Kapitel 310: Chapter 310: How Many Tactics Do You Need?
"Swish!"
"G~~~"
Westbrook makes one of two free throws.
Durant grabs the rebound and passes the ball to Wade Dong, then sprints up the court.
This instinctive move doesn't go unnoticed by Westbrook, who feels even more frustrated.
Westbrook has a high opinion of himself. He believes he can do everything Wade Dong can—scoring, assisting, rebounding, stealing, and blocking—but perhaps just not as well. However, this doesn't mean he's inferior to Wade Dong.
Before Durant joined the Suns, many wondered if Durant and Wade Dong could coexist, considering Durant was used to being the top dog, and his younger brothers were also superstar players. Would he be content with being the second fiddle on the Suns?
The answer is a resounding yes!
Wade Dong and Durant are highly compatible, and Durant is more than happy to be the second option on the Suns, enjoying his role immensely.
Wade Dong dribbles up the court and, two steps away from the three-point line, bounces the ball off the floor. The ball squeezes through two defenders and lands in Carter's hands.
"Swish!"
Carter receives the pass and easily lays it in for a score.
4-1!
This assist by Wade Dong would likely be a top-ten career assist for most other guards.
Thunder's turn on offense.
Wade Dong is guarding Westbrook, and when Westbrook has the ball, Wade Dong gives him a step and a half of space!
This is a standard defensive strategy—allow the shot but not the drive.
With a step and a half of space, there's enough room to recover when the player accelerates for a drive. This strategy is typically used against players who are strong drivers but not accurate shooters.
Wade Dong has been in the league for a while, and no defender dares to give him that much space.
"Damn!"
Westbrook curses, feeling the disdain from the East.
Even with the dribble close to Wade Dong, there's no room for a drive, leaving him with only the option of a post-up. But post-ups against Wade Dong are even more challenging, so Westbrook dribbles twice and opts for a mid-range jumper!
"G~~~"
The ball hits the rim and bounces out.
Westbrook drives into the paint, and Perkins and Ibaka follow to grab the rebound, but someone is faster!
"Whoosh!"
Durant is all too familiar with Westbrook's shooting habits.
Before Westbrook shoots, Durant gets into position. As the ball bounces off the rim, Durant jumps and grabs the rebound, then passes it to Wade Dong.
Wade Dong receives the pass and sprints up the court.
The Thunder players chase after him, but Wade Dong crosses over Caron with a single step. Westbrook and Ibaka haven't even set up their positions under the basket, and Wade Dong takes off from just inside the free-throw line.
"Clang!"
Wade Dong slams the ball hard into the basket.
From Durant's rebound to Wade Dong's dunk, this entire offense takes only three seconds.
6-1!
After the dunk, Wade Dong doesn't celebrate; he jogs back to the backcourt.
When Wade Dong first entered the league, he would roar after a powerful dunk or a game-winning shot, but now he's more subdued. There's nothing to celebrate; it's just another routine play.
Westbrook dribbles up the court.
This time, Wade Dong starts defending Westbrook from beyond the three-point line. Westbrook tries to use his speed to get past Wade Dong, but it's not that easy!
Several crossovers and spins don't shake Wade Dong off!
"Huff... Huff... Huff..."
Westbrook takes a breath. When he used to play against the Suns, Durant was the one guarding Wade Dong, and now he finally understands the pressure Durant faced back then.
Perhaps Durant chose to become Wade Dong's teammate to escape this pressure?
As the 24-second shot clock winds down, Westbrook takes a rushed shot, resulting in a terrible air ball.
"Beep!"
The referee's whistle blows for a 24-second violation.
Westbrook is once again forced into a 24-second violation by Wade Dong's defense.
Seeing Westbrook's frustration, Wade Dong offers some advice: "Basketball is a team game. You can't win against us by playing like this."
"Mind your own business!"
Westbrook grunts and runs back to defend.
"Why won't he listen?"
Wade Dong shrugs, dribbles to near the three-point line, crosses over Lamb, and swings the ball to Curry.
"Swish!"
Curry rises for a three-pointer, and the ball swishes through the net.
9-1!
The home crowd falls silent, and some fans start to leave.
Everyone knows the Thunder are not as strong as the Suns, but the gap is unexpectedly wide.
Less than three minutes into the game, the Thunder are already down by eight points.
Brooks doesn't call a timeout, as he believes the players need to adjust on the court.
The Thunder inbound the ball from the baseline.
After Westbrook dribbles up the court, Wade Dong again gives him a step and a half of space.
This defensive rhythm throws Westbrook off his game.
The first time, Wade Dong gives him a step and a half; the second time, he smothers him; and the third time, he gives him a step and a half again!
Westbrook seems to have forgotten how to play!
With the space given by Wade Dong, Westbrook chooses to pass to Ibaka in the post. Ibaka receives the pass and, with Green defending him, spins and attempts a hook shot!
"G~~~"
From such a close distance, the ball hits the back of the rim.
Wade Dong turns and rushes to the basket, grabbing the rebound and firing the ball up the court!
"Swish!"
Curry receives Wade Dong's pass and makes a three-step layup!
11-1!
This full-court pass is a high-risk move, but Wade Dong has only 1.2 turnovers per game this season, with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 13. These are terrifying stats, making his average triple-double seem less impressive.
Westbrook also averages a triple-double, but with 10.4 assists and 4.7 turnovers, his assist-to-turnover ratio is only 2.2, not even close to Wade Dong's.
"Timeout!"
Brooks finally calls a timeout.
"Westbrook, are you worse than Wade Dong?"
"If he gives you space, shoot over him!"
"Who does he think he is?"
"And you two, you're both over 7 feet tall and built like tanks. How can you let Durant keep grabbing rebounds over your heads? Have you no pride as centers?"
"Play better! The Suns are no joke!"
"..."
The Thunder players come off the court and are scolded by Brooks.
On the Suns' side, Gentry sips some tea and says to Wade Dong and the others, "Dong, you guys take a quick rest. Keep playing like this when you're back on the court!"
Curry jokes, "Old man, why don't you draw up some plays?"
"Yeah..."
Gentry hands the playbook to Wade Dong. "Dong, why don't you say a few words?"
"Get lost."
Wade Dong tosses the playbook back into Gentry's arms.
The Suns are too relaxed, and this isn't a sign of disrespect towards their opponents.
Durant had faced boos from the entire arena before the game, and the Suns are showing their support for Durant with this nonchalant attitude, while also trying to provoke the home crowd.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein