super heavy artillery

Chapter 558
The applause lasted for a long, long time.Oklahoma City's ten-year expectation and the Thunder's ten-year effort all converged on the flag flying over the Chesapeake Energy Arena.However, when that flag was hoisted, everything became a thing of the past. The 2017-18 season is the pride of the Thunder and the city of Oklahoma, but time will not stop at that moment.

Soon, the staff of the Chesapeake Energy Arena packed up the playing field.Next, the Thunder players will welcome the first regular season game of the new season as the defending champions.

Just like every time the Warriors visit Chesapeake Energy Arena, they will always be greeted with boos one after another.And Durant is definitely the one that everyone "loves" the most.In fact, during the regular season last season, as the relationship between Westbrook and Durant eased, the attitude of Thunder fans towards Durant has also softened a lot.But the confrontation in the Western Conference Finals made everything before it go to waste.How well Durant performed in the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder fans hated him as much.To be honest, this is very unreasonable, but who can blame whom?
This time something is different.After Durant left the Thunder, he did get everything he was after.At that time, Thunder fans couldn't argue with that.But now, the Thunder have done what Durant thought the Thunder couldn't do.Now, it's time for everyone to feel proud.So, on this night, there were some signs against Durant everywhere in the auditorium.

"OKC can win the championship too!"

"We beat the Warriors!"

"we are the champion!"

"No KD = championship!"

……

If these American fans like to read domestic online novels, they will definitely hold up the sign saying "30 years in Hedong, 30 years in Hexi. Don't bully the young and poor!"

No one knows Durant's inner thoughts at this time.The world is changing, who can predict what will happen in the future!He would never have imagined that a year after he left the Thunder, the city would have a championship that he had been struggling for for nearly 10 years.He sat on the bench, turning a deaf ear to the mocking words in his ears.He looked up at the dark blue flag over the Chesapeake Energy Arena with mixed feelings.Just like when he was sitting in the Oracle Arena looking at those golden flags.

The game has not yet officially started, and the TNT Big Three have already chatted.Sir Charles, however, seemed somewhat silent.The reason is that O'Neal taunted him when he was awarded the championship ring.Of course, this isn't the first time something like this has happened.Every time these two guys get together and each brags about the glory of his career.O'Neal can always kill with one blow: You don't have a championship ring!And I have!Coincidentally, Smith does too!
This has to feel sorry for Barkley.On the basketball court, Barkley can do anything.There is no one else like him.A dominant rebounder, defender, capable of shooting threes, off the dribble and playmaking.He even forced the league to change the rules of the game.It's a pity that all the quilts were under Jordan's pressure.Of course, this is not the sorrow of him alone, but the sorrow of all the stars of that era.Ewing, Payton, Malone, Stockton...

"Charles, I think the Warriors are going to win tonight, but Shaq is adamant that the Thunder are going to win. What do you think?"

Smith brought his conversation with O'Neal back to Barkley.He was not used to his old partner being silent.

"Really? I agree with Shaq. Kenny, the Thunder are in full swing. There's no reason for anyone to lose on a night like this. Besides, the rosters of these two teams haven't changed at all since last season." . If the big man can come out and play at a normal level, maybe the Thunder will have a tough time. But here's where he's sitting on the bench in a suit."

"Charles, you are still very discerning!"

……

Barkley is right. Although the Warriors claim to have a five-star lineup, Cousins ​​is still injured and will have to wait a long time before he can play.Before that, the Warriors' lineup actually didn't change much.Of course, the Thunder hasn't changed much.This can be seen from the starting lists of both sides.On the Thunder side, there are still Westbrook, An Luo, Paul George, Robertson and Adams.The Warriors have changed a little bit. Both Pachulia and McGee left the team in the summer, and Cousins ​​​​is still recovering from his injuries. They can only let Damian Jones top the starting five.However, with Green, Durant, Thompson and Curry on the court, it's not a big problem.

When the players came on the court, Curry expressed his congratulations to An Luo, Westbrook and others very well.However, judging from the fighting spirit in the opponent's eyes, the Warriors are still very concerned about the loss of last season.

After the referee came on the field, the game began.

The Thunder got the ball on the first offense.Both sides reacted quickly, and the moment Westbrook received the ball, the Warriors' players all returned to their defensive positions.On the Thunder side, they have also entered an offensive state.

The Thunder's offensive formation hasn't changed much.Westbrook holds the ball at the top of the arc, An Luo and Paul George are scattered on both sides of the three-point line, looking for opportunities.Adams pulled to the free-throw line, leading opposing centers away from the rim to space Westbrook and Paul George.Roberson hovers around the right elbow, ready to provide screens for his teammates.And as long as he is close to the basket, he still has the ability to score.

Of course, this is only for a moment.An Luo shuttles around on the court. He rarely needs his teammates to cover himself specially. He usually uses the position of his teammates to get rid of the defense during the running process.

The basketball travels back and forth between Westbrook, Paul George and Adams, and eventually, it returns to Westbrook.Facing Durant, Paul George is not easy to fight hard.When Adams handed the ball to Westbrook, he followed and leaned forward.But he's not covering for Westbrook.It is not difficult for Westbrook to break through Curry's defense.

An Luo ran from the left three-point line along the bottom line to the right, then suddenly turned his horse's head, and ran towards the top of the arc under the cover of Robertson.Green didn't switch defenses because Westbrook broke in at this time.Damian Jones saw An Luo, but he was firmly blocked by Adams.For a while, there was no Warrior player in front of An Luo.

(End of this chapter)