warrior godfather

Chapter 172 Are you gambling or not?

When Zhang Yu and Ron Adams discussed the Warriors' defensive issues, the situation on the court changed again.

As soon as Paul returned to the court, he firmly controlled the situation and organized the offensive end in an orderly manner. Varejao became a cash machine again in front of him.

The game is not over yet, Paul has already scored 27 points, and after the whole game, 30+ is a sure thing, 40+ is not impossible, and he will definitely hit the highest score of the season.

On the defensive end, the Hornets further improved their strength, and the lack of ball-holding ability of the Warriors players was reflected. They abused food well, but under the defensive strength close to the playoffs, the success rate plummeted.

From 7 minutes to 5 minutes, the Hornets showed off both offensive and defensive ends, quickly overtook the score, and led the Warriors by 96 points 91:5.

Zhang Yu saw that the Warriors' offense was unfavorable, and immediately called a timeout.

This is one of his strengths. As long as the team is frustrated on both ends of the offense and defense, he will never sit back and watch the players adjust themselves on the field. Watching the score being drawn, he will definitely call a timeout to make adjustments in time. The "famous coach" place, such as a well-known coach who has been overturned with a 3:1 lead many times.

Another advantage of Zhang Yu is that he has been baptized in the small ball era, has seen all kinds of weird lineups, and especially knows how to limit defenders.

He will be replaced by Paul Varejao, who frequently trains in the military, comforting him:
"Anderson, I have seen your efforts. You have tried your best. It is not your fault. I replaced you to win. I hope you can understand."

Varejao's expression was obviously very depressed, but Zhang Yu's explanation made him feel a lot better, and most of the dissatisfaction in his heart caused by not being trusted dissipated.

This is the third advantage of Zhang Yu. He never puts on airs of the head coach, communicates with the players frequently, and has a good relationship with the players.

Then, instead of sending Anthony Tolliver on the field, he looked at Matthews:

"Wesley, wait for you to take over Jimmy's position. Jimmy, you are a power forward, or you can switch defenses infinitely. I need you to limit Paul's offense. If the opponent hits David West, they will resolutely attack. Everyone else Rotation fills in, he doesn't hit the ball well, understand?"

Everyone nodded in unison, Zhang Yu picked up the tactical board and drew the offensive tactics...

On the other side of the technical table, Jeff Ball didn't even look at the tactical board, but said impassionedly there:

"Guys, we have a 5-point lead, you guys did a great job, and the last 5 minutes, let's go home with a win! Chris, this game is up to you, to that Babyface, take a good lesson!"

Paul nodded resolutely. He has carried the Hornets on his shoulders many times in the past, overcoming difficulties and winning victories, and this time is no exception!

In the commentary seat, Barkley became proud again:

"Reggie, you have seen the performance of the Warriors just now. They can't attack, they can't defend, they can't win."

Reggie Miller shrugged:

"There are still 5 minutes, you are too impatient, I still think the Warriors will win, do you want to bet something?"

"Let's bet... just forget it." Barkley almost agreed, but the painful experience in the past told him that words can be said casually, but bets cannot be played casually.

"Why do you have so much confidence in the Warriors? Standing opposite them is Chris Paul, the future No. [-] point guard in the league!" Barkley emphasized.

Reggie Miller laughed:

"It's very simple. Paul is indeed a higher-level star, but Jeff Ball is not a good coach. After he replaced Byron Scott, he didn't make any changes. Don't look at the Hornets' six-game winning streak, but that It's because they are in good shape, Jeff Ball didn't bring anything new to this team, the Hornets are still a team with Paul as the commander, and I don't think Paul's field decisions can surpass the carefully arranged by Coach Z tactics."

Kenny Smith nodded in agreement:
"No wonder I watch the Hornets game, and there is no difference from before."

Barkley tried hard to recall and found that the Hornets really didn't seem to have changed before and after Jeff Ball took over as head coach.

Naturally, he would not change his course, but snorted coldly and said:

"I think the Hornets players are very motivated, and Jeff Ball is still a bit level..."

"Are you betting or not?"

"Ahem, let's watch the game first..."

"Dick--

The timeout ended, and the two teams returned to the court for the final decisive battle.

Zhang Yu's substitution immediately attracted everyone's attention. Varejao's departure made Jeff Ball stunned for a moment, and then he was overjoyed. Isn't this a dead end?How dare you take the initiative to remove an inside player!
He instantly forgot what he said before, and shouted at Paul:
"Give the ball to David and let him single the little guy on the opposite side!"

Paul also saw the change in the opposing lineup, agreed with Jeff Ball's arrangement, and nodded to express his understanding.

But this ball belongs to the Warriors, and the Hornets must defend first, and Paul's attention quickly turned back to Curry.

Curry came to the frontcourt, ignoring Paul in front of him, Butler came up to cover him, and Curry used the pick-and-roll to switch David West in front of him.

The Hornets didn't intend to double-team Curry at all. Paul was only slightly delayed by Butler, but he didn't squeeze the screen, but chose to switch defenses directly.

This is the arrangement of Jeff Ball. He watched the videos of the previous games of the Warriors and thought that Curry was not as scary as others said. The game against the Lakers was just eating dumplings. There was no need to flank at all, and a single defense was enough. .

Seeing this scene, Zhang Yu glanced at Jeff Bauer in surprise.

He didn't expect that the opponent would defend Curry like this. The tactic he arranged just now was that Curry attracted a flanking attack, and then asked Butler to open up and shoot a three-pointer, but Jeff Ball actually gave Curry a chance to dislocate and play big!
How could this opportunity not be seized?
Zhang Yuteng stood up from his seat, walked along the sideline to a place parallel to Curry, and shouted:

"Stephen!"

Curry turned his head sideways when he heard the sound, Zhang Yu raised his right arm and patted his elbow with his left hand.

This meant for him to play singles. Curry understood and waved his teammates to pull away. Only him and David West were left at the top of the arc.

Zhang Yu nodded in satisfaction, walked back and sat down.

He didn't want the opponent to know the team's tactics, so he couldn't call it out. He could only use this method to remind the players, which is also a common method in the NBA.

David West is a very interesting player. He plays smart, has a steady and stable style of play, is accurate in mid-range shots, has the ability to respond, has a fierce face, but likes to read, is very knowledgeable, has a good understanding of modern Chinese history, and is very sensible .

In Zhang Yu's previous life, David West was still a player with a close relationship with the Warriors. In order to win the championship, he gave up his annual salary of tens of millions of dollars and joined the Spurs with a basic salary, but he still failed to do so. Later, he joined the Warriors and became a substitute for Cosmos An important member of the table, only to get two championship rings.

It's just that with Zhang Yu's butterfly effect now, his future is destined not to be the same as his previous life.

But his technical characteristics will not change because of Zhang Yu. Curry just made a simple change of direction, and David West had to take a small step back. Although his lateral movement is not as slow as in the later stages of his career , but facing Curry still must reserve room for reaction.

Curry seized this space and raised his hand to score a three-pointer!
David West tried his best to interfere and blocked Curry's face, but Curry shot so fast that the basketball flew past his hand and bounced into the frame.

94: 96.

Curry retreated with a smile, slapped his chest and pointed to the sky, and the Hornets fans sighed unwillingly.

Perhaps only he himself knew that the scene just now seemed thrilling, but that was just an illusion. In fact, it was impossible for David West to cover it.

Curry has fought too many opponents, and he is very confident in his shooting speed. As long as he feels it, he dares to shoot a three-pointer at any time and anywhere. It is an incredible goal for others, but for him It's just a routine operation.

Looking back, the Hornets attacked, and Paul, following Jeff Ball's instructions, lobbed the ball to David West and let him single Butler.

David West received the ball in the low post, and as soon as he sat on Butler, the Warriors came up with a flank attack, and Curry rushed over from the side to press.

David West protected the ball, looked around, and finally saw Devin Brown, who was open, passed the ball through, but Matthews had already rotated into position and opened his hands in front of him.

Devin Brown looked around and continued to look for open teammates, but Azubuike, who was defending Paul, filled in front of Peja, Curry ran to Paul, and the Warriors made a quick rotation on the perimeter without leaving the Hornets open. shot opportunities.

In desperation, Devin Brown had no choice but to return the ball to Paul. The latter repeated his tricks, but the Warriors once again showed an extraordinary rotation speed, allowing the Hornets to pass the ball again without success.

In the end, Devin Brown made a hasty three-pointer, and the basketball went out of the frame. Instead, the Warriors seized the opportunity to fight back, and Matthews chased and hit a three-pointer.

At 97:96, the Warriors overtook the score!

Zhang Yu clapped his hands vigorously and shouted to the team members:

"Nice job, just hit like that, spin around, and run!"

What he wants is this kind of oppressive contraction and rotation, this is the defensive effect he wants to see!

At that moment just now, he even saw the shadow of the peak warrior, that is the smooth basketball of the three armies using their lives, rotating and oppressing, and defending and counterattacking!

The Hornets attacked, Jeff Ball hesitated, and instructed David West to attack.

In his basketball philosophy, those who win the inside win the world, and if the opponent takes the initiative to expose the weakness of the inside, then he must not miss it, but he doesn't know that this move just fell into Zhang Yu's trap.

Faced with David West's low singles, the Warriors naturally chose to pinch and force him to play.

And as an inside player who has to hand over 2.3 turnovers for every 2.1 assists, David West made a mistake in scoring this time and was directly cut off by Butler. The Warriors fought back again. Curry chased and hit a three-pointer.

100:96, the point difference was pulled to 4 points!
Barkley's complexion is very ugly:

"David West is really too careless. As an experienced inside player, he shouldn't handle the ball so hastily. The Hornets have to be steady."

I don't know if Paul heard what Barkley said. This time he didn't throw the ball to David West, but chose to pick and roll with Okafor and play Biedrins in a misplaced single.

At this time, there were only 3 minutes and 21 seconds before the end of the game. Paul chose his best offensive method, a jumper shot after finding the rhythm in the middle distance.

But Biedrins is not Varejao, he is very good at defense and small, interfered with Paul's shooting, the basketball went out of the frame, he quickly turned around and took off, protected the rebound, and did not delay at all after landing , quickly passed to Curry, and then rushed to the frontcourt.

The Warriors launched a fast break, and the other four were very fast, all three lines, completely disrupting the Hornets' defensive formation, Biedrins ran to the frontcourt, first slowed down, then suddenly accelerated, from behind Okafor Cut inside and raise your finger to the sky.

Curry was dribbling the ball outside the three-point line on the other side, seeing this, he threw the ball into the sky, Biedrins bounced high, caught the basketball just right, dunked with one hand, and smashed the ball into the basket frame!

102:96, the score continued to widen.

Seeing all this from the sidelines, Zhang Yu couldn't help applauding, and shouted:
"Good!"

That's what Biedrins does every night -- defend, rebound, find Curry, cut to the finisher.

He can't respond, has no shooting ability, and has almost no offensive threat when he is out of the three-second zone. A $6 million contract is the Warriors' second highest paid player!
In Zhang Yu's mind, the current Warriors lineup is only a semi-finished product, and many areas need to be improved, but Biedrins firmly occupies a seat at the Warriors' future center position.

Tonight, he did his job well and helped the team consolidate its lead with one offense and one defense.

"Di-"

No matter how slow Jeff Ball is, he knows that a timeout should be called at this time to interrupt the Warriors' momentum.

But he didn't know how to deal with the Warriors' small lineup, so he could only pour chicken soup on the players, and then emphasized the words "brace yourself" and "defend well", and the timeout was over.

After the two teams returned to the court, the Hornets still couldn't break the tight rotation of the Warriors, so Paul could only attack.

He used his experience to draw a foul from Matthews, broke through to the basket, hit a layup, and assisted Peja to make a three-pointer.

But Curry also stood up tit-for-tat. He first made a throw after breaking through David West, and then made an ultra-long three-pointer against Paul's defense, and then found a goal by moving without the ball. Opportunity, seize the momentary gap, and hit a catch three-pointer with his body almost out of balance.

With 8 points in a row, he helped the team lead the Hornets by 52 points 110:103 with 7 left, making the game lose suspense.

Kenny Smith said:
"Curry broke out suddenly, scored 8 points, and almost killed the game!"

Reggie Miller added:
"Paul singles Biedrins, he dribbles to mid-range... misses the shot! Rebound gets by Biedrins, he passes to Curry, Hornets foul... Curry makes two free throws Hit, the lead of the Warriors expanded to 9 points, with 40 seconds left, the game lost its suspense, congratulations to the Warriors for winning, Curry recovered, scored 28 points in this game, they can go home for Christmas with peace of mind! "

(End of this chapter)