New Century Basketball Frenzy

Chapter 278
The Minnesota Timberwolves have a high local support rate, but there are very few fans outside.There are not many teams in the league with such low popularity in the playoffs all the year round.

Before Barnes entered the Timberwolves, this team has always been center-based.A good No. [-] position with a few average players and a good tower.

Although the tactics are simple, it also keeps the team's record at around [-]%.But the two cores were sent in exchange for the singles crazy Barnes with a super high possession rate of the ball.The Timberwolves' style of play has completely changed, and the smooth screen shots and Princeton tactics in the past have all been reduced to nothing...

If Barnes was the "lone wolf" Marbury back then, it would be a compliment, but his offense is still far worse than that of the peak Marbury.

Although the small forward should be a combination of offense and defense, it can be regarded as the core of the field.But Barnes is definitely an outlier.Because he is good at shooting three-pointers, he can even be said to be his favorite!

After coming to the Timberwolves, the coach forced his position to be near the free throw line. Although the distance was closer to the frame, the magical touch before was gone forever.

What happened to him was absolute indifference.But even if he and the team want to break up peacefully now, the premise must be that they can be divided...

Barnes has a maximum salary contract of hundreds of millions.And his contract with the team expires in two years.With his current performance, he is absolutely not worthy of his worth, so no one is willing to accept being taken advantage of. The Timberwolves are uncomfortable, and Barnes is also unhappy.

The reason why they can't change tactics for Barnes is because the Timberwolves have no other players who can open up space.Do you expect Barnes to make hard shots against defenders on every ball from the perimeter?Obviously this is unrealistic.

Moreover, the overall situation of the two guards of the Timberwolves is not very good. Their defense is good and their breakthrough ability is also very strong. I can see it.

But in this game against the Lakers, the Timberwolves completely adjusted the starting lineup in order to reactivate Barnes.Put a group of shooters with stronger shooting ability on the field.

Because the average height of the Lakers led by Zhang Yi is a weakness, even if the opponent replaces the center with a backup power forward who is good at shooting three-pointers, it is completely sufficient.

When the Timberwolves' five starters appeared on the court, Wacker immediately understood that the opponent wanted to use three-pointers to make trouble tonight.Although this Lakers team is not afraid of teams bombarded from outside, but speaking of three-pointers may be the only way to reverse the gap in hard power.

Even if there is a difference in the strength of the two sides in terms of offense and defense, as long as it rains three points, it will be enough to make all the gaps necessary.And Barnes was one of the important players who helped Curry win the championship in the Golden State Warriors before coming to the Timberwolves.

In addition to averaging 25 points per game, this three-point shooter who floats on the perimeter also has a three-point shooting percentage of more than 45% because of the team's system.This is a terrifying stat, and his characteristic is that he can shoot both catch and dribble.

This point of Barnes can be regarded as the only point that the Los Angeles Lakers should pay attention to. If he is beaten crazy, then 30 points in a single quarter?He has done 10 three-pointers in a game...

Zhang Yi's perimeter defense ability is already a player above the league line, but he has not been tested on the perimeter since the start of the game.So this game is another opportunity for him to make a breakthrough.

Before the game started, because Barnes and others had already shown hostility towards Zhang Yi, the Lakers also held back their energy to teach the arrogant Huskies a lesson...

The idea of ​​the Timberwolves coach is very simple. Barnes will have unlimited shooting power on the court, while other shooters exist entirely to open up space.Coupled with a short center with three-pointers who can jump and rebound against the inexperienced Wally, this lineup has a chance to overthrow the current Western Conference leader in his opinion.

Staples Stadium is full of seats, and since Zhang Yi and these super rookies entered the Lakers, the number of fans has increased!
For the Lakers owners and managers, even if Zhang Yi failed to lead the team to win the championship, his personal star effect has already saved the team.Coupled with the current record of sitting firmly at the top in the Western Conference and remaining undefeated at the start, it would not be too cool for a No. [-] pick to immediately change the team's fate against the sky.

During the scrimmage, Barnes deliberately leaned on Zhang Yi's body.This unnatural defensive posture also made Zhang Yi very uncomfortable, because the opponent made it clear that he was here to cause trouble.

In order not to be overwhelmed by anger, Zhang Yi simply pushed his opponent away, and then signaled Wally to change his position, from the familiar left side to the right side.

Oscar, who was experienced, stood in front of Barnes, because he could see that this dirty boy still planned to pester Zhang Yi.

At this time, the referee served the ball, and Wally struggled to win the ball for the Lakers.The Timberwolves' backup center didn't look very smooth, because although he was only 2 meters tall, he had a relatively strong jumping ability among blacks.Now that he has finally entered the starting lineup, if he can't show a strong performance, he may be pushed back to the bench again.

Wali also saw Zhang Yi who had moved, so he deliberately pointed the ball to his brother.When Barnes saw Zhang Yi receiving the ball, he immediately bypassed Oscar who was pestering him and continued to defend.

It's just that he obviously underestimated Zhang Yi's athletic ability, because he was tripped by Oscar on purpose. In just a few seconds, the opponent had already formed a three-on-two situation at the basket!
Zhang Yi scored the first attack of the opening game by hitting the basketball from the middle of the two defensive teams.

"Damn it, you dirty bastard!" Knowing that Oscar definitely did it on purpose, Barnes' expression turned ugly. "Each to each other!" The main point guard of the Lakers said with a smile.The role of the old players is to protect the rookie core. Although Osk's strength is not top-notch, he is a player who is not afraid of the sky and the earth. Such a guy is exactly what the Lakers need.

The Timberwolves' offense was quickly led across the frontcourt by the backup point guard, and began to be transmitted from the outside even before entering the three-point line.Everyone knows that the Lakers are best to shoot three-pointers at that position. When running without the ball, Barnes made a cross with the shooting guard, and the former asked for the ball immediately when facing Robert.

They have calculated it completely. When Barnes and Robert are out of position, the ball holder will decisively pass over to let Barnes single or take a shot...

This shot was like this. After receiving the ball, Barnes felt that he was one step inside the three-point line, so he immediately made a fake move. Although he didn't shake Robert, he still retreated immediately before the help defense arrived. Take the first three-pointer in one step!
Swish, hit!Barnes also proudly made a three-finger celebration. After the Timberwolves lowered their three-point shots, this celebration rarely appeared on the court...

"Sure enough, it's a bombardment tactic, and it's interesting." Wacker stood on the sidelines with his shoulders in his arms and muttered to himself, but his expression did not show any tension.

(End of this chapter)