The Lakers also relied on Divac in position battles. He pulled up to the high post to catch the ball when Van Exel was entangled, and took on the team's organizational tasks.
His playing style is so charming that he is nicknamed "Ghost Hand". He relies on his height advantage of 216cm to hit high, making it difficult for opponents to cut off the basketball and prevent him from passing the ball.
Last season, Divac averaged 35 minutes per game, scoring 16 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.2 blocks. He performed well on both offense and defense. He was not selected for the All-Stars because there were too many excellent centers in the Western Conference.
Both Lakers defenders were running, and Yang Jian kept up with Ceballos. As soon as the opponent caught the ball inside the left three-point line, he completed the close-up. Ceballos leaned against Yang Jian twice and found that he could not squeeze in.
He moved, feeling horrified, and passed the ball out again.
Ceballos is not tall and is good at using explosive power to get rid of opponents to get shooting opportunities. He has strong confrontation ability. He often plays a small forward in the team and can get stuck with big men to fight for rebounds. Today, he faced Yang Jian, who is similar in stature.
His strength has no advantage anymore.
He didn't even dare to talk trash at the moment, for he had a premonition that it would be difficult for him to produce good statistics in this game. He felt that he was not facing off against an undrafted rookie, but against the yellow-skinned Jordan.
People who are used to relying on their physical strength to play ball tend to be a bit bully and afraid of those who are stronger. They get frustrated when they meet someone with a better body than themselves. People who can become superstars, without exception, not only rely on their physical advantages, but also have very solid basic skills.
The Lakers played very patiently and almost ran out of 24 seconds of attack time. Eldon Campbell singled out P.J. Brown and turned and threw the ball from the left to the center. 4 to 2.
In the playoffs last season, Campbell also performed very well, and together with Divac, Kemp suffered a lot. He averaged 15.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, and had an astonishing 3 blocks. pj Brown's mobility
He has strong sex, and his weight is at a disadvantage against heavy insiders.
The lack of a heavy inside line is the only shortcoming of the Sonics. Earvin Johnson is also a tall and lanky center. This is related to the Sonics' team building ideas. What the coaching staff pursues is mobility. Because of the Sonics' imaginary opponents in the playoffs
It's centers like Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson, not the "Shark" O'Neal in the East.
The chance of the Sonics and Magic meeting in the playoffs is very low. It will definitely be different after the Sharks travel west. The Sonics will definitely sign a meat shield center to deal with O'Neal.
When the SuperSonics attacked, Ceballos began to defend closely, and Yang Jian led him to run without the ball on the court. Payton and Kemp played a pick-and-roll and passed the ball to the middle. Kemp caught the ball and hit the basket. This time he was faster.
Completed a one-handed dunk. 6 to 2.
Campbell didn't jump from the side. As soon as he saw Kemp charging, he knew he couldn't guard him. He was a little slow and went to the basket to cover up the defense, which was likely to be dunked.
SuperSonics fans cheered together again, and the home team completed three dunks at the beginning. With the home opener played like this, everyone felt it was worth the price of admission.
Jack Carter lamented: "Fans of other teams will be envious of SuperSonics fans this season. Two top dunks will take off at any time. The game is so exciting. Today's top five goals will probably be taken by the SuperSonics."
Aaron Myers smiled and said: "Kemp's dunks are very violent, and Yang's dunks are violent and elegant. Yang's dunks are even more beautiful. He can easily win the dunk contest this season and has no opponent at all."
When the Lakers attacked, Ceballos couldn't get rid of him with his usual movement. As soon as he got the ball, he was followed by Yang Jian.
With such a change, Ceballos's familiar offensive rhythm has been disrupted. His playing style is a bit similar to Yang Jian. Usually he can catch the ball and shoot directly when running, or he can make moves comfortably facing the frame. Today Yang Jian is better than
He is fast and powerful, and it is difficult for him to catch the ball.
It was difficult for Ceballos to make moves with the ball and he had to pass the ball. Playing randomly would definitely not work. Del Harris is a very strict coach and will replace him.
Van Exel almost made a mistake after receiving the ball and dribbling two steps. He was under greater pressure and passed the ball to Divac. When the point guard was not able to break through, Divac was the axis of the team. This is
A major feature of the Lakers.
In a parallel world, the Lakers actually sent Divac as a bargaining chip in order to trade for Kobe from the Hornets. Jerry West was very courageous both as a player and as a manager.
After Divac observed the situation on the court, he once again chose to pass inside to Campbell. The two defenders could not get rid of him. If he insisted on passing the ball, he would probably make a mistake. When playing against the SuperSonics, you must try to reduce mistakes as much as possible. Once the ball is intercepted, it will happen.
A sharp counterattack.
Campbell relied on his weight advantage to get deep into the penalty area. After receiving the ball, he immediately pushed PJ Brown and turned to the right to shoot. This time he missed the shot due to interference, and Kemp got the rebound.
The Lakers players retreat quickly. The two teams played eight games last season, and they know how to defend against the Sonics' fast break.
In the positional battle, Yang Jian stood on the right baseline and ran up the line under the cover of PJ Brown. This time, PJ Brown successfully blocked Ceballos, and Yang Jian received Payton's pass inside the three-point line.
ball.
Campbell was still standing at a 45-degree angle in the penalty area, with no intention of jumping out to guard Yang Jian. Yang Jian caught the ball and Ceballos only had time to step forward and stretch out his hand after bypassing the screen.
Yang Jian was very confident with this easy shot. Whoosh, the ball hit the net! 8 to 2.
Yang Jian roared and scored his sixth point with an iron-blooded jump shot.
He feels that he has a good touch and wants to explode again. In fact, this is a psychological effect. Since he has the "iron-blooded jump shot" skill, he has become particularly confident in mid-range shots, and his shots are faster and more stable.
The audience gave Yang Jian some applause, which was not as enthusiastic as when he dunked. Everyone still preferred to watch dunks. Opponents didn't think so. Players who are good at shooting are even more terrible. Guards can't dunk a few times in a game.
The pressure on Ceballos increased. He boasted that Yang Jian, whom Haikou wanted to teach him a lesson, made 3 of 3 shots and gave him a big block. But he didn't score a single point. If this continues, wouldn't he be reduced to...
laughing stock?
Ceballos reached for the ball as soon as he passed half-time, and Van Exel passed it to him.
Crazy Fan's outstanding performance in the last playoffs was the main reason why Payton was criticized by countless people. Today Payton fought with him, kept pressing, and didn't give him any chance to break through. He was directly destined for the playoffs.
Confrontation intensity.
The SuperSonics star has a home whistle today, and Payton's defense will be stronger. Yang Jian is a rookie and needs to be more restrained. He doesn't make any small moves and just defends normally.
Ceballos faced the frame and dribbled the ball continuously to the left. Yang Jian took a fake move and was shaken away. But Ceballos could not score easily. The big man blocked the penalty area. His emergency stop shot was in
PJ Brown missed the ball due to interference. Kemp grabbed the rebound and immediately passed it to Payton.
Payton and Yang Jian formed a two-on-one frontcourt fast break. After Ceballos shot, he chose to rush for the offensive rebound. Not only did he not grab it, but he also missed Yang Jian.
Payton advanced from the right to the penalty area, attracting Van Exel's defense and gently threw the ball to the left with one hand. Yang Jian immediately took off, caught the ball in the air with both hands, turned around in a big windmill, and dunked the basketball with his right hand.
10 to 2.
Yang Jian and Payton jumped up and bumped their chests in celebration, and they roared together. The cheers of the fans were so loud that they almost overturned the roof, and many people were so excited that they stood up and cheered.
Lakers coach Harris took the lead in requesting a timeout. The Sonics' morale completely overwhelmed the Lakers, scoring five goals and four dunks.
Morale is very important in a basketball game and is closely linked to the players' combat effectiveness.
Every time a goal is scored, there will be a lot of cheers from the defense, and the players will become more excited and perform well. On the contrary, if there is no sound at all, the players will feel like they are performing a one-man show, and their morale will be low easily, and they may not score the goals they should.
Can't make a shot.
The Sonics were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs twice in a row, which is directly related to low morale. Payton is not a good leader, and he failed to lead the team. His key ball handling is a bit poor, and when stars need to step up and score,
He often made shots that were counterproductive.
After Yang Jian joined, he stunned his opponents with three consecutive rebounds in the first two games, which made the whole team feel like they were on fire. Harris's timeout was called very timely, which can slightly lower the opponent's morale. The Lakers must adjust their defense.