This Forward is Not Serious

Nets locker room.

Sloan highlighted some points to note in the third quarter.

To sum it up, it's a shot at the backcourt of Irving and Harden.

Irving is good at attacking but not good at passing, and he is determined to attack from both sides;

Harden can burst and shoot, depending on the situation;

The base has no range at all, and the outside line is empty;

Also, the offensive end creates more consumption for Irving and Harden.

As mentioned before, Sloan is not sitting idle off the court. He has already observed what should be observed and done what should be done.

"This is the playoffs, and I hope to see everyone in the third quarter show the attitude they should have in the playoffs."

Sloan even emphasized it again at the end.

Returning from the half-time break, the emotions of the fans at the scene remained unabated and even became more high-spirited.

Others don't know, but they know very well that the third quarter is Brooklyn time!

And just like in the past, the Nets took the initiative to adjust their starting lineup in the third quarter, with Jimmy Butler replacing Johnson as the starting shooting guard.

"beep!"

The courtside whistle sounded, and the second half of the game officially started.

Up comes the Cavaliers' possession.

Just like the opening of the first half, Irving started attacking with the ball.

The person guarding him changed from Deron to Butler.

He tried to change directions but failed.

Butler is now in a split position, has outstanding defensive awareness and does not suffer from speed. Of course, the most important thing is his almost fanatical defensive enthusiasm.

Irving couldn't break through and reached out to greet Thompson's pick-and-roll.

But what he didn't expect was that the Nets' defensive strategy was completely different from the first half.

He did not get another chance to play Yi Jianlian in a mismatched single, but was directly flanked by Yi Jianlian and Butler.

His passing shortcomings were exposed. Because there was no preparation in advance and his vision was interfered with, he couldn't pass the ball at all now!

"Snapped!"

When he leaned forward to observe the position of his teammates, Butler made a lightning move and intercepted the ball!

Butler also showed his improvement in holding the ball, fast breaking all the way to the frontcourt to avoid Harden's block.

"Bang!"

Scored a dunk with both hands.

The scene instantly burst into cheers from the fans.

Here it comes, the familiar third quarter!

Irving continued to hold the ball. This time he did not call a pick-and-roll, but used more changes of direction to try to break through Butler.

This time he used Sam Goad and successfully passed Butler.

But the moment he took action, a figure appeared in front of him.

"boom!"

Lin Ying made a defensive block and sent Irving's shot flying out of the court!

There were cheers and whistles.

"Young Kaili, you should know what you are facing now!"

Over at the commentary box, Cole said the same thing for the third time.

Once blocked and once blocked, this is completely different from the first half!

Defensive intensity is the tool that distinguishes super giants from all-stars!

The ball came out again, and Irving forced Butler to take a difficult shot.

"Dang!"

Blacksmithing is over!

The camera turned to Irving again. He no longer had the handsome smile on his face in the first half, and even looked a little confused.

Because the Nets only adjusted their style of play around the All-Star season, he didn't have time to experience it in the regular season. This time, he went directly to the playoffs to experience the plus version, which was a bit of a jump!

Chandler protected the rebound, and the Nets quickly defended and counterattacked.

The Cavaliers' retreat speed is fast enough, but the Nets' fast break is very layered.

Deron and Butler's fast break echelon was guarded, and Lin Ying's follow-up came immediately.

Deron gave the ball to Lin Ying. After receiving the ball, Lin Ying jumped sideways and then jumped into the air for a one-handed chop.

Harden, who was under the basket, looked confused and acted as a backdrop.

44 to 55!

The score difference reached double digits in the blink of an eye!

This time the camera showed the Cavaliers bench.

Scott stood on the sidelines with his hands folded on his chest, frowning. It was unclear whether he felt the seriousness of the current situation or was dissatisfied with the players' performance.

Of course, like the first half, he did nothing.

Irving took possession of the ball and gave it to Harden after halftime.

After three consecutive failed attempts, he already felt the Nets' defensive targeting of him.

Thompson moved to the high post to give Harden a pick-and-roll. Harden met Yi Jianlian in a misplaced position, attracting Lin Ying to attack and then passed to the base in the corner.

Ji...still didn't vote.

This time it's not that he wants to break through the basket, but the Nets' defensive rotation speed is obviously not at the same level as in the first half!

Lin Ying helped defend Harden, and Deron quickly made up for him!

He just hesitated and lost his shot.

Moreover, Deron put a lot of defensive pressure on him. He made consecutive steals. He ducked back to protect the ball, and then he was called for stepping on the line.

Cavaliers' mistake!

Harden saw that this man was numb, and while retreating, he looked at his bench and the handsome man standing on the sidelines.

[Sportsman: A man who poses]

It's not that the team doesn't have people who can shoot. There are also players on the bench who are more suitable to start in this series than Key.

C.J. Myers.

He was even Sloan's former subordinate. He had played under Sloan for as long as Deron, and he knew Sloan's tactical system well.

But Scott has neither arranged for Miles to start, nor does he have any intention of replacing him now.

The good news is that the Cavaliers finally no longer have to face the Nets' fast break this round.

He could feel that the Nets' changes in the third quarter came more from the defensive end and positional defense.

If they can prevent the Nets' positional offense, counterattack the Nets' fast break, and treat others with their own tactics, this may be the way to break the game.

The Nets play a two-man frontcourt.

It was still Lin Ying's pick and roll for Delong.

The Cavaliers suffered the loss of Deron's misplaced base in the first half, and Harden chose to go directly to Deron at this time.

Delong was stunned, as if he thought it was a dream.

However, he didn't stop moving and already swung the ball from the air to Lin Ying.

Lin Ying caught the ball and was unguarded, broke through to the basket in three steps, and jumped into a light two-handed dunk.

After dunking, he was happy.

This was probably the easiest scoring opportunity he got tonight.

"Dang!"

Harden's step-back shot from the frontcourt is still strong!

This ball is too difficult!

Yi Jianlian took off the defensive rebound and the Nets continued their fast break. Deron made a fast break to the frontcourt for a layup and then scored.

44 to 59!

The point difference has reached 15 points!

And what’s even more cruel about the score difference is that almost five minutes into the second half, the Cavaliers didn’t even score!

The Cavaliers' double shot in the backcourt in the first half gave Cavaliers fans endless daydreams. Look, they can even compete with the league's No. 1 team!

Then in the second half, it was like the anchor turned off the beauty, scaring the top guy on the list and running away with a bucket overnight!

In the entire third quarter, the Cavaliers only scored 8 points, but the Nets scored 31 points!

31 to 8!

The Nets beat the Cavaliers by 23 points in a single quarter!

There is no such thing as pressing the rhythm, it is simply relying on defense to push the offense, and widening the point difference in one quarter!

At the end of three quarters, 52 to 82.

At the end of the third quarter, G1 was already over.

The score between the two sides was finally settled at 69 to 110.

Before the final whistle, the on-site photographer took a shot of the Cavaliers bench.

Harden's expression didn't change much from the beginning.

However, Irving's expression was completely numb, and he stared blankly at the field as if he had lost his mind.

The young Kyrie has the drive and vision that young people should have, but he suffered a huge blow in the first playoff game of his career.

It's no longer clear whether reaching the playoffs is a good thing or a bad thing.

…

In the opening game of the playoffs, the Nets defeated their opponents by 41 points.

Although this was the first against the eighth, and although the opponent was a young knight, this was already too much.

Even because of this, the Pacers next door beating the Bulls 93 to 73 is not worth mentioning.

Social media after the game was also quite lively.

"The Nets' defense is so suffocating. Jimmy Butler deserves a spot on the defense this year. Deron's defense is also very aggressive. Plus, Lin and Chandler are two good defenders. This defense can compete with Let’s compare the Pistons from back then!”

"I've noticed this since before the All-Star Game, the 'death third quarter,' where you know they're going to defend, but you just can't score!"

"Not every coach dares to let Johnson go to the bench. Sloan's level is definitely at the level of the best coaches!"

"There is no harm without comparison. Look at Scott on the opposite side, who is also the best coach. Is he reluctant to call a timeout or has he forgotten that there is someone on the bench?"

"Obviously, Kidd and Paul have raised the outside world's evaluation of him. He is an excellent point guard mentor (both Irving and Harden have become All-Stars under his guidance this season), but he is by no means an Good coach!”

…

Two days later, the Nets scored another victory 101-81, leading 2-0.

This result is expected.

The Nets feel stable this season, which is also the characteristic of the team coached by Sloan.

It is very difficult to defeat them in an upset.

Cavaliers fans feel aggrieved.

This is their first return to the playoffs since James left.

Although I know there is a gap in strength and can accept losing, losing an average of 30 points per game in two games is unacceptable!

Emotions must find a place to vent, and Harden is their outlet.

In two games, Irving averaged 18.5 points and 2.5 assists per game, and his three-point shooting percentage reached 45%.

Because of the Nets' style of play, it was difficult to score points in the third quarter, and there was no need to play in the fourth quarter.

So you can think of this as a half-time performance, which is already very good.

In comparison, Harden's performance was a lot of stretch.

Although he averaged 15 points and 7 assists per game, it was far behind his regular season numbers.

Moreover, his shooting percentage is only over 40%, and his three-point shooting percentage is less than 30%.

Such performance is obviously not up to standard.

And this is not the main reason why fans spray him.

The point that made all this happen was that a fan photographed Harden going to a nightclub to get drunk after the G1 game.

The photo of him holding a fat-assed girl with his left and right hands spread all over the Internet.

"Gilbert is paying for Harden's girls", "Harden is strengthening ball handling and press breaking training in New York", "Have you ever seen New York at four in the morning?"...

Fans’ comments came one after another.

When the Cavaliers acquired Harden in a trade before, they readily offered him a five-year, 87.5 million maximum salary extension contract.

This contract will not officially take effect until next season.

In other words, it does not meet the requirements of the "amnesty clause" in the new labor agreement.

If the Cavaliers no longer want Harden, they can only choose to trade or buy out.

And now Harden's behavior, in the eyes of fans, is the next player to get lost after getting a big contract.

Although regardless of the reason, the matter itself is actually nothing.

After losing a big score, it was normal to find a nightclub to vent your emotions. Besides, this was New York, not Cleveland, and there were top girls with fat butts that were not available in Cleveland.

But in competitive sports, food is the original sin.

At this point, Jordan is a classic counterexample.

He loved gambling during his peak period, and he was probably the only one who could gamble during the finals.

But he can win, and even if there are doubts, it is only on a small scale.

More people will think he is cool.

Betting before the game and winning after the game is like the feeling of killing indiscriminately while holding a woman in your arms in western cowboy/martial arts novels.

…

In G3 of the series, both teams will move to Cleveland.

The Cavaliers players returned to Cleveland after G2.

It feels good to be home.

Especially when they suffered two huge defeats like this.

Just like a leopard who goes hunting and encounters a tiger who is beaten and bruised all over his body, he can lick his wounds when he returns home and feel a greater sense of security.

Harden, in training, sweating like rain.

He likes fat buttocks, just like other people who like to buy luxury cars and watches, it is just a hobby.

That doesn't affect his training.

In fact, those who can make a name for themselves in the NBA must train hard.

And those training freaks are not hard-working, they are crazy.

Just like Lin Ying and Durant back then, they basically did nothing else except training.

Harden is not at that level. He still has his own hobbies, but his training intensity is not low.

Ten minutes on stage and ten years off stage. His progress year by year does not rely on magic.

And the sounds from the outside world obviously irritated him.

For the first time, he experienced the magnifying glass of the media and what one-sided reporting is.

Durant told him those things when they were in Oklahoma, and he thought Durant was exaggerating.

But real life is like this, and it’s hard to empathize with many things unless you experience them.

He felt it and wanted to prove himself even more.

After a while, Owen came in.

"You're here, James."

Irving was a little surprised to see Harden, but he just said a word and then sat on the stool against the wall.

Unlike Harden, consecutive defeats gave him a strong sense of frustration.

Their current mood is exactly the same as before the series started.

Harden stopped training, then walked over and sat down next to Irving.

"Kelly, I have an idea."

Turning to look at Irving's low mood, Harden spoke seriously.

"Um?"

Irving looked at Harden in confusion, not knowing what he was referring to.

"I noticed a detail. The Nets may have enough energy to play high-pressure defense in the third quarter. They didn't invest much in the first half. If we can open up the score in the first half, then Does that mean we have a chance to win a decisive moment against them?"

Harden made an assumption.

Not only does he have a high football quotient, but he also has a high IQ. In addition to training, he also likes to study things.

"The question is can we do it?"

Irving quickly understood what Harden was saying, but couldn't help but be skeptical.

If Harden said this before the series started, he would believe it.

But after two games, he knew that the gap between the two teams was much greater than imagined.

"We have a chance, and Coach Scott has said we're the best backcourt he's ever seen."

Harden repeated what Irving said before.

Owen smiled to himself, he wanted to take that back now.

But Harden's next words led him to another topic.

"So if we suggested something to him at the same time, he would probably accept it."

"What proposal?"

"Let CJ start."

Harden replied.