Chapter 140 A rare battle for the scoring champion
On January 2, 2013, the Trail Blazers ushered in the first game of the new year. Wang Zelin and others came to New York, the most prosperous city in the United States and even the world.
And their opponent is the New York Knicks led by Melo Anthony.
As a team that has remained unchanged for thousands of years, the Knicks only made the playoffs twice in the first ten years of the new century. They are the younger brother in the league who can bully anyone they see.
However, this does not prevent the Knicks from becoming the highest-paid team in the league.
After Melo Anthony joined the Knicks with his partner Chauncey Billups in the 10-11 season, they entered the playoffs for two consecutive years... which made many old fans burst into tears.
The last time the Knicks had such a grand occasion was when Gorilla Ewing led the team.
Well, forgive the Knicks for being the younger brother for so long that even making it to the playoffs has become a luxury.
…
During the afternoon tactical meeting, Batum looked sad, and his sadness flowed back into the river.
As one of the representatives of the 2003 Platinum Generation, Carmelo Anthony's unique offensive instincts make him one of the most dangerous super scorers in the league.
The reason why Melon is called Melon is definitely not because of the sweet smile on his baby face. Just like the score of chopping melons and vegetables, it is his real capital in the league.
Under Anthony's leadership, the Knicks are no longer a weak team.
The current record is 21 wins and 8 losses, ranking second in the Eastern Conference, only half a game behind the Trail Blazers who have 22 wins and 8 losses.
The Knicks now have a very bluffing nickname - "Team Killer!"
Gein This season, several teams that were regarded as the favorites to win the championship lost to the Knicks led by Anthony.
On November 3, the Knicks beat the Heat 104:84 in the opening game, marking a good start to the new season.
Before the start of the season, the defending champion Miami Heat, which has the top three Big Three, ranked first in the new season team strength lists of major authoritative media in the United States.
Even the authoritative sports media in China regard the Heat as the number one seed to win the championship.
As a result, Anthony slapped all the expert media in the face with a strong performance of 30 points and 10 rebounds.
Not long after beating the Heat, in mid-November, the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs back to back...
In the second half of November, the Pacers and Mavericks lost to the Knicks one after another.
If it weren't for the inexplicable loss of the Knicks to underdogs such as the Timberwolves, maybe Anthony would be the best player in November.
Anthony is in frighteningly good shape this year. No wonder Batum looked so worried before the game.
The pre-game tactical meeting set a tone: superstars like Anthony are definitely unstoppable. Instead of wasting time and effort to target them, it would be better to let Batum guard the opponent alone throughout the game and allow them to engage in a large number of singles.
After all, Anthony is also notoriously easy to fall for.
There is no doubt that this is a risky move.
If Anthony gets high, he may end the game by himself.
But, what if!
…
In the afternoon, Wang Zelin and his teammates came to the famous Madison Square Garden.
The last time I came here was when the draft was held.
And this time, he will visit again as a supernova.
Entering the arena, Knicks players are warming up.
When Anthony saw the Trail Blazers coming, he walked straight to Wang Zelin and greeted him in an exaggerated way: "Oh, My King is here, I am your loyal fan!"
"Oh, my brother, I'm glad to see you. I'm your fan and have watched you since I was a child..."
"..."
"Ah, no, I grew up watching you play ball."
Looking at the sturdy No. 7 player in front of him, Wang Zelin showed an ecstatic expression and hugged him.
Frankie! This kid is just like LeBron said, he always likes to say "I am a fan of xxx."
Anthony was also complaining silently in his heart.
Obviously, the performance of the two people was a bit too exaggerated, which made the two teams think badly.
I have to say that there are only wrong names in the world, not wrong nicknames.
Although Melo's behavior is not as exaggerated as his good friend LeBron James, who has brothers everywhere, he is still very easy to get along with.
As long as you don’t mention the donuts…
After the grandiose hug, Wang Zelin adjusted his mentality: "Melo, you are in such good shape this year, I think you must be the leading scorer."?
"I think so!"
Anthony nodded in agreement, without any hint of humility on his face.
In the 2012-13 season, the 28-year-old LeBron James had his best season. Carmelo Anthony, one of the top two players in 2003, who was only half a year older than the former, also came.
His peak period.
After playing two months of games, there are only two players who have averaged over 30 points per game in the new season. One is Carmelo Anthony, who currently ranks first in the league with an average of 31.6 points per game.
The other is Kevin Durant of the Thunder, who currently ranks second in the league with an average of 31.2 points per game, a gap of 0.4.
Ranking third is Kobe Bryant of the Lakers. The 34-year-old blacksmith averaged 29.8 points per game to prove that his firepower is still as good as before.
Thanks to Nash's early comeback, the Black Mamba put away his fangs.
During the period when Nash was sidelined due to injury, Kobe had a crazy 14 games with 30 points, once ranking first in the scoring list.
Some time ago, I don’t know how many people were frightened by the Black Mamba’s full display.
I'm already 34 and almost 35, and the donkeys in the production team don't dare to do this!
According to the usual practice in previous years, the beginning of the season is the peak period for the superstars' statistics to explode, because some players have not yet entered the game state, and players who entered the state early have dominated the major data lists early.
But I don’t know when it started.
As the old-school players get older, the main theme of the league changes from hostility to friendship, and everyone starts playing brotherly basketball.
In recent years, once someone takes the lead early in the scoring list, it is difficult to see anyone competing for it later.
This year, it is rare for the league to see a scoring feast between three super scorers, which makes many fans recall the fierce competition for the scoring title between the stars of each league team at the beginning of the century.
With the vigorous promotion of Utah, the competition for the scoring champion this season has become another focus of this year's NBA.
…
Led by the leaders of both sides, the players from both sides greeted each other very friendly before the game.
It's not difficult to understand.
After all, there is no deep hatred between the Trail Blazers and the Knicks in team history. In addition, the bosses of both teams are well-known gentlemen, so the atmosphere before the game between the two teams was naturally extremely friendly.
However, in the eyes of reporters outside the court...the two teams seemed to be a little too good.
Is it possible that some people really think that "friendship first, competition second" is a truth in sports?
…
After the separation, Wang Zelin took a look at the strength analysis of the future scoring champion, focusing on the offensive ability analysis.
"Carmelo Anthony
Position: Small Forward/Power Forward
…
Offensive ability
Relying on 91 hits, 86 layups, 97 mid-range shots, 80 long shots, 77 dunks, 62 passes, 88 ball control, 84 free throws, and 82 breakthroughs
defensive ability
…
Overall score: 94 (superstar)
Evaluation: All that is left from becoming a superstar is a strong enough heart.