Pick Westbrook

Chapter 165 The Soul of the Bucks

The Bucks attack.

Dragic advances with the ball.

Rajon Rondo seems to want to show some color to this little-known player in front of him, so the whole court is tight and the defense is very aggressive.

Dragic kept his center of gravity low at all times, and did not fall into Rajon Rondo's defensive trap, but played steadily and always put the ball protector between the ball and Rajon Rondo.

This is the most basic ball-protecting movement, and it is also an action that most point guards disdain to do.

Rajon Rondo frowned tightly, because he found that the player in front of him turned out to be a much more stable player than Westbrook.

Tylen Lue said off the court: "Although Dragic often wanders in sensual places, he is not the kind of extremely unreliable player. On the contrary, he is very stable and trustworthy on the court. I am afraid this is why he has been unwilling to start a family. s reason."

Marshall nodded in agreement off the court, but he disagreed with Tylen Lue's last sentence.

"He's just lustful and loves money, and it has nothing to do with prudence if he doesn't have a family."

"He's just greedy for other people's bodies, he's mean."

After dribbling for halftime, Dragic organized an offense.

O'Neal suddenly sank to a deep position in the penalty area and raised his hand to ask for the ball. Garnett naturally knew what the big shark, who had once dominated the league, wanted to do at this time, so he desperately squeezed the opponent out of the penalty area.

"Garnett's power is good!"

"Although O'Neal has an advantage in weight, Garnett is better at continuous physical confrontation. The two almost tied in the physical confrontation."

While Kenny Smith and Barkley were discussing, Dragic, who had never found a chance to pass the ball, waved his hand on the field, indicating to play another tactic.

Curry went around the baseline and rushed directly at Garnett. This scene stunned Ray Allen behind him.

"Kevin is so hot-tempered, you dare to rush at him at such a small age?"

But Curry just went!
He blocks directly in front of Garnett, and O'Neal circles the screen, asks for the ball and rolls to the other side of the waist.

Ray Allen glanced at O'Neal who came in front of him inexplicably.

Ray Allen:
Dragic made a decisive pass.

Garnett came back to his senses and slapped Curry away.

Don't look at this guy's actions are not obvious, his hands are full of insidious tricks, Garnett is famous for his small moves on the court.

Curry, who was called away, didn't ask the referee for a foul, but ran straight to the baseline sensibly.

"It happened!"

Ray Allen was the first to react and quickly followed.

O'Neal glanced at Curry, who was already being followed, and did not pass the ball, but began to sit low.

"This tactic played well! The Bucks designed two offensive opportunities at the same time."

"One is Curry's off-the-ball run with the baseline pick-and-roll, and the other is O'Neal's low-post catch."

Obviously, even if the Celtics' defense is the first in the league, it is impossible for them to prevent the Bucks from two offensive opportunities at the same time.

O'Neill started playing singles!

Rivers nervously rushed to the sideline of the court at this time and shouted: "Don't double-team! Never!"

The Celtics players on the court also discovered at this time that the Bucks had three three-point shooters on the court, Curry, Dragic and Yi Jianlian.

Artest, the only one who is not good at shooting three-pointers, also has a 36% three-point shooting percentage. The key is that the opponent is still at a 45° angle on the weak side at this time, and that place is the least likely position for players to double-team O'Neal.

Therefore, once the Celtics rush to double-team at this time, O'Neal's pass is an easy three-point shot.

Garnett can only hardtop O'Neal.

One library!Erku!

Garnett is motionless!This defensive experience and skills are already very good.

O'Neill turned around flexibly and directly took all of Garnett's strength, and the opponent almost flew out.

Dunk!

"The big shark snapped the hanging frame!!!"

Kenny Smith was already thrilled at the commentary booth.

"This is the first time that O'Neal has used his classic dunk on the frame this season."

"He's 38 years old!"

O'Neal, who dunked Garnett, was full of arrogance. He looked at the opponent and said, "Just defend? My grandma can hit you single-handedly!"

Garnett was very upset with his dark face, because he didn't have the upper hand in defending O'Neal throughout his career. To be precise, he, an inside player at a power forward, shouldn't be defending a super center of O'Neal's tonnage at all.

Off the court, Rivers held his head and took a few breaths.

"It's been calculated!"

The current Bucks have no longer played flexible offensive tactics, but have switched to positional warfare.

Originally, Rivers also had a trump card tactic aimed at the opponent's super insider. He also relied on this tactic to defend the Lakers' twin-tower lineup in the finals, but at this time he dared not use it. Tactics to play the Bucks.

Barkley guessed what Rivers was thinking, shook his head again and again and said: "If you dare to use zone defense tactics to fight the Bucks, you are looking for death."

"I don't know that the game between the Bobcats and the Bucks has been so difficult, and Larry Brown didn't dare to use zone defense to limit the Bucks. He could only use a simplified version of the inside line."

"But just the simplified version of the iron bucket formation allowed the Bucks to make the most three-pointers in a single game in the history of the playoffs. It is conceivable."

"So Coach Rivers must not have such thoughts."

Celtics offense.

Garnett took the initiative to catch the ball at the waist and singled O'Neal.

He couldn't guard O'Neill, and naturally the opponent couldn't guard him either.

Garnett broke through the basket and scored directly after a three-threat.

"In the end, neither of the two teams was able to limit anyone."

Barkley let out a long breath, this is a championship team, if it can be so easily restrained, it is not worthy of being a championship team.

The first quarter is over.

The Bucks maintained the lead with 28:26.

This is the second time Kenny Smith has seen the Bucks score less than 30 points in the first quarter. He really wants to say that the Celtics' defense has indeed been done very well.

The second game.

Bucks lineup: Westbrook, Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, Villanueva and Yi Jianlian.

Celtics Lineup: Nate Robinson, Michael Finley, Paul Pierce, Glenn Davis and Kendrick Perkins.

Kenny Smith said: "The Celtics used a 9-man rotation in this playoffs. I have to admit that Coach Rivers made a very smart choice."

"If he dares to bring up Brian Scalabrine, Marquese Daniels and Sheldon Williams to play against the Bucks, I'm afraid he will be taken away by a direct wave of offense."

Barkley nodded. Tony Allen can only work harder in this round of the series, because he is the most advantageous vanguard in defending the Bucks' outside offense.

From the perspective of the first quarter of the game, the Bucks' outside line is too incomprehensible except Curry's hair, and even Westbrook, the regular season MVP, failed to play. This is Tony Allen and Kyle. Credit to the rest of the Specials' defensive players.

It's just that Barkley was shocked to see a Bucks player on the court at this time.

"Rashid Wallace."

If Barkley remembers well, after replacing O'Neal in advance, it was Rasheed Wallace who was taken down. At this time, the opponent's play did not match the Bucks' play style in the regular season.

Barkley looked curiously at the Celtics lineup on the court.

"It's Paul Pierce!!!"

Kenny Smith looked back, not knowing why his old partner exclaimed at this time, but after hearing Paul Pierce's name, he said directly.

"Although Garnett is the strongest player on the Celtics, there is no doubt that Paul Pierce is the boss of this team."

"His offense and singles are the team's most important offensive means at critical moments, and his scoring in regular time is also very important."

"It's just unfortunate that Garnett was the one who attacked almost all of the first quarter. Paul Pierce got a few offensive opportunities, but they were all restricted by Artest."

The game continues.

Westbrook took the initiative to give the ball to Iverson and immediately played a pick and roll for the opponent.

This pick-and-roll Westbrook is completely aimed at blocking people.

The better defensive Michael Finley was completely blocked by Westbrook, and Nate Robinson had to defend Iverson.

"Nate Robinson was drafted in 05. During the regular season, he averaged 8 points, 1 rebound and 3 assists per game. He is a good backup firepower output point for the Celtics."

"But his defense and height are a bit lacking. Fortunately, Iverson is not a tall and strong player, and it's okay for the two to match up physically."

Before Kenny Smith finished speaking, Barkley said directly: "It's right?! Nate Robinson's registered height is 175cm. I believe he is a ghost!"

"This little potato is only 172cm tall with shoes on, and 168cm tall with bare feet. Isn't he a natural disadvantage when he goes against Iverson?"

Barkley continued: "This guy is no different from Big Ben Wallace. He likes to report his height. The key is that Big Ben Wallace still knows how to put an afro on top. Nate Robinson even has an afro. Do not stay."

Kenny Smith smiled awkwardly, knowing that Barkley was right.

Iverson lowered his focus and prepared for singles.

At the same time, the Bucks ambushed two pitchers, Villanueva and Yi Jianlian, on the outside. Westbrook and Rasheed Wallace both chose the corner positions closest to the basket.

As long as Iverson completes the offense, the two can also rush in to grab rebounds in the first place.

After all, Glenn Davis and Kendrick Perkins, the Celtics' best rebounders at this time, have been taken out of the penalty area by Villanueva and Yi Jianlian. When suppressing the Celtics rebounds.

"Iverson started dribbling!"

"Swap your left hand for your right hand, and your right hand for your left hand. This breakthrough looks really simple, but the range of fake moves is a bit exaggerated."

"Nate Robinson wisely chose to step back and defend. His small size can keep up with Iverson's rhythm."

"Butterflies piercing flowers! Break through a back movement on the left side and pull back to the right hand, picking up the basket with one hand."

The ball is in!
After scoring the goal, Iverson was very calm. If he could have encountered such an exaggerated space for the Bucks in the early stages of his career, then he would have surpassed Jordan in scoring.

Iverson has such confidence.

Iverson on the field didn't smile, but this appearance made Barkley laugh out loud. He always felt that Iverson's face was full of rebellion and hair, which was very funny.

Rivers crossed his arms off the court.

Not only facing the Bucks, once Garnett is off the field, the Celtics will drop a lot of defensive threats when facing any opponent in the league, so he can accept the scene of being easily scored by the opponent at this time.

"The key at this stage depends on whether our offense can keep up with the Bucks."

Celtics offense.

Paul Pierce, who didn't play much throughout the first quarter, took the initiative to come to the three-point line to receive the ball, and it was Rasheed Wallace who defended him.

Pierce also implements singles tactics.

A standard floor flow left dribble pulls the right back singles.

But Rasheed Wallace, who has a better height and wingspan, is by no means a good choice.

So Pierce turned around and slid to the bottom line in an instant with his back, and after attracting Rasheed Wallace's shrinking defense, he immediately retreated to open up space and chose a mid-range shot.

Swish!
The basketball is steadily drawn into the hoop.

The Celtics' offense has caught up!
"Pierce, who has a lot of offensive skills in Rasheed's defense, is not a good choice."

After seeing this flaw, Tyronn Lu hurriedly said to Li.

Li Lai nodded as expected. Pierce's singles ability has always been commendable, so it is difficult for Rasheed Wallace, who is good at defending and playing with his body, to keep up with the opponent's flexible pace.

Artest is different, he can limit Paul Pierce's offense very well, because what he does is one defense and one defense.

"But we can't use Ron in a transitional way like last season. The playoffs are a series of long games, and we have to take time to figure it out."

"Paul Pierce did score at this time, but we also maintained our offensive firepower, and more importantly, we are still ahead."

In the second quarter, the game completely fell into the singles of Iverson and Pierce, and the two also efficiently completed the offensive tasks assigned by the team.

Only in the last minute, Li Lai suddenly called a timeout and arranged a three-pointer offensive tactic from the outside.

This sudden tactical change caught the Celtics by surprise. Yi Jianlian and Villanueva hit three-pointers one after another to widen the gap.

55: 50.

"We have to show our defensive posture. We are the best defensive team in the league. We can't let the Bucks score so easily on us."

"Kevin, you have to set an example for everyone on the team defensively!"

"Ray, Paul! Start the offense, the team needs you to stand up at this time."

Rivers has already felt great offensive pressure from the Bucks, and he has to motivate the players to perform better.

Garnett roared and clapped furiously towards the court, where he was more like the leader of the Celtics.

The third quarter of the game.

The Celtics once again increased their defensive strength, and their defense, which was already impossible to improve, was directly turned into a hand-to-hand battle by them.

Garnett hugged Westbrook inside, Pierce knocked Curry to the ground who was running without the ball, and Tony Allen's death entanglement also put great defensive pressure on the other Bucks players.

"The players of the Bucks in this quarter were a little stunned!"

Barkley wanted to say that Ginger was still old and hot. The sudden terrifying physical confrontation brought up by the Celtics put great pressure on the young players of the Bucks and made it difficult for the opponent to adapt.

"Although the Bucks scored 10 free throws in this quarter and caused a total of 8 fouls by the Celtics, their offensive efficiency dropped in this quarter."

Bucks coaching bench.

Looking at the score of 77:78 on the court, the team fell behind instead, Li Lai angrily threw the tactical board directly to the ground.

"A group of eggless people beat you like this?"

"They dare to go to the body, why can't you go!"

"In the last quarter of the game, Garnett dared to hug and fall in the paint again, and hit me with an elbow, I said it!"

"Show me the blood of a man! The NBA is the battlefield! Basketball is a man's sport!"

Tyronn Lue's blood was surging when he heard it from the sidelines. This was the second time he saw Li Lai so angrily motivating the players to play on the court.

Indeed, the Bucks are a youth army, the players are very young, so it is difficult to compare with these old ball ruffians in terms of some small moves and intrigues.

Because they were bullied and the referee didn't blow the whistle, it was inevitable that they were a little bit uneasy, which inevitably affected their offensive level and shooting touch.

Tyronn Lue looked at Westbrook, Curry and others who were motivated by Li Lai. He finally knew that Li Lai brought more than just tactical things to the team. The team has injected a soul, a team culture that will never admit defeat and fight to the end.

"Bucks! Launch a counterattack!"

(End of this chapter)