Chapter 302 Upstarts and Giants
On June 2, 2008, the Canadian Basketball Association notified the two brothers that the Beijing Olympic waived will start on June 25, and Canada's two opponents have been drawn. In the first game, Canada will face the third place in the African Championships Nigeria, and in the second game, against the third place in the Asian Championships South Korea.
According to the rules of this year's sacking competition, Canada can directly get a ticket to the Beijing Olympics if it defeats these two opponents. If it loses one of them, it will have to play the loser's group playoffs, and if it loses all in both games, it will be eliminated.
Nigeria in Africa and South Korea in Asia are not considered strong teams. Even if Canada does not send two brothers and Nash to the field, it will have a great chance to defeat its opponents. At that time, as long as they appear, even if they only play half-time, it will be easy for Canada to enter the Olympics. There is no suspense that Canada will participate in this year's Olympics.
On the same day, Charles Barkley wrote for TNT: "Many people think that the Lakers, who have the new MVP this year, Kobe Bryant, will eventually enter the Finals. Indeed, Kobe is unstoppable, Phil Jackson is also resourceful, and the Lakers' average 104.5 points per game in the playoffs is even more terrifying. However, it was not them who finally entered the Finals in the Western Conference, although this is a team from Los Angeles and has four All-Star players. The competitiveness and strength of this once bad team has been largely underestimated, and even I didn't expect them to get to this point.
As a team that has traded the core of the team and experienced a drastic lineup change, it is rare in history that the Clippers can enter the finals in the first year. I'm afraid that only when the Lakers selected the Magicians and won the championship immediately was comparable.
The Clippers' opponent is the Celtics who gathered in Boston last summer. Although the Big Three stumbled in the playoffs and only won one away game so far, the elimination of the steady and experienced Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals fully demonstrated their strength. Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett did not have the worrying issue of ball rights distribution, but took on their respective roles tacitly. In addition, the best among the rookies, Rajon Rondo and Al Thorton, judging from the team's anger and player composition, the Celtics' current state is the best this season.
Although there have always been people who are worried that Garnett will have no choice to treat the twin brothers, the beast may restrain the truth, Billups may beat the young Rondo, Percy and Garcia may make Ray Allen continue to be sluggish... But think about it the other way around. While the Celtics are worried about so many troubles, should the Clippers also worry about whether the twins can stand up to curb Garnett? Will Artest be defeated by Pierce? What if Ray Allen saves enough character and breaks out in the finals?
As we all know, Garnett and Pierce have never been selfish players. When they create opportunities, who can come out to defend Allen? These three players in Boston have enough ability to score points on their own, and their selfless style will double the threat in the offense.
In addition to their strength in offense, the most reliable weapon of the Celtics is their defense. This year they rank first in the league's defensive list. Regardless of the height, strength or speed of the player, the Celtics do not have obvious weakness on the defensive end. In the game against them, it is often difficult for the opponent to get an easy gap jump shot or run an empty basket. The only possibility of the Celtics is to strengthen their attack efficiency at long distances. However, even so, the Celtics have the efficiency of pushing their opponents three-pointers to 31.6% accurate head.
The Rockets' former head coach and current ESPN commentator Van Gundy believes that the Clippers can defeat the Celtics away in Game 6 or 7, and believe that the Twin Brotherhood is the key to establishing the "Clippers Dynasty".
"The Clippers will definitely beat the same excellent Celtics this year. They have the best defense and have honed their offense in the playoffs. They now have twin brothers in excellent form. I believe the Clippers can win the final championship, and these two little guys are also the most powerful contenders of MVP in the finals. This will be a great battle, and this series will definitely be very eye-catching."
The nba official website announced before the finals that the ratings of the sixth game of the Western Conference Finals exceeded 12.2, and the ratings of the finals are expected to exceed the Bulls Dynasty, setting a new record!
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In a blink of an eye, it was already the day of the 3rd game. Both teams had been resting for three days. It was hard to say how the Celtics recovered, but most of the Celtics players were already active. They were younger than the Celtics and took a big advantage in their recovery.
The Clippers came to Boston a day in advance and rented a college stadium in the local area for simple restorative training and the last tactical class. Dunleavy and the coaching staff mainly explained the players the key policies to deal with the Celtics in the tactical class.
On June 3rd, the time came to the afternoon, and the two teams came to the stadium to hold a pre-match press conference.
Ji Guomeng was so arrogant after entering the finals that he could be called a nostril and arrogant.
However, what many media did not expect was that before the finals, this bastard actually started to keep a low profile again.
But don't think that this is his transformation. The little fox is very cunning and is arrogant before the game starts. If he loses, wouldn't he be slapped in the face?
The arrogant person is to eliminate the Lakers and enter the finals. When he comes to Boston, he immediately clamps his tail and no longer makes offensive remarks. The Celtics' home record is completely inversely proportional to their away record. It is not easy to defeat the Celtics in Boston. It can be said that it is more difficult than playing against the Lakers away. So he thinks that he should start to keep a low profile now, which is a wise move.
At the pre-match press conference, a Los Angeles reporter asked the little fox: The finals are coming soon, how are you feeling now?
Ji Guomeng replied modestly: "I feel good and very excited. You know this is the first time I have had such an opportunity. In the finals, I hope it will come soon and I hope I can perform well. I can't wait."
Then a Boston reporter asked Ji Guomeng: Do you know what do you know about the last opponent, the Celtics? What kind of team do you think they are?
Ji Guomeng continued to keep a low profile and said with a good voice: "They are great teams with a long history and a brilliant past. It is of course a great thing to meet such a great team in the finals. Also, they are very passionate on the court and their defense is very good. In addition, they have three outstanding star players, as well as a group of experienced veterans and rookies."
The Boston reporter looked at his fellow travelers in Los Angeles. This is what they call: arrogance, rogue, psychopath, 25...? It doesn't look like it? This kid's tutoring is obviously good!
The Los Angeles media also found it strange. Could it be that this kid remembers to take medicine when he goes out today?
The Boston Globe reporter asked Ji Guomeng the last question: As a rookie, your performance in the playoffs and your brother deserves praise. Since you have a certain understanding of the Celtics, you will know that if you come on the court, the Celtics' strongest scorer Kevin Garnett today will be the Celtics' strongest scorer Kevin Garnett. Do you think you can defend him one-on-one? How will you defend him?
Ji Guo laughed at him. Low-key does not mean that he has no confidence. He replied without thinking: "Of course I have this confidence. If I don't have confidence, the coach will not send me on the court. I will follow his footsteps tightly and try not to leave him too much space to start. He is a very versatile insider with good ability to break through the frame. As long as he is not careful and leaves too much room for activity, he may leave me behind. In short, I will concentrate and do my best to follow him throughout the game."
Los Angeles reporters found that the fox was particularly cunning today. The reporter with bad intentions did not believe in evil today. He left Ji Guoqiu and Lao Dunleavy to ignore it and insisted on making things difficult for the little fox. So another reporter asked: Today against the Celtics, your opponent is Kevin Garnett, and the Clippers' opponent in the Western Conference Finals Lakers has Kobe. Both of them are the leaders of the team. So in your opinion, are there any differences between them in the game?
Ji Guomeng knew that this problem was bad, so he snorted and found that this reporter was Da Sabi, who hadn't fired at him for a long time. This guy from the New York Times is different from Da Bendan of the Los Angeles Times. This idiot is quite insidious. His problems are always round and full of traps. Ji Guomeng thought about it and replied: "It's hard to say. They are all great players, and they are all very comprehensive players on the court. They can break through, shoot, and create opportunities for teammates. They are all good leaders. Different places, well... Oh, by the way, Kobe is MVP, and Garnett is the best defensive player."
The words of the Dead Fox made laughter sound from the audience. Media reporters from all over the world were amused by Ji Guomo's wit, and Da Sabi was unable to make a difficult situation and could only sit down.
The little fox could not even hurt the open sword and hidden arrows, and finally no one would be embarrassed by him.
Old Dunleavy and Ji Guoqiu looked at each other, okay, love is another one-man show for this dead fox today. This bastard is occupying the microphone every day, which is so good at stealing the limelight!
Before the game started, the two teams had not yet appeared. At this time, they could see the current league president, Mr. David Stern, who came to TD North Shore Garden Stadium to watch the game.
Chapter completed!