NBA: I have 3, no D, and I can't dribble

Chapter 70 [70] The real leader of the locker room, Lin is a sniper rifle of the Timberwolves!

Hearing Sam Cassell's firm voice, Philip Sanders' frown instantly relaxed, and he couldn't help being surprised and delighted.

If the "alien" can come back in the crucial battle of Tianwangshan, it will definitely be a timely help for the Timberwolves.

As the head coach of the Timberwolves, Philip Sanders is very aware of the importance of Cassel to this team.

The Timberwolves have been stopped in the first round in the past few seasons. The contradictions in the locker room and the unity of the team have always existed. The wolf king's arrogance is not a perfect leader.

In this regard, there is a huge gap between him and Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki.

The arrival of "Sam" Cassell brought the Timberwolves to a whole new level. He is the commander on the court and the absolute leader of the team's locker room.

The wolf king and the "madman" fought each other at the beginning of the season, and neither of them accepted the other. Without the glue of Kassel, the three-headed monster would never have reached the Western Conference finals.

"Sam, I and the team are looking forward to your playing, but your back injury..."

In fact, the Timberwolves management and team coaching staff considered persuading Cassell to play closed games as early as when the Timberwolves faced huge difficulties in the Western Conference Finals.
But the Timberwolves' team doctor was very responsible at the time, thinking that Kassel's back injury was quite serious, and the side effects of playing closed games were very serious, and the state of the game could not be guaranteed.

Although Cassel is low-key, after all, he is a veteran who has been in the league for more than a dozen seasons. He has also won two championship rings with Olajuwon. He has seen all kinds of turmoil.

So naturally, for the benefit of the Timberwolves team, he will not rush to play closed and ruin his career.

Moreover, Kassel's back injury was the most serious recurrence period at that time.

"Coach Sanders, I can do it, the Thomas team doctor has told me the worst result!"

"This season can be said to be the last peak of my career. I am very much looking forward to winning this championship. He will also be the greatest glory of my career!"

"When we fell behind in the Western Conference Finals, I couldn't see much hope, but Lin's appearance changed everything!"

"Now we are only two victories away from the championship. If we miss the championship, it may become a regret in my life!"

Philip Sanders was so excited that his voice became a little trembling: "Sam, thank you! I believe we will win tonight!"

After hanging up the phone with Cassell, Philip Sanders looked at the assistant coaches around the conference table with bright eyes, and said confidently:
"Sam will make a closed comeback tonight, let's overthrow everything and rearrange our offensive and defensive tactics for tonight!"

"For the Timberwolves, this is a battle that cannot be lost!"

At two o'clock in the afternoon, the Timberwolves' players, coaching staff and team doctors have arrived at the Palace of Auburn Hills Arena, planning to conduct the last hour of training in the training hall.

But when the accompanying Sam Cassell took off his suit and put on his Timberwolves No. 19 jersey, Lin Fei and other Timberwolves players were surprised.

"Guys, let me fight side by side with you in Tianwangshan tonight! Go and win that damn victory!"

Cassel deliberately did not disclose the news at the hotel in advance, but waited until he arrived at the arena, which gave everyone a surprise.

The Wolf King was the first to rush up excitedly, and patted Kassel's shoulder lightly, not daring to use force:
"Sam, did the team doctor say you can play tonight? Madd is great, let's kill those bandits of the Pistons together!"

After losing two consecutive games in Detroit, Wolf King was naturally very angry and aggrieved.

Especially in the double overtime of the last game, it was finally killed. At that time, the wolf king really had the urge to rush to kill Billups.

"Madman", Szerbiak, and Lin Fei also surrounded him, not sure whether Kassel was really ready to play.

"Sam, don't force yourself, with or without you, we will win Tianwangshan tonight!"

"Yeah Sam, forcibly fighting with injuries is not a wise choice, he will ruin your career!"

Lin Fei also comforted: "Sam, although I miss your pass, but don't make fun of your health and future!"

Kassel had a firm smile on his face. Although he was ugly, he was very gentle, and he exuded an amiable and humble atmosphere of an academic leader.

"I will play closed tonight, you don't need to persuade me, I have already discussed it with Coach Sanders!"

"If you still feel sorry for me as a big brother, then use all your strength to beat up those arrogant Pistons!"

As soon as the "alien" said this, the surrounding air instantly quieted down, and every Timberwolves player seemed to have a little more fighting spirit in an instant.

The wolf king clenched his fists tightly, gritted his teeth and said, "Sam, you are doing well, I will beat that bastard Rashid in tonight's match!"

The "Madman" was rarely silent. As someone of the same age as Cassel, he was the one who could best understand the other party's mood. The "Alien" was trading the end of his career for a championship.

Having won the championship this season, even retiring in situ is a kind of perfection. After all, "Madman" and Cassel have been fighting in the league for many years, and they are no longer short of money.

Compared with Cassel, "Madman" seems to need this championship more, after all, he has not tasted a championship in his 12-year career.

Lin Fei was also moved by Kassel's decision, and wanted to say something, but Kassel took the lead and patted himself on the shoulder with a smile:

"Lin, try to be yourself tonight, I believe I can give you more good balls!"

Cassel's words made Lin Fei almost break his defense, and immediately went up and hugged him to cover up the tears in his eyes.

"Sam, you look handsome tonight!"

Cassel smiled: "Lin, your compliment caught me off guard!"

Although he is destined to leave the Timberwolves at the end of this season, Lin Fei will always remember his rookie season.

Remember this old friend, Szebiak, and remember the support and encouragement of "Madman" and Wolf King.

Also remember the Bole of Philip Sanders, and the respectable big brother of Sam Cassell.

Philip Sanders' coaching team quickly walked onto the court, quickly explained the offensive and defensive tactical arrangements for tonight, and then divided the 12-man roster into two teams for tactical drills.

Cassel has not yet received a closed injection, so he just went to the court in advance to do some simple running and passing, and moved his sore back in advance to prepare for the game after the closed game.

The effect of the closed needle can last for about 3 hours, so the team doctor of the Timberwolves will inject Cassel's back muscles and ligaments one hour before the start of the game.
Make sure he can last the whole game.

The effect of the closed needle is only to relieve the nerve pain for a short time, but it does not mean that Cassel can complete any action on the court like a healthy player.

Injured back muscles, ligaments and mucous membranes will still affect Kassel's performance.

With Cassell on the court, Lin Fei's off-the-ball movement becomes more active, and he can even try some more daring methods. After many reverse runs, he leans on the outside to catch the ball and shoots, and he has a very efficient shooting rate.

This also made Lin Fei more aware of how important it is for him to partner with a top point guard.

Because the Timberwolves lost in G3 in the finals, Lin Fei only got 30 free attribute points from the system. Lin Fei didn't play for 4 minute in G1, so naturally there was no reward.

In addition to the 30 free attribute points accumulated after two days of training, a total of 60 points were added to the defensive attribute again.

[Ding, 60 free attributes have been added to the defensive attribute, the defensive attribute +1, raised to 53 points]

Lin Fei's little nose twitched, and the defense value increased more and more slowly.

For the precious free attribute points, Tianwangshan must win tonight!

After the training, Philip Sanders made the final summary and arrangement:
"Sam, Trenton, Madman, Kevin and Olowokandi will start the game tonight!"

"Lin and Szerbiak are back on the bench, you two are still the team's most important rotation players!"

"The starting lineup continued to maintain the offensive and defensive strategy of the previous G4 game. Kevin and Latrier attacked the basket more offensively to cause damage, and actively rushed for offensive rebounds!"

"Trenton, you are a point that is easy to be emptied, don't hesitate after getting the ball, and make a decisive shot!"

"Olowokandi, you have been blasted by Big Ben at the basket for two consecutive games. The team needs you to show a positive performance tonight. No one dares to say that you are the number one pick in parallel imports!"

"On the defensive end, we must show a tougher attitude and a sense of oppression to force the Pistons to make mistakes and get more opportunities to counterattack fast breaks!"

"Only by playing more counterattacks and fast breaks, can we destroy the arrogance of Detroit's home court, and Lin can also hit more three-pointers!"

Under the eyes of everyone, the time soon came to seven o'clock in the evening.

The home fans of the Palace of Auburn Hills were extremely enthusiastic, and the Pistons' pre-game appearance ceremony also exploded.

"Beep!"

At the whistle of the referee Stephen Jiawei, the most intense and tense battle of Tianwangshan in the finals officially started.

The starting five for the Minnesota Timberwolves are:
Point Guard (PG): Sam Cassell,

Shooting Guard (SG): Trenton Hassell,

Small Forward (SF): Latrell Sprewell,

Power Forward (PF): Kevin Garnett,

Center (C): Michael Olowokandi.

"Alien" Sam Cassell's comeback has made Pistons fans feel a little uneasy,
But there are also more Pistons fans who think this is a good signal, because it is impossible for Cassell's back injury to improve in a short time.

If it is said that Cassel is playing in a closed game, this further shows that the Timberwolves are at the end of the road.

In front of the on-site commentary stand, tonight's commentary partners are still TNT's two live treasures Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.

As Sam Cassell's big brother during the Houston Rockets' two-peat championship, Kenny Smith couldn't help but admire:
"Sam has always been the bravest fighter on the field, and I saw that in his rookie season!"

"I hope tonight's Timberwolves can bring more surprises to the fans!"

Charles Barkley, as "Lin Chuan", did not focus on Cassell himself:
"Sam's comeback may mean that Lin will get enough playing time tonight. What the Timberwolves need is not Sam to score, but assists!"

"Lin is an extremely talented pitcher, he needs a more perfect point guard around him!"

After Lin Fei fell off the cliff in G3 and G4 of the finals, Charles Barkley stood up for Lin Fei in public, believing that the Timberwolves' tactical system could not match Lin Fei's superb off-the-ball ability.

"We can't demand more from an undrafted pick. After all, this guy only has an annual salary of $35! He should have been sitting on the bench as a free VIP spectator!"

"On any championship-caliber team, if you have a minimum-salary player who can't handle the ball and defend poorly, but shoots a horrific 80 percent from three-point catch-and-shoot,"

"So if this team can't use this player properly and make good use of his off-ball and three-point abilities, it can only show that there is a problem with the team's main configuration and coaching team!"

"And the player himself, there is no problem!"

"No matter how accurate and powerful a sniper rifle is, it needs a well-trained special soldier to exert its great power!"

"There is no doubt that Lin is a sniper rifle for the Timberwolves, and how the Timberwolves will make good use of it tonight, let us wait and see!"

Charles Barkley's remarks can be said to have fully demonstrated his identity as "Lin Chui",
They not only found enough reasons and cover for Lin Fei's sluggish performance in G3, but also looked forward to the outbreak of Lin Fei's Tianwangshan battle tonight.

On the court, the opening two teams jump the ball,
This time Olowokandi was brave after knowing his shame, and finally won a little face after failing to jump the ball at the opening of four consecutive games.

"Snapped!"

Sam stepped forward to take the ball and advance, and the Timberwolves took the lead in attacking at the beginning.

Although he had received the sealing injection in advance and could not feel the pain in the back muscles and ligaments, Kassel was more careful at the beginning and did not dare to make too violent movements.

Billups quickly posted it fiercely, deliberately creating more physical confrontation for Cassell.

Cassel handed the ball to "Madman" immediately, and "Madman" made a pick-and-roll with Wolf King in the high position, misplaced and forced Rasheed Wallace.

"Whoosh!"

"Madman" broke through very sharply in the opening game, and directly passed the roaring Tianzun, and after entering the penalty area, he took off decisively and sent a low-handed layup.

Big Ben saw that the "madman" had already jumped and lifted the ball, so he decisively let go of Olowokandi and turned to defend him, and he was about to send a big cap.

However, in the face of Big Ben coming up from the left to defend and Rashid chasing behind him, "Madman" was unflappable. Another familiar fake throw and true pass, with a flick of his wrist, gave the ball to Olowokandi behind Big himself.

The basketball almost flew past Big Ben's profile. Ben Wallace was so shocked that he couldn't hold back his big hand and slapped it hard on the empty steel backboard.

Kenny Smith in front of the commentary stand was very excited, he patted the table and said:
"Latrier's difficult pass is so beautiful, it is exactly the same as the assist from the 2-degree angle Lin on the right in G0 of the finals!"

Although the "madman" passed the ball beautifully, Olowokandi, the rough man at the basket, missed the ball and almost made a mistake with a buttery hand and went out of bounds.

By the time Olowokandi stabilized the basketball for the second time and was about to take off and dunk, Big Ben had already turned back to defend.

"Give me that damn ball!"

The Wolf King, who came down the middle, rushed to the horse, roared at Olowokandi, jumped up decisively after receiving the ball, and smashed the ball into the basket hard through Ben Wallace, who was unable to block the shot.

"Boom!"

"Beep!"

The whistle blew the goal, and the referee Stephen Jiawei signaled that Ben Wallace fouled the Wolf King's shooting thug.

2+1.

The wolf king beat his chest and roared, showing the arrogance of the new MVP.

At the beginning of the game, they scored 2+1 against Big Ben's dunks, which is of great significance to the Timberwolves in the away game.

After losing two games in a row, Kevin Garnett also deeply reflected on his own problems. He cared too much about the honor of FMVP, which became a subtle shackle and burden on him.

In tonight's game, with the return of Sam Cassell, the Timberwolves can be said to have returned to an almost complete state.
The starting Five Tigers ruled the offense and defense, and Lin Fei and Szebiak provided enough firepower support on the bench. The Timberwolves, who beat the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals Game [-], are back tonight.

"Shh!"

The Wolf King went to the free throw line and made an extra free throw, and yelled at Ben Wallace when he returned to the defense: "Man, I will send you six fouls off tonight!"

Pistons attack.

Billups focused on Cassell, fighting hard with his upper body, squeezing his opponent to break through the penalty area.

But Cassell defended the ball very well. His rich experience and faster speed made up for the lack of tonnage, which made it very uncomfortable for Billups to break through.

Billups made an emergency stop and held the ball with his back against Cassell. This time he was convinced of his guess. It seemed that Cassell really played a closed game to win the finals.

"Sam, in order to win an FMVP for the Wolf King, do you want to ruin your own future?"

Although he is not good at talking trash, in order to win, Billups doesn't mind some heart attack tactics in actual combat.

Cassell was always alert to Billups' movements, and responded with a chuckle:
"Chauncey, you should be the one who wants to compete for MVP, right? Richard's scoring average is much higher than yours!"

Billups didn't talk nonsense, and quickly called a pick-and-roll from Rasheed Wallace, but the Wolf King switched defenses very decisively, and the long arms completely covered Billups' shooting space.

"Whoosh!"

Billups naturally gave the ball to Rasheed Wallace who was going down, but the pass was a bit careless, and Cassel rushed up and directly completed the steal.

"Snapped!"

During the counterattack fast break, Cassel gave the ball to the "madman" who was rushing down from the left. The latter completely threw off Prince by virtue of his speed and explosive power, and was about to go directly to the basket.

Billups could only grit his teeth and switch defenses to prevent the "madman" from fast break dunks.

"Madman" broke through the basket with the ball protector against Billups, with his eyes on the six roads, a comfortable pass after hitting the ground without looking at anyone,
Cassel, who quickly followed up from the left, caught the ball and jumped up, hit a layup and scored two points lightly.

"Shh!"

Timberwolves (5): (0) Pistons.

Lin Fei on the sidelines of the Timberwolves also jumped up and waved the towel with Szczerbiak, and at the same time his eyes were shining with emotion.

It can be clearly seen from Kassel's fast-break catch and layup just now that even though he played closed to prevent the pain of his back injury, his technical movements are still restricted and inevitably stiff.

At the same time, during the counterattack just now, Lin Fei believed that if he was on the court, he would definitely have the confidence to run an outside line to catch the ball and make a shot.

Under the defense of the five tigers of the Pistons, only by playing more counterattacks and fast breaks can Lin Fei hope to get more shots.

(End of this chapter)