmountable peaks for the Western Conference heroes. All the remaining teams in the Western Conference can look up to these two Western Conference hegemons in the triangle.
Although this is the third consecutive year to watch the same two teams play in the Western Conference Finals, fans are not bored at all.
After all, the three times the Trail Blazers and Warriors met in the Western Conference Finals were all different.
When they first met, the Trail Blazers aimed to defend their title. The Warriors were a bit immature at that time, so their ability to reach the Western Conference Finals can be regarded as a surprise.
When they met for the second time, the Trail Blazers were at their peak and were on the verge of building a three-peat dynasty, showing unparalleled dominance from the beginning of the regular season. At the same time, Curry, Thompson, and Green also fully matured, leading the Warriors to a record of 73 wins in the regular season, which also broke the previous record of 72 wins for the Bulls in 1996.
And for the third time this year, the combat power of both teams has reached its previous peak!
For the Trail Blazers, the rookie starting power forward Nikola Jokic quickly grew into an All-Star insider. Before the playoffs, starting power forward LaMarcus Aldridge returned from injury. For the first time, there are four All-Star players in their prime.
Of course, the Warriors are not bad either. Last summer they introduced MVP-level superstar Kevin Durant, plus the team's original trio of Curry, Thompson, and Green. This is also a team with four All-Stars. The horror team.
Therefore, this is very likely to be the most exciting of the three duels between the two teams!
It is more likely to become the most intense and shocking Western Conference finals in the new century!
Therefore, fans have no complaints about watching the same two teams play in the Western Conference Finals for three consecutive years.
At this moment, they can't wait to witness a great showdown that will go down in history!
Before the start of this year's game, the two sides lost a lot of verbal spats, and the fans also became less abusive.
It can be seen that the players of both teams are focusing on preparing for the game, and off-field factors can no longer affect them.
…
…
On TNT TV, Barkley stood in the commentary box and said excitedly: "Except for the Spurs, who failed to lead Tim in his rookie season due to lack of experience, Dang Wang has grown up completely. He has won all three Western Conference finals since then. He is well-deserved. King of the Western Conference Finals! Now I think people are looking forward to him leading the team to defeat the Warriors again, advance to the finals, and win the miracle of four consecutive championships that even Jordan could not complete!"
It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand what No. 1 Wang Mi Buckley said. It’s almost the same as what Director Zhang Li said, that is: Since Wang Zelin is already so awesome, let him be even more awesome!
Rose Garden Arena.
The arena, which can accommodate more than 20,000 people, was packed tonight, with endless fanaticism on the faces of the fans.
From this we can see that the Trail Blazers' popularity in Portland has reached a historical peak!
Visiting team locker room.
Green was pulling Durant to say something.
In order to prove that his decision to change teams was correct this season, Durant's desire for the championship has never been more extreme. For this reason, he actively integrated into the Warriors' system.
Maybe people outside don't know it, but everyone in the Warriors knows that Durant's desire for the championship has surpassed everyone else, almost to the point of becoming obsessed.
It's not that they haven't had enough time to get in touch with the Warriors. I'm afraid their record this year will be more than 68 wins.
"No one in the Trail Blazers' front line can guard you. You have to make those damn shots and leave the rest to us."
"With Steph and Clay helping you open up space, I believe you will be able to prove that you are worthy of the glory of the championship!"
…
Needless to say, when Green was in the honeymoon period with a player, due to his deep research on "Emotional Intelligence", these words were said to be flattering at best, just to suit his liking.
Either way, it works.
Just like this moment, Durant nodded repeatedly after hearing this, his eyes bursting with unprecedented fiery brilliance.
…
Home team locker room.
The Blazers' preparation atmosphere was relatively relaxed, and everyone was eager to try.
The Warriors have fallen in front of them twice in a row. Coming to the familiar stage of the Western Conference Finals, as winners, they naturally have strong self-confidence.
Besides, now they are still playing at home.
The right time, the right place, the right people, and the Trail Blazers have all three. Why would they lose?
However, there are also special ones.
Jokic did not join in the happy exchanges with his teammates, but looked taciturn.
Wang Zelin saw it, and when everyone else went to the stadium one after another, he grabbed Jokic.
"Nikola, if you play in this state, I guarantee you will be easily defeated by Draymond Green, and everyone will feel that it is your responsibility."
Wang Zelin's words were very direct and harsh.
After hearing this, Jokic was startled.
This sounds unpleasant but is very realistic. If he loses to the Warriors because of his poor performance, he will definitely become the target of public criticism.
"You have to remember that you are now this year's All-Star starter and the starting power forward of the Trail Blazers dynasty. You are no longer the second-round pick you were before. We believe you will be able to defeat all the strong players lying in front of you. enemy."
Wang Zelin's next words made Jokic instantly feel excited and swollen with confidence.
Yes, I am an All-Star, I am the starting power forward of a dynasty team, I can definitely do it!
Seeing the fighting spirit on Jokic's face, Wang Zelin knew that his words had worked.
…
After the opening ceremony, the starters from both sides came on stage one after another.
For the Trail Blazers, Lillard and Barton are on the outside, Batum and Jokic are on the forward line, and Wang Zelin is the center.
On the Warriors' side, Curry and Thompson are on the outside, Durant and Green are on the forward side, and Pachulia is on the center side.
"Welcome to the Rose Garden Arena, I am Kenny Smith, and sitting next to me is Charles Barkley. Today we will bring you live commentary on this legendary battle!"
Even before the game started, Kenny Smith had to let go, because even when the players from both sides were warming up, the sound of the fans had already flooded the entire arena!
The live footage did not show any players on the court, but showed the literal championship banners hanging on the dome of the Rose Garden Arena, especially the three banners symbolizing the 2014, 2015, and 2016 championships. The director showed A big close-up.
"There is no doubt that Wang Zelin can't wait to continue his legend! He has reached the Western Conference finals five times in five years, including three championships in three years. Now, four championships in four years has become Wang Zelin's new goal! Now, let us Let’s see how it turns out!”
Before the start of the game, both teams started.
Neither side greeted each other on the court, and the hostility was very strong.
We've been fighting all season, isn't it just for this moment?
About to jump the ball in the center circle, Wang Zelin deliberately missed the other side and could clearly feel the fire in the eyes of Durant, Curry, Green and others.
The burning fire of revenge!
Come on then!
"Beep!"
With the whistle of the game and the cheers of the fans at the scene, Wang Zelin took the lead and pushed the ball back to the Trail Blazers' half. The Trail Blazers got the opportunity to attack first.
The curtain of the Western Conference Finals has officially begun!
The Warriors retreated very quickly, and they never imagined that Pachulia could jump over Wang Zelin.
After Lillard received the ball, he tried a fast break but failed, choosing to slow down and observe the opponent's position.
"Come on! Trail Blazers!"
The fans are very enthusiastic and can’t wait to cheer for the home team as soon as the game starts.
After Lillard signaled to pull away from the frontcourt, he then signaled Wang Zelin to initiate a pick-and-roll outside the three-point line.
There is a saying that between old couples, a slap on the butt will tell you what to do.
The Trail Blazers have played many games with the Warriors in the past few years, and they already know each other well.
The Warriors know the Trail Blazers' weaknesses, and the Trail Blazers naturally know the Warriors'.
After gaining weight, Pachulia's ability to defend in the low post became stronger, but the problems that followed were just like the shortcomings of many insiders who gained weight and could not be prevented.
This leaves the Warriors to rely on other players for perimeter and even mid-range defense.
This weakness already appeared last season.
Lillard naturally knew this, so he found Pachulia as soon as he came up, and he was ready to make a big deal out of it.
Pick-and-roll, the pick-and-roll cooperation between Lillard and Wang Zelin has become more and more skillful.
The Warriors' choice when faced with the pick-and-roll is to switch directly.
Cole also predicted this and loudly reminded Green to expand outward.
However, Lillard opened up and moved outwards, one beautiful lob after another.
Before even the live cameras could react, there was a sudden loud noise from the Warriors basket.
"boom!"
Wang Zelin reached the basket at some point, received the pass and completed a one-handed alley-oop dunk, 2:0!
The Trail Blazers come out on top!
The cheers continue at the scene!
Although it was only one offense, the Trail Blazers played very smoothly and very targeted.
He failed to defend the first attack in the opening game, and Cole returned to his chair without any expression on his face.
On the court, Green held the ball in a high position to provide support, Curry and Durant ran back and forth, and Durant and Pachulia continued to do pick-and-rolls without the ball.
After completing the pick-and-roll, they moved to the top and bottom corners of the arc.
The characteristics of unlimited air cuts are a bit similar to Princeton's. Multiple offensive opportunities will appear at the same time. After Durant joined, the Warriors' unlimited air cuts tactical offensive threat has ushered in a new qualitative change.
Green has not yet become the Dracula Green he will be in the future. He has three-pointers and can deal cards, which makes him a fish in water in this system.
Curry ran out of the three-point line for the second time, and Jokic's defense could not keep up.
Green passed the ball immediately, and Curry took a three-pointer directly.
His push three-pointer is the fastest in the league!
"Uh-huh!"
With a crisp sound, Curry's three-pointer hit the net.
He scored a goal on his first shot, and his touch was quite hot.
The primary school students are very angry today!
More than 2,000 Warriors fans came to the scene. After Curry scored, they immediately burst into cheers and continued to applaud in celebration.
However, the cheers did not last long, because Wang Zelin immediately broke through the double team, dunked on Pachulia to make the score 2+1, and gave Curry an answer ball.
As the overlord of the league, he will not allow others to act recklessly on his own territory, even if that person is Stephen Curry!
The Warriors continued to play with unlimited space throughout the game. This time Durant cut into the basket and Green passed the ball in.
The Trail Blazers' defense shrank, and Durant immediately threw the ball to Thompson who picked up Pachulia's pick-and-roll from the outside.
"Uh-huh!"
A ray of Buddha's light directly penetrated the Trail Blazers' basket, and Thompson's three-pointer was unkind.
The Splash Brothers each scored a three-pointer as soon as the game started.
6:5, the Warriors took the lead.
The Trail Blazers made a quick start in the backcourt. Wang Zelin caught the ball and went straight in. As soon as he entered the free throw line, he was double-teamed by the Warriors Green and Durant.
At the critical moment, he looked back at the moon, and the ball was passed to Jokic. Jokic received the ball at the top of the arc and saw Green two steps away from him. He decisively pulled up and shot a three-pointer.
Historically, Jokic entered the league in the 15-16 season. In his third season, he ushered in an explosive year. He shot 39.6% from the outside and averaged 1.5 three-pointers per game. It's pretty good in the paint.
Coincidentally, this time and space is officially Jokic's third season in the league. His outside touch has exploded this year. During the regular season, he shot 41.2% of three-pointers. Although there was some improvement in the playoffs, dropped, but still remained above 40%.
The key is that Jokic's three-pointers with the Trail Blazers far exceed those of the Nuggets at the same time in history, averaging 2.5 goals per game.
There is no way, with a super giant like Wang Zelin attracting defenses in the penalty area, it is difficult for other Blazers players to find open spaces.
The basketball was like a full-moon scimitar in the air, piercing the Warriors' basket.
8:6!
The Trail Blazers were in equally good form tonight, scoring all three of their first three goals.
Both sides got off to a hot start!
"Well done Nikolay, what am I saying? Believe in yourself, you can do it!"
On the way back to defense, Wang Zelin rubbed Jokic's head hard, but the latter just smiled and seemed not worried at all about his hairline rising in the future. (End of chapter)
