readytorunbook Chapter 232
Chapter 232
Chapter 232
Last season's starters TJ-McConaughey, Nerlens Noel, and Richaun Holmes were all put into the second team by head coach Brett Brown.
The 76ers have a deeper bench this season than they did last season.
After Zhang Zifeng and Embiid left the field, the 76ers still suppressed the Thunder's second team.
At the end of the first quarter, 35-24, the 76ers led by 11 points.
Westbrook scored 10 points in the first quarter and performed well.But he met a more powerful guy, Zhang Zifeng scored 17 points in the first quarter.
During the break, see the team fall behind.Westbrook sat off the court feeling distraught.
Durant left for the Warriors in a free transfer in the summer.
There are a lot of irony that Durant is a coward, and he goes to his opponent if he can't beat his opponent.
But many people are blaming Westbrook, accusing him of playing independent and being the team's poison.
Durant transferred because he was dissatisfied with Westbrook occupying the ball.
Not only the media wrote this, but even many fans of the Thunder team thought so.
Westbrook is under a lot of pressure.
Westbrook is the last person in the Thunder to see the team lose. He wants to prove to everyone that even without Durant, Westbrook can still support the Thunder.
In order to prove himself, Westbrook did not continue to rest in the second quarter.
At the beginning of the game, Westbrook rushed into the penalty area one-stop, and succeeded in one-on-three tough picks.
Immediately after the next round, Westbrook scored a three-pointer, and then assisted Oladipo in the fast break to score 2+1.Immediately afterwards, Robson also hit a jumper, and the Thunder responded with a wave of 8-0, closing the point difference to 3 points.
Seeing that Westbrook scored consecutively and narrowed the point difference in an instant, the head coach Brett Brown couldn't sit still, and he hurriedly called a timeout.
When Zhang Zifeng returned to the court after more than 2 minutes into the second quarter, he replaced Nick Stauskas.
As soon as he played, in the frontcourt, Zhang Zifeng ran back, received a pass from Rondo, and then immediately stopped for a jumper. Oladipo was already slow when he came over because he was caught by Ibaka.
The ball obediently fell into the basket!
Fast and efficient.
Zhang Zifeng played the function of a microwave oven when he came on the court, which also allowed his score to continue to rise.
This three-pointer boosted the morale of the 76ers and took the opportunity to widen the point difference again.
Facing Rondo's defense, Westbrook once again hit a mid-range shot!
But soon, Westbrook scored hard.Seven or eight seconds later, Zhang Zifeng made a sudden mid-range shot, which was completely useless.
34: 40!
Westbrook dribbled the ball for halftime, and Rondo followed Westbrook tightly.
Before that, Westbrook scored consecutively on his head, which also made Rondo feel ashamed.
At this time, it is natural to play [-] points to defend.
As soon as Rondo stepped up his press, it was difficult for Westbrook to find a breakthrough opportunity for a while.
So he motioned to his teammates for the pick-and-roll.
Adams ran out to set a screen for Westbrook.
Rondo, who was staring at Westbrook with all his attention, didn't expect Adams to hit Adams directly when he moved laterally.
Westbrook quickly continued to cover, went inside, took a big stride towards Embiid, flashed past the opponent, entered the penalty area, and jumped up to layup.
But at this moment, Westbrook was about to make a move.
He suddenly felt a black shadow on his head, before he could react.
The big yellow hand slapped Westbrook's ball out of bounds.
After Zhang Zifeng landed, he looked at Westbrook and said, "Do you think I will let you score so easily?"
Westbrook obviously forgot that Zhang Zifeng was selected to the league's third defensive team last season.
Zhang Zifeng's block greatly increased the morale of the 76ers.
Prior to this, Westbrook was full of energy and majesty.
The success of hitting the basket again and again made the 76ers players very depressed.
But now that Zhang Zifeng gave Westbrook a big hat, I feel very relieved.
Sixers players and fans are comfortable, but Westbrook is very unhappy.
Re-receiving the baseline ball, Westbrook once again held the ball on the outside.
Because he was blocked by Adams, Rondo did not keep up.Embiid's speed can't be compared with Westbrook at all.
Driving along the baseline to the basket, Westbrook was preparing for a backhand layup.
Zhang Zifeng suddenly dropped Oladipo and rushed over, jumped high, and slapped Westbrook's layup with a slap.
I saw that Zhang Zifeng gave Westbrook two blocks in a row.
Reggie Miller shouted, "Zhang Zifeng's personal defensive ability has improved again this season, coupled with his awareness of assisting defense. This season, Zhang Zifeng can make more contributions to the team on the defensive end. He continues to With that kind of performance, the best defensive team will be his seat."
This time the ball hit the backboard, bounced near the free throw line, and was grabbed by Embiid.
As soon as Zhang Zifeng landed, he ran towards the frontcourt.
Westbrook chased after him unconvinced.
After receiving a pass from Embiid, Zhang Zifeng ran all the way to the frontcourt.
Westbrook was a little faster than Zhang Zifeng. When Zhang Zifeng jumped up in the penalty area, Westbrook just caught up. He jumped up in a hurry to block Zhang Zifeng's dunk.
There was a direct physical confrontation between two people in the air.
Seeing Westbrook chasing him, Zhang Zifeng quickly blocked it with his left hand, not wanting to ruin his attack for the opponent.
Westbrook found that he couldn't slap the opponent's ball at all, so he hit Zhang Zifeng directly on the arm.
Snapped!
Zhang Zifeng felt a piercing pain.
give up?
No, no one can stop Lao Tzu!
Zhang Zifeng yelled and smashed the ball hard into the basket.
bump!
In order to prevent Zhang Zifeng's dunk, Westbrook didn't even care about himself.
Being bumped forward by Zhang Zifeng, Westbrook fell directly to the ground.
Landing on the ground, looking at Westbrook who fell on the ground, Zhang Zifeng didn't roar or celebrate, and prepared to make a free throw with no expression on his face.
Zhang Zifeng felt that there was no need to celebrate when it was normal.
But the teammate was really excited and ran over from behind. Grant jumped up and grabbed Zhang Zifeng's neck. Ibaka patted Zhang Zifeng's ass, "Nice job!"
……
After being blocked by Zhang Zifeng twice in a row, and losing to the opponent again in this confrontation, Westbrook's morale was very low, and the next games were not as fierce as the beginning of the second quarter.
In the rest of the second quarter, Zhang Zifeng contributed another steal and block.
At the end of the first half, at 41:57, the 76ers led by 16 points.
Of course, Zhang Zifeng was indispensible for scoring such a high score in the half.Although he scored 10 points in the second quarter, which was not as dazzling as the first quarter, he delivered perfect answers on both offense and defense.
At halftime, Zhang Zifeng scored 27 points in the first half, and also had 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal.
Kenny Smith couldn't help being surprised by Zhang Zifeng's all-around performance in the first half.
"But this is his second season in this league. If he continues to develop like this, what kind of achievements will he achieve in the future!"
Charles Barkley said proudly, "As I said, Zhang Zifeng will surprise everyone this season, and he will be a favorable contender for this season's MVP!"
(End of this chapter)