The Road to Stardom: Start as a Slam Dunk Master

Chapter 456 SuperSonics’ defensive ace

beep!

The referee blows the whistle, the basketball is thrown into the air, and the game officially begins.

Chandler and Yao Ming's jump ball was obviously still a long way off, and the basketball was firmly in the hands of Kobe Bryant. And the next second, Lin Dong's figure flashed, blocking Kobe in front of him like a ghost. .

Looking at the big boy with a smile on his face, Kobe took a deep breath.

The two have played against each other several times this season. Compared with Lin Dong's sharpness last season and during the Olympics, Lin Dong this season gave Kobe the feeling of hiding his capabilities and biding his time.

Taking the defensive end as an example, it seems that the aggression is not that strong anymore. It no longer makes the attacker feel threatened and uncomfortable at all times as it once did. Most of the time, he will only choose to follow and create obstacles.

However, his overall steals and blocks data this season have improved significantly compared to last season. In the regular season, he was the undisputed leader in steals with 3.2 steals per game, and he also averaged 2.2 blocks per game. Although he is far behind in blocks this season. There is a slight gap between Wang AK47 Kirilenko's 3.3, but as a core player who is both offensive and defensive, this defensive end blocking data is already incredible.

Most people in the league don't really understand this. They obviously think that this guy's aggressiveness has decreased, but his statistics have actually improved.

Only someone as strong as Kobe can clearly feel the terror of Lin Dong who has restrained his sharpness.

He doesn't reach out much, but first of all, his "not reaching out" gives many people the confidence to face him, and they always want to score on this guy who has won DPOY, which gives him more defensive opportunities.

Secondly, his not reaching out gave the attacker an illusion, and he would involuntarily relax his vigilance, allowing him to find an opportunity to kill him with one blow.

Of course, there is a third point. This way of fighting saves energy... Good steel is always used on the blade, and it is used when it is not moved. But every time you take action, your flaw has been almost definitely spotted, and then crack shot.

Those who are not very good at understanding his strengths often become contributors to his statistics.

And those who are stronger, such as Kobe, can see this guy's terrible trap of "defending as if he is not in the state", and then force the attacker to be more cautious, striving to be perfect in every aspect, leaving no chance to the opponent. other side.

Because a knife that has been unsheathed is not scary, the kind of knife hidden in the dark is the real scariest thing!

But this will cause the attacker to put too much energy on various defenses, because you simply don’t know where or when his attack will come from, which will not only consume a lot of physical and mental energy, but If it increases, it will also make you constrained and unable to perform at 100%. As for Lin Dong, the defender, he only needs to smile and see that you are nervous and tired...

When you develop your offense, you also need to develop your mentality.

It may seem non-aggressive, but it is truly the most effective defense!

The longer the attacker holds the ball and faces him, the more holes there will be and the more they will be consumed.

In the two losses in the regular season, Kobe was knocked out of shape by Lin Dong's defense and frequently struck.

Not being able to face off against Lin Dong... This is the main reason why the Lakers currently have a seemingly complete lineup, but are evaluated by various parties as being in urgent need of a point guard.

call!

Kobe Bryant, who considers himself the number one player in the league in singles, passed the ball to Chucky Atkins on the coffee table without hesitation!

The Zen master on the sidelines folded his hands and stared intently at the point guard who had high hopes for the Lakers.

Not all results on the basketball court are determined by superstars, and Atkins is the key to defeating the Sonics!

The point guard who has not participated in the draft just had the best record of his career in the regular season, averaging 14 points and 5.6 assists per game. He successfully squeezed out veteran Derek Fisher and took the position of the Lakers' main point guard. .

As a typical small point guard who is only 180 centimeters tall, Atkins' defense is hard to describe compared to Fisher. Although he is active enough, he is indeed too short. Only on the offensive end, his speed, organization and outside 3-point shooting The abilities are quite outstanding.

He may not be comprehensive enough, or even have obvious flaws, but he is the most critical link in defeating the Sonics.

Facing the aging Payton, as long as Atkins can break through the opponent's defense, he can successfully connect the team and release the offensive power of Kobe and the inside.

In fact, Atkins can indeed do this. Payton is indeed old and his footsteps are not as flexible as they once were. Facing this 180cm small point guard, Payton is at an absolute disadvantage in terms of speed and explosive power. , there is almost no way to stop it. In the two games the Lakers won in the regular season, they broke through from this point. This is why Jackson was willing to put the more comprehensive Fisher on the bench to substitute for Atkins. reason.

And now, just look...

Phil Jackson was thinking when he saw a red-haired guy suddenly appear in front of Atkins.

Not Payton guarding Atkins?

Zen Master's brows suddenly knitted, his mouth opened slightly, and he couldn't help but turn his head to look at McMillan on the bench on the other side.

Let Sakuragi Hanamichi defend Atkins? The Sonics don’t want insiders anymore?

and……

A sharp light flashed in Atkins's eyes. By chance, he could become one of the key players in this great game. He knew very well how rare this opportunity was. As long as he could help the Lakers defeat the SuperSonics, he would definitely do it. Double your worth!

Although the guy in front of him is faster, younger and more explosive than Payton, after all, he is 209 centimeters tall, has a too high center of gravity and weighs 115 kilograms, so it is impossible for him to be that fast.

And in a small fight against a big one, speed is king after all!

Lower center of gravity, faster start... Although the opponent consciously opened the distance to one and a half steps away, compared to their physical conditions, they could still break through!

Without hesitation, Atkins lowered his center of gravity and suddenly took a step to the left, flying towards Sakuragi Hanamichi's left side.

As long as you get past him, as long as...

Bang!

Snapped!

Atkins only felt that his breakthrough hit a wall, and the opponent's speed and reaction were far beyond his imagination.

While he was surprised, he quickly adjusted his ball control, but at the same time, an extra-long arm had also cut across him.

The wingspan was too long, like a giant's arm. It was long enough to surround him in all directions, and it cut towards the ball control route he was adjusting.

Steal!

Sakuragi Hanamichi's face was full of confidence.

Small man? What about the little guy?

The reading and instinct of defense have been engraved in Sakuragi Hanamichi's bones in these two seasons.

Although he studied under Payton, he actually learned very complex defense. Rodman-style anticipatory defense is what he is really best at.

Atkins is faster than himself, but after all, the opponent is not a small player of Iverson's level. The defensive distance of one and a half steps, coupled with the reading and prediction of Atkins' movements, is enough to make him He can prevent any form of breakthrough from the opponent in this position!

This move was not used in the regular season, but it was because Brother Gao, Payton and McMillan all recognized early on that the Lakers were the Sonics' biggest opponent this season, so they reserved such a package for them to use in the finals. That’s all.

As for Yao Ming, who should be restricted by himself... If the ball can't even reach Yao Ming's hands, then what's the use of Yao Ming no matter how good he is under the basket?

The Lakers regard Atkins as the key to defeating the SuperSonics, but they do not know that the SuperSonics have long regarded this as the key to victory!

Bang!

The basketball was slapped far away. Atkins was taken aback and wanted to turn around and pursue it, but Iguodala on the other side had already picked up the ball from the ground and rushed straight to the opponent's court.

The Lakers team quickly returned to defense, but at this time, the overall difference in speed between the two teams could be seen.

Yao Ming is the slowest. Although Odom is much faster than ordinary centers, compared to this "five small" lineup, even Chandler has lost weight and the Sonics are still at the bottom. speed.

Coupled with the Sonics' run-and-gun mentality engraved in their bones, Iguodala rushed to the frontcourt with the ball and only paused briefly. The other four Sonics were almost in attacking positions, and Yao Ming was at this time. Just after rushing back to the three-point line, Odom, who had gone deeper earlier, just ran back to near the midline, allowing the Sonics to form a wave of 5-on-3 in an instant.

Kobe followed Lin Dong who was as relaxed as a walk and seemed out of shape. Devin George immediately blocked Iguodala's outside line. Atkins knew that he could not stop the SuperSonics inside and chose to block Payton. The outside line and even the Lakers' inside line are completely empty.

Iguodala then threw a high ball towards the basket, followed by Sakuragi Hanamichi who jumped high...

boom!

A powerful alley-oop dunk, SuperSonics 2:0, kicked off the scoring battle.

The Lakers have the ball.

The SuperSonics' choice to use Hanamichi Sakuragi to defend Atkins was obviously a bit unexpected for the Lakers. As Payton's direct disciple, he was the best defensive second team last year, and there is a high probability that he will still be the best defensive second team this year. Hanamichi Sakuragi is definitely one of the top defensive players in the NBA today. He may not have as much experience as Payton, but he is faster and more explosive.

Is it really useful for him to fight the small against the big? The defense just now may explain some problems.

But letting Kobe hold the ball and fight Lin Dong in a stalemate would mean losing, and there would be no doubt about it. This is the absolute conclusion that the Lakers have reached as early as the regular season.

Although it feels a bit bad right now, Atkins can still only rely on holding the ball.

Jackson kept shouting on the sidelines to be careful, and the ball continued to come to Atkins.

Sakuragi Hanamichi did not press the whole court, but chose to wait outside the three-point line in the backcourt.

Atkins steadily controlled the ball through half court, waiting for his teammates to get into attacking position.

And this is the second change in supersonic speed.

When the Sonics faced the Lakers before, they often chose to let Hanamichi Sakuragi defend Dayao in front and wrap around the whole court to consume Dayao's physical strength.

But now, with Sakuragi Hanamichi guarding Atkins, Dayao seemed to be suddenly freed from being 'restricted' and easily got to the basket, making the Lakers' inside line look full of threats at this time.

Atkins calmly observed the movements on the court. Even though Kobe was freed from holding the ball to position 2 to attack full-time, facing Lin Dong's defense was not the safest after all.

Looking for Dayao under the basket and Dayao playing Chandler in isolation, there is almost no suspense.

But... I have to deal with the troublesome guy in front of me first.

The opponent's ability to defend against his own speed relies on the step and a half distance. If he wants to break through, he must force the opponent to get closer to him.

Some other point guards who don't have a basket may not be able to do anything about it, but... I have a basket and 3 points!

Don't you want to give up a step and a half? Then throw yourself to death first and see if you still dare to risk it or not.

Atkins pretended to be looking at the passing route and breakthrough route, but the next second he suddenly turned his gaze straight ahead, slightly bent his knees, and then stood up.

But the next second...

A huge figure only took half a step forward before jumping up immediately after.

The figure that was like a cloud covering the sun, and the big hand that seemed to cover the sky, instantly covered Atkins's sight, making him suddenly startled.

Sakuragi Hanamichi is blooming happily.

Do you dare to vote if I let you take one and a half steps? I'm 29 centimeters taller than you, and my wingspan is a full 21 centimeters longer than you. I can bounce better than you, explode faster than you, and I have a blazing eye for prediction.

You're just a second-line player, what do you shoot for? Why do you vote? How dare you vote!

"The True Story of Gorilla!"

Atkins' basketball subconsciously came out of his hand in shock, followed closely by Sakuragi Hanamichi's roar and a crisp slap.

"Cover the hot pot!"

Snapped!

Block shot!

Shooting? Eat shit, you!