super small forward

Chapter 38 38. Joint Defense
Popovich's thoughts are unpredictable, and he often does things beyond everyone's expectations.

When D'Antoni was on the alert, emphasizing countless offensive issues and possible obstacles, the Spurs announced before the game that Duncan and Ginobili would take turns to rest...

Yes, just so suddenly, all major TV stations are ready to broadcast live the battle for the top spot in the Western Conference... Well, although the two teams are only 2 wins and 0 losses, it is also a battle for the top spot, no, this year I don’t know why Well, less than a week after the start of the season, the only teams that haven't lost are the Spurs and the Lakers. After this game, there is only one team left.

Get off to a good start, and for a championship-focused team like the Spurs, the tough midseason will be easier.

Generally speaking, the championship-level teams have a relatively easy schedule at the beginning of the season. Occasionally, when a powerful opponent comes, they will go all out to defeat these possible playoff competitors.

The Lakers got off to a strong start, winning two consecutive victories against playoff-level teams like the Clippers and Warriors. No matter whether their star star is injured or not, logically speaking, such an opponent cannot be underestimated, otherwise it will be very painful to lose. own morale.

However, Popovich did just that, putting the inside core and backup core on the injury list.

"Greg, I know you have your own ideas, but I still want to know why Tim and Manu aren't allowed to play? It's only the beginning of the season, isn't it time for the rest?" Buford said to Bo, who was preparing for the game. Povich asked.

Popovich replied casually: "It's just a regular season. If Tim can rest more, we will let him rest as much as possible. If he loses, it can only be said that it is bad luck."

Buford can only say okay.

Popovich didn't say anything, that is, he didn't think he would lose. In his opinion, Leonard was no worse than Liu Ren.

It may be that the two free throws that decided the championship last season missed. Leonard's status in the eyes of the Spurs management has been greatly reduced. At least after seeing Liu Ren's explosive start, Buford, who is in charge of the Spurs' finances Daquan's general manager felt that Leonard was not as good as Liu Ren.

After all, with Liu Ren's brutal physical fitness, and the shooting touch of a yellow race, and now that he has learned the tricks, he might be the same as Kobe in the third grade. He took the starting position and started to take off.

In this way, Leonard, who has always been honest, not greedy for credit or showing off, is naturally not seen by Buford.

Let Leonard fight a beautiful battle against Liu Ren!Regardless of whether Liu Ren can be obtained three years later, Popovich will train Leonard as the core. Leonard is Popovich's strongest weapon against major outside stars in the playoffs.

Another point is to let Leonard and Liu Ren face each other more, to feel the impact that is not lost to James.

When the Spurs did not have Duncan and Ginobili, the situation facing Leonard was almost the same as that of Liu Ren. There was an old star in the team, Parker and Gasol, and everyone else was on the bench. gangster.

At least that's how it seems.

When Leonard heard the news that Duncan and Ginobili were resting, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. This is called...excitement?
The facial paralyzed man was so excited that his face was cramped, and Mills, who was training with him, panicked. This guy can also laugh?
……

For the Lakers, Liu Ren didn't feel relieved like the others when he knew the Spurs' rest strategy, and he paid the same attention to it as before.

He knows that it doesn't matter who the Spurs lack. As long as Popovich is there, the team's combat effectiveness will be terrible.

The Spurs have always been a disciplined team. On the contrary, the Lakers are almost a whole-hearted team. In addition to Liu Ren, Gasol, Whiteside, Green, Antetokounmpo, For Thackeray, everyone else has a one-to-two-year contract. Except for Nick Young, who is a player option in the second year, everyone else is even a team option.

Such a team is prone to two situations on the field. When the team is playing well, everyone is like Jordan. Everyone is working hard and the team is playing well. Everyone is afraid of making mistakes, and then the more afraid they are, the more mistakes they make.

So for such a strictly disciplined team, even if they all take turns in the starting lineup, Liu Ren still cannot underestimate it.

……

At 11:1 p.m. on November 7st, Los Angeles time. Staples Center, the Lakers played against the San Antonio Spurs at home.

The Lakers started Bazemore, Wesley Johnson, Liu Ren, Gasol and Green.

The Spurs started with Parker, Danny Green, Leonard, Diaw, and Splitter.

After the game started, Gasol won the jump ball for the Lakers, and the Lakers took the lead in attacking.

Running according to the tactics, Gasol first raised the high post to pick and roll Bazemore, and the two went down. Liu Ren blocked Dior with an off-the-ball pick and roll, and then raised the right side of the free throw line to catch the ball. Liu Ren turned back and hit the basket.

The tactics ran smoothly, and Green was in a good support position, but when Liu Ren came to the inside, he was double-teamed by Leonard and Splitter!
2-3 defense!There are three people on the inside, two people on the outside and Leonard on the inside. The mobility is strong, the defense is switched between inside and outside, and the inside is shrinking!
The Spurs actually played zone defense from the beginning!
Zone defense is a rare defensive strategy in the NBA. NBA players are all aggressive and aggressive, and double-teaming has already made them feel ashamed. Players from many teams are unwilling to play zone defense.

Even though the NBA has gradually become more in line with universities and the FIBA ​​in recent years, very few teams use zone defense, and there are almost no such teams that start zone defense.

There is no way, Liu Ren can only pull it out. The opponent uses the zone defense mainly to shrink the inside line, and even James can't hit the basket. In the finals last year, the Spurs almost killed the Heat by relying on this trick.

Liu Ren could only pull it out, and Leonard immediately followed.

The goal of the Spurs is very clear. The Lakers, from the point guard Bazemore to the small forward Liu Ren, are all players with strong impact. Gasol has had some troubles in the past two years, but the lingering power is still there, and the Spurs will be sure. With the Lakers now in this lineup, the Lakers have insufficient outside shooting ability and have defended the zone defense.

Liu Ren pulled out to catch the ball outside the three-point line and observed the opponent's defense.

Isn't this bullying him that there are no three-pointers in the Lakers starter?Whether the Lakers are starting or coming off the bench, they are characterized by strong impact and full lethality inside, but among the twelve people who have proved their three-point ability, only Farmar and Nick Young.

"Council defense?" Liu Ren said softly with a smile on his lips.

Leonard was still expressionless, following in front of Liu Ren.

The 24-second attack time was approaching, and Liu Ren knew he couldn't wait any longer, so he just pulled up and made a three-pointer against Leonard!
"Swish"

hit!

(End of this chapter)