12dz Chapter 219 Nets vs. Knicks, the battle begins!
Chapter 219 Nets vs. Knicks, the battle begins!
Wang Xiucheng turned around with a smile, "Isn't that obvious? Did you come here just to see me?"
Upon hearing this, Durant's mustache twitched. "Should I go say hello?"
"Never mind, Mr. Cody is right here. Go if you don't feel awkward."
Hearing what Wang Xiucheng said, Durant felt it made sense, so he received the ball from Claxton and continued warming up.
Wang Xiucheng also gave up the idea of greeting Scarlett.
Scarlett didn't even dare to look at him, so Wang Xiucheng had no reason to embarrass her.
Although he still really wanted to.
Just for those 10 system points, I should thank this lady properly.
As for the others, Wang Xiucheng didn't bother to greet them, since he didn't know them.
The Barclays Center is attracting more and more celebrities, although not as many as the Los Angeles Lakers, it's still pretty good.
Just as they were about to continue warming up, two figures appeared in the passageway.
Wang Xiucheng looked over and raised an eyebrow.
It was Nets owner Tsai Tsung-hsin and his wife.
The boss is here, so it's best to go and say hello.
Some fans noticed this, and gradually some applause broke out.
Regardless, Tsai Tsung-hsin is genuinely willing to spend money on the Nets, and for that reason alone, fans have no complaints about him.
As for their results, you can only say that the Nets were unlucky and encountered some exceptional players.
Wang Xiucheng ran ahead, and Zeng Fanbo ran behind. They soon arrived in front of Cai Congxin.
“No need for that,” Cai Congxin said with a smile. “Look at those foreigners, they don’t care whether I come or not. Just play your game and don’t worry about me.”
Apart from Wang Xiucheng and Zeng Fanbo, Nets players including Durant only waved from a distance.
"You're already here. If you lose this competition, how will you, as the boss, save face?" Wang Xiucheng said jokingly.
“You said it yourself, so let’s win,” Cai Congxin said jokingly.
"Dele."
Wang Xiucheng and Zeng Fanbo greeted each other, and the warm-up time was over.
Taking off his coat, Wang Xiucheng stood up and went to Nash.
"Mark my words."
Nash didn't waste any words, he just said one sentence and then took the lead in extending his hand.
Wang Xiucheng, Durant, and everyone else stretched out their palms and covered Nash's hands.
"Fuck him!"
Durant shouted something.
Durant, who was previously somewhat concerned about his image, was reluctant to say that phrase.
But recently he has taken on this job on his own initiative.
It seems that every time they start the game by shouting this Chinese phrase, they win.
"Fuck him!"
Everyone shouted along with Durant and then stood on the court.
The Nets' starting five consisted of Wang Xiucheng, Durant, Ben West who had just returned from injury, Claxton, and Joe Harris.
Besides Ben West, Seth Curry, who has been sidelined with injury, is also on the bench today.
It seems the Nets have weathered the difficult period of personnel shortages.
The Knicks on the other side also fielded their strongest lineup.
Barrett, Randall, Sims, Brunson, Reddish.
The biggest change for the Knicks this season compared to last year is that they acquired Jalen Brunson, nicknamed "Big Head," in the summer with a four-year, $1.04 million contract.
It was this change that transformed the Knicks from a playoff contender last season into a championship team.
Of course, this is just what Knicks fans think.
However, the Knicks have indeed won 5 of their last 10 games, giving them a winning percentage of over 50%.
Claxton and Sims stood at the center line, their eyes fixed on the ball in the referee's hand.
Amidst applause and cheers from the fans at Barclays Center, the basketball was tossed high into the air.
Snapped!
Both palms slapped the basketball almost simultaneously.
The Nets were double-teamed and flew towards the sideline.
Reddish caught the basketball quickly and then waited for Brunson to come over.
After being pushed by Wang Xiucheng, Brunson ran to Reddish, took the ball, and then, using Reddish's screen, crossed the center line.
Wang Xiucheng closely followed Brunson, who used his body to block Wang Xiucheng's path. Then, after Sims entered the paint, Brunson bounced the ball to him.
Sims received the ball, easily jumped up and slammed it home, scoring the first point of the game for both teams.
Brunson saw the ball go in, but instead of retreating to defend, he immediately turned his head to prevent Wang Xiucheng from sneaking out.
The Nets currently have one of the best fast break efficiency rates in the entire league.
In particular, the Nets and Nuggets are masters of the "fast break with the serve".
Both Wang Xiucheng and Jokic love to launch fast breaks and find their teammates in the frontcourt when they serve.
He has watched all of Wang Xiucheng's games this season over the past few days.
Yes, all matches.
Not a highlight reel.
Brunson believes that as long as Wang Xiucheng is contained, the Nets will lose their ability to launch fast breaks.
Although Durant and others seem to be keen on this fast break serve now.
However, without Wang Xiucheng's speed, it would be difficult for anyone on the Nets to get up and catch the ball.
Unexpectedly, when Wang Xiucheng saw Brunson looking at him, he simply turned around and slowly walked towards the front of the court.
Yes, just walk.
Wang Xiucheng didn't even try to run away.
Bencić received the ball, assessed the situation, and then decided to dribble the ball forward himself.
With Ben West on the court, Wang Xiucheng doesn't need to hold the ball at all.
Wang Xiucheng had leisurely reached the bottom corner.
Brunson reached out and grabbed Wang Xiucheng's clothes to prevent him from disappearing.
Wang Xiucheng slapped Brunson's hand, knocking it away, but unexpectedly Brunson put his hand on Wang Xiucheng again.
Benci has crossed the mid-court line, and Reddish, who is guarding him, cannot put much pressure on him.
The two are quite different in height.
Although Bencić's center of gravity was high when he had the ball, he protected the ball with his body, and Reddish failed to intercept the ball several times.
Just as Ben West reached the three-point line, Claxton, who was inside, suddenly moved quietly to the corner and stood next to Brunson.
Wang Xiucheng then started moving, running towards the top of the arc.
Brunson moved almost simultaneously, but crashed directly into Claxton.
Wang Xiucheng instantly shook off Brunson.
Bencić's ball arrived at that moment.
As Wang Xiucheng caught the ball with both hands, he flicked it towards the paint, and the basketball bounced off the ground and landed in the hands of Claxton, who had just returned to the inside line.
With a thud, Claxton leaned against Sims and easily slammed the ball into the basket with his other hand.
The Nets' first offensive possession also succeeded.
2:2.
Brunson, who had already reached the top of the arc, suddenly accelerated forward and looked back at the baseline.
He noticed that Wang Xiucheng and Durant were still at the top of the key.
At this point, you can quickly launch a counterattack.
Before the match, I specifically told Sims that we could try serving and attacking if there was an opportunity.
Jericho Sims came to the baseline and spotted Brunson immediately. He then flicked the ball with both hands, sending it flying towards Brunson.
Snapped!
However, before Brunson caught the basketball, Wang Xiucheng caught up with Brunson from the top of the arc in almost only two seconds.
The huge difference in height, wingspan, and jumping ability allowed Wang Xiucheng to receive the ball before Brunson.
Durant's eyes lit up, and he ran towards the basket.