134 Be Fast, Accurate and Ruthless

After the Christmas game, the All-Star voting officially began.

At the end of the first round of voting, Zhang Jun, with his hot popularity, fans in Portland, Los Angeles and other regions, and the love of Chinese fans, actually directly made it to the third place in the Western Conference forwards and the sixth place in total votes.

Ahead of him are Carmelo Anthony of the Nuggets and Tim Duncan of the Spurs, and behind him are Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavericks and Carlos Boozer of the Utah Jazz.

Zhang Jun has a great chance of being selected into the All-Star team in his rookie season.

Originally, Zhang Jun thought that he was likely to be the only rookie player who had a chance to enter the All-Star team this year, but he didn't expect that there was someone who was even stronger than him.

"Yi Jianlian is actually ranked second in the Eastern Conference forwards in the draft rankings! And he is ranked third in the total number of votes in the East, second only to LeBron James of the Cavaliers and Kevin Garnett of the Celtics?!"

Zhang Jun was surprised.

This season, Yi Jianlian's average data is 10 points and 6 rebounds, with a shooting percentage of 43%.

Compared with his previous life, Yi Jianlian's data and performance have improved slightly, and his relationship with his teammates is not as distant as in his previous life.

However, the Bucks' record is only 10 wins and 20 losses, ranking second from the bottom in the Eastern Conference. With this record and Yi Jianlian's data, can he enter the All-Star Game?

And he is very likely to appear as the starting power forward, which is indeed a bit unacceptable.

As soon as he saw that Yi Jianlian's All-Star votes were about to exceed his own, Garnett was the first to jump out and say to the media.

"Yi Jianlian is the darling of Chinese fans. Yao Ming relied on this to squeeze out Shaquille O'Neal and become the starting center in the West."

"Yi Jianlian's performance this season is not worthy of entering the All-Star Game. His data and the Bucks' record are completely unable to support him to be selected into this level of lineup."

"This is cheating!"

"If Yi Jianlian really enters the All-Star lineup with such data and performance in his rookie season, it will be a shame for the entire NBA!"

.........

What Garnett said in the interview quickly spread throughout the United States and the world, and everyone was scrambling to discuss this situation.

Chinese fans naturally denounced it online.

"We voted for Yi Jianlian to be in the All-Stars based on our ability, why can't he be in?

"This is a contempt for the rules, a trampling on human rights, is this a moral decline or a distortion of human nature."

.........

League Office.

David Stern naturally knows the issue that has been hotly discussed in the United States recently.

"This is really a very troublesome matter. On the one hand, it is the constraints of the rules, on the other hand, it is the face of the league, and more importantly, we are now actively exploring the Chinese market. ”

It is precisely because of this last reason that when Yao Ming became the starting center of the Western All-Star Game with an average of 13 points and 8 rebounds per game, David Stern still resolutely let him play as the starting center of the Western All-Star Game, even though he encountered protests and targeting from countless players.

Fortunately, Yao Ming later proved that he was indeed worthy of the title of the No. 1 center in the Western Conference, and the matter was turned over and no one mentioned it again.

As a result, who would have thought that Yi Jianlian of the Bucks would do this again.

Adam Silver also felt the thorniness of this problem.

"The first problem we should solve is that according to the current All-Star voting, Yi Jianlian is likely to be selected for the All-Star Game, and he will also start, so should we let him play?"

"This is a problem that must be solved."

David Stern shook his head decisively and said: "This is absolutely not allowed. A player who averages only 26 minutes per game and only 10 points and 6 rebounds per game entered the All-Star Game. This is a slap in the face of the entire league, and the players will definitely be very uncomfortable. "

"If Yi Jianlian passes the All-Star Game this year, what about next year and the year after? Will he continue to be in the All-Star Game?"

"What if future players follow suit?"

Yi Jianlian is not Yao Ming after all, and David Stern is very clear about this.

Yao Ming was the No. 1 pick and a player who was able to enter the NBA after the Rockets and the league management had a hard time winning over him. His strength back then was much stronger than Yi Jianlian's current strength, and the Chinese market at that time was also in urgent need of development.

So David Stern can turn a blind eye and let Yao Ming become an All-Star center, but Yi Jianlian can't.

Adam Silver nodded, this is indeed a link that cannot be relaxed.

"Then we have to consider how to solve the adverse effects of Yi Jianlian's failure to be selected for the All-Star Game."

David Stern thought the same way. He subconsciously glanced at Adam Silver beside him and asked curiously: "What do you think?"

Adam Silver thought for a while and said: "Rewrite the rules!"

"This way, Yi Jianlian can be prevented from being selected for the All-Star Game this time, and the possibility of such a thing happening in the future can also be eliminated. "

David Stern nodded with satisfaction and said: "So, how to change the rules?"

Adam Silver had already thought about this question, so when facing David Stern's question, he directly explained it.

"First, all NBA rookies cannot be selected as All-Stars. At most, they can only participate in the Rookie All-Star Game. "

"The second point is to re-adjust the proportion of fan votes. The weight of fans' votes will be cut in half to 50%, while the other 50% will be accounted for by players and media votes, each accounting for 25%."

"As a result, Yi Jianlian will not be able to enter the All-Star Game anyway, and after the future voting mechanism is reformed, it will be difficult for him to enter the All-Star Game solely relying on the votes of Chinese fans."

David Stern nodded, this is indeed a very good way of reform.

"It's just that this means Zhang Jun won't be able to enter this year's All-Star Game."

Adam Silver frowned slightly when he heard this, and then he remembered that there was another player among this year's rookies who was selected as an All-Star.

Zhang Jun is definitely the hottest new star in the league now, and he is also very popular among the fans. If he cannot enter the All-Stars, it will definitely be a very big loss, and it is also very easy to cause problems in Los Angeles and Portland. Dissatisfaction among local fans.

"This is indeed a problem."

David Stern thought for a while and said: "So, how about discarding the first one?"

"We still give every rookie in the future the opportunity to enter the All-Stars in the first year, but the voting mechanism has changed from completely fan-dominated to half the weight of fan votes, and the remaining half is evenly distributed to each team in the league. coaches, players and media.”

...........

January 4th.

The league announced new All-Star voting rules. Because of this, Yi Jianlian dropped directly from third place to twelfth place in the Eastern Conference's total votes. His hope of entering the All-Stars is already very slim.

And no matter how the fans behind them increase their voting efforts, because half of the weight is in the hands of coaches, players and media, it is very difficult for Yi Jianlian to enter the All-Star Game.

Zhang Jun actually benefited from this rule, because his fan base is not that large. On the contrary, the votes of players, coaches and media gave him an advantage.

........

January 7th.

The Trail Blazers take on the Phoenix Suns on the road.

Two teams that belong to the league's first offensive echelon finally met together.

Kenny Smith did not forget to remind: "So far, the Suns have averaged 111.4 points per game this season, and the Trail Blazers have averaged 111.1 points per game."

"The two teams rank third and fourth respectively in the team scoring average. They are among the only four teams in the league that can average more than 110 points per game."

Barkley analyzed: "Although both teams can score, there are very obvious differences in the offense and play style on the field."

"The Suns are the most unique fast-playing whirlwind in the league. They take advantage of the mobility and flexibility of all the players in the team, as well as assist king Nash who is very good at finding favorable opportunities in fast breaks, so they play a very fast and efficient bombardment tactic. ”

"The Trail Blazers are among the top five teams in the league with a high proportion of individual offenses. Both Zhang Jun and Luo Yin have a lot of individual possessions with the ball, so the team that defends them needs individual defense capabilities. Very good player.”

On the court.

The big screen quickly showed the starting lineups of the two teams.

Trail Blazers regular starting lineup.

The Suns' starting lineup: Point guard Steve Nash, shooting guard Raja Bell, small forward Shawn Marion, power forward Burris Diaw and center Amar'e Stoudemire.

Game start.

Joel Przybilla helped the Trail Blazers jump on the first possession of the offensive ball, and the Trail Blazers attacked.

Luo Yin faced Laga Bell's defense and chose to hit a mid-range shot after a pick-and-roll with Aldridge.

Although Lagaber is only 196cm tall and his wingspan is not very good, he is a very clinging and strong defender, often using tearing defense to prevent offensive players' efficiency from plummeting.

So Luo Yin took the initiative to ask for Aldridge's pick-and-roll when attacking, and chose a misplaced attack.

The Suns do not double-team or switch defenses during pick-and-rolls. They are completely restricted by the players' personal defensive abilities. They do not have any defensive tactics at all. They have long been accustomed to their opponents' easy scoring.

Switch offense.

Burris Diaw served a baseline ball, and Nash advanced quickly with the ball. He passed halftime in just three seconds.

Amare Stoudemire raised the pick-and-roll, and Nash used the pick-and-roll to quickly break through to the basket.

Because Amare Stoudemire and Nash are both very fast and flexible players, and after the two break through, they use two-line offensive tactics at the same time, which greatly tests the flexibility of the defensive players.

Jarrett Jack and Joel Przbilla can only choose to switch defenses, because the latter is not a flexible center and cannot solve this kind of mismatched defense at all.

Joel Przybilla knew the price he would face after such a switch, and could only hold up his hands to block Nash's passing vision and passing route.

But Nash's sudden stop made Joel Przybilla think that the opponent was going to shoot, and he rushed over.

Nash hit the ground and Stoudemire caught the ball and rose into the air.

boom!

A dunk like a tyrant lifting a tripod.

"It's impossible to guard against it."

"When the Suns used pick-and-roll tactics on the offensive end, the Trail Blazers couldn't guard them at all."

"If you change defense, you will be misplaced and singled out. If you don't change defense, you will face Nash breaking into the penalty area. There is no tall inside man to help defend."

Nate McMillan frowned. He really wanted to praise the opponent's head coach Mike D'Antoni. This offensive tactic was really outstanding.

Stoudemire set a high pick-and-roll and took away interior defender Joel Przybilla.

Nash started the offense very quickly after taking advantage of the pick-and-roll, and he was also a great threat when he broke into the basket. However, because Joel Przybilla was pulled to the outside by Stoudemire, there was no big center player to protect the frame.

If Nate McMillan arranges Zhang Jun or Aldridge on the weak side to cover up, then Nash will immediately pass the ball.

In other words, the Suns' offensive style will definitely have an open offensive player on the court. Unless the Trail Blazers have a very strong defensive rotation ability and can always quickly keep up with the Suns' ball transfers, it will be difficult to defend against them. Down each other.

"We need to run."

Zhang Jun shouted to his teammates.

Joel Przybilla shook his head helplessly and said: "But I'm not as flexible as Stoudemire. I can't keep up with him and I can't get around the screen. The pick-and-roll between him and Nash can completely mess me around."

"Then don't go out to defend, Joel." Zhang Jun said firmly.

Joel Przybilla was surprised and said in confusion: "How can we limit Nash in the pick-and-roll without following the defense? Is it possible to let him use the pick-and-roll to shoot?"

Jarrett Jack reminded: "Nash's shots from beyond the three-point line are very accurate. It is definitely not a wise choice to prevent him from shooting."

Zhang Jun agreed and said: "I will make up for it in advance. Joel's pace is too slow to keep up with them, but I can."

Aldridge said: "But then your defender is also open."

Zhang Jun naturally knew this and said: "So, I need all of us to run and help our teammates fill the defensive gaps. Only in this way can we prevent the Suns' attack."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Rather than letting Nash and Stoudemire carry out pick-and-roll attacks unscrupulously, they would rather do something on the court, regardless of whether it is useful or not.

The game continues.

Luo Yin once again singled out Raja Bell and asked Aldridge for a pick-and-roll. This time he switched to a breakthrough layup.

As the season progresses, Luo Yin's personal offense is getting better and better. His average data per game has increased to 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. He also ranked 13th in the Western Conference All-Star voting.

It's a pity that there are too many top guards in the Western Conference, including Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Tracy McGray, Steve Nash, Chris Paul, and Manu Ginobi. Players such as Leigh and Tony Parker firmly occupy the list. It should be very difficult for Luo Yin to be selected as a starter in the All-Star Game this year.

But he has gradually shown the ability and temperament of an All-Star player, and he might be selected as a substitute All-Star by the Western Conference star coach.

Even if it doesn't work, Zhang Jun can still feel that Luo Yin will definitely make the Western Conference All-Star next season at most.

"But if Luo Yin and I can both make the All-Stars this year, then it will be the first time in many years that a player from the Trail Blazers will be selected as an All-Star."

Suns offense.

Nash and Stoudemire continued to play the same high pick-and-roll, but this time Zhang Jun's cover surprised everyone.

Fortunately, Nash has a very good sense of passing. After seeing Zhang Jun coming to double-team, he immediately passed the ball to Laga Bell on the weak side.

Luo Yin's defense was very quick and he immediately jumped out.

Compared to Nash, Raja Bell's passing ability is much worse.

This is the main reason why Zhang Jun dared to let his teammates dive boldly and rotate defense.

It is of course completely impossible to use such defensive tactics to restrict Nash. He will definitely find open teammates as soon as possible. But unfortunately, not every player on your Suns team is Nash, so it is impossible for every player to be Nash. Players all have such passing ability and passing awareness.

As long as the first pass is defended, the speed and efficiency of subsequent passes will drop a lot, and the Trail Blazers can easily defend this round of offense.

Laga Bell hesitated for a while while holding the ball, and he did not dare to take the risk of passing the ball, and the offensive opportunity on the field quickly disappeared.

This scene made Nash from the outside stomp his feet.

"You pass the ball to Diaw in the opposite corner!"

"Just like this, with a twist of his little hand, he passed the ball through the gap between the two of them. He had to be fast, accurate and ruthless."