dognovel Chapter 65 Kemba Walker's Miscalculation
Chapter 65 Kemba Walker's Miscalculation
The game started soon.
The Rockets' starting lineup remains the same five players whom Yang Yi nicknamed the "Five Eccentrics of Jiangnan".
The Knicks' starting lineup consisted of Barrett, Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Fournier, and Kemba Walker.
The Knicks are not considered strong this season, and many experts in the league believe they will have a hard time making the playoffs.
But against the Rockets, who are aiming for the number one draft pick, the Knicks, once considered underdogs, are now being favored.
I don't know if it's because of the winter, but both players' hands were terribly cold.
With six minutes remaining in the game, the Knicks were down by two points, 8-10, to the Rockets.
Both sides took quite a few shots, but none of them went in; the rims were even bent out of shape from the impact.
Both coaches called a timeout, but neither changed the situation.
Spike Lee held his head, looking utterly incredulous.
He probably had never seen a game with such a low score before.
When Jalen Green took a wide-open three-pointer but missed completely, Silas couldn't take it anymore and called out four players from the bench.
Wang Xiucheng was naturally among them.
Suddenly, many fans in the stadium stood up and applauded, and even whistled.
This startled the models in the front row who had been posing for photos.
They thought there was some kind of tradition at Knicks home games, so they started clapping along.
Spike Lee clapped the most enthusiastically; he even stood up and raised his hands high above his head to clap.
It was him. If anyone else had dared to do that in the front row at the Knicks' home arena, they would have been kicked out long ago.
Sitting below the technical table, Wang Xiucheng quickly glanced at today's competition tasks.
Today's task is only two, or you could say one, simple and straightforward.
[Task 1: After the match ends, for every +1 in plus or minus value, you will be awarded 20 system points.]
[Task 2: For every 1 point of positive or negative value +10 (inclusive) or higher, a reward of 40 points will be given.]
Taking advantage of the dead ball situation, Wang Xiucheng and his three friends made their entrance.
Jalen Green, covered in sweat, wiped his forehead with his jersey and let out a sigh of relief. But they had managed to get through that period.
As Wang Xiucheng appeared, the beautiful models stared wide-eyed and swallowed involuntarily.
These seasoned veterans immediately saw this handsome young man, who still looked somewhat naive, as their prey.
So, one by one, these women started striking poses, hoping the boy would notice them.
Wang Xiucheng felt a little uncomfortable.
He felt countless burning gazes fixed on him, and they were undisguised.
Although similar things can happen at other stadiums as well.
But it wasn't so blatant, as if I were being stripped naked and displayed.
The game resumes, and the Knicks are on offense.
Kemba Walker had the ball, and Wang Xiucheng quickly closed in.
Kemba Walker leaned forward, protecting the basketball, and moved forward little by little.
Although Kemba Walker is only 183 cm tall, he has a good wingspan, which is at least 10 cm longer than his height. So when he used his body to protect one side of the basketball, he thought it would be impossible for Wang Xiucheng to cut the ball.
But the next moment, Wang Xiucheng suddenly lunged at his side.
At that moment, Kemba Walker's basketball had just left his hand and was hitting the floor, unable to be retrieved.
He immediately lowered his body, trying to retrieve the basketball.
But with a snap, Kemba Walker watched helplessly as Wang Xiucheng's finger poked the basketball before he could.
Then he saw Wang Xiucheng supporting himself on one hand, almost crawling forward. After a few steps, Wang Xiucheng grabbed the ball and charged towards the basket.
Jalen Green rushed out instantly, only a few meters away from Wang Xiucheng.
Although there were no defenders in front of him, Jalen Green did not slow down, knowing that Wang Xiucheng would definitely see him.
He also knew that Wang Xiucheng must know how frustrating he had been during those few minutes.
Wang Xiucheng slowed down slightly, seemingly glancing at the basket out of the corner of his eye, before throwing the basketball into the backboard.
Wang Xiucheng then quickly turned around and cleared the runway.
Jalen Green took a big step into the free throw line, leaped high, and at the highest point of his jump, met the rebounding basketball.
Ah!
Jalen Green caught the basketball in mid-air with one hand, yelled, and slammed it into the basket.
With a thud, the basketball and Green landed almost simultaneously.
After venting his anger, Green immediately turned around to look for Wang Xiucheng.
It was discovered that Wang Xiucheng had gradually taken his place.
Green then pointed at Wang Xiucheng to indicate that the pass was beautiful.
Wang Xiucheng also raised his hand in response.
The Knicks' home crowd didn't hold back their applause for the Rockets' rookie.
Kemba Walker glanced at Wang Xiucheng, then jogged back to receive the ball.
Something is wrong!
Wang Xiucheng shouldn't have been able to cut his own ball just now.
Based on Wang Xiucheng's previous match videos, this distance was sufficient for him to react.
But Wang Xiucheng still managed to touch the ball.
Why is that?
Kemba Walker decided to try again.
So he once again used the sideways movement to shield the ball and came in front of Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng tried to steal the ball twice, but Kemba Walker immediately stepped back half a step each time, leaving Wang Xiucheng empty-handed.
With time running out, Kemba Walker decided to take matters into his own hands.
Using his teammate's screen, he circled to the other side, and just as he gathered the ball, he was about to jump...
Snapped!
Wang Xiucheng's fingers slapped the basketball.
The basketball slipped from his hands, but Jalen Green caught it and immediately accelerated past the players behind him.
Bang!
Another powerful dunk!
Green roared again, "This is fucking awesome!"
This is how basketball should be played!
Kemba Walker stood there and looked at his hands.
He has always been an expert in this area, knowing what distance is safe for which type of opponent.
This is why he has been able to maintain his position in the league for a long time, even though he is neither tall nor fast.
But today he suffered two setbacks at the hands of Wang Xiucheng.
why?
Suddenly Kemba Walker's eyes lit up.
He immediately straightened up, took the initiative to stand in front of Wang Xiucheng, and stared straight at Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng's expression changed when he saw the way the man was looking him up and down.
He won't attack me just because I intercepted two balls from him, will he?
But the next moment, Kemba Walker's voice rang out.
"You've grown taller?" Kemba Walker took two steps back and stretched out his arm to show his height. "Your arms seem to have grown too."
Kemba Walker had an "I see" look on his face.
He had never played against Wang Xiucheng; he only watched videos of him and other players, such as Paul, to simulate Wang Xiucheng's height and wingspan.
But to everyone's surprise, Wang Xiucheng grew taller in just a few days.
Even though it may not be much, even 1 centimeter is important.
For men, every centimeter can help you defeat many opponents who were originally evenly matched.
Especially NBA players.
Wang Xiucheng looked surprised. This guy could even see that?
Even my teammates didn't notice that I had grown taller.
But Kemba Walker, as his opponent, was able to detect it in just two rounds?
Such terrifying observational skills.
Kemba Walker went back to receive the ball, but his eyes seemed somewhat vacant, as if he were thinking about something.
Wang Xiucheng quickly figured out what he was thinking.
When Kemba Walker brought the ball back, Wang Xiucheng still tried to steal it, but he couldn't, seemingly missing the mark every time.
If I try to steal the ball with all my might, I might be able to, but there's also a very high chance that the ball will hit Kemba Walker's hand.
He always uses his hand to lure you into trying to steal the ball, making you think you can get it.
But when you really go all out to intercept the ball, you find that you're always just a little short.
Wang Xiucheng laughed. The NBA is truly a magical place; it has all kinds of players.
interesting!
Bang!
Kemba Walker used a screen to shoot a three-pointer, but unfortunately it didn't go in.
Despite having one hand held by his arm, Shen Jing still managed to grab the rebound.
It seemed the referee was ignoring the situation under the basket, so Shen Jing flicked the ball to Wang Xiucheng.
Wang Xiucheng didn't turn around. After receiving the ball, he turned around and tried to shake off Kemba Walker behind him.
Kemba Walker was prepared. The moment Wang Xiucheng's right shoulder moved, he moved to a new position on the right, intending to block Wang Xiucheng.
But the next moment, Kemba Walker realized that the subtle movement of Wang Xiucheng's shoulder was actually a feint.
Wang Xiucheng appeared to be turning right, but in the end he turned left.
When Wang Xiucheng turned and dribbled forward, Kemba Walker had already moved 2 meters away.
It was no longer possible to grab Wang Xiucheng from behind.
Wang Xiucheng accelerated past midfield in an instant, then slowed down and casually bounced the ball to the right.
Just then, a figure arrived, received Wang Xiucheng's shot, took a light step, and then pulled up to shoot a three-pointer.
Swish!
The ball goes in.
Jalen Green stretched out his finger, blew on it, and then put his hand to his side.
Rockets 17-8 Knicks.
The Rockets scored 7 consecutive points!
Thibodeau immediately called a timeout.
In less than three minutes, the Rockets scored on three consecutive possessions.
And all of the points were scored by Jalen Green.
But do you think this is all thanks to Green?
Thibodeau doesn't think so.
He looked at the Chinese boy and scratched his big head.
Green hadn't scored a single point before, but as soon as Wang Xiucheng came on, he passed him three passes, and Green scored them all.
That's the role of a point guard!
A point guard who is younger than Doncic, has better passing skills, and is better at finding open teammates.
Thibodeau, like those models, made no attempt to hide his longing. If he could trade for this kid, he could make the playoffs this year, or even go further.
Thibodeau looked at his bench, called up a few substitutes, and began the regular rotation.
According to Thibodeau, the team's starters and substitutes are of similar level, so whether or not to rotate players will not have a significant impact on the team's performance.
If he has several clearly stronger starters, then these substitutes won't get a single minute on the field.
When the game resumed, Wang Xiucheng saw a man stand up from the Knicks' bench.
That rose-loving boy!