Basketball: Start with the Neuroknife

Chapter 291: East finals start

On May 16, the final results of the two-group matchup in the Western Conference semifinals were also reached.

The Grizzlies and Thunder meet for the third time in the playoffs.

In the end, the Thunder still had the last laugh.

Mike Conley averaged 22.3 points, 7.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game in this round of the series. Among them, the Grizzlies scored the highest in assists and points, but the Thunder had the last laugh with 41 points.

Others will not talk about it. After Yin Guodala left, the Grizzlies' flanks could not limit Kevin Durant at all.

After all, Kevin Durant is not like some scorers who can only break through. His outside shot is the most deadly weapon. Generally, small forwards blocking him are like misplaced.

And if it is the fourth position, you can't keep up with his speed.

Of course, the key is that he doesn't break through, and the crowded interior space of the Grizzlies can't play his role at all.

This Kevin Durant is really the sufferer of the Grizzlies.

Mike Conley met him, just like LeBron James met Li Wan.

It may be a little less tragic. LeBron James is 0 wins and 24 losses against Li Wan, and although Mike Conley loses every year, he can resist once or twice a year.

The outside world's evaluation of Mike Conley's performance in this round of the series is not low.

His confrontation with Westbrook in this round of the series has made many fans re-acquainted with the absolute core of the Memphis Grizzlies' perimeter.

Sitting on the bus back after the game, looking back at the Thunder arena, Conley's eyes were full of frustration and unwillingness. But thinking that before he was eliminated, Greg Oden had already been eliminated, and he suddenly became less unhappy.

Yes, the results of another set of matchups in the Western Conference semifinals have come out. The Spurs eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers 41.

This result is not too surprising. The Trail Blazers themselves entered the semifinals because of internal problems with the Clippers. With their strength, they should have been in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Now this result , is already very satisfying.

So Greg Oden isn't down.

More importantly, when the general manager of the Trail Blazers talked to him about renewing his contract after the game, he signed a 4 plus 1 contract with the Trail Blazers. After that, he can resume his free body and is a completely free agent. As far as the current talent status of the fifth position is concerned, the Trail Blazers really hold him in the palm of their hands for fear of falling, and hold him in their mouth for fear of melting. Renewing the contract in advance should be given the respect that should be given. Moreover, the general manager of the Trail Blazers didn't just talk to him about the contract renewal, but followed the cause of the matter and gave him a thorough understanding:

This summer, we will go after Li Wan with all our strength, at all costs!

Hearing this, Oden doesn't care about the gains and losses of this season. As long as his good brother comes to the Blazers, the two of them will join forces and join the league... Who else can stop them?

At that time, he promised the general manager: As long as Li Wan comes, then I will definitely renew the contract with the team!

Hearing his words, the general manager of the Trail Blazers was stunned. He pondered for a long time, and then suddenly realized that, if Li Wan doesn't come, you don't plan to renew your contract with the Trail Blazers, right?

Ma Dan!

He suddenly felt that signing Li Wan was no longer a matter of whether the Trail Blazers could go further, but...

Can you keep the current foundation?

The pressure is huge!

The matchup in the Western Conference Finals was thus decided, and the Spurs and the Thunder met on the stage of the Western Conference Finals for the third consecutive year...

On the Eastern side, another group of semifinal matchups between the Bulls and the Raptors also had a final result.

After 6 fierce battles, the Chicago Bulls eliminated the young Raptors 42 times, reached the Eastern Conference finals, and joined the New York Knicks.

This is the second time since the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals that Derrick Rose and Li Wan met in the playoffs, and it was also the stage of the Eastern Conference Finals.

That year, Derrick Rose was just 20, and it was his first year in the league. However, he tied Li Wan's scoring record of 36 points in the first game of the playoffs, and led the team to the final with a single core. The Eastern Conference finals were called "another Li Wan".

At that time, the media was also hyping this matter.

In 2011, the competition between two people for the regular season mvp can be regarded as the peak period of the confrontation between the two people. This competition for the regular season mvp came to an end when Li Wan won.

Since then, Li Wan has driven all the way and became the first player in the league, officially recognized as the "Goat of the 10th League".

Although Derrick Rose has also become a super giant and has occupied the league's best team all the year round, it was only this season that LeBron James switched to the first team, and Derrick Rose fell to the second team just now...

But compared with Li Wan, it can indeed be described as a world of difference.

Because Derrick Rose has been unable to get past the Heat, when they faced Li Wan in the playoffs, they have not won even a game so far.

Time has passed, and when I met Li Wan again on the stage of the Eastern Conference Finals, Derrick Rose said bluntly: "I have been looking forward to this scene happening again."

Also looking forward to is Joakim Noah.

Although he no longer thinks that Li Wan is just a lucky "thief", like most players in the league, he is also eager to defeat Li Wan: "If you can become Li Wan's 'Last Dance' The perfect person, that feeling must be great!"

In addition, there is another focus of attention in this round of the series:

This is the first time Jimmy Butler has met Li Wan in the playoffs of his career.

As a newcomer favored by Li Wan, Butler has been active in the media's attention since last year. He averaged 14.4 points, 5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game this season. This data can reach the level of a team's main force in the league.

But the attention he has received is definitely not something that an ordinary main player can enjoy. The greater exposure makes this guy a star.

And these were brought to him by Li Wan.

Because of this, facing Li Wan, Jimmy Butler's mentality at this moment is like a student who is about to take the exam, and Li Wan is his examiner, and he is also very nervous about what kind of data he can hand over.

As another player that Li Wan is also optimistic about, Stephen Curry has delivered a satisfactory answer this season.

He doesn't want to lose to Steph Curry.

Although he is definitely not up to Stephen Curry's level now, at least, his improvement speed cannot be lost to Curry.

The Bulls are full of positivity here.

The New York Knicks are also gearing up, just waiting for the Eastern Conference Finals to start.

However, before the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Western Conference Finals started first.

Meeting each other on the stage of the Western Conference Finals for three consecutive years made the Thunder and the Spurs a little bit more like old enemies.

Before the game, the major media made predictions for the East and West finals according to the usual practice. Unlike the media in the Eastern Conference finals that supported the New York Knicks one-sidedly, the media that supported the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals were not much different from the media that supported the Thunder.

Both sides have the possibility to win.

Needless to say, the Spurs naturally win as a whole. This year, they can be said to have reached the extreme of "team basketball" on both ends of the offense and defense. Popovich showed his rich experience and arranged everyone to the best for them. Let them "make the best use of their talents" in their positions;

Needless to say, the Thunder are strong on their own.

Especially Kevin Durant, one of the best scorers in the league.

Tonight, he will also receive his first regular season mvp at home.

The media in Oklahoma reported on this incident, and the scene basically reached the level of "Baiyun". Shouted at the gate: "Let your Dulan run around, the toilet in the village is out of paper again!"

It's no wonder that this is the first time in the Thunder's short history that a player has won the regular season mvp. —Any Oklahoman has fantasized about this scene.

In fact, Kevin Durant got the regular season mvp much faster than they thought.

In the summer of 2009, when this thin, tall, temperamental "contractor" came to the small city of Oklahoma with the team, no one thought that he could become one of the cards of the league.

Get the "regular season mvp" that symbolizes the highest personal honor!

"mvp!"

"mvp!"

"mvp!"

The Chesapeake Energy Arena that night was also bursting with shouts. Kevin Durant held the "regular season mvp" trophy above his head and enjoyed the shouts.

This is not the first time he has heard the "mvp" sound at his home court.

But compared to the past, this time it is obviously more worthy of its name!

I, Kevin Durant, have since become the 32nd regular season mvp in NBA history!

This…

Just start!

Popovich looked at the high-spirited Kevin Durant, turned his head and looked at the Spurs generals:

Take Inzat!

The league doesn't need such an outstanding mvp!

The generals of the Spurs are also gearing up. They want to give Kevin Durant and the Thunder fans some unpleasantness tonight. This is their favorite thing for the "old guns" to do!

But it turns out...

They obviously underestimated Kevin Durant, who has the "regular season mvp" bu bonus.

"Death is coming", how can it be so easily stopped.

It came up with two consecutive three-pointers, which were thrown directly to Leonard on the wing.

He also turned his head and glanced at Popovich on the sidelines, so defensive?

"Put it on, put it on!"

Popovich kept urging, but tonight's Kevin Durant was really "killing" enough. Seeing Leonard entangled, he made a "double dribble", and then hit a mid-range jumper with elegance.

8 points in a row!

Popovich immediately called a timeout, and Leonard's "facial paralysis" face was also speechless.

This kind of ball can be scored, and this game is still a hammer!

Li Wan was also watching the game, and when he saw Kevin Durant drifting his body to score a goal, he shook his head slightly, "Kevin Durant on the offensive" is really outrageous. Especially the feel... Is it possible that typing on the keyboard can cultivate the feel?

Otherwise, he really can't imagine why Kevin Durant's height can have such a perverted touch!

Of course, if you think about it carefully, this is the only strange thing about Kevin Durant!

Coordination, flexibility, and especially temperament are really hard for ordinary people to possess!

Back from the timeout, Kevin Durant is really hot tonight. Even if Popovich makes adjustments, there is no way to limit his scoring. At the end of the first quarter, his scoring has come 13 points.

In the end, the night when Kevin Durant won the first regular season mvp in his career, he also scored 41 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists at the regular season mvp level, helping the team win the first place in the Western Conference Finals. A victory!

Big score 10!

The beep sounded to symbolize the end of the game, and Kevin Durant, who played well, clenched his fists tightly and looked at his regular season mvp trophy on the bench full of desire.

This night, his performance, as well as the final result, were undoubtedly satisfactory.

But that's just the beginning!

Every night after that, he will perform like this, display the game dominance that a "regular season mvp" should have, and then step by step, step by step, squeeze out Li Wan's current "first man in the league" position and become A new card for this league!

"07 duo"?

snort!

There can only be one "hero" in 2007, and that is me, Kevin Durant!

His energetic face became the headlines of the major media the next day.

Don't ask why everyone uses this photo as the headline, but the question is that Kevin Durant's temperament is vividly displayed in this photo.

It can also be seen from the public opinion trend of the media on the second day that after the first game of the series, the number of media and experts supporting the Thunder has increased significantly. Even "passerby fans" will sweat for the Spurs after reading these reports!

This is the external pressure during the Eastern and Western finals.

Therefore, the number of games is limited. There is only one game every day, and all the reports of the league will be directed at this game. The loser will receive doubts from all directions.

This is actually the same for the New York Knicks.

Don't look at the current group of media who support the New York Knicks one-sidedly, but if they really lose the first game of the series, the reputation will definitely change 180 degrees.

Finally, on the evening of May 18, the long-awaited Eastern Conference finals between the New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls officially started.

Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks, was as full as ever.

No, it should be said that it was even more full!

Because with the arrival of the Eastern Conference finals, there are only two rounds of the series left in the number of games played by Li Wan in the New York Knicks jersey. If these two rounds of the series are played, the New York Knicks will solve their opponents according to the speed of the first two rounds If that is the case, then Li Wan only has 4 games left at the home court of the New York Knicks.

"Can you not leave, Li Wan!"

"Stay here, Li Wan, we will let Dolan sell the team!"

"Li Wan, you will always be a legend in this city, and no one can replace you!"

It is also for this reason that tonight's scene is even more crowded, and a lot of side seats have been temporarily added. The wealthy stars who have spent a lot of money seem to be sitting next to each other in a crowded carriage.

There are many more reluctant slogans on the scene...

"This is Li Wan's influence!"

Barkley looked at the slogans everywhere in the auditorium and sighed aloud. It was the first time he had seen such affectionate New York fans when he grew up so big.

Following his exclamation, the camera swept across the sidelines one by one. At this time, a familiar figure came into view:

Domineering looks, "Iron Man"-like figure, and that extremely dazzling hairline...

"LeBron James!"

He actually came to the Eastern Conference Finals?

This is…

What do you mean by swollen?

Barkley and Kenny Smith looked at each other.

No wonder they were so surprised.

LeBron James will become an unrestricted free agent after his contract expires this summer. According to the news just revealed by the Chicago media, LeBron James and Pat Riley have met in the past two days, but there is no substantial progress on the renewal of the contract.

Appeared at Madison Square Garden this time...

Do you think Barkley and Kenny Smith have some ideas?

Don't forget, the two people who have watched the game in the past two years: Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, both chose to join the New York Knicks in the summer.

Now LeBron James is here too...

This is at…

Send a friendly signal to Li Wan?

No, no, this idea is too "bold", he should just simply watch this game.

Li Wan and Chris Bosh were also surprised.

Li Wan thought about it and realized that this should be the task of LeBron's agent team.

The "decision one" approach is stupid, but from the approach of LeBron James' agent team, it can be seen that they like to create public opinion, and then use public opinion to increase LeBron James' influence on the league.

At the same time, good at engaging in charity gimmicks.

For example, after "Decision 1" caused outrage, LeBron's team immediately announced that all proceeds from the live broadcast would be used for charity, trying to save the reputation.

Simply put, it is a hot team.

After four years of failure with the Heat, LeBron James' influence has declined a lot. At least for now, everyone is paying attention to Li Wan's "Last Dance" in New York. When the playoffs are over, what everyone cares about most is It must also be "Where is Li Wan going?" Only when Li Wan's next family has a result will it be their turn for these next-level "super giants".

This is naturally unbearable for the LeBron James team.

Therefore, the operation of LeBron James coming to watch the game is actually predictable.

Because of this, there will definitely be various news the next day speculating whether LeBron James will have a deal with Li Wan in the summer, and his topics will be full in no time.

And the influence that such a topic can generate is enough to cover up the embarrassment that he is not the top star in the league.

So although I was surprised, it was only for a moment, and then I reinvested in training.

Chris Bosh has more ideas.

LeBron James came to watch the game. For him, the situation of going shopping with a girl and her current boyfriend and meeting her ex-boyfriend is actually similar. When he saw LeBron for the first time, three questions popped up in his mind:

What is he here for?

He greeted me, should I respond to him?

If I respond to him, will Li Wan be angry?

"Man, come on!"

While he was still thinking about it, LeBron James stood up and shouted at Chris Bosh with an enthusiastic expression.

Chris Bosh forced a smile to respond.

There are more thoughts in my heart.

He wanted to say something to LeBron James:

I'm having a great time now, don't you ever call me again!

LeBron James didn't notice his forced smile, he quickly looked at Li Wan, but unfortunately Li Wan had already walked past him. He couldn't get on with the conversation. He pursed his lips in annoyance. The task given to him by the management team was to let him interact with Li Wan, so that there would be room for the imagination of the outside world. However, he was not in a hurry and sat down again.

The game then officially started.

Li Wan entered the stage amidst the cheers of the audience, looking at Li Wan with a calm expression on the big screen, LeBron James couldn't help being envious.

And it's not just him...

Everyone in the entire alliance will probably envy Li Wan's current influence in the alliance!

However, it is indeed difficult to reach his level. In the 2008 Olympic finals, he won the "first championship" in team history with Orlando, and won the "three consecutive championships" with the Knicks...

Nothing in this is easy to do.

But Li Wan actually did all three things!

If only I could do these three things...

LeBron James was on fire.

Really, it's cool to think about it!

such a pity…

The person who did this is not him!

The big screen at the scene showed the starting lineups of both sides at this time:

"New York Knicks: No. 1 Beverly, No. 2 Danny Green, No. 3 Li Wan, No. 4 Chris Bosh, No. 5 Tyson Chandler;

Bulls: Derrick Rose at No. 1, Jimmy Butler at No. 2, Luol Deng at No. 3, Carlos Boozer at No. 4, Joakim Noah at No. 5;”

Then the referee blows his whistle.

The Eastern Conference finals have officially begun.

The first ball up belongs to the New York Knicks.

Li Wan took the ball to the front court, and Jimmy Butler was the one who defended him.

When the two sides started playing just now, Li Wan also noticed that Butler's expression was flickering, and now he has become a "bulldog" full of fighting spirit. However, it can be seen from his more "broken" "small steps" than usual that he is not in a calm mood at the moment.

Li Wan shuffled to the right, and Butler followed suit, standing in front of Li Wan.

A sharp change of direction, Li Wan attempted to break through from the left.

But Butler actually kept his weight and followed Li Wan's sharp turn this time.

That's Jimmy Butler's defensive style.

Although he is also the "not famous" "tyrannosaur" in the league, with a height of 2.03 meters, he only has a wingspan of 2.02 meters. But his footsteps are flexible, and his lateral strides are particularly large, so he can easily keep up with the opponent's change of direction.

However, Li Wan's change of direction was just a test. While he was keeping up, he immediately made another big change of direction. This time the range was bigger than the first time. Jimmy Butler judged that there was no problem. , Li Wan has already completed the breakthrough.

Jimmy Butler's physical talent is indeed not good, at best above average.

It is conceivable that he usually sweats a lot.

but…

The crushing of talents, sometimes, is just so helpless.

However, although the breakthrough was completed, Butler did not give up and continued to chase and defend, showing his stalking side. Li Wan waited for him to approach, and after feeling that he was too obvious to seek a confrontation attempt, he immediately jumped up and shot.

"All!"

The referee's whistle sounded first.

Jimmy Butler, who rushed too hard, committed a physical foul.

"Shua!"

As the whistle sounded, the ball fell steadily into the basket.

Li Wanzhong hit from a distance!

2 plus 1 chance...

Immediately there was a huge cheer at the scene.

Barkley said: "In fact, many people have not noticed that this season Li Wan's shots in confrontation are getting more and more stable... I just looked at the statistics, and the proportion of Li Wan's mid-range shots in confrontation this season has increased significantly! "

Kenny Smith nodded, and continued: "Yes, according to the Knicks' team trainer, Li Wan's strength has improved again in the summer, coupled with his own excellent static conditions, so that he can withstand strong confrontation. Shots are becoming more and more stable!"

In other words:

More and more "old hooligans"!

Jimmy Butler raised his hand in frustration, watching Li Wan walk to the free throw line calmly.

"Shua!"

Hit steadily.

New York Knicks 30 start.

The ball was exchanged and it was the Bulls' turn to attack.

Derrick Rose took the ball to the frontcourt, making Beverly the Jimmy Butler just now.

"Mad Dog" felt the speed of the wind.

He felt that Derrick Rose walked in front of him, suddenly changed direction, and then...

People are gone!

He followed closely, but just as he took a step sideways, he bumped into a "human wall".

After 5 years as a partner, the cooperation between Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose no longer needs any hints. Basically, Joakim Noah can know whether he should go up or not with just one movement of Derrick Rose.

Rose completely got rid of Beverly and entered the three-point line. Tyson Chandler, who helped defend him, almost sat on the ground.

Watching the latter pull the bar for a layup and complete the score.

The "Wind City Rose", which has not encountered any injury problems, seems to have opened very brightly.

twenty three!

The Bulls still use Jimmy Butler to defend Li Wan, but from Luer Deng's intentional approach, it can be seen that they have prepared a backhand. As long as Li Wan breaks through, they will be forced by the shrinking Bulls' defensive lineup. pocket".

Jimmy obviously also knew what kind of help his teammates would give him. When defending this time, he was not afraid that Li Wan would wipe him out with one step, and he fought fiercely.

Li Wan made a "2 plus 1" when he first came up, and now his score in Li Wanna will be deducted by 10 points. If he doesn't show any performance, he will fail.

He must get back to the field as soon as possible, so that Li Wan can see his growth.

Li Wan held the ball at the top of the arc, and put his back against the restless Jimmy Butler behind him. Just this action made the short-handed Butler lose his temper.

Seeing the helplessness flashing across this Michael Jordan-like face, Li Wan felt inexplicably refreshed:

This can be regarded as abusing the "God of Basketball", right?

No wonder those LSPs like to find learning materials for AI to change the face of a star...

Dare to feel pleasure here!

Chris Bosh came around from the wing and caught the ball to face Boozer.

"Anti-Bone Boy" is a typical player who relies on precocious skills to make up for his lack of physical talent. His basic skills are very solid and he can finish with both left and right bows, but his frame protection and defensive ability are average, and his height, speed, and wingspan are limited in the power forward position. For this reason, as the main power forward of the NCAA championship level, Boozer fell into the second round of the 2002 draft, and was selected by the Cavaliers until the 34th overall pick.

Facing Chris Bosh, who has the movement speed of a small forward, his lateral movement is slow, just like Dayao's reaction speed when facing his breakthrough.

Single-handedly went to the basket, facing Noah's supplementary defense, Chris Bosh failed to make a layup, but Tyson Chandler next to him rushed over, took the board and dunked, and easily completed the "second attack".

52!

Rose cooperated directly with Boozer this time.

After attracting Bosh's defense, a through ball was ready to be given to Boozer, who had already successfully sprinted down, but his intention was seen through by Li Wan. Li Wan, who was stuck behind Boozer, snatched the ball and the New York Knicks S quickly counterattacked.

Derrick Rose retreated the fastest, followed by the Englishman Ruel Deng. Li Wan, who felt that he might have a 1v2, leaned towards the top of the arc when he was about to come down.

While forcing the Bulls' formation to shrink towards the center, he crossed his hands and pushed the ball. Chris Bosh, who had penetrated from the sideline, took the ball and dunked with both hands.

Then he punched his chest hard.

Tonight's first "Dragon King's Roar" made the audience boil.

72!

Thibodeau was already thinking of calling a timeout for the New York Knicks, who had played fast breaks twice. Fortunately, Luer Deng stepped forward at this time and scored a three-pointer from the flank, bringing the score closer to 57!

The New York Knicks also tried to return a three-pointer and took a chance to Danny Green, but unfortunately they missed. Fortunately, Tyson Chandler grabbed the rebound.

D'Antoni thought for a while and got Ray Allen ready to play. UU reading www.uukanshu. com

Li Wan found that the Bulls' defense was still arranging a "pocket formation" for him, so he didn't hesitate, and continued to give the ball to Chris Bosh who went out from the wing.

Bosh also felt that he could forcibly break through Boozer with his speed, so when he held the ball, he deliberately pulled it to the outside. Seeing this, Boozer almost cursed directly.

Can you f*ck be a bit of a four?

He didn't dare to make up, Chris Bosh dribbled the ball to adjust the rhythm, raised his hand and shot, and the three-pointer fell into the net.

105!

"Nice!"

Seeing this ball, Li Wan also called out.

How can you not love such a second-in-command?

LeBron James in the sidelines was stunned. Is this Chris a player like this?

Is he so hung up?

You know, when Chris Bosh was still in the Heat, he once thought that this guy could only close the door for a while.

Why does he open his hand for such a three-pointer against the defender?

Chris Bosh is in full swing.

Boozer's defense became more and more uncomfortable. Bosh's moves in the next period of time are actually very simple, as simple as two moves: if he makes up, the hanging man will immediately break through with the ball and use his speed to pass him by one step; If it is not made up, then the hanging man will directly jump three points.

After adjusting the rhythm of the dribble, Chris Bosh's three-point shooting ability is simply...

At the end of the first quarter, Chris Bosh had hit 2 shots.

To be honest, Boozer really wants to say to the head coach "I can't defend anymore, let someone else defend", but he is neither 38 years old, nor has an old groin injury or a sprained ankle, let alone that The status of the team, if you say this directly, Thibodeau will definitely be labeled as "problematic attitude".