After returning to the locker room, Scott Brooks looked at Durant and said: "Kevin, we need you to use all your firepower. Can you suppress the Blazers' offense?"
Scott Brooks knows very well that after Fisher's short burst, the team did take off, but how can a team only rely on role players in the playoffs?
We still need the boss to step up and control the overall direction.
And Durant happens to be the only one that the Thunder has an advantage among the five positions on the field. It can be said to be the only key to victory.
That's why he asked this question.
"Of course, no problem." Durant replied, his expression unchanged, but only he knew what his chances of winning were.
Trail Blazers locker room.
Terry Stotts was not stingy with his compliments and highly praised Wang Zelin's performance in the first half, especially in the third quarter. It can be said that he single-handedly suppressed the Thunder's counterattack.
You're done, now it's our turn!
Terry Stotts thought.
Back at halftime, Wang Zelin was still on the court, which made the Thunder's inside team feel desperate.
Fortunately, the Thunder generals turned around and saw that player No. 35 was also on the court, and felt a little relieved. This was their only bargaining chip for victory.
At this time, there are two teams of players on the field.
The Trail Blazers put out their full lineup.
Thunder lineup: PG Derek Fisher, SG Kevin Martin, SF Kevin Durant, PF Serge Ibaka, C Kendrick Perkins.
A closer look shows that the independent defensive capabilities of positions 1 and 2 in this lineup are approximately 0, which means that the Thunder are ready to fight hard.
Both sides knew that if the fight continued, Durant would definitely have physical problems.
This has become the norm.
Therefore, the third quarter is the moment that determines the outcome.
At the top of the arc, Durant holds the ball and others pull away.
At the same time, Wang Zelin moved to the basket.
On the first attack, Durant did not choose to attack the basket and moved to the right wing. At this time, Perkins came over to do a pick-and-roll, and he got a short open space.
"Whoosh!"
At the beginning of the third quarter, Durant hit a mid-range two-pointer.
At 60:57, the Thunder led by 3 points.
Durant still looks unstoppable.
Trail Blazers offense.
Aldridge positioned himself in the right corner, Matthews moved to the right wing, Batum moved on the left wing, and Wang Zelin refused to let go and got stuck under the basket.
The Thunder reacted promptly and double-teamed Durant immediately. Batum caught the ball and faked a shot to Kevin Martin, rushed into the reasonable collision area, exploded, and completed a one-armed shot over Durant's head.
Split button.
"Bang!"
Batum hung high above the rim, rising and falling.
60:59.
"The Thunder are also crazy. Nicolas Batum on the opposite side is not an ordinary guy. He has a scoring ability of about 15 in the regular season. If you let Batum go, you are looking down on him." Teacher Yu Jia complained.
"There is nothing we can do about it. The King's offensive threat under the basket is so great that even the Thunder are afraid of being beaten." Zhang Lili narrowed his eyes.
"yeah!!!"
Batum landed and was greeted by cheers from the audience.
Offense and defense transition.
Durant leaned against Batum on the left side and asked for the ball.
Fisher excitedly distributed the ball and began to move without the ball.
It is said that Coach Lu knows the best tactic is to "give the ball to the strongest person on the court", and Fisher is not necessarily any worse in this regard.
Durant took two steps in and suddenly turned over and shot a jumper.
This attack was caught off guard, and Batum didn't have time to jump, but Durant had already come out from the basket to help defend, jumped high, and slapped Durant in the air.
"KD made a shot. The ball was too fast. Nicholas didn't react. The basketball flew towards the Trail Blazers' basket! Oh, Shet! Wang's reaction speed was so fast. He took off and bounced very fast!"
Amid Kenny Smith's exclamations, Wang Zelin seemed to appear out of nowhere, intercepting the ball between the basketball and the basket, getting closer and closer.
Durant looked up suddenly. He didn't believe that Trail Blazers No. 36 could stop the ball.
Unless you can have the help defense ability of Howard during the Magic era, but that is the DPOY level, you cannot...
"Pa~"
With a loud noise, Wang Zelin fanned the ball out of bounds.
Volleyball hat!
"It's terrible! That jump just now reminded me of Dwight from the past two years!" After Kenneth Smith finished speaking, one of his partners, Reggie Miller, followed up and said: "The block just now, whether it was the defensive reaction,
, his jumping height, and his shot-blocking style are so similar to Dwight before his serious injury.
Moreover, such a volleyball hat is like a shot of stimulant, which can not only encourage the morale and fighting spirit of the team, but also stimulate and inspire the emotions of the audience!"
"That's right." O'Neal nodded: "I never think Dwight is a so-called super center, but in terms of defense, he is definitely a super blue-collar player in history. Not to mention anything else, just in terms of height and body shape,
The advantage it occupies is much greater than that of Big Ben back then.”
Barkley quickly made up for the damage: "It's just that the technology is too worrying."
"Ha ha ha ha!"
After laughing, Kenny Smith continued his analysis: "I have to admit that Wang's shot-blocking point just now is indeed frighteningly high. Compared with Howard, even if it is not as good, I am afraid it is still a big difference. The Thunder will be in trouble next."
Durant faced the frame and attacked again, and the Trail Blazers also treated him with the highest treatment.
Double team!
Just after a step of space was released and he was about to take action, Aldridge dropped Ibaka from the left elbow area, and the double attack was successful.
With one draw and two, Durant was naturally unfazed. He pulled it up and hit a mid-range shot... It was definitely not because there was not much time left.
Durant is not a magician. Under the defense of the two, the defensive pressure intensified and his shots were in vain.
Wang Zelin got the ball and passed the ball directly. Lillard, who was unguarded, caught the ball and made a layup.
61:60, the Trail Blazers lead by 1 point at home!
Just a few rounds into the second half, the Trail Blazers took the lead, and the fans in the Rose Garden Arena burst into cheers.
"Alas~"
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Scott Brooks hesitated again and again and did not choose to call a pause.
He had thought that the score would be overtaken, but he did not expect that time would come so quickly.
Perhaps, this year’s journey ends here.
The Thunder coach thought this way.
But obviously the team just reached the finals last year!
Why did this happen in just one year?
In a daze, he remembered No. 13 in another place, fighting for the Space City.
If that guy hadn't left, the situation wouldn't have been so bad. At least after Russell was injured, the team would have another organizational point.
"Well."
Scott Brooks couldn't help but shook his head, as if asking himself: What am I thinking? James has been traded away.
Yes, he was traded away.
…
After 5 minutes, the situation on the court was completely different from the first half.
69:63, the Trail Blazers lead by 6 points.
Immediately afterwards, as Matthews hit a three-pointer from a negative angle on the right side, the Trail Blazers' lead increased to 9 points.
The Thunder coach called the first timeout between the two teams since the third quarter.
Looking back on the previous few minutes, when the five tigers of the team came out, Wang Zelin's role changed from the offensive core to the defensive core.
With Wang Zelin as the core of defense, it spreads outwards, coupled with the tacit cooperation of others, Lillard organizes, Matthews makes cold arrows, Batum mainly defends the opponent's arrow figures, and Aldridge takes on Wang Zelin's previous offensive responsibility.
The five people have a clear division of labor and form an organized, disciplined and effective system.
The Thunder suffered losses in the playoffs and showed a shaky overall attitude. They were far less organized and united than the Trail Blazers.
Mainly relying on Durant's performance, or occasionally other role players breaking out, it's okay to have a tailwind, but once they enter a headwind situation, the Thunder's declining trend will be difficult to reverse.
Mainly because Durant's offensive characteristics are different from Jordan and Kobe.
Is Durant's offensive talent strong?
Very strong!
It can even be said to be rare in history.
But he is different from the previous scorers.
Let’s not mention the scoring champions of the last century, let’s talk about the previous scoring champions since the 21st century.
Allen Iverson, who won the three-time scoring champion, Magic Michael, who won the two-time scoring champion, Kobe Bryant, who won the two-time scoring champion, James and his wife, who were the scoring champions in 2008 and 2009, and Agua, who just won the scoring champion.
Each of these guys is a famous iron man in the league. Their terrifying physical strength pool can support them in their peak period. They can play from start to finish in certain key games without affecting the offensive efficiency.
In this regard, Durant seems a little not strong enough and not as strong as his predecessors.
Efficiency is one thing, but durability is another.
When there is a lack of strong helpers, to put it bluntly, if you want to target Durant, the strategy is too simple, just separate him from his teammates.
After the third quarter, the Trail Blazers opened the point difference to 11 points, which was not too big. It seemed that the Thunder still had a chance to chase.
But just one look at No. 35 on the Thunder bench, his entire jersey soaked with sweat, and everyone knows that the game has gone far.
The fourth quarter lasted until the 7th minute. When the official timeout came, fans from both sides left the field.
At this time, the scoreboard showed that the score between the two sides was 115:92, and the point difference was 23 points.
When Durant couldn't score anymore, everything became settled.
Sure enough, the Thunder gave up the game, the official timeout ended, the main lineup did not return, and the Trail Blazers immediately withdrew their main lineup.
125:98, Game 3 of the series, the Trail Blazers beat their opponents by 27 points.
Wang Zelin did not go as everyone expected. He played 41 minutes, made 13 of 15 shots, and 3 of 3 free throws. He scored 28 points, 18 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 blocks, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, and 4 fouls. He achieved a near triple-double.
I also got a rare piece of 4x4 data.
Eh, no, it looks like he just won it in the last game.
Ahem, here we go again.
Compared to the astonishing first half where he made 11 of 13 shots and scored 23 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks and 1 steal, Wang Zelin only took two shots in the second half, and all of them hit, plus 5 free throws.
But no one still dares to question Wang Zelin's key role in this game.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that Wang Zelin's offensive touch has not declined at all, he has just shifted his focus to the defensive end.
Team player, selfless, perfect teammate...a series of extremely positive words suddenly appeared in the mouths of the media and fans.
Even a small part of the media that had been criticizing Wang Zelin as a swindler began to change their tune and call him a model player with high moral standards.
In fact, Wang Zelin never thought about it so much.
As the game continued, he naturally accepted his role on the field because he wanted to help the team win in a more effective way.
It wasn't until the end of the game when his teammates told him that he regretted losing a triple-double that he realized that what he cared about most was the team's victory, and he wasn't that particular about the gorgeousness of the data.
On the premise of winning, it is gratifying to get good data, but if you can't get it, don't force it.
After all, being a winner is gratifying enough.
It can only be said to be "unintentional planting of willows and willows".
After the game, Wang Zelin immediately noticed the sharp increase in his fan base, and also learned from external comments that his number of anti-fans seemed to have dropped slightly.
After the game, we were conducting interviews on the spot, and a crowd of reporters surrounded the scene.
Wang Zelin took the towel, wiped the sweat off his head, and prepared to be interviewed.
"Surprise!"
A bucket of ice water fell from the sky, and Wang Zelin was so wet that he shivered.
Holy shit, which grandson is he?
As soon as I turned around, another bucket of ice water hit me.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Wiping his face, Wang Zelin saw the retreating figures of Mike Roberts and Batum.
Just wait for me, it’s written down in the notebook!
"Haha! King, first of all, I want to congratulate you for leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a 3-0 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the series. Congratulations in advance on your advancement to the Western Conference Finals."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! As old friends and fellow countrymen, Director Zhang Lili and his partner Teacher Yu Jia occupied a favorable position and were the first to conduct the interview.
"Thank you. I hope everything goes as you wish."
"My King, once again played 5x5 in the playoffs, what do you want to say most?" a TNT reporter asked.
Wang Zelin took a look and saw that she was a girl. She was quite big and fair. He chuckled and said, "There's nothing to say. The most important thing in my heart is always the team's victory. I don't care that much about the pursuit of data."
His answer made the reporters nod silently. After all, this is a ruthless man who is ready to give up on a triple-double in the playoffs.
Half an hour later, Wang Zelin finished the interview and returned to the locker room. He turned on his cell phone and received many congratulatory calls.
"My King, I wish you will continue your efforts, sweep away your opponents, and advance to the finals as soon as possible!" Anta official made the first call.
After all, it is a big company and there must be a lot of customer service.
"That's necessary. I also hope that the sneakers can sell better."
"You're an incredible kid. You're going to touch the floor of the Western Conference Finals in your first year!" Chairman Yao called for the second time.
"It's okay, Brother Yao, do you want to consider playing in the NBA again? Even if you sit on the bench, I can help you get a championship ring."
"Forget it, my old legs are no longer good, but don't worry, I will always pay attention to the following games, and I will return to China beforehand. If you really reach the finals, I will definitely support you then."
"Okay brother."
I just hung up Chairman Yao's phone, and as expected, it rang again.
"King, you are too fierce!"
The caller ID said Scarlett.
"Tch, don't you know very well how fierce I am?"
"See you at the same place then."
"Ah, forget it now, wait until I finish the finals."
"Well, that's such a shame."
"Ahem, I also hung up beforehand."
Come on, Lao Mi's wife is so fierce. Fortunately, Lao Mi has high concentration, otherwise she would have fallen into the trap of this monster.
This was Wang Zelin's personal phone number. Not many people knew about it. After answering a few more phone numbers, the ringtone finally stopped ringing.
At this time, the text message ringtone suddenly rang.
Hey, why is it him!
Click to take a look:
Zelin, congratulations on your victory over the Thunder, and I wish you can go further and further in the playoffs. Come on!
——Yi Jianlian
As a teammate of the national team, Yi Jianlian of course has Wang Zelin's personal number, and the remaining major players such as Da Zhi and Sun Dasheng also have his number.
After being stunned for a moment, Wang Zelin replied casually, "Thank you!"
Then he suddenly remembered.
According to the various basketball novels I have read in my previous life, as long as it is about a Chinese male protagonist in the 21st century, his team will basically include this top male basketball player in his account.
Perhaps, we should also obey the tradition of time-travelers and accept Ah Lian.
One thing to say, as a ready-to-combat fighter, apart from his fragile body, Ah Lian still has some strength.
No matter what happens, Wang Zelin's status in the team at this moment and the importance of the management, as long as he gives a little hint to the team to sign the Arab League, even if it is just as a mascot, he still has such qualifications.
You will never know that the senior Bucks team, in order to renew the contract with Antetokounmpo, did not hesitate to accept Antetokounmpo's brother as a mascot, just to successfully renew the contract.