NBA: Start with James Harden

How strong was Peja once been?

In 2006, Peja signed a five-year, $64 million contract with the Hornets.

Although the shooter’s basketball career has always collapsed due to injury, Peja continued his good form in the first two seasons of the Hornets, averaging 17.4 and 16.8 points per game, respectively, and shooting around 40% from three-point range.

In the 07-08 season, Peja played 77 games, the second highest of his career, shooting 44.1% from three-point range and averaging 3 three-pointers per game, both career highs.

In his second season with the Hornets, he worked with Paul, West and Chandler to put the Hornets to a team-best 56 wins in franchise history.

All along, Peja’s performance has made the outside world feel that he is not far from his peak.

On November 14, 2006, against the Charlotte Bobcats, Peja scored 42 points, the highest score of his career.

It’s hard to imagine that a super shooter’s career-high points would come late in his career, and that somehow shows that injuries have stolen talent from his career that should have been cashed in.

As a scorer, Peja’s output has been a steady and terrifying one, averaging more than 20 points in four seasons throughout his career, totaling more than 20 points in 318 games in his career, but only two of his games with more than 40 points per game.

Klay Thompson, who lacks “scoring explosiveness”, is the kind of player who can produce consistently every game and doesn’t take up too much of the ball.

Li Zhen clearly knew the characteristics of Peja.

Peja is considered the top scorer Paul’s career partner – whether it is the future Nick Young, Redick or Gordon, they do not have such a good hardware configuration as Peja.

2.03m height, excellent reach, average confrontation and speed, back + rubbing skills, and excellent passing ability that most full-time shooters on the flank do not have.

The shooter is the position that is least afraid of age.

This is a serious challenge for Li Zhen’s defense.

Peja’s movements will be frequent.

In order to play time, Li Zhen also gritted his teeth, telling himself that he must tear Peja madly and not give him any chance.

……….

It’s time for a two-minute break.

The players from both sides stood still.

Li Zhen still sat on the sidelines and picked up the towel, and Baria chattered next to Li Zhen.

“Li, although you have played well, you can’t be in a daze.”

“Your shouting in the last game wasn’t loud enough, and the towel waving posture was too soft.”

Baria’s instructions left Li Zhen speechless…

Someday, he’s going to get rid of this guy’s nagging.

I’m going up to cheer, not cheering for others.

…..

Mavericks starters: Kidd, Karon Butler, Marion, Nowitzki, Dampier

Hornets starters: Collison, Peja, Peterson, West, Okafor.

Fans at the Route Center Arena finally remembered Lee’s name after two consecutive matches.

Fans held signs with Li Zhen’s name.

The number of Li Zhen’s fans has also exceeded 1,000, and more and more fans are wearing Li Zhen’s jerseys to lead the stadium.

Compared with Novitsky’s low-key and simple personality, a prickly rookie like Li Zhen also gives fans more stimulation.

In the last game, Wade was said to have scolded Li Zhen in the locker room after the game, and vowed to greet Li Zhen well in Miami.

Such a conflict made Li Zhen’s fame even greater.

After the game started.

As Li Zhen expected, the stronger calf had the advantage.

In this era of not fast-paced, the Mavericks’ positional warfare is one of the strongest in the league, and even with Paul, it is difficult for the Hornets to have much advantage at home, let alone not now.

Nowitzki is the point where the Hornets can’t stop.

Collison is also immature, averaging 12.7 points and 5.4 assists per game this season, which is a good statistic among rookies, but meeting Kidd can only be educated.

Li Zhen has played one-on-one with Kidd, and Kidd’s physical confrontation is definitely the top existence among point guards.

The old guy is strong defensively, and Collison is embarrassed in front of Kidd.

The Hornets can only score with David West and Peja, both of whom have a high shooting percentage, and the two of them struggle to support the Hornets’ offense.

The pace of this game is too slow, and although the advantage is on the home side, the fans find it a bit boring.

Compared with the ups and downs after Li Zhen played the heat in the last game, the current game is too dull.

When will this No. 6 rookie be on board?

Isn’t it the second half again?

Just when the fans were waiting a little sleepy, Carlisle called a timeout and Li Zhen stood up.

There were 2 minutes and 02 seconds left in the first quarter.

Li Zhen appeared in the first section for the first time.

Carlisle continued to instruct after Li Zhen ran to the field: “Focus, focus, prevent that guy!!” ”

Peja had already hit three three-pointers in the first quarter.

The score was 15 to 21, with Peja alone scoring 3/5.

Li Zhen’s task is arduous.

Li Zhen nodded heavily at Carlisle, indicating that he was very confident.

When the timeout is up, the game resumes.

Accompanying Li Zhen were Terry, Butler, Heywood and Nahura.

And on the Hornets side are Collison, Thorton, Peja, James Posey, Okafor.

Hornets attack.

Li Zhen played time in the first quarter, and he was obviously excited, pressing Peja directly from the front.

Peja is 33 years old, has just played close to 10 minutes, and is a little tired.

However, for Li Zhen’s defense, Peja also said that it doesn’t matter, he has experienced too many games, and he has seen all kinds of defense.

Once in front, Peja started running.

Peja first cut straight to the right 45 degrees inward, followed by a pause and ran back to the bottom left line, he wanted to use the cover of his teammates to create gaps!

But Li Zhen’s defense is very positive, Peja’s speed does not have an absolute advantage, Li Zhen can keep up with him running.

Okafor’s cover was perfectly bypassed by Li Zhen.

Peja didn’t stand any chance.

Collison had to take a mid-range shot against Terry after a sudden step.

“Ugh!!”

17-21, Collison’s mid-range is solid.