Chapter 1199 I Hope They Will Have a Brighter Future
After beating the Timberwolves on March 8, the Lakers once again won 12 consecutive victories. This was the third time this season that the Lakers had won more than ten consecutive games. The 56 wins and 4 losses continued to crush the Bulls' record. Pressure, even Jordan stood up and spoke at this time.
In an interview at a Nike event, Jordan finally talked about the Lakers' problems at the moment. He said bluntly: "There is no doubt that a month ago I would have had doubts about whether the Lakers could break our record. After all, 72 wins is the peak of this era. At the peak, I always felt that it was difficult for any team to do better, but now, I have to admit that those guys have at least more than 80% chance, maybe more, maybe a new era is coming."
But then Jordan laughed and continued: "Actually, I have thought about it before. I can do it with just one Bulls, and there are two guys like me in Los Angeles. Their success is natural."
Finally, Jordan specifically reminded the Lakers players that although the opportunity is right in front of them, they should not be careless until the end. Focusing all their willpower on playing every game well is what they have to do at this moment. He also mentioned that the Bulls were because of If you are careless, you will lose a few more games in the last month.
"If we didn't make mistakes at that time, maybe it wouldn't be anyone else's turn to surpass us now." Jordan said, with a hint of emotion, perhaps thinking of his best years.
However, this is also understandable. Everyone has limitations. Everyone’s goal is to record the past and lack the foresight of the future.
Jordan's words made the Lakers even more powerful. Now basketball fans all over the world are talking about the Lakers, their status this season, their schedule, when they can break the record, whether they can win the championship, etc., and Jordan's phrase "two guys like me" also made fans of Kobe and Ji Feng talk about it.
But no one mentioned the topic of Jordan's successor, because Jordan is unique, and the same is true for Kobe and Ji Feng.
But perhaps because there were too many people talking about it, the Lakers' 12-game winning streak unfortunately ended two days later.
This time the opponent is the Portland Trail Blazers. At the beginning of this season, when Oden came back to form the rookie Big Three with Roy and Ade, the outside world was very optimistic that the Trail Blazers could make the playoffs again. Judging from the lineup, the future this young guard has is really limitless.
After the start of the new season, although Oden's performance did not meet people's expectations, averaging only 8.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, and he did not have a good rapport with his teammates, Oden has already demonstrated his ability and talent in the paint. The twin towers composed of Germany and Germany, with one offense and one defense, were able to carve out their own niche in the fiercely competitive Western Conference. At that time, everyone expected that as long as they continued to work together, the Trail Blazers would definitely become the biggest dark horse this season.
But injuries followed. Oden injured his knee again before the All-Star Game, so he missed the All-Star Rookie Game. After the All-Star Game, Oden even announced that he would be out for the season again. The man who was called O'Neal before the draft The guy who combines with James is in danger of falling before he even takes off. He has only played less than 20 games this season.
Oden's injury once cast a shadow over the future of the Trail Blazers. Before the All-Star Game, they also experienced a 7-game losing streak and once fell to ninth place in the Western Conference.
But just when everyone was filled with regrets, the Trail Blazers rose again!
A perfect record of 12 wins and 3 losses last month catapulted the Blazers into the top six in the Western Conference, stunning all those who badmouthed them.
At this time, people finally realized that the Trail Blazers did not need Oden to be a leader, they already had a new leader!
McIlroy, a guy Kobe called the Yellow Mamba.
Although Roy is only in his third grade at this time, the 24-year-old has already reached his personal peak. So far in the regular season, he has averaged 22.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. The data is quite comprehensive, and he also has three shooting percentages. Reaching 48.0%, 37.7% and 82.4% respectively, he also scored a career-high 52 points and 0 turnovers against the Suns.
If this is not a superstar, then what is.
Moreover, at this time, Roy has a tendency to become a superstar in the league. This is especially obvious from the high-end statistics. Roy's victory contribution value on the offensive end has reached 10.9, second only to the two data geeks Ji Feng and James, PER His value also ranks seventh in the league, second only to Ji Feng, James, Wade, Paul, Howard, Duncan and Kobe, the league's superstars. In terms of BBR's ranking of irreplaceable players, Roy ranks fourth. Bit.
It has to be said that Roy is the best shooting guard in the league now after Kobe and Wade. He is very explosive, proficient in various offensive techniques on the offensive end, and is also a perfect core leader of the team.
Inside, the Blazers' power forward was Aldridge. Aldridge was only 23 years old at the time. He entered the NBA in the same year as Roy and grew very rapidly. In his third season, he averaged 18.1 points per game. Pointing 7.5 rebounds, Aldridge is the type of person that all team managers dream of, possessing excellent mid-range skills.
These two people built the dual core of the Blazers inside and outside, and supported the backbone of the Blazers when Oden was away. After them, there were Steve Blake, Batum, Ferdinand, Outlaw, Channing Frye, and Baylor. Si, Rodriguez and other young players whose average age is only 23 years old.
If anyone in the league has a more enviable future than the Lakers, it is definitely the Trail Blazers at this moment.
In this duel with the Lakers, the Trail Blazers showed amazing energy at their home court!
Originally, with Oden absent, the Lakers were favored by everyone, but in this game, the Trail Blazers showed a strong desire to win from the beginning.
Roy hit a three-pointer at the beginning, and then the defensive end surprisingly stole the ball from Kobe, and scored the ball with Kobe's pursuit.
This goal was very exciting. Roy fully demonstrated his good rhythm and fast speed. This goal also boosted the morale of the Blazers. The so-called Young Guards are the most terrifying when they burst out with enthusiasm.
After that, although Kobe returned two very beautiful layups in a row, the Trail Blazers were not afraid at all. Ade successfully singled Gasol inside, and Batum completed a heavy dunk in front of Bynum in a pick-and-roll.
The rose garden is boiling!
After the first quarter, the Lakers were 6 points behind 30-36. The fact that they could score 36 points in a single quarter against the Lakers showed the Blazers' offensive firepower.
In the second quarter, Ji Feng started to exert his strength!
Although the Trail Blazers have a rich reserve of talent at small forward, with Batum, Outlaw and Ferdinand taking turns, Ji Feng's personal ability is really terrible. Not surprisingly, the third position was outplayed again. Ji Feng was single in this quarter. He scored 15 points in the quarter and led the Lakers to a 32-26 score in the quarter, and the two sides entered the second half tied.
In the third quarter, the two teams were still tied, 96-96, and entered the decisive moment of the fourth quarter.
In the last 2 and a half minutes, the Lakers led by 1 point. However, at the critical moment, Roy stood up. He first made a strong play and caused a foul on Kobe's thugs. He made two free throws to overtake the score. Then he completed a steal in front of Fisher and played in a one-stop game. The move also caused Lao Yu to commit a foul!
At the last moment, the Trail Blazers united as one and completed a 24-second defense. The Lakers finally lost 119-121, a two-point difference that ended their 12-game winning streak.