warrior godfather

Chapter 204 The Battle of Mirror Images
4 month 18 day.

Yesterday was the start of the playoffs. Four intense and exciting games set a good tone for this year's playoffs, but unfortunately, there was no down-and-up, all of which were won by the top-ranked teams Contest.

It's just that this also made the fans look forward to today's game, especially the game between the Suns and the Warriors that attracted the most attention.

The remaining three games are the Lakers against the Trail Blazers, the Spurs against the Mavericks, and the Bobcats against the Magic. You don't need to think about it, it must be a regular battle, and the confrontation between the Suns and the Warriors, the two running and bombing teams, is so exciting.

Since the first game of the two teams was placed on the second day after the start of the playoffs, the pre-match warm-up was fully done, and the reporter interviewed both sides.

Zhang Yu is still looking down on the Suns, expressing doubts about what kind of performance Nash can play, and constantly emphasizing that the Suns played 5 games in the last playoffs and were eliminated. Nash averaged only 16.2 points per game. exception.

The reporter naturally laughed at the traffic Zhang Yu sent to them, and asked Nash and Suns coach Gentry this question.

Nash said calmly:

"Coach Z is right. I played poorly in the playoffs last time. I will try my best to play the best performance this time and help the team win... How likely is it to win? I don't know, but we will Unite and fight for victory.”

Gentry also said very low-key:
"Coach Z is an amazing coach. He was able to bring the Warriors into the playoffs. This is an amazing achievement. Every coach knows how difficult it is. He has the capital to say that, but Steve Will prove his strength, basketball will not lie, see the truth in the game."

When Jonathan told Zhang Yu the answers of the two, Zhang Yu's expression became solemn, and Jonathan asked strangely:

"Boss, Gentry and Nash don't dare to say harsh words, they are all afraid, isn't this a good thing?"

Zhang Yu shook his head:

"No, there is a saying that you may not have heard, a dog that bites does not bark, it seems that my provocation has not been effective... That's right, Nash is not James, nor Kobe, he will not be easily hooked... But also Not necessarily, basketball does not lie, only the game is real, everything else is false, let’s see when the time comes, maybe Nash is holding back his energy and wants to 'prove' himself..."

His voice became lower and lower, and Jonathan's hearing became more and more confused, but he didn't ask again.

There is one sentence he heard clearly, that is, basketball does not lie, there is no need to ask more questions, everything will be decided in the game.

……

At eight o'clock in the evening, there is still half an hour before the start of the game, but the American Airlines Center Arena is already full. The tickets for this game were sold out two days ago. The enthusiastic Phoenix fans want to let the Warriors experience A hell of an away game.

The short period of time before the game is always extremely long for the fans, and extremely short for the players. The Warriors players quickly completed their warm-up and took a final rest in the locker room.

Standing right in front of everyone, Zhang Yu looked around and said with a smile:

"How do you feel? Have you experienced the taste of the playoffs?"

Curry nodded:
"Boss, when we were warming up just now, there were a lot of boos. This is really different from the regular season..."

Butler added:

"That's right, when I played away games before, many people would ask me for autographs. This time, only a few spectators wearing Warriors jerseys came to me."

Zhang Yu said:

"This is the playoffs. Everyone in the regular season is in harmony. Even opponents in the same division will not be tit-for-tat. But the playoffs are a life-and-death battle. If one side wins, the other side will lose. There will be no more A little bit of warmth. The hostility of the fans is just the beginning. After playing, you will find that your opponent's actions will become more rough and brutal than in the regular season. The referee will not take care of you. They will encourage confrontation and physical contact. You must do well Mentally prepare, this is a war, a life-and-death war!"

Everyone was shocked by his words, and their expressions became solemn, but Zhang Yu suddenly smiled after a pause:
"Of course, this is the usual situation in the playoffs. This round of series between us and the Suns is still different. You should be grateful that the first playoff opponent is the Suns. Like us, they are more offensive than defensive. The team emphasizes speed and shooting, rather than confrontation, which gives us a chance to adapt. If we encounter old-school teams like the Lakers, Jazz, and Spurs... believe me, you will be confused by those old ball ruffians suspicious of life."

There was a burst of laughter in the room, and everyone relaxed. Zhang Yu was right. The Suns may not like physical confrontation more than they do, but they have the advantage. This is the first time for most players to participate in the playoffs For the Warriors, this is good news.

"Okay, it's time for us to play, remember what I said? Show all of your state, we have to fight game by game, don't have any worries, don't even think about winning or losing, that's my responsibility For the part, you just need to play the established tactical arrangement." Zhang Yu clapped his hands and said loudly.

"Let`s go, warriors!" Everyone nodded in unison, shouted a slogan together, and filed out of the locker room.

Zhang Yu stood by the door with a gentle and confident smile on his face, encouraging everyone:

"Jimmy, show them what a real tough guy looks like!"

"Tyson, the team's inside defense depends on you, you are the leader of the team, take responsibility!"

"Kai Lanna, play boldly, shoot when you get the chance..."

"Stephen..." The last one was Curry, Zhang Yu called his name, and after Curry looked at him, he leaned closer and whispered, "Bold shot, I give you the right to shoot at any time and any place ——As long as you think it's a good opportunity!"

Curry nodded excitedly:
"Boss, I won't let you down!"

He doesn't seem to know what nervousness is at all, and he doesn't feel unfamiliar at all, but can't wait to express himself on the stage of the playoffs.

"Go, give the sun a badass, and let those guys in orange T-shirts be quiet, they are too noisy!" Zhang Yu and Curry hugged each other heavily, and pushed him on the back. Curry He waved his hand and trotted out of the locker room.

After all the players left, Zhang Yu turned around and said freely:

"Stephen, Ron, let's go, we have done what we have to do, whether it is success or failure, I have a clear conscience..."

……

After the very contrasting home and away team appearance ceremony, the game is about to start.

The Suns still have the usual starting five—Nash, Grant Hill, Jason Richardson, Stoudemire, and Collins. Among them, Collins is a false starter. He is only responsible for the center position for a while. Will be replaced by Channing Frye.

The Warriors made some fine-tuning. Zhang Yu replaced the starter Varejao with Anthony Tolliver, and the other four starters Curry, Butler, Azubuike and Chandler remained the same.

In this way, the Warriors' defensive starting lineup has an extra space point and becomes more balanced. The offensive end is a ball-holding core + three shooters + an end point configuration, which is very modern.

This change immediately attracted everyone's attention. The starting lineup submitted by Zhang Yu at the beginning was still Varejao as the starting power forward, but the starting lineup was temporarily changed 10 minutes before the start of the game. caught off guard.

"Reggie, Charles, what do you think of Coach Z's change?" Kenny Smith asked.

The game between the Warriors and the Suns has attracted much attention. Of course, the media who know how to use traffic best will not miss this good opportunity. TNT sent a commentary team composed of Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller and Barkley to explain the game on the spot. In the game, Barkley also put on Curry's No. 30 jersey ahead of schedule.

"The Warriors came prepared. This change is great. I think Coach Z will put Tyson on Amare and Anthony Toliver on Jaron Collins. This is a center who has no offensive threat. Anthony Tolliver doesn't suffer against him," agreed Reggie Miller.

Barkley also nodded and said:

"This is a good choice. In fact, I don't understand why Gentry didn't go directly to Channing Frye. The whole world knows that Jaron Collins is a poor fake starter. He has taken on responsibilities that don't belong to him."

"I think Gentry is worried about Channing Frye's defense. He is too soft in the fifth position. Jaron Collins has a defensive hand and can hold up for a while... Or talk about it, Charles, How do you feel in your new clothes?" Kenny Smith explained.

"Hahaha……"

Kenny Smith's voice fell, and the three laughed together. Barkley lowered his head and pulled the front of the jersey, and said seriously:
"The elasticity is not bad, but it's not good-looking. It's not as good-looking as the jersey when I played... Hey, what are you laughing at? When I play, isn't it when you play!"

Reggie Miller laughed and said:
"Okay, okay, you're right..."

The three of them joked and laughed for a while before turning their attention to the competition.

At this time, the players of both teams had already stood on the court. Stoudemire took advantage of the one-step bounce speed to successfully jump the ball, and the Suns launched the first wave of offense.

Five Suns players quickly poured into the Warriors half, Nash centered the ball, Grant Hill and Richardson flew on both wings, Stoudemire and Collins advanced in the middle, which is what the Suns have used the most in recent years fast break routine.

Zhang Yu was naturally prepared for this. Before the game, the Warriors conducted targeted defensive training against the Suns' fast break. Everyone followed their opponents closely and did not give any Suns players a chance to open.

As a result, the Warriors' defensive formation became very scattered, and Nash saw that there was no good opportunity, so he was not in a hurry to make a shot. He slowed down at the top of the arc, raised his left index finger, and the Suns quickly switched to a positional attack mode.

If you can only run and bomb, but not positional warfare, it is impossible for the Suns to reach the Western Conference Finals twice.

After seeing Nash's gesture, the Suns players settled down. Hill and Richardson were in the bottom corners on both sides, and Stoudemire and Collins stayed on the left and right of the free throw line.

This is the V-shaped offense that European basketball likes to use very much. It was D'Antoni's favorite offensive tactic when he coached the Benetton team in Italy. He was brought to the NBA by him and implanted in the Suns. Nash raised his left index finger, which meant that he was going to use the No. 1 tactic.

After everyone settled down, the sun's offensive space also became wider. Nash waved at Stoudemire, who immediately raised it up to Nash as a cover, and then quickly disassembled and went down.

With the help of Stoudemire's cover, Nash held the ball and went inside to kill. Curry was defending him. He was blocked by Stoudemire, and he was half a body behind Nash. Chandler could only go up Take a step forward and get stuck between Nash and Stoudemire, forming a situation of one defense and two defenses.

No matter how good Chandler's defense is, it is impossible to put down Nash and Stoudemire's pick-and-roll by himself. No one in the entire league can do this. Butler in the left corner quickly moved to the penalty area. Delay Stoudemire's pass.

Nash was always paying attention to the changes in the Warriors' defensive formation during the breakthrough process. Seeing Butler shrinking to assist the defense, with a flick of his wrist, the basketball flew towards Hill in the bottom corner.

Butler rushed back, but Hill's three-point shot was very resolute, and he seized the opportunity of the small space.

brush!
The basketball went into the net hollow, 0:3, and the Suns got off to a good start.

And this attack took only 12 seconds.

After the goal was scored, the audience, led by DJ, cheered enthusiastically to celebrate their first score in the playoffs. The Warriors were not affected by anything, and quickly sent the baseline ball, and the five rushed to the frontcourt.

What's interesting is that the Warriors' fast-break formation is the same as the Suns, with Butler and Azubuike on the wings, Curry in the center to control the ball, Anthony Toliver and Chandler in the middle.

The only difference is that the Suns' fast break just now was the opening first attack. Stoudemire and Collins were in front of Nash, while Chandler and Anthony Tolliver were behind Curry due to the interior defense just now.

The Suns' defense did not lose their position. They would run and bomb, and they would also defend against running and bombing. The formation was spread out and there was no chance for the Warriors to open up.

The subsequent changes of the Warriors are also strikingly similar to the Suns. Curry made a gesture, and the Warriors fell into the position to attack. Butler and Azubuike separated from the bottom corners on both sides. Chandler was at the free throw line. The only difference Yes, it was Anthony Tolliver who fell outside the 45-degree three-point line on the left.

Curry immediately launched a pick-and-roll cooperation with Chandler. Chandler's large body firmly blocked the thin Nash behind him, and Stoudemire also faced a situation of one defense and two defenses.

The choice of the Suns is the same as that of the Warriors just now. Hill shrinks to the inside to help defend, but the difference is that Stoudemire's defense is much worse than Chandler's, and Curry does not pass the ball to the bottom corner. , but found the gap in the penalty area, threw the ball into the sky, the basketball flew over Stoudemire's fingertips, Chandler flew up, and smashed the ball into the basket with both hands!
Bang!

2:3, this attack also only took 12 seconds.

"Curry passed the ball...Chandler made the alley-oop! The strategies of the two teams are so similar, this is a mirror match!" Kenny Smith exclaimed.

(End of this chapter)