The world of basketball

Chapter 63 Fighting Wizards

The Wizards didn't get off to a smooth start to the season, mostly because of Howard's absence.

In the first eight games, the Wizards had a total of seven losses and one win. They won only one point in the game against the Trail Blazers. After Howard returned, the Wizards' four-game winning streak brought the team back on track.

Although the decline in Howard's strength seems a bit serious, it is also compared to Howard, the league's number one center during the Magic period. In fact, Howard is still a very good center.

The average of 17.6 points per game is his highest score in the past few years. The 13 rebounds can still provide the team with good rebound protection and frontcourt rebounds. The 2.2 blocks seem to make people see that consecutive Warcraft, who has won the best defensive player for three consecutive years.

He hasn't blocked more than two shots in years.

The Wizards can put up such an excellent lineup of Wall-Bill-Ottoport-Morris-Howard, plus small Rivers, Jeff Green, Oubre and other bench players, it is enough to achieve something in the East cause.

"Good morning, audience friends. Welcome to the NBA regular season Wizards vs. Spurs game broadcast by Penguin Sports. I am the host Ke Fan. I am very happy to invite Teacher Yang Yi and Xiao Nan to watch the game with you. .” This time the host was finally changed.

"Mr. Yang, Howard seems to have a second spring in Washington this season. The Wizards can now reach the fifth position in the Eastern Conference. If there is no accident, they should face the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs. Who do you think the Wizards and Howard are?" Who made it?" Ke Fan said.

"Howard is 33 years old, and he is not young anymore. This year, the Wizards did not keep Gortak, but recruited Howard. With the double guns, they must be eager to go further." Yang Yi said: "It is impossible to talk about who is who. Howard seems to have learned how to play at the end of his peak. We can see that his small hook and small drop shot have been trained to hit a high percentage. His defense is still very good. His free throw percentage this season Reaching 60.00% nine, this is all his progress."

"Yes, Howard seems to be in transition. He no longer relies solely on physical talent to play, but plays with technology and his own consciousness." Ke Fan said.

The two sides jumped the ball, and Mu Xiaobei successfully got the ball for the Spurs to attack first.

Mudiay pushed forward with the ball, and Wall's defense was not top-notch, but it was definitely not a shortcoming. He should be regarded as an upper-middle level in the first position.

The main thing that brings down Wall's defensive evaluation is his problem in defending against pick-and-rolls. Well, he is a bit casual and not active enough. We can see Wall's defensive level in the playoffs, but his defense against pick-and-rolls is still a bit of a problem in the regular season.

How could Popovich not know this question?So Mudiay called Mu Xiaobei to come over, and after a pick-and-roll, he made a direct shot from outside the three-point line.

Duang——

Well, although Wall is unwilling to squeeze past or go around when defending pick-and-rolls, he just wants to switch defenses at the center, and Howard generally does not change defenses when he defends off the line, but shooting directly after dribbling is not Mudiay's strong point , nor is it the offensive method he often uses.

Rarely, the Spurs' first offense didn't score.

However, Kuzma got rid of Porter's defense and grabbed an offensive rebound, returned it to Lonnie Walker, and reorganized the offense.

In this game, the Spurs' inside line is not too dominant. Both Howard and Morris' low-post defensive ability are very strong, but the Spurs also rely heavily on inside scoring. Of the 106 points scored per game, 69 of them were inside points. , Ranked first in the league, and the Nuggets with Millsa Pujokic Plumlee, who is second in the league in inside scoring, scored 56 points, 14 points less than the Spurs.

Adelaide received the ball in the low post and singled Morris, and Mu Xiaobei mentioned the high post. This defensive method made Howard very uncomfortable.

Ade's back-up level is impeccable, he hits his back once, twice, turns around and hits a jumper.

The Wizards serve and hand the ball to Wall.

As the No. 30.00 pick in his debut, Wall has strong organizational skills, fast speed, and excellent physical fitness. Even his shooting ability, which has been criticized for a long time, has been greatly improved. This season, Wall's three-point shooting percentage reached [-]%. Nine, career high.

The 28-year-old Wall is entering the golden age of an athlete. At this time, his physical condition, psychological quality, experience, skills, etc. are at the peak, and it is also the time to make achievements.

The Wizards have been a strong team in the playoffs in recent years, but they have not been tepid. They have not even entered the Eastern Conference Finals. Wall has been selected to the All-Stars many times and was selected to the best team. However, it symbolizes that a player The first in history is the championship and fmvp, and the second is the regular season mvp (referring to players with high historical status).

These two items are exactly what Wall desires to attack again and again.

Wall dribbles very rarely with fancy moves. With Howard's pick-and-roll, Mu Xiaobei, like Howard, didn't get close to the defense, giving Mudiay room to go around and also room for Wall to shoot.

But Wall didn't make a shot, but accelerated towards the basket. Mu Xiaobei stepped back and took small steps to defend, while being vigilant for Wall to pass an alley-oop to Howard.

But neither.

Wall flicked the ball back, and Otto Porter received the ball for a mid-range jumper.

The 2.03 Porter can play both the [-]th position and the [-]rd position. His defense is very strong, even Porter's defense at the [-]rd position, which is so strong on the defensive end, can be ranked first.

His shooting ability is very stable. This season, he made 40.00% of his three-pointers. Four, he has made more than 40.00% of his three-pointers for three consecutive seasons.

His height and wingspan can also bring the team good rebound protection and offensive rebound fighting, and his long arms are very good at stealing.

But this time Kuzma's defense is also in place. The usual middle distance is not successful due to Kuzma's supplementary defense.

Mudiay passed a pass to Lonnie Walker, who was running fast. Walker rushed to the frontcourt. Bill returned to the defense quickly. Walker glanced at Popovich and was not impulsive. Instead, he stabilized and returned the ball to Moody. eh.

Mu Xiaobei was still in the pick-and-roll position for Mudiay. After the pick-and-roll, Mudiay didn't make another three-pointer. Instead, he twisted his big butt and rushed to the basket.

Howard shrunk back, Mudiay passed the ball to Adelaide who responded, and Adelaide passed it to Mu Xiaobei.

Mu Xiaobei's fake shot made Wall, who was rushing over, fly away, moved sideways for a step to find the rhythm of the shot, and the anti-aircraft turret fired.

shhhhh--

Mu Xiaobei hit a three-pointer.

This ball is not just as simple as scoring a three-pointer, it is more like finding the goal of the Wizards' defensive end-pick-and-roll defense.

Their pick-and-roll defense is really poor.

(End of this chapter)