Pick Westbrook

Chapter 160 The Playoffs Begin

West Shore of Lake Michigan.

Holloway put the playoff tickets in her hand on the table.

"Li Lai kept nagging in my ear why you didn't go to the Bradley Arena to watch our game. He had already greeted all the staff of the Bucks. Only you can come and watch the game at any time. , because the Bucks are your home."

"This time he specifically asked me to come to you with a ticket, hoping that you can watch the next playoffs of the Bucks."

Holloway looked at the toothless old man in front of her, her eyes and mouth were sunken. Compared with when Li Lai took her to see the old man at the beginning of the season, the old man at this time was like a dead branch with black spots on it. It was full of insect eyes again.

The old man moved his head with difficulty, looking like an old dog about to die of illness, he opened his mouth with difficulty, and let out some hoarse shouts in the breeze.

Johnson II came out of the house, and he prepared some liquid food for the old man.

Already the general manager of American Li Ting Company, he could have moved into an apartment in downtown Milwaukee, just like other young men in these slums on the west coast of Lake Michigan, most of them have been able to stay away from here.

This is the first time in many years that the most famous slum in Milwaukee looks a little bleak and deserted.

But Johnson II is still here, as usual, back to the place where his father fed him for more than 30 years, and he knows that his father still has a lot of nostalgia for this place.

Because looking along the dilapidated lighthouse from here, it happens to be in the direction of Bradley Arena.

When his father was a child, because he had no money to go to the Bucks game, he was lying on a chair like this now, listening to the shouts in the arena opposite.

"The old man can no longer speak." Johnson II said.

After seeing his son's explanation, the old man closed his hoarse mouth and nodded slowly.

Looking at the old man with difficult behavior in front of her, Holloway had a sore nose and tears fell down unconsciously. She couldn't help but think of her grandpa, and she also said that when she was at the lakeside manor in Milwaukee, she had bare feet Ya stepped on the beach to Li's words.

"I have a dream, that is, people in the whole world will no longer get sick, and everyone can live a good life and live a long life."

The old man handed the poster of the Bucks 1970-71 season championship that he had been holding in his arms to Holloway.

He knew that Li Lai must understand what this meant.

After Holloway left, the old man kept hemming and saying that she was a good girl, but her ass was not good, and she was not easy to give birth to.

Johnson II knew that the old man must have a lot to say at this time. For example, after Li came to see him before the season, he kept talking there.

"Li Lai, I watched him grow up naked, he is a few years younger than my idiot son, but since he was a child, this kid has a good eye. When he goes out to play and make waves, he looks for the big one. , he will not let his future children go hungry, he is a good father."

And now, Johnson II guessed that his father must be thinking in his heart, this Holloway is a good girl, and her figure will not make future children hungry, but this other side is a bit unbearable. In the future, his husband It must be uncomfortable to hold a skeleton.

At this time, the old man couldn't help showing his only tooth and smiling, secretly thinking that his son really understood him.

Johnson II rolled his eyes and said, "With your spirit, I'm afraid you can live another hundred and eighty years."

Bradley Arena.

"Welcome to the NBA09-10 season, the first round of the playoffs, the Bucks vs. Bobcats at home!"

After Barkley's exciting shout, there were deafening shouts and screams from the Milwaukee people on the scene.

The momentum was so loud that the roof of the entire arena was almost torn off.

player channel.

All the Bucks players heard the cries.

O'Neill stood in the center of the players, put his hands on his forehead, then bowed his head and said.

"No one will give you everything. If you want to achieve your goal, you must pay three things: tears, blood, and sweat."

"Now, we all know what we're here for, and we know what our purpose is."

"So, go pay those tears, blood and sweat!!!"

Westbrook glared at the direction of the player tunnel, angrily pulled his training uniform and shouted.

"Bucks! Let's go!!!"

on the field.

Bucks starting lineup: Westbrook, Curry, Artest, Rasheed Wallace and Yi Jianlian.

Bobcats starting lineup: point guard Raymond - Felton, shooting guard Stephen - Jackson, small forward Gerald - Wallace, power forward Boris - Diaw and center Tyson - Chandler.

Li Lai looked at the court with serious eyes. The head coach of the Bobcats sitting on the bench opposite was Larry Brown!
"He is Popovich's teacher, once the head coach of the Pistons Five Tigers, the founder of the Iron Barrel formation, and recognized as the top defensive master in the league."

Larry Brown kept his hands green, and looked at Bucks coach Li Lai across the court with the same seriousness.

This round of the series was hyped up all over the United States long before the game, and everyone wanted to know whether the greatest defensive coach in the NBA could limit the terrorist offense of the Bucks.

Barkley said: "If you want to say who is the team that can limit the Bucks most in the league, then I will name the Celtics without hesitation, because they have proved themselves in the regular season and can indeed Effectively limit the Bucks' offense."

"But let me give you the best head coach in the league who can limit the Bucks' offense. I won't give Popovich, Michael Brown, or Rivers or anyone else, old man Coach Larry Brown was my only option."

Not only Barkley, Kenny Smith also has the same idea.

After all, he is the man who established the Pistons' terrifying iron barrel formation, and only he deserves such respect.

Game start.

Midfield jump ball.

Boxing champion Tyson Chandler steadily tapped the ball from Yi Jianlian's head as soon as he came up.

The Bobcats go on the offensive.

Stumpy Felton carries the ball across half court and then plays a simple pick-and-roll.

Tyson Chandler used the pick-and-roll to go down, but was firmly stuck by Yi Jianlian. In terms of flexibility and defensive sensitivity, Yi Jianlian was much higher than Tyson Chandler, so this He also defended the ball very well.

Stout Felton forced singles Westbrook chose to break through to the basket.

Even though Westbrook is one of the best players in terms of weight and body among point guards, facing the 96kg fat Felton in front of him, he is actually 6kg lighter than the opponent.

Therefore, it is rare for Westbrook to be forced into the paint by his opponent on the point guard line. At this time, Artest decisively went around from behind to help defend, and almost broke the ball directly.

Chubby Felton made a false alarm and quickly returned the ball to captain Stephen Jackson.

"During the off-season, the Bucks had rumors with Stephen Jackson."

Barkley looked curiously at the strange matchup on the court, with Curry defending Stephen Jackson.

So it's time to test the overall defensive skills of the Bucks.

Stephen Jackson singles Curry, which is almost free.

With just a simple shake, Stephen Jackson decisively rushed towards the basket.

Everyone knows that the weakest defense of the Bucks is the inside line, even if they introduced Rasheed Wallace during the off-season.

Curry was pushed directly to the basket, defenseless.

At this time, Artest gave up his defender again, and threw himself fiercely in front of Stephen Jackson.

"This is double-teaming!"

Fortunately, Stephen Jackson is very experienced and did not let Artest get him stuck in the first place.

Stephen Jackson breathed a sigh of relief, secretly thinking that he underestimated the overall defense of the Bucks, then found a seam, and gave the ball to Gerald Wallace in the waist.

Elvis Gerald - Wallace took the ball and turned around with one step and went straight to the basket.

He is also a player with excellent physical talent. If this ball hits the inside line, he will inevitably send a wave of shocking dunks.

Duang!

Rasheed Wallace came to the baseline very vigilantly and destroyed the shot.

The first wave of offense, the Bobcats ended in a strike.

"The Bobcats are playing a bit of a mess offensively."

Kenny Smith, who was watching the game, said.

Although the defense of the Bucks is not considered top-notch in the league, it is definitely above the average level of the league, especially the two points of Artest and Rasheed Wallace, which are simply the two strongest defenses of the Bucks vanguard.

Therefore, if the Bobcats are this level of offense throughout the game, it will definitely not be easy for them to score on the Bucks.

Coach Larry Brown was very surprised that the Bucks could also come up with such a targeted defense. As a master of defensive tactics, he could easily find that the wave of defense just now had traces of tactical arrangements.

Of course, Artest and Rasheed Wallace played a very important role in this defensive tactic. The value of the two on the court is to wipe the ass of their teammates on the defensive end.

"The Bucks have found that the Bobcats don't have the ability to attack in the low post. Our offense almost comes from semi-transitions and impacts at the basket. The current focus of the Bucks' defense is to attack the basket. We really want to score. Difficult."

Larry Brown heaved a long sigh. It's a pity that the Bobcats don't have an experienced pass master. Otherwise, why would they be restricted to such a degree by the Bucks' defense? This is why he suggested Michael Jordan many times during the off-season. The reason why the team took Boris Diaw.

"Without Diaw's pass, even if the Bobcats have the second-best defense in the league, they might not even make the playoffs in the end."

But even so, Larry Brown didn't worry too much, because this was the reason why the Bobcats didn't want to meet the Bucks in the first round. Their offense was indeed difficult to keep up with the Bucks, so as early as the series started Former Larry Brown had anticipated such a picture.

After the Bobcats decided to play the Bucks in the playoffs, Larry Brown also studied the opponent's offensive tactics countless times, and he was ready to win the Bucks in other ways.

"It's not like the Bobcats have no chance of winning in this round of the series. They just have to fight the defense to the extreme!"

The Bucks attack.

Westbrook held the ball in the high post and performed a pick-and-roll with Yi Jianlian.

This is a tactic they are very good at.

Just before the pick-and-roll was initiated, Chubby Felton frantically confronted Westbrook and exerted great physical strength.

Westbrook dribbled hard and still wanted to play a pick-and-roll with Yi Jianlian, but the inside boxing champion Tyson Chandler went around to defend, and at the same time blocked Yi Jianlian's path with his body.

After Yi Jianlian got rid of the defense, Tyson Chandler desperately blocked in front of Yi Jianlian, using his body to block Westbrook's passing route.

In this case, let alone play pick-and-roll with Westbrook, Yi Jianlian is limited in movement and limited in receiving the ball. Apart from being able to attract Tyson Chandler to the outside line, he has not been able to play any advantage of his own. .

"This defense is really terrifying!"

Barkley couldn't help but said in shock.

On the coaching bench of the Bucks, Tyronn Lue looked at Li Lai nervously.

What the Bucks are most proud of is their flexible lineup and unparalleled gorgeous offensive tactics. Now they are directly restricted by the Bobcats and can't even play tactics. Aren't they like a sharpshooter without a gun in his hand?
Li Lai remained calm.

He had expected such a defensive intensity as early as before the game. Coach Larry Brown, his defense is not in vain.

It's just that he is also prepared and has full confidence in the Bucks players on the court.

on the field.

After failing to make a tactic in a row, Westbrook chose to eat the fat Felton alone with the ball.

Westbrook, who can only rely on speed and body to break through, is difficult to break through the opponent forcefully, so he was forced to stop after hitting the free throw line.

Rasheed Wallace suddenly made a false block for Curry at the bottom line three points. The Bobcats were attracted to double-team Curry's off-ball running at the same time. The Tebrook column moves.

Westbrook handed it to Rasheed.

This is a good pass and cut tactic!

Fatty Felton, who has excellent defensive awareness, said inwardly that he had suffered, because Tyson Chandler, the best defensive gatekeeper of the Bobcats inside, was dragged out of the outside by Yi Jianlian. With the double-teaming that attracts inside, no one inside can help defend Rasheed Wallace.

Chubby Felton could only bite the bullet and go up by himself. He was still bullying Westbrook with his body on his front foot, and he could only watch Rasheed Wallace humiliate him on his back foot.

boom!
Roaring Tianzun dunks!

"what!"

After dunking, Rashid yelled at Felton.

No one thought that the Bucks' first wave of offense turned out to be completed by Rasheed Wallace.

Larry Brown was stunned, he was a little surprised that the Bucks would use his defensive tactics to complete their offense.

Tyson Chandler fell into the trap of defending Yi Jianlian from the very beginning. Larry Brown thought that by limiting the pick-and-rolls of Westbrook and Yi Jianlian, he would be able to limit most of the Bucks' offense. Seems all wrong now.

"The offense of the Bucks has changed a lot, and it has been linked one after another. It is not enough to limit their first wave of offensive tactics."

next round.

Elvis Presley Gerald - Wallace struggled to get to the basket and forced Artest's foul.

For the Bobcats, this foul came in a timely manner, because they had already been blocked by the Bucks in the first wave of offense, and they turned their heads and were beaten by the opponent. If this wave of offense does not score again, With the Bucks' ability to score points, the score is likely to be directly drawn.

Elvis made two free throws.

The Bucks continued to attack.

Tyson Chandler is still using the defensive strategy before the game, and he will not leave Yi Jianlian. If the Bobcats' defense continues like this, then Yi Jianlian may not have many chances to score in this game.

However, what the Bucks are best at is relying on containment to play offensive tactics, especially the link of Yi Jianlian. When he pulls out the opponent's defensive inside line, the Bucks' pass-and-cut tactics can be skillfully played.

Moreover, the Bucks have a lot of players who can score, even if Yi Jianlian doesn't score a point, there is no problem at all.

This time, Curry ran around the baseline without the ball again, and the Bobcats did not dare to double-team at will, and only martial artist Stephen Jackson led the defense.

Stephen Jackson's defense is top in the league!Even Li Lai was eager to get him during the off-season.

In the last round, Stephen Jackson, who scored on Curry alone, got to the basket. This round, he felt the cute little rookie in front of him, with an extremely strong personality and an attitude of reporting revenge immediately.

After going around the screen, Curry received a wonderful pass from Westbrook, and made a decisive shot from outside the three-point line.

"Stephen Jackson didn't lose the ball!"

"So Curry is going to make a strong shot?"

"Can Coach Li Lai allow him to play like this in the playoffs?!"

Swish!
Three point shot!

Curry scored the goal, and the arrogant pilgrim saint Stephen Jackson shook his shoulders.

Kenny Smith on the commentary desk was almost speechless about this rookie. He had been beaten so many times by O'Neal and Rasheed Wallace, and this elementary school student dared to be so arrogant on the court.

However, when Kenny Smith looked curiously at the Bucks' bench, O'Neal applauded Curry's goal, and Rasheed Wallace even came over to celebrate Curry's high-five.

Kenny Smith doesn't understand the team culture of the Bucks, but Stephen Jackson, a former good brother of Artest, should remind Curry not to cause a fight between the two teams at this time.

As a result, Artest went straight to Stephen Jackson and gave him a glare in front of Curry.

The meaning of this glance is very clear: If you want to trouble my little brother, come and talk to me first!
Barkley was overwhelmed by the strength, fighting spirit and blood that the Bucks showed in the first game of the playoffs.

Originally, he was still worried that the Bucks won the first record in the league this season. If they were complacent in the playoffs, the famous coach Larry Brown might make them suffer.

As a result, judging from the offensive and defensive rounds just now and the status of the Bucks players, this is a very serious team from top to bottom, and they will never underestimate any opponent.

Look at the head coach of the Bucks, Li Lai. He nodded affirmatively at Curry. It is obvious that Curry's three-point shot just now was specially instructed by him before the game.

"Bobcats, Coach Larry Brown, you're having a hard time playing tonight."

(End of this chapter)