Legend of Tomorrow

After all, Popovich did not arrange double-teaming without the ball, nor did he do so in the previous games.

In his view, double-teaming with the ball can also defend one position and other positions by rotating, but double-teaming one person without the ball is equivalent to giving up the game. How can the Spurs give up this key battle? Facts have proved that this was a mistake, but Popovich did not give up because he is used to dealing with stars such as Kobe and McGrady in this way, and the effect is very good.

In the past, many fans felt that the Spurs could not guard Kobe. In his career, he averaged 39.5 minutes per game against the Spurs and could get 25.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists. In fact, his shooting percentage was only 44.4%, and his three-point shooting percentage was only 44.4%. 31.3%.

Although in the eyes of many Komi, 44.4% is equivalent to 100 million if rounded up, it is really difficult for the Lakers to win with such a person as the core, and they have to rely on efficient teammates to assistance. Kobe was at a disadvantage against the Spurs with a record of 39 wins and 43 losses. Most of the wins came from the early days when the Lakers had fat men. Without them, it would be more embarrassing.

Kobe's highest score in the playoffs was about 40 points. The only time he scored 50+ points was in overtime against the Suns. He will never even play that game in this life. He rarely breaks out from beyond the three-point line, and his mid-range shooting percentage is not high. If he takes more shots, he has the courage to take responsibility. When he feels bad, he is undercover. The Spurs' strategy is suitable for dealing with Kobe.

Guo Xu is different. He has always understood that offensive efficiency is more important than data. He will help his teammates improve efficiency. Once he finds the touch, his shooting rate is even more terrifying and he is simply unstoppable.

He mainly plays without the ball today, catching and shooting or immediately breaking through. When the Spurs players come up to double-team, the ball has often been released, and the double-teaming effect is not good.

The good double-teaming effect of the Spurs in the first two games is related to the Suns' overall strategy. In order to strengthen the defense, D'Antoni arranged for the Suns' two defenders to be on the court together for a short time. Most of the time, Guo Xu partnered with Bell and Howard.

The defense is indeed better, but without double guards, Guo Xu mainly attacks with the ball. It is difficult to get a shot after being double-teamed. It is better to force a shot against the double-team than to distribute the ball to an open teammate. Blake will be very uncomfortable when he is on the Spurs' defense. He has a good sense of passing. He does not break through or mess around. He just protects the ball and organizes it. Occasionally, his shot is more accurate than Howard's.

Without Howard playing, the team's offense became smoother. At this time, the coaching staff felt that he should be traded away, leaving Guo Xu to be left behind. He can indeed be the second scoring point, but he is not a qualified second-in-command because he has poor passing awareness.

If Howard has excellent passing awareness and can combine sudden shooting and shooting, then he can play like Pippen and even become the team leader. Joe Johnson who left is an example. This is a luxury. If Howard had that potential, he would not fall to the bottom of the first round in the draft.

Guo Xu scored 25 points and 2 assists in a single quarter, and he shot after receiving the ball in the positional battle.

During the quick counterattack, they attracted double-teams and passed the ball. Blake and Haslem seized two opportunities.

He played through three quarters, scoring 54 points and 7 assists. He was about to reach 60+10, and the Suns led by 7 points, 92 to 85.

In the last quarter, Guo Xu continued to play, and Blake didn't take a rest. Howard replaced Bell to add an offensive point with the ball, and Varejao and James Jones were inside. One big team leads four small ones, some mid-range shots and three-pointers.

Duncan failed after two consecutive outbursts. In the final quarter, he made 1 of 5 shots against Varejao in single defense. Parker played very actively, trying to score more points to save face, but the result was 1-for-5 from the field.

The two Spurs stars performed abnormally, and the Suns exploded collectively. The Spurs guarded Guo Xu closely. After increasing the intensity of double-teaming, Guo Xu began to distribute the ball. Howard, Jones, and Haslem all caught the ball and scored. His assists Successfully hit double figures.

During the counterattack, Guo Xu made three-pointers, broke through with the ball and drew fouls, and also scored, leading the team to an 18-4 run that widened the point difference to 21 points.

The Spurs replaced veteran Horry, hoping to add outside shooters to chase points. Horry was disappointing this time, making 0 of 2 shots.

Horry occasionally has a flash of genius when shooting key shots, but overall, he only averaged less than 20 minutes per game this season, with 5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists, a shooting percentage of 38.4%, and a three-point shooting percentage of 36.8. % of the substitute power forwards are difficult to score if someone stands in front of them and interferes with them.

Popovich called a timeout with 5 minutes and 36 seconds left, simply gave up the game and replaced him with a fringe player. The Suns also replaced all the main players to ensure that there is no need for the core to continue to fight after the victory. If they are injured, the gain will not be worth the loss.

The fringe players have the upper hand against the Suns. Veteran Payton came on the scene to organize the offense in an orderly manner. The fringe players Josh Powell and David Lee partnered inside and have very strong athletic ability. Ariza and Jones are also physically excellent and support the team's wing defense, making it difficult for the Spurs' substitutes to score.

At the end of the game, 125 to 95, the Suns won by 30 points. The Spurs defended in the final quarter and only scored 10 points in total.

The Spurs' Tianwangshan battle ended like this, which can be called a collapse, because they led by 19 points in the first half, and the difference was 49 points.

The reason for this miraculous reversal was that Guo Xu's shooting percentage in the second half was too high. He was completely different from the first half. He found his touch in the second half of the second quarter.

He played for 43 minutes, making 21 of 33 shots, 9 of 16 three-pointers, 10 of 11 free throws, scoring 61 points, 4 rebounds and 10 assists. His overall shooting rate was 63.6% and his three-point shooting rate was 56.3%.

In fact, the defensive method was similar to the previous two games. The Spurs double-teamed Guo Xu very tightly. The previous double-teaming had an effect and lowered his shooting rate. This time, they could not contain it and the shot was too accurate.

The Suns made 19 of 37 three-pointers, which was a far cry from the Spurs' 3 of 12 three-pointers.

At the press conference, reporters asked Popovich to evaluate the game.

Popovich said angrily: What's there to comment on? We can't stop Jason. He can beat anyone one-on-one. His speed is amazing and his endurance is very good. He keeps running, even if We double-team him and he can find a shot. He's a total monster.

This is a victory of superstar basketball against team basketball, and it is also the most hated way for Popovich to lose. It's not that our own players don't work hard, it's that the opposing stars are too crazy.

The Spurs players are very low-key and only say that they will work hard when they return home and are eager to make a comeback. The GDP team not only has a tacit understanding on the court, but also off the court. They never judge Guo Xu or say harsh words, and they advance and retreat together.

Everyone in the Suns unanimously praised Guo Xu. D'Antoni said: This is a game that relies on Jason's personal ability. Without him, we would definitely be defeated. He is the greatest player.

Guo Xu was the focus of the media and expressed his thoughts: I never thought we would lose this game, because we rarely lose in a row. I don't believe that any team can win three games in a row against the Suns. That is a pipe dream.

He paused and then said: Speaking of dreaming, I think of Inception, which is the movie I invested in. This movie co-produced with my friends has officially started filming. I play a male character in it. No. 2, I have to finish the playoffs as soon as possible and join the crew, work hard to create a positive image, flourish in culture and sports, and promote film culture. I hope everyone will pay more attention to it.

... This is not the first time that reporters have seen Guo Xu advertising and selling films at a press conference.

Don't you have any special feelings after winning? Where is your moral integrity? Do you really just play ball as a side job?

Guo Xu is actually helping his teammates relieve pressure. The more nonchalant he is, the more his teammates dare to perform. The boss no longer takes his opponents seriously, so what are they afraid of?

This is called strategically despising the enemy and tactically focusing on the enemy.