Regarding the Spurs’ behavior in the first ga, how angry are David Stern and those big figures behind Qin Yue.
Oracle Arena.
This might be the cleanest ga the Spurs have played in recent years.
Dick Bavetta did not consistently favor the Warriors in the ga.
Even for the injured Qin Yue, Bavetta said, "I know playing injured is not easy, but I am always a fair and impartial referee."
Bavetta rely temporarily deprived Duncan of his star whistle, using such calls to warn the Spurs.
Facing Bavetta’s warning...
Even in today’s context, Spurs players still would use high-intensity defense to pressure the Warriors’ offense in the ga.
But on the court, Spurs players, including Horry, Ginobili, among others, put away those unsightly dirty moves.
First quarter, Warriors’ offensive possession.
On the outside, Qin Yue used a single-hand triple threat to successfully deceive Horry’s focus with a jab step.
Then, after a light dribble step, Qin Yue made a pull-up shot from the right long two-point area.
On the Spurs’ bench, watching the injured Qin Yue still use his comprehensive offensive skills to destroy the Spurs’ defense, Duncan’s heart was stirred and he was also motivated by Qin Yue’s competitiveness.
"I want to match up with him."
Since the first ga, Duncan hadn’t spoken a word to anyone until he suddenly said this to Popovich.
Upon seeing this, Popovich, who had always been worried about Duncan’s inner turmoil, nodded repeatedly in agreent.
Second quarter, Qin Yue, who had more rest ti than usual, didn’t return to the ga until the last five minutes.
At this mont, Duncan, wearing a mask, proactively approached him.
Though the two did not exchange any words.
However, from Duncan’s no longer avoidant gaze, Qin Yue’s mory was instantly drawn back to that sunny afternoon.
In the low post, holding the ball with his back against Duncan’s defense, Qin Yue suddenly turned and scored off the backboard.
This was a shot that brought great comfort to Tim Duncan.
Although three years ago Duncan was already amazed at Qin Yue’s understanding, it was only now that Qin Yue completed a truly classical post move in front of him.
The injury did not affect Qin Yue’s grasp of rhythm.
In fact, the injury required Qin Yue to have an even better grasp of rhythm to execute his offensive skills.
Coming back, Duncan called for the ball on the left side of the court.
After receiving the ball, he took a deep breath and through his imperceptible footwork changes, successfully shook off Brown and scored off the backboard.
"Next possession, let guard him." On the baseline, when Brown was about to inbound, Qin Yue suddenly said.
Hearing this, Brown exclaid in shock, "But you’re playing injured tonight..."
Qin Yue nonchalantly replied, "Injuries can only tornt my body, but my spirit won’t be affected."
Warriors’ offensive possession.
Still holding the ball with his back in the low post, but in the instant of trying to turn, Qin Yue suddenly spun around with the ball.
Bam, swish—!
"Look, how elegant is that shot?" TNT TV Station, Barkley explained with emotion.
Next, Spurs’ ball possession.
Watching Qin Yue actively rotate in front of him, Duncan was neither surprised nor taken aback.
Because Duncan knew better than anyone that his junior has always only faced challenges head-on.
Bang—!
On the right side of the court, Duncan had no intention of holding back and launched his attack with a fierce collision.
And Qin Yue?
After the intense clash with Duncan, Qin Yue imdiately readjusted his defensive stance.
No matter how Duncan’s rhythm changes, his objective is always to find a shooting angle.
Qin Yue patiently observed Duncan’s movents and made the most correct judgnt in an instant.
For a mont, Duncan even felt suffocated under Qin Yue’s defense as if drowning.
Luckily, Duncan eventually surfaced, hitting a side shot with a hook and sent the ball into the hoop.
This exceedingly difficult post-up highlighted the progress Duncan’s junior had made on defense, unwilling to be just a stat padder.
At halfti, 51 to 64.
Both injured, Qin Yue and Duncan respectively scored 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block and 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block.
TNT TV Station, comnting on both as the core stars, Barkley said: "In this duel of tough guys, the ssiah wins with his explosive creativity on offense.
He breaks many inherent limitations of traditional inside players... he is undoubtedly the beacon of the new era.
However, we still have to comnd Tim Duncan, as despite being affected by foul trouble and only playing 15 minutes in the first half, he fully displayed the beauty of classical inside play to us."
The clash between Qin Yue and Duncan is precisely the challenge modern inside players pose to classical inside players.
Although this series could have been more exciting without the accident in the first ga.
But playing injured, Qin Yue made the world feel his historic level of basketball IQ tonight.
With every offense, every defense, Qin Yue fully used his advantages and combined with his technical characteristics to exert his influence on the ga.
Under his linkage, the Spurs’ proud zone and wall defense...
Suddenly beca a sitting target in this series.
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