NOVEL WEB Chapter 275 King of Magic Balls? Timberwolves' anti-magic ball defense!
Many star fans also burst into applause from the front row on the sidelines. When they came to the scene tonight, everyone was looking forward to Lin Fei's performance on the field.
Although the Timberwolves are the stronger finals team, Lin Fei is also the most popular superstar.
Countless star fans from home and abroad came to the scene tonight, giving the small ball city of Minneapolis an unprecedented vitality.
In the square outside the Target Center Arena, there was also a dense crowd of more than 5 fans.
These fans come from all over the world, from seven continents and four oceans. It is their love for basketball and NBA that brings them together at this moment.
Many retired and current NBA stars, as well as players who have entered the offseason early, also came to the scene tonight. Even if they were sitting in the second-floor stands, they wanted to witness this highly anticipated finals with their own eyes.
Michael Jordan, "Magic" Johnson, Larry Bird, "Sky Hook" Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell, Moses Malone, Karl Malone, Gary Payton, David Robinson, Patrick Yoo because……
Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade, Yao Yao, T-Mac, Duncan, Carter...
In the pre-game ESPN interview, beauty reporter Erin Andrews also interviewed Kobe specifically and asked him what he thought of tonight’s G1 finals:
Kobe smiled into the microphone and said: "I think the Timberwolves will win this game, but Lin will win the applause of the fans!"
As Lin Fei's girlfriend, Qin Dongmei also put down her work in the company and came to the scene in person, sitting in the front row with Swift to cheer for Lin Fei.
Fans in the audience naturally spotted Swift in the evening dress in the front row, and couldn't help but comment.
"Look, isn't that Swift? She is a loyal fan of Lin and the Knicks. She never falls behind in almost every game!"
"The Asian beauty sitting next to Swift is Lin's girlfriend, right? She doesn't look very pretty, right? How did Lin become obsessed with her?"
"I heard that Swift has always had a crush on Lin, but Lin already has a girlfriend. The title song of Swift's new album is specially written for Lin!"
Since the official release of her first music album in October last year, Swift's popularity and influence in the American music circle have soared. She has participated in many music ceremonies and won multiple newcomer awards.
In the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs in the G4 game, Lin Fei created a miracle of 35 seconds and 16 minutes. Swift was so inspired that she composed a song specifically for Lin Fei and the Knicks, called "Miracle." "(Miracle)" was on the Billboard New Songs chart within 24 hours of its release.
In a position with a good view in the third row of the court, Jay Chou wearing a peaked cap also appeared in front of the camera, and next to him sat a mysterious beauty wearing a mask.
Similar to Swift's "Miracle", Jay Chou was also inspired at that time. In less than 10 minutes, he contributed a song to Lin Fei's 35 seconds and 16 minutes. He composed and arranged it himself, and Fang Wenshan Lyrics.
Within 24 hours of being released on major Chinese music platforms, Jay Chou's single titled "Strike to Kill" had been played and listened to 200 million times, with over 10 comments and forwards.
In 2007, an era when the 3G network was not yet open, this was definitely an unprecedented miracle for online music.
Mayday, China's number one rock group, also composed the song "Unbridled" for Lin Fei's 35 seconds and 16 minutes miracle. This song is also an advertising song for Pepsi Cola.
There are several lyrics in this song that fit very well with the sportsmanship displayed by Lin Fei in the NBA:
"Newton wants us all to live on the ground, but I want to fly!"
"We must break free from the bonds of fate, overthrow the Berlin Wall, and stand on the shoulders of giants!"
In several luxury boxes on the roof of the museum, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, Knicks owner James Dolan, the world's richest man Bill Gates and his friend Paul Allen, owner of the Trail Blazers,
And Hussein Obama, a member of the MZ Party who was giving speeches in various places to run for the new president of the United States, were also attracted by this highly anticipated finals.
As Lin Fei's good friends in football, this time Kaká and Messi also flew to the United States hand in hand. They took their respective girlfriends and sat in the front row of the court to cheer for Lin Fei in the finals.
This year, Kaka, inspired by his friend Lin Fei, has completely ushered in the peak year of his personal football career. Won the Serie A Player of the Year in 06-07 season.
In the Champions League final on May 5, Kaka assisted Inzaghi to score, helping AC Milan revenge Liverpool 23-2 and win the seventh Champions League trophy in team history.
Lin Fei also specially sent a congratulatory message to Kaka at that time. Thinking of the Kaka autographed jersey still stored in his study room, its value should have increased rapidly now.
In the annual Golden Globe Award and World Footballer of the Year, which will be selected at the end of the year, Kaka has obvious advantages and is expected to reach the pinnacle of football in 2007.
On the other hand, the 19-year-old Messi also made rapid progress this year. He scored 36 goals in 17 games this season, helping Barcelona win the La Liga championship. He was also elected as the best young player of FIFPRO.
Although their football careers are booming, there is still a big gap in influence and popularity compared to Lin Fei, who is now all-powerful in the NBA.
"Lionel, do you think Lin can lead the Knicks to win this game tonight?"
"I find it difficult, but Lin will definitely play a wonderful game. On the NBA court, he has always been omnipotent!"
This NBA Finals was broadcast live in more than 72 countries and 109 regions around the world, with more than 8 million people watching online in real time.
2007 was a year of rapid development for the NBA around the world. Lin Fei's 35 seconds and 16 minutes raised the NBA's global influence to a whole new level.
In front of a relatively empty spot on the second floor of the stands, the four members of Tianchao's commentary team, Zhang, Yang Yi, Su Qun and Yu Jia, had already arranged cameras and other instruments.
Prepare to explain this focus of the finals live to hundreds of millions of fans in China.
"Chinese five sets, Chinese five sets, hello to all the fans and friends in front of the TV and the Internet, I am Zhang Lili, and this is the game scene of the NBA 2006-07 season finals!"
"Standing next to me are Teacher Yang Yi, Teacher Su Qun and Teacher Yu Jia! In ten minutes, this exciting finals G1 will begin!"
"I believe that every Lin Fei fan will be familiar with the Target Center Arena in Minneapolis. In the 2004 Western Conference Finals and Finals, this place witnessed the Taipei victory between Lin Fei and the Timberwolves. What a miracle!”
"Now Lin Fei returns to the Target Center Arena in a new capacity, as the leader of the New York Knicks, to challenge his former home team and teammates here!"
"This is also the fourth consecutive year that Lin Fei has reached the NBA Finals on behalf of three different teams, creating a new history of the NBA!"
"There is an old saying in our country that a solid camp and a smooth army are the best, and in the past four years, the NBA Finals has been a solid team with Lin Fei and smooth sailing!"
While Director Zhang and the other three commentators discussed the comparison of the two teams' paper strengths,
At this time, the live screens of China's five TV stations also showed Lin Fei's average data in the finals of the past three seasons, which aroused the memories and reveries of countless fans.
"Lin Fei's average per game in the finals last season was really incredible. Even though he was suspended for three games, he was still the best candidate for FMVP!"
"Facts have proven that David Stern's approach is completely correct. Lin deserves the FMVP in the 06 Finals!"
"I have been the team's scoring leader in the finals for three consecutive years, but I only got one FMVP. Forget it, it was given to Kevin Garnett in 04. After all, Lin Fei is new here, but the FMVP in 05 really should be given to Lin Fei, but in the end he gave it to O’Neal who was maintaining his health!”
"In the past three championships, the anti-fans said that Fei Ge was joining the team to keep warm. This season Fei Ge led the Knicks to the finals and won the championship again. I don't think anyone would dare to question it!"
On the Chinese side, according to incomplete statistics, the total number of fans waiting in front of the TV to watch the live game has exceeded 8700 million, approaching million.
At the Bird's Nest Stadium on the North Fourth Ring Road of the Imperial Capital, the much-anticipated NBA Finals was being broadcast on a huge external screen. Tens of thousands of Imperial Capital people gathered here to stop and watch.
"Lin Fei is really the pride of our dynasty. With him, the preparations for the Olympic Games in the imperial capital will be smoother!"
"Now Lin Fei is the face of the entire NBA. If it were placed 10 years ago, who would have thought that a defender from our country could also stand at the pinnacle of the world's highest basketball world?"
"I sincerely hope that the 08 Imperial Capital Olympics will come as soon as possible. By then, the Tianchao Men's Basketball Team led by Lin Fei and Dayao will definitely be able to perform well again at our doorstep!"
My eyes returned to the Target Center Arena in Minneapolis. The time came to 7 p.m.
At the signal of referee Joey Crawford, the starting players of both teams also took to the court.
The New York Knicks’ starting five are:
Point guard (pg): Stephon Marbury,
Shooting guard (sg): Lin Fei,
Small forward (sf): Trevor Ariza,
Power forward (PF): Zach Randolph,
Center (c): Eddie Curry.
The starting five for the Minnesota Timberwolves are:
Point guard (pg): Carlos Arroyo,
Shooting guard (sg): Ray Allen,
Small forward (sf): Gerald Wallace,
Power forward (PF): Ron Artest,
Center (c): Kevin Garnett.
"Wolf King" Garnett and Eddie Curry stepped into the center circle to jump the ball. With this better experience, Garnett took the lead in flying the basketball over Eddie Curry's head.
"Snapped!"
Arroyo pushed the ball forward, and the Timberwolves took the lead in attacking.
Garnett went directly to the high post in the frontcourt and took the lead in setting a screen for Ray Allen, who was running without the ball.
"Whoosh!"
It's just that Lin Fei was very fast around the defense and was always chasing Ray Allen to prevent him from easily catching the ball. This did not allow Garnett's screen to have enough effect.
As a power forward switched to center, Garnett came to face Eddie Curry on the Knicks. It can be said that he has both advantages and disadvantages.
Although Garnett may not be as good as Eddie Curry in terms of tonnage and physical confrontation, in terms of mid-range jumper accuracy, speed, breakthrough skills and explosive power, Garnett completely beats Eddie Curry.
At the same time, on the defensive end, as a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Garnett's assist defense at the basket is also the best in the league, but when it comes to fighting the center in the low post, it is still slightly insufficient.
Lin Fei defended Ray Allen in the opening game and prevented him from catching the ball easily, so Ray Allen used constant running to completely take away Lin Fei's defensive attention.
Arroyo played a pick-and-roll with Garnett in the middle and misplaced the ball to the Wolf King. At this time, the Wolf King took Eddie Curry out of the penalty area.
Artest in the high post on the right wing provided another off-ball screen for Gerald Wallace. Gerrard directly threw Ariza away and cut to the basket, receiving the ball from the Wolf King's high post.
He jumped up directly and delivered a one-handed dunk.
"Boom!"
The Timberwolves played a very united cover tactic in this game. The athletic advantages of Gerald Wallace and Artest on the front line and Kevin Garnett's support ability in the high post were fully utilized.
Timberwolves head coach Kevin McHale, who was standing on the sidelines, was very satisfied with the team's execution of the offensive tactics in the opening game.
Although the Timberwolves have an advantage on the front line in single position matchups, McHale believes that the players should try to cooperate at the beginning so that each other can integrate into the game as soon as possible and maintain a positive offensive and defensive state.
The ball changed, and Marbury brought the ball to the frontcourt. He saw Gerald Wallace on the outside chasing Lin Fei very fiercely. He used his height and long arms to interfere hard and prevent the opponent from easily receiving the ball. Chance,
Lin Fei no longer deliberately asked Marbury for the ball to play in singles, but instead motioned to the opponent to get one of his own.
Facing Arroyo, Marbury directly chose to make a sudden stop and jump shot, and the basketball hit the net.
"Shh!"
In the starting point guard matchup, Marbury, who has experienced many battles, still has certain advantages over Arroyo.
The Timberwolves head coach standing on the sidelines nodded slightly, expressing satisfaction with the Timberwolves' defense.
Except for Lin Fei, singles and even open three-pointers from the Knicks' other role players are all acceptable to the Timberwolves tonight.
But the biggest mission of the team's defensive end is to limit Lin Fei's outbursts as strictly as possible, using multiple strategies such as zone defense and double-teaming to prevent Lin Fei from scoring consecutively.
As the general manager who watched Lin Fei emerge in the Timberwolves in the past, and also a defensive champion from the Green Army in the 80s, McHale knew the importance of Lin Fei's defense.
Without Lin Fei's superb performance, this Knicks team would still be a weak team in the Eastern Conference that cannot make the playoffs.
The Timberwolves attacked. "Wolf King" Garnett used his steps to get rid of Eddie Curry in the high post. He tried to make a big jump shot and missed the frame, but Artest pushed past Randolph and grabbed the offensive rebound.
Direct tip-in succeeded.
"Shh!"
As a guest starting power forward this season, Artest has shown a more flexible role on the court. Not only can he beat Randolph with his strong body, but he is also significantly faster and agility than the Black Bear.
Knicks (2): (4) Timberwolves.
Isaiah Thomas, who was standing on the sidelines, frowned slightly. The two forwards of the Timberwolves, Gerald Wallace and Ron Artest, were really everywhere on both offense and defense.
He is capable and willing to be a blue-collar worker. He works hard next to Garnett, masters offense and defense, and works hard and hard.
This is also an important reason why the Timberwolves were able to reach the finals in the brutally competitive Western Conference.
When the ball was transferred, Lin Fei directly brought the ball to the frontcourt. Facing Gerald Wallace's close defense, his eyes swept across the frontcourt and he instantly saw through the Timberwolves' defensive strategy.
This is actually a zone defense strategy similar to one-to-four, but Ray Allen and Ron Artest on the wings are also relatively outside, ready to step forward at any time to double-team and interfere with themselves.
At the same time, Kevin Garnett in the low post is in charge. Even if Eddie Curry raises the pick-and-roll, he will not be completely brought out. With his height, wingspan and top-notch defensive awareness, he completely cuts off his chance to break through and score.
Rather than saying it is a one-to-four defense, it is better to say that this is a 1-2-2 defensive formation, which arranges three layers of defensive barriers for Lin Fei on the outermost side, before and after the three-point line and under the basket.
The purpose is to cut off his outside shots and break through the basket, but instead appropriately let go of a large area in the mid-range.
It seems that the entire league has thoroughly studied its own offensive methods, and the three-pointer and the basket have long become key defense and control areas.
Lin Fei's offensive style itself is highly magic ball-oriented, and the Timberwolves' defense tonight is also an anti-magic ball strategy.
Instead of rushing into a singles attack, Lin Fei chose to lob the ball to Eddie Curry under the basket, who was holding Durant with his back, allowing the opponent to rely on his strength to attack.
This season, Garnett spends most of his time as a center, so he has gained some weight. Faced with a large center like Eddie Curry, even if he suffers a little from the hard bar, he can often provide enough interference with his experience.
"Snapped!"
Just when Eddie Curry was about to turn over and hook after two collisions, the Wolf King with his back quickly turned sideways, showing the style of the two-time best defensive player. He struck decisively with his long arms and swatted away Eddie. Basketball in Dee Curry's hands.
In terms of reaction and sensitivity inside, Garnett completely crushed the young Eddie Curry.
The Wolf King, who quickly took control of the ball, gave the ball to Arroyo immediately, and the Timberwolves quickly launched a counterattack fast break.
Ray Allen, Gerald Wallace and Ron Artest flew down in three directions, and the Timberwolves played a familiar fast break mode.
Lin Fei, who retreated immediately, could only take the lead to defend Gerald Wallace, who was cutting through the basket. Arroyo quickly distributed the ball to Ray Allen, who was following up at a 45-degree angle on the right.
Junzi Lei was decisive and cold-blooded after receiving the ball, and he shot a chasing three-pointer with his hand.
"Shh!"
The Target Center Arena was filled with cheers and shouts. The Timberwolves started the game with a hearty 7-2 win, but Lin Fei and the Knicks were clearly not in the zone yet.
The ball was transferred. This time Lin Fei received Marbury's pass in the frontcourt and faced Gerald Wallace's personal defense.
He directly accelerated and changed direction to break into the three-point line, and with the help of Eddie Curry's pick-and-roll, Artest went straight into the penalty area.
"Whoosh!"
However, Garnett, who was standing under the basket at this time, was confident. Facing Lin Fei who was three meters away in front of him, he had no intention of stepping forward to tackle him.
Garnett knew that Lin Fei didn't have a mid-range shot, so he would be foolproof just by sticking to the basket.
On the other hand, Gerrard and Artest, who were left behind, had no intention of catching up at this time, leaving Lin Fei with a chance to take action from a wide open position in the mid-range.
Lin Fei suddenly felt embarrassed, and only at this moment did he realize the importance of CIC.
In desperation, Lin Fei could only make a sudden stop and start rhythm change, bite the bullet and get to the basket, use a hard lever to dpoy, withstand Garnett's defense, pull the lever in the air and throw the ball with his backhand.
"Whoosh!"
Lin Fei's backhand throw had a high arc this time and successfully avoided Garnett's big hand to defend him, but his aim was slightly poor. The basketball bounced off the board and hit the edge of the basket, missing the ball.
"Snapped!"
However, the offensive rebound was actively grabbed by Eddy Curry. The latter jumped up strongly with Garnett on his back, grabbed the ball with both hands and smashed it into the basket.
"Boom!"
After all, Garnett was unable to defeat four opponents with two fists. Eddie Curry also used a shark dunk to regain the face that was stolen in the last round.
"The Timberwolves' defensive focus is obviously on Lin, focusing on the three-point line and the basket area. The other main players of the Knicks must step up to share the pressure for Lin. Stephen, Zach, Trevor and others should be appropriately added. A mid-range shot!”
"Facts have proved that Lin really doesn't have a mid-range shooting package. He just didn't dare to take a shot when there was such a big open space about 4 meters away from the basket!"