Pick Westbrook

Chapter 338 A Very Dangerous Situation

In an interview after the game, Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins spoke out ahead of time without waiting for the reporters to ask questions.

"Yes, we got a good lesson from the Hornets tonight."

"Whether it's the starting lineup or the rotation lineup, we haven't been able to establish an advantage."

"But even such a big score is only 1:1. The next game will return to Memphis, which will be our home court."

"The Grizzlies still have home-court advantage in their hands."

After the interview, the mood on Coach Lionel Hollins' face was not as upbeat as it was in the interview.

Because the Hornets' offensive and defensive system really found the weakness of the Grizzlies, just like the Grizzlies found the weakness of the Hornets' power forward position in the last game.

But the difference is that the coaching staff of the Hornets quickly made adjustments and solved this problem, while Lionel Hollins still has nothing to do with the Hornets' tactics of transferring away from Gasol and double-teaming Randolph inside. No idea of ​​a solution.

5 month 18 day.

Game [-] of the Western Conference Semifinals.

FedEx Arena.

Fans in Memphis are excited and confident that the Grizzlies will win tonight.

Because they defeated the championship favorite Spurs in the first round.

Game start.

The Grizzlies showed a great desire to fight as soon as they came up. Paul and Jordan's pick-and-roll, which worked very well in the last game, encountered a great crisis tonight.

Paul stumbled when he borrowed a pick-and-roll from the outside!
In order to defend the outside pick-and-roll tactics that the Hornets are very good at and effective, the Grizzlies have already got the answer in the last game.

It is difficult for conventional defense to restrict Paul and Jordan, but it will allow the opponent to play a classic alley-oop cooperation.

So in this game, Mike Conley and Tony Allen directly lifted their feet and staggered their bodies when defending Paul's pick-and-roll, and did not give Paul any chance to easily execute tactics.

In this case, Gasol no longer needs to stay away from the penalty area, but stays at his most comfortable basket to support the entire Grizzlies defensive system.

The Hornets' offenses in the first three rounds were all blocked.

"This is not a foul! Have you made a mistake! Stumbled! Didn't you see it!"

Seeing Paul, who was once again stumbled by Tony Allen on the field and directly fell to the ground clutching his ankle in pain, Li Lai finally couldn't hold back the anger in his heart, pointed at the three referees on duty and started to rant.

Stevens and Du Feng sensiblely stopped Li Lai to avoid further expansion of the situation.

The referee on duty also directly put the whistle in his mouth, and warned Li Lai not to make trouble with his eyes.

It's just that Stevens, Du Feng, and the referee didn't expect it. In the past, Li Lai, who always gave up as soon as it was good, didn't easily put the team in a more difficult situation because of his technical offender, unexpectedly Not forgiving this time.

No matter how Stevens and Du Feng pulled Li back and forth to the coach's bench, the opponent still pointed at the three referees and scolded them.

"Whistleblowing like you will only turn the game into a brawl, and there is nothing to watch."

"If Chris Paul was injured under such an assault, the three of you are the executioners who caused it because you didn't predict the end in advance and prevent the end."

"Remember, if my players get into a fight later, it's your choice!"

"(Fuck dish)!"

When Du Feng heard Li Lai's sudden national curse, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Facing Li Lai who suddenly went berserk, the three referees obviously underestimated the other party's dissatisfaction with the referee's extreme favoritism in tonight's game.

beep!beep!
Li Lai was called for a technical foul.

The Grizzlies made two free throws and exchanged possession.

"Coach Li Lai's technical foul is a bit too unworthy."

"Mike Conley made two free throws and the score has come to 4:0."

"Compared to falling behind in the score, the Hornets need to worry more about the fact that they still haven't opened up on the offensive end."

"If the Hornets had such an offensive efficiency throughout the game, then there would be no need to play tonight's game."

Yu Jia couldn't help but shook his head and said.

Su Qun had a different opinion, because he saw the reaction of the players on the Hornets when they saw Li Lai being so angry about stumbling.

Paul slightly twisted his left foot, which had been tripped all the time, and then looked at Coach Li Lai who was whistled for a technical foul with his hands on his hips, his face was full of anger.

Little Jordan with the dreadlocks twisted his neck, and the dreadlocks swayed. His eyes were hidden under the dreadlocks, and he stared at the Grizzlies.

Leonard still had a robotic expression on his face, but his eyes kept lingering on Li Lai and the Grizzlies players.

"Although Li Lai's technical offense allowed the Grizzlies to get a free throw opportunity, I saw a fire."

"A fire that's been around since the game started."

Barkley said very seriously.

The game continues.

Hornets attack.

Paul still encountered a stumbling defense on the outside, and the three referees were still indifferent to this.

Paul stumbled, but the basketball was still moving smoothly in his hands.

The Hornets' offensive tactics failed. Paul was still defended by Tony Allen, and the opponent was the player who defended Paul best in the Grizzlies in this round of the series.

Facing Tony Allen's defense, Paul lowered his center of gravity and dribbled the ball continuously, and then took a cross step to the basket with the ball.

After reaching the free throw line, Paul changed hands and dribbled the ball alone. The basketball moved from his right hand to his left hand, and then he pulled the basket with his left hand and turned behind his back, turning around and taking a step back, leaning back in the middle distance.

call.

Tony Allen said badly, even if his defense was a step slower, he still rushed over with his rich defensive experience.

Swish!
hit!

Paul fell to the ground at the same time. After watching the basketball go into the net, he clenched his fist with one hand.

"The Hornets struggled to make the first offense. At this time, Paul took on the tasks that the boss of the team should undertake."

Kenny Smith said in admiration.

Although before this season, all coaches and players in the league knew how powerful Paul is.

But no one really thought that Paul could form a dominant force on the court, especially in the playoffs, because of the famous 58 tragedy.

"In the fourth game of the first round of the 2009 playoffs, the Hornets led by Paul lost to the opponent Nuggets with a huge difference of 63:121."

"The 58-point difference also tied the record for the largest point difference in NBA playoff history. Because Paul's performance in that game was very poor, this shameful number has also become a point of criticism for basketball fans all over the world. .”

Barkley is very aware of what Paul has encountered since the 09 playoffs. That is the biggest shameful record in the NBA playoffs, and it will always be placed on Paul in the future.

As long as someone asks what is the biggest point difference in the NBA playoffs and who created it, Paul's name will be mentioned time and time again.

Barkley, who was born as a player, can understand the pressure Paul is facing now.

"This is the NBA, this is the professional arena, no one cares about what you have gone through, only what you have done."

"But I still want to say that Chris Paul is really a very good point guard player."

next round.

Paul used Jordan's pick-and-roll from outside the three-point line to force a three-pointer and scored again. His continuous personal offense ignited the entire Hornets bench.

Jimmy Butler waved a towel and yelled at the court, "Come on, Chris, fuck these sons of bitches."

Diaw was so excited that he applauded repeatedly, Beverly imitated Paul's three-point shot arrogantly, and taunted the Grizzlies players on the court.

The Grizzlies urgently called a timeout.

Coach Lionel Hollins saw that the Hornets were about to start, and Paul felt unstoppable tonight. He had to double-team Chris Paul for the first time since the series.

Yu Jia saw the change of the Grizzlies' defensive tactics on the court. He shook his head and said, "Teaming Paul is not a good choice."

"Paul's passing ability is extremely strong, and the passing of the ball is very comfortable, and the shooting percentage of his teammates has obviously increased slightly when they receive his pass."

"So, if the Grizzlies really choose to double-team Paul's defense, this may be a picture that the Hornets particularly want to see."

Su Qun was not as optimistic as Yu Jia thought at this time.

He said: "In previous years' series, the Hornets would always fall short at critical moments, and Paul would always pull his hips in the playoffs."

"The cause of this series of reasons is the opponent's double-team tactics."

"Paul's passing ability is unquestionable, at least the top five in the league today, and his offense and small play ability are also among the top in the league."

"So double-teaming him was really a bad decision?"

"Not necessarily."

"After all, Paul is the only All-Star player in the entire Hornets team. Jordan has no independent offensive ability at all, and Vince Carter is already very old."

"It is impossible to hand over the offense of the Hornets to a rookie like Leonard, who is also weak in offense and strong in defense."

On-site commentary desk.

Barkley also has the same opinion as Su Qun.

He opened his mouth wide and laughed, "The Grizzlies should have been so defensive."

"Past playoffs have proved that when Paul faces great defensive pressure, his team is always difficult to play a very strong performance and lose the game."

"Coach Lionel Hollins also forget about the Hornets' restrictions on Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph."

"It only needs to double-team Chris Paul, and all the offense and defense of the entire Hornets will completely collapse."

Hornets coaching bench.

Du Feng looked at Li Lai in shock after seeing the defensive tactics that the Grizzlies suddenly used on the field.

As early as the preseason, Li Lai had been saying to Du Feng and Stevens: Regardless of Paul's pass control ability, which is top in the league, he has been trying to use him to handle all the team's offensive possessions. Force opponents to make up their minds to prevent double-teaming Paul.

No matter how powerful Paul's pass control ability is, it is impossible to reflect his value and ability under such a defense, so at this time the Hornets must need a second good ball handler to stand up.

This is why Li Lai traded for Dior in the middle of the season.

Stevens knew that Li Lai had expected that Paul would be double-teamed in the future game, so he was not at all worried about the double-teaming tactic that the Grizzlies suddenly used.

He looked at Li Lai and said, "Coach, replace Dior in advance at this time?"

Li Lai shook his head and rejected the proposal with a smile.

After Dior is replaced, the Hornets will naturally have a good setter to solve the problem of Paul being double-teamed, but Li Lai does not want to do this at this time.

The reason is still the same as it was with Zach Randolph in Game [-].

Li Lai was very worried about Zach Randolph's defensive problems after Diaw came on the court. At the same time, he was more worried about the impact on the Hornets' rotation with Diaw in advance.

Li Lai raised his hand at this time to signal, and all the Hornets players on the field saw this action.

"Kawhi!"

Outside the three-point line, Paul, who was double-teamed by Mike Conley and Tony Allen, yelled, and then threw the ball to the other side of the three-point line like a cannonball.

Leonard catches the ball, his face still robotically blank.

It was Rudy Gay who switched in front of him at this time.

But because Paul was double-teamed on the strong side, the Grizzlies couldn't defend the inside, so they didn't do a good job in rotation defense.

Rudy Gay is equivalent to defending Leonard and Vince Carter at the same time. The former stands between the two and paces back and forth to test. He doesn't know who to defend. He can only hope that Tony Allen, who is involved in double-teaming, will be able to as soon as possible. Turn around.

Leonard opened his hand slightly outside the three-point line, and Rudy Gay was immediately attracted and rushed over.

Leonard has a 38% three-point shooting percentage higher than the league average this season. Rudy Gay will not easily let the opponent go short anyway.

"This is the time!"

Leonard passed the ball to Vince Carter in the bottom corner.

If it is other teams at this time, there is a high probability that Vince Carter will only have an open three-point shooting opportunity, but the overall defense and discipline of the Grizzlies are very good.

So Zach Randolph rushed to the outside line at the first time, and then flew directly to the past.

"Vince Carter hit the ground pass!"

"Leonard cuts down and goes to the basket!"

boom! ! !
Gasol has already rushed over, but facing Leonard who also took off completely, he has no choice but to act as the background board.

Leonard dunks on a rider! !

"My God, Leonard can handle the ball and drive to the basket?"

"Isn't he a three-point shooter and the defensive core of the Hornets!"

Yu Jia was shocked and speechless.

The No. 15 rookie selected by the Pacers this year really gave all the commentators and commentators too many surprises.

"The MVP of the Rookie Challenge, the best rookie of the season, almost squeezed out Irving's iron gate by defense."

"Leonard showed me more of his possibilities in the round just now. He is really more than just defensive!"

Su Qun couldn't help but praised and said: "The Hornets made a lot of money in the deal with the Pacers. Leonard will not only be a qualified 3D player in the future, he may even become an All-Star player."

On-site commentary desk.

Kenny Smith and Barkley also praised Leonard in the round just now.

However, the two still believe that Leonard only has the possibility of becoming an All-Star in the future, and it is impossible to rise to a higher level.

Du Feng on the side agreed very much. He originally thought that Leonard, who had no offense, might just be an excellent starting player, and it would be difficult to reach even an All-Star player.

But because Li Lai firmly let Lunrad learn to attack and handle the ball, and the opponent seems to have talent in this area, so he may really have the possibility of becoming an All-Star player in the future.

Li Lai smiled slightly after hearing the comments from the commentators Kenny Smith and Barkley.

"All-Star?"

"Is this going to send Leonard the robot away?"

"He is the top three players in the NBA's active small forward position in the future, and a superstar of the top 75 levels in history!"

next round.

Paul once again encountered a double-team defense, Leonard broke through with the ball to attract Marc Gasol's attention, and threw the ball up with one hand.

boom!
Little Jordan leapt and exploded the frame with one hand.

The City of Lob Pickups is back!

"what!"

After dunking, Jordan was extremely excited and shook the net vigorously, and vented his emotions with a roar.

"You Grizzlies dare to insult our coach over and over again, you are really courting death!"

Grizzlies coach bench.

Lionel Hollins watched Leonard explode and rise after Paul drew the attention of the defense, and the opponent's ability to handle and handle the ball on the court was not inferior.

He knew that the tactic of double-teaming Paul had failed.

The Hornets added fuel to the fire and stepped on a few times harder at this time, just to kill the Grizzlies.

Because of the Grizzlies' defensive strategy coupled with their two cumbersome centers on the court, there must be a huge hole in the defense beyond the three-point line.

The coaching staff of the Hornets reacted quickly, so they suddenly played the Bucks' famous pass and cut tactics. Leonard and Vince Carter each hit 2 three-pointers in a single quarter, directly stopping the Grizzlies.

Lionel Hollins had to stop the double-team defense against Paul, but what followed was Paul and Jordan's crazy alley-oop connection, as well as the picture of the junior hitting Marc Gasol.

"The momentum of the Hornets is fully up!"

The defeat was like a mountain, and Lionel Hollins coach wanted to reverse the disadvantage in the second half, but the Hornets' coaching staff was very cautious.

Once the Grizzlies had a slight counterattack, they immediately used a timeout arrangement to shut them down.

Finally the game is over.

The Hornets won the game 110:97.

克里斯保罗17分3篮板5助攻，小乔丹11分11篮板3盖帽，伦纳德19分6篮板5助攻，文斯卡特18分3篮板1助攻，迪奥8分7篮板4助攻，JR史密斯14分2篮板2助攻，吉米巴特勒8分7篮板1抢断1盖帽。

Post-match interview.

Coach Lionel Hollins was listless and in a bad mood.

Originally, he thought that these reporters would spare his life at tonight's post-match press conference after seeing his emotions.

But what Lionel Hollins never expected was that these reporters did not hesitate to make matters worse at this time.

"The Grizzlies obviously took advantage of the home court tonight. The referee's biased whistle made me almost unbearable, but the Grizzlies still lost."

"After the last game, Coach Lionel Hollins said the Grizzlies still have home court advantage, so now?"

"110 points in a single game, this is the first time the Grizzlies have been scored 110 points by an opponent since the playoffs. Even in the regular season, this is very rare. Is the Grizzlies already unable to defend the Hornets? ?”

"If you lose the next game, the big score will come to 3:1. Coach Lionel Hollins should know what this means."

"."

Under the crazy offensive of these reporters, coach Lionel Hollins stood up angrily, said MMP, and then ended the post-match press conference early without looking back.

Walking on the passageway, Lionel Hollins looked extremely heavy, and he knew very well that most of what these reporters were telling was the truth.

The Grizzlies have indeed reached a very dangerous situation.

(End of this chapter)