Chapter 1940 The First Time in Playoff History! Los Angeles City Derby
Four times in four years, Ji Feng did something that even basketball god Michael Jordan had never done. He achieved the first four consecutive championships in the history of regular season MVP!
Ji Feng deserved the award. Although a large group of James fans expressed dissatisfaction, given the data and record, even if they were dissatisfied, they had to admit that there was no dispute that Ji Feng won the award.
Although James' statistics are equally impressive, the competition is so cruel. James has to accept the painful fact that after 9 years of career, the number of MVPs is still zero.
Maybe it was something I felt. The day before the award ceremony, the Heat defeated the Knicks 110-86 at home. They eliminated their opponents with a total score of 4-1 and successfully entered the Eastern Conference semifinals. James scored 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. A triple-double, this is also the second triple-double in the playoffs this season.
It can be seen that James really wants to use practical actions to prove that he is no worse than Ji Feng. This can be regarded as a silent protest.
However, this is not enough. Unless he beats Ji Feng once in the finals, everyone will still think that he is not as good as Ji Feng.
Just like this MVP selection.
At the award ceremony, Ji Feng was not arrogant. He gave all the credit to his teammates: "I don't want to let my family down, and my teammates. I am here because of them. If every game does not have their contribution, I wouldn’t be standing here today.”
After the ceremony, Ji Feng also invited all Lakers players to take a group photo. "15 players were all here, and they gave me everything!" Ji Feng said.
This was also widely praised, and Ji Feng also showed his domineering side. Perhaps because Ji Feng was relatively friendly, a reporter who supported the Heat and James asked very politely: "James has performed very well this season. , the gap between you is also very small, and you have already won it three times, maybe it is more appropriate to give it to James once, what do you think?”
Ji Feng laughed. These American reporters are like this. They hit snakes and follow the stick. Give them a little sunshine and it will be bright. Give them a little precipitation and it will flood. Ji Feng will naturally not show mercy. He always fights back against reporters like this. of.
"Oh, this reporter, MVPA is sacred to all players. This is not a cake your grandma made for you. You can give it to anyone. You are disrespecting all of us and even the coaching staff. I hope You can apologize to everyone!"
"At the same time, the MVP is an authoritative award produced by voting, and its fairness is self-evident. Mr. Stern is on the side. If you feel it is unfair, you can complain at any time. I think Stern and all members of the league, I will give you a reasonable explanation.”
"Finally, many of the people who cast their precious votes are your peers. They are veterans who have been in this industry for decades. Do you think there is something wrong with their vision?"
The three hats were directly pressed down. At the end of the sentence, Ji Feng stared hard, and the Lakers players and the press officer also looked unkind. Even Stern was smiling, but his eyes were full of murderous intent. He looked at the news with his eyes. The officer seemed to be asking who put the two hundred and fifty in.
"Yes... I'm sorry!" The reporter was overwhelmed by the hat, sat down with a cold sweat on his face, and then secretly escaped, leaving the remaining staff laughing.
This scene has also become one of the highlights of the NBA's insults and has become a required course for players entering and leaving the NBA.
Ji Feng was satisfied with winning the trophy. Although he lost the best defensive player this season, it was enough to hold on to the regular season MVP. After all, this is the most valuable award of the season. In addition to the All-Star MVP he won before, Ji Feng can still achieve the feat of winning three MVPs in one season.
Of course, it's too early to say, and the Lakers still need to move forward.
A few days after Ji Feng won the MVP, all games in the first round of the playoffs were finally over, and the second round of the playoffs will officially begin on May 15th.
Compared with the first round, this round of duel will undoubtedly attract more people's attention, because this season's playoffs are really interesting!
Let’s talk about the West first!
The fiercely competitive Western Conference in previous years was a bit beyond people's expectations this year, because except for the passionate battle between the fourth-placed Grizzlies and fifth-placed Clippers, the other three matchups were too simple to determine the winner.
Needless to say, the Lakers and Jazz were unilaterally crushed, but the grudge showdown between the Spurs and the Mavericks turned out to be equally smooth as expected.
The Mavericks, who had undergone major changes, failed to organize any decent resistance and were easily taken away by the Spurs with a score of 4-1.
Except for the win in Game 3, the Mavericks lost to the Spurs by an average of 10.9 points per game, which was also the largest point difference per game between the two teams.
In the winning game, the two teams fought to the last minute. If it weren't for Dirk's fatal three-pointer, the Mavericks might have been taken away 4-0, but winning the game didn't help, it only slightly restored the situation. face.
As for the Spurs, who advanced to the semifinals with their heads held high, they faced the league's emerging powerhouse, the Thunder!
Thinking back to three years ago, the Western Conference began to change. The Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, and Thunder entered the playoffs with an average age of under 24. Although all except the Grizzlies were eliminated in the first round, everyone has a bright future. Can be seen.
Three years later, the Trail Blazers disappeared from the playoff ranks with the sad retirement of Roy and Oden. Today, the Thunder and Grizzlies are still standing. Unlike the Grizzlies, who mainly play the older black and white bears, The Thunder are still a young Cyclone.
The San Shao team made a mark every year, and jumped into the playoffs twice in a row. Last year, they reached the Western Conference semifinals. But this time, they won more easily. Facing the Denver Nuggets, the league's recognized 'track and field team', they showed the world What is the real top talent!
The Nuggets made it to the playoffs for two consecutive seasons after Anthony left. They relied on their extraordinary physical fitness from starter to substitute. They often overwhelmed their opponents through their bodies.
However, the Thunder's physical fitness was even more exaggerated. They started a physical confrontation with the Nuggets, and the final result was no surprise. With the second young master's body, it was really difficult to lose.
4-1, the Thunder also easily reached the semifinals. They will face the established force, the Spurs!
The Lakers' second-round opponents attracted much attention from the beginning. Whether it was the Grizzlies or the Clippers, there were stories between them and the Lakers.
And these two teams are worthy of being ranked fourth and fifth in the league. They are really close to each other in terms of strength. From the first game, there has not been a game where the score difference between the two teams is more than 10 points.
In the most intense fourth game, the two sides went to double overtime to decide the winner. It has to be said that a defensive team like the Grizzlies can restrain a running and jumping team like the Clippers. The Clippers are proud of their two inside stars. He was completely beaten by the Black and White Bears, and Conley was also able to go 4-6 with Paul, so he wasn't too far behind.
However, if we lose, we will lose at 4-6.
In the last 7 decisive games, the Grizzlies, who had the home court advantage, lost due to organization. Paul scored 19 points, 13 assists and 5 steals. He made all 7 free throws at the last moment, helping the Clippers win a thrilling 82-78, with a total score of 4- 3 made it to the second round!
The Los Angeles playoff derby is here!