Eight Hundred and Thirty-Seven: Master of Rule Utilization

Latest website: Dwight Howard hates being disrespected, so after seeing Link's message, "Warcraft" instantly became furious.

"What do you think of Link's response? Hahaha, no need to think about it, because you will see who is the real winner later. Our two teams are currently 6 wins and 0 losses, and we are the only two teams in the league who have not lost. Two teams. But after today’s game, there will only be one winner left, and this only spot definitely belongs to the Houston Rockets.”

Howard accepted a sideline interview with reporters before the game started. Facing the camera, "Warcraft" looks quite relaxed. He laughed heartily, as if everything was no different than in Orlando, as if the bruised grizzly bear wasn't worth mentioning.

But everyone could see how forced Howard's smile was, and everyone knew that he must be very angry now, gnashing his teeth in anger, and wishing to cut Link into pieces right now.

Howard's smile is like a mask, trying to hide his eagerness for quick success. It's a pity that what he did on the court has long exposed his true self.

Everyone knows that Howard will definitely become quite violent during the game. He is now even a veteran like Kobe and Garnett.

Sure enough, as soon as the reporters left, Howard's face darkened.

He stared hard at Link in the other half, and secretly cursed words starting with F countless times in his mind.

Then, Howard walked up to Harden, looking serious even to his partner.

"James, how are you preparing?" Howard knew that he really couldn't defeat the Grizzlies on his own, even if they were remnants of the Grizzlies.

Whether we can win this game today depends on Harden's condition.

Harden's state has always been a mystery. His good and bad state made Howard miss Kobe who was always in a fighting state.

"Don't worry, I went to bed very early yesterday, and I also attach great importance to this game." Harden replied coldly, and continued to shoot to warm up.

Howard nodded, and the two of them stopped communicating. The relationship between Howard and Harden is actually not as good as outsiders think.

They are not partners yet, at most they just don't want to hold the other person back.

But as long as Harden stops convulsing,

Howard was satisfied. He acknowledged Harden's talent and strength. When the bearded man performs normally, he is indeed worthy of the reputation as the league's number one shooting guard.

When the players from both sides were warming up on the court, the local commentator in Houston was also quite indignant, "Dwight Howard is such a gentleman. If someone provokes me like Link did, I will definitely swear."

Jeff Van Gundy looked at his partner on the side and shook his head slightly, "Link is telling the truth. Houston has played teams with weak teams in these games. The Spurs didn't even have Duncan and Ginobi in the last game." Li, the Rockets' strength has not been truly tested. Therefore, it is really too early for Dwight to talk about changing the administration."

Although Van Gundy once coached in Houston, as a commentator, he is still quite neutral.

"You mean, the Rockets' six-game winning streak is really not worth mentioning?" There was a hint of gunpowder between the two commentators.

"Of course not, the Rockets' 6-game winning streak is a great start. But as Link said, there is still a long way to go between 6 consecutive wins and a championship. The Memphis Grizzlies do have a lot of problems now, especially in the paint. aspects. But even so, they are still one of the strongest teams in the league."

While speaking, the referee signaled the starting players of both sides to get ready and the game was about to start.

Seeing this, the local commentator in Houston laughed jokingly, "The era when the Grizzlies dominated the league is over, Jeff. No team can withstand injuries, not even the Memphis Grizzlies. They are indeed a team A strong team, but no longer the best in the league. The Los Angeles Lakers are still struggling because of Kobe's injuries. If it weren't for the injuries of Yao and Tracy McGrady, we wouldn't be standing still every year. I think you understand this better than I do, Jeff."

Van Gundy's pain point was stepped on and he did not retort, but waited silently for the game to start.

Indeed, injuries can sometimes be enough to change a team's destiny. It is even possible to turn a top team in the league into a lottery team in an instant.

But the situation of the Grizzlies is different. As long as Link can still play, the Grizzlies will be one of the best teams in the league!

Van Gundy has seen too many miracles created by Link with his own eyes, so he firmly believes in this.

At this time, the starting players of both sides are ready. Due to injuries, the Grizzlies still sent out the inside combination of Harris + Gasol.

It is said that the Grizzlies are currently looking for interior substitutes in the free agent market and the Development League, but that will not be resolved for at least three or four days.

As for the Rockets, they started the game with a complete starting lineup.

After Jeremy Lin left, "Black Bay" Patrick Beverley secured his position as the starting point guard.

As for the shooting guard, James Harden, who is still performing well this season, will serve as the shooting guard.

The small forward is Ariza, who returned to the Space City this summer. His arrival has made the Rockets' wings impregnable.

On the inside, McHale sent Lithuanian Motyjunas to partner with Howard. Motiejunas' performance this season is quite outstanding. In the game against Philadelphia a week ago, he just scored a career-high 21 points.

His shooting range can extend beyond the three-point line, which can play a role in opening up space. Although the defense is somewhat difficult, Howard makes up for his deficiencies on the defensive end.

Motiejunas and Howard were considered by McHale to be the key to the Rockets' victory today.

The interior reserves that the Grizzlies were originally proud of have now turned into weaknesses. It would be better if the Grizzlies' interior reserves could get some more foul trouble in this case.

McHale has already made such a small calculation. After all, in addition to the two long men, the Rockets also have James Harden, a master of rules utilization.

So for McHale, this game is already won before it starts!

No matter how good Link is, he can't be a guest center like the "Magician" in 1980, right?

Both teams' starters were ready and the referee threw the basketball into the air.

Although Dwight Howard no longer has the physical fitness he had during the Magic era, it is undeniable that he is still one of the most physically fit fifth positions in the league.

With much better bounce and speed than Gasol, Howard won the first offensive ball for the Rockets.

On the Rockets' first attack, Howard sank inside and leaned on Gasol to get the ball.

After Beverley handed the ball to Harden, Howard suddenly gave up his plan to take the position and rushed out to set up a screen for Harden from outside the three-point line!

"Did you see it!? The Houston Rockets are completely different now!" Next to Jeff Van Gundy, the local Houston commentator roared with excitement.

Howard took the initiative to set up a pick-and-roll for Harden, which was an exciting sign. As long as these two guys are willing to cooperate, the Rockets will be invincible!

Howard really put down his posture today. In order to win the game, he would rather lose a few opportunities to play singles in the paint.

Harden took advantage of Howard's screen to break through. Jimmy Butler wanted to force Howard away, but Howard was not good at it and blocked Butler abruptly.

Seeing this situation, Gasol immediately switched his defense in front of Harden. Just when the Spaniard was still guessing whether Harden would stop for a jump shot or speed up to attack the frame, the bearded man made a move that caught him off guard.

Instead of avoiding the defense, Harden took the initiative and leaned against Gasol!

"Eh!?"

Before Gasol could realize what was going on, he collided with Harden. At the moment when the two sides collided, Harden threw the ball to the basket indiscriminately.

Then, the referee's whistle blew and the game was interrupted just as it started.

"Defensive foul on Grizzlies No. 33, Rockets made two free throws!" The referee decisively rushed to the technical table to express his decision, and Gasol rushed to the referee with his hands spread out.

"He came to me on his own initiative!"

"According to the rules, it was you who violated his cylinder. Moreover, he also had shooting movements."

"????" Gasol was speechless. How could he defend and let Harden break through?

Forget about Harden's free throws, mainly because he got a foul in the first round, which made Gasol very passive.

"Mark, stop arguing, be careful next time." It wasn't until Link patted Gasol on the shoulder that Gasol let the referee go.

Link knew there was no point in arguing with the referee. Harden's "touching" skills are already perfect.

Last season, Harden took a total of 792 free throws in the regular season! What is the concept? Paul, who is only 1.83 meters tall and is often violated in the paint, only took 268 free throws last season, more than 500 times less than Harden!

Westbrook, the "iron fool" who rushes into the crowd with the ball, is easier to win the referee's sympathy than anyone else, but he only attempted 575 free throws last season.

Players like James and Link, who are always treated as key defensive targets, are also easily violated, but they only made 424 and 403 free throws last season.

Even in the years when O'Neal was most severely cut off with the Lakers, he only attempted more than 792 free throws in two seasons.

As a defender, Harden's 792 times can be said to be outstanding and unique! In the above example, there is no one who can even come close to Harden in free throws.

And last season, he was only 8 free throws away from breaking the 800 mark!

Well, I guess Harden's free throw attempts this year are on track to exceed 800.

It can be seen that Harden's number of free throw attempts is quite "abnormal". Under normal game conditions, it is impossible for a second position who uses shooting as his main offensive method to get so many free throws. Most of his free throws were found by himself.

Drawing fouls is already one of Harden's trump cards. Therefore, arguing with the referee will not lead to any results.

In competitive sports, winning is the key, and Link also understands Harden's use of rules.

Just hitting the wall in the first round... This really made Link feel a little nauseous.

Standing at the free throw line, Harden steadily made two free throws, giving the Rockets a good start.

McHale smiled proudly, and today's plan was executed perfectly from the beginning. He believes the Grizzlies' time of dominating the league is over.

In Houston, the defending champions will halt their dynasty-building run.