Starting from the last bus in the NBA

Chapter 71
Looking at the bench, Paul Westphal felt helpless. Unexpectedly, the entire team could only rely on one rookie.

No way, offense is not the strength of the Sonics. Once Gary Payton is not in good condition, he will be impossible to find.

As for Wen Baker?

Just like Wen Baker's physical fitness, the score after 30 minutes, the defensive end seems to be missing someone.

Without enough rest time, the offense also has problems.

At the beginning of the second quarter, Cedric took the lead and scored another extremely skillful breakthrough layup.

The guy was in really good form today.

In the first quarter, he scored 5 points on 3 of 6 shots, and now he scored 2 points, which is already the first scoring point for the Mavericks today.

Wang Hao was also polite, and when it was their turn to attack, he immediately started running.

Michael Finley has been rested, and now he is guarded by Hubert Davis, a defender.

Could it be that facing a player with worse confrontation, Wang Hao will naturally not miss the opportunity to squeeze the persimmon.

He is not demanding three-pointers, but uses the threat outside the three-point line to directly break through to the inside.

It is easy to push Hubert away and hit the basket to score.

I have to say that Bradley is really tall, but his movements are really slow enough.

Cedric continued to break through and score, but with Wang Hao's appearance, the score was not opened.

After Hubert was bullied for several rounds in a row, Old Nelson couldn't stand it anymore, so he simply replaced Michael Finley.

Michael Finley is also a stamina monster and is said to be one of the players with the most 48 minutes played in the NBA.

When the main players of both sides returned, the difference between the two sides remained at 12 points.

For the Mavericks, the main lineup has been adjusted, and Cedric, who has played well, continues to play.

With the return of the main lineup, the problem came again, and the inside line of the Sonics continued to be exploded.

Old Nelson saw the problem, and told Nowitzki not to go inside, and just floated outside.

Under such circumstances, Horace didn't dare to shrink back at all.

In this way, Cedric and Michael Finley got a lot of opportunities.

Although Wang Hao's defense was effective, the defender was passive after all, and without the help of his teammates, he couldn't defend at all.

Wen Baker: I really want to help, but I really can't.

The only good news is that Wen Baker's offensive state is good, and he has successfully cooperated with Gary Payton in succession to maintain his scoring.

If it weren't for Wang Hao and Brent Barry each scoring a three-pointer in the last few minutes, the point difference would probably have widened.

51:63
Although the score difference of 12 points is quite a lot, at least there is still room to play. If it is really increased to 20 points, it will be three quarters to clock in and get off work.

In the Sonics locker room, Paul Westphal had a stern face, looking a little ugly.

He didn't speak because he didn't know what to say.

The problem is big and obvious, but there is no way to solve it.

It's no problem to strengthen the inside defense, but the problem is Wen Baker's defense!
Replace Wen Baker, what about the offense?
In any case, as long as Wen Baker is on the court, even if he doesn't touch the ball, the Mavericks dare not let him go.

"At half-time, 12 points behind, no big deal, we still have a chance.

Gary, I need you to organize the team, pass the ball more, score more.

As for defense, everyone should be active, don't let the opponent break through easily, and protect our basket. "

……

Old Nelson is worthy of being a well-known coach in the NBA, and he seems to have guessed the tactical adjustment of the Sonics.

Nash and Cedric were replaced early, and the Mavericks played pick-and-roll tactics.

And there was Nowitzki doing the pick-and-roll. After the pick-and-roll, this guy ran out of the three-point line.

After the Mavericks' guard broke through, he faced Wen Baker directly, and it was not too easy to play.

"Wen, be positive, you have to defend."

"I see, Gary!"

Gary Payton was very upset about Wen Baker's defense. In his opinion, it was easy to defend!

If it weren't for his poor form today and his low shooting percentage, he would have to have a good talk with Wen Baker.

It's not that the Sonics haven't made adjustments, such as switching defensive targets by Wen Baker and Horace.

As a result, the slow-moving Nowitzki beat Wen Baker to pieces, and he couldn't prevent it at all.

In this case, it can only be changed back.

However, what should be unstoppable is still unstoppable, and I can only watch the opponent score.

Although the Sonics can also score, but they can't defend, so what if they score more?
At 7 minutes and 21 seconds into the third quarter, the game was suspended again and the score was tied.

65:78
With a 13-point difference, once it enters the fourth quarter, the chance is gone.

To put it bluntly, although there is enough time, the problem is that if there is no solution, everything is in vain.

Looking at the bench, Paul Westphal was full of helplessness, unwillingness, and resentment.

Resentment at the top of the team.

He has long said that there are problems with the current team lineup and more players need to be introduced.

The result is only one sentence, internal excavation, how can this be done?
At this moment, Paul Westphal's eyes unconsciously looked at Wang Hao, and a thought moved in his heart.

Isn't this what he excavated from within?
"Wang, in the second half, I need you to help defend more inside. Is there a problem?"

When Paul Westphal's voice sounded, everyone was stunned, and Wang Hao assisted in defending the inside line.

This is not impossible, because in the previous training games, he did have a wonderful defensive performance.

However, as a defensive leader in the starting lineup, Wang Hao often needs to face the opponent's offensive core.

When the opponent is attacking the core one-on-one, how can he have the mind to assist in the defense? He can't take care of himself!
That is, at this moment, Paul Westphal had a little inspiration, and seemed to have discovered something?
"But Michael Finley?"

It is naturally a good thing for Wang Hao that he does not need to defend the opponent's offensive core one-on-one.

His defense is not bad, but he is limited by his method experience and lack of physical fitness.

Apart from physical confrontation, he has no advantage in speed and jumping.

But the defense can just avoid these disadvantages.

The only question is, what about Michael Finley, who plays against him?Someone has to guard against it!
“Don’t worry, others will solve Michael!”

"That's fine, I'll protect the rim."

Paul Westphal didn't delay, and immediately asked the assistant coach to communicate with the technical desk, and Ruben Patterson replaced Brent Barry.

After hearing this arrangement, Ruben Patterson immediately cheered up and swore secretly in his heart.

"In any case, guard against that guy!"

Ruben Patterson, as a new player who joined the Supersonics this year, he is actually very valued.

However, with the appearance of Wang Hao, everything changed.

Wang Haocong, a player who almost lost the selection, stepped up step by step, and even became the team's starter.

At the beginning of the meeting, Ruben Patterson regarded Wang Hao as his main competitor, and his attitude was not friendly.

Until now, it has not even been able to do it.

Except for Ruben Patterson, no one else can feel the gap.

For every appearance, for every opportunity, he cares very much.

(End of this chapter)