Chapter 850: Chapter 278: He Is the Chosen One, and the Only One
But both Westbrook and James Harden didn’t face much targeting, and their performance was also very sluggish, which left them a bit speechless.
Especially James Harden!
The entire Oklahoma City expected him to grow into a qualified team "third leader." However, despite winning the "Best Sixth Man" this season, with an average of 16.8 points, he only scored 9 points in the first game of the finals. In this game, he was also 2 for 5 in the first half, clearly "unreliable."
In contrast, Westbrook scored 18 points in the first game and 8 points in the first half of the second game, making him the most normal among the three.
What?
Want to hear Westbrook’s shooting percentage so far in these two games...
No need to mention it!
Because the shooting percentages of these three guys are not high!
With his efficiency being low, James Harden’s output can’t even keep up, so...
Brooks feels he is the key to breaking the stalemate and specifically had a talk with him at halftime.
James Harden hesitated and ultimately didn’t voice the reason in his heart:
Ever since that elbow strike, every time he sees Artest, he feels a faint dizziness, which makes him afraid to play too aggressively.
If he can’t solve this problem, James Harden can’t fully immerse himself in the game.
However, Brooks was also like "beating the child on a rainy day—is idle anyway," and treating a "dead horse as if it were alive," not expecting much.
He understands very well that if Kevin Durant can’t "bounce back from the bottom," then the Thunder Team will find it very hard to win the game.
The second half started quickly.
The cheers from the crowd echoed throughout the halftime break.
The New Yorkers seemed to have boundless energy, cheering, and shouting without restraint.
Kevin Durant’s expression showed dejection inside and out.
This is normal.
When a person is determined to accomplish something, a slump is inevitable if he fails.
Especially for someone as deeply sensitive as Kevin Durant.
Unable to save the team, Kevin Durant felt extremely guilty.
But what could be done?
He really worked hard, but the New York Knicks simply did not give him a chance to adjust the pace with the ball. Every shot he took was under pressure.
This is not the rhythm he is used to.
Well, it’s a time of transition in the league; even a guy like Kobe now has to give up part of his energy on defense to ensure offensive efficiency.
As for Tony Allen, who originally made a deep impression on Kevin Durant, the Thunder Team did not face him in this playoffs.
In other words, it wasn’t until the Thunder Team entered the finals that Kevin Durant witnessed the league’s toughest perimeter defense under Su Wan.
That’s not all; behind Su Wan stood Tyson Chandler, such a top-tier league interior help defender.
Kevin Durant’s days are even harder.
So it’s normal for him to not perform well. To perform well...
Is what’s abnormal.
If anything, this finals can be considered Kevin Durant’s "transformation round."
The third quarter began, and Kevin Durant didn’t immediately give up, constantly switching between off-ball and on-ball offensive modes, seeking scoring opportunities. Unfortunately, Su Wan was very focused.
And whenever he took the ball, Su Wan would become even more focused.
Originally, Kevin Durant considered himself among the strongest in the league offensively. The reason why this season’s "Scoring King" belonged to Su Wan was because he had Westbrook, a partner who was hard to distinguish who was boss.
If he had Stephen Curry and Su Wan had Westbrook, he believed this year’s "Scoring King" would be his.
He really didn’t expect that his all-rounded offensive techniques could still be limited.
And it was none other than...
Su Wan who limited him!
This summer, I must build up strength!
After stumbling due to lack of strength in one duel, Kevin Durant silently swore in his heart.
Sadly, even if he successfully builds enough strength this summer.
It won’t be until the new season that he can take revenge.
Right now, he...
Can only choose to take forced shots or pass the ball after repeatedly coming off second-best in confrontations.
Ultimately, Kevin Durant, known as the "strongest offensive machine since Michael Jordan," went 8 for 25, 2 for 6 in three-point shots, and 4 for 5 in free throws, scoring 22 points in total.
But his field goal percentage was a measly 32%!
Then look at Su Wan, who also took 25 shots, making 12 of them, 3 for 5 in three-point shots, and 4 for 5 in free throws, scoring 31 points in total.
Although not as exaggerated in shooting percentage as the last game.
But if you really consider the efficiency.
This game, Su Wan suppressed Kevin Durant even more harshly!
A field goal percentage of 48% compared to 32%, a difference of 16%!
And in the first game, Su Wan "only" had 13.5% more than Kevin Durant...
This kind of positional suppression allowed Su Wan to crush Kevin Durant for the second consecutive game.
Also, it led to another slaughter of the Thunder Team by the New York Knicks.
This time, they won by a full 30 points!
"There’s no chance; the Thunder Team has no chance of winning this series!" Bill Walton is usually cautious when making predictions, which means when he makes such a prediction, the team he considers to have no chance is indeed in deep trouble!