The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 440 Entering the Preparation Stage
Popovich is also very satisfied with the two disciples, especially when they entered the league, they both grew rapidly under his guidance.

In an interview with a local reporter, he said that there are many people who can shoot three-pointers, and of course there are also many people who can hit lore shots, but no one is willing to defend desperately. Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard are different, scoring crazy , The efficiency is amazing, and he can defend desperately. How many players can there be in the league like this player?Could it be that such a person can't be a candidate for MVP?

Popovich's topic of MVP also caused a chain reaction of discussions.

The Spurs' record this season is amazing, and Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard have also been on the predicted MVP list.

But now everyone is more willing to believe that Westbrook, who is averaging a triple-double, Harden, who is close to averaging a triple-double, and James, who is almost 33 years old and still strong, is closer to the MVP.

The league has no formal standards for how much the team's record affects the regular season MVP, so experts, celebrities, and players from all walks of life expressed their opinions one after another, and it was very lively.

Zhang Xiaotian said in an interview, "I really don't care that much. What should be mine is mine. It's useless if it's not mine, but the championship trophy is different, the score is always clear."

Many people think that he is making fun of him, Zhang Xiaotian doesn't care at all, his current achievements and status in the world, he doesn't need to care about the little people at all.

Besides, he is talking about the championship, and others want to refute him, but he really lacks confidence.

On March 3, the Spurs played against the Kings at home.

After the Kings sent Cousins, they have actually given up this season.

The three main players Zhang Xiaotian, Leonard and Aldridge had a truce, and the players still easily defeated their opponents.

Popovich is very happy, the team basketball without a star is to take a look during the rotation.

He did not hesitate to praise, "Winning is the result of the team's hard work. They all performed extremely well. Defense is the key to the game. They defended the opponent, marked the whole court, and started to press at halftime, forcing them to make some mistakes. They did what they were supposed to do.”

The next day, the Spurs went to Oklahoma to play back-to-back challenges against the Thunder.

This time, Parker, Ginobili and Gasol are rested. After falling behind in the first three quarters, Leonard suffered a head injury and did not appear on the court in the fourth quarter. Zhang Xiaotian failed to help the team achieve a big comeback. Lost in Game [-].

When asked after the game if the Spurs had a chance to win if Leonard continued to play, Popovich said: "They're going to beat us no matter what, and if Kawhi plays in the fourth quarter, they'll keep them going." That momentum, we carry on with our attitude, they're going to beat us anyway, we never make any excuses, we get kicked in the ass."

In fact, the team is preparing for the playoffs, and the next games will not be risky.

If it was the first half of the season, Zhang Xiaotian would not accept the suggestion of rest, but at this time, he will make a move to reassure the team.

Then the Spurs returned to the home court. Zhang Xiaotian was much happier playing at home. He would spend more time with his wife and son.

Having a son made many things feel different.

On March 3, the Spurs met the Warriors' challenge at home.

The Warriors' four All-Stars are all on truce, and the Spurs' Aldridge and Leonard are also on truce. Zhang Xiaotian originally wanted to score a game, but he moved too quickly. The fourth quarter became garbage time and did not play. 36 points.

Popovich said in an interview: "This victory is acceptable to us, but this is not a fair battle."

It can be expected that the two encounters in the playoffs will definitely be very intense.

On March 3, the Spurs continued to sit at home, this time their challenger was the Eagles.

Leonard has made a healthy comeback, but Aldridge is still on truce because of an irregular heartbeat. This is an accident, and Popovich also has a bit of a headache.

I often make up some jokes to take a rest. Is this a retribution, but the outside world doesn't believe it at all. Popovich is already a wolf in this regard.

The Eagles are now in the stage of competing for the playoffs, which is completely different from teams such as the Spurs and Warriors that no longer need to consider.

They hit the inside frantically when they came up. Millsap and Howard, their choice must be no problem.

The Spurs Aldridge is not there, and Gasol still hasn't started. This time they are a senior and a junior.

Therefore, with Zhang Xiaotian as the axis, the Spurs gave full play to their dislocation advantages.

Especially for Leonard, Millsap was very embarrassed, and on the defensive end, Leonard can also defend the fourth position.

So the Eagles' inside offensive didn't work, especially for Howard. Dedmon did a good job of restricting it. Moreover, that guy got a free throw opportunity and missed it at all.

In this way, the Eagles' targeted tactics became a faint move, and the Spurs successfully took the lead.

The Eagles were still very fast, and quickly cut the main attack point to the outside line.

The Spurs' outside defense is very strong, but now they have to be restrained by the inside.

The Eagles have Millsap and Howard, and it is impossible for the Spurs to really expand the defense line without scruples.

In the following time, the two sides began to back and forth.

However, the Spurs' advantage in the first quarter was easily retained. Although they can use the inside to contain the score, if they can't bloom both inside and outside, the Eagles will not be able to chase points.

At the end of the half, the Spurs still maintained a 10-point lead.

Popovich was not completely satisfied, the opponent's No. [-] Schroeder played too well.

Mills started the No. [-] position this time. Murray used it more when Parker was away, but they couldn't defend the No. [-] position well. Popovich was unhappy.

If there is a suitable candidate, Popovich can actually let Parker play off the bench.

After emphasizing defense during the halftime break, the third quarter still didn't work. Mills worked hard, but it wasn't that material. As a result, the Eagles got a chance inside because the defense line expanded a little bit.

Fortunately, the Hawks did not have the strength to burst points, and the Spurs still entered the final quarter with an 8-point lead.

At this point in the game, there should be a result. Although the eagle's substitute Tim Hardaway Jr. has shown impressive abilities, they are completely unable to limit Zhang Xiaotian.

In order to restrict Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard, the Eagles had to keep Howard, who was a bit out of tune with the team, on the field, which made them unable to attack with all their strength, but they tried to remove Howard two minutes before the final quarter, in exchange for Zhang Xiaotian's unscrupulous Hit the rim.

The Eagles can only change, and when they are about to become awkward because of the strength of the Spurs, the outcome of this game is actually doomed.

(End of this chapter)