After all, among Denver's perimeter players, even Pope, their best defender, couldn't handle Chen Xi. The difference between Gordon and Pope was that Gordon was stronger and bigger, without giving up much in speed.
They weren't expecting him to shut Chen Xi down. Just putting a bigger forward on him would make Chen Xi expend more energy on offense, and that was enough.
Especially in a game like tonight's, with Westbrook on fire and Chen Xi coasting.
However, while Westbrook had the ball in his hands, Chen might coast a little. But expecting him to put in such an unremarkable performance for the entire game was clearly unrealistic.
<Have you ever seen a beast that you could guarantee would never bite?>
The game reached 5:17 in the second quarter. During a rebound battle between Little Jordan and Harrell, the ball was knocked out of bounds.
Then Chen made his dazzling entrance.
After replacing Bane, the Thunder's possession naturally began to shift.
The Thunder had the ball in the backcourt.
Alexander dribbled slowly over half court, then held the ball at the top of the key. After waiting a moment, he passed directly to Chen Xi.
Chen caught the ball, turned, and faced Aaron Gordon.
After two stationary between-the-legs dribbles, he burst into motion, dropping his shoulder and twisting his hips as he hit top speed in an instant. He swept past Gordon's side and drove into the paint.
Gordon had excellent physical talent. Even with his badges boosting him, Chen Xi couldn't shake him off in a single step. Gordon stayed right on his heels.
Unfortunately, it was all in vain.
Chen Xi was simply moving too fast. Once he got up to speed, there was no stopping him.
As soon as he stepped inside the free-throw line, Chen Xi