Chapter 49: A Blowout in the First Quarter?

In China, the NBA playoffs are the busiest time for various sports forums.

Not only that, but many fans have created basketball fan groups or real-life basketball groups that are usually quiet but become lively during the playoffs.

Previously, the two largest groups of fans who argued the most were Kobe haters and Kobe fans, LeBron haters and LeBron fans.

These are not four types of fans, but two types. Generally, Kobe haters are LeBron fans, and vice versa. There are exceptions, which are rational fans who enjoy watching basketball rather than chasing stars.

However, since Wade Dong's appearance, Chinese basketball fans have become truly united.

Almost everyone is a Wade fan.

For example, in the Spurs vs. Suns game, almost everyone supported the Suns. Yesterday, when Duncan hit the game-winner against the Suns, some fans were so upset they couldn't eat.

Wade Dong's most loyal fan base naturally comes from Beijing University, his alma mater.

...

The first round of the playoffs continued. Wade Dong didn't have the heart to chat with fans on the forums until they beat the Spurs.

Fans were still immersed in the thrilling game between the Suns and the Spurs in Game 3, and Game 4 between the Spurs and the Suns quietly arrived.

Yu Jia and Coach Zhang went to the CCTV-5 studio.

Now, broadcasting the Suns' games is Yu Jia's happiest task, and he doesn't hide his identity as a "Wade fan."

Yu Jia, "Coach Zhang, what do you think the Suns' lineup and tactics will be today?"

Coach Zhang, "I don't think the Suns will make any changes. In the last game, every Spurs player performed well, and Duncan had a godlike performance. But until the last moment, the Spurs couldn't pull away, and they only won thanks to Duncan's game-winner."

Yu Jia, "Wade Dong also scored 59 points in the last game."

Coach Zhang, "Wade Dong is already one of the top scorers in the world. He gives me the feeling that he doesn't seem to shoot much, but when you look at the stats, he already has 30 points."

Yu Jia, "Wade Dong's scoring methods are very diverse. During the regular season, Wade Dong's style was more about moving without the ball and then shooting threes, as well as drives like Iverson and fadeaway jumpers like Kobe. But in the last game, he suddenly changed his style, which made the Spurs' defense very uncomfortable."

Coach Zhang, "What impressed me the most was his fadeaway jumper, which was very similar to Jordan's. When I was young, I met Jordan, and he was that strong..."

Yu Jia, "..."

Yu Jia, "But what impressed me the most was the three consecutive step-back threes in the fourth quarter, all taken two steps behind the three-point line. What a clutch performance!"

Coach Zhang, "Let's look forward to what surprises Wade Dong will bring us in this game."

...

Just as Coach Zhang said, before the game, Gentry didn't make any special adjustments to the lineup against the Spurs.

The Suns now have Wade Dong, Nash, Hill, Iverson, and their cannon offense and elevator door tactics, which even Popovich finds difficult to solve. These are enough.

Moreover, in the last game, aside from Wade Dong, the other players performed quite ordinarily.

Especially Iverson, although he is a veteran, he played 17 minutes, shot 2 for 9, and scored only 5 points, which is not his true level.

And Frye, who missed two open threes in the crucial moments of the fourth quarter, was also one of the reasons the Suns lost.

Of course, the teammates and coach won't blame Frye or Iverson. Occasional poor performances are fine, but everyone really wants to win the game and is trying their best.

"Let's go!!!"

Before the game started, Gentry encouraged the players, "We must win this game!"

"Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"

The Suns cheered, and the Spurs did the same. Both teams wanted to win this game.

The game started!

During the jump ball, the Suns won possession.

Nash dribbled the ball, and with his toes just outside the three-point line, he suddenly shot!

"Swish!!!"

The ball went straight through the net, 3:0!

This is one of Nash's signature scoring methods. The Spurs hadn't reacted yet and were already down by two points.

"Nash! Nash! Nash!"

The home fans instantly erupted, chanting Nash's name in unison.

Parker pursed his lips and dribbled to the frontcourt. He faked Nash and shot from the free-throw line, but Hill came over to contest the shot.

"Clang!"

The ball hit the rim, and Wade Dong grabbed the rebound.

After securing the ball, Wade Dong quickly dribbled towards the frontcourt. The Spurs immediately retreated on defense, but Wade Dong suddenly shot from one step behind the three-point line!

"Swish!!!"

The ball went straight through the net again, 6:0!

"Three-pointer!!!"

The arena DJ shouted, and the exciting music played.

...

In the CCTV broadcast studio.

Yu Jia, "In the history of the league, there have been many excellent three-point shooters, but very few are like Wade Dong, shooting from one step behind the three-point line every time."

Coach Zhang, "It seems that the three step-back threes in the last game gave Wade Dong a lot of confidence."

Yu Jia, "I don't think so. I think Wade Dong has had this three-point skill for a long time. He just hasn't played many games and hasn't shown his full potential yet."

Coach Zhang, "Yu Jia, your praise is a bit over the top. If Wade Dong, with a playoff average of 42.3 points, hasn't shown his full potential, does that mean he's stronger than Jordan?"

Yu Jia, "Why can't he be stronger than Jordan?"

...

Less than a minute into the game, the Spurs were down by 6 points.

Duncan prepared to post up Gortat, and Wade Dong shouted to Morris, "Morris, go help!"

"Got it!"

Morris immediately picked up Duncan, but this left Jefferson open.

Duncan passed the ball high to Jefferson. This pass was very high, and Morris had already lost his defensive position. Jefferson reached out to catch the ball.

But someone was faster than him.

Wade Dong had been waiting for this moment. He rushed over and leaped high, intercepting the ball in mid-air, then quickly passed it to the frontcourt.

"How did he jump so high..."

Jefferson was stunned for a moment. Just now, when Wade Dong intercepted the ball, his butt was higher than Jefferson's head.

Wade Dong passed the ball to the frontcourt, and Parker and Leonard immediately chased after it.

But Hill was faster than both of them. When Duncan passed the ball to Jefferson, Hill had already started running towards the frontcourt.

Because this move, during the team's practice games, Wade Dong had used it before. Hill knew in his heart that Wade Dong would definitely intercept this pass.

At the three-point line, Hill caught the ball.

He took two steps and rushed to the basket, lightly dunking the ball into the hoop.

This dunk wasn't powerful, but it was very meaningful.

"Great shot!!!"

The Suns' bench players waved their towels and jumped up. It had been too long since they saw Hill dunk.

8:0!!!

The Spurs were down by 8 points, and Popovich had a dark expression, but he didn't call a timeout. At this moment, the players needed to adjust themselves.

If these players who had followed him for so many years needed him to call a timeout to adjust after just two minutes, then the Spurs wouldn't deserve their previous championships.

After falling behind by 8 points, Parker scored two points with a jump shot.

However, Wade Dong followed with another step-back three-pointer, making it 11:2!

The home fans were ecstatic!

The Suns were determined to blow out the game in the first quarter!

At this point, Popovich had to call a timeout!

After the timeout, Popovich substituted in Ginobili, who had stronger scoring ability. The game had barely started for four minutes, and Ginobili was already on the court, which was rare and showed Popovich's determination to win this game.