Why are Phoenix fans so devout in their support of the nation?

because...

This city has yet to win its championship.

Wei Guo's arrival was to bring a championship trophy to the city. Wei Guo once said in an interview after a game that he would not leave the city if he could not bring a championship trophy to Phoenix.

This is Weiguo's promise to the fans.

All the fans can give Weiguo is cheers and encouragement during the game.

......

Grizzlies on offense!

Williams made a behind-the-back pass near the free-throw line, and the ball came to Miller's hands. Miller then launched a three-pointer!

"Whoosh!!!"

The basketball went into the net.

2:3!!!

The Grizzlies made a very good play on their first possession, and Miller hit the three-pointer.

Wei Guo patted Johnson on the shoulder and reminded him, "This guy's offense mainly relies on three-pointers. You can try to let him drive but not shoot, and don't let him get open."

"He'll guard against me like that too."

Johnson confidently stated, "Because my three-point shooting percentage is higher than his."

In the 2004-05 regular season three-point shooting percentage rankings, Johnson ranked second, Miller ranked third, and his former teammate Mobley ranked fourth. Johnson was right about this; Miller would guard him and prevent him from shooting three-pointers.

The Grizzlies got back on defense very quickly!

After all, they are a young team with few veterans, so they have plenty of stamina. Plus, the players on the bench are quite capable, so the Grizzlies players don't care about expending energy when they run.

The artillery bombardment tactic failed...

Nash passed the ball directly to Wei Guo and let him handle it.

Battier is a very strong defender. He plays small forward, which is the same position as Wei Guo, so his task tonight is also to defend Wei Guo. He sticks to Wei Guo tightly, thinking, "I won't let you score easily."

"I remember you and I entered the league in the same year. You're pretty good..."

Wei Guo turned to Battier and said, "I really like you guys. Several of your players entered the league the same year as me. We should have been friends."

"ah???"

Battier hadn't expected that Wei Guo would have such a good impression of him.

I still want to be friends with him!

In an instant, Battier was overwhelmed by happiness, a feeling... like his crush suddenly telling him one day, "You're a good person."

Wei Guo was already sideways, and just as Battier was distracted, he dribbled behind his back and turned to create shooting space.

"Whoosh!!!"

Before Battier could react, Wei Guo had already sank a three-pointer.

This attack had a bit of military strategy involved, and Battier was instantly doused with cold water. He realized that it wasn't that Wei Guo loved him; he was just deliberately trying to distract him and prevent him from concentrating on defense.

5:3!!!

The Suns lead by 2 points.

The Grizzlies are a young team, and their roster has remained largely unchanged over the past few years, yet their record has consistently improved.

2001-02 season: Second to last in the Western Conference.

2002-03 season: Third from the bottom in the Western Conference.

2003-04 season: Playoffs.

2004-05 season: Playoffs.

It's fair to say that the Grizzlies have improved every year, and having played in the playoffs last year, these young players have gained playoff experience, so they will definitely be more composed this year than last year.

That's true...

The Grizzlies played very steadily in the first quarter. Gasol, a big man with a wide offensive arsenal and long shooting range, is Stoudemire's nemesis.

Gasol scored on several one-on-one attempts against Stoudemire.

29:27!!

At the end of the first quarter, the Suns led by only 2 points.

After Wei Guo returned to the starting lineup, Stoudemire seemed to have lost his touch. Stoudemire has good offensive ability, but he relies too much on Nash's passes.

Regular season...

Wei Guo has always come on as a substitute, playing only about 30 minutes per game, and his overlap with Stoudemire is no more than 15 minutes.

When Wei Guo and Stoudemire are both on the court, Nash will pass most of his passes to Wei Guo.

......

During the break, Stoudemire sat on the bench, sulking.

Matchup against Gasol...

Gasol scored 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting, while Stoudemire scored 2 points on 1-of-3 shooting.

Stoudemire doesn't think he's worse than Gasol, but he seemed to get blown out by Gasol in the first quarter, and D'Antoni didn't notice Stoudemire's little tantrum.

This is not a regular season game!

In the playoffs, teams need to maximize their strength.

even...

Before the playoffs began, D'Antoni discussed with Gentry an idea... to move Stoudemire off the bench to strengthen the bench offense, and to have Wei Guo play center.

With this lineup, the Suns are practically invincible!

DeAntoni's idea was rejected by Gentry because... Gentry understood that Stoudemire was invincible in any position, and if DeAntoni compared Stoudemire to Stoudemire, he would naturally find many shortcomings in Stoudemire.

However...

Stoudemire possesses speed comparable to a small forward, strong physical strength, a fierce and domineering first step, and especially his explosive jumping speed—all of which are among the best in the league.

Stoudemire is a perfect fit for the Suns' run-and-gun offense.

He was just overshadowed by Wei Guo. Once the Suns' tactics are fully developed, Stoudemire will surely shine and become a superstar!

When Stoudemire entered the league, his father gave him a piece of advice: "The sky's the limit."

......

In the first half of the second quarter, substitute players came on.

The Grizzlies also have a player with explosive athleticism, Swift... It is said that this player can easily complete free throw line dunks and 720-degree spin dunks.

Its explosiveness is in no way inferior to Stoudemire's.

About five minutes into the game, Gentry patted Stoudemire on the shoulder and said, "It's your turn. Remember... the sky's the limit."

"coach..."

Stoudemire's voice choked with emotion.

Only Gentry noticed that he was not in a good mood and comforted him with a remark from his old father.

At this moment...

Stoudemire is fully charged.

The Suns' tactics are 40% arranged by D'Antoni and 40% by Wei Guo. Gentry, as the head coach, arranges less than 20% of the tactics, but he is the person the players trust the most.

"come on!"

Gentry took a sip of tea, raised his head, and said calmly, "Let them see your strength."