i have a coaching book

Chapter 406 The Rising Clippers

After defeating the New York Knicks at home, the Phoenix Suns had no time to rest and immediately flew non-stop to Los Angeles to challenge the Los Angeles Clippers in back-to-back away games.

The performance of the Los Angeles Clippers in this schedule is very amazing, with a record of 15 wins and 5 losses, ranking No. 4 in the Western Theater, even if it is only one and a half games away from the number one San Antonio Spurs.

They fell to the fourth place only because they lost to their opponents. If they can beat the Suns in this game, they can enter the frontcourt of the Western Conference and compete for No.1. It's just the outcome.

Now, the Clippers have just won 2 consecutive victories, and they are in pretty good condition. They are sitting at home again, and they have the right time, place, and people. Even if they face the challenge of the Suns, which has won 8 consecutive victories, they are not afraid, and their fighting spirit is very high. .

Before the game, media reporters were optimistic that the winning percentage of the two teams was [-]-[-]. Even though the Suns were in a hot state and won an amazing eight-game winning streak, the Suns were playing away games after all.

Moreover, just looking at the lineup list, the Clippers' lineup is much stronger than that of the Suns. It would not be surprising if the Suns were overturned.

Above the No. 1 position, the Clippers have been able to rise in strength this season because they recruited Sam Cassell, nicknamed "Alien". Although Cassell is 37 years old.However, he is still not old. After joining the Clippers, he averaged 16.4 points and 6.7 assists per game. force.

The No. 2 player is Cutino Mobley, nicknamed "Old Cat". After joining the Clippers, he has also recovered his form and is currently averaging 12.4 points and 4.5 assists per game.

Above the No. 3 position, there is Corey Maggette, who has a very strong body, enough impact, and is good at drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line. With both offense and defense, he can now average 17.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Relying solely on Audi's Suns, it is estimated that Maggette's impact cannot be sustained.

The 4th position is occupied by the head of the Clippers star Elton Brand. He has outstanding offensive talent and a good mid-range shooting ability. 21.7 points and 9.1 rebounds.

The No. 5 position is played by Chris Kaman, a representative of the 03 Platinum Generation. He has a good mid-range shot and a good stop. Now he can contribute 11.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, slowly becoming the backbone of the team.

The Clippers started the Five Tigers without obvious superstar strength, but they also had no obvious weak players. Under the control of Cassel, they played team basketball and their combat power was quite good.

It's not easy for the Suns to gnaw at this hard bone, especially since the Suns' attrition and blood loss are too serious, and their strength has dropped a lot compared to last season.

On December 12th, at 10:9 p.m., at the Staples Center, the Phoenix Suns will play against the Los Angeles Clippers, and it will start soon.

After a simple appearance, a layup and a warm-up exercise, the starting lineups of both sides lined up and came to the center of the basketball court. The game began with a scrimmage.

After consecutive victories, D'Antoni gradually determined the starting five of the Suns, lined up, followed by point guard Steve Nash, shooting guard Raja Bell, small forward Coprine Diaw, power forward Sean Marion, center Kurt Thomas.

In the jump ball, Kaman did not give Thomas any chance to win, and easily transferred the basketball to Kassel.

With long legs, at the beginning of the first quarter, the Clippers took the initiative to attack the ball. Cassel dribbled the ball to the frontcourt and played a screen with Maggette. Divide the basketball into Maggette's hands.

Faced with Nash's misplaced defense, Maggette exerted force at his feet, turned on his horsepower, and directly used his strong physique to forcefully break through with the ball inside.

Nash wanted to use his body to stop him, but he staggered and his center of gravity was a little unstable.
Maggette took a step sideways and directly ran into the three-point line aggressively.

One step from the free throw line, facing Thomas' supplementary defense, without retreating, he pulled the ball and shook it, and forced a layup in three steps.

Carrying Marion's body under the basket, he shot forcibly at close range, and there was a loud bang!
Maggette went to the basket, forced the basketball into the basket, scored two points, and the score was accounted for.

2 to 0! !
In just one round, Maggette used his explosive physical fitness to penetrate the entire defense of the Suns. The basketball forced a shot to score points and gave the Suns a blow.

In the transition between offense and defense, Nash received Thomas's baseline and made a quick start, speeding up to start and blasting, three steps and two steps, hitting the front court, turning around and speeding up, getting rid of Kassel's defense, and coming in directly from the middle.

Brand's footsteps were fast, and he rushed to defend. Nash hit the free throw line, ignored Brand's defense, and directly pulled the ball up.

The basketball flew over Brand's head, drawing a high arc in the air.

Swish! !

The basketball hit the basket accurately and scored two points steadily.

2 to 2! !
Nash's housekeeping skills were shot, and he became more and more experienced. He returned the color easily and comfortably, and scored two points.

The Clippers attacked, Cassel dribbled to the frontcourt, just now his weakness of slow lateral movement was targeted by Nash, but he is not easy to mess with, he hit the top of the three-point line, and directly played sideways nash.

It was obvious that he wanted to use his physical strength to beat Nash. Cassell easily entered the three-point line. Nash was a bit difficult to parry.However, if it is a collision of strength, even against a veteran like Kassel, he still can't stand it.

You know, Kassel's physical talent can be very strong, and at the age of 35, he can still be selected for the All-Star Game.Now that he is two years older, his speed is even slower, but his strength is still well preserved, which is enough to deal with the thin Nash.

Seeing that Nash's defense was about to fall, Rajayur emptied Mobley's defense and rushed directly to Kassel, and together with Nash, they made a double attack on Kassel.

Kassel's physical fitness has declined a lot, but his experience is very rich. After stepping down and dribbling, he took a step back. After closing the distance with the defender, he immediately pulled the ball up and passed the basketball to the right with both hands. .

Outside the 65-degree three-point line on the right, Mobley easily caught the ball and faced the frame without any hesitation, and immediately opened his hand for a three-point jumper and shot back.

Swish! !

There was a clear sound of wiping the net, and Mobley's three-pointer shot did not fail, and he hit the bull's-eye accurately, giving the Suns a head-on blow.

5 to 3! !
Although Mobley hasn't made it to the All-Star Game, it's not that he's not good enough, but that he can't compete with Kobe, Ginobili, Ray Allen and other superstars at all for the position of shooting guard.

He has a good three-point shooting ability, and it is obviously a good defensive choice to let him go and make up the defense.

The Suns attacked, Nash dribbled the ball to the frontcourt, accelerated with a cross step, and reached the three-point line.

Cassell's mobility can't stop Nash's breakthrough.

Fortunately, Brand's defensive speed is good, and he didn't give Nash a chance to shoot. Nash was not anxious, and directly broke through deep inside. Exquisite ball-handling skills, the bottom line was killed from the left.

There was a clear slap, and there was a wild and unconstrained back attack to the ground.

After the basketball hit the floor and bounced, Marion made an air cut to the basket with a tacit understanding. When he got the ball, he easily caught the ball and dribbled a step.

Everyone in the Clippers was caught off guard by the cooperation of Nash and Marion this time, and their movements were a bit slow. They watched Marion kill the basket and jumped up.

With a bang, Marion hung on the rim, dunked with both hands, put the basketball into the rim, and succeeded in a two-point sneak attack.

5 to 4! !
The team leader and the second leader of the Suns cooperated more and more tacitly. With a sudden smile, they easily tore through the Clippers' defense and scored two points easily.

(End of this chapter)