Five Hundred and Thirty-Seven: Promise Me, Don't Come to Die Again

After the regular season, teams were given a two-day break. Two days later, it's time to fish for the fishing. And the time to fight is to start their hottest time of the year.

Before the playoffs began, espn did a preview feature. This time, the Memphis Grizzlies are being taken seriously for the first time. In the eyes of ESPN experts, the Grizzlies have become a championship challenger.

"The situation in the West is very interesting. The Spurs, Thunder and Grizzlies all have the strength to compete for the final glory."

"In fact, we all know that Kevin Durant has already made a gauntlet against Link. This year, Durant is eager to fight James again. No matter who stands in front of him, he will go forward bravely."

"The Grizzlies can be said to have won the regular season this season in a devastating way. I don't know if their state will continue in the playoffs."

How far can the Grizzlies do? It has become the biggest suspense in this year's playoffs. Finally, the entire league has experienced the threat of this small team to the championship.

There are many opinions about whether the Grizzlies can win the final championship. But on one point, everyone's views are quite the same.

To quote a quote from t.nt news, "No matter what the Grizzlies end up getting, the Rockets are going to be out of luck."

The first round of the Western Conference playoffs, the first Grizzlies against the eighth Rockets. The game seemed to be doomed before it even started.

※※※

Kevin. McHale must be very annoyed at this time, annoyed why the Rockets failed to defeat the Lakers in the last game of the regular season.

This year, the Lakers F4 suffered a tragic Waterloo. They were originally considered champion candidates, but in the end they only played a record of 45 wins and 37 losses. This record is the same as the Rockets, but because the Lakers have more wins against the Rockets, the Lakers eventually ranked seventh.

The Rockets, on the other hand, can only play against the No. 1 player in the West.

The last time the Rockets played in the playoffs was in the 08-09 season, which was Yao Ming's last relatively complete season in the NBA.

For three consecutive years since then, the Rockets have been "lottery champions", ninth every year, and a stable batch. This year, the Rockets finally got rid of the "lottery champion" curse and successfully reached the playoffs.

It stands to reason that the Rockets players and coaches should be happy. Reaching the playoffs, it means that their reconstruction played an initial success.

but now,

The Rockets were filled with an atmosphere of despair from top to bottom.

Indeed, the Rockets have no chance of winning even against the Thunder, the second-ranked player in the West. But let's be honest, the Thunder haven't been that desperate. If they encounter the Thunder, the Rockets players will still have fighting spirit anyway, and strive to win and cause some trouble for the Thunder.

But against the Grizzlies... hopeless!

The Rockets are too aware of the Grizzlies' style. The two teams have met four times this season. The Rockets have 3 losses and 1 win, which is enough to illustrate the problem. And the last time the two sides played against each other, the Rockets were completely beaten and powerless to fight back.

Thunder belongs to the kind that although strong, it doesn't give people the feeling that it is not ruthless. Moreover, Westbrook is also a ticking time bomb. So with the Thunder game, you can always feel the silver lining.

But the Grizzlies are different. The "bandits" in Memphis are strong and ruthless! Once on the court, the Grizzlies will grab the opponent and beat him until the opponent can't get up.

So, McHale is quite embarrassed right now. After working hard for a season, I finally got a playoff spot. But if you get shaved in the playoffs and can't win a game, you might as well get a lottery pick.

Thinking of this, McHale clenched his fists. No matter what, the Rockets have to take a piece of skin off the Grizzlies!

Come, come, at least have to play the rocket character.

On the other hand, the Grizzlies are also preparing for the game in an orderly manner. Although the hard power of the Rockets is not comparable to that of the Grizzlies, Link is still very serious.

The day before the game, at the regular press conference, Link was even more shy about stating his goal.

"Win? Win is not the goal, it's something that has to be done. The goal of the first round of the series is simple, we have to swept the opponent 4-0! If the first round is difficult, then the rest of the game will not have to be played. already."

Link's speech can be said to be ruthless, and he didn't even give the Rockets any face.

But this is also Link's character. It's okay not to provoke him, but once he does, he is very stingy and has to kill his opponent.

There are not a few players who have been abused because of quarrels or conflicts with Link.

Link's too direct speech naturally attracted a lot of sunspots. Some people think that after winning 70, Link is too arrogant. The Rockets may not be able to beat the Grizzlies, but they will definitely cost the arrogant Link.

Link dismissed this statement, and Link, who was interviewed in the tunnel three hours before the game, also responded.

"Of course I will pay the price, but it will be in the Western Conference semifinals at the earliest! If the Rockets have this ability, I would like to experience the experience."

From the beginning, Link was hostile to the Rockets. It's not about anyone else, it's just about Morey.

It's just unfortunate that the rest of the Rockets must be punished for Morey.

※※※

In the playoffs, this is the battlefield that Link has been thinking about. After seeing the Rockets player in the red jersey, Link undoubtedly became more excited.

Every opportunity that made Morey want to cry, Link would not let it go easily.

Before the start of the game, the live footage gave Link and Harden a split-screen close-up, and attached the data of the regular season for the two of them at the bottom of the screen.

Harden can be said to have completed a leap forward this season. He averaged only 16.8 points per game last season, and his average points per game this season have skyrocketed to 25.9 points! Meanwhile, Harden averaged 5.8 assists and 4.9 rebounds.

And Link has 26.6 points, 6.5 assists and 7.0 rebounds in the regular season this season! In addition, he can also get 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks, and the data is basically close to the peak of Grant Hill! Truly integrated offense and defense, omnipotent.

In terms of versatility, only James can surpass Link in this data.

Link's numbers are better than Harden's in every way. But overall, the difference is not too big.

However, those who often watch the game know that Link and Harden are not at the same level this season, and the gap between the actual performance of the two is much larger than the gap reflected in the data.

Harden has often been out of form this season, shooting 20 to 30 percent and not scoring in double figures from time to time.

And Link's single-game scoring lowest in the regular season this season is 17 points! He is at his best all the time. Instead of relying on occasional big bursts to pull up the average data.

If Harden's state is an undulating wavy line, Link's state is a straight line with almost no waves. In terms of stability and handling ability at critical moments, Harden is far less than Link.

But even so, the Rockets can be considered to have a pretty good star. If Harden is in good form today, he might really be able to compete with the Grizzlies.

"This is the playoffs. In the playoffs, until four wins, no one is safe. The Rockets may still have a chance, and the suspense may not be over." Before the game, ESPN commentator Mike Brin also expressed this point of view. He does not think that the rocket is a lamb to be slaughtered.

"Mike, how many games have you watched the Grizzlies this season?" Hubby Brown, who was specially dispatched to partner with Mike Brin, asked jokingly after hearing what Mike Brin said.

Hubie Brown + Mike Brin, this luxurious commentary lineup is enough to show how much ESPN attaches to the Grizzlies now.

"I didn't watch too much. During the regular season, I came to Memphis to comment on two or three games." Brin admitted frankly.

"Well...that's right. No wonder you misunderstand the Grizzlies."

"Misunderstanding?" Mike Brin stared at the old Hubby with a wicked smile, "What misunderstanding?"

"You actually mistakenly think that the Rockets still have a chance."

On the court, the starters of both sides have stepped into the designated position. On the Rockets side, McHale did not change the formation, and still sent a starting lineup composed of Jeremy Lin, Harden, Parsons, Greg Smith and Asik.

On paper, the Rockets are basically not dominant in every position...

After the kickoff, Asik won the ball for the Rockets. Jeremy Lin organized a bit after halftime, and finally passed the ball to Harden who borrowed the cover.

Harden felt a chill down his spine as soon as he got the ball. Today, it's Link and him!

"The Grizzlies asked Iguodala to mark Parsons today, while Link was in front of Harden. The ace of the two teams, are they going to face head-to-head at the beginning of the game?"

Harden gritted his teeth. He originally thought that his opponent would be Iguodala today. Because from the point of view of the video analysis, in order to save Link's physical strength, Iguodala usually helps Link to defend the opponent's top scorer.

But as soon as the game began, Harden received his first surprise.

"Don't be nervous, I'm not really the god of death." At this moment, Link said something to Harden with a smile.

Strictly speaking, this is not trash talk. Link neither cursed nor taunted. But this ordinary remark made Harden even more scared.

That guy actually saw that he was nervous!

Harden finally chose to break through and score the ball instead of confronting Link. As the Rockets' leading scorer, Harden didn't stand up in the first round.

In the end, Asik's basket attack was directly pressed down by Gasol. This year, Gasol is a strong contender for Defensive Player of the Year.

Link picked up the basketball blocked by Gasol and went straight to the fast break!

Jeremy Lin looked at the dashing Link, a little dazed. Think last year, they also boarded the "Time" magazine at the same time. But now, the two are very different.

Link quickly advanced to the basket, and the Rockets' overall defense was very, very bad. Just as Link was about to hit the rim, second-year undrafted Greg Smith rushed to the basket.

Smith is an athletic insider who can do nothing but run and jump. He naturally hopes that he can successfully block Link with his good running and jumping ability. The playoffs are a stage for fame!

But as soon as Smith took off, he found that his so-called "advantage" was not worth mentioning in front of Link at all!

His proud athletic ability is completely scum in front of Link!

"Damn..." Smith muttered in his heart as he saw Link whose takeoff height and bullet speed completely overwhelmed him.

The next second, Link slammed into it and dunked the ball into the frame through Smith. And Smith was thrown out of the bottom line by the huge impact, and he fell down under the basketball hoop.

He knew that he had been detained!

"The dunk was staged at the beginning of the game! Link is very dangerous today, don't get close!"

After Link landed, he walked to Smith who was still sitting on the ground, looked at him condescendingly, and shook his head gently.

"Promise me, don't do this stupid thing again, okay? I'm really afraid of hurting you. Damn, do you really think you can stop me?"

Mike Brin on the commentary stage covered his forehead. He was a little embarrassed by Smith. Unexpectedly, Link was so irritable as soon as he came up, which gave the Rockets no chance at all.

Hubby Brown is right, it seems that he does have some misunderstandings about the Grizzlies.

Still looking for "Reverse Growth Superstar" free novels?

Baidu direct search: "" Reading novels is easy!

( = )