On the 17th, the Clippers challenged the Warriors away from home.
Although the Warriors did not make the playoffs last season, they actually played pretty well and won 48 games.
Not making the playoffs is just because the competition in the Western Conference is too fierce.
This season, the Warriors are facing locker room troubles.
The team's boss, Baron Davis, had a conflict with the management. Davis was still the boss of his team, but the management wanted to train Monta Ellis in the same position.
The team did not renew Davis' contract in advance in the summer, but instead gave Ellis a big contract.
This made Davis very dissatisfied and played passively in the game.
There is no telling who is right or wrong between the two parties, this is just a business.
Davis believes that he can still be the core, but the management has believed that he has no potential, and his performance in leading the team has been unsatisfactory.
On the other hand, Ellis averaged 20 points per game last season, shot 53% from the field, and averaged 5 free throws per game.
He is a point guard, and this kind of data is too unbelievable for a point guard.
The management unanimously believes that the only thing that restricts Ellis's scoring is the right to shoot.
As for Davis, he averaged 22 points per game last season, but his shooting percentage was only 42%, and he is also older.
With this kind of comparison, it is normal for conflicts to arise.
Davis has been put on the shelf, but it's a pity that the Warriors have not received their favorite offer yet.
The media has already given them advice, believing that the most suitable next destination for Davis is the Clippers.
The Clippers are just a good point guard, and Beard's strength is still there, so he can be the third-best player in the Clippers.
Although their status has declined, the weakened version of the Big Three formed with Zhang Zhiyuan and Maggette can hope to win the championship, and this sacrifice is worth it.
Not to mention, Davis agrees with this analysis in his heart, and he also wants to go to the Clippers.
The Clippers have the strength, the exposure, and the position that suits him.
However, the Clippers never responded, and Davis could only think about it in his mind. He didn't want his agent to take the initiative to contact the Clippers, as if he was not wanted.
When the players entered the stadium, Davis took the initiative to greet Zhang Zhiyuan and congratulated Zhang Zhiyuan for winning the Olympic gold medal.
Zhang Zhiyuan was quite helpless towards Davis's proactive overture.
It's impossible for him to want Davis. After all, Davis was once the boss of the team, and was selected to the All-Star and All-NBA teams.
In the eyes of fans, he is an out-and-out star.
Teaming up with such a star, even if he wins the championship, Zhang Zhiyuan's evaluation will not be perfect.
Just like Kobe's last two championships, fans will say that he relied on Gasol.
Zhang Zhiyuan gave a lukewarm response, and then the game began.
The Warriors' starting lineup is Davis, Ellis, Jackson, Harrington, and Biedrins.
Although there have been conflicts between Davis and the management, it is impossible for a player with an annual salary of 17.8 million, which is higher than Zhang Zhiyuan, to be used as a substitute. It is too luxurious.
Therefore, the Warriors play a two-point guard lineup. The offense is not bad, but the defense is very bad.
The Warriors currently have 1 win and 7 losses, ranking last in the league.
The Clippers were still the regular starters. Kaman grabbed the ball and the Clippers attacked first.
After halftime, the ball came into Zhang Zhiyuan's hands, and Zhang Zhiyuan threw it directly towards Ellis.
He is a full 12 centimeters taller than Ellis, and his jumping ability is better than that of Ellis.
It can be said that Ellis is almost like air in front of him.
The ball goes in.
In just one round, the Warriors' problems were exposed.
Offense and defense transition, the Warriors attack.
Davis controlled the ball and advanced. After halftime, he was not in a hurry to attack. Ellis finally got a chance to break through, but Davis did not pass the ball.
Whether he didn't see it or was intentional, it's hard to tell.
The Warriors' lineup has not changed much this season, but their record has dropped from the playoff level to the level of competing for the No. 1 pick.
In the end, the Warriors' round ended with Davis' breakthrough and the ball went in.
Davis's personal ability is still there, and even if he doesn't use all his strength, he can still maintain around 20 points.
The Clippers attacked, and Zhang Zhiyuan continued to single out Ellis.
The ball goes in.
Seeing Ellis being beaten up, Davis was actually quite happy.
The management looked down on him, and he also looked down on Ellis.
When it came to a one-on-one fight, Davis didn't boo Ellis at all and even had the advantage because he was stronger and had better defense.
The Warriors attacked, and this time Harrington sent the ball to Ellis, who controlled the ball and advanced.
On the surface, Ellis is a combo guard who can handle the ball and score, but in fact his organizational skills are much worse than Davis.
Once the ball reaches his hands, it's basically the end.
Ellis used his trick, breakthrough.
Unfortunately, he is facing one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, and it is not that easy to get past Zhang Zhiyuan.
Although Zhang Zhiyuan is tall, he is also fast and has quick reactions.
Ellis tried it twice and found it completely impossible.
In desperation, Ellis could only pass it to Harrington.
Harrington took action against Maggette, begging not to score.
"This fight is too easy."
Barkley complained.
"There is no way. Ellis can't open up the situation, and it's difficult for others to perform. I think we still have to let Davis launch the offense and attack the Clippers' weaknesses."
Smith commented.
What he, a guest commentator, could clearly see, of course Nelson could also see it.
However, it is useless to see that he has lost control of the team.
Neither Davis nor Ellis is obedient.
Looking at Zhang Zhiyuan, Old Nelson looked at Dunleavy with envy.
His favorite player is now his opponent.
The Clippers counterattacked, but their offense was smooth and smooth.
Zhang Zhiyuan broke through first with the ball, and Jackson was forced to help double-team. Zhang Zhiyuan passed the ball and Maggette went to the basket.
In the past, without a strong teammate like Zhang Zhiyuan to attract defense, Maggette could rely on one-handed breakthroughs and average 20 points per game.
Now with Zhang Zhiyuan's assist, Maggette's threat has directly increased to a higher level.
This season he has averaged 24 points per game, and the number of shots he has taken has not increased compared to last season.
In this era, it is very scary for the second team leader to average 24 points per game. The bosses of many teams cannot score so much.
Maggette scored, and the fans at the scene lost their temper.
The game continued, Davis broke through with the ball and made an emergency jump shot, but the ball missed.
His efficiency when playing seriously last season was not very high, and his efficiency this season is even lower.
The Clippers counterattacked and scored another 3 points, but the Warriors' offense was still lackluster.
Soon, the score difference between the two teams widened.
At the end of the first quarter, the score was 39 to 22, with the Clippers leading by 17 points.
Some fans with bad tempers and deep feelings for the Warriors simply left the game.
This kind of game is annoying to watch.
In the second quarter, Zhang Zhiyuan took a three-minute break and did not play because the team was leading too much.
The fans at the scene actually gave up and shouted for Zhang Zhiyuan to come on. They wanted to watch Zhang Zhiyuan play.
I don’t know if these words are meant to irritate the Warriors players, or if they really like watching Zhang Zhiyuan play, but they are all very hurtful.
When the Warriors players heard this, their hearts went cold.
Then Dunleavy replaced Zhang Zhiyuan to improve the statistics. The fans asked for the biggest one.
After Zhang Zhiyuan came on the court, he began to dominate the offensive end.
The teammates are also very cooperative. As long as they receive the pass, no matter whether the opportunity is good or not, their first choice is to shoot and never continue to dribble.
Anyway, their advantages are huge and they can be squandered at will.
Even if the Warriors counterattack, they can adjust in time and it won't be a big problem.
Zhang Zhiyuan's assists number keeps rising.
Direct shooting makes it easier for Warriors players to defend, and their shooting percentage begins to drop.
But it didn't matter. After passing the ball, Zhang Zhiyuan ran directly to the Warriors' basket and participated in the battle for rebounds.
After coming down several times, he also picked one up.
Returning to the defensive end, Zhang Zhiyuan huddled under the basket to defend and began to grab rebounds from his teammates.
His rebounding numbers are also rising rapidly.
"This, this..."
Smith didn't even know how to evaluate it.
"This guy has created a new style of play. What a great guy. In terms of data, no one can compare with him."
Buckley laughed and said he didn't think there was anything wrong with it.
Being able to collect data on the court itself shows that he is very strong. Would someone without absolute strength and confidence dare to do this?
"If he really averages a triple-double this season, should the MVP be given to him?"
Smith asked a question.
Averaging a triple-double per game during the season is too difficult to achieve. Logically speaking, it is natural to be given an MVP award.
But the problem is that Zhang Zhiyuan just won the MVP last season, and if he wins again, he will win again.
"Look at the team's record. If the team's record is in the top eight in the league, then there is no reason not to give it."
Barkley stated the standards in his heart.
"Although the top eight is difficult, it is not impossible based on the current trend of the Clippers. In other words, Zhang Zhiyuan has also entered the competition for MVP?"
Smith said.
Before the start of the season, the media discussed that Zhang Zhiyuan was not among the players most likely to win the MVP this season, because he had just won it before and was on a bad team, so his record would definitely not be good.
But now, relying on a good record and averaging a triple-double per game, Zhang Zhiyuan seems to have squeezed into the MVP competition.
"It's really crazy, but it's also exciting."
Buckley said.
Currently, the media gives the most likely candidates to win the MVP this season: Kobe, James, Paul, Howard, Garnett, and Anthony.
Add Zhang Zhiyuan into the mix, and the competition for MVP will become fierce.
On the court, the second quarter has been played.
The Clippers did not expand their advantage, but were chased by the Warriors by 5 points.
However, Zhang Zhiyuan's data was refreshed.
At the end of the first half, the score between the two teams was 69 to 57.
Zhang Zhiyuan personally scored 24 points, 9 rebounds and 11 assists. These statistics are outrageous. It is difficult for many people to achieve such statistics once in a season.
In the second half, Zhang Zhiyuan continued to play for 20 minutes. Later, the score difference was too big, so Zhang Zhiyuan took a rest.
In the end, the score between the two teams was 135 to 115, and the Clippers won by 20 points.
135 points is also the highest score in a single game this season, and this was achieved without overtime.
Zhang Zhiyuan made 17 of 28 shots, 9 of 16 three-pointers, 3 of 3 free throws, and scored 46 points, 14 rebounds, and 17 assists.
A super triple-double, a statistic that appeared for the first time in the league.
The moment the game ended, the fans at the scene defected and chose to shout Zhang Zhiyuan as MVP.
In addition to Madison, New York, this is the second away game he has conquered.
This is a good sign. If you keep playing, you will be able to play like Jordan sooner or later, and be the home court wherever you go.
Post-match press conference.
Davis was asked about the trade by a reporter. The reporter asked: "Davis, there are rumors that you may go to the Clippers. Is this true?"
"I haven't heard the news, but I would be very happy if it happened."
Davis said, causing a commotion in the room.
"You mean you want to be traded to the Clippers?"
the reporter asked.
Davis stopped pretending. He had had enough with the Warriors. He said: "Of course, Los Angeles is a big city, the Clippers are also a strong team, and Zhang is a reliable teammate. I think it's not just me.
, many people are not opposed to going to the Clippers, and even want to go to the Clippers."
"You mean the Warriors' teammates are unreliable?"
the reporter asked.
"I didn't say this, but in comparison, Zhang is obviously more reliable, isn't he? 46 points, 14 rebounds and 17 assists. Do you dare to imagine that someone can actually produce such data?"
Now that he had started, Davis simply licked it to the end and kept showing his favor to Zhang Zhiyuan.
He knows that Zhang Zhiyuan has absolute say in the Clippers and can even influence the management.
As long as Zhang Zhiyuan speaks, there is a high probability that he can go to the Clippers.
Davis's remarks naturally made other Warriors players very unhappy. Ellis even bluntly stated that he didn't care whether Davis would stay or go.
Finally, the Warriors' press officer hurriedly ended the interview. If the reporter continues to ask questions, all the shady things in the team will be exposed.
After the Warriors, it was the Clippers' turn.
Dunleavy, Zhang Zhiyuan and Maggette attended.
Zhang Zhiyuan originally thought that the reporter would ask about the data, but the reporter asked as soon as he opened his mouth: "Davis just publicly stated that he wants to go to the Clippers. Do the Clippers have any plans to introduce Davis?"
"I don't know this."
Zhang Zhiyuan said.
"So do you want to be teammates with Davis?"
The reporter asked again.
Of course Zhang Zhiyuan doesn't want it. Davis is famous but not very strong. The only thing that shines is the organization, but the Clippers basically have the ball in Zhang Zhiyuan's hands, so what kind of organizer do they need?
"Sean and I get along pretty well."
Zhang Zhiyuan didn't say it so directly to avoid hurting Davis' face.
However, what he said actually hurt Davis' face. He publicly expressed his goodwill, but he said that he liked to be teammates with Livingston. This clearly shows that he doesn't look down on Davis.
Many reporters secretly lamented that Davis was so embarrassed now.
"But, don't you want to strengthen the team?"
the reporter asked.
"Shaun is quite strong. What you said is a bit disrespectful to Sean."
Zhang Zhiyuan said.
In the locker room, Livingston, who was watching the interview, almost cried.
He was lucky enough to be able to follow such a boss, and he decided to give it his all.
"Disliking his teammates is what Kobe would do, but Zhang would never do it."
