The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 6 Coaching Trust

The Lakers summer league lineup does not have a core player like Leonard.

Their outstanding players are Darius Morris, who was in the same class as Leonard, and Andrew Goodlock, who was just traded from the Cavaliers. -Thackeray.

The Spurs' starting lineup was the same as the previous game. Zhang Xiaotian didn't have the jerkyness of the first game, and sat on the bench and kept shouting for his teammates.

Leonard is still an obvious strength, but the team's shooting percentage is only average.

Just like before Zhang Xiaotian played in the last game, the advantages and disadvantages are offset, and the scores of the two sides are leading alternately.

Zhang Xiaotian is very familiar with this kind of scene. Leonard is on the court just like when he was leading the amateur team, being both a father and a mother.

But the essence is still different. The Spurs deliberately designed tactics for Leonard in order to train Leonard, so that he can take on more responsibilities, not other teammates.

Leonard's stern look on the court is actually not the rhythm of the summer league. If he can speed up the team, the Spurs will definitely be able to open the score.

But Jacques Vaughan obviously didn't care. He kept reminding the players on the field to match Leonard's rhythm, but the result was still not satisfactory to him.

Jacques Vaughn remembered Zhang Xiaotian's performance in the first game, and asked him to prepare to play, and told him to defend well.

In the game against the Eagles, what Zhang Xiaotian left the deepest impression on the coach was not his offensive ability, but his defense when playing with Leonard and his good coordination with Leonard's rhythm.

Jacques Vaughan played a small lineup in the first quarter of this game, replacing Zhang Xiaotian with Leonard.

Jacques Vaughn gave Zhang Xiaotian the task of marking Darius Morris of the Lakers.

Without the bonus of the hot state card, Zhang Xiaotian's defensive flaws were exposed.

Compared with John Jenkins, Darius Morris was faster. The referee whistled and Zhang Xiaotian fouled.

"I can't defend against any cat or dog." Darius Morris snorted disdainfully before turning and walking towards the free throw line.

Zhang Xiaotian clenched his fists tightly, his anger made him even more motivated to fight. He must calm down and do his best to cause trouble for the opponent.

Darius Morris didn't know who Zhang Xiaotian was at all. As a classmate, he didn't think he was worse than Leonard, and he couldn't wait to prove it.

But he knew right away that he was in trouble. Zhang Xiaotian's defense might not be as good as Leonard's in terms of skills, but he was not bad at all in terms of toughness.

And he doesn't need to care about his physical strength. He sticks to Darius Morris at all times and seeks a physical confrontation with the opponent. This is Zhang Xiaotian's own defensive strategy. No matter how powerful a guy is, his state will decline when he is tired. .

So every time he deals with the core of the opposing team, he will try his best to consume it.

Darius Morris then completely fell into the trap of Zhang Xiaotian's physical confrontation, playing extremely hard and annoying.

However, Zhang Xiaotian also quickly paid the price of three fouls.

Jacques Vaughn rested his chin on the back of his hand and stared at the performance of every player on the field. The combination of Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard did not achieve the effect of the first game.

It is normal for players who have not played in professional leagues to have ups and downs, but Jacques Vaughan can understand that what he admires most is Zhang Xiaotian's hard work on the court.

But is there a better choice? As a coach, Jacques Vaughan is very professional and will only choose players who are helpful to the team.

If Zhang Xiaotian can't meet the requirements, no matter how good his attitude is, he will only recommend more suitable candidates.

At the end of the half, the Spurs only led by three points. Jacques Vaughn and the players emphasized the problem of seizing opportunities. They had many more opportunities than the Lakers, but they did not effectively convert them into points.

In the summer league, the coach will not always emphasize too specific tactics, he will only tell the players what to do, and then give more opportunities to players who can do it.

In the rotation time of the third quarter, Jacques Vaughn didn't let Zhang Xiaotian play first, and he still played a small lineup. Jacques Vaughn tried the striker Tyler Wilkelson.

Zhang Xiaotian immediately became nervous, but after 1 minute, only firmness remained on his face.

No matter how the coach chooses, he must show his best side, and he must try his best to beat his competitors and win for the team.

A few minutes later, Jacques Vaughan frowned, and Taylor Wilkerson couldn't meet his requirements. Perhaps the small lineup played too well in the first game, which made him raise his expectations.

It's just summer league, the players aren't familiar enough yet, and maybe that's the ceiling.

Fortunately, Leonard is worth looking forward to. The team played a little chaotic in the third quarter, but relying on Leonard's personal performance, the team still maintained the lead.

After the third quarter, Zhang Xiaotian took the initiative to ask Ying, "Coach, let me play, I will definitely do what the coach asks."

Jacques Vaughn nodded when he saw Zhang Xiaotian was full of fighting spirit.

There are only these people in the team. He will definitely let Zhang Xiaotian play in the fourth quarter, but the question of time is debatable. Now that Zhang Xiaotian is actively asking for a fight, he decided to let Zhang Xiaotian play earlier.

Jacques Vaughn let Leonard take a break and replaced Zhang Xiaotian at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

Standing on the court again, Zhang Xiaotian felt that his physical condition was extremely good. It was amazing. He instantly had a strong self-confidence.

With Darius Morris still on the court, the Lakers took the lead on the offense.

He hated Zhang Xiaotian too, because of Zhang Xiaotian's entanglement in the first half, his physical strength was affected, he hit the iron several times in a row, and was said a few words by the coach.

It's just a small role among small roles, and he is going to crush Zhang Xiaotian now.

He dribbled the ball to Zhang Xiaotian and said provocatively: "You trash who only fouls, you are 100 years too early to guard me."

Darius Morris was about to break through from the left with a feint, and Zhang Xiaotian, who had activated his skills, was faster and his judgment was more accurate, so he would not be affected by this rough fake move.

Zhang Xiaotian's footsteps kept up with the opponent's advancing route, and as soon as he stretched out his arms, Darius Morris lost the touch of the ball in his hands.

Before he could react, Zhang Xiaotian had already rushed past him, leaving him with a sarcastic smile.

Steals fast break one-stop dunks, the Spurs bench cheered loudly, and Jacques Vaughan nodded slightly.

This player is still worth observing. With just one offense and defense, Zhang Xiaotian regained the trust of the coach.

(End of this chapter)