NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 634 Passion Cannot Change the Status Quo

At halftime, the score was 48-60, a difference of 12 points.

The point difference doesn't seem that big, especially in this era of small-ball, but judging from the course of the game, the Clippers clearly didn't pull away. Jia Fei rested for a long time in the first half, and it was during that time that the Rockets managed to close the gap. If his playing time had been increased further, the point difference might have been even larger.

贾飞半场得到15分14个篮板8次助攻2个抢断4个盖帽，半场就已经完成了准三双。

Intermission.

Tencent Studio.

"Mr. Su, the Rockets are down by 12 points now. It's not like they can't catch up. What adjustments do you think they need to make in the second half to catch up?" Wang Zixing asked.

Su Qun adjusted his glasses and explained in detail: "What the Rockets need to do now is to open up their offense. They only scored 48 points in the first half, and it's unrealistic to expect to win with that kind of offense. Westbrook still needs to make his shots. If he misses, the Clippers will double-team Harden even more aggressively. Westbrook needs to make three-pointers and capitalize on the open looks the Clippers leave him open."

The third quarter began quickly.

The Rockets took the first possession, with Westbrook dribbling the ball across half-court.

Westbrook looked serious, his brows furrowed, clearly very unhappy.

Beverly clung to him like bubblegum, like a barnacle finding a whale.

Westbrook didn't ask for a pick and roll, he just drove straight to the basket!

Beverley fought and retreated, but he was pushed aside!

However, Westbrook's mid-range zombie jump shot still didn't work! His shooting percentage from mid-range and long range in the first half was a dismal 2 for 10. He took a lot of shots, but made far too few.

Jia Fei grabbed the rebound, dribbled the ball up the court, faced Covington's defense, and ran a pick-and-roll with Gallinari. The opponent switched, and Jia Fei directly attacked Harden, dribbling between his legs before breaking through, stopping abruptly, pulling the ball back between his legs, and releasing a mid-range jump shot—which went in cleanly!

48:62, a difference of 14 points!

This looks like a tutorial video, with Jia Fei demonstrating to Westbrook how to shoot a mid-range jumper. Ironically, back in his Thunder days, Jia Fei wasn't even qualified to be Westbrook's backup.

But now, Westbrook has declined significantly and is even being deliberately left out, while Jia Fei has become the league's best player, leading his team in their quest for a three-peat and establishing a dynasty...

Westbrook shook his head, dissatisfied with his performance.

Beverley didn't forget to taunt his old rival: "Look at his jump shot, you barely even touched the rim. I think you should practice your shooting more, stop practicing dunks, you can barely jump anymore!"

Westbrook was furious. "What the hell? You're just a role player, and you dare to mock me? Who do you think you are?"

Beverley loves seeing Westbrook angry, the angrier the better. He even continued to "encourage" his opponent: "Go ahead and shoot me in the face if you dare!"

"Shoot then!" Westbrook was completely enraged. He wouldn't be a turtle if he didn't shoot Beverley into a pile of rubble!

He pulled up for a jump shot and hit a three-pointer...

That shot was decisive, courageous, and relentless...

However, the ball missed!

That was a flurry of activity, nothing more!

The ball didn't even hit the rim; it bounced off the backboard and came right back!

But by some twist of fate, the ball fell back into Westbrook's hands. Westbrook, seeing this rebound as his chance to make amends, took another shot…

As a result, this time he didn't hit the rebound; instead, he airballed the ball...

The ball went straight out of bounds... How incredibly embarrassing...

Westbrook looked stubborn; he didn't feel embarrassed at all. He was the epitome of "passion." Passion was all he needed. Tell me, isn't that passionate?

On the sidelines, Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni couldn't help but cover his head. He had no idea how the former triple-double king had regressed to such a state...

Jia Fei wasn't surprised at all. You know, in his previous life, Westbrook was even more outrageous with the Lakers. Missing three shots on the clock was a regular occurrence. His layups were blocked by the rim, he would hit his feet with the ball while dribbling, and he would pass the ball to thin air... These kinds of crazy plays could be easily edited together to make you feel like you had no will to live.

Compared to 58's rock-solid ball-handling and offensive organization, Westbrook's style is really too rough. But Westbrook also has his advantages. He is particularly durable. Except for that time when he was sidelined by a major injury, he generally doesn't need to rest or take time off when he is not injured. He can play back-to-back games. His attendance is at the ceiling among stars of this age group.

So, if you ask whether you're passionate or not, ask whether you're dedicated or not!

“Teacher Su, I feel like Westbrook is having mental issues!” Wang Zixing said.

Su Qun nodded: "Although Westbrook's shooting isn't his strong suit, it was really too outrageous today!"

Clippers are on offense. Beverley brings the ball over, but makes a turnover when he passes it!

Westbrook stole the ball!

Westbrook drove the length of the court and finished with a powerful dunk!

50:62, Westbrook roars like a turtle, showing off his muscles!

Passion!

Westbrook is that kind of guy. You think he's no good, and then he is; you think he's great, and then he just doesn't...

Beverley stopped dribbling and Jia Fei dribbled the ball across half-court.

Jia Fei has the ball on the left wing, and Gallinari comes over to screen again!

This time, the Rockets didn't switch defenses; they double-teamed Jia Fei!

But Jia Fei was clearly prepared, delivering a one-handed ground strike to Gallinari!

Gallinari receives the ball and takes a three-pointer—and it goes in!

50:65, a difference of 15 points!

Westbrook brought the ball over and aggressively attacked Beverley, drawing Beverley's fourth foul and being substituted by Bridges!

Before leaving, Beverley and Westbrook exchanged another round of profanities!

Bridges comes on, Westbrook receives the ball and uses a screen to attack Gallinari, drives to the basket, and passes to Covington who is following up!

Covington attempted a dunk, but it was blocked by Jia Fei right in front of him!

Bridges gets the ball and passes it to Jia Fei to advance!

Jia Fei made a rapid advance, and then quickly passed the ball to Pao Jiao in the frontcourt!

Paul George received the ball and completed a windmill dunk, stunning the entire arena!

50:67, the point difference has reached 17 points, the Rockets call a timeout!

The Rockets seemed to be losing momentum, and D'Antoni had no choice but to call a timeout to break the opponent's run.

"Teacher Su, the Rockets are in a tough spot. They can't score or defend!" Wang Zixing said helplessly.

"Yes, Westbrook's shooting touch was still off in the second half, making this game really difficult!" Su Qun had to admit.

With these two assists, Jia Fei's assist total for this game officially reached double digits, and he also completed a triple-double ahead of schedule.

Achieving a triple-double in the playoffs isn't particularly rare or remarkable, at least not for Jia Fei. He might not be able to do it every game in the playoffs if he wanted to, but he could basically do it every game in the regular season.

After the timeout, the Rockets' offense still didn't improve. D'Antoni has never been a coach with great adaptability, and his offensive strategies are actually quite limited. With the opponent's perimeter defense being so strong, breaking through their defense is really not easy.