Pick Westbrook

Chapter 243 Attack Failed
The big screen at the scene quickly displayed the starting lineups of the two teams.

Bucks starting lineup: point guard Westbrook, shooting guard Curry, small forward Artest, power forward Villanueva and center Cousins.

Bulls starting lineup: point guard Derrick Rose, shooting guard Paul Pierce, small forward Luol Deng, power forward Carlos Boozer and center Joakim Noah.

Seeing the luxurious lineup of the Bulls, Barkley couldn't help shaking his head with admiration.

This season, Pierce averaged 17 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game in the regular season. Although the data has dropped a lot compared to the season when he led the Celtics to win the championship, in terms of competitiveness and strength on the court , Pierce is still a star with top 30 ability in the league.

Especially in scoring at critical moments, Truth Pierce saved the Bulls from the brink of desperation many times in the regular season.

In terms of playoff experience, Pierce is also the one who has seen the most big scenes among the Bulls players.

"It goes without saying that the Bulls are, without a doubt, a championship-caliber team because of the Paul Pierce trade."

Barkley opened his eyes and looked at the court, his face full of anticipation.

The Bulls are a team that is still building a team in the direction of a traditional strong team. This is one of the few remaining old-school teams in the entire league since the Bucks won the championship with three-pointers and small balls last season.

Compared with other teams that are popular for the championship, the Lakers have increased the proportion of three-pointers this season. The Heat almost abandoned the big center and are building a team with a flexible lineup. The Mavericks' outside shooters can Ranked among the top five in the league, the Spurs also have a lot of corner three-pointers this season.

Only the Bulls, they are a team built entirely on defense, and the team's coach is Tom Thibodeau, a well-known defensive master in the league.

Although this season is Tom Thibodeau's first time leading a game as a head coach, he is actually not a novice coach, but has been in the league for many years.

In 1981, Thibodeau, who graduated from college, stayed on the team and served as an assistant at Salem State University, starting his coaching career.

In 1984, Thibodeau, who was only 25 years old, became the coach of Salem State University after serving as an assistant coach for three years.

Then Thibodeau went to Harvard University as a teaching assistant. During his teaching at the university, Thibodeau continued to learn like a sponge absorbing water. He often participated in coach gatherings and watched the training sessions of the top coaches in the United States.

Such as Hall of Fame coaches Bob Knight, Rick Pitino, Hubie Brown and so on.

After serving as an assistant coach at Harvard for 4 years, Thibodeau became a very famous defensive madman in the NCAA because of his contribution to the team on the defensive end. Then he was called by the NBA and was appreciated by Coach Bill Musselman and went to the Timberwolves. Team.

Then came a full 21 years of teaching assistant career.

From Timberwolves to Spurs, then 76ers, Knicks, Rockets, Celtics
When he was with the Celtics, Thibodeau helped the team create the league's first defensive efficiency, which is comparable to the iron barrel team that coach Larry Brown built for the Pistons.

It is precisely because Thibodeau helped Garnett build a defensive system for the Celtics, and finally helped them win the championship that year.

It is worth mentioning that Yao Ming's defensive ability was only mediocre when he first entered the NBA. Thibodeau played a vital role in helping Yao Ming improve his defensive and shooting abilities.

This season, Thibodeau, who is 53 years old, finally became the head coach of an NBA team. That is, this season, he made the Bulls' inside defense the league's first.

"Thibs, he's a defensive master."

"But Li Lai, this kid's offensive accomplishments are probably no worse than any coach in the league."

Midfield jump ball.

Noah hunched over and beeped at Cousins ​​as soon as he came up.

"How dare you, a rookie, come to play in the Eastern Conference Finals? How do you want to die?"

Cousins, who was also hunched over, couldn't get angry when he heard this sentence, he stood up straight and sprayed back.

"I'm damn! Are you a guy who doesn't know the wind with his front teeth, and you deserve to look down on me?"

boom!
The referee standing on the center line couldn't bear the trash talk between the two, and threw the ball out of his hand early.

Cousins ​​and Noah both struggled to take off at the same time, and the basketball fell directly into Rose's hands under Noah's fingertips.

The Bulls attack the ball.

Noah, who grabbed the first wave of offensive possessions, applauded excitedly, and did not forget to say angrily to Cousins.

"You can't dance as high as a three-year-old kid, go home."

Game start.

Rose holds the ball across the half.

As soon as he fell into the positional battle, Noah immediately raised the high position at the top of the arc to pick and roll with Rose.

Both Westbrook and Cousins ​​chose to take a step back to defend at the same time, mainly defending Rose's breakthrough.

It's just that even if the two defended like this, Rose still firmly started to accelerate, passing through the gap between Westbrook and Cousins.

Because Noah mentioned that Cousins ​​​​was taken away from the line, the Bucks' penalty area was completely unguarded at this time.

Rose took off directly after one step into the free throw line.

boom!
A record of vigorously frying the frame with both hands.

Seeing this goal, Tyronn Lue immediately analyzed and said: "Ross' ability to break through after taking a pick-and-roll is too strong."

"We can rely on a two-man defense to take a step back to limit the breakthrough of most players, but it is really difficult to rely on this defensive strategy to limit Rose's breakthrough."

Li Lai nodded, and he also saw that Rose broke through the ball just now with ease.

More importantly, Noah was the main executor of the pick-and-roll in the round just now, because his lift took away Cousins, who had a certain ability to protect the frame in the penalty area. After Rose passed the first blockade, the Bucks The team also wants to rely on the players behind to help defend, which is simply not realistic.

"So, we still have to make a fuss about the first blockade."

The Bucks attack.

Cousins ​​took the initiative to reach out for the ball inside.

He was going to teach Noah a lesson and let the opponent know how irrational it was to provoke him like this before the opening.

Barkley said: "The Bucks' starting lineup stage had Cousins' inside singles tactics. Of course, most of the singles tactics designed by the Bucks coaching staff for Cousins ​​came from the singles designed by the Jazz for Iron Elbow Malone. "

"That tactic is not something everyone can master!"

"Cousins ​​played well under this tactic in the regular season and the last round of the playoffs, but what level of interior defense does the Knicks have?"

"What's more, in order to keep up with the flexible offensive speed of the Bucks, coach D'Antoni had to win the big center Jared Jeffries."

"Under this kind of inside defensive condition, Cousins ​​can play a good performance is predictable."

"But now, Noah is defending Cousins, and the Bucks are now facing the Bulls with a better overall defense."

Barkley would like to say that Joakim Noah is the league's second defense player this season.

His defense is not comparable to that of Jared Jeffries.

So in Barkley's view, Cousins' next offense may encounter great trouble.

Westbrook and Villanueva run the pick-and-roll.

After taking away Boozer who was in the penalty area, Curry mentioned that receiving the ball on the weak side once again attracted the focus of perimeter defense.

At this time, Cousins ​​​​actively moved laterally from the strong side to the right back to prepare to receive the ball.

Curry hit the ball steadily and passed it, and all the Bucks players on the field pulled away.

"Come on, single me!"

Looking at the singles tactics that the Bucks specially arranged for Cousins, Noah shouted excitedly.

Hearing this sentence, Cousins ​​was even more angry, and did not hesitate to use his best back and forth turn at this time.

boom!boom! !

Two consecutive clear muscle collision sounds sounded.

Noah stood completely still, but at this time he took the initiative to get up and pressed his chest against Cousins' back.

This is a very bold defensive choice.

Because at this time, once Cousins ​​continues to use forward or backward turns, he can pass Noah with a swing of his arm very easily.

Of course, choosing a defensive position like this also has a very good advantage, that is, once the opponent has difficulty getting out of the penalty area and can only choose to turn around and attack the frame, because the defensive player is close to the offensive player, the defensive player can be very good at the first time. Make a shot challenge.

"Let's see if Cousins ​​can turn around now!"

Cousins, who failed to turn around for the first time, smashed the ball and sank his shoulders. He first hit hard and then turned back and forth again in singles.

Cousins ​​originally thought that his all-out effort would definitely allow Noah to retreat a gap, thus gaining an offensive advantage after a physical confrontation.

But the result was far beyond his expectations.

Noah remained motionless.

"Is this the strength of the alliance's second defense!!!"

"How strong is Howard's defensive strength at the center position!"

Cousins, who failed consecutive back shots, could only choose to attack the frame head-on after turning around, and ended the attack with a slightly receding shot.

Duang!

It's hard.

Noah completely covered Cousins' shot, and even almost blocked the shot.

Noah, who defended the ball, deliberately walked in front of Cousins, and applauded excitedly again.

"You still want to hit me single-handedly? Eat me!"

Seeing Noah's arrogant appearance, Cousins ​​pushed him angrily.

This scene happened to be caught by the referee at the bottom line, who immediately blew his whistle.

beep!beep!
"foul."

Noah was even more proud, applauded non-stop, and gave the referee a thumbs up and said: "Beautiful blowing."

Artest pulled Cousins ​​angrily, and said impulsively, "What are you doing!"

Cousins' chest was still heaving, and he said angrily, "I just can't stand his arrogance."

Artest stared at Cousins ​​fiercely, held the opponent's jersey with both hands, and said in a deep voice: "This is the playoffs. All your teammates are thinking about how to win this game, but you So impulsive here."

"I will never allow anyone to waste their efforts."

This is the second time Cousins ​​has seen Artest look so angry. The last time Cousins ​​confronted coach Li Lai in team training was in the training camp.

That time, Artest was also extremely angry.

But the reasons for the two angers are different.

Although Cousins ​​knew he had done something wrong, his heart was still full of anger. At the same time, he gave another vicious look at Noah who continued to applaud happily.

Noah looked at Artest and Cousins ​​who were arguing, not to mention how proud he was, and applauded even more vigorously.

Bulls attack.

A sudden acceleration of Rose directly got rid of Westbrook's defense, and scored with a basket pull bar.

Switch offense.

Westbrook holds the ball.

He signaled to his teammates on the court to change the offensive tactics.

Obviously, Noah's personal defensive ability is too strong, and it is not a good idea to continue to force Cousins ​​​​in the paint.

Artest signaled his teammates to start running.

Cousins ​​made an off-ball screen from the right corner, and Curry went around the screen to the left corner.

Noah did not switch defenses as soon as the pick-and-roll was formed, because he knew very well that once the defense was switched, Cousins ​​would go to the inside without hesitation to fight big and small.

It's just that after Noah's defense in this way, Curry completely got rid of Pierce's defense.

It was difficult for Pierce to be Curry's opponent when he was running without the ball. Now there is an obvious distance between him and Curry, and it is even more troublesome to keep up with the opponent.

Fortunately, Luol Deng, the best perimeter defender of the Bulls, is still standing in the left corner.

He flanked Curry on the left side one step ahead of time, not giving him an easy chance to catch the ball and make a three-pointer.

It's just that Luol Deng's own defender Artest has a huge gap at this time.

Artest did not choose to mention the 45° angle at the top of the left arc to get a three-point shot, but chose to cut under the basket and raise his hand to get the ball.

Westbrook was about to pass the ball, but Boozer took a step inside from the free throw line, blocking Artest's cut-in route without the ball ahead of time.

"This defense is really good!"

Barkley couldn't help but began to praise.

The Bucks played a series of offensive cooperation in a row. If other teams were like the Knicks in the last round of the series, there must have been an excellent offensive opportunity on the court at this time.

But the Bulls just dared to defend Curry's off-ball running without taking the risk of changing defenses. They also had such defensive strength.

In this way, the Bucks' first wave of offensive tactics ended in failure.

As a fan of the Bucks, Ken Smith knows very well that two-thirds of the offensive tactics of the Bucks' starting lineup rely on Curry's off-the-ball running.

Now that the Bulls have restricted this offensive point, most of the Bucks' offensive tactics will be affected.

"As everyone predicted before the game, the Bucks will inevitably encounter a lot of challenges tonight."

Seeing that there was not much time left in the offensive round, Westbrook stopped thinking about playing tactical coordination, and turned to lower his center of gravity and dribble to prepare for singles.

Rose spread his hands and focused on defense.

At this time, Marshall quickly took out the statistics he prepared and said: "This season, Rose averaged 1.1 steals per game and 0.7 blocks per game."

"His defense is above the league average, and with the blessing of the Bulls' overall defensive system, it should be even stronger."

Li Lai took a detailed look at the data listed by Marshall.

When he first entered the league, although Rose's defense was not at the level of a horrible black hole, it was not too outstanding.

After all, even if he defends with physical talent, Rose's defensive level on the point guard line can easily pass.

(End of this chapter)