Chapter 1456 The Last Fight
"Everyone is not allowed to go out after returning to the hotel, and is not allowed to stay up late. You must have a good rest. Training will start as normal at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning." The Zen master stood at the door of the hotel and said to all the team members.
"clear!"
After landing in Cleveland at noon, the Lakers immediately went to the already prepared training ground to start recovery training with almost no rest, and did not return to their hotel until the evening.
Different from the past, the Zen Master specifically explained that the players are not allowed to go out privately this time. This is completely different from the Zen Master who basically ignored the players after training. This also shows how much the Zen Master cares about this duel.
Not only the Zen Master, but the Lakers players were also very concerned about it. Before Kobe left, he even found a few fun-loving players on the team and warned them to stay in the hotel. But even if Kobe didn't tell them, I believe no one would Would choose to mess around before this game.
Because anyone who has not just come out of the mountains will understand how eye-catching the showdown between the Lakers and Cavaliers was on the night of the 18th.
This is not only a live game across the United States, but it is also simultaneously broadcast in 123 countries and regions around the world. The NBA has spent huge amounts of advertising money to promote this game all over the world.
Word-of-mouth from fans is even more important. Two teams that have sparked countless topics whenever they meet are now on a double 9-game winning streak. It’s hard not to pay attention. Even a passerby wants to know about this game. Whose 9-game winning streak will be ended in the game, and what kind of story will be created when the various big-name stars of the two teams meet.
The Cavaliers completed a lineup upgrade and major overhaul this summer.
Last season, the Cavaliers were very close to the championship. They only lost three times at home throughout the season, almost setting the NBA record for the highest home winning percentage in a single season. They swept the first two rounds of the playoffs, with 16 wins and 1 loss in March, making NBA history. Become the seventh team to win 16 games in a single month.
The 13-game winning streak has created the longest winning streak in the history of the Cavaliers. They are the second team in NBA history to win 15 consecutive games at home twice in the same season. After winning 9 consecutive games in December, they averaged 1.5 points per game in 9 games. Win by at least 12 points.
Except for the Lakers, they were the most impressive team last season. Except for Ji Feng, James was undoubtedly the best player.
They were once considered the second favorite to win the championship after the Lakers. The finals between the Lakers and the Cavaliers were canceled for an entire season.
Sure enough, after entering the playoffs, the Cavaliers only had eyes for the Celtics and Lakers. They swept the Pistons and Hawks like a chopping machine, but who would have thought that they would lose to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference finals.
This series has exposed two major flaws of the Cavaliers.
The first is that there are huge loopholes in the interior defense. Neither Big Z nor Big Ben could limit the performance of Warcraft in the Eastern Conference finals. Big Z has height but lacks strength and is slow in pace. Big Ben can match Warcraft physically, but suffers too much in terms of footwork and height. , James could only watch helplessly and let the Warcraft wreak havoc on the inside again and again.
The second, of course, is that the forward bench is too weak and lacks height. Among the Cavaliers' forward substitutes, Szczerbiak occasionally had the idea to throw a three-pointer. Pavlovich stopped thinking about it after getting a big contract. Jinsey is even more useless. The Cavaliers coach has no choice but to use the 1.91-meter-tall West to guard the 2.08-meter Turkoglu. As long as the Turks set up a fort outside the three-point line, then Wei Sturt couldn't reach it even with a ladder, and James, who was extremely depressed, could only vent his displeasure by not shaking hands with his opponent.
The new season is a season of success and failure for the Cavaliers. If they cannot win the championship, James will likely leave Cleveland, and the Cavaliers will be in danger of collapse.
Therefore, this summer the Cavaliers once again made major changes to the lineup!
First of all, the team sent Big Ben and Pavlovic to get O'Neal. Although the aging Sharks cannot solve the problem of the Cavaliers' inside defense against pick-and-rolls, he is clearly here to deal with Howard, and O'Neal still has a low back in the inside. With his singles ability, he will be the second player in the Cavaliers' formation who can attract double-teams from the opponent, which is definitely a boon for the Cavaliers' outsiders.
Secondly, the addition of Parker and Moon solved the problem of the lack of height in the Cavaliers' forward line. At the same time, the Cavaliers are still chasing the Wizards' No. 2 player, Antawn Jamison. Once successful, the Cavaliers will have the second-largest points in the league after the Lakers. Wei swing group.
I have to admit that this is the strongest Cavaliers team in history. At least on paper, the Cavaliers have solved the two major problems exposed last season. Now the Cavaliers' lineup has no flaws.
Mohamed is still the point guard, and his substitute is Gibson, who hit 10 three-pointers in his rookie season. Parker and West rotate in the starting lineup at shooting guard. Moon is the substitute behind small forward James, and the power forward is still the same. Brazilian artist Varejao, starting center O'Neal, substitute Big Z.
This lineup looks more luxurious than last season. Except for the Lakers and Celtics, no team in the league has such thickness and strength of the lineup.
In the voting of ten ESPN experts, 4 experts believe that the Cavaliers will win the first place in the Eastern Conference, 5 experts believe that the Cavaliers will rank second in the Eastern Conference, and 4 experts also support the Celtics to dominate the Eastern Conference, but only one expert believes that the Cavaliers will dominate the Eastern Conference. The Celtics rank second in the Eastern Conference, which shows that the media is still most confident in the Cavaliers dominating the Eastern Conference.
Especially the matchup with the Magic, who eliminated them last season, proved this. The Cavaliers almost easily defeated the Magic on the road with a big score.
After that, he won 9 consecutive games and secured the first place in the Eastern Conference. James once again proved his ability. He is currently averaging 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1 block per game, ranking first in the scoring list. The top scorer ranked first, with Anthony and other scorers ranking first.
Ji Feng averaged 27.6 points, 14.3 assists, 10.4 rebounds, 3 steals and 1.8 blocks in 9 games this season. Ji Feng ranked first in the assists and steals charts, but was surpassed by James in the scoring list.
Ji Feng and James are still the most popular candidates for MVP this season.
There is not much difference between the two sides in the data list, each has its own advantages. Ji Feng is more comprehensive, James has better scoring, and the record is currently equal, so this direct confrontation is crucial for the two, no matter who can Winning this direct duel and having an advantage in data will have a subtle impact on the final MVP.
This game is also the best opportunity for each other to get familiar with each other's opponents.
This is also one of the highlights of this highly anticipated game.
7pm on the 18th!
Cleveland!
Both sides take to the court!
The starting 10 people are star-studded, like half an All-Star, and James's throwing of magnesium powder also made the fans at the scene burst out with enthusiasm.
"Okay! ~The Lakers play against the Cavaliers away from home, who can win in this duel!"