Pick Westbrook

Chapter 337 Completely Lost Suspense
Stevens reminded: "The Grizzlies are deliberately reducing the number of players in the rotation, trying to keep stronger players on the court for a long time."

"It can be seen that our offense in the first quarter put a lot of pressure on them."

Du Feng nodded in agreement with the slightly nervous expression on his face and said: "Because Rudy Gay continues to play, Jimmy Butler has to concentrate on the opponent's defensive attention."

"In this way, he will not be able to perform the defense switching and assisting tasks. If Beverly still switches to OJ-Mayo as in the last game, we will have no players to perform the switching and assisting defense tasks."

"But Beverley doesn't defend OJ-Mayo, and JR Smith seems to be difficult to handle the opponent."

Li Lai looked at the field in silence.

JR Smith is not a defensive colander player, he is just prone to distraction on the defensive end, and his defensive habits are very bad.

So sometimes JR Smith will make incomprehensible defensive moves on the court, which is fatal in the playoffs.

Li Lai arranged for Payton to try to change JR's defensive habits and problems, but the latter's progress on this point is not obvious.

At least during the game-heavy regular season and the desperate playoffs, it will be difficult for JR Smith to change this.

Therefore, when defending an offensive player like OJ-Mayo, JR Smith's judgment and handling on the defensive end will be a big problem.

Li Lai took a deep breath at this time and decided to say: "Still let Beverly switch defenses with JR Smith, so that he doesn't need to be distracted by other Grizzlies players on the field, and only needs to focus on his own defenders."

"Let Jimmy stalk Rudy Gay."

"Marreese Speights has good size and athleticism, he's quick on his feet, he's explosive around the rim. He's got a great touch."

"So Oden also can't lose the opponent in the paint."

"As for the player named Dante Cunningham, he is the worst player on the Grizzlies court today, and he has no outside three-pointer ability."

"If he has an offensive opportunity, don't try to help him!"

When Stevens heard the last sentence, he glanced at Li Lai in surprise.

Because in his mind, the opponent has never been an aggressive head coach, and he always handles every aspect of the team's tactics and offensive and defensive details on the court.

But in tonight's game, Li Lai actually made a tactical choice to actively miss Dante Cunningham. It can be seen that the Grizzlies have indeed brought him a lot of trouble.

Du Feng couldn't help but let out a long breath and said, "Unfortunately, Lewis' offense and defense are extremely unbalanced. Although Dior is very versatile, he doesn't have the ability to defend big men inside."

"We have never had a player who is very satisfying both offensively and defensively at the power forward position, otherwise why fear the Grizzlies."

Li Lai also sighed at this time.

This is indeed the current weakness of the Hornets, and it has a great impact on the entire team.

In Li Lai's defensive system, there has always been a need for a flexible power forward who can change defenses infinitely, and at the same time be able to resist that kind of big player inside.

Such requirements are naturally extremely high for players in this position, and the requirements for physical talent are higher than personal abilities.

This kind of player who can flexibly switch defenses and help defenses, is extremely strong and can top a big center is hard to come by at any time, and he will definitely be the top pick.

"It's not just the defensive system, the reason why the Hornets' offensive system is not fully opened is precisely because of the lack of this player."

on the field.

As Beverley switched defenses to OJ-Mayo, the latter's offense was repeatedly blocked.

However, to the surprise of Li Lai and the entire Hornets coaching staff, even under the double defense of Beverly's body and mind, OJ-Mayo still played a good efficiency.

Li Laidu was extremely surprised by this performance.

The Grizzlies took this opportunity to get close to tying the score.

However, Dior's pass and Jimmy Butler's air cut quickly opened the score,

Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins found Dante Cunningham's struggles on offense and traded in Zach Randolph early in order to win tonight's game , and bombed the Hornets' power forward in singles in advance.

Barkley said excitedly: "Zach Randolph's singles are coming again!"

"In the last game, it was because of Zach Randolph's incomprehensible performance on the offensive end that the Hornets fell short and lost the game by a narrow margin."

"In this game, Coach Lionel Hollins continued to let Zach Randolph bully the Hornets' power forward on the court. How is Coach Li Lai going?"

Kenny Smith remembered that in the post-match interview after the last game, Li Lai took the initiative to take all the responsibilities, and promised that he would not let the team fall into such a desperate situation again, and would definitely find a limit Zach Lando Husband this way.

"So let us wait and see what kind of defensive tactics the Hornets will come up with at this time."

CCTV commentary desk.

Su Qun said very firmly: "Don't look at the Hornets' current lead on the court, as long as they can't solve Zach Randolph, there is still a great possibility of losing tonight's game."

Yu Jia agreed: "Marc Gasol is the shield of the Grizzlies, and Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay are the spears of the Grizzlies."

"The Hornets broke the Grizzlies shield, but if they can't do anything about either of those two spears, they're still going to be a series underdog."

"Now, it's up to the Hornets to deal with it at this time."

beep!beep!
The referee whistled and the Hornets signaled a substitution.

Leonard took off his coat and walked in front of Li Lai, who patted his head and didn't say anything more.

Li Lai knew that for Leonard, who was not good at words, there was no need to say too much.

Leonard walked on the court, he was still in a deadpan mood, he didn't even look at Zach Randolph on the court, the Grizzlies from the coaching staff to the players didn't know the deep meaning of the opponent's appearance at this time .

But Jimmy Butler and Beverley are clear.

Game start.

The Grizzlies attack.

Mike Conley held the ball to signal to clear one side, and Zach Randolph moved strongly against Dior's defense from the strong side to the weak side and opened his hands for the ball.

"This is Zach Randolph's favorite low-post position. Not to mention Diaw, who is not good at defensive power inside, even those players with amazing defensive ability in this position, it is difficult to play in this position. Limit Zach Randolph's offense."

Su Qun thought of Tim Duncan from the last round of the series.

That's known as at least the top three players in history at the power forward position, but even he didn't play extremely efficient defense when defending Zach Randolph.

It forced Zach Randolph to hit 50% of his field goals, and crushed Duncan's average of 18 points, 10 rebounds and 2 steals per game.

So in Su Qun's view, if the Hornets still let Diaw defend Zach Randolph, then the end is doomed.

"Don't guide Su! The Hornets are double-teaming!"

Yu Jia suddenly shouted at this moment.

Su Qun hurriedly looked at the field.

The moment Zach Randolph received the ball inside, Leonard decisively shrank the inside to double-team.

Randolph, who was as strong as a bull, savagely charged in the penalty area, holding the ball and raising his head, throwing two elbows in a row, hoping to directly block Leonard and Diaw in front of him.

It's just that Randolph completely underestimated the determination of the Hornets to defend him. Diaw tried his best in the interior and never gave Randolph the opportunity to easily enter the interior.

Diaw's defense gave Leonard more defensive options. He no longer worried that Randolph would rely on brute force to push the two into the interior at this time, so he didn't need to worry about defending the line of travel. shoot the ball.

A quick eye!
Leonard hugged the basketball directly with his claws like pincers. Randolph felt his current crisis on the offensive end. He also held the basketball tightly with both hands, and twisted his waist hard to shake it.

He thought he could get rid of Leonard with his own brute force, but in fact, the scene on the court was indeed like this.

Leonard was thrown two steps sideways by Randolph, who was as strong as a bear.

But what Randolph never expected was that Jimmy Butler saw the situation inside and rushed into the penalty area without hesitation, also putting his hands on the basketball.

One ball, six hands.

"Bring it to you!"

Jimmy Butler also pulled hard in the direction of Leonard, and Dio secretly pushed with both hands behind him, and the three of them exerted their strength at the same time.

At this time, even Randolph, the big black bear, couldn't bear such strength, so he leaned forward and fell to the ground without standing still.

"The Hornets are going to play fast break!"

beep!beep!
Just as Kenny Smith shouted excitedly, ready to meet the Hornets' fast-break bombing, the referee on the sideline suddenly blew his whistle, signaling Jimmy Butler to make a defensive foul.

"I rely on!"

Jimmy Butler threw the ball with his head in his hands and was extremely speechless, and went to the referee again and again to explain that he had not fouled.

The referee was also unambiguous, and said directly: "Three people besieged one person, don't tell me that there is no foul, such a secret opportunity, even a pig will do it."

Kenny Smith couldn't help complaining at the on-site commentary stand: "It's a pity, both teams are strong defensive teams, so every point is very important to the two teams."

"If the Hornets succeed in this fast break, the Grizzlies will face a bigger problem in tonight's game."

Barkley shook his head and said: "Although the Hornets did not counterattack successfully with this ball, this wave of defense on the court is undoubtedly successful."

"Beverly, Leonard and Jimmy Butler."

"Three of the Hornets' craziest perimeter defensive players appeared on the court at the same time, and the three were also the Hornets' most capable perimeter players."

"If there is no accident, in the next game, Randolph will encounter one of the three or two double-teams in every single play."

Barkley would like to say that the Hornets really succeeded in defending Randolph!

Coach Li Lai did not disappoint everyone. After the post-match press conference of the last game, Randolph will face this double-teaming problem in all future games.

CCTV commentary desk.

Su Qun was extremely satisfied and said: "Don't think that what the Hornets are using is an ordinary double-teaming tactic, but they are also double-teaming and they have done a very good job in details."

"Diao guards the line and rushes to the basket. Leonard is the first double-team point. His defensive method is to interfere with Randolph's offense."

"If Randolph still does not choose to hit the ball at this time, or executes the offense by himself, then Jimmy Butler on the other side will double-team again."

"Jimmy Butler's double-teaming obviously has the meaning of ending. As the last double-teaming point, his task is obviously very dead, so the defensive action is also great."

"Either defend Randolph's offense or foul, you can only choose one of the two."

Yu Jia nodded in agreement.

After all, in order to defend Randolph, the Hornets have already taken a three-man double-team. In the past playoffs, how many stars except Kobe have such treatment.

So they have already taken such a defense. If Randolph can still score, it will be a heavy blow to the Hornets.

That's why Jimmy Butler has only two options as the final double-team point.

Even a foul can't make Randolph score easily.

"Coach Li Lai's defensive arrangements are very appropriate." Su Qun said suddenly.

Yu Jia was startled and didn't quite understand why Su Qun said such words at this time.

Su Qun smiled and continued, "Because of the Hornets' defensive arrangement."

"Leonard is used as the first double-team point because he has a long arm and can effectively interfere with Randolph, who is taller."

"Let Jimmy Butler become the second double-team point because the opponent plays more passionately on the court and is also prone to foul tasks."

"In terms of the details of players' offensive and defensive arrangements, Coach Li Lai is always impressive and highly praised. He is a very serious and cautious head coach in terms of tactical details."

"That's something a passing coach like Popovich or Phil Jackson can't do."

Hearing that Su Qun had such a high evaluation of the other party, Yu Jia frowned and did not nod in agreement.

He interjected, "Of course Popovich and Coach Phil Jackson also have their own advantages and characteristics, which Coach Li Lai did not have."

"But Li Lai is indeed a very remarkable head coach."

on the field.

Randolph still wanted to try his own singles. This time he was no longer reckless, and decisively passed the ball to Tony Allen on the outside just before Leonard double-teamed.

The Grizzlies obviously underestimated Li Lai's defensive tactics.

Another more important reason why he made Leonard the first double-team point is that Tony Allen has no shooting ability.

Even if Randolph can pass the ball to him immediately, the Hornets' players on the field can still return to the defense as soon as possible.

"Zach Randolph is finally on our guard!"

The third quarter is over.

The Hornets have led the Grizzlies by 80 points 70:10.

Final game.

When Paul played, the Hornets successfully played the pick-and-roll and inside-out defense tactics twice in a row, and Gasol was called out again.

Paul made a mid-range fallback and a pass assisted Jordan with an alley-oop dunk, completely expanding the lead.

The double-digit point difference, for the Grizzlies with weak defense against strong offense, is almost a quarter of points, and the game completely loses suspense.

Finally the game is over.

The Hornets won the game 105:92.

The big score was tied 1:1.

(End of this chapter)