Bishop of the Abyss

Chapter 136 136. It's because I know you that I'm worried!
Time flies, and the time comes to the end of January in a blink of an eye.

The Timberwolves' competitive state has been very good throughout January. As of January 1, the Timberwolves only lost two games in January.

The comeback of Szczerbiak and others has also made the Timberwolves lineup more and more complete, and it seems that everything is developing in a good direction.

As for these two losses, it seems somewhat absurd. The Timberwolves lost to the same team in the two games, and were double-killed by the Dallas Mavericks in the back-to-back process.

Even though the Timberwolves only lost to the Mavericks by five points in total in the two games, the Mavericks led by Nowitzki still defeated the Timberwolves in two consecutive games with fiery touch and became the first double play defending champion this season. team.

Losing two back-to-back games to the same opponent also made Luke suffer some doubts not long ago.

But even so, the Timberwolves' current record is still as high as 40 wins and 5 losses. For more than half a season, the Timberwolves have only lost five games in total, and they are getting closer and closer to breaking through 72 wins and 10 losses.

As long as the Timberwolves can keep as healthy as possible in the second half of the season, it seems that it is not impossible to break the best record in history. At least the Timberwolves will have a high probability of breaking through 70 wins.

In addition, there are not many teams in the league that are expected to break through 60 wins this season. The Pistons, Spurs, and the Mavericks who just double-killed the Timberwolves not long ago, these three teams will be the most promising teams besides the Timberwolves. A team that breaks through 60 wins.

As for the Heat and the Suns, the two teams have been kicked out of the ranks of 60 wins ahead of schedule, leaving less than 2% chance to perform miracles.

These two teams performed very badly after entering January. They suffered large-scale losing streaks successively. They were continuously surpassed by other teams in the power rankings. The chances of competing for the championship are no longer as optimistic as they were at the beginning of the season. .

Now the Timberwolves' biggest opponents on the way to defend their title have become the Pistons, Mavericks and Spurs.

Among them, the Mavericks completed a double play against the Timberwolves in the regular season. Regardless of whether the Timberwolves can win the last game, the Mavericks will enter the playoffs with a psychological advantage.

After the coaching change, the Pistons are more agile than before. On the premise of retaining Larry Brown's defensive system, the old Sanders has integrated his own offensive philosophy for many years, making the Pistons a team with excellent offense and defense. .

In other words, this season's Pistons can be regarded as a joint product of the two legendary head coaches Larry Brown and old Sanders.

The threat posed by the Pistons to the Timberwolves is far greater than that of the Heat. For this brand new Pistons, Luke is always vigilant in his heart.

…………

On January 1, local time in the United States, the Timberwolves will be a guest at the Palace of Auburn Hills to challenge the Pistons.

This game attracted the attention of a large number of fans before the start of the game. Even though the Pistons and Timberwolves did not have a verbal conflict before the game, there was no verbal ridicule.

But whether it is the team grievances between the Timberwolves and the Pistons, or the potential cause and effect between Luke and the old Sanders, these are enough to make fans interested.

This game is the first game of the season between the Timberwolves and the Pistons. Originally, the two teams should usher in the first game of the season in November.

However, due to the typhoon in Minnesota at the time, the game was postponed by the league.

Therefore, the season opener between the Timberwolves and the Pistons was delayed until the end of January.

This season, the Pistons have a very good record under the leadership of the old head coach Saunders. The current record of 37 wins and 7 losses is second only to the Timberwolves in the league.

In fact, the new season's Pistons have not changed much in terms of lineup. The starting five are still Billups, Hamilton, Prince, Rasheed, and Big Ben.

The core framework is also coupled with McDyess, and the contributions of the remaining players are pitiful.

The old Sanders' appointment is equivalent to picking Larry Brown's peaches directly. He started with a full-level number. For a basketball coach, there is nothing happier than this.

To be honest, the biggest change for the Pistons after the old Sanders took office is the offense.

During the Larry Brown period, the Pistons always relied on defense to win, and the offensive end was to grind points bit by bit through constipation.

But old Sanders, as one of the best offensive coaches in the 90s, his offensive philosophy is much higher than that of Larry Brown.

Originally, the weakness of the old Sanders was that he could not arrange defense. As a result, the defensive system created by Larry Brown for the Pistons was directly taken over by the old Sanders.

On this basis, the old Sanders instilled his own offensive concept for the team, which allowed the Pistons to complete their transformation in the new season and appear in front of the fans with a brand new look.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the current offensive and defensive system of the Pistons was created by the old Sanders and Larry Brown.

In other words, what Luke needs to fight in this game is not one of the old Sanders and Larry Brown, but the offensive and defensive system after the two join forces.

This matter sounds a little difficult, but Luke didn't panic at all in his heart. Riley, the "magic fortune teller" in his previous life, led the Heat to defeat the Pistons in the playoffs. Luke, who has the eyes of God, knows this very well The life gate of the piston.

Even if the Timberwolves don't have a superstar in the backcourt with Wade's penetrating ability, Luke still has the means to break the Pistons' zone defense.

It's just that Luke has been struggling with whether to send out a trump card in the regular season. Once Luke breaks through the Pistons' zone defense, the Pistons will definitely be alert in advance.

Luke is not sure whether the Heat led by Riley can successfully kill the Pistons in this life. If the Eastern Conference ends with the Pistons advancing to the finals, it will be really bad for the Timberwolves.

"Lu, can you try to avoid conflicts in this game? Although there are not many old faces in this Pistons, and even the general manager Jack has retired, I still have feelings for Detroit."

"Before you hired me, it was the same old friends in Detroit who were willing to help me to coach the Detroit Shock in the WNBA."

"I know you had some quarrels with the Pistons before, and it was very unpleasant last season, but seeing that Larry has resigned, and not long ago I came forward to help you teach Greg, I hope you will not embarrass me in this game "Before the game started, Bill Laimbier sat down on the court and said with a depressed face.

As one of the greatest stars in the history of the Pistons, Lambiel devoted his entire career to the Pistons from the 81-82 season, and got along well with the management until he retired.

Even if Jack, the general manager who personally formed the Bad Boys, has retired honorably, Lambiel still doesn't want the Pistons to stand against him.

After getting along for such a long time, Lambiel knows exactly what kind of existence Luke is, he must be vengeful, cruel, and these words can be used to describe Luke.

It's just that the difference between Luke and other "villains" is that he has his own bottom line, a bottom line that no one can touch.

The Timberwolves and the Pistons clashed several times last season. From the players to the coaches, the tension between the Timberwolves and the Pistons was completely settled.

Now there is another causal entanglement between Luke and the old Sanders, so the victory of this game will become very important. Once the intensity of the game increases, the two sides are likely to break out in physical conflict.

Lambiel really doesn't want to see things develop in a worse direction, because Lambiel knows better than anyone that no matter how fierce Ben is on the field, the Pistons will definitely suffer in the end.

Lambiel's words made Luke look sideways slightly. Luke was not surprised by Lambiel's emotion. He also had his own conscience in the bastard's devil.

Lambiel can destroy a person's career for no reason for victory, but he is only merciful to his old club. It can only be said that Lambiel's kindness is not recognized by most people.

"Don't worry, I only targeted Larry last season. Now that Larry has resigned, I really don't want to compete with these fools on the opposite side." Luke chewed betel nuts expressionlessly, "Of course, this sentence is based on The opposite party knows the premise of propriety."

"You know, I can do whatever it takes to win, but I prefer peace."

Luke has made it very clear that as long as the Pistons don't take the initiative to provoke, Luke doesn't bother to care about the Pistons at all.

As for whether it was really as Luke said, last season was only for Larry Brown, Lambiel has doubts about this.

"Why, don't you trust me?"

"You should know me very well." Luke looked so skillful in repeatedly chewing betel nuts.

"It's because I know who you are that I'm worried." Lambiel shook his head and said without losing face.

"........."

　Ask for a monthly ticket, ask for a recommendation ticket, thank you, third child!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)