NBA: I am the card dealer

Atkinson noticed Xue Liancheng's reaction and immediately asked, "What's wrong, Xue, do you have any suitable candidates?"

Xue Liancheng: "Yes! I thought of one."

Atkinson's eyes suddenly lit up, and he looked hopeful: "Who?"

Xue Liancheng: "Domantas."

That is Sabonis Jr.

Atkinson was stunned for a moment: "Him? Xue, are you kidding me?"

Xue Liancheng: "I am absolutely not kidding. As long as he can adapt to the confrontation and control the fouls, his growth rate will definitely be beyond imagination."

Atkinson was a little confused at this time.

He once doubted whether he had not made himself clear: "Xue, I am talking about a first-class player with strong offensive ability, not just passing the ball."

A top-notch player, that's the key.

Xue Liancheng: "Sabonis has this potential, so I suggest the team hire a full-time trainer immediately to help Sabonis adapt to the intensity of the game as soon as possible. Only in this way can we go further."

Atkinson: “Are you sure?”

Sabonis Jr. has the potential to become a top star. This... is not a joke, right?

As of the end of the new season, Sabonis Jr. can contribute 8.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3 assists per game. His overall performance is still good, especially his high-post coordination, which is particularly outstanding.

But judging from this data, he is just a role player no matter how you look at it, and there is no trace of an All-Star at all.

The most important thing is that Sabonis Jr. averaged 3.2 fouls per game, plus 2 turnovers, and all of this happened in just 20 minutes, which is quite lame.

After all, if converted into 30 minutes, Sabonis's fouls and mistakes on the court were simply horrible.

Xue Liancheng: "My vision is never wrong. This season, his overall efficiency has improved qualitatively, and his hit rate has reached over 50%. What he needs now is to overcome the foul trouble and control his mistakes, so that he can become a pillar in the interior."

Atkinson is still somewhat skeptical. After all, Sabonis' current data is not enough to support his trust.

Xue Liancheng: "At the beginning of the season, he continued his poor performance from last season, but as the season progressed, his improvement was definitely obvious, especially last week, when he averaged 11.2 points, 7 rebounds and 3.8 points per game. Isn't that enough to show his ability?"

Hear the words.

Atkinson's expression finally became subtle. Sabonis Jr. has indeed become better and more stable during this period.

If given enough tactical status, it can still play a role, at least the data will be much better.

Thinking of this, Atkinson gritted his teeth and said, "Okay! Let's hire a full-time coach to give him special training and see how it works."

Xue Liancheng: "I believe he can do it."

Where can I find a second scoring point?

Isn’t there a ready-made one in the team?

It is an established fact that Sabonis Jr. can play well, and he is an inside monster who averages 20+10+5 per game. His overall strength and inside dominance are several levels higher than Lopez Sr., so it is crucial to train Sabonis Jr.

Besides.

Anunoby can also develop his ability to attack with the ball. As long as he is given enough opportunities and enough room for mistakes, this young man will definitely grow.

As for what level it will grow to?

That's hard to say.

At least Anunoby's top 3D level can be achieved.

Atkinson suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Xue Liancheng: "What did you want to tell me just now?"

Xue Liancheng was speechless for a moment.

He actually wanted to propose changing the starting lineup to four forwards + him, so that they could balance offense and defense and maximize their strength, but Atkinson's concern about the second scoring point directly shattered his idea.

The four forwards + the offensive and defensive rhythm he leads are indeed enough to create a frenzy in the league, but the problem is that you may play well in the regular season, but not necessarily in the playoffs.

Because the pace of the playoffs is slow, you won't have many opportunities for defensive counterattacks, and the competition is fierce, making it impossible for you to launch sustained offensive firepower.

At this time, it depends on the quality of the stars, which means the playoffs are the stage for superstars.

If he wants to reach the summit again by himself, he may not be able to do it.

And if Sabonis Jr. can grow up and become a distraction point, then in the defensive suffocating playoffs, he will be more calm and their options will become richer. After all, there is an essential difference between dual-core and single-core.

If you want Sabonis to grow, you need to give him the opportunity to train now! Let him grow by making mistakes, so that Sabonis can become a top inside player.

This is in huge conflict with his proposed all-forward starting lineup.

After weighing the pros and cons for a moment, he quickly made a choice: "I think our starting lineup needs some adjustments."

Atkinson: "Hmm? What do you mean?"

Xue Liancheng: "Crabbe's defense is too bad, and his three-point shooting is not stable. He is not suitable to be a starter."

Atkinson: "Bring Joe Harris up?"

Xue Liancheng: "No! Play with a big lineup and let Feng Lai start. He has worked with me for many years and has won the championship for two consecutive years. I believe he will be a qualified championship starter. He will have a great influence on both offense and defense."

Atkinson: "But this doesn't fit your fast break style!"

Xue Liancheng: "With the impact of Anunoby and Vonleh, I think it is enough."

Especially Anunoby, he is still very fast.

Atkinson: "Without a three-point shooter to open up space for you, your breakthrough will also be affected."

Xue Liancheng: "Me, Covington, and even Anunoby all have elite shooting abilities, and Vonleh also has a certain three-point range. I believe this space is big enough."

4 shooters and 1 big inside player, this lineup is still very balanced, and the space is actually large enough.

And with Sabonis's basketball IQ, he can definitely serve as the pivot point.

Atkinson hesitated for a moment, and finally replied: "You can try."

Obviously.

As a traditional coach, he still subjectively believes that a shooting guard should act like a shooting guard, and a small forward should have the responsibilities of a small forward.

However, the lineup proposed by Xue Liancheng was very confusing.

Anunoby is a small forward, but he plays as a shooting guard. But the question is, is Anunoby's body suitable for defending the opponent's smaller players?

Covington and Vonleh are taller. Although they are not slow, they are still a beat slower than those shorter guys. How can they keep up with such speed when returning to defense?

But he had to give Xue Liancheng's suggestion a try.

Xue Liancheng naturally saw Atkinson's reluctance, but he did not explain. Instead, he continued to add: "If necessary, we can try more four-forward combinations. I think this kind of offensive and defensive effect will be unique in the league."

When encountering a team with small and fierce players, they will naturally adopt the playing style of small players, such as bringing Josh Hart up. They have to know how to adapt!

If Covington and Anunoby are not stable in three-point shooting, then we have to consider adding two shooters to maintain the continuity of three-point shooting!

He always felt that Atkinson's ability to adapt was a beat slow, but it didn't matter, they had time to get used to each other, and they could become friends with time.

Atkinson nodded repeatedly: "This combination is really good for defense!"

However, Atkinson is not without his merits. He is more receptive to advice and is willing to try after seeing the results.

The two discussed in detail the issue of developing Anunoby and Josh Hart, and they reached a relatively unified opinion that they need to take it slow, but they still need to give them the opportunities they deserve.

……

after one day.

Still at home, they faced the challenge of their heavyweight rival, the Golden State Warriors.

There is no doubt that this game has attracted a lot of attention.

Last season, the Warriors were defeated by Xue Liancheng in the Western Conference semifinals. A 60+ triple-double sent them back to Golden State, and the Big Four's aircraft carrier was hit by a huge wave.

But in the end, they pulled through, retained all of their core structures, and made another push for the championship.

This time, they can only win and not lose.

If they lose, they will face disintegration, and their combination of the four giants will be nailed to the pillar of shame, never to come down.

Durant and Curry's superstar status will also be shaky.

Especially Curry, who was at the peak of his career in the past few years, but ended up not winning any honors. He missed the MVP twice, the scoring title once, and even the All-NBA First Team only once. As for the championship and FMVP, he didn't win either...

Empty hands, so to speak.

In comparison, Durant has four scoring titles and one MVP, and his title of superstar is absolutely established.

But the problem is, you still don't have a championship.

You embraced the big tree of the Golden State Warriors, which was once the No. 1 team in the Western Conference and the Western Conference champions for two consecutive years, but you failed to make any breakthroughs and failed to help the Warriors win the championship. Then there must be a big problem with your ability!

Or more accurately, it is not worthy of its reputation.

and so.

This season is their last chance, and if it goes through, they can continue to retain the lineup.

If they fail to win the championship trophy again, they will fall apart.

It can also be seen from this that Xue Liancheng's three consecutive championships not only suppressed James to the point where he could not raise his head, but even Durant and Curry were overshadowed by his dominance.

Now that they meet again, they are of course gearing up to vent their anger on the weak Nets.

result.

As soon as it comes up.

The Warriors suffered another blow.

The Nets' starting lineup is too tall and too big. Except for Xue Liancheng, everyone else is 200+CM tall. Covington and Vonleh have the height proportions of power forwards, and Sabonis Jr. is a solid inside player.

They are tall and strong, with long wingspans and fast speed, and they overwhelmed the Warriors on both offense and defense.

It even brings strong pressure to Durant. No matter who among Vonleh, Covington, and Anunoby faces Durant, they can make Durant uncomfortable, and they are very active in assisting and defending, and will not give you too much space at all.

In addition, the Warriors are generally short in height, with main rotation players such as Curry, Thompson, Iguodala, Livingston, and Casspi. They have no way to rely on their own explosive power to rush in, and they cannot guarantee rebounds on the court, which puts them in a passive position.

In the first quarter, the Warriors were caught off guard and fell behind by 26 points at 37:11.

But Durant and Curry are among the top 5 players in the league after all, and their strength is absolutely unquestionable. In the second quarter, they responded quickly, started a whirlwind war, and slowed down the pace of the game.

At this time, Sabonis Jr. was at a disadvantage. He started to make mistakes and failed to keep up with the defense.

In addition, the Warriors' scoring explosiveness was too terrifying. Curry and Thompson constantly used screens and pick-and-rolls and attacked the basket frantically, and they quickly caught up with a large score.

Atkinson had no choice but to take Sabonis off the court and bring on James Johnson, ready to compete with the Warriors.

But the four forwards still couldn't compete with the Warriors' offensive rhythm.

They tried to slow down the tempo and even tried to let the Warriors fall into their offensive rhythm, but sometimes the rhythm is not something you can control. After all, if others score goals but you don't, or others charge at you but you don't, you will feel that your offensive system is in chaos.

resignedly.

They could only use shooter Joe Harris.

result.

Durant, who had been silent all night, seized the opportunity to give Joe Harris a beating.

The score difference was quickly eliminated.

At this time, Atkinson used Josh Hart boldly and the Nets finally stopped the decline.

The two sides continued to fight until there were five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

At this time, Xue Liancheng had already used a 100% hit skill and still had two left. He once thought that he had won the game.

result.

Curry exploded, making two three-pointers in a row, and with various surprise attacks under the basket, he scored 2 points in a row, which stunned the Nets.

In order to stop the bleeding, Xue Liancheng had to use his 100% hit rate skill once again.

But the problem was that they were still 5 points behind at that time, and his only remaining % hit skill was not enough.

And the next few minutes.

Both sides entered a suffocating defensive moment.

Fortunately, Vonleh and James Johnson are both experienced veterans who have seen the world.

Although Covington has never played in the playoffs, he is mature!

He managed to deal with the warriors, but the price was that Xue Liancheng used up his last 100% hit skill.

In the last two minutes, it was a real fight.

Unfortunately, the quality of the two sides was indeed quite different, and the Nets eventually lost this focus battle 121:128.

Xue Liancheng really gave his all in this game, shooting 25 of 13, 14 of 6 from three-point range, and 9 of 9 from free throws, scoring a crazy 41 points, in addition to 15 assists and 8 rebounds.

The performance has been quite good.

After all, both sides were serious about the game, and the intensity and fierceness of the confrontation were no less than that of the finals, but they still lost.

Lost in overall strength.

And the gap is huge.

Because the Warriors were confused at the beginning and were leading by 11 points in the first quarter.

If the Warriors are mentally prepared, the Nets simply won't have the ability to fight to the end.

You can imagine how terrifying the Warriors are.

of course.

This is a fact known to everyone. Curry + Thompson + Durant + Green, everyone would be confused if they replace them!

You have to know that Curry + Thompson + Green have already dominated the Western Conference, and with the addition of Durant, it would be a basketball version of an aircraft carrier.