Chapter 1030
The Most Hated Player in the League! Paul Stepped on His Feet!
19:31!
At the end of the first quarter, the Warriors didn't pull off many unexpected or unplanned plays; they continued playing as usual, and naturally, they couldn't close the gap.
At the end of the first quarter, the Warriors were down by as many as 12 points.
Even so, they managed to narrow the gap by a few points at the end of the quarter when several of the Lakers' key players went to rest, while their own players, such as Paul and Aldridge, stayed on the court.
If we take the time when the Lakers substituted three key players with two minutes left in the first quarter as the dividing line, then the Lakers were leading by a full 17 points!
The Warriors were almost completely outplayed by the Lakers.
Fortunately, the Warriors' strength was undeniable, and Paul, being a calm and mature top-tier guard, seized the rare opportunity after the Lakers' starters were all taken off the court, leading his team to score repeatedly and narrowing the gap to 12 points before the end of the first quarter.
But the price the Warriors paid for their return was that Paul, Aldridge, and Redick all played the full 12 minutes in the first quarter!
In the second quarter, they all needed to rest.
Otherwise, you simply won't be able to keep up physically.
Meanwhile, the Lakers will definitely field their starters at this point, easily widening the gap once again.
"The Warriors are still in a bad situation. Although they have narrowed the gap, I honestly think they are in a worse situation now than when they were down by 17 points in the first quarter," Van Gundy said decisively during the break. "Stamina! Stamina issues will definitely plague the Warriors."
"More importantly, even with such overexertion and no rest for their core players, they are still trailing by double digits."
Jackson added, "At the same time, I think this also exposes the Warriors' biggest problem right now."
"Their starting lineup is strong and well-balanced, with two All-Star caliber players, but their bench lacks players with good ability who can step up when the team's starters are tired and need rest. They lack such players."
"Against average teams, or against teams of similar caliber, this weakness wasn't so thoroughly exposed, but tonight, against the Lakers, the strongest team in the league, it was exposed quite completely!"
Miller said, "Next, let's see what the Warriors choose to do. Will they continue to overwork their key players and try to catch up first, or will they grit their teeth and let their key players rest to conserve their energy?"
"No rest!" On the bench, Paul gulped down a mouthful of water, glaring fiercely at the court, and declared resolutely, "I don't need to rest, not even for a second! Just keep playing like this!"
“I don’t need to rest either.” Aldridge’s expression wasn’t as fierce as Paul’s, but it was still quite resolute: “Chris and I will take this game back!”
"Then let's continue! I believe in you!"
The second quarter continued.
"They're not making any substitutions?" Lin Tian sat on the bench, glancing at the Warriors' lineup with some curiosity.
"So, shall we go up there right now and fuck it?" Kobe also noticed the Warriors' strategy of not making substitutions and was eager to try it out.
This eccentric middle-aged man has inexplicably become passionate again.
"Screw you, can't you listen to the coach? Be a disciplined player." Lin Tian rolled his eyes, too lazy to talk to Kobe.
"And what about Paul? Are you just going to watch that little guy act all high and mighty on the court?" Kobe wouldn't give up. This guy's temper is always unpredictable. For example, right now, as soon as he sees that Paul isn't resting, he wants to go up and have a contest with Paul.
"Why do you care about him?" Lin Tian was too lazy to even watch Kobe at this point. Compared to this hot-blooded, immature guy, Lin Tian preferred to sit on the bench and do nothing: "Let him work himself to death, you son of a bitch."
While Lin Tian and Kobe were resting on the bench, Durant and Bynum were playing on the court with Thomas, Barnes, and Kapono.
On the Warriors' side, apart from Redick, who was exhausted and needed to rest after a fierce battle with Lin Tian in the first quarter, the other four starters were all on the court.
It's clear that they really want to win and don't want to give up their pursuit of being the best in the league and winning the MVP award.
In the very first possession, the Warriors' starters, who didn't rest, immediately demonstrated their determination.
Paul and Chandler executed their signature pick-and-roll, and without the interference of Lin Tian and Kobe, the pick-and-roll was executed flawlessly!
The two players immediately screened and dispossessed each other. Then Paul drove to the mid-range area and suddenly threw the ball into the air. Chandler descended from the sky and slammed the ball into the basket with both hands!
"boom!"
At the same time as the loud bang, Bynum, who was helping to defend, couldn't control his movements and slapped Chandler's arm.
The foul was committed by the attacker.
2+1!
The Warriors have started the season with incredible momentum!
"Well done, Tyson!" Paul excitedly stepped forward, slapped Chandler's chest with both hands, and kept shouting and celebrating to his good buddy.
"Shh!"
With another crisp sound, Chandler didn't disappoint his teammates, raising his hand and making the free throw, instantly narrowing the gap between the two sides to within 10 points!
The Warriors' morale has been completely boosted.
When the team went on defense, they were incredibly united and never let their guard down.
Everyone was biting fiercely, as if they wanted to cling to their opponents for defense.
As the commentators said: They want to win!
Although Kobe and Lin Tian were not on the Lakers' side, Durant was still on the court. No matter who he was up against, he was always in a mismatch.
With three seconds left on the shot clock, Durant faced Gay at the top of the arc. He made two quick crossovers, then suddenly pulled up and shot, stopping abruptly one step inside the three-point line for a contested jump shot.
As a top-ten draft pick, Guy possesses exceptional physical attributes, especially in height, wingspan, and jumping ability, all of which are top-notch.
Unfortunately, he was facing Durant.
With both height and wingspan, he's an S+, a monster among monsters.
"Shh!"
With a crisp sound, the Lakers widened the gap once again.
The entire Staples Center erupted in cheers, and the emotions that had been suppressed for less than 30 seconds burst forth once again.
It's just a 2+1!
"Kill them!"
"30 points! We beat them by 30 points in the first half!"
"Let them know who's number one in the league!"
"MVP! The MVP belongs to Los Angeles!"
"Get the Auckland country bumpkins out of here!"
The fans' frenzied roars clearly had no negative impact on the Warriors. Paul remained incredibly calm. After the pick-and-roll, he challenged Bynum himself, dribbled continuously to find his rhythm, and then pulled up for a jump shot that went in!
The two sides traded blows at the start of the second quarter.
But then, the entire Staples Center suddenly fell silent, followed by a frenzy of roars and unusually profanity that swept through the arena, with fans making no attempt to hide their anger and displeasure.
As for the reason?
Durant fell to the ground.
This guy brought out his signature move again.
Um... it's not about the Golden Wheel Punishment King, the leader of the Whistle Gang.
It's a misalignment, with the large attacking the small.
Durant made several runs and set several off-ball screens with his teammates. Finally, he found Paul in the low post and backed him down to prevent him from escaping. Then he started to back down Paul.
At first, everything went smoothly.
He made a challenge, turned around, and pulled up for a jump shot. Although the ball didn't go in, it wasn't enough to anger the fans.
What angered the fans was Paul's foot.
This guy stretched his foot directly onto Durant's landing spot, and Durant landed right on it.
With a scream, Durant fell to the ground, and after watching the replay, the fans in the arena immediately erupted in a frenzy of shouts and curses.
You dare touch our people?
Go to hell, you shorty!
It wasn't just the fans who went wild; Bynum and Thomas, one tall and one short, instantly rushed to Paul's side and unleashed a torrent of abuse. Thomas, despite his small stature and young age, had a fiery temper; after a couple of rants, he wasn't satisfied and shoved Paul into the back. Paul, however, remained as calm as a statue, not uttering a word or retaliating. He adopted his signature innocent expression, indicating to the referee that he was innocent and needed them to handle the situation quickly.
And when Thomas pushed him, Paul was completely unaffected, and was thrown backward as if it was Tyson who pushed him, not Thomas.
Paul's fall immediately angered the Warriors players, who quickly stepped in to block their star player and then clashed with the Lakers players who had also assembled.
The field was in complete chaos!
In contrast to the chaos on the court, at least the Lakers' bench was calm and composed.
"Aren't you going to beat up that bastard?" Kobe looked at Lin Tian again and said, "I remember when you played in the Finals for the first time, there was a guy from the Jazz who tried to trip you, and you just stepped on him and made him retire."
"That's nonsense, don't talk rubbish." Lin Tian said, "That was the second year. The first year we were competing in supersonic speed."
"That's not important. What's important is that you're not going to beat him up to avenge Kevin?"
"Of course I need to vent my anger." Lin Tian stretched and stood up, saying, "But we're all grown up, it's too childish to vent our anger with our fists."
“I’ll make Chris regret all of this. What do you say, Coach?”
Jackson, who was suddenly called out by Lin Tian, didn't even stand up. He didn't even look at Lin Tian. His eyes were fixed on Durant, who had just sat up, and the team doctor next to him. At the same time, he would occasionally glance at the replay that was still going on on the big screen.
He seemed to want to see just by looking at it to see if Durant's ankle was actually hurt.
After all, there are only about two weeks left before the playoffs. If Durant suffers a serious injury at this time, it will be a huge blow to the Lakers.
This will definitely affect the Lakers' championship plans this season.
Jackson had already devised a plan for revenge; if Durant caused any trouble, he would make Paul pay the price.
If Durant has to rest for a month, he will definitely make Paul rest for at least two months.
As for whether Paul did it on purpose?
Ghosts don't care!
Anyway, Jackson didn't care at all.
Jackson had already planned it out. Bynum, Kobe, and Lin Tian would go down to rest first, while Barnes, Turiaf, and others who looked fierce would go up. Thomas had just performed well, so the young man would also go up.
Grandma's legs, the one that crippled my father?
Just as Jackson was poised to kill Paul, the Lakers' team doctor delivered a message that could save Paul's career.
"It's nothing." After a preliminary examination of Durant's injury, a team doctor came over and said, "The preliminary examination shows no structural damage. Kevin isn't in much pain now, and we've already sprayed him with spray."
"But of course, just to be on the safe side, I suggest that Kevin not play tonight. It would be best to let him rest and have further examinations. If he absolutely has to play, then I'll have to put the bandage back on him, just in case."
"Are you out of your mind?" Jackson was too lazy to waste words with this guy. He glared at him and said, "Still want to keep bandaging him? Get me a stretcher right now and take him to the hospital for an MRI or some other bullshit test."
"I don't care if he's alright or not, I'll treat it as if he is. Kevin doesn't need to come to the away game in Memphis tomorrow, he can just get some rest."
"As for when he will return to the court, it depends on his mood. Anyway, I think it will take at least a week."
"Understood." The team doctor nodded and immediately called to his men. They found a stretcher from somewhere, and then several people rushed onto the field at a speed comparable to the Olympic 100-meter sprint final.
There's no way around it, the speed has to be fast, any slower and Durant will have to walk to the free throw line himself to prepare for the free throw.
If they're all going to shoot free throws, how can they be put on a stretcher? How are they supposed to complete the tasks Jackson assigned them?
Then, the following situation can be viewed from two perspectives.
On the bench, a bewildered Durant stared incredulously at the stretcher, pointed to himself, and shook his head, as if to say, "What are you guys doing? I'm not in pain anymore, why are you doing this? I need to go shoot free throws."
The fans had no idea what had happened. They only saw the team doctor go to report to Jackson, and then the usually refined old man flew into a rage, cursing loudly.
When the stretcher arrived at the court, the fans who had just breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Durant bouncing around as if he was alright were immediately plunged into despair.
With the playoffs approaching, if Durant gets injured, wouldn't the team's long-awaited championship, which they've waited over 20 years for, be in serious trouble again? It's all over!
Oh, heavens, how have you treated me so cruelly?
Then, the fans saw the 'stubborn' Durant refuse to leave the court, his face full of grief, pain, and resentment, refusing to be carried on a stretcher, and even wanting to continue shooting free throws and playing the game.
What a real man!
Our Kevin, what a real man!
Many of Durant's die-hard fans and more sentimental fans even shed tears after seeing Durant's argument with the team doctor.
Where can you find such a good player? We must support Kevin; we must live up to his perseverance and resilience!
Suddenly, a unified roar erupted from the crowd, with everyone chanting Durant's name, cheering him on, and giving him the treatment of a hero.
This is what Willis Reed received when he limped onto the court at Madison Square Garden.
"Kevin! Kevin! Kevin!"
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
The fans' cheers were simple and sincere, while Durant's bewilderment was utter and genuine.
What's going on? What are they so excited about?
Durant was puzzled, confused, and curious.
Then, the team doctors finally found an opportunity and almost forcibly put Durant on a stretcher and carried him out.
Then, another classic was born.
Fans on both sides of the player tunnel, anxious about Durant's injury and wanting to know what happened to him, could clearly hear Durant's stubborn and unwilling voice.
"I'm fine, really fine, there's no need for that!"
"I can still play, I can go on the court, I can do it, really!"
"At least let me walk by myself, I don't want to lie down."
Durant's screams echoed through the stadium, moving every fan who heard them.
Some Lakers fans who previously said Durant was too soft on the court and had a soft personality, and who hoped the team would trade him for a tougher player, now even want to slap themselves in the face.
I'm such a jerk!
How could I have ever disliked Durant?
These fans are destined to have a sleepless night; they'll be dreaming about slapping themselves in the face.
Durant could never have imagined that this incident would boost his popularity in Los Angeles and even the entire league to new heights.
What is the Son of Los Angeles?
Even if he still can't surpass Lin Tian and Kobe, at the very least, he should be a rising star in Los Angeles!
After Durant left the court, the atmosphere at Staples Center shifted rapidly.
From cheers, blessings, encouragement, and shouts, they instantly turned into vicious and cruel insults and curses.
Go to hell, Paul! Go to hell, Bay Area folks!
Go to hell!
"Lin, Kobe, go! Kill them!"
On the sidelines, Jackson had already sat back down on the bench: "You two know what to do, right?"
"Especially you, Lin, you're the best at handling these kinds of things, aren't you?"
"I'm very good at it," Lin Tian said easily. "Do you remember how I dealt with Gary after Michael left the court?"
"I want them to suffer even more!" Since leaving the Bulls, Jackson has rarely been angry, at least not on the surface. But this time, at this critical moment, Paul's actions against his own teammate have completely enraged the old man.
"Don't worry!" Kobe stood up and walked towards the court. Although he knew Durant was alright, Kobe was clearly not the type to let things go so easily; he would make the Warriors pay! (End of Chapter)