Just like LeBron James chose to defend Adrian personally when Adrian was holding the ball. When LeBron James was holding the ball at the free throw line, the defensive player he faced was also Adrian.
Just like LeBron James' defense makes Adrian very uncomfortable, Adrian's defense also makes it difficult for James to find good breakthrough opportunities. In terms of strength, the two of them are equally willing to give in and want to implement it on Adrian.
His past crushing breakthroughs.
Under Adrian's defense, James was not only able to find a suitable breakthrough opportunity, but was forced by Adrian to continuously retreat, gradually approaching the three-point line. Unlike Adrian, once he was forced to the three-point line
, James has no power. Unlike Adrian's 39% three-point shooting rate, LeBron James's three-point shooting rate this season is only 31.5%. At this time, his three-pointers are not ready for the future in the Heat.
He was so mature when he won the championship. His weak power on the outside has been confirmed by countless pairs of eyes.
When he couldn't find an opportunity, James made the same choice as Adrian. Ilgauskas pulled out to set up a pick-and-roll for James. James waited for an opportunity to break through Adrian, but Adrian did not choose to catch up.
It was chosen to block Ilgauskas and not give him a chance to catch the ball and make a mid-range shot. The pick-and-roll cooperation between Ilgauskas and James is quite powerful, and James often uses the pick-and-roll to break through and then pass back.
Ilgauskas scored from the latter.
Like all tall European players, Ilgauskas, who is 2.21 meters tall, has a soft and ridiculous shooting touch. Although he cannot run to the outside and hit a three-pointer, his mid-range shot near the free throw line is extremely good.
Have a head start.
As for James, leave it to the two big men in the paint.
James collided with Kwame Brown in the air and hit a backhand layup!
"This guy is in quite a hot state tonight. He wants to compete with me." Adrian frowned as he looked at James who yelled and retreated. James's physical fitness is indeed very good.
We just played a game yesterday, and you can see a trace of residual tiredness on the faces of the Cavaliers. However, this situation does not seem to exist in James. He still looks so energetic.
Adrian has never underestimated LeBron James, even though he has not yet reached his peak at this time. However, Adrian is extremely confident that today's game will end with a victory for himself and the Magic.
"Even if your physical strength is not a problem at all, there are five players on the court. This is the key to the game." Adrian took the basketball from Kwame Brown from the baseline and slowly advanced to the frontcourt as usual.
He glanced at LeBron James, who was in a standard defensive posture, his eyes seemed to be burning, and then raised his hand and waved to the inside.
LeBron James, who had just been blocked once, was on guard this time. He quickly bypassed Kwame Brown and pounced on Adrian who was trying to get inside. At the same time, Ben Wallace also quickly double-teamed.
When he came up, seeing that the double attack between the two was about to be in place, Adrian threw the basketball in the direction of the backboard as if at random.
"Bang..." The next moment, Kwame Brown was hanging high on the rim and pulled the rim hard. Only then did he fall to the ground under the unkind eyes of the referee.
"The person who has the ball in hand must always be aware of the position of his teammates and the situation around him. This is the essence of ball control. So talking about a ball-control forward is just an outsider..." Adrian complained in his heart.
Of course, it was impossible for LeBron James to hear Adrian's complaints in his heart. He caught the basketball that fell from the basket, slapped it hard in his hand, and then passed it to Ben Wallace.
Scholar: "Look after your people!"
If it was the former Ben Wallace and LeBron James who dared to talk to him like this, Big Ben would have punched him.
However, he went to the Bulls for a big contract, and was traded to the Cavaliers by the Bulls. Ben Wallace's temper has been smoothed a lot in the NBA turmoil. The arrogance of the All-Star and the best defensive player in the league has been lost again and again.
He was polished in the trade. From a loser who was not wanted in the draft and couldn't find a job, he grew into the best interior defender in the league, and then fell into the dust from being the best interior defender in the league.
Ben Wallace has seen through a lot.
So, he just quietly ran to the baseline, sent the basketball out, and continued his work.
As soon as halftime passed, LeBron James couldn't wait to take over the ball from Delonte West. After trying a few fake moves, he chose to force a break through Adrian. This was also LeBron James's goal.
Brown James' usual style of play, because of his top-notch speed and absolute strength at the small forward position, coupled with the care of the referee, this forced breakthrough style of play is very effective. Even if he cannot score, he can still attack the opponent.
Cause damage.
It's a pity that this breakthrough method is not very effective for Adrian. In terms of strength, Adrian is not afraid of LeBron James at all. In terms of speed, he even vaguely surpasses James. Adrian is not in a hurry to stop James.
Instead, he kept using his strong body to force him towards the baseline, without giving him any chance to get close to the basket.
James, who made continuous breakthroughs but was getting farther and farther away from the basket, was a little anxious. He was still a little far away from the basket. He put away the basketball and started to take three steps. Adrian calmly stayed next to James, waiting for James to take off.
Three steps.
One step... two steps... Adrian jumped high, because he saw that James had no other choice but to take action. None of his teammates could receive his pass at this time. If the pass was passed
, he can only make a mistake, so his only option is to force a shot.
Adrian jumped high, and then... He was surprised to find that LeBron James was still standing on the ground. Just as Adrian jumped up, he jumped one step forward. Yes, it was the third step.
, just entering the free throw line is the first step, approaching the three-second zone is the second step, and now entering the three-second zone is the third step... Marcin Gortat under the basket did not expect this to happen at all.
He saw Adrian's defense and thought that James' offense was no longer threatening. He never expected that such a thing would happen again.
"Bang!" LeBron James took a step forward and dunked hard with both hands.
"Mr. Referee, how many steps did he take just now?" Without looking at James, who was roaring in protest, Adrian went straight to the referee on duty who had disallowed the goal.
"If I'm not mistaken, it should be three steps. Did I remember correctly, Mr. Referee?"
Looking at Adrian in front of him, the referee frowned. He held the whistle in his mouth, as if he was going to blow a technical foul at any time, but he didn't blow the whistle until Adrian finished asking the question.
Adrian was not driven away.
"Didn't you call me a technical foul? Oh, that's it. Now I can be considered a member of the privileged players." Adrian couldn't help but smile inwardly, knowing that he could have a better way to solve this problem.
"Mr. Referee, you should know that this game is broadcast live across the United States, and I heard that the ratings are very high. There is no doubt that the audience sitting in front of the TV today to watch this game will be very critical, because this will make them give up.
game. Therefore, I think the penalties should be a little stricter." Adrian said nonchalantly: "I think Mr. Stern definitely doesn't want something to happen in such a game that damages the image of the NBA.
Isn't it?"
There are considerable skills in putting pressure on referees, but it is also very simple to say. First, the person applying pressure must have an identity that the referee does not dare to punish at will. That is, he is a privileged player. Second, the words of the person applying pressure should not be too excessive.
Intense, and it is not suitable to be condescending, so as not to cause the referee to have a rebellious mentality. Third, he must consider the problem from the referee's standpoint and put forward demands that he can achieve and are not excessive. Fourth, it depends on luck.
The greater the pressure on the referee himself, the higher the success rate of putting pressure on him. If it is a guy as inexperienced as bald referee Crawford, who has never worried about off-field pressure, then put pressure on him.
Applying pressure becomes a joke. Unfortunately, this bald man's penalty level is still high, and most of the time he is very fair. He doesn't even give much care to superstar players, so you have no way to deal with him.
After entering the NBA, Adrian made several attempts to put pressure on referees. There were both big and small attempts, with good and bad effects. However, he soon stopped doing that in the Lakers, because there was someone who did it.
The one who is more skilled than him is Phil Jackson. And Adrian also learned a lot from Phil Jackson when it comes to putting pressure on referees. Of course, he has also seen many failures.
.However, today’s young referee, who is in his thirties, obviously does not seem to be a character who can withstand pressure very well.
After saying this, Adrian did not pester the referee, but simply stepped aside with a smile to receive the baseline ball from Gortat. He had already done everything he could do to the referee, and then left him alone.
Considered it.
When Adrian reached the frontcourt with the ball, LeBron James continued to save and exert pressure on Adrian, but this time he just made a big move. The referee suddenly blew the whistle in his mouth, and then made a gesture.
LeBron James, Cavaliers defensive foul No. 23.
"Starting to find balance so soon?"
Adrian glanced at the referee secretly and saw LeBron James running to the referee and complaining loudly. Just like Adrian just now, no matter how much LeBron James complained, the referee's whistle would not stop in his mouth.
Ken blew the whistle, but repeatedly signaled James to leave quickly.
"They seem to be having a hard time, too."
For the referee in charge of this game, his life was indeed difficult. Originally, in March, a large part of the NBA's attention was taken away by the NCAA, so the referees had the least pressure in March.
Because at this time, even if the referee made some controversial calls on the court, not many people paid attention. The league officials' private manipulation of the playoff roster was probably carried out during this special time period in March.
But the situation of this game is obviously much more special. Because of the matchup between LeBron James and Adrian, in March, when the entire NBA paid very little attention, the attention of this game was ridiculously high.
.In addition, the top management has special requirements for this game...the game must be exciting and smooth, especially Adrian and LeBron James, both of whom must produce wonderful statistics and performances.
The league's care for LeBron James has started from the first day he entered the league. This includes ignoring his moves on the court. This is explicitly or implicitly required by the league. Of course, James is not the only one to take this kind of care.
Exclusive, the superstar whistle has become an open secret in the league. The league's top stars such as Kobe, Tracy McGrady, Carter, Garnett and other first-line stars are more or less taken care of by the referee's whistle.
As for Adrian, he has recently entered the list of people who need special care.
The referee's original plan was to give the two superstars a green light on the offensive end to ensure that they score exaggerated scores. However, Adrian's sudden reaction and warning forced the referee to carefully consider the consequences of this. If because of his strictness
If the whistle blow causes one or both of the two superstars to perform poorly, maybe Mr. David Stern will be very angry and dissatisfied. But if...if some of his controversial penalties lead to the preparation of this game
Being questioned has damaged the image of the entire NBA. Mr. David Stern...that old Jewish man will definitely want to eat himself alive!
This idea made the referee directly call LeBron James a defensive foul when he made a big defensive move, which was to appease Adrian's possibly restless mood. And James' loud complaints made the referee even more dissatisfied...
"Perhaps if the two sides don't help each other, then fair punishment is the right thing to do."
It must be said that the extremely high level of attention in this game put too much pressure on the referees.
In the following game, the referee's whistleblowing began to become fair. James tried several times to use his unique four-step layup, but without exception, the referee called him a walking violation. After several complaints,
, LeBron James also found that although the referee never called him a technical foul, the look on his face became more and more impatient. So he had to restrain his actions.
Adrian was also whistled for a foul. Although from a personal perspective, he felt that there was no foul in his defense. However, he still did not complain. He just nodded slightly at the referee when no one noticed.
Nodding. Obviously the referee's action is to show that he does not help both sides and treats everyone equally.
"What, you can't play without the referee's care?" Adrian pushed James from behind. At this time, his back attack ability was still very weak. He only studied it a little after being swept by the Spurs. The main thing is
The offensive method is still a face-to-face attack. Adrian can easily withstand James' body: "Are you embarrassed to call yourself a superstar like this?"
"Shut up!" LeBron James bumped back hard, then turned around and shot a jump shot. Unfortunately, his hit was too weak, neither the timing nor the force method was correct. Adrian took a step back and resolved the issue.
This force. At the same time as James jumped high, Adrian also jumped up, and his outstretched palm directly covered the basketball that LeBron James had just shot.
"Crack!"
LeBron James' basketball was slapped directly to the frontcourt by Adrian. After landing, Adrian and James started at the same time and rushed towards the basketball rolling into the frontcourt. However, James needed to turn around and may not have expected it.
Adrian will block him. This makes him a small step slower when he starts.
The two of them pounced on the basketball almost in no particular order. The small step ahead allowed Adrian's fingers to touch the basketball first. Knowing that it would be difficult for him to control the basketball steadily under James' interference, Adrian's fingers
The moment he came into contact with the basketball, he swatted the basketball. The basketball bounced high, and was caught in Adrian's hand and thrown directly to the other side of the court.
There, Sharad Lewis, who was only averagely fast at the small forward position but was definitely fast enough among the power forwards, was already flying down like a gust of wind. After receiving the basketball that Adrian barely threw, Lewis stepped over.
After two steps into the free throw line, he jumped high and performed a one-handed tomahawk chop!
Adrian clapped his hands vigorously, gave Lewis a thumbs up, and then slowly stepped back.
"If you don't want to be beaten by me tonight, you'd better adjust your mentality. Little emperor, whether you are used to it or not, this is not your territory." If it was an ordinary opponent, Adrian would not
He likes to say more on the court, but if he is dealing with someone like James, Adrian doesn't mind giving him a hard blow with words: "Still, without the referee's care, you can only do so much."
degree?"
Both Adrian and LeBron James were substituted after playing the entire first quarter. Adrian hardly took the initiative to score in the first quarter. He took 5 shots in the entire first quarter and hit 2 of 5.
The rate was only average, but he sent out as many as 10 assists. Adrian's nanny-style assists allowed the Magic generals to enjoy the pleasure of scoring points. In addition, Adrian also grabbed
4 rebounds.
Although Adrian has a heavy task of defending James in the first quarter today, thanks to James' habit of always attacking the basket, his defensive range is actually very close to the basket, which creates opportunities for him to grab rebounds.
