Chapter 514 Who is the First?
Doc Rivers couldn't help but feel a surge of despair. He'd fallen into Yang Mo's trap from the very start of the game. Every move this guy made was meticulously planned, and every tactical maneuver he made had played into his trap. Now, it seemed hopeless. Not only had the Knicks' stamina issues been resolved, but they were also leading by over twenty points. Add to that the fact that he'd lost his best center, and winning was becoming even more difficult.
Doc Rivers sat down on the bench. He didn't expect that Yang Mo could put on such a gorgeous show with such a bad hand like the Knicks. This was completely beyond his imagination. If it were him, he would have surrendered and collapsed long ago.
"The Celtics are now playing as a whole. The team is running like a machine. Although they have lost the very important center position, their overall strength is still much higher than that of the Knicks. The Knicks, on the other hand, rely on Super Yang's personal offensive ability to lead the whole team. While the Celtics were unable to limit Super Yang, the Knicks took a big lead." TNT commentator Collins explained very objectively.
"I think the game is over." Charles Barkley chuckled and said very easily: "The Celtics have buried themselves in the grave. They failed to withstand the onslaught of the other Knicks players in the first quarter, and they were also repeatedly blundered by their defense. Coupled with the strong performance of Super Yang in the second quarter, it is impossible for them to make a comeback."
"I agree with Charles. The Knicks' players are in even better shape than the Celtics right now. After all, they've rested for a whole quarter and still have halftime. In the second half, I think the Celtics' veterans will likely be slowed down and the Knicks will sweep them away." Kenny Smith is gradually moving closer to Charles Barkley. He's been taught enough by his own mistakes; it's time to learn some wisdom. Furthermore, the current situation is indeed leaning towards the Knicks.
At this time, Paul Pierce on the court missed his shots and his physical strength was a little overdrawn. After all, in addition to attacking, he also had to fight with Yang Mo on the defensive end. No matter how strong his body was, he was still a man in his thirties.
After grabbing the rebound, Yang Mo slowly moved forward. He wanted to use time to launch the final attack and end the Celtics' final counterattack with a buzzer-beating goal.
Watching Yang Mo slowly stop outside the three-point line with the ball, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo hesitated. They didn't know whether to double-team him immediately. Kevin Garnett was even more hesitant. He didn't know whether he should provide help defense. They were afraid that Yang Mo would pass the ball again. After all, the other Knicks players were still a threat. If they left them open, wouldn't they just watch their opponents score?
The Celtics players hesitated, unsure whether to double-team or focus on the other Knicks players. They couldn't help but glance at Doc Rivers on the sidelines, seeking help. Doc Rivers hesitated, but ultimately, with a decisive double-team, he preferred another Knicks player to a buzzer-beater than Yang Mo's. After all, Super Yang was the symbol of the Knicks.
Doug Rivers waved his hand, signaling the players to press forward at full speed. Yang Mo chuckled, his mind made up. Since you're determined to surround me and stop me from scoring, I'm going to defy fate and score the ball even with the three of you double-teaming me.
At this time, there were only eight seconds left before the end of the second quarter, and three Celtics players had already pressed forward.
In response, Yang Mo gritted his teeth and didn't retreat or evade. Instead, he proactively faced them, automatically entering the triple-team. Just as they were about to strangle him, Yang Mo spun around and lunged at Garnett... Puff! The overwhelming force sent Garnett flying two steps back, instantly shattering the previously impenetrable defense. With a simple detour, Yang Mo quickly shrugged off the defense.
Double-teaming might be a daunting challenge for other players, but for Yang Mo, it's effortless. Not only does he possess unparalleled strength, but he also possesses unparalleled ballhandling skills. Most importantly, he has Michael Jordan's experience. With a perfect blend of strength, technique, and awareness, Yang Mo is undeniably unstoppable in escaping double-teams.
After Yang Mo broke free from Garnett's defense, he charged directly into the restricted area. Seeing Yang Mo's aggressive advance, Glen Davis's courage lasted less than a second before instantly crumbling. He then tactfully dodged to the side. At this moment, Yang Mo was completely airborne. In mid-air, he stretched his body completely, holding the ball with one hand, tensing his body like a bow, and then suddenly launched... bang!
Yang Mo slammed the basketball into the basket viciously.
Ding! The whistle blew, and the second quarter ended. Yang Mo's goal was valid.
Yang Mo gently released the basket and landed steadily on the ground. Then he stretched out his right hand, pointed to the sky, and asked loudly, "Tell me, who is the best player in the NBA?"
Yang Mo's arrogance was fully displayed in this angry question.
Although Boston fans hated his arrogance, at this moment, they actually felt a sense of agreement in their hearts: this guy is so terrifying, I'm afraid no one in the league can be his opponent.
The fans felt a sense of agreement, and the Celtics players all looked up and asked themselves, they had indeed never met such a tough opponent, whose breakthrough was S-level, three-pointers were S-level, passing was S-level, ball-handling was S-level, and awareness was S-level among S-level. The only thing that was lacking was his mid-range shooting, and tonight he made only three of five mid-range shots.
LeBron James is very strong, but they would rather face LeBron James.
Although the Bostonians had already given their answer in their hearts, they kept it to themselves. Yang Mo didn't need their answer; he had only asked because he wanted to tell the world who was number one.
For Yang Mo, it is time to announce to the world who is the emperor who rules the world.
Yang Mo's domineering declaration was quickly broadcast across the globe via satellite, instantly sparking discussion among basketball fans. In the previous round against the Magic, everyone ranked Yang Mo second in the league, behind only LeBron James. Now, with Yang Mo's inquiry, it seemed time to re-rank the standings.
For Knicks fans, Yang Mo is the best in the world. They once considered James the Knicks' only savior, but now, even if Cleveland offered ten Jameses for Yang Mo, they would firmly say no. Yang Mo has won their hearts with victory after victory, and they can clearly see his rapid progress. Compared to LeBron James, Yang Mo's future seems even brighter, and he's already on par with James.
Miami fans also held the same view, believing their former city hero was already the best player in the league. However, while accepting this answer, they cursed Pat Riley in their hearts. If it weren't for Pat Riley, the team playing in the Eastern Conference Finals would be Miami , not New York City.
Where there is support, there is opposition. Cleveland believes that Yang Mo can only be second, and in their hearts, LeBron James is always the first.
James couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive while watching on TV. Every time they played against each other, he could sense Yang Mo's tremendous progress. And now, he realized Yang Mo had become so powerful that he couldn't help but tremble. He absolutely couldn't pull off that breakthrough. When facing a triple-team, while he had ways to overcome it, his success rate wouldn't be as high as Yang Mo's, nor would he be able to do it with the same ease.
Kevin Durant of the Thunder silently turned off the TV after watching the first half of the game. He was a little desperate. He felt that he might never be able to surpass Yang Mo. This guy actually scored 35 points in the second quarter and his shooting percentage was so high even under double-teaming. This was an impossible task for him.
"Just like this guy said, he really will be able to dominate this league soon." In his luxury villa in Chicago, Michael Jordan muttered thoughtfully while peeling an apple: "If this guy keeps going, maybe he can surpass my achievements?"
The ball god couldn't help but tremble with his left hand, causing the apple he was about to peel to fall directly into the trash can. Surprised, he felt a burning desire to return to the court and challenge Yang Mo, but... time is unforgiving.
How great would it be if I could go back in time? If I had a rival like this back then, I would be very happy, right?
Michael Jordan muttered to himself, picked up another apple and continued to peel it, but his mood had calmed down at this time, so he peeled the apple quickly and well.
Michael Jordan didn't know that Yang Mo had already competed with Jordan once in his world, and Yang Mo had won.
"Boss, you looked great tonight. I thought you could score 100 points tonight. Your current score is 45 points. This has already broken the playoff record." As soon as he entered the locker room, Anthony Randolph came over with a data sheet.
"Records are fine for viewing; the key is victory." Yang Mo smiled faintly, not particularly pursuing records. He walked to the center of the locker room, clapped his hands, and said simply, "Guys, in the third quarter, our mission is to run and completely defeat them with fast breaks. I don't want to leave suspense until the fourth quarter. What about you?"
"The same for us." Tony Allen said with a grin.
"Okay, let's discuss the specific tactics." Yang Mo hooked his finger and directly called his teammates to the tactical board, and then carefully arranged the division of labor among the players.
While the Knicks were making tactical arrangements in full swing, the Celtics' locker room seemed a bit dull. Doc Rivers sat in the corner without saying a word. He felt extremely passive now, as if Yang Mo had strangled him by the neck. He couldn't even breathe, let alone make a comeback.
He had seen Yang Mo's tactical talent before, but back then, he hadn't imagined that he would one day fall prey to Yang Mo's intelligence trap. He regretted not seeing Yang Mo's true intentions in the first quarter. If he had played steadily from the beginning, displaying patience and a well-established system, he wouldn't have to rack his brains so much now.
He thought for a long time, and finally had to speak: "Next, we will give up defending Yang Mo and implement the Jordan Rules, focusing on dealing with other Knicks players."
This was the Celtics' only option. If they continued to double-team Yang Mo, their system would collapse. While abandoning defense on Yang Mo would allow him to score even more recklessly, it ultimately maintained their overall defense. A team playing against a single player might not be without a chance of victory. However, if they were divided by Yang Mo, victory would be impossible.
"But what if he really scores 80 or 90 points on us?" Rajon Rondo said with great concern. He didn't want the Celtics to become a supporting role in Yang Mo's glorious history.
"We've tried double-teaming, but it's ineffective." Doc Rivers shook his head in frustration. "All we can do now is give up defending him."
Doc Rivers was so frustrated that Rajon Rondo didn't know what to say and could only step aside. Yeah, double-teaming has proven to be ineffective against Yang Mo's offense, so... why not just give up on defense and focus on your own offense?
Soon, the game started again.
When the Celtics used the Jordan method, they found that the Knicks were running like crazy again. When the speed was widened, regardless of whether they were defending or not, their influence had dropped to the extreme, and they could only desperately chase the pace of other Knicks players.
But the Knicks players had rested for twenty or thirty minutes and had already revived with full energy and in full condition. Moreover, with the careful arrangement of running routes, the offense was extremely smooth, and the scoring moments were like peach blossoms blown open by the spring breeze, blooming all over the mountains.
Seeing this, Doug Rivers couldn't help but slap his head again, exclaiming that it was a mistake. He had fallen into Yang Mo's trap again.
He wanted to change it, to start over, but the Knicks were already leading by over 30 points. They were powerless to recover, and could only make careful plans for the second game and make a comeback.
With three minutes left in the third quarter, the Celtics called a timeout, replacing all their starters with substitutes. At that point, Yang Mo simply sat on the bench, a merciful gesture of surrender.
