Chapter 283: LeBron Actually Managed to Squeeze In with Su Wan Like This! (Part 2)
In the second quarter, he became even more focused.
Unfortunately, the "Tsunami Brothers" of the New York Knicks were equally relentless.
By halftime, the New York Knicks had already extended the lead to more than 10 points.
In the second half, Kevin Durant ran into trouble.
Paul George, after adapting during the first half, gradually figured out some ways to defend Kevin Durant.
This made Durant not as easy and composed as he was at the start.
His efficiency dropped.
Luckily, Westbrook held it down in the third quarter, so the lead didn't widen further.
However, the New York Knicks played steadily until the end, smoothly securing the season opener.
Kevin Durant, eager to prove himself in front of Su Wan, scored a total of 41 points in this game.
Of which 29 were in the first half.
Only 12 in the second half...
Although still impressive, it wasn't as crazy as the first half.
It shows that Paul George's defense was quite effective after he adapted.
Of course, it also relates to Kevin Durant attacking too wildly in the first half!
In the second half, he clearly grew more tired as the game went on.
Besides Kevin Durant, the Thunder's highest scorer was Westbrook, who scored 26 points in total but only shot 40% and had 6 turnovers.
Compared to this "King Bomb Combination", the "Tsunami Brothers" of the New York Knicks were much more positive.
Firstly, Su Wan maintained his scoring power throughout the game, scoring over 7 points in each quarter, ultimately tallying 38 points, along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, hitting 5 three-pointers!
Stephen Curry scored 24 points in total, hitting 6 three-pointers with a 50% accuracy.
Yes, tonight Su Wan and Stephen Curry alone made 11 three-pointers!
Absolutely insane!
The New York Knicks ultimately defeated the Thunder team 119 to 103, a 16-point victory!
Kevin Durant looked utterly dejected after the game.
He came with ambitions to take revenge, thinking he would regain ground facing Su Wan, but he didn't even get to see Su Wan, and the team lost by 16 points!
This was far from his expectations before the game.
Faced with reporters' microphones, he said helplessly, "I think we need some more time to adjust!"
Bill Walton said, "Just looking at this game, the impact of James Harden's departure on this team is greater than we imagined. Monta Ellis's arrival can only compensate a small part of the scoring power!"
Ellis is a player without off-ball offensive skills.
This causes issues when he's on the court with Kevin Durant and Westbrook, leading to a situation where "one ball is not enough."
Over the two years James Harden was with the Thunder, he indeed had off-ball abilities.
This is the reason behind the "Thunder Three Youngsters" fitting well together.
But the outside world, including the Thunder's management, only noticed James Harden's role during substitute rotations, largely ignoring his ability to draw attention when on court with Kevin Durant and Westbrook.
From this game, it's clear that Westbrook still has a lot of adjusting to do.
This takes time...
Another thing...
"Wasn't Su Wan and Stephen a bit too crazy beyond the three-point line this game? They alone made 11 three-pointers!"
What a concept!
Barkley cited a statistic: "In this game, the Thunder lost by 12 points from beyond the three-point line!"
The New York Knicks made 18 three-pointers in total, while the Thunder only had 14 from beyond the arc...
Going crazy with three-pointers is indeed the most terrifying weapon in the current League.
D'Antoni was very satisfied with Su Wan and Stephen Curry's performance beyond the three-point line tonight: "I hope they can maintain their form!"
The next morning, the fact that they made 11 three-pointers together was featured in many media reports.
Because it was truly explosive!
Even though this era is gradually placing more emphasis on three-point shots.
But in the very first game of the new season, Su Wan and Stephen Curry delivered such a "three-point rain," which still surprised everyone.
Indeed!
Reggie Miller said, "There's only a wrongly called name, not a wrong nickname, and Su Wan said they should be called the 'Tsunami Brothers' for a reason, he must have foreseen this scene!"
Oh, this chap scored again!
He believes that the nickname, which spread last season, will reach its peak this season!
"New York Times" stated: "In his third season in the Big Apple City, Su Wan finally has his Scottie Pippen!"
In the past two seasons, although Curry's average score was the second-highest in the New York Knicks.
He still hadn't made it to the All-Star.
Instead, Boris Dior and Tyson Chandler made it into the All-Star substitute lineup in the last and penultimate seasons respectively.
Stephen Curry has yet to make it to the All-Star.
But just after this first game, New York media believes that as long as he maintains his current form, there will be a spot for him in the Eastern Conference All-Star lineup.
True to the New York media, after just the first game, they're already popping "champagne" for Stephen Curry!
Moreover, the discussion between Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal about Stephen Curry during the commentary also sparked public debate, and the discussion is growing bigger.