Chapter 1508 The Last Tough Fight Before the All-Star Game
After the Lakers easily defeated the short-handed Trail Blazers, they only had one last opponent left before the All-Star Game. This is also the only opponent the Lakers have not yet met this season - the Denver Nuggets!
It’s hard to believe that this is the first time the Lakers have met the Nuggets this season, but the league is so arrogant that they arranged their first meeting in the last round before the All-Star Game. Maybe Stern wanted these two to compete. Only strong teams give All-Stars a first look.
"Gaoyuan, I'm here again!"
"Dang, it's as cold as ever. Every time I come here I feel like I've gone to the North Pole."
"Ah, this familiar thin air, it makes sense, there might be a market for selling the air here."
"I hope the team has prepared oxygen bottles. I don't want to be left here with my old bones."
…
On the morning of the 10th, the Lakers' charter flight landed at Denver International Airport on time. As soon as they stepped off the plane, the Lakers generals were surrounded by the freezing cold wind, followed by complaints from everyone.
However, complaints are complaints, and you still have to eat. After arriving at the hotel, Ji Feng, Farmar and others went to a restaurant to eat in a familiar way.
Logically speaking, Denver should be one of the cities that Ji Feng is very familiar with. For two consecutive seasons, the Lakers and Nuggets have met in the playoffs. Plus the regular season, Ji Feng has to meet 7-8 times every season. look.
"Guys, eat quickly, go back and rest for two hours after eating, and train as usual in the afternoon." The Zen master warned before starting the meal.
Starting training on the afternoon before the away game is the Lakers' standard practice when facing strong teams. Obviously, the Lakers still attach great importance to this first encounter with the Nuggets.
There is no way not to pay attention to it, not to mention that the Nuggets were their opponents in the Western Conference Finals last season, but this season, the Nuggets are also difficult to ignore.
Last summer, the league's top players signed in to strengthen their strength, but the Nuggets "went in the opposite direction" and lost two powerful players, Dengtai Jones and Linus Kleiza, instead of recruiting powerful players.
Before the trade deadline, all the championship teams made final adjustments to their lineups. For example, the Cavaliers, the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference, actually completed a big deal before the deadline. They transferred the team's main force for many years. Insider Big Z was sent away, and their number two player, Jamison, was exchanged from the Wizards!
This is a major signing, and it is beyond people's expectations. The Cavaliers have already coveted Jamison. Although this North Carolina top student is about to turn 34 years old, his condition has not declined at all. , so far this season, he has averaged 22+8 for the team per game, and he has the skills of a first-class player.
In fact, the Cavaliers were reported to be interested in Jamison as early as December last year, but the Wizards rejected Cleveland on the pretext that "the two teams are feuding."
However, things are unpredictable. Unexpectedly, the Cavaliers would gain their favorite player two months later.
Jamison will form an inside partner with O'Neal, and they will attack the championship this season with James. In the eyes of the outside world, Jamison is the most suitable inside line for James. He has stable offensive firepower and diverse methods, no matter which team he is on. The key player for the team to score points. His outside shooting is very accurate. If the team needs it, he can also play alone at the basket. Although he is not a good defender, his rebounding and assist defense abilities are criticized, but the Cavaliers already have O'Neal and Valais inside. Joe, these are enough to make up for Jamison's defensive gaps. After Jamison's arrival, the Cavaliers also assembled the strongest starter on paper!
Everything looks so beautiful.
James excitedly welcomed Jamison's joining on social networking sites. During the conversation, James expressed his desire for a championship this season.
In addition to the Cavaliers, including the Spurs and Suns, every playoff team has made adjustments to their teams. Of course, the Lakers are not included. After all, the Lakers' lineup has nothing to adjust.
But the Nuggets are another team that is firmly on the Diaoyutai. Like the Lakers, they have not made a single transaction.
It doesn't make much sense to the outside world, because the Nuggets have returned two of their top players and still have a record of 30 wins and 18 losses, firmly ranking second in the Western Conference. Although they have a dozen fewer wins than the Lakers, their strength has been surpassed. widely accepted.
Especially the ability to fight tough battles. In the last game, the Nuggets defeated the visiting Celtics at home. Last month, they beat the Cavaliers and Magic on the road. As a result, they are among the top three in the Eastern Conference this season: Cavaliers, The Celtics and Magic have an astonishing record of 6 wins and 0 losses, sweeping them all. No team in the league can compare with them. Even the Lakers lost a game to the Celtics!
After the Cavaliers completed the transaction, some media cited the Lakers and Nuggets as two reasons why the Cavaliers must trade. After all, it is difficult for the Cavaliers to win a game against the top two teams in the Western Conference. This is definitely the reason why the Cavaliers must facilitate the transaction.
After defeating the Green Army in the last game, Anthony also expressed his inner thoughts to reporters:
"We still don't get enough attention from the league," Anthony said angrily. "Obviously we are playing well, but no one regards us as the favorites to win the championship."
Yes, because the Lakers dominate the Western Conference, many people have once again ignored the Nuggets. They are only ranked 5th in the championship rankings, lower than the Cavaliers and Magic.
So Anthony was also very dissatisfied. He directly issued a championship declaration. This season the Nuggets will challenge the Western Conference heroes again.
Anthony said: "Being a leader is not an easy thing. I will lead the team forward in my own way, and I will play hard and set a good example for other players."
"Anthony has taken on the important task of leading the team forward. Everyone respects him, he is great." Billups said before the game.
Nene even said that the goal for the new season is not to become an All-Star, but to help the team reach a higher level.
Taking it to the next level? That's the finals.
However, the Lakers obviously will not despise this opponent. This is also the last hard time before the All-Star Game. The Nuggets, who play the Devil's home court, will obviously not give up the victory easily.
And the Lakers don't want to lose. This game is different from the previous ones. Facing the second place in the Western Conference and the most direct competitor in the finals, the Lakers naturally hope to win perfectly.
On the night of February 11th, at Denver’s home court, the clash between the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the Western Conference is about to begin!
Nuggets starting: Billups, Afflalo, Anthony, Nene and David Anderson.
Lakers starting lineup: Ji Feng, Kobe Bryant, Artest, Gasol, Bynum.
"Welcome to watch this focus show, general. I am Yu Jia!"
"I'm Yang Yi!"
"Coach Yang, the Lakers' starting lineup is quite interesting. Ji Feng played the starting point guard for the first time and didn't let Lao Yu play. He was a king. But the Nuggets didn't let Martin start. Instead, he played the starting point guard. "Nene, both teams have some special preparations for this game."
"Yes, both teams seem to want to take the lead at the beginning and gain an advantage. It depends on who can seize the opportunity."