The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 45 Tactics and Strength

In the first three quarters, Zhang Xiaotian only caught and shot the ball in the open. DeRozan did not expect Zhang Xiaotian to attack with the ball so fiercely. After being pushed away, he almost watched the basketball fall into the basket.

Is he facing the league's top striker? DeRozan stood still for a full second.

Popovich on the sidelines also narrowed his eyes, why couldn't this kid show such arrogance in training.

DeRozan was naturally upset after recovering. He has entered the league for the fourth year and has become the core of the team. How can he be taught a lesson by a rookie.

When it was the Raptors' turn to attack, DeRozan turned his back to ask for the ball, and he wanted to back Zhang Xiaotian again to save face.

It's just that after he received the ball, he immediately felt that something was wrong. Why is the Spurs kid stronger?

DeRozan didn't have time to think too much, and his back hitting method was not the kind of sitting inside by relying on strength. He swayed left and right and made continuous fake moves but protected the ball very well.

When he sensed it, he turned over and shot a jumper.

With his bouncing and backward leaning, almost no one can interfere, but this time Zhang Xiaotian's outstretched hand is obviously higher than before. DeRozan felt a little strange, and then the ball was hit.

What's going on, the defense also feels more troublesome.

In fact, Zhang Xiaotian didn't block the opponent's shooting line, but it gave DeRozan more pressure, which ultimately affected the shot.

The Raptors missed the shot, but the Spurs seized it, and Danny Green hit a three-pointer.

When Zhang Xiaotian started to score, Danny Green was often the beneficiary. The opponent's defense could not cover everything, and he could always have open opportunities outside the three-point line.

After the offensive and defensive transition, DeRozan hit the iron again, and the Spurs were hit by Duncan inside, forcing the opponent to call a timeout.

After the timeout, the Raptors did not change their lineup, but Popovich took the initiative to adjust, and played one big and four small ones again.

Although the Raptors have height, Bargnani has been on the outside almost all the time. After switching to the outside to follow the defense, the Spurs' offense can have more changes.

With a lineup of one big and four small, the Raptors' defense will definitely have problems.

However, in the next two rounds, neither side scored. The Raptors were determined to let Danny Green go. Unfortunately, Danny Green was not on time and could not help the team expand the score.

On the Raptors side, DeRozan was not afraid to make a shot. Anyway, he bravely tried because Zhang Xiaotian let him make a three-pointer, but obviously his skills were not good enough.

For this reason, DeRozan vented all his grievances on defense, and he never left Zhang Xiaotian.

So Zhang Xiaotian encountered the embarrassment of not being able to get the ball again. He is now the Spurs' fourth choice, and the opponent is defending the fifth choice Danny Green. It is difficult for the ball to reach his hands.

The scoring drought between the two sides was finally broken by Jonas Valanciunas, who received a second pass and scored 2+1.

This time, the Raptors went ahead by 1 point.

But then Ginobili hit a three-pointer in singles, and the score became a 2-point lead for the Spurs.

Time has entered the last few minutes, and tactics have become less important.

Zhang Xiaotian stared at DeRozan. DeRozan was expressionless. He didn't know if he still had the confidence to attack by himself, but he definitely didn't have the confidence to shoot a three-pointer. He let Zhang Xiaotian take a step and a half from outside the three-point line. Can only choose to pass.

At this time, Kyle Lowry, who had no sense of presence in the second half of the Raptors, hit a pull-up jumper and the score was tied.

Zhang Xiaotian began to keep asking for the ball, but Parker continued to choose singles at this time.

At 2 minutes and 18 seconds, Zhang Xiaotian grabbed the rebound and launched an attack directly.

Popovich frowned but didn't say anything. Zhang Xiaotian made the same choice as Parker before, breaking through to the side in the counterattack and shooting.

The difference is, he hit the ball.

The Raptors' lineup is also very wide. If Duncan is a few years younger, they must be looking for death, but at the end of the fourth quarter, Duncan's physical strength seems to be no longer as good as the opponent.

The Raptors also allowed Valanciunas to attack inside. When the game was about to enter the last minute, Duncan blocked the opponent, but the ball was still in the hands of the Raptors. Valanciunas then made a mid-range shot.

Next, Zhang Xiaotian received a return pass from Duncan and made a shot, and the Spurs took the lead again.

Unexpectedly, Valanciunas suddenly broke out at the last moment, first blocked the Spurs' shot, and then made a foul and made two free throws.

88:88, with only the last 24 seconds left in the game, the Spurs have the ball.

During the timeout, Zhang Xiaotian took the initiative to speak out, expressing his confidence in the final shot.

But it wasn't the last few seconds, it was Parker who controlled the ball and pressed the rhythm.

They will definitely press the ball until the end before making a shot, and will not leave time for the opponent to attack.

Popovich handed over the command of the court to Parker. Four players on the court have the ability to end the game from the outside, and Zhang Xiaotian is one of them.

Parker pressed the clock to the last 6 seconds before breaking through. Zhang Xiaotian desperately wanted the ball, but in the end Parker still chose to shoot by himself. The shot missed, and the two sides entered overtime.

Zhang Xiaotian was a little depressed, but he had nothing to say. Parker had the right to choose himself. If he didn't trust a role player too much, even if the role player had several key performances before.

He was mainly depressed because Popovich didn't arrange tactics for him. Parker was the leader of the team, but if Popovich spoke, the opponent would give him the ball.

It's not that easy to survive in the NBA.

Perhaps Popovich also felt that Zhang Xiaotian had a better chance of hitting the last shot, but Zhang Xiaotian has no future plans to enter the Spurs, and he does not intend to give Zhang Xiaotian the core treatment.

Otherwise, there may be conflicts in the team, and Popovich believes in those disciples who have followed him for many years.

Just now Zhang Xiaotian ignored tactics, it was just an introduction.

Fortunately, the game is not over yet, and Popovich has no plans to replace Zhang Xiaotian.

In overtime, Parker scored first, and Zhang Xiaotian immediately focused on defense.

DeRozan has also regained his confidence and made another shot against Zhang Xiaotian's defense.

At this time, Zhang Xiaotian's skill effect is even more outstanding. DeRozan's first two attempts were to hit the iron, and the Spurs also led by 4 points, but the core players are the core players.

Under Zhang Xiaotian's almost perfect defense, DeRozan hit two extremely difficult shots in a row.

Is this the player who can be the core? Zhang Xiaotian's fighting spirit is getting higher and higher.

He has not been in the league for a long time, he is not good enough in training, and it is normal for his teammates not to trust him that much.

He will never be respected if he goes down complaining.

On the court, if you are strong enough, you will have respect.

After Zhang Xiaotian got the rebound, he chose to push the ball forward again. He didn't want to ignore the tactics, but at this time, he had the strength.

(End of this chapter)