This game was played on the evening of November 20th, America local time, which was Saturday morning in China. Therefore, CCTV also broadcast the Thunder's game.
After a brief discussion with the NBA, CCTV adjusted a lot of its broadcasting content, successfully adding the Thunder's games. Audiences love to watch them, and no one can argue with ratings.
Yang Jian was the host for this game, and Zhang Weiping was still the invited guest. As the game was about to begin, they received the starting lineups and took the opportunity to discuss both teams' rosters.
"Zhang, the Wizards' starting lineup looks very good, with one big and four small players, and many forwards. Logically, their performance should be good, but they've recently experienced a losing streak. What are your thoughts on this?"
Before the game started, Yang Jian also seized the opportunity to throw out a topic to warm up the broadcast.
"From the starting lineup we have, Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler are in the backcourt, which is fine. But on the frontcourt, Antawn Jamison and Mike Miller are a bit weak defensively."
"The center is Brendan Haywood, who has good rebounding ability, but if the perimeter defense can't hold up, he can't do it alone. After all, he doesn't have Howard's speed to help defend everywhere!"
"So, the inability to defend is the reason for the Wizards' losing streak at the start of the season. Looking at offense alone, NBA teams are actually not bad."
Zhang had done a lot of pre-game work for this match, and he spoke articulately.
"Indeed, NBA players all have excellent talent. Many times, winning still relies on defense.
The Thunder lost their last game due to defense. Zhang, what adjustments do you think the Thunder will make for this game?"
Yang Jian once again brought up a topic everyone was concerned about.
"Honestly, the Thunder don't have many options. At the 4 and 5 positions, Jeff Green is at a disadvantage defending the low post, and Kostić is slow in lateral movement. This is a roster flaw. If they want to adjust, they can only rely on offense."
"In the first few games of the season, the Thunder's high screen-and-roll, and continuous hand-off passes to create mismatches, were very effective!
But by now, other teams have also caught on. So, in this game, we can see if the Thunder will come up with new tactics."
Zhang was personally quite looking forward to it. He liked talented players, and Kayce was currently his favorite.
"Thank you, Zhang, for the pre-game analysis. The game is about to begin. Let's switch our screens to the Thunder's home court, the Ford Center. We look forward to an exciting game from both teams."
At the Ford Center, the familiar roar of the crowd erupted as the arena DJ introduced the home team players. From the cheers, Kayce, Russell, and Durant were the fans' favorites.
Kayce saw many young female fans wearing his number 10 jersey courtside and quickly waved to them, which caused another round of excited shouts.
"Should I be filming fewer vlogs? This style is a bit off!"
During the anthem, Kayce was lost in thought. His YouTube channel simply documented his daily routine of lifting weights and eating, yet a lot of people watched it.
His agent, Chapman, even suggested he increase his efforts and show more skin!
During the final warm-up phase before the game, Kayce saw that the Wizards' side was harmonious, with no signs of internal conflict. He couldn't help but tease Jeff Green:
"Green, your friend's information doesn't seem accurate. They're doing just fine over there!"
"The veterans are, of course, harmonious. Look at those rookies, do they get any playing time? Trust me, the source is absolutely accurate!"
Jeff Green said to Kayce in a low voice while shooting.
Kayce then looked at the Wizards' bench and immediately spotted JaVale McGee and Nick Young. These two were currently standing like mere underlings.
"Kayce, you take the first few possessions. To be honest, I'm a bit unclear about Coach Brooks's tactical arrangements. Remind me on the court!"
Durant also came over to Kayce. He was also a bit confused about the new tactics.
"Just play two possessions, don't be so rigid about remembering tactics. Don't worry, buddy!"
Kayce smiled and comforted Durant. In those days, the team's leader was the Coach Brooks, and players had to obey the Coach Ben's tactical arrangements. There were no scenarios yet where superstars controlled the Coach Brooks.
The referee signaled both teams to the center circle. After a brief greeting, Kostić and Brendan Haywood prepared for the jump ball.
"The game begins! Brendan Haywood tipped the ball to the Wizards for the first possession. Arenas dribbles across half-court."
Yang Jian also began to immerse himself in the game.
The Wizards' opening tactic was also to get the ball into the paint. Veteran Coach Philip Saunders naturally knew the Thunder's interior defense was weak.
Therefore, after Arenas ran a pick-and-roll, he immediately passed to the cutting Haywood.
The latter received the ball, drove twice, got to the low post, backed down Kostić, and shot a hook shot.
"Swish!" The strong inside attack went in.
"Oh, now every team that plays the Thunder starts from the inside. This ball is really hard to help defend; Mike Miller has an outside shot."
Zhang couldn't help but exclaim when he saw the Wizards' opening offense.
Kayce was already used to it. If they couldn't defend, they'd just keep attacking until someone fell. After an inbound pass, Russell quickly dribbled across half-court.
Caron Butler was guarding Kayce for the Wizards; their height and weight were almost identical.
Don't let his name sound like a role player; he was actually in great form, averaging 20+6+4 last season and was the Wizards' main scorer.
Kayce didn't care about that. After crossing half-court, under Jeff Green's screen, he cut along the baseline and immediately posted up in the low block. Russell quickly passed him the ball.
After receiving the ball with his back to the basket, he smoothly turned around, took a jab step, and seeing Caron Butler not moving at all, Kayce pulled up and shot.
"Swish!" A mid-range shot went in easily.
Caron Butler was a bit stunned. The offense was too direct and too fast. He really didn't expect Kayce to shoot directly, which caused him to react a half-beat too late.
"Beautiful shot! A direct pull-up jumper after a triple threat. Kayce's shooting form is indeed pleasing to the eye!"
Seeing Kayce make the shot, Yang Jian also praised him a couple of times.
The Wizards' offense again involved an Arenas-Haywood pick-and-roll. This time, the screen quality was high, and Russell was a step slow in getting through. Arenas took a mid-range jump shot.
"Clang!" A hard miss.
Durant secured the rebound and initiated a fast break. Kayce also quickly sprinted across half-court, received Durant's outlet pass, and drove powerfully towards the basket.
Facing Antawn Jamison's interference, he performed a behind-the-back dribble while in motion, a serpentine drive, a reverse layup, and sent the ball into the basket.
"Ah!!! Ah!!"
The Ford Center crowd immediately erupted in huge cheers. The shot was flashy, but it was indeed beautiful!
The Wizards organized another attack. This time, after the pick-and-roll, Arenas chose to drive directly, but his explosiveness was halved after his injury, and he couldn't shake off Russell's defense at all.
He was forced to throw a jump pass, trying to find Antawn Jamison on the perimeter. However, the passing lane was too obvious, and Durant immediately anticipated it. He used his long arms to steal the ball and then drove straight to the basket.
Seeing no one chasing him, Durant also executed a flashy windmill dunk!
"Slam!" A steal followed by a dunk.
"Ah!! Ha!!"
The Ford Center crowd once again let out huge cheers. Everything was going smoothly at the start!
Kayce noticed that in the previous possession, Arenas's push-off didn't generate any lift, and he immediately knew that the opponent had not fully recovered. He whispered to Russell:
"Russell, let Arenas drive. His explosiveness is gone. On offense, you'll be handling the ball and attacking his pick-and-roll!"
In the past, you were a superstar, Agent 0, but now your physical condition isn't good. As an opponent, no one will treat you politely.
Russell patted his chest, indicating he understood. Sometimes, the simpler and more direct the tactic, the more effective it was.
The Wizards attacked again. This time, Arenas passed the ball as soon as he crossed half-court. Caron Butler received the ball and exchanged a few hand-offs with his perimeter teammates.
Noticing that Haywood had successfully posted up in the low block, he delivered a bounce pass to him.
The latter received the ball and again backed down with force. Unable to push Kostić away, he executed a fadeaway hook shot, scoring over the defense.
This was also a characteristic of that era: centers all had low-post ability. The bigger the name of the center, the better their low-post skills, with Howard being an exception, as he was a clumsy rim-runner in the low post.
On the Thunder's offensive possession, as soon as they crossed half-court, Kayce gave his teammates a hand signal to spread the floor and let Russell run a pick-and-roll.
Kostić came up to set the screen, and Russell drove to his right, accelerating. Arenas squeezed through quickly and tried to initiate physical contact.
At this moment, Russell suddenly changed direction with a crossover, shook off his defender, and then started to attack the basket.
Haywood came over to help defend, but Russell found Kostić cutting to the basket, who easily scored a layup, successfully finishing the play.
"Arenas needs to pay attention to his defense. He was beaten by Westbrook with a single change of direction. This is a bit unacceptable!"
Zhang couldn't help but comment when he saw Arenas's defense.
Russell gave Kayce a hand signal as he retreated on defense. Now Kayce knew why the Wizards' record was poor.
A superstar had become a defensive liability, and he still needed to hog the ball to get stats on offense. It would be a miracle if their record was good.
Kayce also made a hand gesture to Coach Brooks. The plan had changed; they should just go all out. The Wizards were a paper tiger, and their one-big, four-small lineup had flaws.
Coach Brooks also knew that the players on the court had the clearest understanding of the situation, so he signaled Kayce to make his own decisions.
"Guys, maintain one-on-one defense, put pressure on their ball-handlers, and let's play fast!"
Kayce shouted loudly, signaling that the plan had changed.
The Wizards also felt the defensive pressure from the Thunder. Kayce, Russell, Durant, and Jeff Green were all excellent perimeter athletes. When they intensified their defense, it really put the Wizards under pressure.
They had no choice but to pass the ball to Haywood in the low post again. The latter backed down forcefully and once again shot a hook shot.
"Clang!" It missed.
Jeff Green secured the rebound and made an outlet pass to Kayce. After quickly dribbling across half-court, he realized the Wizards had retreated on defense, so he immediately passed the ball to Russell.
Russell, with the ball, didn't call for a pick-and-roll. After a between-the-legs dribble, he executed a crossover, again shaking off Arenas, and drove straight into the paint. Mike Miller reacted the quickest and came over to help defend.
But Jeff Green in the corner got an open look. He received the pass and took an open three-point jump shot.
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in cleanly.
"Ah!!! Ah!!"
Seeing the home team score consecutively, the live audience immediately erupted in huge cheers, and they also started shouting to help the home team on defense:
"Defense! Defense! Defense!"
The Thunder players' emotions also rose, especially Russell, who was chasing Arenas, playing desperate defense.
The pace of both sides suddenly became incredibly fast, entering a fast-break, run-and-gun state of rapid offense and defense, which was the Thunder's favorite rhythm.
Veteran Coach Philip Saunders, seeing that things were not right, quickly called a timeout, trying to get his team to slow down and play more half-court offense.
But when the Wizards slowed down, Arenas missed a few more shots consecutively, and the Thunder once again initiated a fast break.
Russell sprinted wildly with the ball. Arenas also got emotional, chasing and tugging at Russell's jersey. Noticing Kayce running to the corner on the fast break, Russell faked a layup and made a real pass.
The pass was a bit high, but fortunately, Kayce had long arms and quickly adjusted the ball on the floor after catching it, then pulled up for a jump shot.
"Swish!" The three-pointer went in cleanly.
With that shot, the Thunder had already scored 32 points in the first quarter, with 6 seconds remaining in the first quarter, leading the Wizards by 10 points.
Russell excitedly came over and chest-bumped Kayce in celebration. He was on fire in the first quarter, completely dominating Arenas!
At this moment, Kayce thought of last night's badge and silently complained:
"Good heavens! [Sticky Hands] was indeed activated by you!"
During the quarter break, the CCTV studio was a bit awkward. Before the game, the two analysts had discussed a lot, but the Thunder played simply and brutally, directly overwhelming the Wizards with their athleticism.
"It's a bit disheartening. Arenas's defense has declined quite a bit. He was targeted by Westbrook for several possessions in a row. Injuries have too great an impact on athletes!"
Yang Jian had been very optimistic about Arenas performing well before the game, after all, Russell was only a second-year rookie, and there was a huge gap in experience between the two.
"I also didn't expect the Thunder to disrupt the Wizards' defense by utilizing Westbrook's drives. This young man is truly remarkable; this is only his second season!"
Zhang also praised Russell.
"This Thunder trio is terrifying. Kayce is a rookie, Westbrook is a second-year player, and Durant is a third-year player. Their potential is still very strong; they are all young players. I hope they can all stay healthy."
Yang Jian (Host) was also very focused on the Thunder at the moment. After all, a fellow countryman was there, and coupled with their explosive playing style, he gradually grew fond of the three young men.
"Exactly, health is the most important thing. Let's see the second quarter. I hope the Wizards can turn the game around. I've collected some data on the Thunder; as long as they play well in the first quarter, the game is usually decided in three quarters!"
Zhang started laughing as he spoke.
"I'll take your word for it. We also hope to see an exciting game!"
During the quarter break, Coach Brooks was also a bit speechless. He had been practicing the triangle offense for the past two days, but the game started with a fierce rush, and the Wizards couldn't withstand it, leading by 10 points directly.
"Guys, protect the rebounds, pay attention to boxing out. Collison isn't here, so everyone needs to be aggressive in fighting for the ball. Kayce, control the rhythm on offense!"
Kayce immediately nodded, indicating he understood. With one less big man, rebounding might become an issue, so everyone had to put in effort now.
He scored 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in the first quarter, shooting 3-for-3 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line. Kayce felt that this game might be suitable for stat-padding, and he secretly made up his mind:
"The more I pad, the stronger I get. Against weak teams, I must strike hard!"