NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 680 Another Year of Ship Warriors War

This game was broadcast live on TNT, and the commentators were former NBA superstar Charles Barkley and his partner Kenny Smith.

"Kenny, I'm more optimistic about the Clippers in this game. You don't need to dig a hole for me anymore," Barkley said smugly.

Kenny Smith laughed and said, "So you're optimistic about Jia Fei and his team now?"

“Watch your words, Kenny. I’m not praising Jia Fei, I’m praising the Clippers. I acknowledge Jia Fei’s ability; he certainly has talent. But to say that the Clippers’ three past championships were entirely due to him, I don’t agree. Even with another star, the Clippers could still win three consecutive championships. This team’s overall strength is indeed very strong. This is thanks to Jerry West’s management,” Barkley said seriously.

The starting lineups for both teams have been announced.

The Clippers' starting lineup, playing at home, consisted of Jahlil Giannis, Bridges, Paul George, Jerami Grant, and Kelly Olynyk. This was the same lineup as in the regular season; the Clippers did not use a small-ball lineup to directly match up against the Warriors.

The Warriors' starting lineup is Curry, Klay, Wiggins, Green, and Looney. It's a fairly standard lineup, but it's a bit big. Considering Kerr's preference for small lineups, it's unlikely this will be their final lineup for the season.

As the starting lineups of both teams entered the game, Curry looked at Jia Fei, and Jia Fei looked at Curry.

The two have been rivals in the Western Conference for many years, and they actually respect each other. If they were to team up, it would be absolutely terrifying. Jia Fei's drives combined with Curry's three-pointers would solve all their offensive problems, and with any other additions, they would form an extremely strong lineup.

Unfortunately, they are rivals and both want to defeat each other.

Green stared at Olynyk, who was staring back at him. Both knew that their presence wasn't just that of a key rotation player; they also bore the responsibility of warning opponents against misbehavior and acting as enforcers should they act recklessly. This was a responsibility that most people couldn't fulfill; not everyone could be the bad guy.

Evil people should be punished by evil people. Green is an evil person, and isn't Olynyk the same?

On the Clippers' bench, a man named Dillon Brooks watched the game with wolf-like eyes. He's another key player for the Clippers besides Olynyk, providing defense, passion, and a villainous edge. Interestingly, both he and Olynyk are Canadian, leading many fans to wonder why Canada seems to produce such villains.

Rooney and Olynyk jump the ball near the center circle; the match is about to begin.

The jump ball began, and Looney won the jump ball against Olynyk, giving the Warriors possession of the ball on the first offensive possession.

Curry dribbles the ball across half-court.

Bridges was guarding Curry, and he led the defense against Curry the entire game.

The Clippers' defensive strategy was to have Bridges guard Curry, Olynyk guard Looney, Grant guard Wiggins, George chase Klay Thompson, and Jahlil Giannis guard Green.

The last time the two teams met in the playoffs, the Clippers also used Jia Fei to match up against Green.

Once Curry sets a pick-and-roll, switch defense immediately, and Jia Fei goes to guard Curry.

The Warriors' core strategy revolves around Curry, Challenger, and Thompson. Challenger handles the ball, while Curry and Thompson score. While controlling the Splash Brothers is important, Green is the real faucet; as long as you control the faucet, you won't get splashed.

Jia Fei, with the strongest perimeter defense, is naturally the best candidate for this job.

"Kenny, you see, Jia Fei isn't as good as people say. He doesn't even dare to go up against the Splash Brothers, and he doesn't even dare to guard Andrew Wiggins!" Barkley said with a look of disdain.

As a result, Curry and Green ran a pick-and-roll, and Jia Fei and Bridges immediately switched on defense.

Jia Fei is going to match up against Curry!

Kenny Smith: "Charles, is this Jia Fei guarding Curry, or Curry specifically targeting Jia Fei?"

"Of course Curry singled out Jia Fei. Curry knows how Jia Fei got his DPOY trophy!" Barkley said.

As a result, Curry set a screen for Looney again and went to attack Olynyk!

Barkley: "..."

Kenny Smith chuckled to himself...

The Clippers' strategy is to double-team Olynyk whenever Curry specifically targets him. Yes, a direct double-team, not a delaying tactic.

Curry passed the ball after being double-teamed, but Rooney has no shooting ability!

The Clippers rotate very quickly, giving Lue opportunities to shoot, but once you enter the paint, a player will come to defend you.

With five forwards over two meters tall on the Clippers' court, any one of them rotating to a player like Looney would be a serious problem for him.

Rooney couldn't handle the ball, so he passed it to Klay. With little time left on the shot clock, Klay forced a shot but missed!

Grant grabs the rebound!

If you only look at the team's one-on-one videos, Rooney and Durant are both going head-to-head. It's true that many players are like the Jordan in highlight reels, but in real games, his offensive ability is not as good as DeAndre Jordan's. DeAndre Jordan's ability to finish plays is really strong.

Grant passed the ball to Jia Fei, who brought it over and faced Wiggins' defense.

The Warriors' defense also relied on man-to-man coverage, with Wiggins guarding JaVale throughout the game, Klay Thompson guarding Paul George, Curry guarding Bridges, Green guarding Grant, and Looney guarding Olynyk.

Jia Fei, dribbling the ball, faced off against this man nicknamed "Goji Berry Mamba." Despite his immense talent, at such a young age, he's already living the life of a retired cadre, carrying a thermos and brewing goji berries. This isn't a good thing. Young people need to keep striving. Wait until middle age, when everything's over, before considering settling down. Settling down directly isn't impossible, it's just too comfortable…

Olynyk came over to cover, Rooney made a huge delay!

Jia Fei delivered a ground slam to Olynyk!

Olynyk dribbles the ball forward and then passes it to Paul George in the bottom corner!

Pickled peppers break through along the baseline!

Jia Fei cuts in from the middle lane!

Jia Fei received the ball, took a step into the paint, jumped, switched hands in mid-air, and put the ball into the basket!

Green went to protect the rim, but he couldn't reach it!

Green is not as tall or as long as Jia Fei, and his jumping ability is also inferior. He usually relies on strength and speed to switch on defense. When it comes to protecting the rim, he is not as good as those big men.

The Warriors are called the Twin Towers, but both of their big men are actually quite short. Green is only 198cm tall, and Looney is less than 206cm. Their rim protection on the defensive end is just so-so, and they also clog up the space on the offensive end.

The Clippers scored first.

The Warriors are on offense, and the Clippers are frantically chasing the Splash Brothers, leaving Green completely open. This level of openness is comparable to the likes of Westbrook, Rondo, and Lue.

Green couldn't resist any longer and attempted a three-pointer... and lo and behold, it was an airball...

But this guy didn't seem to feel ashamed at all, and even rapped a few lines.

The Clippers are on offense. Jia Fei has the ball and is facing Wiggins.

Without needing any screen, Jia Fei dribbled between his legs and suddenly accelerated!

Wiggins stepped back, and Jia Fei pulled the ball and changed direction to the other side, getting past his opponent and cutting in. Without any help defense, he faced Green, who was lurking under the basket, and made a mid-range jump shot, which went in smoothly!

0:4, Clippers' Jia Fei took the lead.