NBA: I haven't played a game but I'm full of talent

In Phoenix, the team had a day off at the end of back-to-back games with the Jazz.

At this time, in an office in the arena, the coaching staff of the Suns were having a heated discussion.

The reason is simple, the Suns lost again.

In the previous game, they fought too hard against the Spurs, and several core players were out of shape. Facing the Jazz who was waiting for work, the Suns finally lost back-to-back games.

Winning the Warriors and losing the Grizzlies, before the game against the Spurs, the Suns were originally 4 wins and 4 losses, but now after losing 2 games in a row, the Suns once again experienced a three-game losing streak.

This brought the Suns' record to 4 wins and 6 losses, and they couldn't even make it to the top eight in the West.

There is indeed a reason for such a record. The team's two major scorers last season, Joe Johnson left, and Amare Stoudemire was absent due to injury.

However, this does not mean that the team executives and fans can accept it calmly.

You know, the Suns had the best record in the league last season, and now there are two All-Stars in the team, Nash and Marion.

Just now, general manager Colangelo came to the coaching staff. The meaning is very clear, the team needs to change, the team needs to win!

"I don't need to say more about the importance of winning the next game. I want to hear your suggestions." Mike D'Antoni asked several assistant coaches.

Gentry looked around and finally spoke first: "Boss, I think there is nothing wrong with our tactics. What needs to be changed is the lineup."

Mike D'Antoni nodded slightly when he heard Gentry's words, and he still agreed in his heart. He didn't think there was anything wrong with his tactics.

Offense is the best defense, and this is the philosophy he advocates, but the team's lineup is indeed weak and obvious.

D'Antoni said a little helplessly:

"Amare's injury is our biggest accident this season.

In the original idea, introducing Kurt Thomas to relieve the pressure on Amare on the defensive end can completely liberate him on the offensive end..."

Speaking of this, D'Antoni paused, and suddenly said:

"Actually, we can still follow this line of thought, but replace Amare's role with Sean Marion."

When D'Antoni said this, he suddenly felt that his thoughts made sense.

"We put Leandro Barbosa in the starting lineup and it really didn't look like the best choice, because Sean was still under a lot of pressure on the defensive end at the power forward position, which made Sean not good on the offensive end. Play better."

"It's not just that," Gentry continued.

"Leandro Barbosa and James Jones didn't have enough rebounding ability, which cost us too many rebounds.

Think about the games we played against teams like the Pistons, Nets, Grizzlies, which cost us a lot of offensive opportunities, especially counterattack opportunities. "

D'Antoni nodded after listening, and then looked at the other assistant coaches.

"So people also think that we need to adjust the starting lineup and put Leandro Barbosa back on the bench?"

"Yes, boss!"

"We need to increase the height of the starting lineup!"

……

The other assistant coaches responded one after another. The head coach and the chief assistant coach have reached an agreement, so how could the rest of the coaches refute it.

Seeing that the coaching staff agreed, D'Antoni immediately decided:

"Okay, then we return to the summer plan, with Leandro on the bench, Boris Diaw as the starting power forward, and Sean returning to the small forward..."

At this time, Gentry suddenly said: "Boss, I have a different opinion, I suggest Ling to start!"

After D'Antoni heard this, he looked at Gentry, thought for a while, and then continued:

"Alvin, Ling's performance is good, but he is obviously not as good as Boris at power forward.

But if he is allowed to start at the small forward position, it will be difficult for him to open up the offensive space for the team without shooting ability.

You know very well that Ling's offense is very dependent on his teammates feeding and counterattacking, and there will be many counterattack opportunities against the substitute lineup.

But if he enters the starting lineup, there will be more positions to attack, and his performance may not be so efficient. "

"No, I think quite the opposite." Gentry shook his head immediately.

"I have analyzed Ling's performance during this time. In fact, when he is with starters such as Steve, his performance on the court is even better."

With that said, Gentry took out a set of data and handed it to D'Antoni.

"Ling's best games, against the Mavericks, Knicks, Warriors, Spurs, were with Steve Nash for longer."

Gentry presented the facts while reasoning.

"Whether it is Ling or Boris who enters the starting lineup, I believe that with Steve's pass, they can have a better performance.

But after Ling enters, the benefits will obviously be greater, because Ling can only play a greater role if he is paired with an excellent passer.

And Boris has the ability to hold the ball and organize. He can play well even on the bench, and he can also take on organizational responsibilities in the bench. "

D'Antoni nodded slightly after hearing this, and what Gentry said did make sense.

He began to think again, if Ling Yang entered the starting lineup, how to arrange the lineup.

Gentry didn't continue talking at this time. In fact, he has been thinking about this matter for the past few days, and he already has a complete set of suggestions in his mind, but he has to respect the authority of the head coach.

If he said everything, this arrangement is Gentry's, not D'Antoni's.

Could this upset D'Antoni and backfire?

As an assistant coach who has been in the league for many years, Gentry is very aware of the importance of grasping this degree.

For offense, D'Antoni obviously still has a brush.

After thinking for a while, D'Antoni immediately said: "So what we have to solve now is the problem that Ling can't open up the space.

In this way, we can let Ling play the role of the [-]th position on the offensive end, and then Sean plays the [-]rd position.

Sean has a certain shooting ability to open up space, and Ling's impact can better attack the basket! "

When D'Antoni said this, he immediately smiled and asked Gentry: "Alvin, what do you think?"

"I think this arrangement is great!" Gentry promised with a smile.

He didn't say he'd had the idea before, but added:

"Actually, except for Ling, the other four have long-distance shooting ability.

Kurt Thomas' shooting range can be extended beyond the free throw line. His main offensive scoring is the high jumper, and the team has enough space on the court to stretch. "

After a pause, Gentry continued:

"However, boss, I think Ling's position should still be number three when defending.

On the defensive end, his excellent movement speed will be more threatening on the wing. For example, in the next game against Carmelo Anthony, Ling will be a better defensive choice.

Compared with Ling, Xiao En is more used to confrontation in the fourth position. "

"The defensive arrangement is up to you." D'Antoni said indifferently, he doesn't care about the defense.

"This proposal of yours inspired me again.

Ling really should play the [-] so Sean can pull the opposing bigs out and create better space for the team, which allows us to have more mismatches on offense! "

Having said that, D'Antoni made a decision directly.

"Just arrange it like this, inform the players about tomorrow afternoon's training, the next game against the Denver Nuggets, Ling will start!"