This summer's NBA player free market is actually not very lively.
The transfer of Karl Malone and Gary Payton shocked the entire league, mostly because they joined the Los Angeles Lakers.
Simply looking at the two transactions themselves, it is a bit surprising that Karl Malone left the Jazz, but when it comes to his "desire for a championship", it is actually quite normal.
After being in the league for so many years, winning the regular season MVP, and reaching the Finals, looking at Barkley's condition, he certainly wanted to leave with a championship.
Not to mention Gary Payton, the Sonics gave him away for Ray Allen, and the Bucks... can even give up the 28-year-old Ray Allen, let alone wear this pair for 12 years Years old gloves.
The real buzz in the NBA free market this summer is the head coaching position.
The management of the Philadelphia 76ers was very dissatisfied with the situation of the 76ers after 2001, and coupled with the "on-again, off-again" relationship with Allen Iverson, they kicked Larry Brown away.
The Detroit Pistons, who were also not very satisfied with their playoff situation, saw that such a respected "old coach" suddenly came to the free trade market, and immediately broke up with Rick Carlisle peacefully.
As soon as Carlisle got out of class, news spread in the "cornfield" over there that Thomas, the "Smiling Assassin", wanted more rights and left the Pacers for New York City.
Almost another "seamless connection"!
Rick Carlisle takes over with the Pacers.
It can be seen that the circle of the NBA is about the same size as the circle of girlfriends of LPL professional players, and the main focus is "the east is not bright, the west is bright".
And now, a month has passed.
Judging from the results of this wave of "head coach displacement", the Philadelphia 76ers are definitely not making money. After Larry Brown left, the Philadelphia 76ers' current ranking cannot even make the playoffs, ranking tenth in the Eastern Conference;
The Pistons don't make much money either. After ranking first in the Eastern Conference for the past two seasons, they only ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference this season.
Not only did their record drop, they also lost the second overall pick in the first round of the 2003 draft.
It's like I even lost my pants.
Only the Pacers!
The arrival of Rick Carlisle has optimized the entire team's lineup system, made the core tactics clearer, and the division of labor among the main players clearer. They have become the current number one in the Eastern Conference. They have only lost one game in the entire November. 1 game.
As the saying goes, “When the tide goes out, you’ll know who is swimming naked!”
Larry Brown's reputation has been declining recently.
Rick Carlisle has gradually become the representative of the "academic" head coach!
As for what "academic" means, a more understandable term would be...see if there is anyone above you!
The ones with people on them belong to the head coaches who come from "cliques".
For example, Popovich and Gentry are both from the "Larry Brown family", while the Van Gundy brothers are both head coaches from the "Pat Riley family".
Those who have no one belong to the "academic school" and have gone through systematic study, but do not have a famous backer in the circle, such as Rick Carlisle.
It is also for this reason that many media are already advocating that Rick Carlisle becomes this year's "Coach of the Season".
But when Rick Carlisle dismissed get out of class this summer and Larry Brown took over, all the media unanimously believed that the Pistons management made a right choice. Larry Brown can definitely lead the Pistons to a further step...
And this is the NBA!
The praise always belongs to the person with the strongest momentum. As for the others, all they can hear is ridicule.
Of course, there are some situations where even if you lose, you can still hear praises. The reason is not that he is so great, but that he bought a media company to speak out for himself!
Woody is naturally the most aggressive among the newcomers at the moment.
No, it should be said that he is the most powerful person in the entire alliance!
After accompanying several "Player of the Week" awards, he won the "Player of the Month" in the first month of the Eastern Conference's new season in one fell swoop, becoming another player after Shaquille O'Neal to win the award in his rookie season. The player who won the "Player of the Month Award".
This is something that Tim Duncan, the recognized "NBA number one", has never done!
Either Woody didn't do it, or he did it, and he did it in such a big way.
The Miami media was fired up.
Artest's emotions were also ignited!
Before the game, media reporters asked him to comment on this, and Artest asked: "Did he win the Player of the Month trophy today?"
After confirming, he said: "You can tell that kid, tonight I will let him know what 'mileage sorrow' means, and at the same time, I will also let the league know that their criteria for judging the best player of the month is a joke!"
Translated, this means:
Woody is dead, Artest said so!
It’s no use even if Jesus comes!
The smell of gunpowder was so strong that the media reporters immediately showed happy expressions. They wished the two of them had a fight before the game!
Journalists are never afraid that things will make a big fuss. What they are afraid of is that things will not make a big fuss!
Before they interviewed Woody, the system gave Woody two tasks:
The first mission is to defeat the Indiana Pacers. You can get 5,000 achievement points by completing the mission. The second mission is to score "20 plus 10" data under Artest's defense. The achievement points for completing this mission are, It’s frighteningly high, a full 30,000 points!
It is 10,000 points higher than the achievement points awarded for winning the "Best Rookie Award"!
Obviously, the system does not believe that Woody can complete this task under Artest's defense.
gtmd!
The contempt from the system only aroused Woody's competitive spirit.
He dug out his achievement point rewards. In the previous "opening game" against the Philadelphia 76ers and the subsequent game against the Suns, he received a total of 13,000 achievement points.
At the end of the month, he completed two more small tasks, earning a total of 6,000 achievement points.
Added together, that is to say, Woody now has a total of nearly 20,000 achievement points.
Originally, he didn't plan to use it. He planned to save 100,000 achievement points and upgrade the third template. Anyway, his current combat power was enough, and these achievement points would not increase his combat power much.
But now it's different. This is an opportunity to get 30,000 achievement points. Even if he puts all the nearly 20,000 achievement points into it, as long as he can complete the task, it can instantly become 30,000 achievement points.
The Miami media are all saying that Woody will either not do it, or he will do something big!
Now, this was the time to cause trouble. The most important thing was that he couldn't bear the "contempt" of this system...
Turning to the offensive attributes panel, Woody saw that his mid-range shooting ability value had improved to 69 points. He calculated that it would take about 6,124 points to improve one point, and 19,000 points would be enough to increase it by 3 points!
That is to say, from 69 points to 72 points...from the NBA water cooler level to the NBA's mid-to-lower level...from being able to only score in the open to being able to score goals with a little bit of help.
This increase, to be honest, is not obvious, but it is crucial!
Facing Artest tonight, let's not talk about whether he can score 20 points. If he wants to exert containment, he must perform well in the mid-range.
Moreover, since he has never used the mid-range shot before, the opponent must not be prepared. Even a small increase can have unexpected effects.
What's more, this is a cross-level increase, from 60 points to 70 points...
Clicked!
Woody didn't think much more, and hit three consecutive dots against the mid-range shot. The 19,000 achievement points suddenly became only a few dozen points left.
After working hard for a month, he suddenly became a "pauper" again.
but……
This month is actually not that long!
The frequency of missions released by the system has also accelerated significantly, which made Woody become more interested in using achievement points to increase immediate combat power.
This is also the reason why he finally chose to add points.
Even if these 3 points are added, the task has not been completed, but the ability value of this mid-range shot has been increased.
If you use it on yourself, it won’t be a loss!
"This game is very difficult for the Heat! The Pacers' current system is very mature, and they have guys they can rely on both inside and outside! Charles, what do you think is the probability of the Heat winning this game? And what's more? What kind of performance do you think Woody can perform against Ron in this game?"
TNT also commented on today's game. Kenny Smith made his attitude clear as soon as he came up, and he was more optimistic that the Pacers would have the last laugh.
Buckley rolled his eyes at him.
As per the old rules, Kenny Smith supported the Pacers, so of course he had to support the Miami Heat.
However, tonight he really looks forward to the Heat having the last laugh at their home court.
Artest jumped too much before the game. Barkley's hobby is nothing more than watching people's reactions when they are slapped in the face.
The sour feeling was even more satisfying than when he numbed his big butt!
The small TV in the Heat locker room was also playing the nonsense of the two people. Woody watched the two people talking and listened with great interest, as if he was listening to a cross talk.
Suddenly the phone in his hand vibrated. It was a text message from Ben Wallace. He must have seen Artest's provocation again before the game:
——Man, don’t be afraid of this guy. He is just a weakling who pretends to be fierce. The more you back away from a guy like this, the more he will show his teeth and claws. Listen to me, go up and give him an elbow first, and he will be honest!
It has to be said that there are no two kinds of people in the same training hall. Even if Ben Wallace didn't say this, Woody has thought about it and will play a "limited return to the 1990s" tonight.
Artest's defensive style is there and he is famous for his ferocity. As Ben Wallace said, the more you retreat, the more he will get angry.
You can't be polite to such an opponent!
If he wants to be fierce, you have to be more fierce than him!
"Come and get your trophy, man!"
The door to the locker room opened at this time, and a staff member from the public relations department waved to Woody and shouted. Woody hurried out and was greeted by his "Player of the Month Trophy" and "Rookie of the Month Trophy"!
When he was holding the two trophies, the reporters surrounding him picked up their cameras to freeze the picture.
Back in the locker room, Wade was the first to come over, with an envious look on his face: "Are these the trophies for Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month? Woody, can I touch them?"
Woody responded generously: "Okay, but please wipe the saliva from the corner of your mouth first so it doesn't drip on my trophy!"
Wade looked embarrassed.
But he wanted to retort: "This is not saliva, these are tears of envy, jealousy and hatred!"
When the DJ introduced Woody tonight, he also changed his lines: "The super new star who surpassed LeBron James, the first guy in the history of the Heat to win the Player of the Month in his rookie season, let us welcome him. , the whirlwind of Miami, the hottest WUUU~DIIII in this city!!!”
After winning the "Player of the Month Award", Woody's influence in this city has increased. Before he even appeared on the stage, he just introduced his lines and the whole place exploded.
And when he came on stage, the entire scene was shouting one after another:
"Woody!"
"Woody!"
"Woody!"
Kenny Smith looked at this scene and couldn't help but said: "It's hard to imagine that this happened in Miami!"
TNT's lens showed Artest in the next second.
A close-up.
You can see Artest's eye circles are slightly red. It vividly explains what "enemies are extremely jealous when they meet".
As soon as he entered the arena tonight, the Heat fans greeted him with the loudest boos.
Still booing till now.
Along with the boos, there were also all kinds of vicious curses.
In just a few dozen minutes, Artest's 18th generation ancestor has been scolded tens of thousands of times in turn!
At the home court of the Heat, after receiving such a wave of resentment, of course I have to blame Woody!
The big screen on site gave the starting lineups of both sides before the game started:
"Heat team: No. 1 Wade, No. 2 Eddie Jones, No. 3 Woody, No. 4 Odom, No. 5 Grant;
Pacers: No. 1 Tinsley, No. 2 Cui Miller, No. 3 Artest, No. 4 O'Neal, No. 5 Jeff Foster;"
With a jump ball at the beginning, O'Neal successfully grabbed the first right of attack for the team.
Tinsley took the ball to the frontcourt.
As the 27th overall pick in the first round of 2001, Jamal Tinsley is another representative player with a street ball background.
The pros and cons of such players are also common.
The advantages are: skilled ball control and vigorous breakthrough;
The disadvantages are: lack of awareness of teamwork and weak tactical execution.
Tinsley still has a big problem, that is, he can't shoot!
During the Heat's first defense, Stan Van Gundy particularly emphasized Tinsley's defense. If he had a strong desire to play in isolation, the entire defensive formation would quickly shrink after he entered the three-point line.
Everyone on the Heat complied with Stan Van Gundy's request, and Tinsley was caught red-handed.
There was a "bang" sound.
The ball bounced out of the frame.
O'Neal Jr. got stuck with Odom under the basket.
Regarding Odom's scouting analysis, he is not a player who is willing to compete for rebounds on the defensive end. O'Neal Jr. took it seriously, but after this contact, he immediately discovered that the Pacers' scouting analysis needed to be updated!
Look at Odom's excitement. Which one of your eyes can see that he is not willing to fight for rebounds on the defensive end?
He was so happy!
The first step was lost, and O'Neal was pulled to the outside.
He was planning to work hard at the same time as Odom was working hard.
But the result...
This girl has no idea of taking off!
What kind of rebound did you grab...
"Snapped!"
The powerful sound of the ball answered O'Neal's thoughts.
Woody came out from the side and with the help of Odom, easily protected the rebound.
Artest's eyes immediately lit up.
Before the game started, he really didn't expect that Woody, a guy who didn't have much possession of the ball, would have the opportunity to hold the ball so quickly.
Come on then...
Today I will let you see what kind of defensive intensity the top defender in the league possesses!
Artest wanted to give Woody a "boost". When he got close to him, he quickly leaned forward, exerted force on his chest, and gave him a hard push.
This aggressive and proactive illegal action resulted in...
"Boom!"
With a dull sound, Artest felt something hit his chest with a hammer, causing his entire expression to freeze, and then a severe pain came from his chest.
Looking down...
Woody's elbow was moving away from his chest.
At the same time, taking advantage of the moment when his whole body froze due to pain, Woody calmly broke through with the ball, and the Heat got a "5-on-4" opportunity in the frontcourt.
No one came near Woody.
O'Neal and Foster, who quickly returned to defense, chose to stand on both sides of the "three-second zone" and stood in front of the reasonable collision zone at any time, while the others stared at their respective positions.
Four people guarded a zone defense near the baseline.
Apparently Rick Carlisle took note of Woody's weakness in mid-range shots and specially formulated the Heat's defensive strategy in "anti-counterattack".
This trick would definitely work well in November.
However, Woody, who has been practicing mid-range practice for the past two days and has improved the mid-range to 72 points through achievement points, feels very hot in the mid-range shot. Just when he was warming up before the game, he tried it and hit six or seven times in a row. Every shot was a solid hit.
There were just too many people training, and this did not attract the attention of others.
However, Woody's self-confidence was stimulated during the mid-range shooting practice before the game.
Now when he came to the free throw line, he took action without hesitation.
"Uh-huh!"
The rhythm of the shot is very good and the arc of the ball is also very beautiful.
When the ball fell into the basket, Stan Van Gundy was stunned for a moment.
This kid...
Actually entered the middle distance?
He was stunned for a moment, let alone Rick Carlisle. His small eyes opened slightly.
A mid-range shot as soon as he comes up?
I lowered my head and took a look at the statistics about Woody. Throughout November, Woody took a total of 48 mid-range shots and only scored 16, with a hit rate of 31.2%!
Now tell me, Woody scored his first goal in December with a mid-range shot?
"Ha~"
With a laugh, Carlisle thought it was too ridiculous.
"It's okay, it's okay, this is the first goal, don't be affected!"
His voice was so loud that Woody heard him.
To be honest, Rick Carlisle was happy to say this. Because this means that the next defense for him will probably be based on "shooting, preventing breakthroughs and passing the ball."
This is exactly what Woody wants!
It was the Pacers' turn to attack, and Artest caught the ball with an angry look on his face.
He couldn't afford to play with Woody, a "little trash", so he attacked him with his elbow as soon as he came up, catching him off guard. Of course he couldn't swallow this breath. We must fight back!
It's just that he just got the ball, and the person standing in front of him was not Woody, but his good brother Odom.
"Lamar, what are you doing? Why are you switching defenses for that Chinese rookie!"
They have been friends since childhood!
Don’t you know he has a problem with Woody?
Odom looked at him with a bitter look on his face, and while taking a defensive posture, he said: "Man, Woody is also my brother, you can't do this to him, or forget it..."
Artest's eye circles were even redder, and he felt betrayed.
He is your brother, am I not?
"Are you sure you want to be on guard?"
Seeing that Odom had no reaction, the pain in his chest made Artest no longer hesitate.
Okay, tonight I will take care of the Chinese rookie who doesn’t know the heights of the sky, as well as the backstabbing brother in front of me.
Dribbling faster, Artest also burst out with energy.
Looking at his elbow getting closer and closer to him, Odom knew that Artest was getting tough. But yesterday's harsh words had already been teased in front of Woody, and Odom didn't want Woody's impression of him to get worse.
Gritting his teeth, he used his hands to protect his key parts and blocked them.
"Bang!"
It hurts~
This was Odom's first feeling.
His good brother is indeed as hard as he looks on the outside.
His body involuntarily shrank to the side, making way for him to rush inside.
Artest successfully reached the basket, but as soon as he jumped up and took a shot, the ball flew from his fingertips, and a big hand covered the ball. Confiscating the entire ball directly,
The exaggerated picture made the scene that had just erupted into cheers become enthusiastic again.
Especially when they saw clearly who was the person who completed this incredible block, the scene was even more "buzzing with gongs and drums and blasting firecrackers."
The cheers were like a thousand whips, endless.
Woody completed the "cap catch", and amid the screams and ghosts in the TNT studio, the Heat got another chance to quickly counterattack.
Artest was obviously stunned for a moment, and he couldn't hide the astonishment in his eyes.
But this time, Artest adjusted quickly and showed his outstanding entanglement ability. As soon as Woody landed, he was entangled by him, and this time he blocked Woody's "hidden elbow" well.
Saints will not fall twice on the same move.
The same goes for top NBA defensive players.
Woody faced off against Artest for the first time, and I have to say...
I can't bear it at all!
He didn't care about the ball either, so he handed the ball over casually.
Unfortunately, Grant was the one to receive the ball from Woody, and the Heat's fast break came to nothing.
But the ball was still in possession. Although it was a pity, the Heat still had a chance to widen the point difference. Kenny Smith agreed with Woody's handling of the ball: "This is actually very smart. Woody knows his strengths and weaknesses very well, and knows what he is good at and what he is not good at!"
Because he is smart, even when facing such an opponent, he can still shine from the start.
Let me ask you, how many people in this league can score 2 points, 1 rebound and 1 block against Artest in the first minute or so? Woody did it.
"Damn guy, why don't you dare to catch the ball?" Artest followed Woody step by step. After seeing him pass the ball, he no longer wanted the ball. He couldn't wait to taunt him. At this moment, only taunting could cover him up. Inner embarrassment.
Woody's "catching hat" left an indelible impression on his heart.
This block is so scary!
"It seems you also know yourself..."
As he was talking, Woody suddenly started running quickly. He was so frightened that he immediately shut up and followed.
Glancing back and seeing that Artest hadn't gotten rid of him, Woody stopped again and asked, "What do you know?"
"I know you can't be in my..."
Artest didn't expect that Woody would take the initiative to let him finish the trash talk he had just finished.
This guy is pretty good!
Of course, not long after this idea came out, Artest immediately threw it out of his mind.
Because in the middle of his words, the hanging man suddenly started running quickly again.
Artest was interrupted again, the annoyance in his eyes becoming more obvious.
Damn, is this guy so good at off-ball defense?
Woody suddenly started walking for the second time, but still did not shake off Artest. He cursed secretly in his heart, and asked calmly: "What can't be done?"
"..."
Only this time, Artest didn't say anything.
He was mainly afraid that when he spoke again, Woody would start running again. He felt like this guy was teasing him in this way.
"Why don't you even dare to talk trash?" But he didn't speak, and Woody mocked him, "Or are you saying your trash talking skills are too bad?"
"I……"
Artest was furious.
He has never seen such a shameless person!
The anger level soared again.
His eyes became even redder.
Even though Woody didn't have the ball at the moment, his personal confrontation with Woody was much more fierce.
Woody seized the opportunity and winked at Odom.
Odom stepped forward immediately and made a successful screen for Woody.
Get rid of it!
The third attempt, with the help of Odom, was of course related to the fact that Artest was too close to him at the moment. Odom felt that the quality of his cover had never been so good.
The ball is in Jones' hands at this time.
The veteran's experience allowed him to see the open Woody for the first time.
Originally preparing to force a shot, he decisively gave the ball to Woody.
One step inside the baseline three-point line, Woody caught the ball and jumped up, making a very coherent mid-range shot.
When this ball was thrown, Rick Carlisle's face was a little more nervous.
His defensive targeting of Woody tonight, including the defensive strategies emphasized to Artest, were all conducted when Woody was unable to shoot from mid-range.
The mid-range shot he just made in the opening game could be regarded as Woody's luck.
But if two consecutive shots are made, then...
He has reason to suspect that Woody's "dog luck" is tonight!
There are always one or two nights when the basket is as vast as the ocean in the eyes of the players.
"Uh-huh!"
According to Murphy's Law, the more you don't want something to happen, the more likely it is to happen.
Carlisle deeply felt the power of this law at this moment!
"yes!"
Woody clenched his fists hard. He knew that with just 72 points of mid-range shooting ability, it would be difficult for him to hit two consecutive hits at the beginning.
Even if it’s an empty seat!
It seems that tonight, the feel is also on his side!
After shooting 2-for-2 from the start, Woody now has a little more confidence in completing the task of "20 plus 10"...
4-0!
The cheers at the scene did not stop until the Pacers started attacking again.
Artest repeatedly provoked Woody before the game and "taunted" him, causing Heat fans to hold back their resentment. Just watched Woody confiscate Artest's layup in the air.
At this moment, only screams could calm their inner excitement.
Tinsley didn't dare give the ball to Artest again.
He watched O'Neal move to the high post and winked at him. After the two played a basic pick-and-roll, he prepared to return the ball to O'Neal in the high post.
But his plan was completely seen by Woody.
He quickly moved sideways and stood between O'Neal Jr. and Tinsley, intercepting Tinsley's pass.
"Another steal, from Woody!!!!"
The on-site commentary was soaring.
A great way to create an atmosphere.
The "wave" in Miami Beach is heading toward the Pacers again.
Odom was right next to Woody this time, so after Woody stole the ball, he quickly gave the ball to him.
It's about to happen.
At this moment, Artest moved in front of Odom.
The speed was so fast that Odom jumped.
This lateral movement was quick, and Artest's hand was even more determined.
He watched Odom hide the ball behind his back, judged that his server would do a "back dribble", and switched the ball to the other hand. He decisively exerted force and pushed Odom.
This time Odom staggered a little more.
Artest immediately swooped towards Odom's other hand, swatted the ball first, and broke the ball.
Woody saw it all.
Artest, who rushed up with the ball, simply relied on his inertia and pushed him aside.
The layup was made!
Artest went from defense to offense, saved Tinsley's passing error, and at the same time completed the score by himself!
2-4!
"Hoo!"
Artest punched his chest violently, his "beast posture" clearly displayed.
"This guy..." Barkley watched Artest raise his hands and show off his biceps, his eyes widened. He was frightened by Artest's fierceness.
"Nice!"
Rick Carlisle also shouted, this is the Artest he wants to see.
"Rookie, is this all you want to fight? Will you fall down at the first touch?" Artest seized the opportunity and spat a bunch of trash talk at Woody. He spoke very fast, as if he was racing against someone.
Um……
If he spoke any slower, Woody wouldn't hear him.
Because of this guy, he started running again!
He quickly followed.
Woody made two mid-range shots in a row, and he really didn't dare to let go!
But because he was following too closely, Woody stopped suddenly, and he almost hit him. Fortunately, his body control was strong enough, and he narrowly avoided it. Woody turned to look at him and asked with his eyes: "Are you okay?"
Before Artest could react, he started running again.
Rick Carlisle looked at Artest's clumsy follow-up, and his eyes became slightly serious.
Artest's on-ball defense, to put it modestly, is the best in the league; if I put it immodestly, if the top defensive wing in history is pulled out to PK, Artest in this state is also among the top three in history. exist!
But defending without the ball...
This is not what Artest is best at!
Especially when defending players like Woody who do not participate in catching the ball frequently on the offensive end, there will be no obvious effect.
From time to time, I have to suffer some embarrassing losses like just now.
Tonight was really unlucky. Woody, who had never performed well in the mid-range, actually hit two mid-range shots at the beginning.
Before the game, he guessed that Woody would probably use his constant movement to consume Artest's physical energy, so he told Artest before the game that he didn't need to follow him too closely, just focus on his shooting. With his ability, you can completely wait for where he lands and then pounce on him.
But now...
"Creak~"
On the court, Artest was once again "suddenly braked" by Woody.
Because he was too close, Woody suddenly ran away, forcing Artest to get out of the way immediately, otherwise he would hit him directly.
But Artest's defensive talent is really strong.
The alliance's top confrontation ability is of such a tonnage, but it still has terrifying lateral movement.
Suddenly, when the defense was completely out of position, Woody was re-attached.
But this time Artest didn't dare to stick so tightly.
Just like this, the problem from the previous round came up again...
Odom ran a pick-and-roll, and Woody successfully got out of the open space again. This time it was Wade who took the ball. Seeing Woody out of the open space, his passing speed was no slower than Jones before.
The ball goes to Woody.
He is also a true god!
Another mid-range shot, the ball still fell into the basket very obediently.
3 out of 3 shots!
The whole place was completely blown away.
And Woody...
Then he turned to look at Rick Carlisle on the sidelines, turned his hands outwards, and shrugged. He himself was surprised by the feel of his hands, but there was nothing he could do...
It’s so cool!
(End of chapter)
