warrior godfather

Chapter 545 It's All Business
After losing to the Kings, the Warriors took the bus back to Oakland that day.

They have another game against the Trail Blazers tomorrow, which is also the last preseason game for the Warriors before the start of the regular season.

Zhang Yu still asked Kerr to be in charge of the on-the-spot command of the game, but only made one request, that is, to continue to inspect the bench lineup and Antetokounmpo's performance, but Chandler's playing time can be appropriately increased to let him find the feeling of the game.

Cole is a little puzzled by this, because according to the original plan, the playing time of the main players will be greatly increased, and they will find their status before the start of the regular season.

But since Zhang Yu made such an arrangement, he had no choice but to do so and temporarily changed the game plan.

The next night, the Warriors sit at home against the visiting Trail Blazers.

Although this game was a preseason game, it still attracted many fans in the Bay Area, and the atmosphere at the Oracle Center was very hot.

But the game scene was not as the fans expected. The Warriors had the upper hand. Instead, the Blazers played against the defending champion.

Like Mike Malone, Trail Blazers coach Stotts also let the players play this preseason game as a regular season, and did not hold back at all.

In the first quarter, relying on the performance of the main lineup, the Warriors can still maintain the lead in the score. They can suppress the Blazers on both offense and defense. The gap in strength between the two teams is very obvious.

But after the Warriors put on the bench, Lillard, Aldridge, Batum, Matthews, and Robin Lopez's starting five began to show their prowess.

The Trail Blazers' main lineup is well-configured and balanced offensively and defensively. Although there is no absolute strength, there is no obvious weakness either.

When faced with a more reasonable and balanced configuration and the Warriors led by superstars, they will be completely suppressed, but when the opponent's lineup has obvious flaws, it is easy to gain the upper hand.

The Warriors' bench lineup has a lot of flaws. The offense is strong and the defense is weak. Whiteside, Thomas Jr., and Antetokounmpo are all obvious defensive weaknesses, which happen to be targeted by Lillard and Aldridge.

Parsons' defense was not very good either, and he didn't work hard, and he lost his previous desperate posture.

In the first half, the advantages accumulated by the Warriors' starters were not squandered, and the score was still clinging tightly, but they couldn't hold on in the second half, and the point difference was slowly opened by the Blazers, falling behind by more than ten points at most.

In the end, the Blazers beat the Warriors 114:96, giving the Warriors a two-game losing streak in the preseason.

However, although the Warriors lost, the statistics of the substitutes are good.

Thomas Jr. had 25 points, Parsons had 19 points, and Whiteside had 14 points, 16 rebounds and 3 blocks. If you just look at the statistics, the Warriors shouldn't lose so many points.

But the collapse of the defense allowed the Blazers to ask for anything on the offensive end.

Lillard had 20 points and 12 assists, Aldridge had 21 points, Matthews had 16 points, Batum had 14 points, and Robin Lopez had 14 points. They were all obtained in front of the Warriors' bench.

During the game, Cole was very dissatisfied with the defense of the Warriors' substitutes. He repeatedly called timeouts to make adjustments, but the effect was not obvious. Their defense was still very lax.

……

After the game, the news of the "Warriors' two-game losing streak in the preseason" immediately attracted the attention of the outside world, especially the opponents who won the Warriors were the Trail Blazers and Kings who did not make the playoffs last season. People's buzz.

"Reasonable discussion, isn't Coach Z a bit overbearing, how can the substitute beat other people's main players? This is too disrespectful to the Trail Blazers and Kings!" This is obviously a neutral fan watching the show.

"It's just the preseason, so what are you doing seriously? It's not the playoffs. In other words, the Warriors' substitutes can compete with the starters of other teams. Isn't that good enough?" This is what the Warriors fans are trying to do. Maintain your home team.

"Hehe, the loss in the preseason is just the beginning. When the regular season starts, you will know what the Warriors can do without Butler..." This should be Butler's fans gloating.

Many commentators also commented on the Warriors' performance in the preseason, but their attitudes are generally more optimistic. O'Neal said:

"The Warriors suffered a two-game losing streak in the preseason, but this will not affect their continued pursuit of the championship."

Even Barkley said:
"The preseason is not convincing, and the Warriors will show their real strength in the regular season."

Bill Simmons said:
"I still can't see the impact of Jimmy Butler's departure on the Warriors, but I like the Warriors' offense off the bench. The only thing they need to do is to be more focused on the defensive end. I think this is not difficult. .”

……

After the end of the preseason, the Warriors have 3 days of rest, and then they will usher in the regular season opener against the Lakers at home, and will receive the championship ring before the game.

For the Warriors who participated in the Huaxia Games, these three days are also very precious. Zhang Yu did not give the players a holiday before the start of the regular season as usual, but maintained relatively high-intensity training.

He handed over the team's training to the coaching staff, during which time he was doing another thing, which was analyzing tape from the Warriors' last two preseason games.

……

Oracle Center, conference room.

Zhang Yu and Cole sat side by side, staring at the replay of the game projected on the screen in front of them, without blinking their eyes, very focused.

Snapped.

Zhang Yu pressed the pause button of the laser pointer in his hand, and the projected image on the screen froze instantly.

This is a scene in the game between the Warriors and the Kings. Cousins ​​​​holds the ball at the top of the arc, and Ben McColemo moves from the weak side corner without the ball to the top of the arc, hand-to-hand with Cousins.

While Whiteside has been staying below the free throw line at this time, Cousins ​​firmly blocked Danny Green, who was chasing Ben McColemo, behind him, and he got a wide open opportunity after receiving the ball.

Seeing Ben McColemo, who was defending with five people two meters in front of him, who was about to shoot a three-pointer, Cole slapped the table:
"Hassan didn't intend to defend the ball outside at all. Cousins ​​and McColemo's hand-to-hand, but the king's common tactics, his attitude is also lazy!"

Snapped.

Zhang Yu didn't speak, he pressed the laser pointer again, and the screen moved again, Ben McColemo made a three-pointer, Whiteside turned back to grab a rebound, but the basketball went into the net, Whiteside picked up the basketball and slapped hard After a while, it seemed a little dissatisfied.

The video continued to play, and once again came to an offensive round of the Kings.

Rudy Gay singles Parsons with the ball from outside the three-point line. A simple change of direction swayed Parsons completely, and he went all the way to the penalty area. A false shot made Whiteside fly again. , A successful layup.

Snapped.

Zhang Yu pressed the pause button, and Cole became even more angry:

"Look at Chandler's defense! His center of gravity didn't sink, and he was passed by Rudy Gay like a stake. He didn't even have the intention of chasing him. Hassan flew at a point. What happened to them? Have you forgotten how to defend?"

Zhang Yu stared at Whiteside and Parsons in the picture, his eyes became sharper bit by bit:

"Although it's a preseason game, their defensive attitude is too bad. Steve, you can communicate with them and remind them to focus on the defensive end. I don't want to see this kind of air defense."

Cole nodded heavily:

"Okay, if you hadn't been pressing down, I would have wanted to mention this to them a long time ago. This is too shameful. Are they thinking of themselves as Stephen? No, Stephen's defense is much more serious than theirs!"

Zhang Yu leaned back slightly, leaned on the back of the chair, and said expressionlessly:

"We have already won two championships. People will definitely fluctuate. The problem was exposed in the preseason. It is not a bad thing. Fortunately, the attitude of the starters is correct. This is enough. The problem of the substitute is easy to solve."

Cole's remaining anger still persists:
"I think they just want to brush up the data, and don't want to do dirty work like defense."

"Is there any player in the contract year who doesn't want to check the data?" Zhang Yu laughed.

"As long as they play well, they won't be short of statistics, and better defense will allow them to get bigger contracts. Playing this kind of cleverness will only destroy themselves." Cole dissatisfied.

"Steve, not everyone has a clear head, not to mention that we have won two championships, this kind of inertia is inevitable, what we can do is try to overcome it, as long as they can win in the playoffs If it works, that's fine." Zhang Yu said indifferently.

He doesn't think the performance of Whiteside and Parsons will have much impact on the Warriors' defense.

The long regular season does not require a strong defense from the bench.

Even if it only relies on offense, the Warriors' bench lineup is one of the best in the league, which is enough to give the Warriors an advantage in the transition period.

In the playoffs, playing under the spotlight and magnifying glass, no player will relax. This is the best chance to win a big contract.

For those players who have won the championship and are in the contract year, the regular season seems to be very tasteless. Anyway, there are no scouts paying attention to them.

At that time, their statistics are good, and they can play high-end games. With proper high-quality players, the big contracts will basically be inseparable.

Of course, Zhang Yu also wants the players to go all out in every game, but this is impossible, even if he is the owner and head coach of the Warriors, he can't do it.

Everyone has inertia. Players who have played in the finals and won championships cannot play as hard as they used to in the regular season.Moreover, the interests of the team do not represent the individual interests of the players. For Parsons and Whiteside, beautiful statistics are even more important.

Although Zhang Yu was dissatisfied with their actions, he could only accept it.

They are all capable. Whiteside is enough to handle most of the team's substitute insiders. Parsons is enough to start some mid- and lower-level teams. They are the absolute strength of the Warriors' rotation. contribute.

In this league, how can there be so many players who play hard and only for the team.

All Zhang Yu can do is to make them restrain themselves a bit, paddling is fine, but they can't fish the whole field.

Anyway, after their contract is completed, Middleton, Jamichael Green, and Antetokounmpo have all grown up. They go out to get big contracts, and the others just happen to be in position to achieve a seamless connection.

Finally, after Zhang Yu and Cole finished watching the video, he turned off the projection, got up and said with a smile:

"Let's go. Tomorrow is the opening game. Go home early and rest. Don't worry about the substitute lineup. When necessary, Chris, Jamichael, and Sean can all play a role."

During the offseason, the Warriors and Livingston renewed their contract with a three-year minimum salary. He will continue to serve as the Warriors' third point guard in the new season.

Livingston performed quite well for the Warriors last season, but the Warriors' backup point guard was mainly played by Thomas Jr. He didn't play much time, and after he appeared on the court, he played more of a dribbler who crossed the half court and transitioned the ball. Engineer role, did not arouse the interest of other teams.

Cole stretched and shook his neck:
"You want Jamichael to play center? I don't think Hassan will make a change. You know his character. It's weird. I heard that when he went to the trial training, he came in slippers. He thought he would be A great center like Olajuwon is a little too confident..."

Zhang Yu said:

"Don't forget, we still have the Death Five, which will be our common lineup this season. Drummond can also play the center, and Whiteside won't play too long."

Cole shrugged:

"Well, anyway, he still gets a basic salary. Even if he just brushes up the statistics, he can play a big role. It's just a pity to see such a promising player go astray."

Zhang Yu said lightly:

"This is a business. Everyone has their own way to go. Maybe at the end of this season, he can get the big contract he wants. Maybe, he shouldn't have too many demands on players with a basic salary..."

……

The next day, at 8:30 p.m., the Oracle Center was brightly lit, and the auditorium was packed. Nearly [-] Bay Area fans gathered here, waiting for the start of the opening game.

This summer, the Warriors sold more than 15000 sets of season tickets, more than 2300 sets more than last season, ranking first among all teams in the league, and also created a new record in team history. The city is extremely hot.

You know, the maximum audience capacity of the Oracle Center is only 19596, which means that the Warriors have sold nearly 77% of the tickets before the regular season started, and have the strongest fan base in the league.

This year the league has arranged three opening games, namely Warriors VS Lakers, Heat VS Bulls, Magic VS Pacers.

Among them, the Magic just make up the numbers, and the others are star-studded teams. It's just that the Lakers lack Kobe, and the starlight is slightly dim, but there are also Nash and Gasol to support the scene.

Due to the time difference, the games between the Heat and the Bulls and the Magic and the Pacers have ended, and the Bulls and Pacers have won respectively.

Butler performed quite well in the game against the Heat. He scored 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. He was an important contributor to the Bulls' victory.

The performance of the Big Three of the Heat was sluggish, and none of the scores reached 20.

After the game, Bulls fans were very excited and praised Butler's outstanding performance.

The Heat fans are heartbroken. Are the Big Three really infighting?Has the Heat's hopes of winning the championship been shattered?

But soon, people's attention shifted to the game between the Warriors and the Lakers.

The performance of the defending champion is the focus of most attention.

(End of this chapter)