The opponent in this game is Wei Guo, whom the Pistons hate the most.
The Pistons' primary concern wasn't developing Anthony, but winning this game and getting a small revenge!
There are 4 minutes and 7 seconds left in the first quarter.
Anthony received the ball in the low post, backing down Kenyon and driving hard into the paint. Kenyon was strong and blocked Anthony with his arms, but Anthony pushed him back two steps.
immediately...
Anthony launched a turnaround fadeaway jumper!
"Whoosh!!!"
The basketball went into the net.
15:25!!
The Nets are down by 10 points.
"nice shot!!!"
Pistons head coach Larry Brown gave an excited fist pump.
Something very interesting...
Thomas was fired, and Larry Brown is coaching the Pistons this season. Brown was previously Wei Guo's coach.
He is quite familiar with Wei Guo's personality and playing style, and the tactics he devised were very targeted, which is the main reason why the Nets are already down by 10 points.
........
Anthony's performance also caught the attention of Wei Guo.
"Huh?!"
Wei Guo looked at Anthony and said, "This kid is physically and technically very mature; he doesn't seem like a rookie at all."
This year's rookie, LeBron James, is quite good and mature. But looking at his face, it wouldn't be an exaggeration for Wei Guo to call him "brother." Carmelo Anthony has a baby face, but he plays very fiercely!
Then...
Wei Guo dribbled past two defenders with his butterfly-like dribbling skills, but was fouled by Ben Wallace when he went for a layup.
"Whoosh!!!"
"Whoosh!!!"
Wei Guo made both free throws.
The Pistons are on offense. Anthony receives a pass from his teammate outside the three-point line and takes the shot decisively!
"Whoosh!!!"
The basketball went into the net.
17:28!!
This performance was not a flash in the pan. In the next three minutes, Anthony took on all of the Pistons' shots, making 3 of 5 for 7 points.
21:35!!
At the end of the first quarter, the Nets trailed by 14 points.
........
Trailing in the first quarter, Scott asked, "Old King, should we try a different approach?"
The so-called change of tactics is to continue the successful experience of the previous game and let Wei Guo bring Kiddles, Kenyon, Jefferson and Collins to the field.
"Not for now!"
Gentry shook his head. "We need to be careful of this young man named Anthony; he's very capable!"
Anthony scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting in less than 5 minutes of play. This is the performance of a superstar. This young man has a bright future ahead of him.
They were down by so much after the first quarter.
The main problem was that Kiddels, Kenyon, and Jefferson seemed disoriented on the court, with Stockton and Weiguo having possession of the ball the whole time. Stockton tried to organize the offense, but the team lacked tactical coordination.
Wei Guo's passing skills are among the best in the league.
but...
Wei Guo would only pass the ball to Kiddles and his two teammates when they had a scoring opportunity, but their positioning was chaotic. Even when they received the pass, they would only dribble once or twice before shooting hastily or passing the ball out again.
........
In the second quarter, Anthony continued his outstanding performance.
The Nets are falling further and further behind...
Scott sighed and sat back on the bench, having given up hope for the game.
Wei Guo was substituted with 3 minutes left in the third quarter and did not return to the court in the fourth quarter, much to the delight of the home fans.
"The Nets are garbage!"
"The Nets are garbage!"
"The Nets are garbage!"
Such voices were incessant, but Gentry pretended not to hear them.
"Beep!!!"
The game ended with the whistle blowing.
107:79!!
The Nets lost to the Pistons by 28 points on the road, suffering their first loss of the regular season.
Match statistics:
Wei Guo: 33 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks
Anthony: 31 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Youngster Carmelo Anthony delivered a stellar performance, scoring 31 points in 27 minutes. The Pistons have struck gold; Anthony will be their biggest asset when they face the Nets in the playoffs.
...
After the game, Brown did not talk to Wei Guo.
After showering and changing in the locker room, the Nets team took a bus back to the hotel.
........
The nights in Detroit are not so peaceful.
Scott wanted to talk to Gentry about tonight's game, so he asked Gentry to invite Wei Guo. Scott also called Stockton and Mourning, and the five of them found a quiet bar near the hotel.
"Tonight's game was absolutely terrible!"
Mo Ning wasn't in a good mood; if it weren't for health reasons, he would have liked to have a couple of drinks.
This player, nicknamed "Iron Man," played a tough and fearless game. However, he was diagnosed with severe kidney failure in 2000, which led to several major surgeries and caused him to miss the entire last season.
This summer... Mourning joined the Nets as a free agent.
Because of his love for basketball, he was reluctant to leave the court, but his doctor said he could no longer play high-intensity games and repeatedly advised Mourning to retire. In these two games, Gentry did not arrange for Mourning to play.
Gentry handed Wei Guo a beer. "Brother Wei, what are your thoughts?"
Mourning couldn't drink alcohol due to health reasons, so he only ordered a glass of water. Gentry ordered a dozen beers, mainly for the four of them to drink.
"The Pistons are stronger than they were last season!"
Wei Guo took a sip of beer. "Especially that young man Anthony, he will become the Pistons' main scoring option."
"I feel the same way..."
Scott nodded vigorously.
However...
Wei Guo paused, looking at the chandelier on the ceiling, "We still need to set our sights on the long term; our opponents are in the west."
The opponent is in the West!
This statement was meant to tell Mourning that the Nets' goal was the championship, not the playoffs, and that they would beat any team in the East.
This game was played terribly!
but...
There are still 80 games left in the regular season; it's a long road ahead.
........
Three days later, the Nets returned to New Jersey after their road trip.
2 wins and 1 loss!
This is the Nets' record on their road trip.
This record currently places them fourth in the Eastern Conference, behind the Pacers (3-0), Pistons (3-0), and Magic (3-0).
The Nets have two days of rest.
These past two days...
The team conducted two days of tactical training, with Wei Guo, Gentry, and Scott studying tactics and then refining their tactical cohesion through intra-squad scrimmages.
In just two days, the Nets have changed.
........
November 11, 2003.
The Nets will host the Magic, who are 3-0.
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