basketball player

Chapter 388 Chapter 386: About the Spurs (monthly ticket plus update)

Slow pace, positional warfare and high efficiency, this is undoubtedly the most talked about characteristics of the Spurs.Don't think that in today's faster and faster rhythm, all teams must follow the rules.At least the San Antonio Spurs are still sticking to their set, and successfully reached the finals.

The next day, when Henson was driving on the streets of Indianapolis, he found that besides the posters of the stars, the posters of himself and Popovich were hung the most.

Sure enough, as those news said.

This is a war between two people!
While driving on the road, Henson was also thinking about the Spurs.Since the Spurs swept the Grizzlies 4-0 first, they have been resting for a long time.And this period of time was enough for Popovich to figure out his own routines.

But for Henson, the time to prepare for the finals was a bit too tight.Two days ago, he was fighting the Heat at the American Airlines Center.However, a few hours later, Henson had to face the San Antonio Spurs.

Two days, in the regular season, is enough time for Henson to get ready to play.But you have to know that Henson is going to play in the finals next, which is a series of games related to a whole season of hard work.Naturally, such a game cannot be confused with the regular season.And two days to prepare for the finals is indeed a bit too rushed.

So even while sitting in his retro Jaguar, Henson still had the Spurs players, the Spurs lineup and the Spurs' play on his mind.

In the game against the Spurs, the first problem is that the Pacers' huge inside advantage will completely disappear.Facing the Heat, David West and Horford's low-post offense is basically invincible. If it weren't for Haslem's recovery in the Eastern Conference finals this season, the Heat's inside disadvantage would have become more exaggerated.But the Spurs are different. Both Duncan and Splitter have outstanding height and wingspan. The former has achieved a scoring efficiency that is rare in recent years this season!

That's right, Tim Duncan, a guy who is almost 37 years old, didn't even show any signs of decline this season, which shocked Henson.Even in the Western Conference Finals, with the joint efforts of the "black and white bears" that the Grizzlies are proud of, Duncan still played excellent statistics.As long as there is a Tim Duncan, the Pacers will never get any advantage inside.

Thinking of Duncan, Henson thought of the Spurs themselves.19.2% of the Spurs' offensive rounds in the regular season ended with assists, ranking first in the league in assist rate!That's right, the Pacers are second again.

Popovich built a group of accurate outside shooters around GDP. They could play efficient offenses when defending the overlord Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals, so Henson can no longer use the method of defending the Heat to defend the Spurs. The teamwork ability of the Spurs is really too good.Therefore, the Spurs may not be able to directly cause terrifying damage to the Pacers inside like the Heat, but their ability to use space is also the strongest so far, which is completely different from the outside groups of the Bucks, Bulls, and Heat that Henson faced before.A while ago, ESPN believed that the Spurs are the most threatening Pacers among the Western Conference powerhouses, and the reason is that "their ball transfer and shooting ability are reminiscent of the Mavericks in 2011."

Although judging from the current odds of the gaming company, the Pacers seem to have a greater chance of winning the championship.But Henson will not be complacent because of this. After all, last season and the previous season, the gaming companies believed that the Heat had a better chance of winning.The results of it?As a result, the Heat lost.

The gaming company's odds can't explain anything, and Henson is very clear that the low-key, restrained, seemingly weak Spurs are actually the Pacers' biggest opponent this season.

While thinking, Henson had already arrived at the Bankers Life Arena.It's morning, so there are no fans outside the arena.But the reporters and news cars of the major sports channels have already created a warm atmosphere for the finals outside the arena.

Henson drove the car into the underground parking lot of the arena. Popovich and the Spurs were much more difficult to deal with than the Oklahoma City Thunder last season!

※※※

Popovich and his Spurs arrived at the arena at noon that day. Due to the longer rest and preparation, Popovich is very confident in the physical condition of the players.Therefore, this morning's training was simply canceled.Most of the guys on the Spurs have old arms and legs, and they can't stand the toss like the Pacers.

As soon as they got off the bus, the Spurs players were surrounded by reporters.For this kind of formation, the players are not in a hurry.After all, they have played in the finals too many times.Such a scene is naturally not surprising.

"Coach Popovich, what method do you think you will use to contain the Pacers' fast offense?" In the Spurs, players and Popovich will never be separated.The same is true during interviews. Reporters will not ignore Popovich because of the stars.It can be said that the coach Popovich is also a symbol of the San Antonio Spurs.

"There is no way to contain it. If there is a way, they will not be able to get 72 wins." Popovich's answer was understated. He obviously didn't want to entangle with the reporters.

"What do you think of the outside world's evaluation of this game? They said, this is a war between you and Henson Joe. Do you think this is appropriate enough?" The reporters are still unrelenting. They know that Popovich's style of facing the media is like this.And the audience, just like this one.

"Of course I don't agree. This kind of statement will make me seem to be relying on my old age. I will not fight Henson alone. It is the entire coaching staff of the Pacers who are fighting me."

Popovich's answer was very clever. He not only affirmed the other members of the opposing coaching staff, but also pretended to be forced by the way.You see, the opponent's coaching staff all join hands to fight against themselves.

With a smirk, Popovich walked into the player tunnel.Although he has had a mouthful in front of the media, Popovich is not arrogant.I really don't know how intense the game will be in the future.

He is still very confident in Henson Joe's ability.San Antonio Spurs, it is impossible to pass easily.

※※※

In the locker room today, Henson did not emphasize too many things to the players.He just said a few points. First, pay attention to controlling the rhythm. Don't be too fast or too slow to fall into the rhythm of the Spurs.Second, treat offense with caution and avoid mistakes.Against a team like the Spurs, the comparison is who makes fewer mistakes.Third, we must pay attention to the double-teaming of Duncan!

That's right, Henson hopes to double-team Duncan.He doesn't care how old Duncan is this year, or whether his style of play is outdated.He only knows that due to the relief of the plantar fasciitis injury that has plagued him for many years, Duncan played the best personal performance in the past four years this season!The average number of blocks per game is the second highest record in his career. At the age of 37, Duncan's performance is simply a miracle.

For such a player, if he doesn't double-team him, who will double-team him?

But Henson is very clear that these three precautions are definitely not enough.There is too little time left for him to prepare for the game, and he has no chance to study the Spurs thoroughly.Therefore, the most important thing in this game is to test the on-the-spot adaptability of him and his two assistants!
Henson didn't feel it when the media hyped him and Popovich at the beginning.But now that the game is approaching, Henson admitted that he was looking forward to the game.

After explaining the tactics, as usual, Henson needed to smoke a cigar to calm himself down.The players had Henson to help them decompress, but Henson couldn't cry to Bird.And smoking cigars is the only way for Henson to decompress.

This time he chose to go to the underground parking lot outside the player’s tunnel, because Henson found that every time he hid in the toilet and smoked cigars, he always had the feeling of hiding in the school toilet and smoking in middle school. Now that he is getting old, he can’t hide in the toilet all his life.

After puffing and puffing, Henson looked at his watch, put away his cigar, and walked back to the dressing room.But in the long and narrow player tunnel, Henson encountered an "uninvited guest".

"What are you doing here? Are you going to eavesdrop on our deployment?" Henson greeted the old man when he saw Popovich coming face to face.

"I said, if I have to do this kind of thing, I will send Tim over. How about Henson, how is the game preparation?" Popovich laughed, as if meeting an old friend.

"Not much, you know, I was fighting LeBron two days ago."

Henson tilted his head, not intending to hide anything.Because for Popovich, any concealment is futile.

"Hahaha, I like your sincerity, Coach Henson. I don't understand why such an excellent person calls you an asshole every day?"

"Maybe it's because we're both jerks."

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha."

The conversation between the two was very simple, but it seemed that both of them were enjoying it.

After laughing, Popovich also looked at his watch.Outside, fans cheering for the winner faintly poured into the player tunnel.

"The game is about to start." This time, it was Popovich who spoke first.

"Then Mr. Popovich, I don't wish your team good results." Henson put away his smile. He could accept having a drink with Popovich after the game, but he would never be soft on the old man because of this.

Popovich responded with a smile: "Same, Mr. Henson."

"Then, see you after the game."

"After the game, see you as winners and losers."

The two head coaches separated after a brief greeting. Although the personal relationship between the two was not bad, it was before the game, and it was before the finals!He is the biggest enemy. If he is too close, it will affect the morale of the players.

Pushing open the door of the locker room again, Henson took a deep breath when he found the dozen or so stars staring at him.

The NBA Finals... finally here!
"Come on guys, it's time to kick each other's ass!"

(End of this chapter)