I’m Really Playing Basketball

The Nets performed very strongly in the last 20 games of the season. Their 19-1 record also brought the team's record to 67-15 at the end of the season.

And this station can be ranked fifth in the entire league.

Yes, although the Nets performed very well in the sprint period at the end of the season, they failed to improve their ranking.

It can only be said that the front is too far behind.

Before the All-Star Weekend, the Bucks had a record of 52 wins and 7 losses, the Heat had a record of 50 wins and 9 losses, while the Warriors and Lakers easily won 50 wins and 9 losses and 48 wins and 11 losses in the fish pond of the Western Conference.

The Nets' record at that time was 45 wins and 14 losses.

So although the Nets performed very well later.

But at the end of the season, the Bucks' record was 72 wins and 10 losses, the Heat's record was 70 wins and 12 losses, and the Warriors and Lakers' records were 69 wins and 13 losses and 69 wins and 14 losses respectively.

To be fair, even the top five in the league have a record of more than 65 wins. Although it is not the first time in the history of the entire league, it is still very shocking every time it appears.

There is no way, under the pressure of the five super teams in the league, except for these five teams, no team in the entire league has a record of more than 55 wins.

Even there are only 8 teams with a league record of more than 50 wins. Yes, apart from these five teams, there are only three teams with more than 50 wins.

It can be seen how obvious the stratification of the NBA regular season is this season.

Therefore, after this year's regular season ends, the entire league is already saying that this year's championship will definitely be one of these five teams.

The other teams have no hope.

Therefore, in the Western Conference, the playoffs will depend on the showdown between the Lakers and Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.

In the Eastern Conference, the playoffs involve one semifinal and one final.

The entire playoffs will determine the results of this season. These three matchups plus a finals matchup, a total of four matchups.

Regarding being praised by the public opinion of the entire league, Chen Xiao and everyone on the Net didn't think anything of it.

It can only be said that the Nets' performance this season is indeed outstanding.

Before the start of the season, the public opinion of the entire NBA was that the four major super teams were the Bucks, Heat, Warriors and Lakers.

At the end of the season, the Nets were recognized by everyone as being able to join this discussion.

This is of course the hard work of everyone on and off the entire basketball net.

For example, Xiao Chen, who was the number one pick this season, has performed at a Magic level in his career. Yes, Xiao Chen averaged 18+7+8 per game in his rookie season. That is true. has been compared to Magic's rookie season.

The statistics of the two are similar, their height and body shape are similar, and even their playing styles actually seem to be very similar.

In addition to their playing style, one is gorgeous and the other is simple, both of them have strong control over the game as rookie players.

Let's put it this way, in the entire history of the NBA, there are many players with better rookie season statistics than Magic, but their control over the game is such that these rookies can't even see the tail lights of rookie Magic.

Before Xiao Chen appeared, the rookie Magic was almost unique among rookie guards in controlling the game.

Until Xiao Chen appeared, everyone saw that the magician seemed to have been recreated.

Therefore, during the course of this season, Magic actually stood up and praised Xiao Chen in person more than once.

You can say that the magician is probably trying to take advantage of Xiao Chen's popularity and Chen Xiao's popularity. The magician is indeed a celebrity who prefers to take advantage of the popularity.

But in fact, it can be seen that his praise of Xiao Xiaochen is still very sincere.

Therefore, Xiao Chen's failure to be selected for the All-Star Weekend this season actually caused a big sensation.

Many people think that Xiao Chen is the player who should be selected as the All-Star legacy compared to other players such as Embiid.

In short, Xiao Chen's maturity this season has amazed all fans and experts.

Let’s talk about Ingram, the Nets’ second-in-command.

After Chen Xiao came this season, Ingram's scoring average has definitely dropped compared to last season when his performance was poor. Especially after Beasley and Jimmy Butler came later, it was difficult for Ingram to improve. Unlimited shot rights like this season.

But even so, Ingram still played 23+6+5+1+1 this season.

The average of 23+6+5 per game is actually nothing. What really satisfies the Nets is the 1+1 in steals and blocks.

Under Chen Xiao's training this season, Ingram's defensive enthusiasm and ability have increased tremendously.

Ingram is originally a standardized long-handed player that Chen Xiao likes very much.

Not only does he have long arms and legs, he is also very athletic.

In Chen Xiao's eyes, he is simply a weakened version of Durant in all aspects.

Chen Xiao and Jordan have created a player like Durant, so they naturally know how to build a player like Durant.

Ingram is weaker than Durant in all aspects, but this is also compared with Durant.

If Ingram was only a quasi-superstar when Chen Xiao came to the team, now, after the regular season ends, there is no doubt that he is a superstar player with both offense and defense.

After talking about Chen Xiao’s right-hand man in these two teams this season, let’s talk about Bruce Brown, who is very surprising for the Nets this season. He averaged 14 points per game this season, shot over 55% from the field, and 42% from the three-point range. Logically speaking, after Chen Xiao came to the team, no one expected Bruce Brown to produce such data.

After all, he only averaged 9+5+2+1 per game last season, shooting 51% from the field and 40% from the three-point field. As a role player, such data is definitely not bad. It can be said that he is qualified or even a good player. Little elite 3D role players.

But this season, with an average of 14+5+3+1.5+1 per game, he is not just a small elite, but a big elite role player.

Not only has his shooting percentage improved across the board, but his offensive and defensive statistics have also improved across the board. Even his three-point field goals have also improved. Last season, his 40% three-point field goal percentage was achieved by averaging 0.5 three-pointers per game. This is the number of three-pointers he made. , no matter how high the hit rate is, to be honest, it doesn't mean much, and he will still be selectively let go by other teams.

But this season, his average number of three-pointers per game has reached 1.7. This number combined with a 42% shooting rate is quite objective.

At the very least, ordinary teams would never dare to let go of Bruce Brown casually.

Therefore, if Bruce Brown's 3 and D last season were unstable and could only be regarded as minor elites, then this season's Bruce Brown, 3 and D have become extremely stable and powerful.

Therefore, after the regular season, many experts and fans said that the league's Most Improved Player this season should be awarded to Bruce Brown.

He should even be selected for the All-Defensive Team, no matter which team he is in.

These are the original players of the Nets, and the three new players of the Nets in the second half of the season also performed very well. These three veterans worked hard and were willing to integrate into the team. This is also what the Nets did in the second half of the season. The reason why the record is so good.

After talking about these role players of the Nets, let’s talk about Chen Xiao, the head player of the Nets.

Chen Xiao's statistics for the Nets this season are 16 shots per game, 9.4 field goals per game, 8.8 three-point field goals and 4 field goals per game, 7 free throw field field goals and 6.5 field goals per game. He averaged 29.3 points per game throughout the season, and averaged 29.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game.

In terms of total numbers, this data is definitely not that exciting. The score list only ranks fifth.

Compared with another MVP favorite, Antetokounmpo, who averages 30+13+7 per game, there is actually no advantage.

But Chen Xiao's efficiency is truly terrifying.

He averaged only 16 shots per game to achieve such data, which is better than anyone else.

In fact, before the All-Star Game, Chen Xiao's average statistics were not so terrible, and he even averaged less than 26 points per game.

It was entirely because of the next 20 games that Chen Xiao's statistics became extremely terrifying.

After Jimmy Butler, Beasley and Aldridge joined the team, Chen Xiao averaged a triple-double of more than 35 points per game in the next 20 games!

Yes, Chen Xiao averaged a triple-double performance of 35+ per game for two full months after all his teammates around him were able to open up offensive space for him.

And it was a triple-double performance with a shooting percentage of over 60% and an average of 35+ per game.

And this is also the reason why the Nets have been upgraded from the second tier of the league to the first tier by experts and fans.

Because after Chen Xiao was restrained by his teammates, he once again let everyone see his invincible one-on-one singles ability and his ability to attract the defense and drive his teammates.

Let's put it this way, as long as Chen Xiao still has this invincible one-on-one ability and can show this ability, then Chen Xiao's team will always be one of the favorites for the championship.

As many fans said, before the All-Stars, Chen Xiao was a star with A+ strength. He was very powerful, but for Chen Xiao himself, he was mediocre and seemed not enough to be unique in the entire league. .

There are even players in the league like Durant and Antetokounmpo who look better than him.

After the All-Stars, Chen Xiao's strength seems to be an S+ level player. At this time, Chen Xiao seems to be the only player in the entire league.

Even Antetokounmpo, Durant, Curry and other players still seem to be on the same level as Chen Xiao.

And such a strong team led by an S+ level player is definitely something to be feared by other teams.

Just like what the poisonous tongue Maizi said in the TNT Tiantuan studio: "As long as you watch the last 20 games of the Nets, if you are not afraid of the Nets, then it is not that you have courage, but that you do not understand basketball."

So the question is, are there many people in the NBA who don’t understand basketball?

That's certainly not much.

Therefore, after the regular season ended, the Nets' championship odds dropped directly from fifth place at the beginning of the season to first place.

Many local fans in New Jersey said that at the beginning of the season, someone sold his house to beat the Nets to win the championship. If the Nets really win the championship this season, not only can he buy back the house he bought, but he can even go to New York and Manhattan to buy another one. A house of the same specifications.

After all, at the beginning of the season, the Nets' odds of winning the championship were 10 to 1.

This is already fifth in the NBA, but compared with the previous Bucks, Heat, Lakers, and Warriors, this odds is indeed not high enough.

Now, the odds of the Nets winning the championship are 1.65 to 1.

In the middle, the difference is really quite big.

However, no matter how optimistic you are, for NBA teams, games are played one game at a time.

Even if you are the strongest team in the league and recognized as the favorite to win the championship, others will not give up the victory to you.

The top eight teams in the Eastern Conference this season are the Bucks, Heat, Nets, Cavaliers, Wizards, 76ers, Chicago Bulls, and New York Knicks. The Nets' opponent in the first round is the sixth in the Eastern Conference, Embiid. Led by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Chen Xiao is no stranger to the Philadelphia 76ers.

After all, his favorite thing to watch in the playoffs in recent years is the 76ers led by Embiid playing the Wizards led by Harden in the playoffs.

And this year, it is obvious that the possibility of the Wizards and 76ers meeting in the playoffs is very, very low.

If the Wizards beat the Cavaliers, it is possible to win this one. Although the hope is not high, there is still hope.

When the 76ers play the Nets, the possibility of the 76ers winning is almost zero.

On April 15, 2023, the Nets faced the 76ers led by Embiid, their first opponent in the playoffs, at their home court.

Before the game started, Chen Xiao's good friend Iverson, who was one of the top five guards in the NBA with Chen Xiao, appeared at the Nets' home court.

To be honest, the relationship between Iverson, Chen Xiao and Boss Ji is really interesting.

In the NBA back then, one of the players that Big Brother Ji and Chen Xiao were most afraid of was Iverson.

In the season when the Nets won the legendary championship in 2003, the Nets' most difficult opponent in the playoffs was probably the 76ers led by Iverson.

Now, Iverson, as one of the greatest superstars in the history of the 76ers, is also the vice president of the 76ers.

After the Heat won the championship with Wade and Yao Ming, Iverson returned to Philadelphia and took a temporary job.

Although he is a vice president in name only and is of no use, his presence on the sidelines will greatly increase the morale of the 76ers, especially at the 76ers' home court. If Iverson appears on the sidelines, the morale will be greatly reduced. , that cheer can be described as an explosion.

Let's put it this way, in the NBA, there are many people with more historical status than Iverson, and there are also many players who have more championships and more honors than Iverson.

But for the American basketball world, there are few players with greater influence than Iverson.

Every year when major influential media in the United States rank the most influential players in NBA history, Chen Xiao is ranked first and Jordan is ranked second. Although the third position is not so unified, Iverson, Kobe, Curry, Durant, James...many people can compete for third place. ,

However, it is Iverson who appears the most.

This can actually be seen from the history of the 2003 generation, when James, Wade and Anthony were all big fans of Iverson.

And in this time and space, it is actually the same.

Even Iverson's influence is greater in this time and space.

So, this is quite interesting.

When Iverson came to the Nets' home court this time, he definitely didn't want to catch up with Chen Xiao and Kidd. He definitely hoped to bring some help to the 76ers.

But unfortunately, Iverson was unable to mobilize the Nets fans to cheer for the 76ers in this game.

The Nets easily defeated the 76ers 122-107 at their home court.

The Nets' best player in this game was Jimmy Butler, who made 11 of 22 shots and scored 36 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

Jimmy Butler played extremely lethal in this game. After Chen Xiao pulled the 76ers inside, he made various breakthroughs to cause damage.

There were 15 free throws in the game.

I have to say that Jimmy Butler's style of play is really tough.

Although the speed is not as strong as Morant, when Chen Xiao has cleared the opponent's inside line, as long as you are tough enough, you can actually have many opportunities.

The fear is that you are not brave enough and will be pulled out by others' fake defense.

In this game, when the 76ers faced Chen Xiaola, they asked Embiid to follow him.

There is nothing we can do about this. In last year's finals, even the Bucks had no way to deal with Chen Xiao's style of play. In the entire league, except for the Lakers, no team could handle the use of Chen Xiao by a team with Chen Xiao. A style of play with invincible one-on-one abilities.

This game looks like it's putting Jimmy Butler out.

It seems the defense failed.

However, for the 76ers, in this game, Chen Xiao made 10 of 14 shots, 3 of 5 three-pointers, and 4 of 4 free throws. He only scored 27 points and 16 rebounds, which was considered a relatively successful game.

At the very least, in this game, especially in an away game where the whistle had no advantage, the 76ers did not collapse.

By the way, this game is also Xiao Chen's career playoff debut.

In his debut in the playoffs, Xiao Chen did not want to set any record-worthy data.

In fact, before the game started, many Nets players said they would let Xiao Chen set a big statistic.

But in the end, Xiao Chen refused.

For him, the first playoff game of his career seems to be meaningful, but the meaning does not seem to be that great.

So in this game, Xiao Chen scored 6 of 12, 2 of 5 three-pointers, 5 of 5 free throws, 19 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists.

In fact, this data can no longer be regarded as satisfactory. It is difficult for most rookies to produce such data.

But if you put it on Xiao Chen, it is indeed average, because he can output data like 18+6+8 in almost every game.

And this has become Xiao Chen's standard data this season.

Whether it is the regular season or the playoffs, Xiao Chen can almost output such data.

From this we can also see how terrifying Xiao Chen's stability is.

As a rookie player, with such terrifying stability, many people will once again think of Magic, or even Chen Xiao.

After easily defeating the 76ers in G1 at home.

Of course the 76ers also want to struggle.

But the strength gap between the two sides is too obvious.

Let’s talk about Embiid, the 76ers’ pillar player.

In the playoffs of the past few seasons, although Embiid was always killed by Harden in the first round, Embiid's free throws and fouls were indeed very powerful.

But this time in this series, Embiid only averaged 8 free throws per game.

Facing Chen Xiao's defense, Embiid not only couldn't draw a foul, he didn't even have the strength to hit Chen Xiao from behind.

He is said to be a big center, but compared with big centers like Oden and Yao Ming who can really post up Chen Xiao, Embiid is somewhat unworthy of his name. Embiid even used his height advantage to beat Chen Xiao, who is best at short hands. Shooting to beat Chen Xiao...

For such a big center player, facing Chen Xiao, such an offensive method really makes people don't know how to complain.

And this is where the 76ers are desperate in this series.

Even when their superstar faced Chen Xiao, he only averaged 21 points per game in the series and shot only 41% from the field. Then you can hardly expect this team to beat the Nets.

So 4-0, the Nets easily swept through and advanced.

In the first round of this year's playoffs, in the Eastern Conference, all four games were swept.

Yes, you read that right.

All four first-round games in the Eastern Conference were sweeps.

In fact, it is not surprising that the Bucks swept the Knicks, the Heat swept the Bulls, and the Nets swept the 76ers.

The real surprise was that the Cavaliers swept James Harden's Wizards.

In this series, James and Oden, the best inside partnership in NBA history, have once again rejuvenated and deserve attention. At the same time, James Harden's complete lack of fighting spirit in this series deserves attention.

After this series ended, many Wizards insiders broke the news that James Harden was desperate for his career in the Wizards.

Many Wizards insiders said that James Harden was a guard who did not show up to the team before and after the All-Star Game.

People close to James Harden said in an interview that James Harden really wants to go to the Nets and really wants to play with God.

And James Harden also knew that his failure to apply for a trade to the Nets before and after the All-Star Game meant that he would forever lose the opportunity to be teammates with God, which made him feel very frustrated.

Chen Xiao was actually a little stunned by this news.

To be fair, if James Harden is really willing to apply for a trade during the All-Star Weekend, the Wizards will not stop him from coming to the Nets.

But James Harden probably didn't want to come to the Nets at the time. The Nets did not show such strong dominance at the time, nor did they feel that they could challenge the status of the Heat and Bucks.

Let's put it this way, at that time, before there were teammates around him who could open up space for him, Chen Xiao seemed to have declined very much.

This season, Chen Xiao has never been in the top three in the MVP rankings, even before the All-Star Game.

As the number one player in the league this season, although Chen Xiao's previous All-Star performance was excellent, it actually did not meet everyone's expectations.

In such a Nets, except for people like Jimmy Butler and Beasley who are very close to Chen Xiao who are willing to come, other superstars may not really be so willing.

Just take Jimmy Butler, he actually has the power to veto transactions in the Spurs.

He didn't have to come to the Nets, but he came anyway. He didn't use his veto power on the transaction and resolutely gave the last part of his career to Chen Xiao.

As for Beasley, after negotiating with the Pacers to terminate his contract, he can even go to the Bucks, his childhood and brother's team.

The Bucks were definitely closer to winning the championship than the Nets at that time.

But in the end, Beasley chose Chen Xiao's team.

Now James Harden sees Butler and Beasley playing very happily in the Nets, and regrets why he didn't hurry up.

In fact, this is a scapegoat for having too many calculations and little thoughts.

If history were to happen again, James Harden might still not be so decisive in choosing to come to the Nets at that time.

However, on the other hand, the Nets' current style of play is indeed pleasing to the eye and enviable.

Let's put it this way, when teammates can open up space for Chen Xiao, it's not just Chen Xiao who benefits, but his teammates can all benefit.

The entire Nets now seems to have a chemical reaction that can be described as explosive.

On the Western side, the teams entering the second round are the Lakers ranked first in the Western Conference, the Warriors ranked second in the Western Conference, the Thunder ranked third in the Western Conference, and the Spurs ranked fourth in the Western Conference.

The Warriors and Lakers also swept their opponents in the first round of the Western Conference.

In the first round of the playoffs, the five super strong teams plus the Cavaliers, the strength of these six teams is really eye-catching.

After the first round of games, the NBA has also entered the awards season.

This year's regular season MVP was finally awarded to Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo and Jokic competed for a season this season.

Chen Xiao only joined the team after becoming an All-Star.

In the end, Chen Xiao ranked second in the MVP voting.

There's no way around it. Chen Xiao's statistics are very good, but they actually improved in the last 20 games. In the first 60 games, Antetokounmpo and Jokic are indeed more MVP-like than Chen Xiao.

In previous seasons, before the All-Star Game, the MVP could basically be decided. This year it was particularly fierce, not because of Chen Xiao, but because Jokic also performed well in the past.

Although Chen Xiao exploded very quickly in the back, he could not make up for the lag in the previous 60 games.

In addition to the MVP, this year's Rookie of the Year went to Xiao Chen, the Best Defensive Player also went to Antetokounmpo, and the Most Improved Player was Bruce Brown of the Nets. This was actually revealed after the voting. was released, and the best sixth man this season is Kyrie Irving of the Warriors.

Kyrie Irving has been really low-key and pragmatic with the Warriors this season. His performance this season is definitely a plus, but can his past reputation be washed away by his low-key and honesty this season? I no longer know.

However, this does not prevent him from performing well on the bench this season.

In addition, this year's first team players, the center position is Jokic, the forward position is Chen Xiao and Antetokounmpo, and the guard position is Morant and Curry.

There have been a lot of changes this season.

Players such as Rose, James and Durant, who were very stable first-team players in the past, are now all in the second team.

By the way, in addition to Chen Xiao being selected for the first team of the Nets, Ingram and Xiao Chen were both selected for the third team.

This season, Xiao Chen was not selected for the 24-man All-Star selection, but he was selected for the 15-man All-Star team.

In addition, this year's Defensive Player of the Year team is Oden, Antetokounmpo, Lowe, Herbert Jones, and Leonard.

The Nets' Bruce Brown was selected to the defensive second team.

As a role player, Bruce Brown has definitely had a bumper season this season. He is the most improved player and the second team defensive player.

Being able to win two honors during the awards season is definitely the pinnacle of a role player.

Therefore, Bruce Brown cried with excitement when he won the Most Improved Player trophy.

Before Chen Xiao came to the Nets, he really didn't expect that he could achieve such success in the Nets.

Even when he entered the NBA, he never dreamed that he could achieve such an achievement.

And Bruce Brown's gains during the awards season are definitely an inspiration to the entire Nets players.

Especially for the Nets' role players.

In fact, Bruce Brown is just a second-round pick.

He can achieve such an achievement, why can't I?

It can only be said that everyone at this time thought of that sentence again: "Beside God, as long as you work hard enough, everyone has a chance!"

Chen Xiao has brought out too many players with average talent.

It can be said that the morale of the Nets is really exploding now.

And this is quite uncomfortable for the Nets' second-round opponent, the Heat.

This matchup between the Heat and the Nets is one of the four matchups that will determine the direction of the playoffs this year. It is also the most watched matchup in the second round.

Heat and Nets, the Heat are the twin towers of Gao Bo and Adebayo, coupled with the top outside combination of Zan brother, LaVine and Rose, while the Nets are Chen Xiao, Ingram, Jimmy Butler, Bruce Brown The first and fourth children with Xiao Xiaochen, or simply the fifth child.

Defensively, neither side can theoretically guard their opponents.

Therefore, in this series, when experts previewed before the game, they said that the focus is on offense.

But when the series started, the situation was somewhat different.

Because of the Heat's twin towers, the speed is slow, and the Nets' defensive enthusiasm is very high, and they are very close to each other and run very well. Although the big man beats the small man and shoots, not all big men's shots are very stable. Not all big men can shoot.

Facing the demoralized Nets and the ultra-small Nets, the Heat had a very difficult time.

Even Heat coach Spoelstra said: "The Nets' five young players are more difficult to beat than the Bucks' five young players."

This is definitely Spoelstra's truth.

The Bucks' five small teams are actually not that small. The Heat's twin towers are useful against the Bucks for five hours.

But when the Nets were young, it wasn't that useful.

In other words, all the fists hit the cotton, and I couldn't do much damage, but the other party did a lot of damage to me.

Although the Heat are still strong, in this series, the Heat, who had home court advantage, were defeated by the Nets in G6.

Couldn't even bring the game home.

The Nets defeated the Heat 4-2, which even surprised the Bucks.

"I didn't expect that the Nets would go so smoothly..."

The strongest opponent on the road to winning this year!

"Our prediction was correct!"

For the Bucks, if they want to win the championship this year, the Nets are their biggest opponent.

For the Nets, this may not be the case.

In fact, before the series, the Nets knew that their biggest opponent in this playoffs was the Lakers.

After eliminating the Bucks 4-2 in the series and reaching the finals, the Nets thought so too.

Moreover, the Lakers are now in sight.

"This is the twelfth final of my career as a player.

This is also the last finals of my career as a player. "

Before the start of G1 of the Finals between the Nets and Lakers, when Chen Xiao said such words at the pre-game press conference, the entire NBA was in an uproar.

But this time, it’s no longer smoke and mirrors. After Chen Xiao said this, the league’s president Jordan quickly said in an interview: “Thank God for his great contribution to the NBA and basketball. I believe he will never He will leave basketball, as he said himself, this is just his farewell as a player, I respect him, and all of us should respect his decision."

This time, it’s finally here…