Rebirth of Hayes Cyclone

Chapter 128 [Snake hits seven inches, defense is paramount]

On May 5, the Rockets and Spurs are about to start their second contest at the Toyota Center.Hayes still has tape on his brow bone, but the swelling in his right eye has subsided and will not affect his condition.

When Jeff Van Gundy announced the starting lineup, everyone was surprised.Not only did Spanoulis replace Fisher, but even Tracy McGrady was placed on the bench, and the starter was replaced by Azubuike.

"Tracey, although I don't know when you were injured, and I haven't seen the team doctor's report, but since you said you injured your waist, you can come on the bench for this game, and come to me when you feel healthy enough to play .” Van Gundy looked at McGrady and said angrily.

After reading yesterday's news, Van Gundy decided not to let McGrady start.In the past, the Rockets could not do without McGrady, because apart from him, there was no second scorer on the outside.But now, the Rockets have a lot of people who can score.If McGrady does not work hard to defend, it will affect the Rockets' defensive system, and more importantly, affect the mentality of his teammates.

Maybe there will be no more coaches to substitute MVP players. Van Gundy is not denying McGrady's ability, but just hopes that McGrady can correct his attitude. As long as he is willing to work hard, he is a great player.

McGrady's defense has always been criticized.It is not a question of whether he is good at defense, but a question of defensive attitude.He doesn't fight at all against very tough screens, and is always a step behind when double-teaming.As the leader of the team, the defensive end cannot be a spectator when his teammates are desperate.

Perhaps many "Mai Mi" do not believe that Mai Di is a spectator.The reason is that McGrady has excellent talent and should have good defensive ability. Ability and attitude are two different things. Otherwise, it would not be Kobe with normal wingspan but McGrady who would enter the defensive lineup.You don't need to watch the game, just look at Tracy McGrady's playoff data. The average playing time is 36.4 minutes and 1.2 fouls.This one might be an offensive foul.Does a person who can't even foul have a defense?

The loss to the Spurs in the last game taught the Rockets a lesson. If they leave too much pick-and-roll space for the GDP combination, they will definitely stab the Rockets a few times.While playing the zone defense, the Rockets targeted Ginobili and Parker.

"The Spurs' offense is just a few tricks. Today, Duncan only needs to come out as a screen. Chuck, you and Columna (Azubuike) double-team Ginobili back and forth, so that he can't break in and pass out. If Parker breaks through, Chuck and Vasilis (Spanoris) double-team, Sean (Battier) pays attention to Duncan's running position during the double-team, and can switch positions with Chuck at any time to defend the inside line. As for Duncan's singles , Chuck stuck him on the outside when defending alone, and tried to interfere with the shot. If he can make a mid-range shot, he will recognize it and protect the rebound. If the opponent uses another inside to pick and roll, Chakra will go out and Yao Ming will switch positions Defend Duncan, don't go outside." Van Gundy arranged a tactic, which is a change of zone defense, which is characterized by the exchange of positions between Yao Ming, Hayes and Battier.The key to defense is Hayes. It is difficult to effectively implement this tactic with other power forwards, but Hayes can defend players in five positions.

"If the opponent defends the zone defense, the offensive side hangs to Yao Ming for singles. If they attract double-teams, they will separate out and Chuck will play. If they guard the man-to-man, Chuck picks and rolls, and Vasilis breaks through the offense. Got it?" Van Gundy said on the tactical board He made a gesture and said.

"Understood!" The players said in unison.

"Come on, let the Spurs see our defense! Don't let them score more than 80 points!" Van Gundy said.

"Must win!" Fisher took the lead and shouted.

"We must win!" The Rockets roared collectively.Hayes' brow bone injury is still not healed, so he can only give a symbolic response.

McGrady just moved his lips, his face was ugly.He didn't feel good on the court. He wanted to regain his face today, but he didn't expect Van Gundy to put him on the bench.It just drives him crazy.Is he not as good as Azubuike?
Let's fight, without me, I'd like to see what you can do.Beg me to play again when you are behind by a big score.Maddie thought.

When Drexler saw the Rockets' starting lineup, he said: "McGrady didn't enter the starting lineup today. It seems that there is something wrong with his waist. His hand feeling on the court is terrible. The person who replaced him today is Azubuike. , this player's scoring ability is not strong, but the defense left a deep impression on us, Hayes continued to appear at the power forward position, Battier small forward, the point guard became Spanoulis, and the center remained Yao Ming, this is a targeted formation, and the Rockets will fight to defend."

"Hayes' eyes seem to have no problem. I hope he can perform well. He is too fierce on the court. He has a few assists and dunks and occupies the top five goals. Duncan can't hold him down." Matt - Brad laughed.

After playing, Duncan walked up to Hayes with a blank expression, without looking at him, and asked softly, "McGrady didn't play today, is it really hurt?"

"I didn't expect Shi Buddha to gossip like this? I think he was injured." Hayes smiled.

Duncan didn't speak any more, and stood in the center circle ready to jump the ball with Yao Ming.The Spurs' starting lineup has also changed a bit from the last game. The tall center Elson replaced Oberto and defended Yao Ming.

Yao Ming lost the jump ball to Duncan, and the Spurs went first.As usual, the players pulled apart and Duncan demanded the ball at 45 degrees to the left.Hayes guards Duncan closely.

"Tim, I warn you, don't give me another elbow." Hayes said against Duncan.

"Are you afraid too?" Duncan rarely answered.

"If I do it again, I will suspect that you did it on purpose. I'm afraid I can't help but play hard on you. My elbows are thicker than yours." Hayes laughed.

Duncan didn't answer. He caught the ball, back dribbled a few times, and turned around for a jumper.Hayes had long expected that he would come to this move, jumped up to block the shot, and covered Duncan's eyes with his hands in the shape of claws.It is impossible for "Stone Buddha" to ignore the eye-inserting defense.

Duncan missed the shot and Battier got the rebound.

When the Rockets fell into position, Spanoulis lobbed the ball to Yao Ming. Yao Ming singled Elson, turned around and made a jumper, and the ball went into the net. 2 to 0.

"Beautiful, I'll leave the offense to you today." Hayes laughed.

"Pass it all over. Defense is good! As long as you guard Duncan, we will win." Yao Ming said loudly.

This round, Duncan pulled out to pick and roll, and Ginobili bypassed Azubuike.Hayes immediately blocked in front of Ginobili, and Azubuike also bypassed Duncan, one in front and one behind, closing the door for Ginobili.Ginobili failed to make a breakthrough, so he quickly passed the ball out. Spanoris appeared on Ginobili's passing route in time, broke the ball, and launched a one-man fast break.

Parker chased and defended, and Spanoulis was half a step faster, and scored on the basketball. 4 to 0.

"Beautiful!" Hayes clapped Spanoulis vigorously a few times, and Spanoulis extended a thumb.

Duncan pulled the high pick-and-roll again, and this time it was Parker who got the ball.

"Ah!" Hayes yelled, and threw himself at Parker with a murderous aura.Parker was taken aback, and was flanked by Hayes and Spanoulis without going around Duncan.Duncan turned around and ran inside, Parker struggled to find a gap and passed Duncan straight, Battier came out from the side again and broke the basketball.

This trick changes from the zone defense to the pincer attack, which can be called a "guard trap".The Spurs were extremely uncomfortable. Manu Ginobili and Parker couldn't make a breakthrough. They were caught by the Rockets' rushing players twice in a row, stealing the ball and counterattacking.

The Rockets played 3 and 2 in the frontcourt.Finley and Ginobili returned to the defense, Battier passed the ball to Spanoulis, and the latter passed the ball to Hayes.Hayes rushed to the basket from the left, and Finley stood still, trying to make Hayes dribble the ball.

Hayes jumped up and tossed the ball to Battier in the other corner with both hands.Ginobili marked Spanoulis, and Battier's position was empty. In the most accurate position, he did not disappoint his teammates and hit a three-pointer. 7 to 0.

The Spurs got off to a bad start, and someone had to open up the situation. Parker took the ball to Duncan, and Duncan stood still and gave the ball to Parker.Parker went full speed and passed Hayes.Hayes fouled immediately, Parker missed a throw and was sent to the free throw line.

"Tony, are you and Eva getting married soon? Look at the gifts the fans have prepared for you."

When Parker was about to make a free throw, Hayes stood beside him and said, then pointed to the fan area in front of him.Parker took a look, his head thumped, and his jaw almost hit his feet... The fans under the basket neatly held up a life-scale portrait of Eva Longoria in a bikini, dangling around the basket.

An obscene bearded fan wearing the Rockets' No. 44 jersey was licking Eva's face on the screen with his tongue, looking very intoxicated.

Parker missed the first free throw, and the second free throw bounced on the rim and finally fell into the basket. 7 to 1.

"Who came up with this idea? The pictures in the hands of the fans must have been distributed uniformly. Parker is destined to play in depression in this game." Drexler looked at the scene on the screen and laughed.

It was Hayes who came up with this method, and of course the staff of the Rockets were responsible for making posters and sending pictures to fans.

The Rockets attacked from the position and called Yao Ming again. Elson failed to defend around the front. Yao Ming received the ball and turned around to break through. 9 to 1.

The Spurs had a purpose, drawing fouls.Hayes has already fouled once, if he can cause his second foul at the beginning of the game, it will definitely be a lot easier to play.Duncan picks and rolls, Ginobili breaks through and rushes towards Hayes.In the last game, he tricked the referee with a flop.This time he was going to repeat the same trick, just waiting for Hayes to defend.

As a result, Hayes stopped and ignored Ginobili.Hayes likes to think from the opponent's point of view.If he was in the Spurs, he would come to foul him now, and the one who broke through was Ginobili, who is the best at fouling. The risk is too great.He has to be steady, not to mention that there are people behind him who can also make fouls.

Ginobili passed Hayes easily, which was a bit of a surprise.Battier, who switched to the position of power forward, was already standing on the three-second zone line with his hands covering his crotch. When Ginobili touched him lightly, Battier fell backwards.

beep!The referee's whistle blows - Manu Ginobili dribbles the ball.

The Spurs made three turnovers to start the game.The Rockets' defense is back!
(End of this chapter)