At 9 p.m. Eastern Time, the Thunder and the Nuggets match officially started.

Perhaps because the game started too late, Durant and others were unable to get into the state for a long time. They either shot at random or made a low-level pass mistake. They had to run slowly in a tactical position and scored three-pointers for a full three-and-a-half minutes, like a third-rate high school team.

Su Yang was patient and did not pick up the marker until the official pause and drew a piece of cake on the tactical board.

Then he said nothing, implying that the team played like shit, and Durant and others showed embarrassment.

When the timeout was over, Durant specifically ran out of the big open position and then took action. Westbrook's pass was like an automatic navigation machine. Ibaka used the screening and was fast and good. The entire Thunder team suddenly turned back to the top NBA team, and scored a 17-6 wave in five minutes.

The Thunder generals were in such a state that they continued until the end of the half-time game and even became even more fierce in the third quarter.

After the game, the Thunder defeated the Nuggets 119-112, successfully establishing the top spot in the Northwest Division.

The whole team flew back to Oklahoma overnight that night. After a day off, they played against the Clippers at home.

After changing coaches, the Clippers had no combat power. The Thunder fought hard throughout the whole process and easily won. In order to prove that his ability was not inferior to his senior Byron Davis, Westbrook forced 7 steals to once again proved the professionalism of the scout report in the draft.

After the game, ESPN also released data, claiming that the Thunder had a record of 50 wins and 11 losses, secured a spot in the Western Conference playoffs in advance, and had a 58.89% chance, and achieved a record of 20 wins and 1 loss in the next 21 games.

At the post-match press conference, the reporter asked with ESPN estimates whether he would try to win the 70-win record.

Su Yang said calmly: "Our first goal is to win the championship. It would be great if we can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Bulls, but we will not pursue it deliberately, because without a championship, let alone 70 wins and 12 losses, even 73 wins and 9 losses will be meaningless."

After a day off, the Thunder flew to Sacramento to challenge the Kings, and the six players scored in double scores.

In the whole game, Kings rookie Tyrek Evans performed well, scoring 27 points, 5 assists and 8 rebounds.

In comparison, Harden, who is also a rookie in 2009 and has a higher draft pick, only had 14 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds. After playing for most of the season, Evans' average data is significantly better than Harden and has almost secured the Best Rookie Award.

At the post-match press conference, the reporter asked Su Yang how to compare Harden and Evans and who is more optimistic about in the future.

Su Yang said: "If everything goes well, Tyrek Evans will be an All-Star player. As for James Harden, I already said at the draft last year that as long as the conditions are right, he will be an MVP player, or is it worth winning many times."

Regarding what Su Yang said, social media caused heated discussions, and a large number of fans mocked him as a platypus walking at night, blind and stubborn.

The basis for taunting is that Evans has averaged 2055 per game in the rookie season, and looks like the next LeBron.

As for Harden, he only averaged 12 points and 23 points per game. Although he had several highlights, it was really unreasonable.

Su Yang did not respond, but Harden sent him a text message, thanking him for his firm support and decided to follow the great players.

When he saw the text message, he was not too serious and never thought that he would see Harden practice at the base during the rest the next day.

The two communicated briefly, and Su Yang heard from Harden's words that his career goal changed from All-Star to MVP.

On March 10, the Thunder played against the Hornets without Paul at home, and started with an 11-2 offensive.

During the official timeout, Su Yang considered that the playoffs were approaching and needed to hone the substitute lineup more, and considering that Harden was very motivated recently, he replaced Sefrosa with Harden in advance, which also allowed the whole team to attack more around Harden.

If that arrangement is made, it will probably be furious if it is another team. After all, Durant is the boss and Westbrook is the second.

But the young people in Thunder have a good relationship, and Su Yang has focused on building a team basketball culture for two years, without any contradictions.

After the game, the Thunder won 25 points, Harden scored 29 points, 6 assists and 9 rebounds.

After returning to the locker room, Durant and others poured water to Harden to celebrate, and Harden promised to practice defense well on the spot.

Early the next morning, Su Yang rushed to the training base and found Harden was practicing more, as if he was exhausted.

On the 12th, the Thunder played against the Nets at home.

Two hours before the game started, team doctor Carlland Yates submitted a diagnostic report, announcing that Harden had suffered a minor muscle ache due to his severe training exceeding the standard, and he needed to recuperate at least three games. If it did not improve after three games, he would be re-checked.

When he heard the notice, Harden was so depressed that he was a child worth about 200 pounds, and he clamored that he could go out to fight with his injuries.

Su Yang was very moved when he heard this, and then decisively refused Harden's request, explaining in detail the matter of Roy being injured again with an injury, allowing Harden to understand what a long-term goal is. He also told Harden that even if he is as strong as Kobe, he will rest when it is time to rest.

Harden was unable to play, the Thunder lost an important substitute, and the second team even lost the organizer.

Su Yang temporarily adjusted his playing style, allowing Jeff Green to reverse the high-level organization more and serve as the top dealer.

After the game, the Thunder defeated the Nets 104-102 with Durant's 32 points, Green's 27 points, and Westbrook's 13 assists. They won 10 consecutive victories for the second time in the season, and the probability of 70 wins increased again.

After Su Yang finished the press conference, he returned to the locker room and wanted to talk to Harden, but learned that Harden was practicing more at the stadium.

He turned to the court and saw Harden practicing shooting on the spot from a distance. He was quite like Kobe's right hand injured, but insisted on practicing free throws with his left hand. His mental attributes were overwhelming, and he seemed to have become a hardworking Harden ahead of schedule, and his mental attributes also increased greatly.

After much thought, Su Yang left and let Harden practice quietly. That was a lonely and brilliant time on Harden's growth path.

After a day off, the Thunder continued to play against the Jazz at home.

In the whole game, the Jazz ran extremely correctly in every tactic and did a very good job of defense, almost perfect.

But Su Yang used his strength to break the game, and made Durant and Westbrook pick-and-roll continuously at critical moments, setting the victory with 8-2.

In the whole game, Durant scored 35 points and Westbrook scored 30 points, making the Jazz team's six players scored in double digits.

With 11 consecutive victories, the Thunder flew to Charlotte, rested for three days and challenged the Bobcats.

Before the game started, the team doctor announced that Harden could return to the battle, but the game time should be kept below 20 minutes.

Su Yang followed the doctor's advice and allowed Harden to play five minutes in four quarters, but Harden still efficiently scored 18 points and 6 assists. The Thunder also easily defeated the Bobcats, successfully increasing the overall record to 55 wins and 11 losses, and the probability of hitting the record increased again.

On the 19th, the Thunder flew to Toronto to challenge the Raptors.

Perhaps it was because of the poor record and it was difficult to make the playoffs. In addition, the media rumored that Bosh would leave in the summer and went to Chicago with Wade to form a team. The Raptors' team was disintegrated, the offense had no cooperation, and the defensive linkage was zero, and the whole game was played poorly.

Su Yang took the opportunity to practice the second team, striving to build the second team into the strongest in the league, but the result was a big victory of 20 points.

After a day off, the Thunder flew to Indiana to challenge the Pacers.

In the first quarter, the Thunder easily led by 7 points, but in just five minutes of the second quarter, Westbrook was injured by the infamous Deng Tai Jones and was forced to leave the court to observe in advance, resulting in the Thunder falling behind by 4 points after the half-time game.

During the halftime break, Su Yang refused Westbrook's proposal to play with injuries and temporarily adjusted his offensive and defensive strategy.

Durant and his men returned to the field with anger, and the Thunder defeated the Pacers 101-98 and maintained a winning streak.

That night, the whole team flew back to Oklahoma overnight to face their potential opponents in the first round of the playoffs.

Before the game started, the team doctor suggested Westbrook quit, Su Yang adopted the opinion, and the Thunder lost 96-99.
Chapter completed!