rpbooks Chapter 435 Adversity
Chapter 435 Adversity
Chapter 435 Adversity
Howard once led the team to the finals, but that was seven years ago. Standing on the free throw line, he inexplicably remembered the scene of that year.At that time, he was still the strongest defensive inside player in the league. With the one-star four-shooter lineup that the Magic created for him, he reached the finals when he was not optimistic.At that time, no one did not praise him twice.
Now that things are going downhill, Howard is often targeted by opponents for fouls. Not only is his glory gone, but he is also a bit bleak.He is inexplicably clear in his heart that if he loses this round of the series, his Rockets career will come to an end.
The NBA is such a league. When you are a superstar, wealth, fame, status, etc. will come to you, and if there is a decline, you will lose everything quickly.This has happened to many NBA stars. Although they may be able to return to the home team to retire decently in the end, their status is far less than at their peak.
Xu Tian didn't have time to lament the cruelty of the commercial league, so he leaned forward nervously, paying attention to Howard's free throw.
Howard adjusted his breathing continuously, changed his free throw action at the same time, and made every attempt to hit the free throw.His attempt worked, and he hit two free throws by accident!
81-86!
Howard is a child at heart, and he made two free throws, as if leading the team to win this round of the series, and smiled happily.This is a part of the considerable difference between his and Kobe's personalities, and it is also one of the reasons for parting ways.
In the following three consecutive rounds, both sides failed to hit the shot, and both ended in iron strikes.
Harden hit the back edge of the basket with a shot, Howard grabbed the second from the basket, violently fought for the offensive rebound, ignored the joint defense of Tyson Chandler and McGee, and dunked the ball directly into the basket.At this time, he seemed to have really returned to the finals in 09, to fulfill the dream he always felt regretful about!
81-88!
With 1 minute and 52 seconds left in the time, the rules no longer allow fouls on players without the ball, and Howard can be freed from the hacking tactics that plagued him.
Kobe's left foot injury has begun to affect his movement, but he can't control it too much. He trotted to the frontcourt, faced Harden on the left side, and began to grab positions directly.This is the last moment, and he doesn't want to leave himself with regrets.
George held the ball at the top of the arc, facing the double-team defense of Ariza and D'Angelo Russell, he had difficulty dribbling, and he was unable to calmly organize the offense.
Ariza's right hand touched George's dribble and came close to stealing it.
Ariza, D'Angelo Russell and George all leaped at the basketball and fought for the floor ball, making the whole situation look chaotic.
George looked at the basketball rolling on the floor, stretched out his hands quickly, held it in his arms, and tried to call a timeout.
Ariza didn't want to give up the ball that was enough to help the team win the game. He jumped over George, hugged the basketball in George's arms with both hands, and tried to grab the ball.
D’Angelo Russell also fell to the floor, adding to the chaos with his hands reaching for the ball that George and Ariza were fighting for.
The referee didn't let the situation last, blowing his whistle and calling for a jump ball between George and Ariza.
George was eager to win, and was not very satisfied with the referee's penalty. He rushed over and asked, "Before Trevor touched the ball, he pressed his whole body over me. He should be punished for a defensive foul, not for both sides. Scrimmage."
The referee did not directly attack, and patiently explained: "At that time, the possession of the ball was uncertain, and it was not possible to call a defensive foul."
George broke out foul language, thanks to the home court, he did not get a technical foul, but he couldn't change the penalty, so he had to stand in the frontcourt and fight for the ball with Ariza.
Ariza used to be one of the members of the Lakers who won the championship, and was trained by the Rockets as the boss, but the results were not ideal, and now he can only be regarded as a 3D player.His jumping ability is not as good as George's, and he missed an offensive ball.
Kobe was completely focused on the game. He didn't think about the running out of time or the big gap in the score. After receiving the jump ball, he directly dribbled the ball to initiate a breakthrough.This time he was hampered by severe ankle pain and couldn't quite take off for a layup.
Howard was more energetic when he played the ball with the wind. He rushed two steps quickly and pressed Kobe's reluctant layup on the backboard behind him.He was too excited about the defense this time, resulting in too much force, the ball quickly bounced into the Rockets' offensive half, and rolled out of the baseline.
The Lakers own the frontcourt.
81-88, 1 minutes and 36 seconds!
Scott quickly called a timeout and tried to make arrangements.With such a score and time, it is basically certain that the Lakers have one foot out, but there is still the possibility of a reversal, and they must not give up easily.
Kobe found the team medical team, took a bag of ice packs and applied them to his ankles, trying to relieve the pain for a few tens of seconds, but it is still unknown what effect he could gain.
Bickerstaff is very satisfied with the status quo of the team, saying: "The team played very well. Next, we will maintain physical confrontation and try our best to play against time on the offensive end. In this way, we will have a great chance to win the game."
Harden is a player with a high golf quotient, so he naturally knew that what the head coach said was correct, and he opened his eyes wide in a daze, looking very dazed.
Nance Jr., Warren and Clarkson have not played for a long time, but they are very clear that the game has reached the most critical stage, and they will basically not play again. They stand on the sidelines and quietly listen to the coach's tactical arrangements.Regardless of whether they can win or not, they still need to continue to improve. If they can gain more experience, they will get a little more.
George wiped the sweat off his face with a towel, glanced at the scoreboard above the stadium, and couldn't help but feel a little lost.He had a bad feeling, but couldn't explain it.
Nick Young gained Scott's trust, and even though the defense failed to meet the starting requirements, he was left on the field.
McGee and Tyson Chandler didn't watch the score, but encouraged each other to hold Howard in the final stage.
Bickerstaff also made adjustments, replacing Terrence Jones with Clint Capela, and using two centers against the Lakers' two centers.
Barkley said: "Now the Lakers are seven points behind, but there is not much time left. They need a miracle, otherwise it will be difficult to continue."
"The slogan of the NBA is a place where miracles happen. Before the end of the game, everything is still possible. There are too many such things in history, so I have to believe." Kenny Smith himself is one of the members of the two consecutive championship Rockets , he is very clear that adversity does not completely mean the end, and only the end can draw conclusions.
Barkley failed to become the ultimate winner in any season, and he didn't know what it was like, so he didn't answer the call immediately.
The Lakers cheerleaders took out the dance at the bottom of the box, trying to mobilize the atmosphere of the fans on the scene, so that they would not give up the game earlier than the players.Now the Lakers are going through an extremely difficult time and need their support.
(End of this chapter)