The world of basketball

Chapter 59
Popovich's changes did not have a good effect. At the end of the third quarter, the Spurs were already 23 points behind, and it seemed that they were powerless.

Or Popovich himself didn't take this game very seriously. Judging from the next schedule, they shouldn't fall out of the playoffs, and probably won't fall out of the top four in the Western Conference.

According to Popovich's positioning, this year probably won't make it to the Western Conference finals, but it is a good year for training because these guys are very young.

The traditional twin towers won't work, just look at the Pelicans. Davis and Cousins ​​should be the strongest twin tower combination in the league, but they didn't play well.

So the twin towers have to make changes.

Of course, if you give him Duncan and David Robinson, even this year's Warriors, Popovich is sure to head-to-head, and he is also confident in replacing Robinson with Yao Ming.

But now the twin towers in his hands are Adelaide and Mu Xiaobei, so he has to change his style of play, so now the Spurs twin towers' offensive tone is to play low and open, and then pair with Kuzma Mudiay and so on. The player acts as a point of support for the perimeter,

But just playing the Twin Towers won't work. LaMarcus is getting older year by year and is entering a period of decline. Although Adelaide's style of play determines that Adelaide will not decline so fast, his career can last longer.

So we still have to change our style of play.

Kuzma is a very good outside core. If he can grow up, he will be a 3-meter [-]D player, and he can do very well in rebounding, inside defense, etc.

Mudiay is seasoned, if better, enough to be a good starting point guard for, well, a championship team.

Yes, now Popovich is already planning for the Spurs' championship puzzle.

Jeremy Lin is also 30 years old, but he should be able to maintain his peak for three or four years, so that he, as the core of the rotation, can provide sufficient firepower for chaotic battles.

Lonnie Walker also needs to grow, but in Popovich's eyes, Lonnie Walker is not for sale. Yes, he wants to wait for Lonnie Walker to become famous this season and trade it.

He knows how long it will take for Walker to practice shooting, but a second position that can only impact the outside line but is not very sure will make the lineup a bit burdened.

Of course, if Walker can develop a COSCO, that's another story.

The upper limit of the team still has to be determined by Mu Xiaobei. His skills are already very delicate, and there are not many big men in the league who can find more rich and delicate offensive ends than him.

The most urgent thing is Mu Xiaobei's body. It must be able to withstand confrontation, have enough physical strength, and not be easily injured. This made Popovich a bit of a headache, until he found a very good trainer for Mu Xiaobei. .

Five minutes into the fourth quarter, Mu Xiaobei hit his fourth three-pointer at the top of the arc. His three-pointer is more sure than many shooters.

But now they are still [-] points behind, which is better than just now. After the Spurs' unfamiliar style of play gradually became familiar, the Spurs' offensive end gradually improved.

Mudiay also made a three-pointer. Unlike Walker, who basically has no long-range shots, Mudiay is capable of three-pointers, but he is not allowed. After England's adjustment, his three-point accuracy is easier to improve.

Holding the ball at the top of the arc, Green defended close to him, while Mu Xiaobei didn't mean to challenge Green, but observed his teammates' running positions.

Adelaide hung up on Curry, and Mudiay missed the catch and shot. Sure enough, this kind of catch and three-point shot is not yet Mudiay's conventional weapon.

The Warriors' offense formed a dislocation. Durant signaled to pull away. Facing Kuzma's defense, Durant accelerated and was about to go to the basket, but found Mu Xiaobei who came to defend.

With a wave of the long arm and a big hand, the alley-oop was given to Cousins. Cousins ​​received the pass and smashed the ball into the ball with a heavy dunk.

After the dunk, Cousins ​​roared and waved his fist, as if he was using his fist to smash the wall of doubt in front of him, telling the world that even if the Achilles tendon ruptured, Cousins ​​was still Cousins.

Kuzma received the ball in an empty cut, and flicked the ball back to Adelaide. Adelaide went out to find Mu Xiaobei. Mu Xiaobei ignored Cousins' defense at the top of the arc and made a three-pointer.

"Good shot Mu Xiaobei, the smoothness of the Spurs' offense is really pleasing to the eye." Wang Meng said.

"The offense of these two teams is very good-looking. The kind of ball conduction and selflessness that is not stagnant at all, and that kind of discipline really makes people feel like mercury is pouring out." Yang Yi said.

Turning around, Curry took a step back and made a three-pointer, and the long rebound was protected by Mu Xiaobei.

Mudiay handed the ball to Mu Xiaobei in the horn position, and Mu Xiaobei handed it to Adelaide in the waist position, and then Mu Xiaobei mentioned the top of the high-line arc to pick and roll for Kuzma, and Kuzma received the pass A three-pointer was hit.

Why Kuzma is a bit like Clay, the main thing is that they stand upright when they catch and shoot.

In the NBA, most people float when they catch and shoot the ball, but Clay is not. He stabilizes his feet and waist first, and then stands upright when he takes off.

The same is true for Kuzma, because the waist and abdomen are erected, and the center of gravity is also erected, so the shot will not float and will be very stable.

This is not something that can be practiced in a day or two, but you have to exercise your core strength and thigh strength day after day, and you have to practice the movement of catching and shooting day after day.

Kuzma started training last season, so he is really talented. This season, his catch and shoot is already very good, and the most important thing is stability.

Stability is a word that is easier said than done.

Obviously, Kuzma did it, which is why Popovich wants to get this young man very much. He is really good. There is no coach who does not like to use a player like Kuzma, and there are few Fans will dislike a young athlete like Kuzma.

After Kuzma hit a three-pointer, Mu Xiaobei touched Kuzma's head when returning to defense, and Kuzma was a little dissatisfied.

"Xiaobei, how many times have I told you that I am your elder brother, you can't touch my head, I can only touch yours."

"Hey, I'm taller than you anyway."

Um······

It was very difficult for the Spurs to get the ball back. With 3 minutes left in the game, Popovich withdrew all the main players and declared his surrender.

Although it was said that it was training just now, the health of the players must also be considered.

Both Mu Xiaobei and Adelaide scored 24 points, Kuzma scored 28 points, Jeremy Lin scored 20 points, and the Spurs lost 122:134.

For the Warriors, Durant scored 50.00 points with a shooting percentage of 42%, Splash Partners scored 48 points, and Cousins ​​scored 22 points, which means that these four scored 112 points, which is terrifying.

With the advancement of the regular season schedule, the closing stage is getting closer and closer. The next schedule for the Spurs is relatively easy, and there are not many tough games, but they still have to grit their teeth and try to keep the third position.

After all, playing the Rockets is always a little more hopeful than playing the Warriors.

(End of this chapter)