Chapter 727: Memorable Memories
The Knicks were on offense.
Chen Yan continuously weaved through the frontcourt, using consecutive screens from DeAndre Jordan and Al Harrington to get open.
Biedrins switched onto Chen Yan.
After receiving the ball, Chen Yan did not rush to dribble. He let his teammates spread out, preparing for a small against big matchup.
Chen Yan had not even started his move.
He had only made a few simple probing steps, yet Biedrins footwork was already chaotic.
Defending Chen Yan brought too much pressure.
He was a notorious ankle breaker.
Seeing Biedrins lose his balance, Chen Yan decisively pulled up for a jumper.
Biedrins hand was half a beat late, providing limited interference.
Swish.
8 to 4.
"Beautiful," Barkley said. "Chen Yan is scoring continuously to start the game. This one has already entered Chen Yan mode from the opening minutes."
Kenny Smith added, "I would guess that in another 2 possessions, Golden State will start double teaming him. If they do double team, Chen can handle it. His ability to break double teams is top tier."
"Exactly," Barkley said. "And his passing is elite too. If they dare to double him, he can accurately find his teammates. His passing technique and passing awareness are both outstanding."
Warriors offensive possession.
Monta Ellis drove hard with the ball.
He did not want Chen Yan to steal all the spotlight.
This shot was very forced, but he drew a foul from Battier on the release.
After making both free throws, Monta Ellis 1st reaction was to look at Chen Yan.
Chen Yan completely ignored him.
He did not even notice that Monta Ellis was looking at him.
This was the most tragic part for Monta Ellis.
He regarded Chen Yan as a competitor, but Chen Yan did not even have him in his sights.
In fact, Chen Yan had already become the imaginary enemy of every perimeter player in the entire league.
They all wanted to prove their existence by defeating Chen Yan.
Just like when Jordan was in the league back then.
Although Chen Yan had not yet achieved Jordan's accomplishments and honors, in terms of dominance alone, he was no worse than Jordan.
Chen Yan ran toward the frontcourt with a relaxed expression.
His touch tonight was excellent, and his form was explosive. He could easily tell that from his shots in the 1st few possessions.
The Warriors were another team strong on offense and weak on defense, and Chen Yan was very confident in tearing them apart on that end.
On this possession, Chen Yan once again chose to move without the ball.
On ball or off ball made no difference to him.
His only goal was to put the ball in the basket.
So at different stages of the game, he would choose different methods, whatever he believed would make scoring easier.
Chen Yan flashed between DeAndre Jordan and David Lee.
Then he made a 180 degree turn and ran toward the corner.
It would not be an exaggeration to describe Chen Yan's movement as elusive.
His technical ability had no weakness, and his leadership qualities had also been maximized.
That was why the outside world believed that if it were him, even leading the Knicks as a single core gave them a chance to win the championship.
By the time Golden State's defense reacted, Chen Yan had already slipped into the corner.
"Pass!"
Chen Yan stretched out his hands and shouted.
Before his voice faded, the ball had already flown into his hands.
Barea and Chen Yan also had great chemistry.
He would not wait for Chen Yan to settle before passing the ball, because that would easily waste the opportunity.
Chen Yan immediately took a quick shot after receiving the ball.
This kind of shot was extremely difficult to defend, because once the defender lost position on the 1st move, there was almost no chance to recover.
Chen Yan's release felt incredibly smooth and soft.
This shot looked as calm as practice.
Swish.
The basketball pierced the net.
11 to 6.
The commentators were all excited, using every word of praise they could think of.
Everyone could see that Chen Yan was going to explode tonight.
Chen Yan exploding at the start was the last thing any opponent wanted to see.
Unlike other players, Chen Yan had abundant stamina. He would not run out of gas after a half or 3 quarters.
Usually, once he found his rhythm, he could explode from start to finish.
Monta Ellis received the ball in the backcourt and immediately prepared to attack alone.
He completely disregarded his teammates, let alone any tactics.
At the top of the arc, Monta Ellis accelerated, then suddenly stopped and pulled back.
Clang.
The 3 pointer missed.
As an All Star level guard, Monta Ellis could basically perform many of Chen Yan's flashy moves, such as reverse layups, pull up jumpers, and step back shots.
The biggest difference between the 2 was that Chen Yan could make them, while Monta Ellis efficiency was far lower.
Strictly speaking, this was also the most fundamental difference between Chen Yan and other guards in the league.
His efficiency was guaranteed.
On the basketball court, it was not about who played more flashily, nor about who looked cooler.
It was about who could put the ball in the basket.
Of course, someone like Chen Yan, who played both beautifully and efficiently, was the icing on the cake.
However, David Lee had good positioning on this play and directly grabbed the offensive rebound.
After securing the rebound, David Lee made a 2nd chance layup off the glass.
11 to 8.
DeAndre Jordan had slackened on this play.
He let the rebound slip right under his nose, then allowed David Lee to score a 2nd chance layup right in front of him.
"Focus!" Chen Yan shouted loudly. "Do not think about the nightclub!"
Lack of focus on the court was a terrifying thing.
DeAndre Jordan looked wronged.
He really had not gone to a nightclub recently.
That last play was just a normal lapse in concentration.
After all, a game was so long. No 1 could guarantee that he would never get distracted.
Knicks offensive possession.
Al Harrington pulled to the corner.
Biedrins stayed in the paint, and David Lee followed Harrington outside.
Chen Yan held the ball on the right 3 point line.
First, he made 2 regular between the legs dribbles.
Klay Thompson did not dare be negligent, focusing intently on Chen Yan.
Klay's defensive awareness and habits were very good.
However, his lateral defensive speed was not outstanding.
He was very afraid of agile, fast players.
Chen Yan knew this well, so when facing Klay, he would not use too many fakes.
As soon as he created a little space, he accelerated and drove inside.
1 step past.
By the time Klay moved over, Chen Yan had already gained half a step.
It was a very experienced move.
If Klay Thompson had forced a lateral slide, he definitely would have committed a foul.
He could only watch Chen Yan go in, almost saluting him.
Biedrins had already stepped up to help.
Chen Yan looked in DeAndre Jordan's direction and made a passing motion.
Biedrins immediately sprinted toward DeAndre Jordan.
He had already planned his help defense on Chen Yan.
If Chen Yan passed, he would immediately go back.
So Biedrins reaction at that moment was actually very fast.
However, as soon as Biedrins turned his head, he immediately realized something was wrong.
Where was the ball?
Chen Yan's large hand, like a suction cup, pulled the ball back.
Then he gently tossed it up.
Fake pass, real shot.
Swish.
The ball went cleanly through the net.
Klay Thompson sighed behind him.
Chen Yan had scored again, and still so easily.
Chen Yan also glanced at Klay.
This was only the 3rd game of Klay's rookie season, and Chen Yan decided to leave a deep impression on the adorable kid in front of him.
.....
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