The invincible kryptonite of basketball

"11 points, one more point doesn't make him proud."

Tang Tian also answered directly, making the other reporters laugh immediately.

"We know that the Spurs are now leading the Clippers 3-2, and the next game will be played in Los Angeles. Who do you want the Pelicans to play in the next round?"

After asking some routine questions, the reporter then started to ask about the following games.

"It's okay to play against anyone. I believe that after experiencing such a series, no matter who the opponent is in the next game, they will have the courage to defeat them."

Tang Tian's answer was the same as before, full of confidence in the Pelicans.

After answering the reporter's question, Tang Tian went to the locker room. Durant was already drenched in water by his teammates.

It's not that there is no champagne at home, but looking at this move, they are really as excited as winning the championship.

The Pelicans won the Lakers. Except for the Spurs and Clippers who hadn't finished playing because they started a day later, three of the four groups have ended.

In the East, the Bucks continued to sweep the Pistons 4-0 strongly, advancing strongly to the duel.

Their opponents have also been determined. The Celtics beat the Pacers 4-1 and successfully joined the Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In the West, after the Pelicans end the series, they are waiting for the winner between the Spurs and the Clippers.

Stevens did not arrange for the players to watch the live broadcast of the game, he just pulled the coaching staff to watch it together.

In the end, despite the away game, the Spurs didn't give the Clippers many chances, winning 103-88 and approaching the Western Conference Finals 4-2.

The Clippers' previous two wins were all narrow victories. In addition to strength, luck is also very good.

However, it is incredible that the Clippers can play until now and win two games under the Spurs.

You must know that this is Doncic's second season, this magical boy from Europe is really amazing.

After watching the game, Stevens and the coaching staff felt that they were right not to let the players watch the live broadcast.

The Spurs look stronger than last year.

Now that the team does not have Tang Tian, ​​it is really too difficult to beat them.

Although they don't want to say that they are self-defeating, they all know that the Pelicans are likely to stop in the Western Conference Finals.

Two days later, the Eastern Conference finals took the lead.

Antetokounmpo is almost invincible after he has a shot. Coupled with Irving, Hayward, and Lopez opening up space, the Bucks showed absolute dominance.

The Celtics were beaten a little bit lost.

Although Tang Tian hoped that Walker could win, the strength gap between the two teams was a bit big.

In the end, the Bucks beat the Celtics 113 to 93 and won the first victory in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Tang Tian sent a text message to Walker to comfort him. The latter did not feel depressed. As the core of the Eastern Conference finals, he has realized his self-worth.

After the Eastern Conference Finals, the second Western Conference Finals kicked off.

This time the Pelicans have to start on the road.

Tang Tian also went to San Antonio with the team in the first game.

He also knows very well that the Pelicans are not as good as the Spurs in terms of strength. Not to mention the playoffs, the regular season record between the two teams is also 1 to 3.

From the perspective of an objective fan, Tang Tian felt that the Spurs had at least a 70% chance of winning.

Of course, the series is long and anything can happen.

Just like the Pelicans were not expected to eliminate the Lakers before, they finally did.

If you can do it once, you will naturally have the opportunity to do it twice.

But to do it, just like playing the Lakers before, the first game will be critical.

The ATT Arena was packed that night, and the enthusiasm of the Spurs fans was the highest since the GDP era.

The reason for this is naturally Leonard.

Leonard ushered in the real peak of his career this season. Although the statistics are not as dazzling as Durant and Antetokounmpo, it is more because the Spurs still have stars like George and Aldridge.

The quality he displayed on both ends of the court is very oppressive.

The game started quickly, and Durant encountered the George + Leonard defensive treatment he deserved in the opening game.

This makes him very uncomfortable, especially in the playoffs, the defensive intensity is stronger than the regular season.

Moreover, Leonard's help defense reached a terrifying speed, even if Durant gave the ball to Davis in time, Leonard's help defense made Davis uncomfortable.

101 to 81, 102 to 92.

Here are the final scores from the first two games of the series.

With a super-high-pressure defense, the Spurs held the Pelicans to less than 100 points in both games.

Although Durant averaged nearly 30 points per game in the two games, his shooting percentage dropped from 50% to about 40%.

A very intuitive reality is that without Tang Tian, ​​this Pelicans team is obviously not the opponent of this Spurs team.

Stopping in the Western Conference Finals may be the end of the Pelicans' season.

-------------Chapter Dividing Line---------------

This time around, there was less arguing among fans on social media.

Unlike the previous Lakers, the Spurs showed a dominant pressure that the Lakers and even the Bucks did not have.

This Spurs team is even stronger than last season, very championship-like.

The Pelicans didn't play so well with Tang Tian last season, needless to say Tang Tian has retired now.

The score of 0 to 2 has already explained everything.

It is too difficult for the Pelicans to beat this Spurs.

The next two games of the series will be played in New Orleans.

For the Pelicans, in order to retain their hope of advancing, the third game is the game they must win.

Although it looks hard now.

The situation was unfavorable, but the foundation of Tang Tian's four consecutive championships was here, and the fans cheered for the Pelicans together on social media.

This is also a very rare scene, which shows the popularity of the Pelicans.

However, the training after the Pelicans returned to New Orleans was closed.

When Tang Tian arrived at the training hall, he could see the pressure on the faces of the coaching staff and players.

This is the biggest of the season.

The strength of this Spurs team is much stronger than that of the Bucks. The Pelicans' ability to pass shows that they are good enough, and there is nothing to say if they fail.

But no matter how difficult it is, people will try their best to try.

After the training, Tang Tian didn't look for Durant, but took Davis to chat alone.

Davis has played very steadily since entering the playoffs, averaging 24+11 per game, making him a very qualified second-in-command.

Even after the whole season, he was not dissatisfied with Durant's airborne, which can be said to be perfect.

"AD, you need to do more."

But the first sentence Tang Tian communicated with him was unexpected.

Davis didn't expect Tang Tian to say that to him.

"I know you've done a good job, and I can't even ask for more, but I think you can do better because you're AD."

What Tang Tian said next was very chicken soup.

"Boss, it's really hard for us to win this Spurs team without you."

But after all, Davis stayed with Tang Tian for a long time, and he was immune to hearing too much chicken soup.

And what he said was the truth.

Leonard, George, and Durant are all restricted, and no one can break it except Tang Tian.

Taking a step back, the Spurs formed this lineup, and it was their turn to win the championship.

"I know."

Contrary to Davis' expectation, Tang Tian nodded calmly.

"But the opportunity for five consecutive championships is in front of you, are you willing to give up?"

Tang Tian looked at Davis as he spoke.

"I don't want to, but..."

"No but, AD, I know you and Tim have learned a lot, and Tim has taught you a lot, but Tim never gives up."

Tang Tian directly interrupted Davis' words.

"I will never forget the scene where he shot the floor that year. You will never know the result until the last moment. If you don't work harder, you don't know how good you can be. AD, as I said, I think You can do better because you are AD."

Tang Tian repeated what he said before, but when he tasted it carefully at this time, the feeling was completely different.

After being taken aback for a moment, Davis nodded seriously.

To be honest, for so many years, because of Tang Tian, ​​he has been winning, and he has become dependent on Tang Tian unconsciously.

Even if Tang Tian retires, he is determined to prove himself.

But when he really encountered a predicament like the one in front of him, he still retreated instinctively.

That's right, without Tang Tian here, it's impossible for me to win against such a powerful Spurs team.

This is a completely normal person's idea.

But Tang Tian's words reminded him that he is Anthony Davis, the No. [-] power forward selected by the American media, and the No. [-] insider in the United States. He can do more than what he is currently doing.

Especially when Durant is restricted, he has to stand up.

Seeing the change in Davis' eyes, Tang Tian knew that his words had worked.

He smiled and patted Davis on the head.

With this attitude, even if they really can't win against the Spurs in the end, it's an honor to lose and die without regret.

Two days later, Game [-] of the Western Conference Finals was played at the New Orleans Arena.

The New Orleans arena was packed, and the slogans of "Pelicans reversed" and "five consecutive championships" could be seen everywhere.

Just like speaking together on social media before, despite the unfavorable situation, Pelicans fans' support for the team has not diminished.

This also cheered up the depressed look of the Pelicans fans.

And during the warm-up before the game, the Pelicans had a rare scene.

Davis, who had always been low-key, took the initiative to call the players together, raised their hands together and said some morale-boosting words.

Seeing this, Tang Tian felt that the Pelicans had a chance to win the game tonight.

After the warm-up, the scene quickly entered the opening ceremony.

The starting lineups of the two teams have also been released one after another.

The Spurs are the same as the previous games, with White and Forbes on the outside, George and Leonard on the striker, and Aldridge at the center.

The Pelicans have changed, with Brogdon and Holiday on the outside, Durant and Ariza on the front, and Davis at center.

Stevens took the initiative to lower his altitude, which was going to kill the Spurs.

Amidst the cheers of the fans, Davis turned the ball back to the Pelicans half, officially kicking off the game.

The Pelicans came up to Durant to attack first, but as soon as he caught the ball, Leonard came to help defend.

Durant preemptively pulled out his hand.

"Dangdang!"

It's a pity that George interfered, and his shot didn't hit!

Aldridge protected the defensive rebound.