In the Lakers’ victory over the Raptors, the traffic focus once again focused on James’ record of 35+5+5 14 times since he was 35 years old, but everyone knows that Westbrook’s life-defying change of life is the key in this game. In the final moments of the game, Westbrook made an incredible steal, and a one-stop three-pointer brought the Lakers into overtime and finally helped the team win by magic. In fact, Westbrook played a role that the Lakers should not play this season, that is, the bearer. It is unfair to criticize and accuse Westbrook even so. In the reversal of the Raptors’ battle, Westbrook got his 10th triple-double of the season and the 7th time in his career that he had at least 10 triple-doubles in a single season, second only to Magic Johnson (9 times) in history.
The choice that Westbrook made in this game is something that no one on the Lakers can do, that is, to make the right and brave choice at the most critical moment. The Lakers have scored 113.8 points on defense this season, the 26th worst in the league. It seems that all of Westbrook’s offensive efficiency is declining, but in many cases, compared to the inaction of some teammates on the defensive end, Westbrook’s top running distance and The Lakers’ sluggish positional rhythm and procrastination on defense stand in stark contrast. After James gradually took Westbrook’s control of the ball into the air, Westbrook has endured too many difficulties on this team.
Westbrook has had many moments of “making the right choice” in previous games. The Lakers’ two most exciting lore games this season, one is the magical moment of tying the Raptors, and the other is the moment of 0.9 seconds. The game that assisted Reeves in the lore also originated from Westbrook. In addition, in the Wizards season, Westbrook also performed a magical 3-point lore to beat the Nets at the last moment, which can be called the league’s first classic battle of the season. Westbrook’s ability to dare to shoot and handle the ball at the last moment is at least the courage and sense of responsibility that a super giant should have. Starting from the actual data, you will find that Westbrook is definitely not only brave, but also very efficient and deadly-since Westbrook entered the league in 2008, his tie or go-ahead shot in the last 60 seconds of the game has been the first in the league in the same period. One, hit 53 balls, while Lillard’s is 52. James has accumulated 51 balls and Durant tied for third because of long-term control of the ball and playing too long and taking too many shots.
In addition, the data that best proves Westbrook’s fearlessness is that he has been criticized for poor three-pointers in his career. He has made 9 key three-pointers in the last 5 seconds or in the last 5 seconds of overtime. This god-level data is tied with Kobe Bryant. Become the second player in NBA history in nearly 25 years, chasing Carter’s 12 miracles. There is only one word to describe such a person: brave. He can be a brave and arrogant general, and he doesn’t even care about being a soldier with only the word “Courage” written on his chest, putting himself in danger step by step without fear of danger.
In this season, Westbrook’s offense has returned to the three-second zone, from 19.4% of the Wizards last season to 34.2%. One of the reasons? That is, Westbrook’s shooting has been magnified by too many people, causing Westbrook to even start the self-doubt mode in the game. He is trembling and walking on thin ice. It seems that such a situation has never happened in his career. “The jumpers are out of tune because even teammates may not trust him or give him enough shot support. Excessive media renderings and pushbacks made Westbrook tangled under the storm of public opinion. This season, he even appeared on the sidelines many times to fight fans, which is not a common thing in Westbrook’s career.
Second, what role is Vogel’s use of Westbrook? Giving the ball the right is just empty talk. Westbrook is like a fake point guard pushed to the front desk by the team. In many cases, Westbrook even when Davis is there, he has to pick and roll for the thick eyebrows, go to the inside to deal with defense, and carry out Lots of off the ball, and Westbrook is even the second-best defensive player on the team so far this season, but many people ignore that. Third, James’ long-term usage rate and pursuit of data have made Westbrook’s real meaning empty. Mainstream voices even once said that the Lakers should not play the play-offs. In the final quarter, James often fell behind by 20 points in the last 5 minutes and “bringing his power” has become the norm this season. If this hurts the team’s emotions, then in actual tactics The effect is to really empty Westbrook. Westbrook now gives James the ball after half court. The slow rhythm of the Lakers team makes Westbrook’s fast break even sometimes play 34 opponents by himself, and is in a state of vacancy and no ball for a long time. Holding the ball and penetrating the kill-first guard is devastating.
So why did Westbrook become like this this season? A superstar who has played a key role in his entire career, the king of triple-doubles, a top-notch breakthrough player and a tough defense, why did he fail to come to the Lakers? Perhaps the answer is that Westbrook was not accustomed to the Lakers, and encountered double violence on the public opinion and tactical sides, which made Westbrook have the situation he is today. To be fair, Westbrook deserves the respect he deserves. He is at least the one who will not give up and never give up until the end. No matter how difficult or frustrated he is, he is still there and moves forward bravely.
(Shao Han)Return to Sohu, see more
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