NBA: Being criticized for half a year at the beginning

On May 2, the first game of the Western Conference semifinals between the Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns will start at 9 pm local time.

In the morning, all players came to the Rockets training center for the last pre-game meeting. In the afternoon, the players will go back home to rest and go to the stadium to participate in the game in the evening.

Before the meeting, Tang Yu called Dayao to his office alone.

"Sit down, Dayao. I want to ask you for your opinion on something."

Dayao smiled and said, "Haha, coach, you can tell me what you want."

"Then I won't be shy with you. The opponent of this series, the Suns, is very fast. I want you to be the sixth man."

Dayao was not surprised or angry when he heard Tang Yu's words. He was very calm, as if he had known it for a long time.

"No problem, coach. I think you have thought it through. This is the best result for the team. I am willing to make personal sacrifices for the team, just like Vince!"

After Vince Carter switched to the Rockets this season, he was paid the second highest salary in the team but was wandering between the main force and the substitute. This is the self-sacrifice of the player.

Now Tang Yu is going to put Dayao on the bench again, which is also a challenge for the player Dayao!

Dayao agreed to Tang Yu's proposal so readily, which surprised Tang Yu a little. He thought Dayao would ask about it.

"It's just this round of series. You will return to the main lineup whether we face the Lakers or the Mavericks in the next game." Tang Yu also explained himself.

"I know, coach. It's all your credit that I can play here so healthily now. I believe that if it weren't for you, my body wouldn't last long."

It's said that you know your own body. Dayao is really right. If it weren't for Tang Yu, Dayao would have announced his retirement at this time.

In the conference room, Tang Yu looked at the Houston Rockets players, all of whom were in high spirits. They all looked very relaxed, and the rookie players were no longer as reserved and nervous as they were in the first playoff game against the Spurs.

"Everyone thinks this is a battle of offense and offense, and I believe that you here are the same. But this is the playoffs, and defense cannot be thrown away anyway. Defense is about a player's attitude and enthusiasm, and whether you are willing to do this."

After Tang Yu said a paragraph, he turned to the side and a piece of data was presented in front of the players.

"Did you see it? This is the Suns' offensive firepower distribution map. Each of their players has a strong independent offensive ability. Coupled with a ball-handling master like Steve Nash, this team's offensive ability is very terrifying!"

In almost every game of the regular season, the Suns' starting five can score in double digits, which is something that ordinary teams cannot do.

"Imagine if the team's offense has problems, then what do we rely on to win? Only defense, so I want to tell you that whoever can make the opponent score less in this series will win in the end!"

The offensive capabilities of both teams are there, and both sides lack the kind of superstars who can attack and defend. If you want to say that the best offensive and defensive players of the two teams are Dayao and Stoudemire, who entered the league at the same age.

"We will also make some adjustments in the starting lineup in this series. Dayao will play the role of the sixth man, Serge will also return to the bench lineup, and Yi Jianlian and DeAndre will be the starting lineups of this series."

Taking Dayao and Ibaka out of the main lineup in one go, Stevens has already informed Ibaka of Tang Yu's decision in advance. When the other party knew that Dayao would also accept the bench, he naturally didn't say much.

In this way, the starting lineups of the Rockets and the Suns were finally finalized. The backcourt is still the Coulden combination, and the small forward is still the team's defensive expert Sean Battier. Yi Jianlian mainly guards Channing Frye in defense, and Jordan will defend Stoudemire.

Jordan has no problem with his footwork or defensive ability against Stoudemire. On the offensive end, Jordan's task is relatively simple, pick-and-roll and dunking!

"OK, Yao Ming and Vince will be the main rotation of the team in this series. Other players will get the opportunity to play in this series. Everyone should be ready to play at any time. I will make substitutions according to the progress of the game!"

After sweeping the Spurs in the last round, Tang Yu's confidence in the team has also been raised to a higher level.

After solving the problem of the starting lineup, Tang Yu asked the players to go home and prepare well, and gather at the Rockets' Dynasty Center in the evening.

......

Tang Yu arrived at the Dynasty Center Arena very early tonight. The fans were as enthusiastic as ever when they saw Tang Yu's car, and greeted Tang Yu one after another. Tang Yu also rolled down the window and waved enthusiastically to the fans.

After entering the arena, Tang Yu walked around and cameTo the scene of the pre-match press conference.

Tang Yu was as humorous as ever, and he joked with the reporters on the scene as soon as he sat down.

"Guys, it seems that you are all in a good mood. If you are tired, you can go to our coffee shop for a drink. But you have to pay for it yourself!"

Tang Yu opened the Rockets' first pre-match press conference against the Suns in a relaxed way.

The Rockets' press officer began to signal reporters to start asking questions. This press officer also knew Tang Yu's character and first pointed to a beautiful reporter.

"Hello Coach Tang, my question is, for the series with the Suns, are you still playing with the idea of ​​sweeping the opponent out?"

"Of course, dear, isn't it obvious? We set a record of 38 consecutive wins in the regular season, and it is not surprising to get 16 consecutive wins in the playoffs. It's not even halfway!"

"Haha!" All the reporters laughed. These two winning streaks were very difficult, but they seemed to have no connection.

You know, when the OK combination was strong, they swept all the way to the finals in the 2001 playoffs. Everyone thought they had the strength to win the championship.

But in the end, the ‘answer’ Iverson refused the birth of this record, and the Lakers’ playoff record was fixed at 15 wins and 1 loss! (The first round of the playoffs was five games at that time)

Another reporter took the microphone and started asking questions.

“Coach Tang, what tactics will you adopt to deal with the Suns tonight? Will you adopt the same offensive tactics as the regular season or will you have new tactics?”

“Many people say that our playoffs with the Suns are the most exciting duel in the entire playoffs. Both of our teams advocate offense, which may be quite different from previous playoffs. I think this is the trend of future basketball, fast-paced games, more exciting goals, but we will not ignore defense. This is the playoffs!”

The press officer then clicked on the last reporter to ask a question and reminded him that this was the last question.

A reporter with a beard got the last right to ask questions.

"I want to know what plans you have for the future of James Harden and Stephen Curry, Coach Tang? Have you ever considered trading them?"

Tang Yu heard this and thought that this was just a seduce. The playoffs were in full swing, and you asked me to talk about trading two superstars in the team. This was just a seduce!

Tang Yu squinted at the other party's press card, but he couldn't see it clearly.

"They will stay here for another three years. I don't want to talk about this issue now. This is a meaningless question."

Tang Yu stood up and left. He suddenly remembered something and stopped. All the reporters looked at him again.

"By the way, coffee in Houston will be free for reporters in the future. I hope you can have a pleasant night!"