The era of point forwards in the NBA

Chapter 278 Rookie Challenge

At halftime, the first-year rookie led by one point, but Lin Yue's statistics could only be considered average.

林跃目前为止9中4，三分球2中0，罚球2中2，仅有10分6助攻4篮板入账，表现还不如同队的埃文斯。

The latter scored 11 of 7 and scored 16 points, 2 assists and 2 rebounds. If he continues to play like this, even if the first grade wins the second grade, the MVP of the Rookie Challenge will still fall into his hands.

Lin Yue's fans were a little disappointed with Lin Yue's performance. As the favorite of the best rookie, he failed to play a dominant role, and the defensive strength of both sides was not strong. Some unguarded CIC Lin Yue failed to score.

This is a question of status.

The second-year side quietly discussed tactics on the bench. The second half of the game was the real battle, and the two sides needed to fight for the outcome.

Most of the previous games were won by the sophomores. After all, they played an extra year in the league, and their experience advantage was naturally stronger than that of rookies who just entered the league.

But this time Rose gave up the rookie challenge for the main game, and Griffin was also given up here in 09, which seems fair.

Before the draft, the 09 rookie was recognized by the media as a young player in the draft. Except for Lin Yue and Griffin who may play, the rest of the players are half-baked, and they may become parallel imports.

Hashim Thabeet can prove that they are right. After being selected by the Grizzlies, the guy who was once thought to have a chance to compete for the No. [-] pick before the game became dissatisfied, and his statistics and playing time continued to decrease, forming a vicious circle.

In the end, the high-ranked Jennings couldn't even make it to the rookie challenge. On the contrary, the low-ranked Jennings showed an offensive ability that experts didn't expect.

In the locker room, Harden, DeRozan, and Lin Yue were whispering. They were also discussing tactics. Obviously, the two sides would no longer treat it as an entertainment match in the second half.

Evans and Gibson who were passing by heard it and joined in.

"Who are you?" Evans asked. Although he was always secretly competing with Lin Yue, he also admired this young man in his heart. He couldn't lead the team to the playoffs.

The Kings' lineup was not bad, but Evans, the core player, had statistics but failed to save the team at critical moments. He was not as good as Lin Yue in terms of experience and ability.

There is nothing wrong with the latter becoming the favorite for the best rookie. When he thinks that the opponent is already the top voter of the All-Stars and serves as the starter of the Western Conference All-Stars, but he is obviously a rookie of the same class, but the gap is so big.

Sometimes, people really are completely different from each other.

All this means that Evans needs to learn from Lin Yue, not be hostile.

Even though the two had never spoken, Evans was still familiar with Lin Yue, an opponent who had been silently watching for a long time.

"It's nothing." Harden was still talking about the tactics to be used later, but he quickly denied it after being interrupted by Evans.

"Is the outcome of this game important?" Gibson asked.

Looking at the crowd gathered, more and more first-year rookies joined in.

"So, the outcome of this game is very important." Gibson said happily. He has long felt that it is boring to play like this. If there is no defense, the offense is just shooting and layup. It is not as confrontational as the regular season.

"This victory belongs to us, and I'm on fire." Gibson grabbed DeRozan's hand beside him and cheered.

This is really inexplicable, Lin Yue thought to himself that he didn't say anything, this person just imagined a lot of things with his own imagination, it's scary.

Harden echoed from the side, looking very excited.

Only DeRozan, who was forcibly paced, looked helpless, and he couldn't be ignited.

"I really hate this atmosphere." DeRozan said silently, he doesn't like this noisy atmosphere, it's just a game, as for?It's not gang fights.

DeRozan and Lin Yue stared wide-eyed, the timeout was almost over, and the players from both sides returned to the bench.

The first-year rookies were in high spirits at the scene, as if they regarded this game as the first finals of their careers. The strength of the opponent was obviously not bad, and they represented the overall strength of the 09 rookies.

Can't lose face.

The second graders were also in high spirits and their blood was boiling. Under the brainwashing of Westbrook, a hot-blooded young man with a temper, the members of the second grade also successfully joined the battle.

The commentator and the audience who are still chatting at this time don't know what will happen later.

……

The activities in the midfield are over, and the players of both sides return to the field.

The first-year lineup is Harden, Lin Yue, DeRozan, Evans and Gibson.

Jennings, Flynn, Jerebko and others sat on the bench waiting for the opportunity to play.

The second-year lineup is the same as at the beginning of the first quarter, Westbrook, Curry, Beasley, Gallinari and Kevin Love.

This guy, Beasley, doesn't care about their victory at all. He only thinks about himself. His purpose of participating is very simple, which is to win the MVP of the Rookie Challenge.

If you want to win the MVP, you must first win the victory, and the second is the data.

Therefore, Beasley's goal is the same as everyone else's, to fight for victory, so that he can be eligible for the MVP.

In the second grade, Curry dribbled the ball forward.

Curry was really frightened by Westbrook's passionate speech. Even the coach was stunned when he heard it. He thought this was a heartless guy, but he took the game very seriously.

Not to mention that he was serious because of the bet, even if there was no bet, he would still take the game seriously.

This iron-headed boy's dedication to basketball is strange.

If it wasn't for Curry's psychological preparation, he would probably have to be brainwashed, this guy is really contagious.

After halftime, Westbrook received a pass from Curry, used the cover of his teammates to kill the inside line, and dunked the ball into the net with speed and explosive bounce.

Although Gibson was ready to block shots, he didn't expect the opponent's speed to be so fast.

This slam dunk without slowing down shocked everyone, and the dull audience present was instantly aroused and stood up to applaud.

This is what a basketball game should be like, and taking it seriously will make the goal hard-won.

"It seems that the game is going to be interesting." Durant said with a smile.

After hearing Durant's words, James, Wade, Paul and others put away their mobile phones. Before the cheers of the audience sounded, they didn't pay attention to the game on the court.

For a player of this caliber, exhibition games aren't attractive enough.

However, that seems to be different now.

After Westbrook dunked the ball, he made an exaggerated celebration to show his muscles. It can be seen that his emotions are at their peak now.

Love, who has been with him for many years, can see that Westbrook is serious.

He didn't play well with the New York Knicks, and he finally found a suitable place to vent. He didn't need to use the cover of his teammates to force three-pointers in the offense. This kind of offensive freedom feels really comfortable.

64 to 65, the first goal in the second half, the second grade successfully overtook the score.

Slam dunks are the most difficult way to mobilize emotions, not only for the offensive side, but also for the defensive side.

After being dunked, Gibson's expression was ugly. He had just entered the court and hadn't entered the game state, and he was facing a slam dunk. Don't mention how uncomfortable this feeling is.

In the next round, Lin Yue dribbled the ball and launched another attack.

Gibson was stuck at the basket, with his back against Love and reaching out for the ball. He wanted to use his offense to respond to the opponent head-on.

Lin Yue understood in seconds and passed the ball to the basket.

Love pushed hard, not giving the opponent a chance to make an easy shot, and stuck the position, ready to prevent the opponent's layup after turning around.

Seeing the fierce confrontation between the two sides, Barkley in the commentary booth was dumbfounded. Isn’t this the Rookie Challenge? Why did he start to increase his defensive efforts? What did he say about the exhibition game that was agreed?

James, Wade and other All-Stars in the auditorium are interesting to watch. A group of juniors are competing. As an audience, this is quite worth watching.

Only Durant knew what happened, but he didn't know why all the members played seriously. Maybe they told other people about the bet.

A good challenge turned into a race.

Gibson has the advantage in height, but his physique is not as strong as Love's. After seeing that he couldn't hit his opponent, he fortunately withdrew from his position and chose to shoot from a place farther away from the basket.

Love naturally kept up with the defense. Under his interference, the mid-range shot missed.

Gallinari picked up the rebound.

This one-on-one between the centers is temporarily dominated by Love.

Gibson's skills at the basket are not delicate enough, and he is still learning when he just entered the league.

Independent attack is not what he is good at, Lin Yue is not clear, Gibson is only good at eating cakes now.

Fortunately, Gibson's defense is active, and his retreat speed is very fast, unlike an inside player.

The fast break of the second grade side failed.

Westbrook retreated beyond the three-point line to reorganize the offense, and Beasley began to reach for the ball.

On offense, he is very confident. People compare him with Durant. Now Durant has successfully fulfilled his talent and made the All-Star, but Beasley is still far behind.

This has something to do with his status in the Heat. He did not receive the same treatment as Durant and became the boss of the team. After all, the Heat still have Wade in his prime, and their goal is still the championship.

One is that the Heat have no time to train rookies, and the other is that Beasley himself is not up to date.

His defensive efficiency is much worse than Durant's, his offensive shot selection is not good, and his stability is not as good as Durant's. He is no longer a big killer in the NCAA. After coming to the NBA, he has become only scoring.

This time he wants to prove himself. In terms of scoring alone, he is still the offensive kaleidoscope.

Beasley changed directions continuously, faced DeRozan's defense, and finally turned around and layup to pass him. However, the position of his turn was just filled by Gibson, who gave Beasley a solid block.

Evans took the opportunity to get the ball, turned around and launched a counterattack.

The defensive intensity of both sides has increased, and the offensive efficiency has also decreased. This ball Beasley did not consider Gibson at the basket at all. He forgot that this was not the first half, and this was the end of the reckless attack on the inside.

Evans hit the ground to Lin Yue who was running ahead. Lin Yue caught the ball and raised his hand to avoid Westbrook who was catching up from behind with his speed.

66 to 65, after failing to score for two consecutive rounds, the first grade relied on Lin Yue's goal to overtake the score.

"This game has suddenly increased the intensity of defense. It seems that this year's Rookie Challenge is different from previous years." Barkley exclaimed. After several consecutive rounds and Westbrook's desperate pursuit just now, the seriousness of both sides seems to be higher than that of the regular season.

This kind of defense is really common in the Rookie Challenge.

Which rookie didn't come here to play, the usual games are tiring enough, it's irrational to go to the All-Stars to play seriously and risk injury.

However, the audience loves to watch, the game, it just needs intensity to be good.

Just dunking some undefended baskets there is not good.

Then, the second graders began to slowly organize the offense. Their lineup is definitely better than that of the first graders. First of all, the offense and defense are more mature.

Westbrook successfully passed Harden, and suddenly scored to Curry who was outside the three-point line. The latter faked a shot to point Lin Yue, and waited until Lin Yue missed the air before throwing the ball.

"Shua!" With a sound, the basketball hit the net.

After scoring the goal, Curry gestured three to Lin Yue, and twisted twice.

This is pure sarcasm.

He had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, and it felt so good to score a three-pointer against Lin Yue's defense.

Since entering the league, Lin Yue's skills have advanced by leaps and bounds. Now, Curry vaguely feels that he may not be able to beat Lin Yue in heads-up.

But now it seems that his three-point threat is still full.

Seeing Curry's snarky look, Lin Yue slapped his butt hard.

Then he received a pass from his teammate, and before Curry could react, he immediately launched a fast break.

A European step escaped Gallinari's interfering hand and played a fast break again.

68 to 68, the two sides tied again.

In the next few rounds, both sides failed to score. DeRozan missed the mid-range after turning around. The ball was already slow for Beasley's defensive action, but DeRozan still missed the shot.

The second-year team launched a counterattack, and Gallinari's fast-break three-pointer was also short, hitting the front of the basket.

The two sides went back and forth like this, and after a few rounds, Harden stood at the free throw line, ending the scoring drought for a period of time.

The two sides began to change players. Lopez, Mayo, and Gasol got the chance to play. The height of the second-year side has increased a lot. It will become very difficult for the next-year team to attack at the basket.

The first-year side also made substitutions. Jerebko replaced Evans to strengthen their height, but compared to the second-year side, their inside line is still a bit worse.

Harden made two free throws to make it 70-68.

Westbrook and Xiaojia played a pick-and-roll cooperation. After the lineup was adjusted, the offensive tactics of the second grade also changed.

Westbrook hit the ground to Xiaojia who cut down, and the latter scored a layup against Jerebko.This is the advantage of body.

Jerebko's defense of this kind of inside line is completely insufficient, and Xiaojia's delicate touch makes Jerebko's interference useless.

The two sides drew again, and the audience at the scene watched very happily.

In this way, there is no so-called home team and visiting team, and you don't need to think about who wins or loses to enjoy a high-intensity game. This is enjoyment.

(End of this chapter)