Pick Westbrook

Chapter 345 Paul double-teams!

5 month 28 day.

Los Angeles.

Staples Arena.

The fans at the scene were wearing the purple and gold jerseys of the Lakers, and the entire arena was extremely lively.

Accompanied by his daughter Jenny Buss and youngest son Jimmy Buss, Sr. came to the private stands of the Staples Center.

He raised his hand to reject the goodwill of his children, stood up from the wheelchair with difficulty, and walked tremblingly to the French window where he watched the game.

He looked at Staples Center, and every single fan, like just another child of his own.

Strictly speaking, among all the children, Old Buss loves the Lakers more.

At this moment, he also has a lot to say to the Lakers, because his time is really running out.

"It would be nice to see the Lakers win another championship, just one more time."

Live Tech Desk.

Li Lai shook hands with Mike Brown, and they were old acquaintances.

When Li Lai coached the Bucks and Mike Brown coached the Cavaliers, the two played against each other many times in the playoffs, and they also knew each other's tactics and abilities very well.

Mike Brown frowned at this moment, because he was getting more and more confused about Li Lai during this playoff trip.

The Bucks team coached by the opponent back then was a strong offensive team that created history, and it proved for the first time that the shooting team can also win the championship.

The league's small ball wave followed, and now many centers are practicing three-pointers in private.

Mike Brown scoffed at this. In his opinion, there should be a clear division of labor on the basketball court.

The role of the center forward on the field is to guard the core area of ​​the close frame of one's own side, prevent the opponent's center forward and outside line from scoring inside, and at the same time use his strong body to penetrate the opponent's core area.

O'Neal is a typical perfect center player.

The general role of power forwards on the court is to assist the inside center and outside small forwards to do their jobs well. They need to help the center block, grab rebounds, and protect the frame. On the outside, they need to help the small forwards score and give more The screen allows it to have better shooting space.

The role of a power forward is relatively blue-collar. If you want to do these things well, you must have strong physical fitness as a support. Duncan and Garnett are the most perfect players in this position.

So Popovich's use of Duncan fully interprets what players in this position should do most.

As for small forwards, their role on the court is not single, they play a role of taking over the inside and outside lines. Whether it is defending, scoring, or organizing and grabbing rebounds on the court, small forwards must be able to point.

Such characteristics undoubtedly put forward high requirements for players in the position of small forwards. First of all, they must have excellent physical fitness, and require the best height and arm length. There must also be certain attainments.

The reason why Pippen and James were pushed to the small forward position is precisely because they have such characteristics.

Strictly speaking, playing the small forward position was not their original intention, because both of them played other positions in college or high school.

The role of shooting guards on the court is to score, and they need to use various methods to score. Usually they are also the main scoring point of the team.

If you want to be an excellent shooting guard, you must not be biased on the offensive end. Whether it is shooting, breaking through with the ball, or making damage, you must be proficient.

From this point of view, the reason why many shooting guards cannot go further in their historical status is because it is difficult to be completely unbiased on the offensive end.

Jordan and Kobe are the well-deserved overlords in this position.

The role of the final point guard on the court is first of all to have skilled ball-handling skills and safely transport the ball from the backcourt to the frontcourt, and then he needs to use his excellent field control rhythm and wide vision to organize the teammates on the court. attack.

If you can also have good scoring ability and defensive ability, then it will be perfect.

Magic Johnson and Jerry West are the leaders in this position.

Jason Kidd was once considered to be the most likely to become the top three point guards in the NBA, but it is a pity that he was already late in his career when he developed his shooting ability.

"But now, because of Li Lai, every position in the NBA is completely messed up."

"Centers must be able to organize, pass, shoot and defend. Power forwards must be able to defend big and small and pick and roll outside shots. They must have a certain projection threat."

"And the point guard actually has to shrink inside to grab rebounds, and the small forward has to be able to defend five and have the ability to handle the ball."

"Under the current wave of small balls, every NBA player should have a certain ability to hold the ball and be a hexagonal fighter."

Mike Brown is sure that this allocation of positions and playing styles has completely separated from the role of the five positions at the beginning of basketball.

But what puzzled him was that such a style of play did make it very difficult for a team to limit its offense.

"I really don't know whether Li Lai is making the sport of basketball progress or retreat."

on the field.

Kobe lifted the elbow pads on the handles, then stepped back and wiped the soles of the shoes with the palm of his hand.

Even though he was so proud that he never had anything other than fighting in the playoffs, he couldn't help walking towards Vince Carter at this time.

The two who were once dubbed the four shooting guards by fans all over the world embraced tightly.

Vince Carter couldn't help but said: "McGrady and Iverson have retired, and the only ones left on the court are you and my brother."

It was rare for Bryant to say anything other than trash talk to an opponent in the playoffs, he said.

"Yes, so the only reason for you and me to stay in this league is to compete for the championship."

Vince Carter nodded, and then felt that something was wrong with this sentence.

Because Li Lai once said to Vince Carter that a veteran like him should have a more meaningful thing besides chasing the supreme NBA championship award.

Vince Carter remembered that Lee said that Iverson left his footsteps to two people, one was Louis Williams of the 76ers, and the other was Jeremy Lin of the Bucks.

And McGrady tried to leave his signature offense to many players, but no player has been able to learn it yet.

Instead, O'Neal found a very qualified center and left all his skills in the NBA.

At this time, Vince Carter remembered that Jordan would take time out every year after retiring to hold training camps, or help some players with special training, until Kobe stole all his steps and then stopped and continued to do this .

And Dream Olajuwon's special training for league players has never been interrupted.

Vince Carter couldn't help smiling at this time and said: "Only at our stage will we suddenly realize that we should do something for the sport of basketball."

"The ancestors of the past passed the torch down from generation to generation in this way."

"Coach Li Lai has been right all along."

The excited shouts of the fans at the scene pulled Vince Carter back to his thoughts, and the game began!
Hornets starting lineup: point guard Chris Paul, shooting guard Leonard, small forward Vince Carter, power forward Lewis and center DeAndre Jordan.

The Lakers starting lineup: point guard Ramon Sessions, shooting guard Kobe Bryant, small forward Trevor Ariza, power forward Kevin Garnett and center Pau Gasol.

Midfield jump ball.

Garnett jumped high and jumped off the ball from Jordan Jr., and the offense in the first round of the 2011-12 conference finals began.

Ramon Sessions advanced with the ball, Paul Gasol raised the ball and moved Jordan out of the penalty area, and then began to signal his teammates to run and organize.

Garnett, the wolf king, suddenly forcibly moved to the inside and asked for the ball. Lewis had already known what offense the Lakers were going to play at this time after being prompted by the coaching staff, so he tried very hard to prevent Garnett from moving.

Garnett raised his hands to signal to the referee that he was clean, but he kneed Lewis on the back of his thigh as he moved, then closed his hand and elbowed Lewis again as he turned.

Such small moves, no matter how hard Lewis defends, can't stop Garnett from moving inside.

Garnett went to the paint area to catch the ball with his back. Because of Gasol's good mid-range shooting ability, Jordan did not dare to shrink the basket at this time.

Garnett played back singles, one top and one turn directly passed Lewis cleanly, and then a master layup.

scored!

After scoring the goal, Garnett clenched his right fist and hammered his chest, roaring at the Los Angeles fans at the scene.

"The Lakers' offense in the first round turned out to be Garnett, not Kobe!"

"It can be seen that the coaching staff of the Lakers must have carefully reviewed the game between the Hornets and the Grizzlies before the game."

"The Hornets' weak defense at the power forward position was almost completely released by the Grizzlies in the last round of the playoffs. I have to admit that Marc Gasol has done something very meaningful for his brother and the Lakers. thing."

On the commentary stand, Barkley said highly.

Originally, in his opinion, the Hornets were difficult to be the opponents of the Lakers. The Lakers also had a lot of restraint against the Hornets in the lineup. Now the Lakers have seized the Hornets' weaknesses from the very beginning.

Well, there is no suspense in this round of the series from the very beginning.

Hornets coaching bench.

Stevens looked anxiously at Li Lai, and Du Feng scolded the Lakers coaching staff for playing like this from the very beginning, without giving the Hornets any chance at all.

Li Lai remained calm and signaled the two of them not to worry too much.

Regarding the problem of the Hornets' power forward position, they had such awareness as early as the beginning of the season, otherwise they would not have traded Dior in the middle of the season.

So now that Lewis is completely blown away by Garnett, it was expected.

"Two-team Garnett," Li said.

Stevens stared blankly at Li Lai, although the coaching staff of the Hornets had already confirmed before the start of the game that they would double-team Garnett, Gasol, and Kobe.

But after all, the Hornets only have 5 players on the field, how could so many people double-team at the same time, and should the other players of the Lakers defend?
Hornets attack.

Paul advances with the ball.

Although Ramon Sessions is a qualified defender, it is still quite difficult to defend Paul.

Lewis cuts inside and screens for Jordan's big man, while pulling to the three-point line to pick and roll for Leonard.

Leonard cut into the penalty area, and Jordan stepped up to cover.

This is the offensive tactic that the Hornets are very good at and play the most.

Pau Gasol was mentioned beyond the three-point line and switched to Chris Paul.

At the same time, Jordan went down and raised his hand to signal an alley-oop under the basket.

Garnett took a step inside very vigilantly. He is a very flexible inside player and his defensive ability has long been known in the league.

So Paul didn't dare to pass the ball to Jordan, nor did he pass the ball to Lewis in the bottom corner. Instead, he pressed his hand to signal his teammates that he wanted to play the ball himself.

Shaking continuously, Sam Gold stepped forward, made an emergency stop, and Paul directly passed Gasol like a road in the early morning, and then went straight to the basket.

Ramon Sessions rushed to defend and Paul threw the ball high.

Jordan took off on the spot and exploded vigorously.

boom!
There was a deafening dunk on the court.

Empty City!coming!
"The Hornets also scored!"

CCTV commentary station, Yu Jia said very excitedly.

He couldn't help looking at Su Qun at this moment and said, "Guide Su, from the offensive and defensive performance of the two rounds just now, which team in this series will have a greater probability of winning?"

Su Qun smiled and shook his head and said, "The Hornets did score the same goal, but I think the Lakers can find a way to limit the Hornets' offense."

"The Lakers also scored, but I can't think of any way for the Hornets to limit the Lakers' offense."

"So as most people predicted, the Hornets will most likely not be the opponent of the Lakers. This round of the series will at most reach 4:1, and the Lakers will advance."

Swish!
on the field.

Garnett's offense in the interior was double-teamed by Lewis and Jordan. At this time, he did not hesitate to score the ball to Gasol near the free throw line.

The latter made a mid-range stand-up hit.

This is where the Lakers are very incomprehensible inside today.

Gasol can organize the pass, and Garnett can also organize the pass. The most important thing is that both of them have good mid-range shooting ability, which makes it very difficult for the opponent team to defend the two.

Moreover, there is also a black Mamba Bryant who still did not participate in the offense at this time.

The Lakers are really strong this season.

Li Lai frowned tightly. Gasol's ability to hit this mid-range shot in the first place really posed a big problem for him.

Li Lai knew that Gasol had the basket, but he tried to force Gasol to the long two-point point to complete the shot. The latter may not be able to complete the offense very effectively.

But out of Li Lai's expectation, Gasol is in very good form in this year's playoffs, and he also likes shooting from that position to complete the offense.

This kind of inside attack posed a big problem for Li Lai, because it meant that the Hornets could only allow other players to participate in the inside double-teaming.

"But Kobe, who can't open the outside line, can't open the corner Ariza, who is very accurate for three-pointers. Is it possible that Paul, the point guard, can only go inside to participate in double-teaming?"

"The Lakers really gave me a big problem."

Double-teaming Garnett or Gasol in the interior with Paul's height may not be a good choice, because the height is there.

Originally, Leonard should be the one who should go inside to help defend the most at this time. The Hornets have always let the opponent do this.

But at this time Leonard is defending Kobe, and I am afraid that no team in the league dares to let Kobe go in the playoffs.

After Li Lai frowned, he still signaled his defensive tactics to the court.

"Paul double-teams!"

(End of this chapter)