187 Please Pay Attention to Me

December 25th, Christmas Day War.

The Trail Blazers host the Celtics.

"It's the annual Christmas fight again, Kenny."

Listening to the questions from his old partner, Kenny Smith responded with a smile: "Yes, we once again stuck to our jobs and provided game commentary for the fans on site and in front of the TV."

"It's an honor, isn't it?"

Kenny Smith has long been accustomed to not being able to stay home on Christmas Day, especially in a city like Portland, which is too far away from his home in New York, so even if he rushed home immediately after the game, it would be too late.

In order to solve this problem, Kenny Smith has been taking his family with him to the city where the game is broadcast since 2001. They will celebrate the festival in place the night after the game.

Barkley said: "Man, stop talking about Christmas and let's talk about these two teams."

Kenny Smith opened the statistics in his hand and said: "The two teams in the Christmas match tonight are very strong teams."

"The Celtics have a Big Three lineup and were the defending champions last season. At the same time, their overall defensive efficiency ranks first in the league this season, third in the league in interior defensive efficiency, third in the league in outside defensive efficiency, and averages 5 blocks per game. Ranked ninth in the league in steals per game, ranked sixth in the league in steals per game, and the Celtics are the team that likes to play zone defense and zone defense the most.”

"This is a very scary team, especially on the defensive end."

"The other Trail Blazers team has achieved 24 wins and 6 losses this season, ranking first in the league. The team ranks first in the league with an average of 113 points per game, and ranks first in the league with an average of 11 three-pointers made per game. , the team’s three-point shooting percentage is 38%, ranking first in the league. At the same time, five players on the team score in double figures per game, and they average 9 points per game on counterattacks, ranking fourth in the league.”

"The Blazers are the best offensive team in the league, and the Celtics are the best defensive team in the league. Tonight will be a battle between offense and defense, a show of spear and shield. "

Barkley interjected: "Zhang Jun of the Trail Blazers averaged 33 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 1 block per game this season, shooting 52% from the field and 38% from three-point range. He is currently on the scoring list. The first place on the list is a full 3 points ahead of the Heat’s Dwyane Wade.”

"If nothing else goes wrong, this year's league scoring champion should have been determined to fall into the hands of Zhang Jun. He will win this award for two consecutive years. The last person to achieve this honor was Tracy McGrady of the Rockets. "

This is still a second grader!

Buckley couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

A second-year player wins the league's scoring title twice. This will undoubtedly be the only one in history. No player can do this. If Zhang Jun really achieves this achievement, he will become the most inscribed in NBA history. His shadow will be indispensable in all discussions about the best offensive players in league history in the future.

"The key is that he is still second on the MVP list."

Kenny Smith reminded.

He really doesn't understand this. A player who leads the team with the best record in the league, a player who leads the league in scoring, and a player with a high-level efficiency value of 25.5 points is not on the MVP list. The first one?

This is simply unfair.

Barkley smiled and said: "Because the Cavaliers also have LeBron James with an efficiency value of 26.1, Zhang Jun can only be ranked second on the MVP prediction list."

The big screen at the scene showed the starting lineups of the two teams at this time.

The Trail Blazers did not have Steve Blake on the roster tonight because he suffered a wrist injury. He was replaced by backup point guard Sergio Rodriguez.

Nate Mike Miller is having a huge headache over this matter, because the Trail Blazers are already short of reserves on the point guard line, and now without Steve Blake, they can almost only have Sergio Rodriguez. used.

When the substitute phase enters the rotation, which player will the Trail Blazers use as a substitute, veteran Steve Francis?

Don't be ridiculous, Nate McMillan is pretty sure that Steve Francis can't play at all now, let alone a game against the Celtics.

Throughout the regular season so far, Steve Francis has averaged less than 2 minutes per game. Now he can only play garbage time. In addition, he is passing on on-court experience to other Trail Blazers players. , and also helped Zhang Jun improve his passing ability.

In other words, the Trail Blazers will inevitably face a period of time without a point guard lineup tonight.

Monty Williams looks at the Celtics' full starting lineup tonight, with point guard Rajon Rondo, shooting guard Ray Allen, small forward Paul Pierce, and power forward Kevin Garner Special and center Kendrick Perkins couldn't help but said helplessly.

"The Celtics also played us as an imaginary enemy tonight. After all, we, the Lakers and the Spurs are recognized as the three strongest teams in the Western Conference."

"They are also worried about meeting us in the playoffs, so they practice tactics in advance to test each other."

Nate McMillan said, "Man, I have an idea."

"I want Zhang Jun to be the team's point guard in the second quarter."

After hearing this extremely weird idea, Monty Williams couldn't help but look at the other party with his eyes wide open and said.

"Coach, Zhang Jun is a small forward. We usually let him play the shooting guard position when leading the bench, but now we let him slide directly to the point guard position. Isn't this a bit exaggerated? "

Nate McMillan nodded in agreement and said: "It's indeed a bit exaggerated, but do you have a better way to solve our point guard problem?"

Monty Williams quickly shook his head.

"So, this is our best way at the moment, and Zhang Jun has controlled the turnover rate very well when controlling the ball this season. Compared with last season, his offense has been significantly improved. Although his passing skills are still average, I have I feel confident that the ball is completely in his hands.”

"And I'd also like to see if he can be a ball-handler on his own right now."

"We have discussed it before. It would be a pity for a player with such a high basketball IQ like him not to be the main pointer on the court."

Monty Williams agrees with Nate McMillan's idea. Zhang Jun is really the player who should be an all-around fighter. He should be able to control the offense on the court. In short, he should be the core player with the ball.

Only in this way can all Zhang Jun's abilities be fully utilized.

All! All!

The referee blows the whistle and the game officially begins.

Nate McMillan and Monty Williams also stopped discussing the use of Zhang Jun, and the matter will probably be settled tonight.

Jump ball at midfield.

Garnett jumped high and easily nodded the basketball from Joel Przbilla's head. Rajon Rondo controlled the ball and the Celtics executed the first round of offense.

Garnett put up the screen, and immediately passed down the pick-and-roll with Rajon Rondo. Joel Przbilla chose to switch defense, which is also a common defensive choice for the Trail Blazers.

Because their defense ability is not very good, it is difficult to bypass the defense and keep up with the original defender when guarding the pick-and-roll. Therefore, in the Trail Blazers' defensive tactics, except for Zhang Jun, any player can face double teams. Choose to substitute defensively.

In this way, Sergio Rodriguez had to switch to guard Garnett. He was originally a substitute player and had many offensive and defensive problems. Now he was forced to become the ball player. As the team's starter, it is simply difficult to get the defensive details in place.

Garnett followed the pick-and-roll and the basket was empty. Rajon Rondo had quick eyes and quick hands and threw the ball into the sky. Garnett took advantage of the trend and jumped.

boom!

Alley-oop dunk.

“The Celtics got their first possession going, with an alley-oop dunk from Rajon Rondo assisting Kevin Garnett.”

"Is this really the offense the Celtics are running?"

"When did it become so easy for them to attack?"

Buckley laughed.

Even though he was used to the Trail Blazers not being very good at defense, this was the first time that the defense was so bad that it was almost impossible to watch like this round.

On the court.

Both Luo Yin and Aldridge noticed the defensive problem just now. Luo Yin stared at Sergio Rodriguez with his hands in confusion and said.

"Hey, buddy, how did you defend that ball just now?"

"You let Garnett get inside so easily?"

Luo Yin rarely played with Sergio Rodriguez on the court, so it was very difficult to accept the scene before him.

Zhang Jun is different. He often plays with a rotating lineup, so he knows very well that Sergio Rodriguez only has this kind of defensive strength and awareness. He really can't do much on the defensive end. .

Zhang Jun gave Luo Yin a nod, indicating that he would handle the matter.

Luo Yin compromised and stopped asking for defensive trouble from his teammates, but he did not forget to remind him before leaving.

"Sergio, I hope you can be tougher on the defensive end. Winning the game is a matter for all of us."

Sergio Rodriguez looked helpless. He also knew that he had too many holes on the defensive end, so although Luo Yin's words were unpleasant to hear, he could only accept them.

"Braeden wasn't targeting you."

Zhang Jun patted Sergio Rodriguez on the shoulder, then picked up the basketball on the ground and handed it to him.

Sergio Rodriguez walked to the sideline with the ball, passed the ball to Zhang Jun and said: "I know he is targeting that ball, but man, I really can't start."

"I really want to be a starter, but I know very well that I'm far from that capable."

Zhang Jun caught the ball and signaled to advance, and at the same time tilted his head and said to Sergio Rodriguez next to him: "Then let yourself have such strength. If the Celtics play this tactic again in the next round, You have to switch defenses as soon as possible and block Garnett's path in advance."

"Small defense is big, but if you let him get inside, how can you defend him?"

"He's Garnett."

After hearing Zhang Jun's suggestion, Sergio Rodriguez nodded seriously.

Trail Blazers offense.

After advancing with the ball, Zhang Jun quickly handed the ball to Luo Yin, and then he ambushed at the top of the arc at the ultra-far three-point line.

Since Zhang Jun has a stable long-range three-point shooting, the Blazers' offensive position in the first quarter of the game is almost the same. Zhang Jun, who is restrained at the top of the arc, can also quickly return to defense when the Blazers' offense fails to score. Block the opponent's fast break counterattack.

This is also a point where the Trail Blazers have improved significantly this season compared to last season. Their ability to defend fast break counterattacks has improved significantly.

Sergio Rodriguez did not have the ability to shoot three-pointers, so he took the initiative to penetrate inside, destroying the Celtics' defensive formation while opening up the bottom corner, the place closest to the basket from the outside.

Luo Yin started to execute singles, and he was defended by Ray Allen.

Ray Allen has good defensive awareness and rich defensive experience. After all, he was the boss of the Sonics.

However, Luo Yin is not afraid of this kind of conscious and experienced defensive player. His singles play is very aggressive and full of physical confrontation, so Luo Yin is most afraid of players who can physically confront him or even have a slight advantage.

That would make it difficult for him to play.

boom!

On the court, Luo Yin suddenly used his strength to accelerate the breakthrough. The moment Ray Allen stepped forward to defend, the sound of the collision of the two men's muscles was very clear.

Garnett stepped up to help defend, and Luo Yin was worried about the opponent's ability to help defend, so he jumped up from the waist and took a mid-range shot.

Uh-huh!

Basketball hits steadily.

"The Trail Blazers' offense is really hard to defend, even if you are the Celtics, the league's best defensive team."

"To be precise, it's Ray Allen. He is currently the weakest defensive point on the Celtics' court."

"So the Blazers' tactic of letting Luo Yin beat Ray Allen in isolation in the first quarter is definitely feasible. As long as he can beat Ray Allen on the offensive end or cause him one or two fouls, the Celtics' The entire substitution rhythm will be completely disrupted."

Celtics offense.

Rondo very smartly called Garnett to pick and roll again, hoping to continue to exploit Sergio Rodriguez's defensive weakness.

"Change defense in advance!"

Under Zhang Jun's reminder, Sergio Rodriguez switched defenses with Cus Aldridge in advance. This was also a very good defensive choice. After all, Rondo's three-pointers were not allowed.

So even if he leaves him one step ahead of time, there is a high probability that Ron will not make a three-point shot.

boom!

Garnett wanted to force his way down, but found that an unknown European player was already standing in front of him. He didn't have time to stop his force and directly knocked Sergio Rodriguez onto the court.

All! All!

The referee blew the whistle decisively and whistled Garnett for an offensive foul.

"ah!!"

Sergio Rodriguez lay on the court screaming with emotion as he guarded Kevin Durant.

This shout shocked the players on the field, and the fans in the entire Moda Center Arena were also frightened.

"Is this guy really our player? Why does he look so stupid?"

"no, he is not."

This foul made Garnett very unhappy. He held the ball in his arms with both hands, then pushed it with his head, and then smashed the ball to the ground in a cathartic manner.

"Hey Kevin, pay attention to me."