บท 309: Chapter 309: The New Beats the Old
Injuries are an inevitable part of basketball.
This may sound cruel, but it's the truth. Even the Suns, with their 'Divine Doctor', couldn't guarantee that their players wouldn't get injured.
In the first 25 games of the regular season, only Wade Dong and Green had played in every game.
Durant missed two games due to knee discomfort, and Curry missed a week with acute gastroenteritis. Of course, Curry wanted to play through his illness, but Coach Gentry refused, fearing Curry might not be able to hold it in during the game. Thompson also missed a few games.
The Suns had lost two games so far. One was when both Durant and Curry were absent, and the other players couldn't step up, leaving Wade Dong to carry the team alone in a loss to the Spurs.
The other loss was quite bizarre. The Suns lost to the Timberwolves, who were at the bottom of the Western Conference. In that game, only Carter was injured, and the rest of the starters played, yet they were upset by the Timberwolves. Love had a breakout performance, scoring 37 points and grabbing 27 rebounds, which became his signature game.
The Suns had three games before Christmas.
Suns vs. Thunder.
Suns vs. Hornets.
Suns vs. Cavaliers.
After these three games, the Suns would host the Heat on Christmas Day for a battle of the five-star teams.
December 19th
The Suns flew to Oklahoma City.
This season, the league had two ruthless players: Wade Dong, averaging 23.7 points, 15.6 rebounds, and 16.3 assists, and Russell Westbrook, averaging 27.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 10.4 assists.
Since Durant's departure, Westbrook had become the leader of the Thunder, and this had led to his breakout.
Wade Dong and Westbrook were both contenders to become the first player since Robertson to average a triple-double for a season. If not for Wade Dong, Westbrook might have been even more impressive.
Averaging a triple-double is an incredibly difficult feat.
Unfortunately for Westbrook, he was born at the wrong time, as he encountered Wade Dong. Wade Dong not only averaged a triple-double but also led the league in rebounds with 15.6 and assists with 16.3. He was second in rebounds and far ahead in assists, with nearly 5 more assists than second-place Paul. Additionally, Wade Dong led the league in steals with 3.1 and blocks with 3.7.
This was also Durant's first return to Oklahoma City since joining the Suns.
"Boo~~~"
Durant was greeted with boos as soon as he stepped onto the court.
Durant looked a bit upset, and Harden had also left the Thunder without re-signing, but when he returned to Oklahoma City, the fans didn't boo him as much.
Wade Dong stood next to Durant and asked softly, "These boos are a bit harsh. Are you affected by them?"
"Yes!"
Durant nodded, looking a bit dejected.
Durant's reaction almost made Wade Dong laugh, "So real, no wonder you're called Little Handsome~"
"Little Handsome, don't take the fans' boos to heart."
Curry comforted Durant and added, "Just win this game!"
Durant was indeed upset. He had fought for the Thunder for so many years, and if not for the Suns, the Thunder might have already won a championship. Although they hadn't won, they had reached the Western Conference Finals twice. Yet, upon returning to his former home, he was greeted with boos.
With the referee's whistle, the game began.
The Thunder's starting lineup: Westbrook, Ibaka, Perkins, Collison, and Lamb.
The Suns' starting lineup: Wade Dong, Curry, Durant, Carter, and Green.
Thompson was injured and absent, but even without him, the Suns still left the Thunder feeling hopeless. Coach Brooks couldn't come up with a strategy to counter the Suns.
Last season, the Thunder's Big Four couldn't compete with the Suns. Now, with Durant on the Suns, it wasn't even a fair contest.
"Westbrook, you need to attack the Suns' basket as much as possible.
Perkins and Ibaka, use your height advantage to protect the rebounds, and if there's an opportunity for a putback, take it. If not, pass the ball back to Westbrook!"
This was Coach Brooks' pre-game reminder to his players.
Tip-off
Ibaka lost the tip-off to Durant.
"Clap!"
Durant tapped the ball to Wade Dong.
Wade Dong dribbled to the frontcourt, with Westbrook defending him. "This is a battle between triple-double kings!"
"Have you ever had a quadruple-double?" Wade Dong asked.
Westbrook, "Huh?"
"Have you ever had a quintuple-double?" Wade Dong asked again.
Westbrook, "Huh?"
Then, while Westbrook was still in shock, Wade Dong crossed him with a single step, drove to the basket, and spun to the other side of the rim. He then made a shooting motion!
"Huh?"
Ibaka turned to block Wade Dong's shot but realized that Wade Dong didn't have the ball in his hands.
Swish!
Behind Ibaka, Durant slammed home the dunk.
This happened so fast that even the fans in the arena didn't react... Wade Dong blew past Westbrook, spun past Ibaka, and then pulled up for a jumper.
This series of moves was seamless, but where was the ball?
Even the fans watching the live stream were confused. It was only after the replay that they understood. When Wade Dong spun, the ball bounced off the floor and went straight up, allowing Wade Dong to cross Ibaka. However, the ball remained on the ground.
This play was incredibly deceptive.
Even if they practiced it, there was no guarantee it would work every time, but Wade Dong and Durant's coordination was perfect, and Durant understood Wade Dong's intentions.
The Suns led 2:0.
This play left the fans in the arena speechless.
China Live Stream
Zhang Zhi, "Oh yeah! Best assist!"
Yu Jia, "Incredible! I've never seen an assist like this in the NBA."
Zhang Zhi, "Wade Dong is the true master of passing."
The Thunder's Turn
Westbrook dribbled to the frontcourt, with Perkins setting a screen for him. Westbrook blew past Wade Dong and drove to the basket, but Durant rotated to help defend.
Seeing Durant, Westbrook's eyes turned red, and he jumped to dunk over Durant!
Westbrook was frustrated...
But Durant was also determined, as Wade Dong was watching from the sidelines.
Swat!
Buzzer!
Westbrook's dunk attempt was blocked, but Durant was called for a foul.
As Westbrook took his free throws, he glanced at Durant.
Westbrook's dunk attempt had been powerful, and it could have been a classic slam. However, Durant, even with the foul, didn't give Westbrook the chance to dunk, making Westbrook feel a mix of emotions as he thought about their past as teammates.
In the past, they used to watch the moon together, and Durant called him 'Little Sweetie', but now the new guy had surpassed the old one, and he was called 'Madam Cow'.
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