The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 495 Fatigue Period

The Blazers' defense is actually not bad. Evan Turner and Harkless can both block Zhang Xiaotian, and Nurkic's defense is not bad.

However, apart from the internal and external cooperation between Zhang Xiaotian and Aldridge, there was another small accident today.

That is, Ginobili feels very hot, and they are prone to accidents when they flank Zhang Xiaotian.

In fact, CJ McCrum also came to feel the touch, and he and Zhang Xiaotian also fought for a few minutes.

The Blazers still need core players to solve problems in the end, and CJ McCrum did a good job.

It's just that the Spurs did better. While Zhang Xiaotian scored, he distributed the ball to the outside. Ginobili hit four three-pointers. Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts was speechless.

They didn't give up easily, it was just that time was running out.

After CJ McCrum missed a 35-pointer with [-] seconds left, their chances were slim.

The Blazers considered whether to foul, Zhang Xiaotian raised his hand and scored another three-pointer, don't think about it now, they are completely out of play, and the Spurs will make another victory.

Zhang Xiaotian scored 33 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in this game, achieving a triple-double.

If he played more selfishly this season, he might be able to average a triple-double per game.

However, it is still difficult to think about it carefully. The team will not give him so much time to hold the ball.

It is more promising to score more points and help the team win more.

Anyway, he is now one of the top players in the MVP predictions. It is good to help the team improve its performance while maintaining this momentum.

He's stable enough that he feels he has a chance this season.

The second back-to-back game is against the Kings. The current situation of the Kings is a bit confusing. The grades are not good and they have not focused on training new players. They just pass the fight.

But this time they started to play really well. Center Stein is in good condition, and the substitute players are also very active. The Spurs really can't do anything about the back-to-back away games.

At halftime, Popovich made demands on the team's defense.

At present, the strength of several main players abroad, including the main rotation, is almost the same. The Spurs' defense is not just for one person, but the overall defense must be done well.

Then there is the offense, which must be played more resolutely.

Playing in the third quarter, Zhang Xiaotian rushed in and blew the horn of the Spurs' offense.

As Aldridge played better and better against Randolph, the Spurs' offense became more active.

When Aldridge is playing smoothly, the Spurs are also at their most relaxed and threatening on the offensive end.

They expanded the attack area, and Zhang Xiaotian succeeded several times on the outside, disrupting the king's defensive confidence.

And Stein was not a strong insider on the offensive end, and he didn't have a stunning performance after being noticed by the Spurs, and the situation was slowly controlled by the Spurs.

The Kings were able to lead the Spurs by relying on some super performances. Now that the Spurs have improved their defensive strength, they are playing a bit difficult.

The harder it is, the more formal the fight, and they obviously can't compete with the Spurs one by one.

This is the problem of the team's background. If you lead, you don't know how to keep it. Once you are caught up, you will panic and lose the previous feeling.

In the fourth quarter, it was Zhang Xiaotian's performance time again.

The Kings couldn't hold on anymore, they didn't have a strong core player, and now they don't know what to do when someone wants to stand up.

Still fighting like before, that is, no one is sure of making a move.

Normal shots are different from shots at critical moments. When Zhang Xiaotian hit two three-pointers in a row, the Kings lost their confidence to fight again.

For a team without a clear goal for the season, players will not work hard for victory.

When the schedule is halfway through, it is also when the players are more tired.

As a public enemy of the whole people, the Spurs are really not amazing enough. In many cases, it is not until the last quarter that they defeat their opponents.

Popovich is also pondering, and by the time of the All-Stars, the team's starting lineup will also stabilize.

Parker's state and physical condition are not very good, and the old man also plans to let Ai Jiang go to the bench, and he will also reduce his playing time.

There is no problem with Leonard anymore. If there is a suitable target, the Spurs still want to make some small deals to see if they can add some offensive players.

The inside line is not perfect. Dedmon is not an advantage in the small ball era, but it is not bad.

The most important thing is the health of the team, they have to gradually prepare for the playoffs in advance.

On January 1, the Spurs played away against the Lakers.

The Lakers actually want to work hard every summer, and they are not short of money, but the results have been mediocre in recent years.

Last summer they signed Pope for 1800 million a year, and then traded for Lopez.

But what they are looking forward to is still young people and rookies. Three of the four rookies this year have shown impressive strength.

Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart, especially Kuzma, were pleasantly surprised.

Entering the league from the college league, many players are not used to it. Some players who were amazing in college disappeared after entering the league, but there are also opposite situations.

Some players are very suitable for playing professionally, and they burst out stronger than others as soon as they entered the league. Kuzma and Jazz's Mitchell are quite pleasant surprises.

The Lakers are young and energetic. Ingram and Lonzo Ball caused a lot of trouble for the Spurs at the beginning of the game.

Of course, there were some problems with the Spurs' touch, and Zhang Xiaotian's shooting percentage was not very good.

This is the second time in a row. Although the young players of the Lakers are good, their strength is about the same as that of fish belly. The strength of the Spurs should overwhelm most teams to play, rather than all teams relying on halftime to adjust their tactics.

Before Popovich opened his mouth to curse, Zhang Xiaotian spoke first during the timeout.

"Guys, we are the defending champions, this is not the state we should be in."

As the core of the team, Zhang Xiaotian must be responsible for the current situation of the team.

"I will first review, I am not doing well enough, but I will lead by example to make changes, we must play the pride of the defending champions. Everyone, be more active, be more active... I will treat you after the game."

The final twist wiped off the heavyness on everyone's faces instantly, and Popovich couldn't help joking, "What a treat, is it so difficult to play well? Why do you mix other things... remember to call me."

"Okay, go tell those young boys that the league is a cruel place."

Playing again, the Spurs' defensive rotation speed was significantly accelerated.

A lot of three-pointers were shot by the Lakers before, but now they don't allow it.

Even if the opponent's strength is not very strong, they must treat it seriously.

Things like squandering will form a habit, and the road to defending the title cannot be taken lightly. They must correct their attitude and work harder.

(End of this chapter)