i have a coaching book

Chapter 67 Pre-match preparations
Toyota Center Arena, on the basketball court.

A giant with an oriental face is training his back-up and low-post singles offensive skills.

All I saw was that the Eastern Giant was dribbling the ball while desperately crushing his body into the basket, while defending him was an assistant coach who looked like a chimpanzee. Block the offensive players everywhere, and don't give the opponent the opportunity to easily run into the basket and shoot.

Yao Ming gritted his teeth secretly, exhausted all his strength, but he couldn't squeeze the opponent away and ran into the basket.

Since he changed his assistant coach from Olajuwon to Ewing, he no longer uses fantastic footsteps to cooperate with his good mid-range shots to attack, but asks himself to squeeze into the basket to play, but his Weight and strength are not dominant at all. Changing to this style of play made him uncomfortable and unable to adapt.

Seeing that he couldn't get into the basket and was blocked by the almost 40-year-old Ewing, Yao Ming suddenly shook his shoulders with the ball behind his back, pretending to turn to the left, stepping on the footsteps of spiritual methods, and went directly from the right to the basket. sideways jump shot shot,
swish
Deceived Ewing's defense and hit a two-pointer accurately.

The soft touch is as smooth and smooth as silk.

Immediately afterwards, Yao Ming continued to catch the ball and play singles behind his back, crushing assistant coach Ewing, and hitting the inside line, squeezing his back forcefully, using cleverness, like suddenly withdrawing a chair, so that the defensive center of gravity of Ewing suddenly disappeared.

Yao Ming turned around nimbly, slid into the basket, and sent the basketball into the basket with ease.

Yao Ming scored two goals in a row, and Ewing also started to get serious. Unexpectedly, Yao Ming held the ball behind his back for singles, feinted, turned over and shot a jumper, and added some fadeaways.

With a clear sound,
The pure white net flowers made a clear sound of wiping the net, and there was a burst of water spray.

Off the court, seeing the Rockets' head coach Jeff Van Gundy and assistant coach Tom Thibodeau, and seeing Yao Ming's successive hits and brave state on the court, he couldn't help but looked at each other and was at a loss.

Just because, this season, Jeff Van Gundy invited his proud disciple nicknamed 'Gorilla' Patrick Ewing to replace the Rockets' legendary center 'Big Dream' Hakeem Olajuwon as the supervisor in charge of Yao Ming's training. The assistant coach intends to develop Yao Ming's low-post offensive ability. Of course, this low-post attack emphasizes staying at the basket and hitting hard, rather than using his footsteps to escape the space and float outside to shoot.

However, Yao Ming averaged 18.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per game this season due to the increase in ball possession and efficient scoring, replacing Steve Francis as the Rockets' top scorer.However, this is different from what Van Gundy imagined. What he needs is a super center who can guard the inside.

Jeff Van Gundy frowned, wondering what he was thinking.

"Yao's footwork is nimble, his speed is not slow, his mid-range shots are accurate, he can evacuate the inside, and his state is so good. It seems that we will win the next game against the Cavaliers with high center Ilgauskas. It shouldn't be a big problem.

It’s just that it’s a little risky to transform Yao at the beginning of the season. The sudden increase in body weight and strength, the sudden change in style of play, no matter how talented Yao Ming is, he will inevitably have problems adapting to it. This will affect our record. The impact can be huge! ! "Tom Thibodeau, as a defensive coach, did not express any constructive opinions. However, he still saw Yao Ming's impact on the record realistically, so he put forward his own ideas.

Jeff Van Gundy nodded and took over the topic: "Yao Ming will become a superstar-level insider. He has excellent offensive ability. I never doubted it. This is one of the reasons why I left the Knicks and took over the Rockets. .

It's just that his height is too thin, and he can't resist people inside. In the Western Theater, he is destined to pass the level of the Lakers with O'Neal. Even if we make it to the playoffs, we will not go far.

Therefore, I will invite Ewing to come here. The defensive level of the playoffs is too much for Yao Ming's current body!Even if our record has ups and downs now, we must be prepared in advance.

Moreover, we also have other star players. Even if Yao Ming has ups and downs, we still have the power to fight. "

With that said, Jeff Van Gundy's eyes flicked to the other side of the court.

At this time, Steve Francis was breaking through with the ball, going inside, passing tall guard Eric Piakowski and backup point guard Mookie Norris, and made a dunk at the basket.

The speed of the breakthrough is extremely fast and full of strength. He is not afraid of the pincer attack of Piakowski and Norris. He abruptly uses his body, strength and technology to break out of the encirclement and hit the basket.

Tom Thibodeau nodded in satisfaction when he saw Francis so fierce, and said: "With Francis' physical strength and technical strength, he can rank among the top three point guards, and he can rank first in scoring ability. No one will deny it, but in terms of defense, the next game against the Cavaliers may suffer in terms of height.

Cavaliers play point forward, LeBron James will definitely play point guard. Francis is only 191cm, and he is relatively dominant in point guard, but it is a pity that he has to face James, who is the height of small forward. "

Jeff Van Gundy nodded and said: "James is too talented. Although his current performance has some ups and downs, but with his breakthrough style of play, he can currently average 23 points, 7.1 assists and 6.5 rebounds per game. very comprehensive.

If I have James and Yao Ming in my hands, we will be able to win the NBA championship within three years. Unfortunately, this kind of opportunity is almost impossible to appear now.

However, then again, James is very big, but he has just entered the league, and he is not strong enough to be abnormal. His mid-range shot is not stable, and he only needs to prevent sudden shots. It is impossible for James to beat Francis. .If James is not accurate in the mid-range shot and wants to break through, Francis' physical condition can completely prevent his attack. "

Tom Thibodeau nodded, knowing that what Jeff Van Gundy said was very reasonable, and the two moved to another court.

In addition to Yao Ming on the inside and Francis on the outside, there is another player in the Rockets lineup that can decide the outcome. It is Cuttino Mobley who has the ability to score all-stars. He is nicknamed 'Old Cat' just because of his height. Only 193cm, in terms of shooting guard, the height is relatively disadvantaged, so he is not favored by the all-star coach.

This season, the current state is good, and he can still average 17.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Apart from the good offense, the defense is also very strong.

Just in time, Cuttino Mobley was outside the 75-degree three-point line on the right, facing Jim Jackson's defense, opened his hand to shoot a jumper, and hit a difficult three-pointer. enter.

Jeff Van Gundy clapped his hands and appreciated Cutino Mobley's three-pointer. Of course, as a defensive coach, he pays more attention to the two-pointer. However, he has to He said that Cuttino Mobley's three-pointer was really beautiful, even if it didn't match his philosophy, he was very happy from the bottom of his heart.

Tom Thibodeau also gave a thumbs up, and said with a smile: "Mobley and Francis have been in good form on the outside recently. With the support of the two of them, we can reform Yao, even if Yao's performance is unstable. Our record is also guaranteed.

Now Yao's weight and strength have not changed significantly, and the impact after the pick-and-roll is more important. Kevin Cato plays power forward, which can temporarily make up for Yao Ming's shortcomings. Cato is tough and strong.

It's just that it's not easy to choose a small forward. The Cavaliers' forward line is very strong. If James plays small forward, coupled with the fast-improving Boozer, it is still no problem to rank in the top three in terms of offensive ability. of. "

Jeff Van Gundy nodded and said solemnly: "This season, after Kenny Thomas and James Posey left, our forward position became a weakness. Fortunately, Kevin Cato moved from the center position to the power forward position. Finally plugged the loophole of the position of power forward, as for the position of small forward, it is not easy to choose."

Tom Thibodeau analyzed: "The Cavaliers' small forward is estimated to be Ira Newbell. He is just a defensive forward. I think Maurice Taylor, who is strong in offense and weak in defense, is good.

Although Morris Taylor's defense is easy to lose his position, Ira Newbell should not have the ball. In this case, our defense will not be too much, and our offense will not be small. "

Jeff Van Gundy shook his head and said: "Your proposal is good. Maurice Taylor is very strong and has a good offense. However, the defense is not active. I am worried that the Cavaliers will let James play back to the small forward. In that case, we The internal line is in trouble.

I think Jim - Jackson is good, both offensive and defensive.He is not a misplaced defensively. Although his height is a little lower and his speed is a little slower, he has rich experience and maintains good physical strength. He should be able to withstand the impact of the Cavaliers.

In terms of offense, it would be more appropriate to hand it over to the star players of our team. "

Van Gundy's face is calm. He still believes in defense to win the game, rather than fighting for an offense that is not guaranteed. As long as the defense does not lose, our star will be able to send the basketball to the basket and take the final victory.

After observing the state of the players and comparing the situation of the next opponent, Van Gundy set their starting lineup.

As for the tactical play, in his heart, it is relatively clear.

(End of this chapter)