Rebirth of Hayes Cyclone

Chapter 216 [Take it as the finals!Bobcats VS Timberwolves! 】

Hayes had lunch with NBA Commissioner David Stern, and the topics of conversation were all related to the NBA, and they had a good time.

Stern didn't dislike Hayes for questioning the star whistle.Many teams are questioning LeBron's crabbing. Fans jokingly call it "Cleveland Cavaliers football team", and Stern has heard it for a long time.If you pretend you don't know, it's just "deception".Hayes dared to raise these questions, but was appreciated by Stern.

Stern was also a gambler.When fans worshiped individual heroism back then, Stern made a big bet that Jordan would become the god of basketball, and he succeeded!Jordan became the spokesperson of basketball in this world, and Stern also developed the league to the whole world.Before Jordan, although some professionals knew about the NBA, few Chinese would watch it. At that time, China would not even broadcast it.Now some people have questioned that the level of American basketball is being caught up by European basketball, and Stern is preparing to promote team basketball, and the bet is on Hayes.

In the evening, the Bobcats arrived in New York.Hayes joined the team and reported the conversation to D'Antoni, Van Gundy and others.Hayes did not mention those suggestions about banning the star whistle. He believes that Stern will not spread those words, as long as Stern does not feel disgusted with him, he is willing to let him be the "image spokesperson" without the star whistle treatment. ", he is successful.

On the 28th, the Bobcats took the New York Knicks away.

进入3月赛程，又战胜了凯尔特人和猛龙。全明星赛后取得6连胜。山猫在战绩方面38胜18负成功赶超骑士和活塞，排名东部第三位。海耶斯连续6场30+10，疯狂的表现让联盟为之震动。

The news media broke the news that Hayes and Stern had dinner together. It is obvious that Hayes' outstanding performance has attracted the attention of the league president.However, no media compares Hayes to Jordan's successor, he is too unlike Jordan.Super floor flow at best.

On March 3, the Bobcats flew to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and will challenge the Timberwolves, the leader in the West, at the Target Center.The game has received great attention, and ESPN will broadcast it live across the United States.

In the summer of 2007, although the Timberwolves were regarded as one of the strong teams in the Western Conference, no experts regarded them as the favorites to win the championship.Because the Timberwolves only have two stars, Iverson and Garnett, the substitute players are too weak to provide them with much help.But the performance of the Timberwolves in the new season has changed people's opinions.Now they have surpassed the Hornets by one game with 40 wins and 15 losses, ranking first in the Western Conference.

Hayes was surprised that the Timberwolves would become so strong.Iverson's transfer triggered a series of butterfly effects.This makes Apolis, a place of bitter cold, attractive.Last season, the Timberwolves eliminated the popular Mavericks and entered the second round only with the outstanding performance of their two stars.Seeing the hope of winning the championship, many veterans came to vote one after another.

First, Mutombo joined, and then Grant Hill, Antonio McDyess, and James Posey came here admiringly.During the season, he signed the waived former Bobcats point guard Brevin Knight.

Mutombo has enjoyed a second spring this season, playing 18.2 minutes and contributing 3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.During Garnett's two-and-a-half-week absence due to injury, he served as the team's starting center and scored in double figures in rebounding for six consecutive games.

As the starting small forward this season, Hill averaged 24.5 minutes per game, contributed 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2 assists, and shot 49.2% from the field. He didn't play much time but ensured good offensive efficiency and attendance.

McDyess is the best performer among the veterans.He played as the starting center most of the time, scored 31 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.1 assists in 1.3 minutes, and his data was close to a double-double.

Posey's offensive ability is average, and he is the best defensive player at the third position of the Timberwolves.He has not been selected to the defensive lineup, but with his seasoned experience and accurate judgment, he can defend a power forward who is taller than him without physical advantage, which is a nightmare for offensive players.

Knight didn't have many performance opportunities because of Iverson. He played 12 minutes and could contribute 2.6 points and 2.1 assists.

In addition to several veterans, the Timberwolves have other gains. Because the inside line is too weak and there is not enough salary to attract "big fish", they signed Brandon Bass in the free market for 3 million in three years.The Mavericks are also interested in this young player and are only willing to give a basic salary contract.Bass signed with the Timberwolves without hesitation.Bass is only 450cm tall. He is short to play power forward, but he is more desperate when defending.The Timberwolves took advantage of this advantage.As a result, Bass played well this season and performed well offensively. He averaged 203 minutes per game and contributed 16.4 points and 5.8 rebounds. He is a qualified substitute for Garnett.

In addition, the teenager Rashad McCants, who averaged only 5 points per game last season, broke out strongly this season.Played 28 minutes, scored 13.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1 steal.The shooting percentage was 45.3%, and the three-point shooting percentage was 40.7%, sharing the pressure for the two giants in the offense.

The Timberwolves' current lineup is as follows:

Centers: Mark Blunt, Dikembe Mutombo, Antonio McDyess.

Power forwards: Kevin Garnett, Brandon Bass, Craig Smith.

Small forwards: James Posey, Grant Hill, Justin Reed.

Guards: Allen Iverson, Blevin Knight, Marko Jaric, Rashad McCants, Aaron Alfalaro (rookie).

Before the start of the game, in the locker room of the visiting team, D'Antoni held a tactical board and talked about tactics.The Timberwolves are a defensive team, but the offense should not be underestimated either.Encountering a strong enemy, D'Antoni's expression was extremely serious. "Today's game, we must take advantage of our speed and play as fast as possible. There are four veterans in the Timberwolves starting lineup. Hill and McDyess can't run past you. The defensive tactics are 122 zone defense. The Timberwolves always use positional battles in offense. Mainly, the usual tactic is that Garnett picks and rolls Iverson, Iverson hits it himself, or returns the ball to Garnett for a high shot. Iverson's breakthrough and scoring are also the main means of offense. Be sure to keep an eye on both of them. People. Chuck, your task is the most important today. I need you to defend Garnett. When he pulls to the high pick-and-roll, you have to switch to Iverson. Duo's speed has slowed down, but is still one of the fastest players in the league. The job of switching defenses in the paint can only be done by you. Jose (Calderon) and Corunna (Azubuike) pay attention to returning to defense quickly , Timberwolves will also fight back. Both Iverson and McCants are very fast, and the two of you must guard with all your strength."

"Chuck, are you confident?" D'Antoni asked.

"I'll do my best." Hayes said with a wry smile.This arrangement is equivalent to him playing against two superstars on the defensive end alone.Garnett has the height advantage and can shoot in front of him.If he can't cover it, he can only interfere, which is very headache.Iverson is even the league's top scorer. One-on-one offense at the peak is unsolvable. Hayes was misplaced and switched to defend Iverson, but he was not sure how to defend.

D'Antoni's arrangement is helpless. The Bobcats' inside players Biedrins and Landry have enough speed and height, but they are not good at defensive breakthroughs. Misplaced defense is a loophole. If they are pulled out, Iverson will definitely pass them.Veteran Thomas is too slow, so he can only sit on the inside, and counting on him to switch against Iverson is the same as praying for Iverson to feel bad.The only Bobcats who can guard against two people is Hayes.

"The offense plays a quick counterattack. Jose, Gerrard, and Corunna are actively running. You have to share the pressure for Chuck on the offensive end. If you fall to the ground, pass it to Chuck to attack." D'Antoni said.This is a tough battle. The Timberwolves' lineup has no obvious shortcomings, and the breakthrough can only be created by themselves.

In the locker room of the home team, the Timberwolves players were also not easy.

Head coach Randy Whitman made adjustments to the starters.James Posey replaced Hill as the starting small forward.This arrangement is all about limiting Hayes. "Defensive formation 122 zone defense. When Hayes gets the ball on the outside, James will defend and Kevin (Garnett) will help. If he goes to the low attack, Kevin will defend and the weak side will come forward to double-team. Kevin should pay attention to his bottom line turns and throws. If he walks in the middle, high-post players should pay attention to turning around and stealing. Except for Hayes, the Bobcats have average offense. As long as we guard against him, we will win."

After the coach finished talking about the tactics, Garnett sat in the corner without saying a word, with a dignified expression.

Iverson stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Kevin, do you have the confidence to guard against Hayes?"

"No. I only have the confidence to interact with him. It is very difficult to defend him one-on-one. This guy is one of the most difficult players in the league." Garnett lowered his head and asked suddenly: "Allen, what do you think? Which team in the East has the best chance of making it to the Finals?"

Iverson said softly: "I am optimistic about the Bobcats. Although there are no big-name players except for Hayes, they have played very well under the leadership of Hayes. If Hayes hadn't been absent for three weeks, their record may have Still above us, maybe leading the league."

"I think the same as you." Garnett smiled bitterly: "I thought that Hayes joined the Bobcats, at most, to make the playoffs. The possibility of impacting the championship. He may be able to do what the two of us cannot do alone. He is now a stumbling block to our championship."

Iverson didn't speak, and his melancholy eyes showed a certain innocence.He knew what Garnett was talking about, and that was to lead the team to the championship as the core.Many superstars hope that they will become the symbol of a team and stay in a team forever.Therefore, Iverson has always hoped that he can win the championship with the 76ers.It's a pity that he failed to do it. The best result is to bring the team to the finals.

Garnett, Cassel, and Sprewell once formed the "three-headed monster". Garnett has two good stars to assist him, and his best result is to enter the Western Conference Finals.

Hayes led a group of rookies and role players, and Iverson admired him for being able to play like this.You know, Iverson is so famous that no one will accept him, and he dared to provoke Jordan when he first debuted.

"Kevin, we must win this game. I will play it as the finals." Iverson said.

"I also have the same intention. The team has no injuries. If neither of us can hold down Hayes in this state, it will be a failure." Garnett stood up.Said loudly: "Everyone, we must go all out for today's game. We are aiming for the championship. The Bobcats are one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference. We want to use this game as a preview of the finals. Defeat the bobcats with all your might! Brace yourselves!"

The young players of the Timberwolves immediately geared up and responded positively.

Mutombo sat aside, with a smile on his face, thinking: Chuck, you are really good.You are the only one in the league who can make Garnett and Iverson value so much.I also want to work hard!If you don't contact me to go to Shanmao when you see me unemployed in summer, don't underestimate the elderly.

The two-team starting lineup is a contest between the youngest lineup in the league and the oldest lineup.Both sides know how powerful their opponents are, and what they can do is to use their own methods to fight for victory with all their strength!
(End of this chapter)