周琦是拉斯維加斯夏季聯(lián)賽中最博人眼球的球員之一。任何環(huán)境下,身高7尺1寸、體型瘦長的周琦都會是目光的焦點,他還是NBA中自上一次易建聯(lián)2011-12賽季在聯(lián)賽打球之后的第一個中國球員,因此也小有名氣。
Because of Zhou's underdeveloped frame, Houston has been using him almost exclusively as a power forward, typically alongside second-year center Chinanu Onuaku. In Mike D'Antoni's offense, the power forward serves primarily as a floor spacer. So we haven't seen much of Zhou in the paint, though he has made some opportunistic plays around the rim.
周琦目前的身型還未完全成熟,因此他在休斯頓火箭隊中幾乎完全被當成了一名大前鋒,大多數(shù)時間與二年級中鋒齊納努-奧努阿庫并肩出場。在德安東尼的進攻體系中,大前鋒主要用來拉開空間。所以我們并沒太見過周琦在禁區(qū)內的表現(xiàn),但他也得到過一些零零星星的籃下進攻機會。
In general, a lack of strength is Zhou's biggest shortcoming. When he isn't diligent about doing his work early and boxing out, Zhou can be pushed out of rebound position and becomes a nonfactor on the glass. He has grabbed just 10 defensive boards in 100 minutes of action so far. NBA opponents will also be able to attack Zhou in the post.
總的來說,力量不足是周琦最大的缺點。如果周琦在搶籃板時,不能全力以赴、提前卡好位置,那么他就會很輕易地被推開,完全摸不到籃板球。到目前為止,在100分鐘的比賽中,他只拿到了10個防守籃板。NBA的對手也能在內線對周琦造成沖擊。
That noted, Zhou's length has conveyed more defensive advantages than just blocking shots. He has been a regular presence in the passing lanes, tipping away passes when he comes off his man. Zhou also uses his wingspan when switched on guards to play far enough off them to avoid being blown by off the dribble.
值得注意的是,周琦的身高能帶來巨大的防守優(yōu)勢,不僅僅體現(xiàn)在封蓋上。他也經(jīng)常出現(xiàn)在防守端,當對方的持球人試圖傳球時,他都會伸手切斷。當換防到控球后衛(wèi)對位時,周琦還會利用他的臂展為自己創(chuàng)造防守空間,與對手保持一定距離,以避免被一步過掉。
For his size, Zhou is quite agile, giving him hope of staying with guards on switches and defending other stretch 4s. On one play Wednesday, Zhou was able to elude a screen attempt enough to force the screener to move, drawing an offensive foul in the process.
就他的身材而言,周琦相當敏捷,讓他能夠在換防中跟住后衛(wèi),而且對位其他空間型四號位時也不吃虧。周三的一場比賽中,周琦成功躲過了對方的擋拆,讓對方掩護者不得不移動著去擋人,造成了一次掩護犯規(guī)。
Still, the Rockets' four-year investment in Zhou isn't really about what he'll do next season. They're taking the longer view of what Zhou can be if he improves his 3-point shooting and continues to add strength — assuming he can do so without sacrificing agility. If Zhou does that, he could surpass Yi as the best Chinese player since another Houston center by the name of Yao Ming.
盡管如此,火箭隊對周琦身上四年的投資并不是指著他下賽季會做什么。他們從更長遠的角度來看周琦會成為怎樣的一名球員,如果周琦提高了三分球命中率,并繼續(xù)增強力量——假設他能在不犧牲敏捷性的前提下做到這一點。如果他能做到這些,他將超越易建聯(lián),成為繼姚明之后最好的中國籍NBA球員。