Chapter 138 [Low-key life, high-profile work]
The Lakers' offensive end can create a one-on-one opportunity for the "ok combination", while Guo Xu and Horry's pick-and-roll can also create a misalignment opportunity.
Kukoc is a big guy with strong offense and weak defense. Once Iverson chases and defends a little slower, he will have to face Guo Xu's breakthrough. Brown replaced Ratliff to defend the pick-and-roll, and there will be problems in the penalty area again. Sophomore rookie Todd is too forced to defend O'Neal alone.
The Lakers' tridents were opened, while the 76ers were weak in offense. They only rely on Iverson and McGee scored. It was useless to replace George Lynch in the second half, so they would still strengthen their defense.
At the end of the first half, the Lakers led 47-38.
In the third quarter, Guo Xu performed well, hit two three-pointers, successfully counterattacked in two misplaced times, passed Kukochi and scored a layup, causing 76ers substitute center Nazl Mohammed to foul, making both free throws, and scored 10 points and 2 assists in a single quarter.
Iverson made 2 of 7 shots in this quarter, made 1 of 1 free throw, scored 5 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist.
He is really brave and often forcibly breaking through and layups against double teams. In order to gain space, most of his shooting actions are irregular and he loses the center of gravity three times because of inertia.
Whenever Iverson used exaggerated moves to make a layup, the 76ers would be in trouble on the defensive end and was immediately counterattacked by Guo Xu, Kobe and George. When Iverson got up and returned to defense, Guo Xu rushed through the half, and Bolt couldn't catch up with such a long distance.
At this time, no one discovered that Guo Xu was better than Iverson in one detail. He could always ensure a good center of gravity, which is a very good habit. The more stable the center of gravity, the more accurate the shooting, and the players are not easily injured.
When people dance, there is a saying that the center of gravity shifts. Guo Xu can find the right point of force to maintain a steady position during the movement, just like the fulcrum of a rotating gyroscope. This is an amazing ability.
In the final quarter, Guo Xu continued to play, playing for 7 minutes, and relied on pick-and-roll offense to get rid of Iverson and made a three-pointer. He was replaced and rested. The Lakers led by 17 points, and had already secured the victory against the 76ers, which did not make much three-pointer.
The Lakers beat the 76ers 101 to 85 in the end.
Iverson played for 44 minutes, made 9 of 27 shots, 1 of 4 three-pointers, 8 of 9 free throws, scored 27 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, and his shooting percentage was only 33.3%, which was simply unaware.
Guo Xu played for 32 minutes, made 6 of 13 shots, 3 of 7 three-pointers, 2 of 2 free throws, scored 17 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 turnovers.
Just looking at the data, Iverson seems to be nothing great, and his offensive efficiency is not as good as Guo Xu, but after watching the game, you will know that the two face different defensive intensity.
Guo Xu was most touched on the court. If he and Iverson were asked to switch teams, he would not be able to break the Lakers' double teams, and it would be difficult to barely take action. The 76ers' help to Iverson is limited, and the number of pick-and-rolls is not large, because the inside players lack the range and are easily let out.
It was precisely because the 76ers blue-collar workers were unremittingly shooting near the penalty area that O'Neal performed well in the second half, played for 40 minutes, scored 22 points, 20 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 blocks, and scored a correct triple-double.
Kobe made 12 of 21 shots, 1 of 3 three-pointers, 5 of 5 free throws, and scored 30 points and 4 assists, and his data was better than Iverson.
At the press conference, reporters asked Guo Xu to comment on Iverson.
Guo Xu said bluntly: "He is very strong, and I can't defend against one-on-one. His change of direction is very sharp, which made me realize some of my own shortcomings. When he became the top scorer, he inspired many young people like me. I am honored to be able to compete with him today."
The reporters were all a little disappointed. They hoped to see Guo Xu be more arrogant, saying that he had a higher hit rate and more reasonable playing style, so that he could be topical.
But Guo Xu no longer wants to hype himself in this way. It is reasonable to have a star teammate partner. When a teammate is not strong, who can guarantee that he will have a star to be a teammate for the rest of his life? He hopes that one day he can become the star of a teammate, take more responsibilities, and cannot speak too much.
If you are low-key, you will be more steady every time; if you are high-profile, you will be better every time.
Even for the rebirth, Guo Xu can't be with whoever he wants to be with. Sign ups and drafts are the job of the management, and players cannot be too much finger-telling unless he becomes a superstar.
For example, James can speak out on the media and Twitter to win a premium contract for his younger brother Tristan Thompson and JR Smith, and then he will go to the Lakers.
A reporter deliberately asked: "Today Iverson's shooting percentage is very low, and he missed 18 shots. Don't you think you have the credit for this?"
Guo Xu smiled: "I don't like bragging. Iverson's low shooting percentage today is because he was double-teamed. His teammates performed much better than me on the defensive end. When I was passed, they helped me make up for the leak without complaint. It would be too much if I counted the credit on myself."
The reporter asked: "Iverson is your idol? I think you admire him very much."
Guo Xu shook his head: "No, we are just opponents. I do admire him. Maybe it's because of his eyes. I can see that he loves basketball and games."
People say that the eyes are the windows of the soul. The body and behavior can deceive people, but the eyes will never deceive people. Every look represents a mood and reflects a state. Whether it is good or bad, it is the most reflective of the human heart.
Iverson's eyes are changeable, sometimes flashing with light; sometimes it is low and tears will soon shed; sometimes it makes you feel that he is an innocent child; sometimes it makes you feel that he is a very dangerous madman. Every time the camera is closed to Iverson, no matter what his eyes look like, fans will be deeply attracted because his eyes are very clear.
No matter how bad Iverson has made on the court, he is focused on the court. Through the TV screen, you can feel his love for basketball. Maybe he is not reasonable enough to play basketball, but he is hard enough to win.
At night, Guo Xu drove home and couldn't fall asleep for a long time.
When defeating the Spurs, he felt that if he continued to develop like this, he would become an All-Star one day. As long as he joined a fast-paced team, he might be able to stand at the top of the NBA.
Today he found that he was not strong enough. If he went to a weak team as the core and had no star partners, his shooting rate would definitely be greatly reduced and his data would not be much better.
His current situation is like the Lakers' center "Little Shark" Bynum in his previous life. He has some strength, but he is not an All-Star yet.
In a game against the Clippers, the Lakers team helped Bynum create opportunities. He scored 42 points in that game, one more point than Yao Ming's highest score in a single game. Does anyone think Bynum is better than Yao Ming? "The Little Shark" cannot attract double teams. He only benefited from Gasol and Kobe's tactics. Odom's role is greater than him before his brain is demented.
As soon as he left the Lakers, Bynum lost his familiar tactical system and quickly fell to the point where he had no ball to play, becoming a representative of the scrubbing and cutting.
How can I become stronger as soon as possible?
Lying in bed, Guo Xu fantasized about the future. It would be great if he could enter the time loop again. That bug-style exercise method really works. If his physical fitness is comparable to Iverson, everything may be solved.
Chapter completed!