162. Sweet and yuppie Anthony

"...the Spurs are now 32 wins and 14 losses, which is actually not much different from us.

We still have 5 games before the All-Star Weekend. Although they are all home games, our opponents are very strong!

Nuggets, Clippers, Lakers, Jazz, Timberwolves...grass...

What did that sound I just made mean? Uh... grass is a kind of plant...

Don't worry about these details. The Spurs and Timberwolves will play against each other the day after tomorrow, which will be very beneficial for us to maintain second place in the Western Conference.

Both of their teams have to play against the Pistons... Actually, I can be a Pistons fan.

Next, Nuggets, Clippers, Jazz, we must win these three games, Lakers and Timberwolves, we also have to win one to be safe, it is best to win against the Timberwolves, then we will be safe..."

Maurice Cheeks was surprised and moved when he heard Liu Xiu analyzing the situation of the next five games for his teammates.

Of course he understood what the players were talking about - the battle for the Western Conference All-Star head coach!

This topic was also on the news this morning, but it was not a hot news item, but Maurice Cheeks read the news.

Because he has become one of the three favorites to be the head coach of the Western Conference All-Stars!

Last year's Western Conference All-Star coach was Adelman of the Kings. The All-Star coach cannot be re-elected. Currently, the Kings are first in the league with 36 wins and 9 losses. They are unlikely to be surpassed before the All-Star weekend. In other words, the games before the All-Star weekend

At the end of the game, whichever team is ranked second in the Western Conference, the head coach of that team will become the Western Conference All-Star head coach.

It is true that not many fans and media care about the All-Star head coach.

But as a head coach, I definitely care about it.

This is something that is rare.

But Maurice Cheeks didn't expect the players to be so concerned about this matter...

On the other side, the warden and his fellow inmates didn't know why, but when someone brought up this matter, everyone gathered in the gym to discuss it.

Maybe it's because I haven't done anything related to the team for too long. After the "Rose Bay Seven" formed a team, the Trail Blazers would be particularly active whenever they encountered something that required teamwork.

For example, working hard to improve the record creates better conditions for Liu Xiu to become an All-Star starter, such as playing against the Wizards to help Randolph score points... For example, now, everyone wants to help the head coach compete for a position on the sidelines of the All-Star game!

…

…

Being part of a Denver gang, Carmelo Anthony's cool and elegant image was gradually invaded by gangsterism and became tainted with gangsterism.

In addition, Anthony looks pretty good, so female fans gave him the nickname "Melon".

He received comments from his close friends that he was so sweet that he looked like a yuppie.

Anthony also learned a Chinese self-introduction - Hello, I am the sweet and yuppie Carmelo Anthony.

After entering the NBA, Anthony's temperament became more and more prominent.

It's not that he has become more ruthless and able to fight, but rather, he won't fight anymore unless necessary.

He could laugh off many things.

Anthony himself can feel the changes after entering society for half a year. He thinks that he is more mature.

Until, I saw this man again—Warden Liu Xiu!

Last night at dinner, this guy kept talking about All-Stars.

It's definitely not because I couldn't beat him, it's just because I was a guest at this guy's house that I didn't beat him!

It's impossible to fight in a fight, so let's see the real results on the court!

A new month has arrived. At 7:30 pm on February 1st, the Trail Blazers will play the Nuggets at home.

The Nuggets have played 47 games, and their current record is 28 wins and 19 losses, surpassing the Rockets and ranking eighth in the Western Conference.

On the opposite side, there are Nene, Camby, Chris Anderson, Francisco Elson... With opponents like this, the Trail Blazers will not be careless.

In order to deal with Andre Miller's big ass, Maurice Cheeks arranged for Liu Xiu to start tonight.

Speaking of which, Liu Xiu, as a substitute for a team, won the All-Star votes... This is even more special than when another player with the 13th pick in the first round was selected as the All-Star starter as a substitute.

Maurice Cheeks made the right choice. In the first quarter, Liu Xiu limited Andre Miller to 0 of 2 shots and only scored 2 points on free throws.

The Nuggets, who felt very good tonight, did not score particularly high because Andre Miller did not attract a double attack during the post-up phase, scoring 28 points in a single quarter.

The reason why 28 points is not particularly high is because the Trail Blazers scored 32 points in the first quarter!

Liu Xiu made 2 of 5 shots in the first quarter, and all 5 of his shots were from outside the three-point line. Given the opportunity, he shot decisively and shot 40% of the three-pointers, which is very good. He played 9 minutes and scored 6 points and 2 assists.

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The little flying squirrel, who came on the court in the second half of the first quarter, also made a three-pointer, shooting 1 of 2 from three-point range.

The two brothers combined for an excellent outside shooting performance of 3 of 7 shots, which opened up the space very well.

In addition to Randolph's 7 points and 4 rebounds, Tianzun's 6 points and 1 assist...the Trail Blazers had a total of 8 players on the field in the first quarter, and all of them scored!

Different from the previous games, this time, the Nuggets did not have an explosive mentality because they started so well and fell behind, nor did they make panic adjustments.

In the second quarter, the Nuggets steadily implemented their established tactics and actively made adjustments. While scoring 25 points in the second quarter, they limited the Trail Blazers' scoring to only 23 points!

After halftime, the Nuggets chased the score to 53-55, with only 2 points left.

In the first quarter, the Trail Blazers relied on three-pointers that could open up the space and overpowered the Nuggets, who were in excellent form tonight.

But in the second quarter, Liu Xiu made two three-pointers. He made 2 of 5 three-pointers in 9 minutes in the first quarter, which turned into 2 of 7 three-pointers in 15 minutes at halftime...

Of course, after Liu Xiu missed two consecutive three-pointers, he actively adjusted his playing style. When he didn't have the ball, he looked more for cuts and wings to help with pick-and-rolls, and passed the ball in transition, instead of always shooting from the outside.

But this only circumvents the problem of whether he should shoot a three-pointer when he has a chance. When he enters the inside, the external containment effect is gone.

The Trail Blazers' scoring collapsed in the second quarter. In fact, there were fewer outside shots. The Nuggets' strategy was to strengthen confrontation and then shrink their defense to attack track and field. The Trail Blazers reduced their outside shots and naturally fell into the Nuggets' basket.

Defensive trap.

…

During the halftime break, the mentality of the Trail Blazers' coaching staff and players was very stable. They were still leading, but their lead was narrowed in the second quarter.

After completing the adjustments, the Trail Blazers returned to the court.

Five people, including the Warden, Kobe Terminator, Outlaw, Butcher, and Tianzun, who are about to take the field, are all extremely excited when they look at the young stars on the opposite side who are about to take the field.

After they played against the Nuggets before, they determined that this team had talent that was not inferior to theirs, but at that time, this team's running-in, experience, etc. were far inferior to their Trail Blazers.

And for such a team to really improve, it will definitely improve faster than the Trail Blazers, who have already shown great strength at the beginning of the season.

This game tonight is very difficult to play, much more difficult than the last time we played against each other.

They are completely unsure about winning or losing now.

But that’s called a game!

The Nuggets' upcoming lineup: Andre Miller, Voshan Leonard, Anthony, Chris Anderson, Nene.

The Nuggets players were also extremely excited.

The two teams have a good relationship. When they play the game, their thoughts are more pure - they just want to win!

Although the players on both sides were under great pressure at this moment, they all enjoyed the game.

Soon, the second half of the game began.

The Trail Blazers have made a big tactical adjustment.

Enhanced protection of defensive rebounds, increased rushing of offensive rebounds, and more proactive use of mid- and long-range opportunities.

As the Trail Blazers thought during the halftime break, the opponent really focused its defensive attention on strengthening confrontation and actively shrinking the defensive strategy.

The Blazers were able to take advantage of those mid-range and long-range opportunities, and they took advantage.

But they have a lot of offensive rebounds...which means their long-range shots are really strong!

In competition, it doesn't mean that if you think of a method and have the ability to execute it, you will definitely be able to play well.

Throughout the third quarter, the Trail Blazers had an absolute advantage in shots and rebounds.

The Nuggets, who had 23 rebounds in the first half, only had 7 rebounds in the third quarter! The Trail Blazers had 15 rebounds in a single quarter, more than twice as many as the Nuggets.

But in this quarter, the Trail Blazers made 6 of 21 shots, plus a lot of offensive rebounds and foul shots, and only scored 22 points.

You should know that if a foul is caused and no goal is scored, the free throw will not be counted in the number of shots.

The Nuggets only made 17 successful shots, making 10 of 17 shots, including 3 of 5 three-pointers. Plus 4 of 5 free throws, they scored 27 points in a single quarter!

After three quarters, the Nuggets led the Trail Blazers by 3 points 80-77 entering the final quarter!

Liu Xiu felt what is meant by "We didn't do anything wrong but we just lost." But they hadn't lost yet and they didn't give up.

The situation we encountered tonight was not as difficult as the fierce battle between the Jazz and Grizzlies. It was not a setback, it was just not smooth sailing.

During the break, Liu Xiu actively discussed with the coaching staff.

There is one thing that Liu Xiu, the coach, and the chief assistant agree on - outside shots must not be missed. If there is a chance, and the player who has the chance has the ability to take the shot, he must take it.

Just have to find ways to get closer to the basket.
To be continued...