pdf-ebookys Chapter 672 Is Uduka an idiot?
Chapter 672 Is Uduka an idiot?
This was a score that absolutely no one could have predicted before the match.
Even though many commentators believed the Nets would win this game, it was still somewhat unbelievable that they could lead by as many as 17 points in the first quarter.
The Mavericks have a core of Doncic and Irving, so even if one of them is out of form, the Mavericks still have a solid foundation thanks to the other.
In addition, the Mavericks also drafted a rookie named Lifeley this year who is a great fit for Doncic in the frontcourt, and made two trades before the trade deadline, which has allowed the Mavericks to reach the NBA Finals.
However, in the first quarter of the Finals, it was precisely the Mavericks' interior defense that caused problems.
The Mavericks' starting center, Gafford, is a center without a three-point shot, and at 208cm tall with a 218cm wingspan, he is somewhat inferior to the Nets' starting center, Towns.
On offense, Towns can pull Gafford out, but Gafford can't do the same thing back home.
This meant that the Mavericks only managed to grab one offensive rebound in the entire first quarter.
Doncic and Irving's shooting percentages can't be 100%, and without rebounding protection, the Mavericks have almost no second-chance opportunities.
Kidd later saw this opportunity and replaced him with the more agile, taller, and longer-armed Lifeley.
The Nets' response was to replace Westbrook, the shortest player, with Claxton.
Towns plays power forward, Claxton plays center.
Reducing the number of ball handlers, but protecting the backboard.
The only downside is that it burdened Wang Xiu a bit.
This makes it even harder for the Mavericks to grab offensive rebounds.
This is the benefit that the Nets' roster depth brings this season.
Depending on the opponent and the nature of the game, the Nets can field different lineups.
After the start of the second quarter, the Mavericks began to intensify their physical play when Doncic and Wang Xiucheng were out.
The two teams, who focused more on defense, were somewhat affected in their offense.
As a result, when Wang Xiucheng and Doncic returned, the two sides only scored 7 and 8 points respectively in the second quarter.
The Mavericks scored one more point, but committed more fouls.
After an official pause, both Wang Xiucheng and Doncic returned.
Doncic, fully recovered, began to take on one-on-one situations.
Wang Xiucheng, as always, crouched in the corner and became invisible once again.
Doncic relied on his unstoppable one-on-one ability to make three consecutive shots and also drew a foul from Westbrook.
Doncic scored 8 consecutive points, bringing the Mavericks back to 10 points.
The visiting fans who had come to Brooklyn with the team to watch the game started chanting wildly, with some even shouting "MVP".
This was obviously a gift for Doncic.
Kidd crossed his arms and looked through his reading glasses at Udoka not far away.
In his view, Uduka should be called a pause.
Whether it's to disrupt Doncic's rhythm or to set up a defensive strategy against him, this timeout is necessary.
But to Kidd's astonishment, Udoka did not call a timeout.
Of course, Uduka did do something too.
Uduka lowered his arms, which he had been holding, and shouted at Wang Xiucheng, who was walking past him as if taking a stroll.
"We lost this match, everyone will have two training sessions tomorrow!"
Upon hearing this, both Westbrook and Durant's expressions changed slightly.
Wang Xiucheng seemed to pause for a moment, and then went from walking to jogging.
Kidd looked at Udoka as if he were an idiot.
Is this over?
Can a casual shout really change the course of the game?
Kidd didn't understand the significance of that statement.
But for Nets players, this sentence is more effective than any motivational quote.
This time, Wang Xiucheng didn't go to the corner. Instead, he pushed Irving and turned around to receive the ball from Westbrook.
Without hesitation, Wang Xiucheng jumped up and swung the ball out with one hand.
The basketball flew across half the court, passing by Doncic just ten centimeters away, and then flew directly in front of Dillon, who had just run to the corner.
Although Dillon looked surprised, the tacit understanding he had developed with Wang Xiucheng over the course of the season allowed him to reach out and grab the basketball.
Without making any unnecessary movements, Dillon jumped and threw the ball when Derrick Jones was still a step away from him.
The basketball arced through the air and hit the bullseye perfectly!
With a whoosh, the net fell into the net and slammed onto the floor.
Towns casually kicked the ball out of bounds, then turned and ran, patting Dillon on the back as he went.
Kidd reached out and pushed up his reading glasses.
From the perspective of this Hall of Fame guard, although Wang Xiucheng's pass just now reached Dillon's hands, the timing seemed perfect.
However, based on his experience, this pass was by no means particularly outstanding.
Because the risk is too great!
The first reason is that Wang Xiucheng actually jumped up to pass the ball.
This is a major no-no for a defender, because once the ball is in the air, there is no room to change the passing route.
Secondly, the ball crossed half the court, and there were two players in its path: Doncic and Derrick Jones.
Even a single touch from anyone will change the ball's trajectory.
Luckily, the ball went out of bounds, and the Nets still had possession.
Unfortunately, possession changed hands, and the Mavericks were able to launch a fast break.
Therefore, Kidd considered this pass to be very bad.
But in terms of the outcome, the pass was successful, giving the Nets three points.
That pass was perfect!
Doncic had already brought the ball to the frontcourt and bumped into Wang Xiucheng, who was guarding him, with his shoulder. Doncic then used the momentary opening to squeeze into the paint.
Doncic seemed to be trying to take a layup himself, but he saw PJ Washington on the other side shake off Durant and get open.
So Doncic passed the ball over.
Suddenly split!
This is a scoring method that Doncic is very accustomed to: driving to the basket and then passing to the perimeter.
However, just as Doncic slowed down, he saw a white arm sticking out from his side.
With a loud slap, the large hand slammed into the basketball.
Yes, it's a push, not a slap!
The basketball was pushed so far that it changed direction and flew towards Durant.
Durant was also somewhat surprised, but he quickly regained control of the ball, took a step, and then passed it directly to Westbrook, who had already accelerated on the perimeter.
Westbrook took a few big steps, grabbed the basketball, and then slammed it home with a fast break.
Doncic didn't look at Westbrook, but instead looked at the person lying on the ground beside him.
It is Wang Xiucheng.
In fact, he knew who it was as soon as he saw the arm that was about the same skin color as his own.
Wang Xiucheng turned over and sat on the floor, stretching out his hand and waiting for someone to come and pull him up.
Doncic reached out and shook hands with Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng smiled and was just about to get up when Doncic suddenly let go.
This caused Wang Xiucheng to slump back onto the floor.
Doncic turned and walked away as if nothing had happened.
Wang Xiucheng, however, had a dark expression on his face.
Okay, you fatso, you just wait!