Chapter 229 The Lakers' Transformation

Since Su Feng and Kobe began their "scoring game," the Lakers' offense has indeed become more fluid.

Oracle Arena.

From the start of the first quarter, the Lakers frequently executed flowing passing and cutting plays.

On TNT, Barkley commented, "The Warriors' lineup is certainly strong, but right now, the Lakers' teamwork seems to be superior."

At the end of the first quarter, the score was 38-35 in favor of the Lakers.

Although the Warriors had many offensive options, as Barkley said, they not only failed to take advantage of their lineup, but were instead suppressed by the Lakers.

On one hand, this was due to the better chemistry between the Lakers' starters and the more balanced roster construction.

On the other hand, it was because the Lakers players had been gaining confidence, and the team was currently in a high-spirited state.

On the perimeter, Su Feng, Middleton, Kobe, and Rondo not only possessed strong individual defensive abilities, but their mutual help defense was also textbook-worthy.

Therefore, even if the Warriors constantly initiated pick-and-roll offenses, taking advantage of the spacing created by Yao and Yi, the Lakers could easily resolve them through switching.

As everyone knows.

In "Mad Scientist" Van Gundy's offensive tactics, mismatch offense is a very important part of the Warriors' attack.

However, whether it was Su Feng, Middleton, Kobe, or even Rondo, they could all delay James's attack on the perimeter.

Admittedly, with teammates providing excellent offensive space, even Su Feng couldn't guarantee he could stop the rampant Little Zhan Zhan.

But, what if the Warriors' other players couldn't provide James with that kind of offensive space?

This season, don't let the Lakers' record fool you...

But if you only look at the absolute dominance over games...

Then when they get serious, whether on offense or defense, this Lakers team is definitely the best team in NBA history, bar none.

On the defensive end, through high-intensity pressing defense, the Lakers effectively limited the Warriors' outside shots in the first quarter.

Even if they were forced to concede some points in the paint, the Lakers never wavered in their defensive philosophy.

As a result, when forced to adopt a high-intensity defense against the Lakers, the Warriors players' shooting touch was noticeably affected.

However, the real reason the Lakers took the lead in the first quarter was their recent high morale.

As the saying goes, when narrow roads meet, the brave win.

For the Lakers, to prove that his failure to make this year's All-Star weekend was entirely due to the judges being blind, Rondo followed Curry wherever he went in tonight's game.

In Su Feng's previous life, Curry's shooting and three-point percentages of only 43.1% and 35.5% in 22 career games against Rondo were no accident.

In addition, in 11 career games against Klay...

Middleton, who can limit Klay's shooting and three-point percentages to 43.2% and 32.4%, has also made rapid progress in his on-ball and off-ball defensive abilities after being tempered by Su Feng and Kobe last summer.

Plus, because he benefited from Su Feng and Kobe's popularity in this year's All-Star voting, successfully being selected as an All-Star starter, Middleton was like he was injected with chicken blood in tonight's game.

Last season, when the Warriors transformed into a super team, Barkley said that this Warriors team was still an offensive team built around the perimeter.

Therefore, once the Splash Brothers become Iron Brothers...

Then the problems that the Warriors in Su Feng's memory would have, this Warriors team would also have.

Of course, with Yao Ming and James, this Warriors' floor is indeed much higher than the Warriors in Su Feng's memory.

So, even if the Lakers suppressed the Warriors in the first quarter.

At the end of the first quarter, the Lakers only led the Warriors by 3 points.

On the court, in the second quarter, both teams made adjustments to their lineups.

For the Lakers, Adams, Garnett, Green, Nick Young, and Livingston came on.

For the Warriors, Chandler, Kirilenko, Butler, Ray Allen were subbed in, and Curry, who had been taken out early by Van Gundy with 4 minutes left in the first quarter, was sent back on.

It must be said that after studying under Coach Lu for several years in this life, Van Gundy really understands how to improvise.

In the early stages of the second quarter, although Curry became Livingston's source of happiness on offense...

But conversely, the ramped up Elementary School Student gradually regained his touch.

There was no way around it.

Players like Curry and Klay...

Even if you can defend them for a while, you can't defend them forever.

Plus, the Lakers' second unit's defensive mobility is incomparable to the starting lineup...

Therefore, on the court, after a wave of attacks from Curry...

On CCTV, Zhang Guidao helplessly explained, "A three-pointer is still worth one more point than a two-pointer!"

Oracle Arena, amidst the cheers of the Warriors fans, the Warriors, who had been cut first by the Lakers on a narrow road, reversed the battlefield situation in an instant after unsheathing their sword.

On the sidelines, seeing this scene, after letting out a long sigh, Su Feng thought to himself, "Sure enough, it's more interesting to play against this Warriors team!"

Lu Xun once said.

Only the strong choose to wield their blades at the stronger.

And what is obvious is...

His past eighteen years as a professional had already forged Su Feng's heart of a king.

On the court, in the second half of the second quarter, the Warriors didn't rush to bring Yao Ming back on.

This was because Van Gundy wanted Yao Ming to return to the court after getting enough rest.

As for the Lakers, the fans who were still lamenting that the Lakers' offense had indeed become smoother after Su and Kobe stopped being "ball hogs" in the first quarter, all turned into converts.

Because the facts proved...

When the game reaches a critical moment, you still have to rely on this duo whose combined age is over 70.

In Su Feng's previous life, from an aesthetic point of view, many Warriors fans lamented that the Warriors' appeal had declined after Durant joined.

But they forgot that, except for the 18/19 season, when the Warriors were stopped in the Finals due to continuous injuries...

Maybe Durant's isolation plays aren't as beautiful as sharing the ball.

But...

You can't deny that the Warriors' ability to attack has become stronger.

In basketball games, why do NBA teams adopt the simplest style of play in critical moments?

Because at this moment of competition, reducing mistakes is the priority for NBA teams.

You must know that in a 48-minute NBA game, no matter how good a player is, he can't guarantee that he can maintain the same attention and concentration throughout the 48-minute game.

Therefore, when each other's attention and concentration are increasing...

No matter how well-coordinated the team and how exquisite the passing and cutting plays, they are not as stable as the most direct, simple, and effective style of play.

In the second half of the second quarter, seizing several mistakes made by the Warriors after they got caught up in the moment, the Lakers quickly erased the point difference that Curry had previously opened up with a wave of attacks.

On CCTV, Zhang Guidao said with emotion, "That's why we often say that doing the right thing at the right time...

It sounds simple, but it's difficult to do."

And Yu Jia echoed, "Curry's several mistakes are not right, especially that behind-the-back pass just now..."

In Su Feng's original timeline, Steve Kerr once said that since you want to see Curry dominate on the court, then you must accept the unnecessary mistakes that Curry makes after he gets caught up in the moment.

This is the same reason why you want to see Kobe explode but don't like his high shot attempts and high miss rate in the game.

Because in this world...

Where is there such a thing as perfection?

Warriors fans: Why not? Isn't Su Feng tonight?

In the second quarter, watching Su Feng constantly scoring against Jimmy Butler in Oracle Arena, at this moment, the Warriors fans gradually realized the feelings of the Celtics and Mavericks fans back then.

This season, after being freed from the restraints of the referees, the always elusive Feng Emperor is truly unstoppable in a sense.

Because unlike in the past, when you could still hope that he would miss...

Without the restriction of the HC rule.

No matter how tight the defense is, it can't stop his "Electric Light Dragon Drill" and "Old Man Pushing Cart."

On the court.

In just less than half a quarter.

The tough and hard Jimmy Butler had a psychological shadow.

Because can you believe that he, who has nothing to do with the word "softie," is like a softie in front of Su Feng, and can only watch Su Feng shuttle freely in the Warriors' defense?

Indeed.

With age, Su Feng's stamina cannot guarantee that he can attack like he did in the second half of the second quarter every quarter.

But after cultivating a group of reliable younger brothers...

Who told you that Su Feng needs to go all out every quarter?

At halftime, the Lakers and Warriors, who had blown each other's defenses, ended the first half with a score of 69-69.

After halftime...

In the third quarter, the Warriors began to attack around Yao Ming, who had rested for the entire quarter.

As for the Lakers, it was time for Middleton and Kobe to steal the show.

Forced by the defensive pressure brought by Su Feng's "Eighteen Arhat Palms," the Warriors, who had to choose to shrink their defense, frequently suffered from the firepower of Middleton and Kobe on the perimeter.

In the first 7 minutes of the third quarter, Middleton and Kobe combined for a total of 7 three-pointers.

However...

The Lakers have the "Iron Splash Brothers" combination.

The Warriors also have the Splash Brothers combination.

In this quarter, when Little Zhan Zhan was dragged into the desert by his idol and beaten up, Klay and Curry became the oasis in the desert for Little Zhan Zhan after being beaten.

In front of the TV, neutral fans were enjoying themselves tonight.

Because this kind of back-and-forth offensive battle...

Is not only far more aesthetically pleasing than the slow-paced defensive battle.

And its tension and excitement are far better than the future games in Su Feng's memory, where both sides don't defend and score for the sake of scoring.

You stab me.

I stab you.

It's all about who has more health points.

On the court, the duel between the two teams continued until the second half of the third quarter.

Due to declining stamina, both teams took the initiative to slow down the pace of the game.

Oracle Arena, at the end of the first three quarters, the Lakers trailed by 99-103.

However, although they had a slight lead in the score, when Su Feng appeared on the court at the beginning of the fourth quarter, as he had expected, Van Gundy couldn't be happy at all.

Because this season...

In Van Gundy's opinion, the most terrifying thing about this Lakers team is that...

Compared with the past, Su Feng's stamina distribution is more reasonable.

In simple terms...

Even the current Warriors team finds it difficult to wear down Su Feng's stamina in the game through a war of attrition.

"Before the start of this season, people were discussing how strong the Warriors' lineup is.

But they forgot that in the current Lakers team, including Rajon, who failed to make the All-Star team this year...

They also have five All-Star players at their peak." On the sidelines, Van Gundy said with emotion.

In this game, in the first and third quarters, Su Feng focused his main energy on providing Little Zhan Zhan with warm VIP-level service.

Although defending Little Zhan Zhan is also a physical task.

But Su Feng, who doesn't have to be a father and a mother in the game, doesn't consume much stamina.

After all...

His Su Feng's "fuel tank"...

How can ordinary "fuel tanks" compare with it?

Oracle Arena.

In the final quarter, in just 3 minutes, Su Feng made Little Yao commit his 4th and 5th fouls in this game.

On the court, Little Yao, who felt that he had only touched Su Feng's hair, was anxious when he looked at the referee.

Because in past games against Su Feng's team...

This level of contact...

Can it be called a foul?

"Bad call"!

Definitely a "bad call"!

"Old Yao, think about the 'dirty tricks' you used on me in the game before!" In the restricted area, looking at Little Yao who was appealing to the referee, Su Feng's past accumulated frustration and grievances were finally released at this moment.

Because can you believe...

This season is the first time in Su Feng's professional career that he has enjoyed the treatment of a superstar whistle, except for the games officiated by Ke Lun Martin?

On the Warriors' bench, seeing this, Van Gundy also looked helpless.

Because in today's league...

Only when Su Feng benefits from the penalty...

No one dares to criticize it.

After all...

In past games...

The grievances that Su Feng suffered on the court are too numerous to mention.

"In the playoffs, we have to re-examine this Lakers team.

Because in terms of game mode, they are completely two different teams from last season."

As the saying goes, even the best coaches have to grow by paying tuition.

This season, based on the Lakers' changes, Van Gundy made adjustments to the team's lineup in the second and third regular season games between the two teams.

But apart from the changes in the score...

Van Gundy discovered that in these three games, the Warriors had not been able to grasp the root of the problem.

And this root...

Is precisely the Lakers' game mode.

That is, the way they close out games.

In the final quarter, when Little Zhan Zhan, who was often defended to death by his teammates in previous games, watched Su Feng use his most familiar offensive method to drive the team's offense...

For a time...

James discovered.

It turned out that the path he had been walking on could be walked in this way.

In the final quarter, in order to stop Su Feng's Middle Eastern breakthrough, the Warriors had to shrink the team's defensive area again.

However...

Su Feng's "Electric Light Dragon Drill" was blocked...

But what about Kobe and Middleton's "Ice and Fire" on the perimeter?

Swish!

Look, how coldly Kobe shoots this three-pointer!

Swish!

Look, Middleton's three-pointer has renewed his hot touch!

You shrink, and I'll shoot.

In the basketball court, where are so many complicated tactics?

When your players are strong enough.

You can do whatever you want.

In the end, 129-124.

The Lakers successfully achieved a comeback in the final quarter.

In the whole game, Su Feng didn't score much, only 30 points.

But the fans who seriously watched this game...

Felt that Su Feng's dominance was everywhere.

In the game, Su Feng's scoring was mainly concentrated in the second half of the second quarter and the fourth quarter.

As for the Lakers, in addition to Su Feng scoring 30 points, Kobe and Middleton also scored 28 points and 27 points respectively.

As for the Warriors...

Little Zhan Zhan, who was often ridiculed by fans as "the Warriors won, James lost," ushered in an awkward night.

Because after the game, the James haters couldn't wait to put up the slogan "The Warriors didn't lose, it was James who dragged the team down."

In this game, although Curry and Klay's performance was a little erratic, overall, under the Lakers' high-intensity defense, the Splash Brothers' combined 54 points was not bad.

In addition, Little Yao, A Lian, and other Warriors substitutes basically played to their average level.

Therefore...

James, who only had 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists in the game, naturally became the only candidate to take the blame.

There was no way around it.

This night.

The sky over Oakland was azure blue.

At the same time.

There was no Westbrook after the game.

Therefore...

Even if James felt bitter in his heart...

He had to carry the blame for the team's loss.

"No!

Was there also a problem with my performance in this game?"

However, just when people thought that the Lakers were happy to have rewritten their record against the Warriors to 3-0 in the regular season...

Few people knew.

After the game, in the Lakers' locker room, Su Feng, who had performed well, was not only not praised.

On the contrary, he was also criticized by Kobe, Coach Kobe.

"You played for almost 40 minutes in this game, and you only scored 30 points.

And me?

I only played for 31 minutes, but I scored 28 points.

With this performance, with this efficiency...

Are you embarrassed to say that you played well?" Looking at Su Feng, Kobe said righteously.

Su Feng: "..."

What you said makes so much sense that I am speechless!

…

In February, after defeating the Warriors, the Lakers' winning streak continued before the All-Star weekend.

On the 4th, after defeating the Timberwolves on the road, the Lakers' winning streak had reached 24 games since defeating the Knicks on Christmas Day.

Online, fans lamented...

If the Lakers keep winning like this, then the NBA should just send the O'Brien Cup to Los Angeles.

And New York...

Before his retirement.

Stern was recently preparing another "gift" for Su Feng...

"The script has been written.

Su...

Now it depends on whether you can realize the script I want."

This day, looking at Mark, who had recently begun to gradually take over the league, Stern, who thought "I don't care if there is a flood after I retire," silently lamented in his heart.

…

ps: Sorry =. =, I went to eat with relatives today and came back late! The update is late but it's here! Mua!