basketball player

Chapter 391 389: It's your turn again, Henson
Danny Green, a guy whose statistics don't blow up and rarely scores difficult goals, has occupied the Pacers' starting third position for two consecutive seasons.

As we all know, the Pacers team has a lot of talent, especially on the perimeter.Each of Leonard, Stephenson, Jimmy Butler, and Ray Allen can play a big role immediately.But even so, Henson did not touch Danny Green's starting position.He knows very well that a player like Green cannot use statistics to judge good or bad.

His stable output from beyond the three-point line, his defensive stability and his unrelenting running will always benefit the team.

In terms of three-pointers, Green is not as legendary as Ray Allen.In terms of defense, Green may not be as good as Jimmy Butler and Leonard.In terms of offense with the ball, Stephenson is definitely better than Green.But on the whole, Henson believes that Green is still the most suitable player to start.Today, Green proved it with his ability.

Two consecutive three-pointers, one of which was a difficult fast-break three-pointer.As soon as Henson came up, he stopped the Spurs with a 9-0 offensive.

During the timeout, Popovich undoubtedly criticized Gary Neal's defense first.But the old man is very clear that criticism alone cannot solve any problems. It's only 10 points. If Henson Joe thinks that 10 points can overwhelm him, then he thinks the Spurs are too simple.

"How did I tell you!? If you are opened by the opponent's three-pointer, then hit the inside, hit the inside! Are you deaf or stupid!? Or, do you think you can win the game without listening to me!?"

Regardless of the master's age, he is also highly respected.But this guy has never been a gentleman. He is not a gentleman to his players, reporters or opponents.

"Boris, you go up and open up the space. Tim, you play the fifth position. I want you to hit the opponent's defense in the paint. If you can't win Horford in a 1-on-1 situation, then you just go home with the basketball." Popovich's tactics are very clear. He is going to use his own "nuclear weapon" inside.

"Boss?" Duncan, who didn't talk much, opened his mouth after listening to the tactics.

"Is there anything you don't understand?"

"I understand the tactics, but if I want to go home, I haven't bought a ticket yet."

"Pfft!" After Duncan finished speaking, the rest of the Spurs held back their laughter.This guy Duncan is like this, if he doesn't speak, he is always classic when he speaks.

Popovich glared at Duncan, but he had to admit that his anger was calmed down a lot because of the big stupid idiot's remarks.

Duncan knew very well that the team doctor told Popovich more than once to make him less angry.
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Since Ray Allen and Danny Green still feel good, Henson still did not change the lineup after returning from this timeout.Paul, Green, and Allen paired with Horford and West.In this way, George and Leonard can breathe a little longer.

But on Popovich's side, he didn't continue to be conservative.The old man first replaced Neil with Ginobili. Neil was a fake starter, and he was scored consecutively by the opponent just now. Naturally, there was no reason to stay.On the inside, Popovich replaced the chubby, harmless French striker Boris Diaw.

But Henson is very clear that Diaw is harmless to humans and animals. He is the kind of player who is more "monstrous" and has a very high basketball IQ. He is simply tailor-made for the Spurs team.

Of course, don't think that Dior is a bully floor streamer.It is said that when Dior held a cup of coffee and wore a pair of slippers, he defeated Stoudemire in the height touching event. That's right, it was Stoudemire who was known as the "little bully".This guy just doesn't like to use his physical talent to solve the game.

Seeing Popovich put on such a lineup, Henson probably knew his intentions.Tim Duncan, the rock-solid "No. 21 rookie", is about to start playing!

But can the chisel of two points and two points really fill up the difference?
After returning from the timeout, sure enough, Tim Duncan, who had been "playing dead", began to ask for a position inside.Unlike Split, Boris Dior is not a simple blue-collar worker.He can shoot, and his shooting range can extend beyond the three-point line.Although Diaw doesn't take many shots per game, his shooting percentage is still impressive.

So far in the playoffs, Dior's three-point shooting percentage is as high as 38%!For a player with such a shooting percentage, David West naturally dare not let him go.

As a result, Popovich got his wish and gave Duncan a chance to single Horford in the low post.Is Horford a defensive weakness?Obviously not.It can be said that, on the contrary, this guy is still one of the top defensive centers in the league.

However, in front of Duncan, any top defense is not a problem!

When Duncan held the ball with his back after receiving a pass from Parker, there were no "idle people" in the penalty area.The Spurs have completely opened up the space, leaving only Duncan and Horford in the low post.

I saw Duncan sitting back two steps lightly, and after finding the rhythm, he suddenly received a small hook.With the advantage of height and wingspan, Duncan didn't seem to jump much, and hooked the basketball in.

Yes, the ball went in, and it was such an understatement, it was like white water.Not much flavor, but also the most thirst quenching.

"Great basic skills." Henson couldn't help feeling that a player like Duncan is simply a treasure of the league.

Although Duncan scored, the Pacers' offense will not stagnate.After continuing the chasing three-pointer before the timeout, Green's defensive sequence outside the three-point line undoubtedly became the top priority.

So when he received a pass from Paul and feinted a shot, even the experienced "martial saint" was fired.Green took advantage of Jackson's chance to get the ball into the three-point line, and then made a mid-range jumper.

Green, who feels hot, naturally won't waste the mid-range shot, and the Pacers will immediately open the point difference to double digits again.It seems that the adjustment of the Spurs does not seem to have worked.Their defense, still can't get the job done.

The camera first scanned Popovich on the sidelines, and then gave a close-up of Duncan who had just scored.But on the faces of these two people, you can only read calmness!
Duncan still has that "facial paralysis" look, and he didn't show any emotions such as frustration because the point difference was widened again.The Spurs still go their own way, Duncan continues to play singles at the basket!
This time, Duncan didn't even take the step of sitting back after holding the ball.Facing Horford, who was a head shorter than himself, Duncan turned over and shot a jumper directly from the middle distance!
Since Duncan's take-off height is almost negligible, Horford was still sealed in front of Duncan.But for a historic player like Duncan, a little interference can't make him miss.Many balls you thought you interfered with Duncan, but Duncan was not affected at all!
Another unpretentious, seemingly unflappable turnaround jumper.Duncan scored consecutively, and the Spurs recovered a little bit.For some reason, Henson, who still held an 8-point advantage, felt a little panicked.

Subsequently, Green's magic has not been continued.Stephen Jackson directly gave up guarding against Green's breakthrough, but pressed close to the court to prevent Green from getting a chance to shoot.

Jackson's extreme defensive approach paid off. After Green scored 8 points in a row, he finally forced Green's scoring momentum to stop in the right corner.

There is no doubt that this is an opportunity for the Spurs to narrow the gap.But it seems that the Spurs are still not in a hurry.Parker slowly crossed the half, waiting for Duncan and himself to set a screen.

Duncan cuts after the screen and Parker passes.This is a typical Spurs pick-and-roll offense, but the difference is that Horford has long been waiting for Duncan with his arms raised under the basket!
Horford is definitely an expert in judging defensive positions!
Horford did block Duncan's layup route. After receiving the basketball, Duncan had to rely on Horford to force a layup.But even in the confrontation, Duncan's shooting action is still not deformed.With a flick of the No. 21's wrist, the basketball fell towards the basket with precision as if under control.At the same time, the referee blew his whistle.It was not Duncan's offensive foul, but Horford's defensive foul!
The basketball hit the net, Duncan high-fived his teammates expressionlessly, and scored a three-pointer!
"It's comparable to the soft touch of a defender." Henson shook his head. The old Duncan's dominance was beyond his imagination.

Although the Pacers fans did their best to boo Duncan on the subsequent free throws.But "Stone Buddha" turned a deaf ear to this and made the free throw steadily.In an instant, the double-digit difference became 5 points.Henson gritted his teeth, Popovich is always Popovich!Instead of collapsing after falling behind by double digits, the Spurs became more and more courageous.

15 seconds later, the San Antonio Spurs made a comeback.The Pacers' offense just ended under Paul's mid-range shot, and the string of goals could not be maintained throughout the night.It is reasonable for the Pacers to miss a shot.

The Spurs are still the same, Duncan holds the ball with his back, ready to attack.This time, Horford was on the lookout, and the rest of the Pacers saw the opportunity to double-team.

However, Duncan hit the ball without warning!At the same time, Manu Ginobili cut in empty-handed and received this wonderful pass.

Ray Allen's defense is not too tight, and Ginobili is too good at "playing dead".The Argentine had obviously made an expression of "sit and watch Duncan play singles", but he suddenly cut into the penalty area by surprise.Ray Allen failed to react immediately, so the Argentine slipped in.

To chase Ginobili, for the current Ray Allen, it is a bit difficult for him.

So Duncan used his excellent ability to support the ball to assist the Argentine for a layup. Ginobili changed hands from the air cut to the midair layup, and the whole process revealed a sense of shame.

Duncan's low-post singles are not just about scoring.

From 10 points behind to 3 points behind, the Spurs only took a few minutes.The Indiana Pacers are notoriously a game-controlling team, and games against them can be very passive if they trail by more than double digits.

But Popovich and the Spurs told Henson that this law is useless to them!

"Do you want to pause?" Seeing this situation, Vogel reminded Henson.

Henson nodded, looking not in a good mood, "Next round, prepare to pause."

Popovich caught Henson's move.Now, it's Henson again to check and balance Popovich.

In the game between two top coaches, it is often impossible to tell the winner in advance.
(End of this chapter)