Chapter 228 The Fierceness of Su Feng

On the 4th, the Lakers and Warriors continued their Western Conference semifinals G2 battle at Oracle Arena.

Little Zhan Zhan, who scored 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists for the Warriors in the last game, changed his game plan in this one.

As everyone knows.

Whether in his prime or late in his career.

Because his scoring style differs from Su Feng and Kobe, James's stamina has always been the barometer of his teams.

In simple terms...

Because James's playing style dictates that while he has consistent and steady scoring, he lacks explosive scoring.

So, in games, once his stamina is depleted, the team he's on is prone to collapse.

This has nothing to do with James's personal ability.

But in the history of modern basketball, the only player who combines explosiveness and stability is Su Feng.

Leaving aside the views of some famous Jordan haters.

Michael Jordan in his prime was amazing, right?

But no matter how amazing Jordan was, his burst damage was just a little brother in front of Su Feng.

Therefore, looking back on Little Zhan Zhan's career in Su Feng's memory, it's easy to see.

More than a super inside player, he needs a super outside player to partner with him to evenly distribute his stamina.

During the Heat era, even though Wade and James weren't fully compatible, the Heat still made it to the Finals four years in a row.

And in the second Cavaliers era, before Irving went crazy, the second-era Cavaliers were also one of the strongest contenders for the championship at the time.

In this life, Su Feng's appearance indirectly or directly influenced James's growth.

However, James's innate characteristics determined that he was destined to never be considered "cool."

This season, before G2, the Warriors generally preferred to use Curry and Klay to create initial scoring opportunities for James.

Because this way, James would not only get a more ideal environment for attacking, but he could also use his subsequent attacks to further drive his teammates.

James, who had plenty of stamina to spare even in the final quarter of G1, was the best proof that the Warriors relied on this tactic to reach second place in the regular season in this shortened season.

However, the Warriors' loss in G1 also told Van Gundy and James.

As long as that man can do whatever he wants in the game.

Then the Warriors can only use "magic" to fight "magic."

So, in G2, James changed.

On the court, as soon as the game started, he, shouldering the responsibility of opening up the situation for his teammates, scored 6 points in a row.

When stamina is plentiful, the Lakers' infinite rotation can effectively limit the Warriors' outside shooting.

But even without the objective influence of the referees, just relying on Su Feng and Stephenson, it would be difficult for them to stop James's attacks on the court after he figured things out.

After all, rim protection...

Has always had nothing to do with how well you can defend.

But rather, it depends on whether your interior height is sufficient.

In Su Feng's previous life, why did Kristaps Porziņģis, before suffering consecutive major injuries, make Knicks fans shout "so good"?

Because at 221 centimeters tall, he was also a rare interior barrier who was over 220 centimeters tall and had extremely fast movement speed, in addition to scoring.

In his first three seasons, Porziņģis's average blocks and average fouls were 2.0 and 3.2, respectively.

The former reflects Porziņģis's deterrence in the interior, while the latter highlights Porziņģis's defensive rotation rate.

In Su Feng's original timeline, Duncan, before his major injuries, also had around 2 blocks and 3 fouls per game on average.

Because apart from those blue-collar players who come up to take foul counts for the core players, most core interior players' foul counts are basically linked to their defensive aggressiveness.

Of course...

You can't completely explain the problem just by looking at the number of fouls.

Because if you're a "silly Griffin" type of "tyrannosaurus," then even if your defensive rotation is in place, you're just giving the opponent two free throws for nothing.

So, do you know why Griffin suddenly went downhill after suffering a major injury in 2019?

Because his hands were too short to applaud Lin Huang of Lingard, who came out of nowhere next door, how could the world of sports still accommodate "silly Griffin," this "tyrannosaurus"?

In short, no matter how scary James is in his prime, Su Feng, who taught him how to play basketball since he was a child, isn't afraid.

But added to the theoretical ceiling brought by Curry and Klay...

James's current ability value isn't as simple as concrete numbers can reflect.

As the saying goes, even when criticizing James, you have to adhere to the basic laws of criticizing James.

Otherwise, if you lowball James's value...

Isn't that the same as criticizing your own idol?

Just like Pippen dared to criticize Jordan because Jordan "really wasn't good."

If you criticize him correctly, you can reap the applause of the entire era like Pippen.

Oracle Arena, this night, the two old men from Lower Merion were sanctioned.

Because after James successfully established an advantage for the Warriors at the start, in the subsequent game, Stephen, who was irritated by Seth in the first game, started "shooting everywhere" on the outside at the drop of a hat.

Just like the description in Stephen Curry's biography.

This baby face, who never looks like the most dangerous player on the court...

Is a natural killer.

Even if, before bulking up, the Lakers effectively limited Stephen's performance on the court in the first game by switching to a one-three-one zone defense.

But once he finds his touch, then with James needing Su Feng to match up and Klay needing Kobe to guard, it will be difficult for Seth to annoy his older brother like he did in the first game.

In the first half, the Akron brothers took turns to cause trouble.

After halftime, the Lakers switched to Stephenson to match up with James, Su Feng sat in the interior, and Green chased Curry.

But...

As the Akron brothers continued to connect successfully through the defensive gaps after the Lakers' stamina dropped.

Facts have proved.

All the theoretical matchups thought of beforehand.

In the end, it still depends on the players' own performance on the court.

Just like in G1, Coach Lue couldn't have predicted that Kobe would suddenly put on Su Feng's jersey in the fourth quarter.

The greatest charm of basketball games and competitive sports lies precisely in this.

In the end, relying on the excellent performance of James and Curry, who combined for 62 points, the Warriors successfully pulled back a game in G2.

The final score of this game was 115 to 128.

Veteran Su Feng had an average performance.

Only scoring 44 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists.

And veteran Kobe was even more average.

Only scoring 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 11 assists.

After the game...

Looking at Van Gundy's mysterious smile at the end of G2...

Su Feng always felt that he had seen that "ugly" face somewhere before!

Oh, right!

In the past two years, whenever the Lakers won, it seemed that Coach Lue on the sidelines also liked to smile like that.

No, Jeff!

We only brought 8 people on this trip to Oakland...

You don't think a 1-1 record is something to be proud of, do you?

Uh...

If he were referring to his view of this series, Van Gundy certainly wouldn't feel proud.

Because without being able to seize the home-court advantage during the Lakers' weakest period...

The balance of this series has already begun to tilt towards the Lakers.

But the process of these two games.

Has made the Warriors' willpower even stronger.

If there really is a team in this era that can truly end the "Lower Merion Era" in the future.

Then in the eyes of the Warriors' management...

That team must be the Golden State Warriors.

Next year.

The year after that.

And the year after that.

Every year, the Lakers will become more and more "weak."

And the Warriors will become stronger and stronger.

In Los Angeles, Little Buss was numb after watching this G2 game with his old father at home.

Because he never imagined that his best brother, Jerry West, would have quietly built such a terrifying team.

And after glancing at Little Buss...

Old Buss turned around with a smile and chose to go to sleep.

Many historical threads of Su Feng's previous life are no longer verifiable.

But in this life, Old Buss knows that for more than ten years, Jerry West has been communicating with himself in different ways from afar.

He isn't an ambitious man like Phil Jackson, who only wants to seize the Buss family's property.

As an operator who likes to work behind the scenes.

He is also waiting for the day when Little Buss completely takes power and returns to the Lakers.

Palace intrigue?

Logo Man has never liked and will not get involved.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to leave the Lakers when the Lakers dynasty was being built in Su Feng's memory, on the grounds that he wanted to embrace new challenges.

As for going to the Clippers later...

No matter how you look at it...

Logo Man seemed to be venting his anger for Little Buss, who was defeated by Aunt Jeanie in the palace intrigue. (Note 1)

In 2017, after transferring from the Warriors to the Clippers to serve as a team consultant...

In the beginning, many people questioned whether all of Logo Man's previous achievements were due to his good luck.

But with "PG" and "Kawhi," who had been rumored to be linked to the Lakers for several years, successively airdropping to Los Angeles...

And bringing in Coach Lue to coach.

Without exaggeration, in terms of team building, it's not an exaggeration to call Logo Man "yyds" in the NBA.

And replaying the Lakers' historical line, it's not hard to find...

Little Buss is stupid, but if this Iron Kobe fan continues to lead the Lakers...

Then the Lakers may really be able to assemble the NBA's strongest forward lineup consisting of Tatum (strongly recommended by Kobe), Kawhi, and PG (Logo Man is responsible for seduction) in the future.

Although in the short term...

This lineup may not necessarily ensure that the Lakers can immediately win a championship.

But based on Kobe's enthusiasm for still running back to the Lakers from time to time after retiring to teach young players how to play...

It's really hard to deny that this lineup has a bright future.

This night.

At Oracle, the Lakers lost.

But for Old Buss, who was already asleep.

He dreamed that after his death, the Lakers would continue to shine under Little Buss's leadership.

...

Finishing their two-game road trip, the Lakers returned to Los Angeles overnight.

The "flu army" that had previously suffered from the flu has confirmed that they can play in the third game of this Western Conference semifinals.

And in the past two days, in addition to competing on the practice court every day, Su Feng also took Kobe to work out several rookies who received workout invitations from the Lakers.

As a year that can't be considered a big year, but also can't be considered a small year, the overall quality of the 2012 class is decent.

In addition to the headliners in the first round, such as "AD," Beal, Lillard, and "Drummond," there's even a big baby like "Draymond Green" in the second round.

However, compared to "Draymond Green," Su Feng had already told Kupchak last summer about the Lakers' only goal in this year's draft.

Su Feng knows that as Kobe gets older, he not only needs a more reliable substitute.

At the same time, the Lakers also need a player who can solve problems for himself and Kobe at critical moments.

And coincidentally...

In 2012, there really is such a player who is not welcomed before the start of the draft.

Because he was already 21 years old when he entered the NBA draft.

Plus, he suffered a serious knee injury in his junior year.

Therefore, even though swingmen have dominated the recent NBA drafts in this life.

Khris Middleton still can't enter the first round in the draft website's predictions.

Before working out for the Lakers.

The Lakers asked Middleton to turn down other teams' workout invitations to him.

And as the future True Jordan of that Bucks team.

Although "Alphabet Man" will be more popular in the Bucks team in the future.

But a player like "Mi Jordan" who can be both a role player and a big C at critical moments...

How could Su Feng miss him?

What "card frame version of Su Feng" and "Jordan's illegitimate son."

For Su Feng, who is well-prepared for his and Kobe's late careers...

After selecting "Mi Jordan" in this year's draft, he has already made preparations for Kupchak to use next year's Lakers draft pick and some players in a trade.

Although in the 2013 draft, there's "Alphabet Man," nicknamed the strongest Rodman in history, and Gobert, who is brave enough to "crown" the three armies...

But those are not Su Feng's cup of tea.

And based on Su Feng's prediction of this Warriors' growth...

Next season, if the Lakers can't strengthen key positions.

Then this Warriors team, whose growth rate far exceeds expectations, will definitely be unstoppable.

Therefore, Su Feng, who has always had a good training experience for outside role players, doesn't want to waste the Lakers' precious time and resources on "Alphabet Man" and "Gobert," who still need time to grow.

Next season, as soon as "Whiteside" picks up the "system" in Bunny Country, the Lakers, who have been paying attention to him for a whole year, will send him a summons.

And with Gasol, Jordan, and "Whiteside" as the three "idiots" on the inside, what the Lakers need most is undoubtedly a player who can lock down Curry.

A player with extremely high defensive IQ.

And excellent tactical literacy.

A player who can seamlessly connect with Su and Kobe.

And if it was a few years earlier, then in Su Feng's opinion, the Lakers may not be able to impress the other party with their existing chips.

But this season, with Dragic's growth...

Plus, because even though he touched the Finals floor in this life, he has been unable to take the team any further in recent years...

Su Feng believes...

The success rate of this plan that he discussed with Kupchak has already exceeded 90%!

And, because the Lakers' ideal target has repeatedly proven that he "can't take on the important task" at critical moments.

Therefore, Su Feng doesn't have to worry that after trading him back, people will think that the Lakers are robbing and forming a group.

Huh?

You're saying that Chris Paul, no matter how bad he is, is at least an All-Star point guard?

Uh...

Who told you that Su Feng's ideal target is Chris Paul?

What a joke.

In this life.

Among all the guards who have cooperated with him, Su Feng, is there anyone stronger than Rajon Rondo? (Iverson, Nash: ?)

May 6th.

Just as the two old men from Lower Merion were beating up Middleton, who came to work out, on the practice court...

In this series between the Heat and the Sixers.

This isn't the first time in recent years that the Heat have used Lowry instead of Rondo in the fourth quarter.

Although in name, Rondo is the soul of this Heat team.

But with the development and progress of the NBA...

Rondo, whose shooting progress has been extremely slow in recent years, is often benched by Spoelstra at critical moments.

As a famous coach.

Please don't doubt Spoelstra's judgment.

Because whether from efficiency or actual impression, players such as Milicic and Horford are more efficient when they are on the court with Lowry.

Therefore, in order to avoid the opponent from taking the "Hack-a-Rondo" tactic in desperation, benching Rondo in the final quarter has become one of the Heat's classic tactics in recent years.

Therefore, Rondo has also gained a nickname in the streets.

The most unworthy All-Star player in the current NBA.

In the NBA...

At least before "Alphabet Man" used a knife to slash everyone's butt, which opened everyone's eyes...

As a team leader, even Jason Kidd has had highlight moments of going in and out of the enemy camp seven times.

So...

A core guard who can't play at critical moments and whose performance on the court has been suppressed by his substitute (Lowry) in recent years...

Why do you say he's an All-Star player?

There's no doubt.

Rondo isn't having a good time in Miami right now.

And, because Riley likes to control Spoelstra more than he likes to control himself...

So since the 11/12 season started.

This isn't the first time that Rondo has been seriously thinking about his future.

Miami.

The Heat successfully relied on their team advantage to win the Sixers led by Yao again in Game 2.

But as the saying goes, winning isn't awkward, it's awkward for whoever is missing.

Fan: Yo, isn't this the famous All-Star guard Rajon Rondo?

How many points did you get today?

Rondo: P-Point guard... What's wrong with scoring less?

Fan: Then you must have grabbed a lot of rebounds, right?

Rondo: The rebounds that I, I worked hard to grab myself, why do you call them picked up?

Fan: I heard that you were benched by Lowry again in the fourth quarter?

Rondo: I, I'm sacrificing for the team, don't you understand?

After Game 2 between the Heat and the Sixers, both the Chinese and English internets were filled with laughter.

And Los Angeles...

In Game 3, Van Gundy personally experienced once again...

Just how terrifying "stingy Su Feng" is!

The fully staffed Lakers relied on Su Feng's 51 points in Game 3 to successfully rewrite their series record with the Warriors to 2-1.

In this game, Gasol and Jordan took turns playing.

With the idea of stopping James's attack even if they fouled.

Often, before James's kamikaze truck could drive into the Lakers' interior, a strong man like Su Feng would hang on his arm.

With everyone back, the Lakers don't have to worry about running out of players due to too many fouls like they did in Oakland.

Of course...

Whether in his previous life or this life, the "curse" of Staples Center on Stephen Curry is also a key reason why the Lakers won Game 3.

In Su Feng's previous life, because he often missed shots at Staples, reporters asked Curry more than once why he always misses shots at Staples.

And in response...

Curry's answer was also very interesting:

I don't know why, if you know, please tell me.

There's no doubt.

Those people who always criticize Kobe for being a brick can all "shut up"!

Because Curry has proven with his actions.

The reason why Kobe is a brick is because he has to play at least 40 games at Staples every year.

To put it bluntly.

Is that because Kobe is a brick?

It's clearly because the rims at Staples have always been jealous of those beautiful shots!

In Game 3, the final score between the Warriors and the Lakers was 101 to 119.

According to the schedule, the two teams will play again after a day of rest.

On the other side...

Mavs fans watched the game between the Mavericks and the Trail Blazers in Dallas with all kinds of anxiety and uneasiness...

Now.

Leading the Trail Blazers 3-0.

Logically speaking, Mavs fans should be happy about this.

But as this fairy tale continues...

They are increasingly worried that this dream will suddenly wake up one day.

Paul and his teammates, who played with injuries, couldn't stop the Mavericks, who were doing their best.

But...

Because they have never experienced success in the past eight years, always serving as a backdrop for Su Feng.

Therefore, at the moment when the Mavericks pushed open the door to the Western Conference Finals...

Dallas has become increasingly quiet from the previous hustle and bustle.

However, the people of Dallas don't know at this moment.

The man they have always feared the most...

Is currently troubled by how to eliminate this Warriors team.

In Game 4 between the Lakers and the Warriors.

The Warriors pulled back a game.

The young Klay Thompson hasn't evolved into Buddha yet.

But the five three-pointers he made this night were enough to help James create a sunny road to happiness.

Unlike Su Feng and Kobe, who are self-abusers.

Although Klay has always been known for his dedication in training.

But off the court, he will never miss out on the women.

Klay had a crazy time at nightclubs in Los Angeles these past two days.

So on the court, he also went crazy.

After the game, in the Lakers' locker room, looking at Kobe, who was rubbing his knee and rubbing his arm...

At this moment, Su Feng had already experienced the feeling of "Old Rogue" facing that Philadelphia Sixers team back then.

So...

People always have to pay back when they come out to play.

"Damn it, they're all young people, why are those four in Seattle so bad?"

This day, looking at the Mavericks, whose physical condition was relatively good in the Western Conference semifinals because they advanced 4-0 in the first round...

Looking back at James, Curry, and Klay, who wanted to break their legs in Game 4...

Su Feng probably understands a little...

Why in his memory, only Durant has won two championships out of the Durant-Harden-Westbrook trio.

Details determine success or failure.

Character determines destiny.

Differences in mentality can often affect the final outcome of a game.

For example, after losing Game 4, Su Feng and Kobe adjusted the next day, one holding a Storm Axe and the other holding Thor's Hammer, and started practicing shooting on the practice court.

Lost.

No big deal, just start over!

Where there's a will, there's a way!

...

ps: I lost it! I originally wanted to set a timed update and get a good night's sleep, but when I woke up and looked, I actually set it to 0:05 on the 21st! Damn it, luckily I got up early! I quickly updated it manually, and then continued to write!

ps: But, or should I write from morning to night in the future, and then set it to be published in the morning after I finish writing? Otherwise, I'm afraid that all of you readers will suffer from all kinds of diseases like me if you stay up with me every day!