Mountain Peak System: a Path to NBA-Chapter 734 - 261: Why His Teammates Always Step Forward (First Update! Requesting Monthly Tickets)

On June 12th, the third game of the finals moved to Madison Square Garden in New York.

Two days ago, leading the "No James Formation" in Oakland to unexpectedly snatch a victory, Durant enjoyed the adoration from the entire arena during the entry ceremony.

If after the first game of the finals, there were still people questioning Durant's decision to demand the team DNP James.

Now...

At least all of Big Apple City has changed its view on the DNP James decision, believing it could very well make the team's future brighter.

"I think 'KD's approach is not wrong."

In the NBA, where if you win, there are always "Great Scholars" to defend you, A-Smith, an ESPN commentator, said before the game: "In my opinion, 'KD' is just doing what a team leader should do."

And his commentary partner Jeff Van Gundy said: "But externally, many still think 'KD's demand for the Knicks to DNP LeBron is just a childish act of spite."

Hearing this, A-Smith shook his head and said: "I don't see it that way, because since LeBron has already proven with his past 21 consecutive defeats against Messiah and his poor eight-point performance in the finals' first game that he cannot adapt to this level of competition, then why can't the Knicks drop this collapsing 'Little Emperor'?"

Notably, on the night of the Game 3 match, Madison Square Garden welcomed quite a few big personalities on the sidelines.

And many of them had close ties with James.

Like the "pop queen" Rihanna.

Like the notoriously inseparable JAY-Z and Diddy.

Only, unlike before.

This night, these big personalities with good personal relations with James were not here for James.

"I think 'KD' is the epitome of the new generation of Black players, I like his character, he's really cool."

Before the game, Rihanna, showing no sadness for James being DNP, said in an interview.

As for JAY-Z and Diddy?

Although JAY-Z and Diddy have always disliked Durant's inherent nerdy aura.

But with James's influence in the basketball world no longer what it once was, JAY-Z and Diddy certainly need to seriously consider whether James is still worthy of being their friend.

What is the warmth and coldness of human relationships?

This is the warmth and coldness of human relationships.

Even from a certain perspective, being abandoned by JAY-Z and Diddy, James might actually benefit from the misfortune.

But everything happening since James was DNP also reveals the fact that James is being abandoned by the capital backing him.

The Chosen One, LeBron, has become the most failed marketing case in the entire sports world of the 21st century.

Because on a court where true skills matter, compared to James from history who managed to win two championships with the help of "Divine Zhao Yun" and "Elder Huang Zhong", this lifetime's James has not achieved anything.

Not even a single championship.

And was actively DNPed by the team in the finals.

Moreover, after being DNPed, the Knicks still defeated the invincible defending champions.

It's no exaggeration to say if this kind of James can be called the Chosen One, then God couldn't possibly have chosen him just to suffer and endure hardships, right?

Before the game started, since James's collapse, Durant, who has already become the new prince of the Nike Empire, actively walked over to the Warriors' half and continued to talk tough to Qin Yue: "The last game won't be the last time I beat you in this finals."

To this, Qin Yue responded, feeling Durant's tough talk wasn't tough enough: "I thought you'd tell me that if you fail to beat me in this finals, you would retire straightaway."

The next second, Durant admitted defeat with the toughest tone: "Who the hell has the guts to say that to you?"

At center court, the opening jump ball was won by Qin Yue, giving the Warriors possession.

Just like in the second game, Iguodala took charge of defending Curry as soon as he came out.

In the previous game, under Iguodala's relentless death grip, Curry hit only 5 of 15 shots.

Due to Iguodala's defensive efforts against Curry, not only was Curry subjected to intense physical confrontation, but Iguodala also tried his best to limit Curry's ability to receive the ball, which required Curry to take some time to adapt to the Knicks' new defensive strategy against him.

However, the problem arises.

Since Iguodala's lockdown defense can effectively limit Curry, who is still a distance away from his peak, why did the Knicks wait until the second game of the finals to change their defensive deployment against Curry?

ESPN, Van Gundy said: "With LeBron DNPed, the Knicks can finally free up their hands to deal with Stephen Curry."

After last season's finals clash, how could DAntoni not know who's more suitable to defend Curry on the Knicks lineup?

But when James is on the court, the Knicks cannot deploy Iguodala to lock Curry.

Why?

Because Iguodala had to be prepared at any moment to help defend James, leaving him no extra energy to strictly guard Curry.

Especially against these Warriors who excel in pass-and-cut coordination.

Considering the Warriors made a play out of James's off-ball defense almost every play, Iguodala was destined to run ragged on the court.

But now it's different.

Without James, there's one less player for him to cover for, Iguodala can fully focus on putting pressure on Curry.

The Warriors' first attack started with Curry encountering Iguodala's intense interference the moment he received the ball for a shot after using a screen.