When you think of Harden, the first thing that probably comes to mind is his stunning performance in the Knicks playoffs.
At that time, he was like the brightest star in the night sky of New York, and although the light was overshadowed by other big stars, he always caused a stir of amazement every time he jumped up to grab a rebound or complete a wonderful block.
Averaging 8.2 rebounds and 3.5 frontcourt boards per game, these statistics are quite an excellent report card for an interior player.
Thunder's "Discernment"
The Knicks didn't realize Harden's true value, or rather, they underestimated the desire of other teams for the young interior lineman.
The management of the Thunder team, as if they have a clairvoyant eye, saw through Harden's potential at a glance.
As a result, a war of offers about Harden was quietly staged.
The Knicks tried to keep the interior star with a high salary, but the Thunder were clearly more sincere, not only offering a lucrative contract but also committing Harden to the centerpiece of the team.
In the end, Hatten chose Thunder, the sky that allowed him to spread his wings and fly high.
Alignment doesn't mean everything: Hatten and Zhou Qi's "misplaced life"
When it comes to Harden, I have to mention his draft pick.
Back then, he and Zhou Qi stepped into the door of the NBA together, but the fates of the two were completely different.
Hatten's rank is higher than Zhou Qi's, but this has not become his proud capital, but has become his driving force.
He knows that in the NBA, where there are many strong players, the pick is only the starting point, and the real competition is on the court.
And Zhou Qi, although the starting point is a little lower, has also had highlight moments, but later failed to gain a firm foothold for various reasons.
The story of the two tells us that life is like a marathon, not about how high you start, but whether you can persevere to the finish line.
At the Chicago Bulls, Caruso was recognized as a master of defense.
He is like a moving shield, no matter how the opposing player breaks through or changes direction, he cannot easily break through his defense.
Caruso's defense relies not only on his physical strength and speed, but also on his keen insight and selfless team spirit.
He always anticipates his opponent's movements in advance and gives interference or tackles at the right time.
Bulls fans affectionately refer to him as the "Defensive Shield" because he is the team's most solid backcourt.
Thunder's "Offensive Accelerator"
The Bulls haven't been able to fully exploit Caruso's full potential.
With the Thunder, Caruso will not only be a defensive stalwarts, but also an accelerator on the offensive end of the team.
His defence can drive the motivation of the whole team, making his teammates more confident and decisive when attacking.
Caruso also has a good passing and playmaking hand, and he is able to quickly find open teammates on the counter-attack to deliver the lethal blow.
It is foreseeable that on the Thunder team, Caruso will become an all-round fighter who can play both offense and defense.
The addition of Caruso has further upgraded the Thunder's defensive system.
He used his practical actions to interpret the basketball philosophy of "defense leads offense".
In the fast-paced, high-intensity arena of the NBA, the importance of defense cannot be overstated.
A team with a good defense is often able to take the initiative in the game and control the tempo of the game.
And Caruso's arrival has undoubtedly injected a new vitality into the Thunder, making their defense more indestructible and their offense sharper.
The "Rebounding Storm" on the Inside
The addition of Hatten has made a qualitative leap in the interior strength of the Thunder team.
His excellent rebounding ability and frontcourt board awareness will greatly improve the team's secondary offensive ability.
During the game, the entire court boiled over whenever Harden jumped high and kept an opponent's shot out.
And when he grabs the front court board and passes the ball firmly to his open teammates on the outside, it can be directly converted into a score.
Such a scene will become the norm in the new season of the Thunder team.
And Caruso's presence has built an indestructible "defensive iron curtain" for the Thunder's outside line.
He has a wide range of defensive coverage, whether it is a single defense or a help defense, he can show a very high level.
More importantly, he knows how to use his defense to drive the enthusiasm of the whole team, forming a defensive atmosphere of "everyone is a soldier".
Under the influence of Caruso, every player on the Thunder team will focus more on defense and cherish every opportunity to defend more.
Such a defensive attitude will undoubtedly make the opponent feel a great headache when attacking.
The leap from paper strength to actual combat performance
On paper, the Thunder's new roster is virtually unassailable.
With rebounding monsters like Harden on the inside, defensive guru like Caruso on the outside, and a group of young, energetic players, it's enough to give any opponent a headache.
General manager Pelinka seems to be a brilliant painter, using his brush to sketch a beautiful picture in the transfer market.
Now, the picture has been unfolded in front of the world, and it will shine brightly when the new season arrives.
After all, basketball is not just a game on paper. No matter how perfect the lineup is, it also needs to be tested and run-in in actual combat.
The early start of the new season is undoubtedly a challenging one for the Thunder.
They need to adapt to each other's playing styles as quickly as possible and build a tacit relationship.
In the process, they may encounter some difficulties and setbacks, but as long as they maintain unity and confidence, they will certainly be able to overcome all difficulties and usher in the dawn of victory.
To do well in the new season, and even to challenge for a championship, the Thunder need to do one more thing – stay healthy.
In the high-intensity, high-confrontation arena of the NBA, injuries are an unavoidable risk for every player.
The Thunder team needs to develop a scientific training plan, reasonably arrange the players' playing time and rest time, and ensure that every player can put into the game in the best condition.
Only in this way will they be able to stay competitive in the face of fierce competition and finally achieve their championship dreams.
The possibilities are endless for the new season of the Thunder
With the addition of Harden and Caruso, the Thunder's new season is full of endless possibilities.
They may make it all the way through the regular season and make it to the playoffs with excellent results; Maybe you will face a strong opponent in the playoffs and go through a tough battle to advance.
But no matter what, they are ready to meet every challenge and create their own brilliance.
As fans, we just need to sit quietly in front of the TV and enjoy this basketball feast performed by Harden's "Flying Away" and Caruso's "Defensive Art". Thunder, come on! Champion, here we come!
(Disclaimer) The process described in the article, the pictures are all from the Internet, this article aims to advocate positive social energy, no vulgarity and other bad guidance. If it involves copyright or character infringement issues, please contact us in time, and we will delete the content as soon as possible! If there is any doubt about the incident, it will be deleted or changed immediately after contact.