The Godfather of Basketball

On April 27, US time, the fourth game of the series between the Rockets and the Nuggets continued at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

That is, before the game, the league announced the candidates for the regular season MVP.

Yao Ming won 66 of the 126 first-choice votes, with 52% of the first-choice rate and 28.33% of the votes, beating Kobe (26%), Paul (20%) and Garnett (13%) to become the 2007 ~2008 regular season MVP.

Yao Ming averaged 36.8 minutes per game in the regular season this season, contributed 23.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game. He shot 61.3% from the field and 90.6% from the free throw line. The rate has set a new career high.

Although the addition of Billups made Yao Ming's assists drop a bit, it also made him more efficient.

Tang Tian told Yao Ming the news one day in advance. Yao Ming was prepared, but he couldn't stop him from playing on the court.

As a result, the three big insiders of the Nuggets suffered a lot. Camby, Martin and Nene were beaten a bit miserable. Each of them had at least 4 fouls.

Karl insisted on the strategy of the third game, but couldn't hold back Yao Ming's ups and downs in the paint, and the Nuggets couldn't make it to the end.

116 to 98, the Rockets beat the Nuggets in an away game, swept their opponents with a total score of 4 to 0, and advanced strongly to the second round.

Yao Ming made 14 of 21 shots and scored 32 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists in the game, dominating the inside line by himself.

For the Nuggets, Anthony didn't feel good tonight. He made only 6 of 21 shots and scored 20 points and 5 rebounds with free throws.

Iverson played the whole game, made 14 of 29 shots, contributed 40 points, 7 assists and 3 steals, but he was unable to support himself. After being traded to the Nuggets, he stopped the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

When the final whistle sounded, the veteran stared blankly at the scorer under the LED screen and did not leave for a long time.

The members of the Rockets were celebrating. Tang Tian was quite moved when he saw Iverson's actions.

The pinnacle of AI's career came to an abrupt end in the 2001 playoffs, and because of personality problems, it could no longer be changed.

character?

Tang Tian suddenly remembered that there seemed to be such a perverted play in the system's products. It seemed that it would be a good choice to have the opportunity to bring Su Nian Iverson as a substitute.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the task and getting 1 honor point."

Just as he was thinking, a system beep sounded in his mind.

The task of sweeping was completed, and after almost a year, he finally got honor points again.

"Yao Ming! Yao Ming!"

At this moment, Tang Tian noticed that the Rockets players were celebrating Yao Ming.

The MVP results were announced, but the awards were not presented at the same time. The Rockets players were celebrating Yao Ming in advance.

Tang Tian looked at Yao Ming, then at Iverson, shook his head, and finally looked back, beckoning the players to the locker room.

Winning the Nuggets is only the first step of the Rockets' playoffs this season. What is different from last year is that the opponents in each subsequent round this year will only become stronger and stronger. To win the championship, you really have to Bloody.

At this time, the Hornets and the Jazz came to a 3-1 series. Although Deron suddenly woke up in the third game and blasted Paul, but in the fourth game, West blasted Boozer and slashed. With 30 points and 11 rebounds, he still won the match point of the series.

Paul, West, although strictly speaking they are only dual-core, but the Hornets are unprecedentedly strong in the playoffs this year.

The team returned to Houston and ushered in a period of rest. Tang Tian and the coaching staff also began to study the Hornets' playoff style.

Ending the series earlier has the advantage of being earlier, at least in terms of preparation.

After resting for a day, Tang Tian watched the fifth game between the Hornets and the Jazz with the coaching staff that night.

In the away game, the Jazz played very tenaciously. Deron also used his physical advantage to frequently single Paul in the low post. However, they had no way to take the Hornets on the offensive end. Paul's passing could always find his teammates in the most deadly position. The two outside pitchers, Peja and Peterson, continued the fiery touch of the series.

In the end, despite Deron's magnificent data of 30 points and 11 assists, the Hornets still won the match point with Peja's 26 points and Paul's 13 assists, and eliminated the Jazz 4-1. The second round of the playoffs.

After watching the entire game, the entire coaching staff also has a full understanding of the Hornets.

Paul is only 1.83 meters, and he is only in the third grade, but his speed, lethality, passing vision, and even physical condition on the court have reached the peak state of a point guard.

It is no exaggeration to say that Paul basically accounts for half of the strength of this Hornets team.

In the next series, how to limit Paul will be their biggest headache.

The pace of the playoffs is very fast. After a day of rest, the Hornets flew to Houston to prepare for the second round.

One day after the game, local reporters in Houston took advantage of training to interview Chris Paul, the core of the Hornets.

"Paul, how are you adapting in Houston?" The reporter came up and chatted about homework first.

"Yes, it's very good. The environment here is very comfortable, and you don't have to worry about sudden hurricanes." Paul joked.

"Haha, the team's state must be adjusted very well, right?"

"Yes, our state has always been the best." Paul did not follow the reporter's routine.

"Tomorrow night, we will play against the Rockets. The Rockets are the defending champions, and they are also the favorites to win this season. Will there be any psychological pressure?"

"No, aren't we also the favorites to win the championship?" Paul continued with a smile.

"Haha~" The reporter laughed at Paul's words.

"We won't be under pressure. All of us are ready to make a big play in the playoffs." Paul continued.

"So you have the confidence to lead the team to the Western Conference Finals?" The reporter asked with a smile.

"Of course, why not?" Paul replied with the same smile.

"Good luck then."

"Thanks."

Paul is like a wise man who blocked all the reporter's tricks, but he can still feel from his words that even though the opponent is the Rockets, he is still full of confidence.

On May 4, US time, the Rockets and Hornets took the lead in kicking off the second round of the playoffs.

Although one is the first in the West and the other is the fifth in the West, no one thinks this will be a one-sided game.

You must know that at this moment, the No. 1 Celtics in the Eastern Conference have reached the fifth game with the Eagles, and the score of 3 to 2 is inextricably tied.

This year's playoffs are extremely fierce, and those who can break into the second round are definitely not soft persimmons.