The Strongest Bishop in the NBA

Chapter 378: An Imposing Start

When Jokic, who is 2.13 meters tall, and Al Jefferson, who is 2.08 meters tall, stand together and prepare to jump the ball, the height gap between the two is quite obvious.

Jefferson isn't a spring guy, so the height gap doesn't give him any advantage on the jump ball, easily outpaced by Jokic.

The opening basketball fell to the Bucks. Knight ran across the half court after catching the ball, and then stopped at the top arc for a while, then passed the basketball to Antetokounmpo who came out to catch the ball.

After Antetokounmpo received the ball, he stood still and raised his arms slightly.

Seeing his gesture, the Bucks players quickly withdrew to the outside line, even Jokic pulled it out and stood near the free throw line.

Al Jefferson hesitated a little when he saw this, but followed him out.

In his perception, European big men are good at shooting, and the distance from the free throw line does not affect their shooting percentage.

The fact is also true, Jokic's shooting range can also reach beyond the three-point line, although the shooting rate is not as good as that of a super shooter like Nowitzki, but it is enough to attract defense.

Ever since, Cody Zeller, who was defending Antetokounmpo, followed Antetokounmpo out of the perimeter in a daze, and then watched the opponent make a three-threat posture that a defender would only use.

Cody Zeller: "???"

The next moment, Antetokounmpo suddenly exerted his strength, and his whole body was as thunderous as a cheetah hunting. He passed Cody Zeller in one step, and then immediately took off in two steps, and smashed the basketball into the ground with a crisp tomahawk dunk. basket.

"boom--!"

At the same time as the sound of the rim being hit hard, the Bradley Center, the Bucks' home court, fell into a sea of ​​exclamations.

"Oh my gosh, what did I just see?"

O'Neill opened his mouth into an O-shape, staring at him in disbelief.

"The guy who is close to 7 feet just took one step to start, and he took a step just one step inside the three-point line! His breakthrough speed is not inferior to the league's top point guard! Cody Zeller didn't respond at all time!"

Antetokounmpo's breakthrough and single-round lethality are even more terrifying than James. After all, James in the Cavaliers 1.0 era, although the breakthrough lethality is very huge, it is also related to his unique six-step layup.

When he went to the Heat and angered Stern, he lost this privilege, which greatly reduced James' offensive lethality, and it was also one of the main reasons for losing to the Mavericks in 2011.

Of course, James then worked hard to develop a superb back-up technique, and no longer completely relied on breakthroughs as an offensive method.

Antetokounmpo's breakthrough and lethality are mainly reflected in his terrifying height, gibbon-like wingspan, and speed that is not inferior to a defender.

The combination of these factors makes it impossible to stop him once he is activated on the outside unless two meat shields are stationed inside for a long time.

In this regard, the Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals in the 18-19 season did very well.

Marc Gasol, who won the best defensive player, and Serge Ibaka, a shot-blocking maniac, are stationed at the basket almost all the year round, not giving Antetokounmpo any chance to easily hit the basket.

The current Brother Antetokounmpo is far from being as strong as the muscular Greek monster in the future, but he is even thinner and even better in terms of speed. With no one blocking the inside, the offense is too easy.

Looking at Antetokounmpo, who returned to the defense with brisk steps, Cody Zeller was a little uncomfortable.

Cody Zeller, like Antetokounmpo, is a rookie in 2013. The difference is that he is the No. 6 rookie, while Antetokounmpo is only the No. 12 rookie. From the perspective of the pick, Cody. Zeller has an absolute advantage.

But in fact, this is not the case. After being selected by the Pistons with the No. 6 pick in the 2013 draft, his life in the Pistons was not easy. He has always been on the bench and averaged only 5.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.

After the end of the 13-14 season, the Pistons traded him to the Hornets, and in the Hornets, he was just a blue-collar who helped Al Jefferson get stuck in defense and grab rebounds.

On the other hand, what about his No. 12 rookie Antetokounmpo?

Although the statistics last season were just the same, he was able to start at any rate. This season, Wang Xiao regarded him as the cornerstone of the team, and just now he even singled him out like a joke.

But if he is unhappy, there is nothing he can do.

On the offensive end, Cody Zeller doesn't have any possession of the ball, and the Hornets players won't pass the ball to him. The basketball is either in the hands of Kemba Walker or in the hands of Al Jefferson. How could it be his turn? a blue collar.

On the defensive end, just with the ball just now, Cody Zeller realized that he might not be able to guard Antetokounmpo alone.

Although the two are about the same height, the difference in speed is not a little bit. As a traditional insider, Cody Zeller can't keep up with Antetokounmpo's guard-like speed.

The head coach of the Hornets also realized this, so he immediately commanded from the sidelines, arranged for Jefferson to stand firmly inside, and did not give Antetokounmpo enough room to break through.

...

The Hornets' offense was initiated by Kemba Walker.

As a point guard regarded by Jordan as the core of the team, Walker enjoyed absolute offensive power in the Hornets. Facing Knight's defense, Walker quickly dribbled the ball on the outside, and then used his teammates' pick-and-roll to get to the inside line for a layup. However, Jokic Odd's supplementary defense was very active, causing the basketball to miss the basket and was then caught by Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo, who caught the rebound, did not pause at all, and immediately changed his dribble and rushed towards the frontcourt.

His pace was too big, and his speed was extremely fast. The inside players of the Hornets couldn't keep up at all, and only three outside players of the Hornets had time to return to the defense.

Afterwards, they retreated quickly and were stunned to see Antetokounmpo who started a layup from outside the three-point line.

The first step is on the three-point line, and the second step still reaches the free throw line. Antetokounmpo's pace is too big!

The Hornets players who reacted still wanted to step forward to defend, but it was too late.

For this distance, to be on the safe side, Antetokounmpo did not use moves such as dunks from the free throw line. The basketball is sent to the basket.

4:0!

At the beginning, Antetokounmpo scored 4 points in a row, leading the Bucks to an opening advantage!

"Beautiful fast break, Antetokounmpo is showing his talent to his new coach. It seems that he also understands that the coach sitting on the sidelines may become his Bole."

Kenny Smith couldn't help sighing: "I have to say, this Greek guy who Wang Xiao regards as the cornerstone of the team seems to be so different."

...

Wang Xiao sat quietly on the sidelines watching the game with a slight smile on his face.

As far as the first official game is concerned, this kind of start is not bad, very imposing!

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