"LaVine's performance was so bad! I don't understand how he got the All-Star Rookie Game MVP! His offense is terrible, and his defense is even worse... I'm afraid the only thing he has left is dunks. Already..."
"Was Klay's three-pointer at the last moment really powerful? I think it was entirely because LaVine didn't defend well! Look how Zhao marked Stephen! Stephen averaged 25+ per game in the last series. But what about this series? His performance has almost declined across the board..."
"Does LaVine deserve to be compared with Zhao? He can't even compare with Andrew Wiggins! If such a guy is allowed to inherit the team, then I'm afraid I won't continue to watch Timberwolves games in the future..."
On the Internet, many fans are criticizing Zach LaVine, and LaVine's personal social media is almost flooded with all kinds of negative comments.
At home, LaVine, the protagonist of the story, silently read through these online messages.
He actually didn't want to read it, but he couldn't control his restless heart and finally clicked on various comments to read it.
It was okay not to look at it, but this look simply made Raven feel bad.
"Farke!"
"Damn... How could there be such stupid comments? These idiots... Even if they say I didn't guard Klay, I admit it. What does Draymond's scoring have to do with me? My special number is guard, not center..."
The negativity frustrated LaVine.
Fortunately, he was able to control his emotions and did not respond on social media.
He knew very well that if he dared to respond, he would probably be greeted by endless sprays.
After feeling helpless for a while, Raven could only turn off the computer and prepare to sleep. However, just when he put down the computer, a notification sound woke him up.
There was news on his personal social media account.
LaVine opened it and saw that Zhao Feiyang had directly liked him on social media and also attached a video.
"I know a lot of people blame Zach and think he failed to guard Klay's shot... but I don't think so. Zach is a great guy and there was no problem with his defense on that shot. ..."
"He has made a lot of contributions to the team and I will always be by his side to support him..."
Such a clear statement surprised many fans for a while.
Unexpectedly, LaVine also opened the video attached by Zhao Feiyang and took a look. He soon discovered that the video was his various wonderful performances since the playoffs.
Seeing that Zhao Feiyang could still firmly support him despite so many scoldings, LaVine couldn't help but be moved.
Zhao Feiyang's support is indeed very effective.
Many fans who questioned LaVine came forward to express their opinions when they saw the team leader and saw LaVine's contribution to the team in the video. They finally calmed down for the time being and stopped targeting LaVine to output their offensive firepower.
Public opinion turmoil can be ignored behind closed doors, but for the Timberwolves, how to win G7 of the Western Conference Finals is the most important issue.
Everyone knows that both sides only have one last chance left. If the Timberwolves cannot seize it, their efforts throughout the season will be in vain.
time flies.
Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals will soon arrive.
This time, the entire Timberwolves team set off for Oakland. Just like the enthusiasm shown by Timberwolves fans before, the enthusiasm shown by fans in the Bay Area before the start of this game was even worse.
The stadium was crowded with fans. Although these people could not buy tickets, it did not affect their enthusiasm for the game.
The stadium was overcrowded, not only tens of thousands of fans, but also many celebrities appearing in the VIP seats behind the team, including some famous Hollywood movie stars and stars in other fields.
Compared to the small ball market atmosphere of Minneapolis, the atmosphere in Oracle Arena is completely superior by several levels.
Half an hour before the game started, in the Timberwolves locker room, the players gathered together for final preparations.
They were in an extremely excited state before the start of the last game, but this time it was completely different. After losing a crucial game, they had already calmed down.
Although the players are no longer as overconfident as before, they are no longer as impetuous as before.
"Guys, there is nothing to say at this point, let's work hard! Defeating them and reaching the finals is our only goal..."
"Go all out and don't let us leave any regrets..."
Everyone put their hands together and walked excitedly towards the infield.
The moment they walked out of the tunnel, the Timberwolves did not receive applause from Warriors fans. After all, they were away opponents. Of course, the more boos the better in this case.
However, Zhao Feiyang, as a special example, still won the applause and cheers of many Chinese fans.
"Zhao, you are the pride of our Chinese players!"
"Man, although I don't want you to win, I hope you can get better data..."
"Zhao, come back next season! If you come back to us, our trip to the finals will be easier..."
The fans were shouting.
In the chaos, Zhao Feiyang couldn't hear clearly at all. The only thing he could do was to remain silent and maintain his calm and collected state.
The Warriors came out quickly.
Their pomp is much bigger than that of the Timberwolves.
The home fans cheered like crazy. No matter which player came on the field, they all received enough applause.
Curry is even more special. When he appeared as the leader of the team in the finale, the fans at the scene almost exploded and screamed wildly.
Before the official start of the game, an online vote "on who can win the Western Conference Championship" was also launched outside the court.
In the voting session, the Warriors had a 51% probability, surpassing the Timberwolves' 49%. Most fans were on their side, believing that they were more likely to win the final victory.
Interestingly, there are also sports forums in China that have initiated voting.
Compared with American fans, Chinese fans have more no interests involved. Their choice was completely one-sided. About 75% of people chose the Timberwolves, and only 25% chose the Warriors.
Their reasons are not surprising either.
"I really like the Warriors and Curry, but I hope Zhao will lead the team to win the Western Conference championship..."
"I also like Curry and Thompson, and I also like Iguodala, but I am not interested in guys like Green... Compared with them, Zhao Feiyang, as a Chinese player, can win in this situation. Winning the Western Conference championship is of course more important..."
"I bet that the Timberwolves can win. If they lose, I will run around outside the square with the most people for an hour... and put up a post as proof..."
In the arena, with the anticipation of countless people, the game officially started.
Snapped.
After the referee threw the basketball, Dwight Howard of the Timberwolves took the first shot of the basketball, and the ball fell into LaVine's hands smoothly.
In this game, the Timberwolves adjusted again. LaVine returned to the first position, and Zhao Feiyang continued to play his second position to lead the team's offensive scoring.
As the ball passed half court, LaVine looked for opportunities under Curry's guard.
Zhao Feiyang pretended to come up from the wing to respond, but actually helped LaVine attract the attention of other defensive players.
LaVine took advantage of the situation to swoop down from the left and make a pull-up jumper all the way into the two zones.
boom.
His shot failed.
The basketball bounced out of the basket. Adrian Ennis seized the opportunity and slapped off the rebound. After getting the ball, he turned around and threw the ball with a hook under the interference of the opponent.
boom.
The basketball board falls into the basket.
It was the Warriors' turn to fight back.
Curry dribbled the ball forward, and Thompson came up to help him cover before halftime. Curry seized the opportunity and rushed across half court. Without any hesitation, Curry stood directly at the top of the arc and raised the basketball to shoot.
Snapped.
The basketball hit the backboard.
Green quickly caught the basketball with his quick eyes and hands. He did not choose to grab the rebound, but instead put the ball into the hands of Iguodala on the wing.
Iguodala made a feint and then dribbled the ball into the basket. He was about to reach the penalty area. Howard came directly to cover the interference. Iguodala did not hesitate to lob the ball into Green's hands.
Green took advantage of the situation and jumped up to tip-in the ball in mid-air and put the ball into the basket.
Uh-huh.
The ball went in.
The tactical offense and defense of both sides in the first quarter were very exciting, and each other did not waste the ball on their respective stars. Whether it was Curry or Zhao Feiyang, they did not choose to take too many shots, but continued to help their teammates cover. , find a way to get the whole team running.
This style of play made both sides very efficient. By the end of the first quarter, the score between the two sides was 36 to 37.
This score really surprised many fans.
However, such a fast-paced style of play is indeed rare. It is incredible for many Warriors fans that the Timberwolves can maintain the same rhythm as the Warriors.
Fast forward to the second quarter.
Both sides put on their respective substitute lineups.
It was evenly matched at the beginning, but soon the situation began to tilt towards the Timberwolves.
Gorgi, who was transferred to the second team, led players such as Martin and Rubio to perform extremely happily. They also continued to use passing and receiving to open up the score just like the starting lineup.
Not only did he have a tacit understanding of cooperation, but Martin, as the main guard, had his best performance since the series. He scored 16 points in this quarter, including 4 three-pointers, which even the Warriors couldn't stand. live.
By the end of the first half, the two sides were tied at 69-61.
The Warriors trailed by 8 points.
8 points is not too much, but after the first half, any point difference may endanger the final outcome. Therefore, the Warriors did not dare to neglect at all and quickly rejoined the main lineup in the third quarter.
Curry and Thompson gave up more rest time and directly chose to continue playing on the court.
This is especially true for the Timberwolves. Zhao Feiyang also gave up his rest and cooperated with Martin, who came on the bench and was hot, to continue to help the team maintain the score lead.
