On May 22, the Clippers continued to prepare for training.
After the Lakers won the Battle of Tianwangshan on the 18th and went from 1 to 2 to 3 to 2, Gentry began to use the Lakers as the imaginary enemy and led the team to conduct targeted tactical training.
The training volume in the past three days was not heavy. Now that there are only two days left before the start of the Western Conference Finals on May 24, Gentry has increased the training volume.
After the morning training, the Clippers opened the training ground for interviews.
Li Ao was busy accepting interviews throughout noon, and later he simply ate a nutritious meal in front of the camera.
At 1:30 p.m., after the two-hour interview ended, Li Ao collapsed on the sofa in the lounge, like a salted fish.
Seeing Jordan walking into the lounge with a cigar in his mouth, Li Ao complained: "You came back at the right time. You left me alone when the interview came. It's annoying to death."
Jordan bit his cigar and grinned: "But why do I think you seem to enjoy it? It feels great to be surrounded by the spotlight!"
The throne of Angel City has been replaced, tsk tsk, you really dare to say that. "
Li Ao shrugged: "Reporters have called this Western Conference finals a decisive battle in Angel City. They all said so. How can I not cooperate with them? The king of Angel City basketball... It can't be that simple. At least there must be Only by winning three consecutive championships can we be compared with the team next door."
Hearing this, Jordan crossed his legs.
After a brief pause, Jordan said: "Kupchak of the Lakers is a character. He can keep his composure. He is definitely not an ordinary general manager. I heard that Rice, Grant, and Richmond were all joined by him. It’s done. He wasn’t given a long-term contract last summer. They can make room to sign people in the next two summers. I’m looking forward to how you deal with them.”
Instead of being nervous, Li Ao was very excited: “If there are no opponents like this, what’s the point of playing basketball?
If I want to easily win the championship, I won't renew my contract until the qualification terms are over, and just join the team next door. If I think that would be shameless, I'll go find a few superstars, such as Kidd and Garnett. The three of us will form A team has everything, I take a lot of shots, I can still shoot simple shots when I play with them, the trophies are all mine..."
Jordan interjected: "Can anyone really do such a thing?"
"It's hard to say. I think there will always be people who do that."
"Haha, I really want to see it... Okay, it's training time, let's go to training. The next period will definitely be the same as last year. There are countless interviews every day, so I'll leave it to you. I need to adapt to the feeling of not being surrounded by reporters first, so as not to feel as unbalanced as I did five years ago."
Li Ao smacked his lips, but for the rare moment he didn't start a fight.
Jordan didn't say that, but he seemed to say everything...
…
At noon on the 23rd, after a day and a half of intense training, Gentry announced that he was off work and would rest in the afternoon to recharge for tomorrow's game.
Li Ao did not do any additional training in the afternoon. From the afternoon of the 14th to this morning, he conducted high-intensity training for 8 days in a row. There was no problem with his body. He performed the training tasks to maximize efficiency every time he trained. He trained every night. I have used the physical therapy function, but I repeat boring training every day. My mentality needs to be adjusted and relaxed, so that I can welcome the Western Conference Finals with the fullest enthusiasm tomorrow.
The days of intense training paid off, and his overall rating increased to 89!
"Name: Li Ao.
Age: 21 years old (August 1, 1981).
Height: 203 cm, wingspan: 227 cm.
Weight: 105.6 kg.
Overall rating: 89.
Physical fitness: Speed 93 (93 explosive acceleration), 92 strength (93 explosive power), 90 jumping (95 bullet speed), 92 flexibility, 95 physical strength...
Basic skills: 87 three-pointers, 92 mid-range shots, 93 layups, 85 hooks, 79 ball control, 88 passes... 92 steps back, 92 lateral moves, 92 forwards... 80 strides, 92 turns, 89 emergency stops , lean back 80, high back body 88, turn over 84...
Skills: Hook 83, catch-and-turn shot 91, pull-up catch-and-shoot 89, high post skills 87, turn-over jump shot 81, fade-away jumper 80, pull-up jump shot 85, behind-the-back dribble turn shot 81, three-threat 74... …”
His fadeaway jump shot, pull-up jump shot, behind-the-back dribble and turn shot, and turn-over jump shot have all improved to an excellent level. His pull-up jump shot has reached the first-class level, and his catch-and-turn shot has exceeded the first-class level.
This season, several of their young players need to take on more responsibilities at the start of the game. Instead of continuing to develop new technologies, he took this opportunity to strengthen existing technologies.
The direction of his training has always been clear, which is to make what he is good at better and expand his skills around the skills he is good at.
On the 20th, after breaking through to 85 in pull-up jump shots, his overall evaluation improved to 89, and he received the task of breaking through to the top.
“Being at the top:
Goal: Master the catch and shoot.
Reward: Increase the talent limit of basic high school shooting skills. "
When he broke through to the top, he chose to catch and shoot, and this is naturally the way to break through to the top.
He asked the system what it means to be proficient in catching and shooting, and the answer given by the system was that basic skills such as mid-range shots, three-pointers, emergency stops, and turns are all top-notch, as well as catch-and-shooting related skills.
The difficulty of breaking through this time is not only lower than when breaking through the first-class level, but also lower than when 79 broke through 80.
There are only three categories left: three-pointers, emergency stops, and emergency stop catch-and-shoots, and two of them have already reached 89.
The three-pointer is more difficult. If the three-point line in the NBA is replaced by the FIBA specifications, even if the distance is directly extended to the top arc area of the NBA, it will be easier to practice.
After resting all afternoon, in the evening, Li Ao held little Roy and watched the live broadcast of the first game of the Eastern Conference finals with his father and aunt, the hospital assistant, who came to Los Angeles to watch the "Angel City Showdown".
Yingjiang's bragging about Xijue was very harsh, and it was even more exaggerated in China. Li Ao felt guilty when he saw it...
The first game of the Eastern Conference Finals was particularly exciting!
The Magic's stability has actually been broken!
Duncan made 14 of 20 shots tonight, plus 7 of 10 free throws, scoring 35 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block; McGrady made 10 of 21 shots, including 2 of 4 three-pointers, plus 6 of 8 free throws. He scored 28 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 block; Cassell had 13 points, 2 rebounds and 7 assists... The three of them worked together to lead the team to a score of 110 points, but still lost to the rushing Nets.
With the help of Kidd, Richard Jefferson made 14 of 25 shots, including 1 of 2 three-pointers, and scored a game-high 38 points on 9 of 11 free throws.
Although Kenyon Martin only got 4 rebounds in the game, which was less than Mutombo's rebounds when he only played 28 minutes, he rushed up and scored 26 points.
Mutombo came off the bench and scored 14 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks...
The Magic, which averaged only 80.9 points per game in this year's playoffs, were outscored by 113 points by the Nets!
McGrady hit the final buzzer-beating three-pointer, which only narrowed the point difference to 3 points and failed to complete the comeback.
Kidd played 43 minutes and made 7 of 15 shots, including 2 of 5 three-pointers, plus 6 of 6 free throws. He scored 22 points, 7 rebounds, 13 assists and 3 steals, leading the Nets to defeat the Magic 113-110. 1-0 in the away game, taking away the home field advantage!
Li Ao's father sighed: "I didn't expect the Nets to win. Kidd is so awesome. He makes every teammate's scoring ability exceed their normal capabilities. Aozi, if Kidd is the one passing the ball to you, you have to do it every game." Get more than 30 points?"
Li Ao rolled his eyes and responded: "Dad, be bold. Give me Kidd and I can win the scoring title for 11 consecutive years."
"roll!"
"okay……"
Li Ao rolled upstairs quickly to wash up and go to bed.
There is really nothing worth analyzing in this game. It is that several blue-collar scorers of the Nets are in good shape when hitting the basket, and Kidd took full advantage of them.
This is also related to the fact that Kidd can now stably hit fixed-point shots, and the opponent dare not let him go... But it really has no reference. If both Richard Jefferson and Kenyon Martin can average 20+ per game , let alone the Magic, the 2001 Lakers probably couldn't beat the Nets.
However, Kidd's increase in scorers is really strong. Richard Jefferson's pure 3D can even be said to be a blue-collar small forward, and he can be beaten to average 20+ per game.
But unfortunately, there is only one Kidd. Looking at the entire NBA history, he is unique.
…
On May 24, at 7:40 pm, the Lakers and Clippers entered the Staples Center.
Li Ao was the last one to enter, looking at the half-red, white and half-purple-gold auditorium, feeling happy.
It's the playoffs, but our fans are still a little more energetic, and the home court is not occupied by the opponent.
Judging from this situation, this Western Conference Finals can be said to be all home games, but it can also be said to be all away games.
But no matter what, there is no home court on the opposite side, that's enough!
At the end of the entrance ceremony, the two most dominant epic superstars in NBA history came on the stage to exchange greetings. Li Ao was looking for Snake... but couldn't find him!
Could it be that Snake can't play tonight? Li Ao was about to stand up when he saw his former landlord among the crowd.
On the Lakers bench, Kobe was surrounded by several frontcourt teammates. He was probably guarding someone and didn't want to talk to anyone.
Yaoshou!
Snake actually has teammates to help him!
Is this a distortion of human nature or a loss of morality?
Li Ao said to the senior brother on the side: "Normal teams will whitewash all discord when they win. After losing, conflicts will break out. It seems different on the opposite team."
Bibby nodded: "When the Lakers won two consecutive championships, there were always internal conflicts, but last year they lost the playoffs, and the atmosphere was much better. This is really..."
"If it's the Lakers, that's normal."
"……Right."
After a while, the pre-game preparation time was over, Li Ao and his starting teammates walked onto the court, and the task came.
"Decisive Battle in Angel City:
Goal: Defeat the Lakers and advance to the Finals.
Reward: Lasher Level 1. "
"Flogger Level 1: The host's one-on-one singles score will bring greater psychological pressure to the opponent. The specific effect depends on the defensive player's psychological quality. Note: There is a certain negative effect. After each singles score, the host's desire to play will be reduced. When stimulated, the higher the skill level, the more obvious the effect.”
"King of the Western Conference:
Goal 1: In this Western Conference Finals, the host’s highest score in a single game or average score per game must be higher than that of Kobe Bryant.
Goal 2: In this Western Conference Finals, the host’s average performance in five major data categories including points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks per game is at least better than Kobe Bryant in three of them.
Goal 3: Defeat the Lakers in fewer games than last season.
Reward: 5000 achievement points for each goal. If all goals are completed, additional bonus skill: Folding Master Level 1. "
"Level 1 of Folding Master: When breaking into the attacking frame or cutting inside to catch the ball and attacking the frame, the strength of the waist and abdomen will be slightly improved."
In a Western Conference Finals, you may get two skills!
They all seem to be skills related to Snake... No, it's not that they look like it, that's it!
The effect of the skill 'Flogger' seems to be perfectly combined with that of 'Duel' and 'Pumper'.
One-on-ones enhance singles play, pumpers enhance team morale after a goal is scored, whippers torture the opponent's mentality... No, this is not the most perfect.
It’s even more perfect when you turn on the bullying or bird abuse mode!
Lakers starting lineup: Fisher, Kobe, Rick Fox, Samakhi Walker, O'Neal.
Clippers starting lineup: Bibby, Li Ao, Gerald Wallace, Matt Halprin, O'Neal Jr.
The game starts at 8pm.
The excited O'Neal narrowly beat O'Neal to win the jump ball, and the Clippers attacked first!
Li Ao and Gerald Wallace rushed forward excitedly, and O'Neal Jr. actually won.
When he took off, he slightly looked down on his opponent, who was a beat too slow in taking off. O'Neal didn't have time to get angry. He quickly retreated and returned to the basket first to cover Gerald Wallace, who was rushing straight to the basket.
On Li Ao's side, he was closely followed by Kobe, who was becoming increasingly good at off-ball defense.
The opening fast break was fruitless, but it allowed O'Neal to run at full speed for a few seconds, and enough was enough.
Bibby calmly advanced to the frontcourt, waited for Li Ao to get to the right side of the free throw line, blocked Kobe's position, and then lobbed the ball over.
In this lineup, Bibby + O'Neal's pick-and-roll attack is theoretically higher than Li Ao's singles against Kobe, but Bibby's passing is very firm.
Li Ao hit Kobe with his back and couldn't use his skills.
Kobe Bryant has been called 'the strongest perimeter player' this year, not just for his offensive ability, but also for his defense.
After a few fake moves, it was of no use. Li Ao stopped twisting and took a step forward, turned over, and jumped!
Kobe successfully predicted Li Ao's work and pressed forward to interfere.
Li Ao leaned back sharply, reaching an angle of 50 degrees, perfectly avoiding the hand of Kobe Bryant, who was leaping high...
The extremely large backward motion did not affect Li Ao's shooting feeling, and he hit the ball steadily by two points!
In transition between offense and defense, the Lakers attack.
Without testing tactics, the Lakers know very well that with their current lineup, facing the defense cut off in the middle by Gerald Wallace, Li Ao, O'Neal, and Matt Halprin, the triangle offense cannot be opened.
After receiving the pass from Fisher, Kobe directly started playing singles.
Facing Gerald Wallace's defense, Kobe made a fake move to catch the ball laterally, but instead of wrapping the ball with his hand, he performed a very rhythmic pick-and-ball.
Kobe broke into the paint and jumped against Li Ao's defense. He saw O'Neal turning around and blocking the guard, passing the ball in the air... O'Neal burst out behind O'Neal and smashed the ball into the basket through O'Neal!
When the Clippers attacked again, Bibby continued to pass the ball to Li Ao.
Kobe insisted on defending in the last round. In his opinion, the ball was successfully defended. The TV commentator also said that Li Ao was lucky to score the ball in the last round.
But Li Ao continued to turn over and shoot jumpers. This time, he didn't even have any fake moves. He leaned forward and stepped out, turned over and took off a huge fadeaway jumper...hit again!
Kobe: convex
Is this big spider really good at Nash's kind of backwards?
The 'winning streak' two months ago was not so stable!
Which move do you think should be strengthened? Can it be strengthened by practicing it for two months? This talent is outrageous!
Li Ao looked at Kobe's wide-open eyes and turned around to retreat.
I just like to see Snake like he has never seen the world.
His lay-back jump shot is not really at the level of Nash. During the "Winning Streak Showdown", his success rate in avoiding Kobe's defense was not high because of his fade-away jump shot. He deliberately practiced this at the end of the regular season, but In less than two months, it is still impossible to make qualitative changes.
This time the back was so stable, thanks to the help of the Jazz. The Mavericks were eliminated in the first round, and Li Ao got the level 5 skill upgrade card for "Lie Back".
"Leaning back level 5: 1. When the angle of leaning back for a jump shot is greater than or equal to 45 degrees, there is a 50% probability of making up for the lack of balance caused by leaning back. 2. When the angle of leaning back is greater than or equal to 45 degrees when the angle of leaning back is greater than or equal to 45 degrees. The core strength is greatly improved, 3. When the opponent facing a fadeaway jumper is taller than the host, the bounce +3."
For him, this skill is equivalent to a "waste move" most of the time. He doesn't need to lean back like that when facing most outsiders. When facing opponents like Garnett and Clifford Robinson, he usually He also won't choose to shoot against the defense. The opponent's inside line is already covered, wouldn't it be nice to distribute the ball to teammates who cut in.
But facing very few opponents, such as the former landlord in front of me, that is a magical skill!
(End of chapter)
