Chapter 1

The Thunder's record this season has improved by leaps and bounds. The four young stars are thriving, and the emotions of Oklahoma City fans are incredibly excited.

You need to know that this team has only been here for three years since moving from Seattle. The team has continuously selected super rookies, and this is the fastest rise.

Moreover, because the four teenagers are all very young, it is no exaggeration to say that this is the prototype of a dynasty team.

Now that they are going to have a real showdown with the Spurs, the fans are naturally even more excited.

On this day, the Chesapeake Energy Arena was packed, and the scene was so full that you might think you had already arrived in the playoffs.

But it's not just the fans who are enthusiastic, ESPN has also described this game as a preview of the Western Conference Finals.

Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal, who joined this year, are a trio of commentators for this game.

The attention this game receives will be unprecedented.

"Don't worry, I've got your back."

Ginobili said some flirty words to Tang Tian in the locker room.

He knew that facing Durant would be a difficult task, especially since the two had so many grievances.

"Don't do that, Manu, you're not even playing with me. Danny is the one who can help me."

Tang Tian said with a smile.

After Tang Tian finished speaking, Green couldn't help but laugh. Tang Tian's level of flirting was really becoming more and more like Ginobili.

However, it can also be seen from this that Tang Tian's mentality is good. Although he is going to fight Durant with real swords and guns, he does not show any nervousness.

The game was about to begin, and Popovich called the players to enter the court together.

The scene was already crowded with people. Budenholzer gave a greeting, and the players all went on the court to start warming up.

"Look at the Spurs, we say year after year that they are old and can't do it anymore, but they bring us surprises year after year. Guys, could you have guessed before the season that they would be the number one team in the West?"

Kenny Smith said.

O'Neal shook his head.

"I guessed it, they are the team I have always been optimistic about."

Barkley said seriously.

"What? Charles, who said before the season that the Spurs would become a second-rate team in the West?"

Smith had a "disturbed" expression.

"It wasn't me, you must have heard it from someone else."

Barkley's face was as thick as a city wall.

"Okay, you owe me one."

Smith didn't continue to investigate.

O'Neal laughed as he listened. He had only been a commentator for a short time, and he was now in the stage of learning from Barkley and Smith.

"Actually, they're not all old guys. Look at their starting lineup, Danny Green and Blair are very young, and there's Tang, he's this year's rookie."

Barkley continued.

"Yes, Tang, he will face Durant directly tonight, this is really too cruel."

Smith couldn't help but say. Although he liked and admired Tang Tian very much, Durant's current strength really exceeded Tang Tian's too much.

"How many points do you think Durant will score tonight, Shaq?"

Barkley pulled O'Neal in to communicate at this time.

"50 points? 40 points? Maybe 20."

O'Neal gave 3 answers.

"What? 20 points?! Shaq, are you serious?"

Barkley looked at O'Neal with a puzzled look.

"Hey, Shaq, Durant's average score is almost 30 now."

Smith did not forget to remind the "newcomer".

"Yes, but I have a feeling that he will not feel good tonight, from Shaq's sixth sense."

O'Neal smiled and pointed to his head.

Barkley and Smith couldn't help laughing after hearing what he said. It seemed that O'Neal's learning speed in commentary was very fast.

"Yes, what Shaq said may be true. We all know that Durant will teach Tang a lesson in this game.

But maybe he just thinks too much, which will affect his feel.

You know he is a shooter, just like in the three-point contest, mentality will affect his feel."

Barkley said.

"Yes, and Tang will definitely do his best, you know he is actually very good at defending players who mainly shoot."

Smith also echoed.

"So we have reached an agreement? Durant will have a bad night tonight?"

O'Neal said with a smile.

Barkley and Smith looked at each other, and then couldn't help laughing.

They were just saying these words in the commentary booth. If Durant heard them, he would probably draw circles and curse them to death.

While the three were talking, the players from both sides had completed their pre-match warm-up, and the starting players took the stage one after another.

On the Spurs side, Jefferson has not been suspended, but he will be out for half a month before the All-Star Game due to a finger injury (caused by smashing a tablet).

In this game, Tang Tian still serves as the team's starting small forward.

The starting lineup for the other positions has not changed. The backcourt is still Parker and Green, and the inside is Duncan and Blair.

On the Thunder's side, it is the regular starting lineup, Westbrook and Sefolosha on the outside, Durant and Ibaka on the front line, and Perkins as the center.

Duncan and Ibaka jump for the ball. Ibaka jumps high and dials the ball back to the half, and the home team gets the opportunity to attack first.

Westbrook dribbled the ball to the frontcourt.

Durant directly posted up Tang Tian in the high post.

His height and wingspan are much higher than Tang Tian, but his weight is only about 100 kilograms, and his confrontation is not much stronger than Tang Tian.

Tang Tian is now exerting all his strength to hold up, pushing Durant away from the basket.

After Durant received the ball, he directly turned around and jumped, which is one of his main offensive methods now.

"Swish!"

His first shot hit.

His height and wingspan allow him to work completely at high altitude, and Tang Tian's outstretched arm has limited interference.

The fans at the scene burst into cheers.

Durant said that he would beat Tang Tian in this game. He started directly, and he scored as soon as he did. He was domineering!

But when the camera gave Tang Tian a close-up, Tang Tian didn't have too many emotional fluctuations on his face.

He didn't think he could shut down Durant as soon as he came up. In the first matchup between the two sides, he was more of a test.

The Spurs' offense, the hammer tactic in the frontcourt, Duncan received Parker's pass and scored, also scoring the first point for the Spurs.

Turning back, Durant prepared to continue posting up to receive the ball.

But at this moment, Tang Tian chose to go around and not give him a chance to receive the ball.

The two had physical contact, but Durant never had a good position to receive the ball.

Westbrook saw that the ball could not be passed in and chose to directly break through to the basket. His shot was interfered by Duncan and did not go in.

After Duncan grabbed the defensive rebound, the Thunder's offense failed.

Barkley and Smith looked at each other after seeing this scene, and smiled knowingly.

Tang Tian destroyed Durant's intention to play one-on-one with just one round. Tang Tian's learning speed on the court was comparable to that of O'Neal in the commentary booth next to him.