rpbooks Chapter 429
Chapter 429
Chapter 429
The Staples Center witnessed the Spurs sweeping the Clippers to advance to the second round the night before, and tonight, this venue is used as the home of the Lakers, preparing to host the fifth game of the Lakers Rockets series.
In last night's game, the top Cavaliers in the East also swept the Hornets 4-0 and advanced to the second round strongly, waiting for their opponents in the second round ahead of schedule.So far, among the championship-level teams predicted by the media before the start of the playoffs, only the Lakers are still stuck in the first round and have to face the Rockets' two match points.
The Spurs have already advanced, and now they have to wait for the results of this round of the Rockets Lakers series. The winner will meet them in the second round.The second round between the Thunder and the Warriors will begin soon. Westbrook and Durant will lead the Thunder against the Warriors led by Curry and Klay Thompson.
Xu Tian endured an unimaginable media storm, but he maintained his mentality. He came to the Staples Center in Boss Jin's car and was still watching the game in the locker room.Regardless of the outcome, he will be there for his teammates.
Kobe put on over-ear headphones when he came to the court. The purpose is to block all external sounds and adjust his body and mind to the strongest state.He is the backbone of the current Lakers team. When Xu Tian was unable to play due to a suspension, he needed to help the team survive the game.
Although no one of the Rockets players said anything, they all knew in their hearts that if the game was not won, Xu Tian's suspension would end. Even if the sixth game was played at the Toyota Center, the Rockets' home court, their chances of winning were still not great.This is due to strength, and it really cannot be crossed.
Bickerstaff tried his best to let the players forget that this is the fifth game, show all their strength, don't think about the second round of hidden moves or other factors, and strive to advance in this game.Otherwise, there are too many variables in the future, and he dare not think about it at all.
Harden's heart is very complicated. On the one hand, he is afraid that Kobe's career will end with a first-round exit, and on the other hand, he is afraid that the team will not be able to withstand Xu Tian's comeback.In such a difficult situation, he still decided to follow his heart and want to win the game.
ESPN has made another special program for this game, which will be played before the game to analyze the possible impact of this game.
With Rachel Nichols still serving as host, McGrady, Reggie Miller, Stephen A. Smith and Mark Jackson were invited into the studio to talk about where the game might go.
Reggie Miller is more optimistic about the Lakers, saying: "The Lakers have shown strong strength in the last game in Houston. As long as they can maintain the state of playing in this game, coupled with the favorable scale of whistleblowing at home, they have every chance to win the series. Keep dragging on."
Mark Jackson put his hands on the table and said: "The whole world knows that the Lakers want to drag the series to the sixth game. To determine the final result of the first round, it is impossible for the Rockets not to exert their full strength. The current lineup of the Lakers is still slightly inferior to the Rockets."
Stephen A. Smith is more inclined to the Rockets, saying: "The Rockets will resolutely double-team Paul George on the defensive end, while Kobe will face the Rockets' strongest perimeter defender, either Trevor Ariza or Patrick. Beverly. Such a defensive formation will make the Lakers extremely uncomfortable."
McGrady said: "This is the key to the Rockets' victory, but the Lakers are not completely without opportunities. The backcourt combination of Paul George, Kobe and Warren has a great height advantage, and it also tests the Rockets' defense."
TNT did not do a special program, and sent Barkley and Kenny Smith to the Staples Center to explain the focus of the game live.The two of them are analyzing the progress of the entire playoffs, and believe that Xu Tian's suspension may directly ruin the Lakers' hope of advancing.
Xu Tian has nothing to do these few days, and simply thought of a few encouraging words. Although he didn't know if it would be effective, he decided to give it a try. He gathered his teammates around him, first glanced at the dozen or so people, and then said: "I I know that many people will blame everything on fate when adversity comes, thinking that it is their own bad luck. But I never think so, I always think, is my effort not enough, if I try my best Will it still be the result of going all out? No one can know the answer in advance, but this is not a reason to stop. There will always be one or two times in an athlete's career, and he needs to let go of all worries and devote all his abilities to the game Among them, right now, at such a time, the team has no way out, in short, this game must be won. I want to ask you, do you have confidence in yourself?"
After listening to Xu Tian's words carefully, Kobe reacted first, and answered with "yes" neatly.
Xu Tian didn't wait for the rest of his teammates, and then asked: "Are you ready to give your all for your teammates?"
The number of teammates who answered "yes" this time increased significantly!
"Are you ready to win a crucial victory for a city that has always loved you?"
"Yes!" This time, fourteen players answered without hesitation at the same time, and the momentum was very large.
The home team's locker room is well soundproofed, so only this louder answer reached the visiting team's locker room.The Rockets players were inexplicable, not knowing what happened in the Lakers locker room.
Scott and Mark Madsen did not participate in the mobilization among the players, and watched the whole process from the perspective of bystanders, and they were impressed by Xu Tian's leadership again.This is the role that many veterans in the locker room will play. They didn't expect Xu Tian to be able to do it.
Xu Tian waited until the mobilization of all players was over, called Nance Jr., Clarkson, Nick Young, and McGee to a corner out of the way, and said, "Larry, Jordan, Nick, JaVale, you don't need to think about anything during the game. Even if the game is lost, I will bear all the responsibilities. When you come off the bench, just play according to the usual training, as long as you can score, you will complete the task, and the rest will be handed over to Kobe and Paul George."
Nick Yang and Xu Tian are the spokespersons of Li-Ning, while McGee admires Xu Tian very much. Clarkson and Nance Jr. trust him very much. Hearing his words, the tension in their hearts disappeared a lot unconsciously.Such a situation in such a key game is really uncommon.
Xu Tian finished everything he could do, arranged his equipment, sat on a chair in the locker room, and prepared to quietly watch this fateful match.
Kobe and George walked up to Xu Tian who was sitting, high-fived him, followed his teammates out of the locker room, and trotted through the player tunnel into the court.
(End of this chapter)