I Will Defend Westbrook

Wizards head coach Brooks certainly wouldn't keep Hachimura Rui on the bench forever.

Hachimura Rui had made considerable progress again this season.

His average points per game increased from 13 last season to 17.

Even a foolish coach wouldn't permanently bench a scoring threat like that.

The reason he said that was to put pressure on Hachimura Rui and motivate him to shake off his slump as soon as possible.

Hachimura Rui did not play again for the remainder of the third quarter.

The Wizards lost a stable third scoring option.

However, the Wizards didn't just let the deficit widen; they quickly erased it.

Because Westbrook exploded.

He exploded without any warning.

In just five minutes, he drove inside and shot from outside, scoring 15 consecutive points.

The DJ's high-pitched, drawn-out calls echoed through the arena again and again:

"Three points, from Russell Westbrook—"

"Two points, from Russell Westbrook—"

"Dunk, two points, from Russell Westbrook—"

Westbrook's performance instantly ignited the entire arena.

The more than 22,000 spectators in attendance roared wildly once more.

"Brodie!"

"Brodie!"

"Brodie!"

Brodie was one of Westbrook's nicknames in America.

It was also Westbrook's favorite nickname.

Westbrook wasn't just scoring; he also dished out 4 assists.

This allowed the Wizards to successfully take the lead 93-85 by the end of the third quarter.

The bullet comments in the Tencent NBA Live Broadcast Room were flooded with praise for Westbrook.

"Megatron, Megatron, Megatron!"

"Westbrook, you're amazing 666, my baby!"

"Westbrook is going to conquer the heavens!"

"Wife, come quickly, look at God."

The break between quarters.

The Lakers players were all feeling a bit down.

Even though they played 82 games almost every year and had experienced countless comebacks from behind and blowouts, an 8-point deficit wouldn't drastically change their emotions after leading by 10.

However, being down by 8 points, everyone was inevitably a little subdued.

Wang Yi had only played the last two minutes during Westbrook's crazy five-minute stretch.

He had personally witnessed the explosive performance of a player like Westbrook.

Some players, when they explode, are truly unstoppable.

At this moment, head coach Vogel was also instructing the Lakers players:

"We can't let Westbrook keep going crazy like this. We need to double-team him! You must double-team him! Force him to pass the ball. Understand?"

The players nodded one after another.

James naturally agreed.

James's individual defense was strong, but he was getting older.

Furthermore, he also had to organize and connect the team.

To ensure his stamina, the team couldn't let him guard Westbrook one-on-one too early.

However, even with the coach's plan, he felt uneasy.

If they double-teamed Westbrook, and Westbrook passed the ball, the Lakers players would face a disadvantage in numbers.

It would be fine if he passed to someone else, but if he passed to Beal, who had outstanding individual ability, wouldn't Beal also explode?

If someone could guard Westbrook one-on-one, it would be much better.

But who could guard Westbrook, who had now transformed into Megatron, one-on-one?

Caruso?

No.

Pope?

Still no.

As he thought, Coach Vogel's gaze fell upon Wang Yi.

He remembered Wang Yi's terrifying sideways movement speed.

He also remembered the scene of Wang Yi shutting down Schroder.

Westbrook and Schroder were both players with extremely fast breakthrough speeds.

Perhaps...

At this moment, Wang Yi's gaze met the head coach's.

His eyes were filled with excitement and eagerness.

Coach Vogel's heart stirred.

Wang Yi was looking forward to it!

He was looking forward to a showdown with Westbrook!

Many players got excited when facing stronger opponents.

But he had never seen anyone as excited and eagerly anticipating a battle as Wang Yi.

The desire for battle was practically overflowing from his eyes.

"Wang, you'll guard Westbrook in the fourth quarter!"

Coach Vogel gave the order.

Wang Yi immediately felt a surge of pre-battle excitement coursing through his entire body.

"Okay! Leave it to me!"

In fact, Coach Vogel's thinking was quite sound.

Wang Yi had loved all sorts of competitions since he was young.

From playing marbles to participating in city-organized basketball games.

And what he loved most was challenging stronger opponents.

It made him extremely excited!

It was as if he was born for battle.

And in these battles, he always found ways to achieve victory.

His competitive spirit was no less than that of Jordan, Kobe, or Paul.

The start of the fourth quarter was usually when James would rest.

But today, trailing by 8 points, Coach Vogel had no choice but to keep James on the court.

On the Wizards' side, Westbrook was still on the court, while Beal was temporarily off to rest.

The Wizards' offense.

Westbrook dribbled past half-court.

Wang Yi proactively stepped in front of Westbrook, spreading his legs and extending his arms.

The commentators on site scoffed:

"What's he doing? Is the Lakers' number 1 trying to guard Westbrook one-on-one?"

"Has Vogel lost his mind? Not double-teaming at this point, and instead sending an Easterner with ordinary physical qualities to guard Westbrook. Doesn't he know how explosive Westbrook's physical abilities are?"

"Yes, Westbrook's physical condition isn't what it used to be after his major injury. But it's still far beyond what this Easterner can compare to."

"Vogel will pay the price, the Lakers will pay the price. As for this Easterner, he'll probably pay with his life, hahahaha..."

Both commentators burst into laughter.

As they spoke, Westbrook began his drive.

He had watched the game film of Wang Yi shutting down Booker in the previous game and had specifically studied Wang Yi's defense.

So, unlike others who disregarded Wang Yi's defense, he did not.

He dribbled slowly, his eyes fixed on Wang Yi.

At one moment, he suddenly crossed his front and back legs—the signature scissors step!

After crossing, he pushed off the ground with his right foot, and his entire body shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

Only an excellent explosive force like Westbrook's could execute the scissors step so sharply.

Facing such a sharp drive, the mere 20% increase in sideways movement speed was no longer enough.

It also required anticipation.

However, Wang Yi had also studied Westbrook. Westbrook was one of his many imagined rivals, and he had studied him dozens or hundreds of times.

The instant Westbrook initiated his crossover, Wang Yi, having anticipated Westbrook's habitual glance to the right, predicted he would drive right.

Therefore, Wang Yi shifted one step to the right almost simultaneously with Westbrook's move.

Westbrook's crossover was indeed sharp for driving.

However, it had one drawback: if an unexpected situation arose mid-move, there wasn't enough time to change direction.

So, seeing Wang Yi blocking his driving path, Westbrook couldn't stop and crashed straight into him.

Bang!

A dull thud echoed as Wang Yi was sent flying backward from the impact.

Westbrook also fell to the ground.

"Beep beep beep beep beep—"

The referee's whistle blew urgently.