The Way of the Center

Denver, the city was founded in 1858 as a coal mining town, but gold mines were discovered here shortly after its establishment. As a result, Denver attracted a large number of gold diggers, and the name of the NBA team in this city came from this.

Denver has grown from a coal mining town to the largest city and capital of Colorado. The city's sports and cultural activities are very developed, and Denver, the four major sports leagues in the United States, are involved. And Anjie's opponent today, the Denver Nuggets, even ranked sixth in the Western Conference last season.

Don't underestimate the sixth result, you must know that the Nuggets didn't have any stars to join last season. They just reached the playoffs with their strong athletic ability and exquisite tactical coordination.

This season, the Nuggets have upgraded their lineup and changed their coach. Although their goal is not a championship, this team is by no means a target to be slaughtered.

Playing away games in Denver is a nightmare for many NBA players. Denver is nicknamed Ligao City because the altitude of this place is as high as 1,500 meters. Altitude sickness is inevitable for many people after getting off the plane.

The altitude of Denver International Airport is 1655 meters, so Alan Crabbe, who came to Denver for the first time, felt chest tightness as soon as he got off the plane.

"Damn it, is it really possible to play in this kind of place!?" Crabbe did a lot of homework before coming here, but he didn't expect that his reaction would be so violent.

"Of course, we have to come to Denver several times a season. Don't worry, Crabbe, everyone will be like this when they come here in their rookie season, but it won't take long for you to get used to the thin air here." Angie looked Going up unaffected, he patted the first-year rookie guard on the shoulder and waved for everyone to board the team bus.

Ricard brought the whole team to Denver one day earlier, the purpose is to allow this group of boys enough time to adapt to the altitude.

Denver's home court has a natural advantage. If you don't make enough preparations, you will definitely suffer a big loss. Last season, the Nuggets had an unbeaten record at home for three consecutive months. Although their own strength was the main reason, you have to admit that the geographical advantage of Denver, a plateau, also helped them a lot.

This is also one of the reasons why Brian Shaw is full of confidence in the game today. This is the second game of the new season for the Trail Blazers, and this is also the first time they have come to Denver this season.

Symptoms such as chest tightness, weakness, and dizziness should make it difficult for the Blazers to cope. Coupled with the wheel battle prepared by Brian Shaw for Anjie, it will intensify the exhaustion of the Trail Blazers.

Wear down the opponent, and then give the opponent a fatal blow in the mud,

This is Brian Xiao's plan.

Last season, the Nuggets led by George Karl left a deep impression on everyone. After Brian Shaw took over, the pressure was undoubtedly enormous.

The reason why the Nuggets fired Carl was precisely because this thousand-win coach could not make the Nuggets go further in the playoffs. The Nuggets are not reconciled to just being a regular season team, they hope they can create a world in the playoffs. Therefore, Brian Xiao was also expected.

With a successful predecessor, you can only be recognized by fans and management if you do better. In the first game of the Nuggets this season, they lost to the Kings led by Cousins ​​at the Sleep Train Arena. So in this first home game at the Pepsi Center, Brian Shaw had to prove himself no matter what.

"Boss, why don't you leave?" At this time, it was already eight o'clock in the evening. J.J. Hickson, who finished extra practice, was about to leave the court, but he found that Brian Shaw's office was still brightly lit.

"After watching this set of videos, I'll go back and take a good rest for Hixon. Tomorrow's game, you know how difficult it is." Brian Xiao pressed the pause button and looked up to talk to Hixon.

"Don't worry, we will definitely be able to drag it to the end tomorrow!" Hickson has improved a lot this summer. He is stronger and more defensive than before. But this guy seems to have forgotten that An Jie always improves faster than himself.

"I hope so too. If you experience a two-game losing streak at the beginning of the season... okay, go back and rest." In the past few years, this guy has also seen countless coaches get out of class because of a bad start. This is the first time he has coached a team as a head coach, and he doesn't want the bad luck of those guys before him to repeat itself.

Defending champion? The defending champion is not invincible! Brian Xiao is going to be the first person to eat crabs!

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While Brian Shaw was still studying the game video, the Trail Blazers players stepped up their recovery training.

Ricard's top priority is now to let the players adapt to the feeling of running on the plateau.

An Jie could clearly feel during the training that his teammates seemed a little uncomfortable. Even Lopez, who fought Anjie to the end in the previous training, looked weak today.

This situation, but An Jie and Ricard did not think of it before. Altitude sickness is something that everyone's tolerance is different.

An Jie himself may be able to fully adapt after a few hours, while Aldridge does not need the time to adapt. But other teammates may not be so lucky.

"The situation is not very optimistic." Divac looked at the panting crowd and couldn't help feeling a little worried.

"I hope they can get used to the air here by this time tomorrow." Ricard was also very helpless, but he couldn't let the team practice for too long the night before the game.

"Okay! Guys! That's it for today, let's go back to the hotel to rest now, and continue at noon tomorrow!" Ricard raised his voice, and the early stage of the regular season is a critical moment for laying the foundation. At this juncture, Ricard doesn't want the Blazers to lose a game they shouldn't lose.

And An Jie was also mentally prepared. If something happens to the Trail Blazers tomorrow, he will definitely stand up and withstand all pressure!

In the restless Denver night, the smell of war has become more and more intense.

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"Hoohoo..." gasping violently, this is the most photographed shot on the Trail Blazers bench today.

God bless Denver, the performance of the Trail Blazers players today is obviously abnormal!

Although An Jie was not affected by altitude sickness, he also played hard today. Brian Shaw used the large number of insiders of the Nuggets to bring a lot of trouble to Anjie.

At the beginning, Brian Shaw sent out the unusual "three high" lineup of McGee, Hickson and Anthony Randolph.

In this way, as long as An Jie holds the ball, two tall men will definitely come to double-team him. If Anjie passes the ball, there is still one inside to protect the basket?

shoot? The Blazers did try to open up the situation with shooting. But their state was affected by the thin air, and their shooting became very unstable.

It is naturally impossible for An Jie to be knocked down by a double team, but whenever he knocks down two insiders by himself, Brian Xiao will send two guys with plenty of strength to continue to make up.

In the first three quarters, Anjie was still struggling. But when the game reached the current stage of the fourth quarter, even An Jie felt that his breathing began to become short of breath.

"Now the Blazers still hold a three-point lead, but judging from this situation, the following games will be very difficult for the Blazers."

"That's right Kenny, whether the Blazers can withstand the impact of the Nuggets in the last four minutes will be extremely important!" O'Neal gritted his teeth, he didn't know if Rickard would continue to let Anjie play. Although Anjie was dragged miserably, his role on the defensive end is still obvious.

McGee made 2 of 6 shots, Hickson made 2 of 13 shots, Anthony Randolph made 2 of 6 shots, "Orc" Faried 3 of 7 shots, Darrell Arthur 1 of 6 shots, Moz Goff went 1 for 5. None of the shooting percentages of this group of elders reached the passing mark. Anjie's role in protecting the basket is beyond doubt.

Rickard is also a little embarrassed. In this situation, it is entirely possible for the Nuggets to win the game in one go. But if he continues to play Anjie, he will be at great risk of injury, and it may also cause him to be exhausted at critical moments.

"Water!" An Jie yelled at the staff behind him. He poured it down his throat and looked up at the big screen.

Four minutes, three-point advantage. As long as another four minutes are guarded, the Trail Blazers will win the game. At this moment, never give up!

"Boss, I'll go straight to the field later and play till the end of the game!" Before Ricard could speak, An Jie was the first to express his wish.

Ricard looked at the bench in front of him, not only Anjie, almost everyone in the Trail Blazers was already in a very tired state. It's better to take a gamble with An Jie instead of someone else!

"Since I'm playing, I have only one request! Win the game!" Ricard did not expect that his team would encounter a tough battle for the second time in the regular season, but the Blazers and Anjie are best at fighting tough battles!

"No problem!" An Jie answered decisively, Ricard immediately took out the tactical board, and arranged offensive and defensive tactics around An Jie.

"Look at the other side, those proud guys are gone! Continue our wheel battle, continue to drag the Blazers to roll on the ground! Victory, must be kept in the Pepsi Center!" Brian Xiao added fuel to the fire, his motivation Let the Nuggets players become howling hungry wolves.

Brian Shaw wanted to get rid of the shadow of George Karl through a big victory, and Anjie also needed a victory to maintain the morale of his team.

But the final winner can only be one person.

Even if the fight is bloody, An Jie will do his best to hold his hands tightly and hold the victory firmly!

"Beep!~~~" The timeout ended, and the electronic buzzer sounded like a charge, causing Anjie to stand up abruptly.

The No. 00 black jersey I am wearing represents a huge responsibility!

To ensure the team's victory, isn't this what a star player should do?

"I'm going!" An Jie turned around and smiled at Ricard. There were ear-piercing boos against An Jie from the stands of the Pepsi Center, but An Jie still swaggered!