Chapter 722: Regaining Face
In the next few possessions, both teams went back and forth.
For the Knicks, Chen Yan, DeAndre Jordan, and Barea were all in good form.
David West, however, was clearly not on the same wavelength as everyone else. It was hard to tell whether he had still not fully recovered after returning from injury.
2 minutes later, during a timeout, Nelson substituted David West and sent in Al Harrington.
The score was 14 to 8, with New York temporarily in the lead.
"The Knicks started this game by showing their characteristics," the commentator said. "Several fast breaks were executed beautifully, and Chen Yan has been the engine of the team, delivering accurate long passes. Judging from the 1st few minutes, New York's spirit and energy are very high."
His partner added, "The only drawback is that David West has not found his rhythm yet, but I do not think fans should be anxious. They should give him some time. After all, this is his 1st game with the Knicks, and he missed a long stretch because of injury."
On the 1st possession after the timeout, Boston let Rose drive the ball.
After a pick and roll, Rose forced a switch onto Al Harrington and immediately went into a small against big matchup.
Rose's explosiveness was incredible.
A change of direction without slowing down could overpower even a smaller guard, let alone Al Harrington.
After shaking off Al Harrington, Rose drove to the basket, used a reverse layup to evade the help defender, and scored.
Rose's moves were full of aesthetic appeal, but his straight leg landing made it look a little painful.
"Derrick Rose scored with a strong individual effort," the commentator exclaimed. "This Celtics team really does have immense talent, with Durant and Rose leading the way."
The number of Celtics fans back home had also been growing.
Everyone believed that the perimeter combination of Durant and Rose had unlimited potential.
As for being upset by the Knicks last season, devoted fans could explain it away as lack of experience, because Durant and Rose were indeed still very young.
New York offense.
Chen Yan faced Durant again.
Durant was eager to go 1 on 1 with Chen Yan.
Chen Yan saw through his thoughts and deliberately refused to clear out for an isolation. Instead, he first passed the ball to Battier, then cut inside without the ball.
On the basketball court, never do what your opponent wants you to do.
Only then could you make your opponent anxious and worried.
Just like now.
Durant had worked hard all summer to prove himself in front of Chen Yan, but Chen Yan simply refused to give him the opportunity.
Using an off ball screen, Chen Yan moved toward the corner.
The moment Battier passed the ball, Chen Yan cut toward the middle.
DeAndre Jordan also moved toward the paint.
Kostić did not dare chase out, because that would leave DeAndre Jordan completely open.
Boston could only have Durant go around the screen and chase Chen Yan.
Going around a screen took time, and Chen Yan was playing precisely with that time difference.
After receiving the ball, he turned and shot.
Durant closed in, but he was still just a little short.
This was already thanks to his long arms and long legs.
If it had been anyone else, they probably would not even have gotten close to Chen Yan's release point.
The ball spun rapidly and flew into the hoop.
17 to 8.
Chen Yan was not overly excited.
This shot was expected.
Boston offense.
Durant went 1 on 1 against Battier.
After continuous fakes, he pulled up directly from the high post.
Good.
17 to 10.
This had almost become Durant's signature move.
With his height and flexibility, no 1 in the entire league could block his jump shot in a 1 on 1 situation unless they came from the side or behind.
New York half court offense.
On this possession, Daniels was defending Chen Yan.
Chen Yan immediately called for an isolation, and Durant, standing to the side, almost went crazy with anger.
As soon as I am not guarding him, he calls for an isolation?
What is that supposed to mean?
Chen Yan was not afraid of playing against Durant.
He simply wanted to disrupt Durant's mindset.
Durant was sensitive and often overthought things.
Chen Yan dribbled between his legs multiple times, then feinted with his right shoulder and quickly changed direction to the left.
Slap!
Daniels suddenly reached out and poked the ball away.
This steal had a flash of genius.
Since Chen Yan entered the league, he had rarely been stripped in a 1 on 1 situation like this.
Chen Yan had indeed been too confident on this play.
It was not that he looked down on Daniels.
It was that he had not considered Daniels a threat at all.
Chen Yan had completely ignored the defender in front of him. His eyes had been observing his teammates positions, and his mind had already been thinking about how to handle the ball after driving inside.
After the steal, Daniels sprinted up the court like sparks were flying under his shoes.
Daniels started his stride near the free throw line.
Before taking a step, he deliberately looked back.
Chen Yan was roughly beyond the 3 point line.
Hmm.
Safe.
1 step.
2 steps.
Just as Daniels jumped, intending to dunk, Chen Yan's ghostlike figure appeared at his side.
Daniels completely panicked.
Did this guy have Flash powers?
Could he teleport?
Slap!
Daniels did not even get the chance to shoot.
Chen Yan directly snatched the ball from him in midair.
Chen Yan would regain the face he had lost by himself.
By the time Daniels came back to his senses, he had already lost his balance and fallen to the floor.
He did not get up immediately.
He was still wondering how Chen Yan had suddenly appeared next to him.
Chen Yan dribbled into the frontcourt, and the Knicks suddenly had a 5 on 4 opportunity.
Chen Yan did not try to take all the credit.
He made the most reasonable pass to DeAndre Jordan under the basket, and DeAndre easily scored 2 points with a layup.
19 to 10.
"Daniels is still lying on the floor," the commentator chuckled. "Chen Yan's ball is not that easy to steal."
"Haha, stealing from him comes with a price," his partner echoed.
Boston offensive possession.
After everyone spread out, Stoudemire went 1 on 1 against DeAndre Jordan.
Boston's offense was very straightforward.
Most of the time, it was simply 3 All Star players taking turns in isolation, and whoever was in good form got more shots.
However, this was also the ultimate pursuit in basketball.
If isolation could solve the problem, why use teamwork?
If overwhelming firepower could break the defense, why bother with intricate plays?
Stoudemire and DeAndre Jordan were also old teammates, so Stoudemire knew DeAndre's athleticism very well.
If the 2 jumped at the same time head on, Stoudemire would be at a disadvantage.
DeAndre Jordan surpassed Stoudemire in both physical tools and vertical leap.
However, Stoudemire had not become the best face up power forward for nothing.
He first used his speed to gain half a step on DeAndre Jordan, then gathered the ball and stepped forward. After jumping into the paint, he very subtly carved out space to his left.
If DeAndre fully chased him, he would definitely commit a foul.
If he did not fully follow, Stoudemire would have room to shoot under the basket.
Boom!
Stoudemire slammed it down with 1 arm, overpowering DeAndre Jordan with experience and skill on this play.
19 to 12.
"The Celtics were eliminated in the 1st round last season, but ESPN still ranked them 3rd in the league for a reason," the commentator said.
"Their roster is incredibly talented," his partner replied. "They have 3 All Star players, and all of them can create their own shots. Their ceiling is very high."
"The only concern is that sometimes there might not be enough shots to go around."
.....
https://discord.gg/KvMN2CFsMR
[If you don't want to wait for the next update, read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon.]
[[email protected]/FanficLord03]