Champion Creed-Chapter 903 - 298: The era will not end (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!)_3
Chapter 903: 298: The era will not end (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!)_3
While confrontation and stealing complement each other, in the confrontation with Artest, any slight deformity in your dribbling will be immediately destroyed by him.
Of course, at this time, Artest also possesses quite excellent lateral speed. He can lower his center of gravity at any time and become a wall you can never bypass.
All these, coupled with his inexhaustible passion for defense, forge the strongest perimeter defense lock of the early 21st century!
You can call him a brute, a brainless fool, but you cannot question his defensive capability.
How long his defensive passion lasts, depends on how long he stays on the court.
Artest once again successfully forced Roger to slow down, dragging the game into a positional battle.
And this is precisely the defensive style the Pistons love the most.
Upon pushing Roger into a positional play, Artest smugly said: "Put away your proud stance, you’re not remarkable, your era of trashing the League is over, the stage belongs to us now."
Roger didn’t go head-to-head with Artest, but passed the ball to Paul Pierce who had looped out to mid-range after a reverse run.
Pierce caught the ball, jumped, aimed, and shot, a series of actions he had practiced to perfection.
But just as the basketball was leaving Pierce’s hand, it was directly blocked by Big Ben coming over to help defend!
"Paul, you’ve slowed down. Have you been playing too many simple plays in the seven-second offense that you’ve lost your attacking sense in positional battles?"
"Shut up Big Ben!"
Pierce felt the defensive threat brought by Big Ben for the first time, previously knowing only as a teammate of his strong defense, but realizing just how fierce it is when facing him as an opponent.
With Rasheed Wallace guarding the basket, Big Ben can more freely choose to attack, making his defensive range incredibly terrifying.
Before you make every shot, you’d better see if you’ve been targeted by that explosive-haired guy.
The Pistons’ defense is indeed strong, and they have indeed benefited from the era.
HandCheck rules allow defensive experts like Artest to shine, and the opening of zone defense allows players like Big Ben to show their value.
The Hawks, proud of their offense, struggle under the rules-savvy defense of the Pistons.
And soon, the Pistons also demonstrated their offensive capability beyond defense.
This round, Pierce was closely following Artest, not allowing him to easily receive the ball.
Marion’s confrontation was also very active, denying Rasheed Wallace the chance to receive the ball from the low post.
But Chaki Atkins gently passed, getting the ball into Richard Hamilton’s hands who had slipped away from Reeves.
Hamilton, receiving a pass at mid-range, got an extremely open shooting space.
Few notice who scores the most on this defensive team, the Detroit Pistons, but Richard Hamilton has always quietly fulfilled his duty.
His off-ball running was already exceptional in college, he can run pick-and-rolls effortlessly with closed eyes. And the freakish stamina inherited from his athletic family allows him to keep running at high frequency.
Coupled with Double Wallace’s excellent screen quality, all these make Hamilton’s off-ball offense highly threatening.
Many people overlook Hamilton as the leading scorer of one of the best Eastern Conference teams, but when he attacks with his knife, his danger is remembered.
Hamilton receives the ball and shoots, Michael Reed was already too late to interfere.
This ball’s rhythm was great, Hamilton felt he definitely could score.
Artest raised his hand to celebrate in advance, knowing how steady Hamilton is with his catch-and-shoot after running.
Artest once on whim ran in the morning with Hamilton and his dog, concluding he wasn’t even as good as the dog.
Long-distance running doesn’t affect Hamilton’s pulse, nor does it affect his shooting.
This shot, if made, results in a score of 4 to 0, the Pistons would suppress the Hawks from the start.
Atlanta Hawks? It appears they’ve truly become a thing of the past.
Stopping them in the game, isn’t it simple?
But all of Artest’s fantasies were shattered by a block.
Richard Hamilton indeed had a good shooting feel, but as soon as he threw the ball, Roger came from the side for a quick block!
Zone defense benefits not only other teams but also brings advantage to the Hawks themselves.
Roger is increasingly accustomed to the sweeping defense, when the Hawks make outside shots, watch for the number 14 targeting you.
After the block, Roger immediately grabbed the ball and instinctively pushed the pace.
Artest instantly rushed at Roger, hoping to continue blocking his fast break.
Roger, while moving fast, shifted his center gravity left, but suddenly pulled the ball back, this quick and smooth behind-the-back move left Artest unable to react, and Roger passed him in a step! After passing Artest, Roger slowed down, turned back to look at the surpassed Artest, then casually tossed the ball to Pierce coming in from the side, who easily slammed for a score!
to 2, Roger’s block and beautiful dribble refuted the notion of being suppressed by the Pistons from the start, the defending champion’s leader would not lose himself in the Dark Defense Era!
On-site commentator Steve Jones took a deep breath: "Did you see Roger’s attitude? Ladies and gentlemen, today will be a fierce battle! The defending champion’s era will not end!"
Artest stared at Roger after being bypassed, clenching his fists.
He hated Roger, especially detesting that bastard’s high and mighty demeanor!
It’s just a dribble, what’s the big deal?
Roger passed by the furious Artest, expression indifferent: "Don’t think winning once allows gloating, announcing the end of my era? Just because of you, this trash?"
"Just 2 to 2, seems you’re quite happy?"
"No Ron, it’s not 2 to 2. Tonight, I’ll defeat you countless times like this. I’ll turn back to see your awkward look as a waste countless times."
"You son of a bitch!" Artest grabbed Roger’s collar, emotions starting to lose control.
Big Ben appeared first, separating the two.
Both teams gathered together, Artest was agitated, trying to break free, while Roger merely watched Big Ben.
"It’s just you, Big Ben. But tell your man, he won’t get a next chance, that’s my biggest concession to you."
Big Ben swallowed, knowing that Roger never goes back on his word.