Chapter 1027
The Battle for the Western Summit!
The Hornets have achieved their current status as a top team in the league thanks to this very roster.
Whether they can pull off a comeback depends on this match!
If we beat the Lakers, anything is possible.
If they lose tonight, they can practically start preparing for the playoffs.
"Chris, what are your thoughts on tonight's game?" Before the game started, Paul, who was warming up inside the Staples Center, was stopped by reporters for a question.
This kind of major event, which garners immense attention across the United States and can influence the final outcome of the regular season, is naturally broadcast nationwide and will receive a huge amount of attention.
Pre-match interviews are essential. We must find ways to generate more buzz and discussion before the match even starts, making the already exciting match even more intense!
"It's just a regular season game. Winning the game is our only goal, but if we don't win, it's not a big deal. It's just a regular season game. Although it has an impact, if you think about it carefully, it doesn't seem to have much of an impact."
Paul's nonsensical writing stunned the reporter for a moment before he realized he hadn't misheard; Paul himself had said nothing at all.
Clearly, Paul didn't want to cooperate with the reporters' attempts to cause trouble before the game; he wanted to focus on the game itself.
But the reporter obviously wouldn't give him that chance. After all, there are only a few games like this a year, and it would be a waste if Paul just let it slip by.
"Currently, you and Lin are ranked first and second in the MVP rankings. Everyone believes that if you win this game, you may overtake Lin and become the number one in the MVP rankings. What do you think about this?"
"What? Is that so? I haven't paid any attention to it, so I don't know. Because I don't know, I can't really comment on it."
"How confident are you of securing the top seed in the West?"
"I have a certain degree of confidence and hope."
"Who do you think will be the top seed in the West at the end of the season, you or the Lakers?"
"The team that wins more games will become the top team in the West."
"Lin is averaging 15 assists per game this season, and he may break the record again. As a point guard yourself, what do you think of Lin's performance?"
"That's amazing!"
……
The interview had to be stopped.
This is what I really think. Paul's behavior tonight was completely scumbag-like – he didn't resist, didn't cooperate, and didn't take the initiative at all. It left me feeling furious but unable to vent my anger. I was extremely upset.
Fortunately, the Lakers players also came onto the court to warm up at this time.
The reporter spotted Lin Tian immediately, quickly said goodbye to Paul, and walked towards Lin Tian.
Paul is not giving us face and not cooperating. You, Mr. Lin, who is known as the media savior and the king of traffic, can't let us down again, can you?
"Lin, may I ask you a few questions?"
"Can I say no?" Lin Tian looked at the reporter and asked directly.
……
Or should we go back and interview Paul?
The reporter felt that tonight was definitely the biggest crisis and the most difficult moment of his career.
He opened his mouth several times to respond to Lin Tian's answer, but couldn't think of a way to reply. Finally, he stammered, "I hope you accept it."
"Alright then, ask away." Lin Tian blinked, looking like he'd gotten his mischievous fun, making the reporter's teeth itch with envy.
"We all know this game is very important, as it's related to the battle for the top spot in the league. What are your thoughts on this game?"
"There's nothing to see, just win." Lin Tian shrugged, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Do you think you've already won?
We've got this in the bag.
"why?"
"Because of self-confidence."
……
The reporter got stuck again; he felt like he was having a really tough time tonight.
Fortunately, compared to Paul, Lin Tian was more cooperative and didn't spout nonsense. You could still get some information out of him, so the reporter continued, "Back then you said Paul would become the league's best point guard. Do you think his development has met your expectations?"
"Oh, I was just kidding back then. I mainly wanted all the point guards in the league to bully this kid. It was just a joke, so don't take it seriously."
"As for development, it has indeed developed quite well, which is quite gratifying."
"So who do you think is the best point guard in the league?"
"Asking this question makes me doubt your intelligence."
……
Yes, what answer could Lin Tian possibly give?
This guy is ridiculously confident; it would be strange if he didn't talk about himself.
"So, let's get back to the match. What are your thoughts on it?"
"Didn't we just talk about this?"
……
The reporter was completely devastated; he had been driven to the brink of collapse by Lin Tian and Paul's alternating interviews.
One of them is completely dishonest, spouting nonsense, while the other is too honest, sounding like he's talking nonsense too.
"Thank you for your cooperation." The reporter simply gave up.
Anyway, I've done the interviews and asked all the questions I needed to. Whether they cause a stir or not, whether they can create a huge controversy based on their answers, that's your business as commentators and analysts. It's none of my concern!
The reporter, having failed to uncover any juicy details, left in tears.
The players on both sides were clearly not affected by this little incident; they continued to warm up and prepare for the match.
Judging from the pre-match warm-up games, both sides clearly treated this game as an ordinary regular season match.
But while the players can maintain a calm attitude, the audience cannot.
This year is not only the year of the Warriors' rise, but also the year of the Lakers' rise!
Los Angeles fans have waited so long, from O'Neal's arrival to his departure, from McGrady and Kirilenko to Durant now. What Los Angeles fans have been waiting for all this time is for the team to return to its peak.
Now that we're finally on our way back to the top and on the verge of taking the league's number one spot again, what kind of country bumpkin team is the Warriors, trying to compete with us for number one?
Spray them! Spray them to death!
So, from the moment the Warriors players entered the court, the Los Angeles crowd, known for their composure, elegance, and calmness, unleashed a torrent of boos and jeers upon them.
That night in Los Angeles, it was as if a mysterious veil had been lifted to reveal the filth and corruption hidden beneath the glamorous exterior of Hollywood—it was absolutely insane!
On the same night, the Lakers thoughtfully gave each fan a gold T-shirt and a purple towel.
As the number of fans grows, more and more people are starting to arm themselves with the materials distributed by the team.
With about 30 minutes to go before the start of the match, Staples Center was already completely full, and the stadium had turned into a sea of purple and gold.
The Lakers' colors shone brightly throughout the arena.
The fans' shouts, which were initially chaotic and disorganized, transformed into a unified roar.
"LA GO GO GO!"
"LA GO GO GO!"
The deafening roars filled the stadium as the enthusiastic fans unleashed their talents early on.
Unfortunately, although this group of Warriors players has never been the top team in the West, or even reached the conference finals, they have a lot of experience. Most of the players on the team have played for 7-8 years and are in their prime.
Such a little noise and cheering was not enough to make them lose confidence or tremble with fear.
At least before the game started, the Warriors players were able to maintain their composure.
"Play exactly as instructed before the game!" As the game drew near, Lin Tian called all the Lakers players together, forming a circle. "Remember your responsibilities, remember your tasks, let's play according to the plan, we're going to win tonight!"
"For Lin's MVP!" Unexpectedly, after Lin Tian finished speaking, Kobe shouted first, "For Lin!"
"Fight for Lin!" The other players immediately raised their arms and roared.
Seeing his teammates' excited expressions, Lin Tian, who had originally wanted to say something like "What a load of rubbish MVP, I'm tired of winning it," didn't say it.
The important thing is that everyone has energy and can fight with momentum and form, as for the reason.
Does that matter?
Lin Tian once used the slogan of going to the coolest nightclub in New York to party after winning to motivate his teammates to unleash their full potential and take the game.
There's no such thing as a superior or inferior slogan, as long as it's effective!
At 8 p.m., all ten starting players from both sides took to the field, ready for the duel.
Neither side held back tonight, and both brought out their strongest and most comfortable starting five.
Bynum, Barnes, Durant, Kobe, Lin Tian.
Chandler, Aldridge, Gay, Redick, Paul.
"It's starting! This showdown at the top of the West is about to begin!" As the players from both teams stepped onto the court, Jackson's voice rang out again: "This is the third matchup between the two teams this season, and the penultimate one!"
"In the previous two games, the Lakers and the Hornets defended their home courts, with each team winning one game."
"And tonight's game and the game a week from now will most likely determine who is the league's best player and MVP this season!"
"Next, we'll have to see who performs better, the Lakers or the Warriors, Lin or Paul!"
"We can also look at the performances of both teams in their first two games of the season before the game starts," Van Gundy said, starting a new topic with just a few minutes left before the game began. "In the game where the Warriors won, Paul was definitely the best player."
“他拿下了27分12次助攻3抢断，并且只有2次失误，而除了他之外，勇士队的阿尔德里奇拿下22分11篮板，钱德勒9分14篮板，盖伊14分，雷迪克更是命中6记3分拿下18分。”
"The Warriors won because of their strong and well-balanced starting lineup, which has almost no weaknesses."
"But conversely, the Lakers' starting lineup had weaknesses in that game."
"Lin didn't play! Lin was absent from the game the Hornets won due to injury, but that doesn't mean the Lakers would have been 100% guaranteed to win if Lin had been there."
“That’s right,” Miller added. “The interesting thing is that Paul didn’t play in the game the Lakers won. In other words, this was the first time this season that the Lakers and Warriors faced off with their full rosters on the court!”
"Both teams are at full strength, and neither team has any injuries or suspensions."
"That's why this game is called the match point between the regular season champion and the regular season MVP."
"It's no exaggeration to say that playing well in this match will definitely add a lot of points to my score in the final MVP selection!"
"This is especially true for Paul. If Lin had a 90% chance of winning MVP before this game, Paul's chance was at most 5%."
"But if Paul plays well and Lin plays poorly in this game, Paul's chances of winning MVP will increase to at least 30%! If the Warriors can win the next game and take the top spot in the league."
"Then Paul's chances of winning MVP will increase to at least 50%! He'll be evenly matched with Lin, or even have the upper hand."
"Or to put it more directly and clearly, this game is the most important game Chris Paul has ever played in his life! If he doesn't play well in this game and the team loses, then even if the Warriors can reverse the Lakers in the remaining games and take the top spot."
"He absolutely cannot steal Lin's MVP award!"
Van Gundy, who had been watching the court closely, suddenly announced, "The game has started! Chandler! Chandler has secured the first possession for the Warriors."
Paul grabbed the basketball and was just about to trash talk Lin Tian when he realized that the person he was guarding wasn't Lin Tian, but Kobe.
"What, is it now fashionable for your Lakers to defeat the underlings first and then challenge the boss?" Paul sneered, his words aimed at sowing discord.
"Wrong, this isn't what's popular now." Before Kobe could speak, Lin Tian, who was not far from the two, said first, "This has always been popular here! Little brother, go kill him."
"I want to kill you now!" Kobe cursed, then suddenly took a half step forward and tried to steal the ball.
In other words, Paul was fully alert and didn't lose focus the whole time, otherwise Kobe would have definitely been able to sneak up on him.
"I told you that trick wouldn't work!" After failing to steal the ball, Kobe didn't even look at Paul, but instead said to Lin Tian, "This kid's dribbling is alright."
"It's your fault for being incompetent, not my tactics," Lin Tian scoffed. "If it were me, I would have broken it off by now!"
"Then you do it."
"I'm not going. You're the underling. I'll go after you get beaten to a pulp first."
"You two!" Paul, annoyed at being completely ignored, yelled, "The game has started!"
"You scored?"
"You gave a brilliant pass?"
"You're in the lead?"
"Are you preparing to launch an attack?"
Kobe and Lin Tian seemed to have planned it together, and they launched into a tirade of mockery at Paul.
"You're all talk and no action, and all you've got is a lot of nonsense!"
Kobe and Lin Tian exchanged a glance and simultaneously mocked Paul.
Looking at the situation on the court, Jackson on the sidelines was quite satisfied.
That was his plan.
Tonight's game will begin by provoking Paul and causing him to lose his composure.
The most important thing is to damage his self-esteem!
One of the reasons Kobe and Lin Tian switched on defense was precisely because of this.
You want to go up against Lin Tian? I'll make your wish impossible!
The goal is to create mental problems for Paul from the very beginning, even if it's just a tiny, insignificant problem at first. Let the problem snowball and grow bigger and bigger until Paul completely collapses.
Of course, Jackson's decision to switch two guards on defense at the start of the game wasn't solely due to that reason.
More importantly, Paul has injured his knee and his absolute speed has long since declined. If Kobe were to defend him now, although he would still be at a disadvantage in terms of speed, Kobe could definitely make up for it with his height, wingspan and weight.
At the same time, Kobe's standard shooting guard physique could more effectively obstruct Paul's vision, increasing the difficulty of his passing and playmaking, making it harder for him to easily pass the ball.
Everyone knows that if Paul can't orchestrate the offense against the Warriors, their offense is essentially wasted.
Another reason for having Lin Tian switch with Kobe is even simpler: Kobe is a member of the All-Defensive Team for many years and is known as the NBA's top perimeter defender. His ability to bite and pressure the ball handler is among the best in history.
But this guy isn't very good at defending off the ball.
Or rather, it's terrible!
For various reasons, Kobe would not play off-ball.
If you let him run around the field with Redick, a striker without the ball, he will inevitably expose some obvious gaps from time to time, giving Redick an easy opportunity to shoot.
Some say this is because Kobe gets bored when defending off-ball, so he often misses his defender.
Some say this is because Kobe was too aggressive; he didn't like going to the weak side and always wanted to double-team the ball handler on the strong side.
Some people say that Kobe's defense was clearly excessive; once the person he was guarding didn't have the ball, he would try to double-team the person with the ball.
But no matter what, if you ask Kobe to defend those lone wolves, ball handlers, and playmakers, that's absolutely no problem. But his effectiveness in defending off-ball shooters is indeed not very good.
Lin Tian, however, does not have this defect.
Whether there's the ball or not, Lin Tian's marking is superb! (End of Chapter)