NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 547 The Battle of Fireships One Year Later

The Spurs are still struggling, but their efforts are not very effective...

In this game that the Spurs absolutely had to win, they still failed to secure the victory.

The difference in skill level is one aspect, but another is Jia Fei's overwhelming ability to control the game. After trading away Leonard and Green, the Spurs couldn't even find a player who could somewhat limit him.

Neither DeRozan, Forbes, nor Guy could effectively restrain him. He could do whatever he wanted, practically doing whatever he pleased.

Role players' touch and form can fluctuate. This was originally a good opportunity for the Spurs, but because of Jia Fei's presence, it was like giving the Clippers a patch, and the Spurs couldn't take advantage of this opportunity. The result was predictable.

3:0，快船继上赛季之后连续第2个赛季大比分3:0领先马刺，距离他们晋级次轮也只是时间的问题了。

Fans finally realized that Popovich is also human, not a god. He is very powerful, but he was overhyped before.

DeRozan is still DeRozan; the gap between him and a top superstar is still clearly visible. As for Aldridge, he will never become Tim Duncan; he can't become the defensive anchor under Popovich, and defense has always been an extremely important part of the Spurs' system.

On April 20th, Game 4 of the Clippers vs. Spurs series.

The Spurs didn't switch back to their big lineup, but the result of the game was no different from the previous three games.

The Clippers swept the Spurs 4-0 without lifting a finger, marking their second consecutive season sweep of the team. This not only showcased the Clippers' formidable strength but also forced Spurs fans to finally acknowledge that the Spurs' era has truly passed.

This Spurs team has lost all hope. If they want to rise again, rebuilding is the better way forward. Get the next Duncan, then give Popovich another 20 years?

Popovich is getting old. Does he still have the energy to coach this team for another 20 years? Nobody can say for sure, but if they don't rebuild, this team's championship window will never open, and you have to be prepared for that.

The Clippers players returned to Los Angeles in high spirits from San Antonio, where they were greeted by enthusiastic Los Angeles fans.

The Clippers' playoff start to their title defense was so perfect; they didn't expend too much energy in the first round, and the second round means the real challenge will officially begin.

The Clippers' next opponent is the winner between the Trail Blazers and the Rockets. The two teams are currently playing very well, with the score tied at 2-2, and will face off in a pivotal Game 5.

The Clippers are sitting back and watching the show. For them, both the Rockets and the Trail Blazers are must-wins. They need to defeat all their opponents on their road to defending their title. Their only goal is the championship.

The game between the Rockets and the Trail Blazers did not go to a Game 7. In the end, the Rockets, with their superior strength, eliminated the Trail Blazers with a 4-2 series score and successfully advanced to the second round!

As a result, the Clippers' next opponent will be the Rockets!

The two teams faced off in the 2016-17 season, when the Clippers defeated the Rockets to reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. Unexpectedly, just one season later, they meet again in the playoffs.

Both teams are currently at full strength and healthy, making this a highly anticipated showdown!

This series is obviously attracting far more attention than the previous series between the Clippers and Spurs. The Rockets have superstars and an extreme playing style, making them a significant opponent for the Clippers on their path to the championship.

If there are any teams that could stop the Clippers from successfully defending their title in this year's playoffs, the Rockets are definitely one of them.

Another matchup in the West has been determined: the Warriors defeated the Thunder, and the Nuggets defeated the Jazz, so the next matchup will be Warriors vs. Nuggets.

Compared to the Clippers vs. Rockets series, the Warriors vs. Nuggets series is obviously generating much less buzz.

Clippers vs. Rockets: a matchup full of talking points.

Jia Fei and Harden are both products of the Thunder, and they have been rivals in the MVP race over the years, both playing the shooting guard position; 58, as the former Clippers leader, was traded to the Rockets and has yet to receive anything in return, so he will naturally go all out against the Clippers; Beverley, Lou Williams, and Harrell are all former Rockets players, and were all included in the trade for 58; Paul George broke his leg in a collision with Harden while on the national team...

Too many topics, too many grudges...

Before the game, both head coaches gave interviews praising their opponents to the skies, hoping to gain an advantage. 58, in his interview, bluntly stated that he would teach the Clippers a lesson and take back what he had lost.

When interviewed, Jia Fei smiled and said, "It's only polite to reciprocate. I'm really looking forward to the competition with our city rivals at Staples Center. Let's wait and see!"

The battle of fire ships is about to break out!

On the evening of April 28, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Game 1 of the Clippers vs. Rockets series is about to begin!

Compared to the Eastern Conference playoffs, this series in the West has garnered more than double or triple the attention!

Many fans don't care who ultimately emerges from the East; in their eyes, whoever makes it out of the West is the ultimate champion.

Practice before the match.

58 wore a stubborn expression; he didn't greet his former teammates. But to be precise, none of his former teammates were with the Clippers anymore, including the coach, who wasn't from his era. The Clippers of today have entered a new era, a completely new version, bearing absolutely no resemblance to the "Lob City" of yesteryear.

Harden is practicing his three-point shot. His signature "double step-back" three-pointer has been mastered by many in the league. This technique, which is clearly a traveling violation, is now prevalent in the league, which only shows that the league will allow such a ridiculous technique to exist in order to promote superstars.

Anyone who's played basketball knows that, according to the rules (FIBA or NBA), any movement involving a change of pivot foot, whether it's the "Yugoslavian step" or a movement involving a change of pivot foot, is considered traveling. You can only take a maximum of two steps with the ball; for the third step, you either jump or don't take that step at all, otherwise it's a traveling violation. But back then, Stern, in order to promote Running Man, allowed four steps, five steps, and even "six-step," "seven-step," and "eight-step" moves—it was utterly shameless.

Nowadays, the league has basically tacitly allowed traveling before the ball is collected. What is "012"? It is essentially traveling. If traveling before the ball is collected is allowed, then as long as you are fast enough, you can take 5 or 10 steps.

Allowing traveling is extremely advantageous for players who drive to the basket, while allowing palming is advantageous for players who primarily dribble. So what's most advantageous for players who primarily shoot? The answer is simple: a hair's breadth whistle.

Harden is also a star player highly sought after by the league, and naturally enjoys special privileges.