EBE 552 Harden's choice!
552 Harden's choice!
It's good for your players to have confidence, but blind confidence can be counterproductive.
At the very least, they need to see the reality of the situation! Right now, they have no way to break through Su Hao's tight defense. Lacking an advantage in the paint, this game is incredibly difficult and fraught with challenges for them.
In contrast, the situation for the Clippers is much clearer.
With a huge lead in the score and absolute control of the paint, the team was in high spirits.
As usual, head coach Mike Dunleavy was chatting and laughing with his assistant coaches on one side of the field, looking relaxed.
Meanwhile, Su Hao and his teammates were chatting about some interesting things unrelated to the game, as if the victory was already in their grasp.
"Beep!"
With a few whistles, the brief pause came to an end.
The players from both sides returned to the field, ready to engage in a new round of intense competition.
Even though the Clippers were already leading the Thunder by more than 20 points at this point.
But the Thunder did not give up easily, and still kept all their key players on the court without hesitation, determined to do everything they could to turn the tide.
Westbrook quickly passed the ball to Harden.
After receiving the ball, Harden stared intently ahead and quickly changed direction, attempting to break through the opponent's defense.
However, the Clippers' defense was very tight, which greatly hindered Harden's offense.
At that moment, Harden suddenly stopped, raised the ball high, and made a shooting motion.
Gordon, who was responsible for guarding Harden, immediately jumped to block the shot.
But Harden was just faking it; he quickly pulled the ball back, fooling Gordon.
Immediately afterwards, Harden started again, charging towards the basket.
After dodging Aldridge's defense under the basket...
He leaped into the air, ready to unleash a one-handed slam dunk.
Just as he was about to dunk the ball, Su Hao burst out from the wing, stretched out his arm, and swatted the ball away.
Harden's choice this time was undoubtedly a mistake.
When the team was completely on the defensive, he chose to drive into the paint.
Isn't this just courting death?
Even though Su Hao isn't fully stationed in the paint right now, that's no excuse for him to attack the paint!
Watching the basketball being swatted out of bounds by Su Hao, Harden was in a terrible mood.
How can we play this game? There's absolutely no chance for our players to penetrate inside.
Harden has been completely neutralized by Su Hao's defense.
"What is Harden doing? He's still driving to the basket! Isn't he just looking for a block? Su Hao is still on the court!" Yang Yi exclaimed.
"Perhaps he's trying to find an opportunity for the Thunder to break through and score! After all, Su Hao isn't completely stationed in the paint anymore!" Su Qun said calmly.
Indeed, with Aldridge on the Clippers, Su Hao no longer needs to be stationed in the paint, which frees him up and gives the Thunder a glimmer of hope.
Hopes of scoring inside.
But the reality was completely different from what they had expected.
Su Hao's lateral movement was too fast; he didn't give them any chance at all.
Even a guard like Harden, who moves incredibly fast, couldn't escape Su Hao's defense.
Fortunately, after the block, the Thunder still had possession of the ball.
Westbrook inbounds the ball.
The ball returned to Harden's hands.
This time, Harden doesn't want to drive into the paint again.
If Su Hao were to put another hat on him, it would be incredibly embarrassing.
As one of the Thunder's "Big Three," and also the best sixth man.
Harden's confidence is about to be completely destroyed.
Facing Gordon's direct defense, Harden, with the help of his teammates' screens, ultimately chose to pass the ball to Durant.
Little did he know, Durant was now facing the highest level of defensive intensity on the court.
Su Hao personally defended him.
Looking at the defender in front of him, it changed from Rasul Butler to Su Hao.
Durant's emotions were running wild at that moment.
Harden originally chose to pass the ball to Rasul Butler because he saw him guarding Durant.
In the blink of an eye, the defender changed to Su Hao.
This player can defend positions one through five.
This completely extinguished Durant's interest in shooting.
"Su Hao, you guys are leading by so many points, why are you still personally guarding me?" Durant sighed as he dribbled the ball, looking at Su Hao.
"Heh! I'm personally guarding you, isn't that a recognition of your strength? You'd better show your full strength to prove yourself!" Su Hao teased Durant.
Durant desperately wanted to be able to defeat Su Hao one-on-one!
It's just that when facing someone taller and heavier than yourself.
Su Hao, whose wingspan was even more exaggerated than his own, had absolutely no confidence.
In previous encounters, both sides had already suffered countless losses against Su Hao.
This time, they will definitely not take the initiative to initiate a challenge.
He turned and passed the ball to Ibaka.
When the Thunder received the pass from Durant, they had very little time left on their shot clock.
After receiving the ball, Ibaka faced Rasul Butler and took a mid-range shot.
As a result, the basketball hit the top edge of the rim.
It rebounded.
Just when Ibaka thought he could easily secure the rebound...
Su Hao, who was behind him, had already passed over his head and seized control of the rebound before he could.
"What! You actually managed to get past me and grab the rebound first?" Ibaka turned around in surprise and looked at Su Hao.
After securing the rebound, Su Hao immediately passed the ball to Curry.
Upon receiving the ball, Curry immediately began to move his feet.
He quickly dribbled the ball and made a run towards the front.
Harden, Westbrook, and other Thunder players behind them rallied to chase.
However, Curry suddenly stopped after dribbling to the left corner.
At this moment, Su Hao had already reached the opponent's basket.
Curry also launched another three-pointer before the defenders could get into position.
Just when everyone thought Curry's three-pointer would fall smoothly into the basket this time.
The basketball, however, was like a mischievous child, circling around the hoop once.
It still slid out of the basket.
Su Hao immediately jumped up and forcefully dunked the ball into the basket through the crowd.
This rebound was powerful and intimidating.
Thunder players like Perkins and Ibaka were under the basket when Su Hao completed his dunk.
They all covered their heads, fearing that Su Hao's strength was too terrifying and he would shatter the rim.
This could lead to injury.
Fortunately, Su Hao learned to control his power.
With the rim reinforced and made more stable, Su Hao also reduced his exertion.