De'Anthony sighed on the sidelines, he hadn't had much confidence in this game.
The Thunder were first in the Western Conference, while the Knicks were tenth in the East.
The "Thunder Four" were developing better chemistry and their tactics were becoming more diverse, showing great potential to dominate the West.
Therefore, Coach D'Antoni's only hope for today was to not lose too badly.
With nine minutes left in the first quarter, only trailing by two points, he was already quite satisfied.
The home crowd felt much the same way.
It was indeed a pity to see a dynasty team that had won three championships in a row reduced to this state after just one season.
Both teams began to substitute players, bringing in their bench lineups.
Lin Shuhao came on with four reserves to face Harden's Thunder bench.
In this parallel world, the Thunder kept Harden, preserving their possibility of contending for a championship.
Li Feng's mood was complex. As a transmigrator, he naturally knew that Harden had the ability to be a leader himself.
After Harden went to the Rockets, his team-leading capabilities were evident; he never missed the playoffs without much support.
Although his willpower in tough playoff games was slightly lacking, overall, Harden deserved his superstar status.
At the time, many fans felt sorry for the Thunder and criticized the management, believing that letting go of Harden was equivalent to dismantling one of the cornerstones of the Thunder dynasty. Since Harden left, the Thunder had never reached the NBA Finals again.
In this parallel world, Li Feng could witness the "Thunder Four" continuing to play together. How strong would they be?
We'll have to wait and see!
At least in the first half of this season, the Thunder had been playing exceptionally well, showing great dominance, and ranking first in the West, just one win behind the Eastern Conference leader, the Miami Heat.
The media and fans alike believed that this season was a showdown between the Heat and the Thunder for the championship!
The Knicks?
They were finished!
Lin Shuhao in 2012 was indeed quite capable; he led the Knicks' bench and played evenly with Harden's Thunder reserves.
Harden was also surprised.
He had never heard of Lin Shuhao before and couldn't understand why the Knicks would let an unremarkable Chinese player be their second unit's core.
When he came onto the court earlier, he had been planning to obliterate the Knicks' bench.
But Lin Shuhao's speed, like the wind, had given the Thunder reserves quite a bit of trouble.
Harden himself had been driven past by Lin Shuhao several times, which was quite embarrassing.
By 4:16 into the second quarter, the score was 42:38, with the Thunder leading by four points.
The main reason was that Lamb, a Thunder reserve, had a good shooting touch today, hitting consecutive three-pointers off Harden's passes.
Meanwhile, the Knicks' reserve shooter, Novak, had a poor shooting touch and did not score.
Yi Jianlian was working hard on the bench, and together with Chandler, they were dominating the paint.
Thunder head coach Brooks called a timeout, preparing to bring back the starting lineup.
Li Feng watched from the sidelines, deeply impressed. The Thunder's decision not to trade Harden this season was absolutely correct.
Harden had organized the Thunder's bench so well; if not for Lin Shuhao's incredible speed, the score would likely have been blown open.
In his previous life, both Harden and Lin Shuhao were Rockets players, and they had been teammates for many years.
However, in this world, the two were on the same stage, and they could compete head-to-head.
Judging by these few minutes, Lin Shuhao's speed and playmaking were slightly better than Harden's.
But Harden's rhythm, court vision, and individual shooting ability were superior to Lin Shuhao's.
If Lin Shuhao scored an 80, Harden could score an 85.
The starting players for both teams returned to the court.
Durant's expression was solemn; he had been holding a grudge and had to get revenge this season.
Of course, he had no personal enmity with Li Feng, but losing in the Finals and then in the Olympic finals had made Durant very frustrated.
So, as soon as the Thunder got the ball, Durant raised his hand to call for it.
Westbrook passed the ball to Durant.
Durant's shooting form had become increasingly concise and efficient. He made a wide lateral movement and, before the Knicks' help defense could arrive, he suddenly pulled up for a jumper.
Swish!
Three-pointer made!
Durant had evolved again!
This basket filled the Knicks players, fans, and coaches with despair.
A historically great scorer!
The Knicks' offense.
Li Feng had to respond, otherwise, the Thunder's momentum would build.
The Thunder players also understood this principle, so while Li Feng was holding the ball in the backcourt, Westbrook and Sefolosha came to double-team him, intending to delay the Knicks' offense and disrupt their rhythm.
Fortunately, Li Feng had been double-teamed so many times that his reaction was extremely fast. He immediately passed the ball out from under Sefolosha's arm.
Curry caught the ball at half-court, took a step forward, and just as he was about to shoot, Durant lunged at him.
The Thunder's offense had not only been upgraded this season, but their defense was also incredibly oppressive!
Curry had to stop, change direction, and break through, looking for a shooting opportunity.
At this moment, Li Feng broke away from Sefolosha and moved to the frontcourt. Curry immediately passed the ball back to him.
This was the tacit understanding between the Splash Brothers.
Westbrook and Sefolosha had thought Curry was going to drive, but they didn't expect him to pass. They realized it was bad and it was too late to rush to Li Feng.
After receiving the ball, Li Feng launched a rapid shot from nearly two meters behind the three-point line!
An ultra-long three-pointer!
The home crowd rose to their feet, staring at the basketball flying through the air...
Swish!
Three-pointer made!
"Li Feng is awesome!"
"Haha, Li Feng and Durant are going head-to-head!"
"This game is exciting! As long as Li Feng is here, there's hope!"
"Curry's pass was also great, it was so unexpected, we thought he was going to drive."
"Of course, the Splash Brothers live up to their name!"
...
Regardless of the outcome, at least the superstar showdown was enough to get the live audience incredibly excited!
After scoring, Li Feng and Curry roared at each other and celebrated with chest bumps!
If they wanted to win today, the Splash Brothers had to put in an extraordinary performance to contend with the Thunder Four!
45:41, the Thunder still led by four points.
Durant was a bit agitated. After crossing half-court, he backed down Bill Walker and asked for the ball again.
Suddenly, Green abandoned Ibaka and ran in front of Durant, playing denial defense.
Seeing Green's speed, Westbrook didn't dare to pass and instead passed to an open Ibaka.
Ibaka had a decent mid-range shot. As he was about to shoot, Jokic rushed over.
Jokic had also figured it out: their offense had to be slow, but their defense had to be active and aggressive, otherwise, he would be letting down Li Feng's support!
Ibaka's ability to force shots was average; he could only shoot open shots. Seeing Jokic rushing at him, he had no choice but to pass to Perkins.
However, his intention was too obvious, and Green once again flashed over with lightning speed to steal the ball.
The New York home crowd exclaimed: "Who is this second-round pick? His defense is so strong!"
Li Feng laughed inwardly: This was the future DPOY!
After the steal, Green saw Curry near the half-court line and passed the ball with a "whoosh!"
Teacher Green delivered an accurate long pass. Curry caught the ball, drove past half-court, and before Westbrook could close in, he shot a three-pointer!
This was Curry's rhythm. He wouldn't shoot like this when he was with the Warriors.
Swish!
Three-pointer made again!
Green's defense, combined with Curry's offense, gave the Knicks momentum!
It was too exciting, and the home crowd cheered.
The Knicks had been playing very frustratingly this season. Li Feng and Curry's outburst reignited hope for the fans!
45:44, only one point difference!
Brooks was getting anxious and wanted to call a timeout, but he had only called one less than a minute ago, so he could only shout from the sidelines, telling the Thunder players to play more aggressively on defense.
D'Antoni seemed very excited; he saw great potential in Green and Jokic.
Especially Green's defense, he was everywhere.
If Li Feng's help defense was the blockade on the perimeter, then Green had the potential to become a blockade in the paint in the future!
This help defense was incredible!
The Thunder's offense.
Westbrook was also angry. This time, he didn't pass to Durant but used his body to push Curry aside and sprinted into the paint like lightning.
Just as Green came to help, Westbrook executed a zombie-like jump shot, swish!
Two points scored!
When Westbrook's mind wasn't racing, he was quite formidable.
Moreover, in 2012, his mid-range shooting percentage was very high, which, combined with his drives, made Westbrook's offense extremely difficult to defend.
Durant was very satisfied with Westbrook's play and actively went over to high-five him.
47:44, the Thunder led by three points.
The Knicks' offense. Li Feng dribbled past half-court and signaled for Green to come to the high post.
Green had a very high basketball IQ and immediately understood. He came out to screen Sefolosha, and Li Feng drove to the sideline.
Since Green hadn't been shooting earlier, the Thunder players weren't sticking close to him.
Li Feng immediately passed the ball to Green, shouting, "Shoot!"
At this period, Green's corner three-pointers were quite accurate, with a nearly 40% success rate.
And this was an absolutely open shot; he had no reason not to shoot.
Since the team leader had given the order, Green didn't hesitate. Swish!
He shot the corner three-pointer!
It went in!
As soon as this shot was made, the home crowd, teammates, and even the bench players and coaching staff all stood up.
It was too unexpected, too incredible!
Green, a second-round pick who was almost offensively incapable, was now starting and performing so comprehensively!
His defense was great, but he could also pass and shoot threes!
Green was also excited. He was still suppressing his emotions, as the Knicks were a championship team before he arrived, and he was a reserve.
But Green was an emotional player. Today, with a nationally televised game and being part of Christmas Day games, he was performing so brilliantly that he couldn't help but become a bit arrogant.
He roared loudly, pounded his chest, and fully released his passion!
This was exactly the spirit Li Feng wanted!
Loved by teammates, hated by opponents!
This was the role Green should play!
Curry had actually been a little displeased earlier because he had run into an open space, but Li Feng had let Green take a long-range shot.
However, Curry was a very generous person. Since Green made the shot, he didn't get angry and went over to high-five Green in celebration.
"Well done!"
The Thunder players looked at each other, a bit bewildered—
Was this still the Knicks who were bullied by everyone a while ago?
47 all!
The entire arena erupted in cheers!
Brooks couldn't stand it anymore and called another timeout.
He muttered to himself, "The uncrowned champions are not to be trifled with. How could they explode like this..."
Green walked towards the sidelines. The bench teammates rushed to chest-bump him in celebration, with Yi Jianlian leading the charge.
Although Brother Yi felt a bit upset at being moved to the bench by Green, he was convinced by Green's excellent performance.
In fact, Li Feng had privately spoken with Yi Jianlian, and Green starting wasn't a fixed arrangement.
The team would adjust the lineup at any time depending on specific opponents.
Having followed Li Feng for so long, Yi Jianlian's mentality had improved greatly, and his perspective had broadened.
He assured Li Feng that he would not do anything that would betray the team and that he would continue to work hard.
Moreover, Yi Jianlian understood that if Li Feng hadn't accepted him back then, he might have already left the NBA and returned to play in the CBA.
In fact, Brooks didn't have much to say during the timeout. The Thunder players hadn't made any mistakes.
Who could have expected Green to be so versatile? The Thunder's defensive focus was entirely on Li Feng and Curry.
After the timeout, the game continued.
The Thunder intensified their defensive aggression, and on offense, their teammates provided better screens for Durant to prevent him from being double-teamed.
This adjustment worked well. After returning to the court, Durant hit two consecutive shots, scoring 5 points.
Although Green had shown his defensive potential, he was still a bit raw in terms of physical confrontation and timing.
Li Feng and Curry were also being limited. The Thunder's constant switching defense denied them easy shooting opportunities.
The score difference was widened again by the Thunder to 5 points.
De'Anthony also called a timeout.
He clapped his hands and nodded, saying, "Kids, you played well just now. The opponent is a top team in the league. From now on, our defense needs to be more aggressive."
Jokic hadn't scored in the second quarter yet, and he was looking down, a bit dejected.
De'Anthony specifically patted his shoulder and praised him, "Your defense and rebounding just now were good. Keep up the effort!"
Receiving affirmation from the coach, Jokic regained his confidence.
After the timeout, the Knicks' offense.
Li Feng dribbled at the top of the arc and saw Bill Walker open, so he immediately passed the ball to him.
Bill Walker's long-range shooting was average, but his mid-range game was good, so he dribbled towards the paint. Durant defended him closely, not giving him a chance to shoot.
Jokic sealed his position and called for the ball. Bill Walker hesitated for a moment but still passed the ball to him.
With the ball out of his hands, Durant relaxed his vigilance, but Bill Walker's cutting ability was also excellent. He immediately ran towards the right side of the basket.
Teacher Jokic made another astonishing pass. He didn't even look at Bill Walker, throwing the ball behind his back.
The ball passed through Perkins and Ibaka and flew directly into Bill Walker's hands.
Walker didn't disappoint him and drove to the basket for a layup, hitting the glass!
The home crowd cheered again, and De'Anthony was even more pleasantly surprised.
That pass was simply like Magic Johnson possessed!
Li Feng also clenched his fist excitedly; he had been waiting for Jokic to evolve.
Although he was still far from his MVP potential, his occasional dazzling plays were still eye-catching!
His teammates rushed over to high-five Jokic in celebration, but Jokic walked over to Li Feng himself.