Paul and Deron both entered the league in 2005.
However, looking at their performances in the first two seasons, the two can be said to be evenly matched, with similar statistics, although Deron Williams had a slightly better record.
certainly...
A player's performance is also related to his teammates; Deron Williams is surrounded by a group of good teammates.
......
Cummings did not answer Gentry's question.
Gentry asked again, "Who do you think is better, Deron Williams or Chris Paul?"
"Paul, of course..."
Cummings neither confirmed nor denied it, saying, "Williams said that Chris's ability is enough to be among the top 50 greatest players of all time."
Wei Guo said this...
However, judging from their performances in the previous two seasons, Deron Williams dominated Chris Paul more often than Chris Paul dominated Deron Williams.
......
The Lakers got off to a bad start, while the Jazz took control of the game.
The first quarter has ended.
23:27!!
The Lakers are down by 4 points.
This was the first time they had trailed in the first quarter since the start of the regular season. Bynum accepted it and became more talkative, saying, "What kind of team is the Jazz? They actually managed to take the lead in the first quarter!"
"That's right..."
Gentry taunted Bynum, "You go up there and teach them a lesson later."
Bynum really thought so. He didn't even care about the Jazz's reserves, let alone the starters. At the center position, Bynum's physical talent was only slightly worse than Howard's. He had good strength and jumping ability. Although his technique was a bit rough, he could still be a qualified starter.
It's just that the Lakers' roster is too strong this season, which is why Bynum has returned to the bench.
The Lakers' bench players are highly motivated, which presents a great opportunity.
The first seven games were won too easily, and the substitutes didn't get a chance to perform. If this continues, the substitutes will become dependent on the starters, and their morale will be worn down.
Once the team encounters difficulties...
When substitutes are needed to step up, those who lack motivation can't even perform at 70% of their potential.
......
The Lakers made a lineup change at the start of the second quarter.
Farmar, Vujacic, Turiaf, Ariza, and Bynum took the field.
This is a completely substitute lineup...
The Lakers were trailing, yet they weren't fielding a single starter. Sloan instantly understood Gentry's intentions and scoffed, "Using me as a training ground?"
This is contempt!
The proud and arrogant Sloan couldn't stand this. Sloan recently said that the current Jazz team is the strongest. They have too many excellent players, which has led to players like Harpring and Collins only being able to play as substitutes. The implication is that this Jazz team with Deron Williams and Boozer is even stronger than the Utah Jazz duo of yesteryear.
Gentry actually wants to use them as practice targets? The Lakers need to be taught a lesson... If the Jazz can't even beat the Lakers' bench, they might as well quit the league.
Lakers on offense!
Ariza was hiding in the three-point corner when Farmar broke through and passed the ball to Vujacic, who then moved the ball around.
Ariza receives the ball and shoots a three-pointer!
"Whoosh!!!"
The basketball went into the net.
26:27!!
The Lakers are down by one point.
Kobe shouted, "Beautiful shot, Zaza!"
Jazz on offense!
Kirilenko walked to the basket, received a pass from Harprin, and made a reverse layup.
*Smack!!!*
Bynum jumped up and delivered a huge hot pot to Kirilenko.
That defense was awesome!
The Lakers' bench players are also eager to make a difference. Since the start of the regular season, the starters have been able to widen the gap, and six out of seven games have become garbage time early on, leaving the bench players with no chance to perform. Now that the team is finally behind, they are determined to fight back with all their might.
Harprin walked to the baseline to inbound the ball, Collins received the ball, and missed a mid-range shot.
Bynum grabs the defensive rebound!
Gentry told Kobe, "Don't keep bashing him. Look how well he defended this time."
Kobe often criticized Bynum for his poor attitude during practice. A few times, when he got really angry, Bynum would sit in a corner and sulk. This was a habit Kobe had developed in the previous two seasons. He knew Bynum's talent, and you could say that... in those two seasons, only Bynum could help the Lakers.
Naturally...
Kobe had higher expectations for Bynum. Whenever Bynum didn't train seriously, Kobe would scold him mercilessly.
Lakers on offense!
Bynum received the ball under the basket, made a strong drive against Millsap, and scored.
28:27!!
The Lakers took the lead.
The Lakers' bench was filled with laughter and cheers... It was even more gratifying for the substitutes to close the gap than for the starters to do it themselves. For the Jazz, if they couldn't even beat the Lakers' bench, it could only mean that Wei Guo and his teammates were throwing the game in the first quarter.
Sloan called a timeout!
This is unacceptable to him; the Lakers' bench players have managed to close the gap. He needs to bring all the starters back in during this timeout.
I just don't believe it...
The Jazz's starters can't even beat the Lakers' bench?
Since Gentry wants to give his players experience, he won't substitute his starters too early; the current lineup will play for at least half a quarter.
To save face, Sloan kept Harprin on the court, at least to prove that this wasn't the Jazz's starting lineup, and also to give the starters some time to recover. The starter who didn't play was Kirilenko. At the beginning of the second quarter, Sloan kept Kirilenko on the court, but now he's substituted him out.
Jazz on offense!
Deron Williams used Boozer's screen to drive straight to the basket and jump over Bynum!
Holy crap!!!
Paul and Kobe stood up instantly.
Deron Williams is about to dunk over Bynum...
Gentry said a few words, and Bynum, full of energy, was not about to be dunked on so easily by a guard. He jumped up and slammed his big hand onto the basketball.
"Bang!!!"
Deron Williams and Andrew Bynum collided.
Bynum swatted the ball away, but the referee didn't blow the whistle... That was a good block. Turiaf got the ball and launched a fast break. Brewer chased after him, but Turiaf dodged Brewer in mid-air with a layup and scored.
30:27!!
The Lakers lead by 3 points.
Sloan's timeout had no effect; instead, it allowed the Lakers to extend their lead.
The Jazz's roster is definitely stronger than the Lakers' bench, and this is the Jazz's home court... However, strength is only one part, and belief is also very important. The Lakers' bench has an unwavering belief in victory, and they are more determined in both offense and defense, which is why the Jazz have never been able to close the gap.
The substitutes are so useful...
Gentry's emotional intelligence meant he wouldn't substitute them too early. Even during the two timeouts, Gentry was giving instructions to the substitutes, showing no intention of bringing the starters on.
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