Chapter 195 Inflated self-confidence

Author: Feng Yuanhua

Chapter 195 Inflated self-confidence

May 12, Seattle, Key Arena.

Before the game starts, there is another important ceremony, of course, this is for Wang Hao.

Even for the entire league, this is no small matter.

Before the game starts, NBA officials will conduct a simple awards ceremony at the game site.

That's right, with the regular season ending nearly a month later, various awards have been released one after another.

The first to be announced are naturally the Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player, two less important awards.

The Most Improved Player award went to Jalen Rose of the Pacers.

Yes, it is this guy who will almost destroy Kobe in the finals.

Many years later, Jaylen Rose also admitted that he did it on purpose just for the championship ring.

It was precisely because of this incident that Kobe Bryant scored 81 points in a single game.

Last season, Jaylen Rose averaged 11.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Such performance can only be regarded as a qualified role player.

However, under the coaching of Larry Bird, Jaylen Rose averaged 18.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4 assists per game this season.

Moreover, it is not just a superficial improvement in statistics, but also in terms of efficiency. His hit rate increased from 40% to 47%.

Then the Sixth Man of the Year was won by Rodney Rogers of the Suns, and there was no suspense in the voting.

He averaged 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game this season, which is a very good performance.

In terms of performance alone, in fact, Cedric Ceballos of the Mavericks and Tracy McGrady of the Raptors performed even better.

However, the situation of the two of them is somewhat similar, both of them have played too many games as starters.

The Rookie of the Year award should actually be announced earlier, but the league intends to postpone it.

As for the reason, it is very simple, it is to award awards.

Just yesterday, the league just announced the best rookie and the best rookie team.

In the end, Wang Hao won the Best Rookie Award.

It seems like a deserved award, but according to the media reports, Wang Hao's victory is extremely dangerous.

In the voting by the media and commentators, he only received 36% of the votes, not even half.

As for the ones who split the votes the most, it's naturally Elton Brand and Steve Francis.

Among them, Elton Brand received 32% of the votes, and Francis also received 30%.

Even Odom, who played well, was abandoned.

No matter what, Wang Hao is the best in terms of personal data and team performance.

Especially his performance in the playoffs has attracted a lot of support to Wang Hao. Otherwise, it would be really dangerous.

I have to say, this is quite nonsense.

This is just a vote for the best rookie award. What if it were replaced by other more important awards?

Wang Hao was actually mentally prepared for such a situation, but when he actually encountered it, he was still a little unhappy.

In addition to the best rookie, the best lineup has also been announced.

Best Rookie First Team: Wang Hao, Elton Brand, Francis, Odom and Szczerbiak.

However, it is the All-Rookie second team, Andre Miller, Artest, Sean Mario, James Posey and Jason Terry.

"Congratulations King!"

After all, it was our own players who won the award, so the fans are naturally very proud and cheer continuously.

However, compared to the awards, what everyone values ​​​​more is the subsequent performance in the competition.

After losing two games in a row, by this time, the Sonics were already fighting against the odds and had no room for maneuver.

————

"Oh my god, the Sonics have made huge changes. I wonder if they can win the game today?"

With the announcement of the SuperSonics' starting lineup, it can be said that everyone was shocked and it was a bit unbelievable.

Because this starting lineup broke everyone's minds and was simply unpredictable.

First of all, on the outside, Reuben Patterson, who has been working hard on the defensive end, was given the starting job.

His replacement was veteran Brent Barry, who had been firmly in the starting lineup at the beginning of the season.

Such an adjustment is not difficult to understand. After all, the Lakers' offense, especially O'Neal, is too unsolvable.

A starting defensive player cannot help the team much.

The SuperSonics need to improve their offense. As early as the last game, they replaced Reuben Patterson with Lewis.

In fact, the effect of this does exist, but it is limited.

In addition, there is another adjustment, which is to replace Vin Baker with Lewis as the starter.

To be honest, Rashard Lewis is not an orthodox inside player, more like an outside player with an inside body.

No matter how bad Wen Baker is, his height and weight are there.

Taking Vin Baker out of the starting lineup can only illustrate one problem: the Sonics have given up on interior defense.

"Giving up defense means that the Sonics are going to attack, they have to speed up and compete against the Lakers.

Having lost the previous two games, the Sonics adopted a subversive tactical approach.

Let us wait and see whether it can work and whether it can beat the Lakers."

Naturally, CCTV would not miss this game and started broadcasting the game early in the morning.

From the moment Wang Hao received the award on the spot, CCTV spent a lot of time and various preparations before the game.

It can be said that they take this game very seriously.

Not to mention anything else, just for Wang Hao to win the award, this can be regarded as an unprecedented first in China.

"The two sides started jumping the ball, and oh, Horace actually won. This is not easy.

In the previous jump ball against O'Neal, Horace only won once. It can be seen that he is in good condition today."

As Sun Zhengping's voice sounded, TV pictures also appeared in thousands of households across China.

Especially since today is the weekend, it has attracted a large number of student parties.

"Brother Hao, come on, defeat the Lakers."

"Yes, this is a home game, and the SuperSonics will definitely win."

"What about Kobe? If it weren't for O'Neal, Brother Hao would have defeated this guy long ago."

…

As the game between the Lakers and SuperSonics began, the game started very wildly.

Horace grabbed the ball and Gary Payton held the ball. Without delaying even a second, he directly found Wang Hao in the frontcourt.

Wang Hao was not polite, he just threw it away with open hands.

As for Glenn Rice, who was guarding him, he would have been blocked by Lewis. As for AC Green, he hadn't reacted yet.

"Whoosh!"

3:0

Less than 5 seconds into the game, the SuperSonics played fast and slow, and hit a three-pointer first.

In fact, this is the Sonics' opening tactic.

If the jump ball is successful, it will give the Lakers a different feeling during the first offense.

It's great if you can make a shot. Even if you can't make a shot, you can still bring out the speed and let the Lakers feel it in advance.

The Lakers' offense still hits O'Neal inside, and what awaits him is naturally a double-team.

Again, Paul Westphal decided to play fast, but did not give up defense.

If there are insufficient manpower inside, how to defend O'Neal? Naturally, there are double teams, unlimited double teams.

Before the game, the head coach had already said that he would allow the Lakers' outside shots, but he would not be able to see O'Neal score.

What a hatred!

Sure enough, O'Neal's side had just started playing, and Brent Barry and Lewis' defense had already stepped up.

There is no other way, O'Neal can only pass the ball.

Glenn Rice relied on O'Neal to attract the defense, and his mid- and long-range shots were unguarded and he hit them steadily.
To be continued...