I'm good at basketball too

The first game between the Grizzlies and the Mavericks kicked off amidst outside disputes.

In this game, the focus of both sides' attention is on the inside.

To be more precise, it is at the position of power forward at position 4.

The result of the matchup between Duncan and Nowitzki will directly determine whether the Grizzlies can win the series within a few games.

That's right, no one thinks the Mavericks can win this series, it's just that Nowitzki's performance can make the Mavericks win an extra game or two.

With this in mind, the two sides entered the game.

But to everyone's surprise, it wasn't Duncan or Li Ran who had problems with the Grizzlies first.

It's Curry.

Curry played very uncomfortable under the old Kidd's defense.

This kind of old and hard point guard makes Curry very uncomfortable.

Although he has an advantage in speed, Curry has to receive harassment from Tyson Chandler in the paint.

Although the boxing champion lost his defensive dominance in the low post at his peak, facing Curry, he is a big threat as long as he stands there.

In the opening 5 minutes, Curry made zero three-pointers from outside the three-point line. Seeing that the score was instantly opened by Terry and Nowitzki's consecutive three-pointers, Calipari had no choice but to call a timeout.

16-9, the Grizzlies fell behind by 7 points.

Kidd has played basketball all his life, and his astronomical defensive experience caught Curry by surprise when he really played it out in the playoffs.

"Stephen, don't worry. You have an advantage against Kidd. Seek more help from your teammates. Use your speed and ball control to get rid of him. If you have a shot, you will continue to shoot resolutely. Missing three shots is not the end of the world. "

After appeasing Curry, who lowered his head and said nothing, Calipari looked at Li Ran again.

This guy is moving and moving, as if he is not on the court.

Li Ran looked at Calipari's reproachful gaze and shrank his neck.

He really didn't show much, because he was watching this season's championship team in another time and space.

After watching for a few minutes, Li Ran also saw some clues.

This team is old and young, and there are no other characteristics except being old.

Nowitzki is 33 years old, Terry is 34 years old, Marion is 33 years old, Kidd is 38 years old, and the youngest of the main players are Chandler at 29 years old and Barea at 27 years old.

This is a team eager for self-salvation and transformation.

During the season, Chandler was traded to allow the driver to focus all his energy on the offensive end. Terry's state this year is also ridiculous, and he can really score three-pointers.

And the defensive system composed of Chandler, Marion and Kidd is the reason why Curry played so uncomfortable in the first half.

However, Li Ran believes that Kidd is the most important player for the Mavericks.

As the league's leading field master, Kidd not only helps the team on the defensive end, but also plays an irreplaceable role in the organization.

There is a price to be paid for underestimating this old fellow.

"Li Ran." Calipari said.

Li Ran raised his head and said a suggestion that surprised even the Grizzlies.

"The next game, let me guard Kidd."

Calipari was slightly taken aback.

His original intention was to let Li Ran defend Barea or Terry, the Mavericks' outside sharp knives, but he didn't expect Li Ran to defend Kidd?
After thinking about it, he nodded before the timeout expired.

"Then fight as you wish."

This switch is not a big problem. Curry doesn't suffer a loss no matter whether he plays Barea or Terry, and he even has a big advantage in height when playing Barea.

After playing again, Li Ran stood in front of Kidd directly.

He didn't take over the offense, and the Grizzlies' offense still focused on Curry and Duncan.

It seemed that there was no difference between the game and before the timeout, and Curry did not shoot a three-pointer, but it didn't take long for the Grizzlies fans to find that the score was slowly catching up.

Only the Mavericks players on the court can feel that they are playing very uncomfortable now.

Kidd's normal organization, which was like using his arms and fingers, suddenly became sluggish and obscure.

Looking at Li Ran who was sticking to Kidd's side, Nowitzki seemed to understand something.

This kid has such a sneaky eye?
Off the court, Rick Carlisle saw it more clearly.

The Mavericks are not playing the usual offensive rhythm at all.

Although this Mavericks is based on defense, the offensive rhythm is not fast, but Rick Carlisle found that the current Mavericks offensive rhythm is at least 20% slower than usual.

This means that the Mavericks can play five rounds on weekdays, but now they can only play four rounds.

Li Ran's defense against Kidd did not create direct data such as steals and blocks for himself, and Kidd would not be arrogant enough to attack Li Ran's defense.

But it was such an unremarkable defense that made the Mavericks extremely uncomfortable, even more uncomfortable than Li Ran blocking Barea or Terry.

How to adjust?

Can't adjust!

Li Ran was like a seasoned hunter, directly pinching his opponent's seven inches.

In other words, put an invisible shackle on the cow on the opposite side, and put them tightly under him.

Rick Carlisle sighed silently. He didn't know whether this adjustment was made by Calipari or Li Ran himself.

If it's Calipari, it's not unreasonable for this guy to take the Grizzlies to the championship in his first year in the NBA.

If it was Li Ran, it would be even more terrifying.

Although Li Ran averaged only about three assists per game, as long as he played, he was the brains of the entire Grizzlies and the marshal on the field.

The most frightening thing is that Li Ran is not the only one in the Grizzlies team who can take on this responsibility.

Relying on Nowitzki, Duncan received a pass from Curry in the low post, then hit back without fancy, turned around, and shot.

The ball goes in.

This deadpan guy is also the brains of the Grizzlies.

In the more than ten years since he entered the league, no matter how the Spurs' lineup is adjusted, they have maintained their competitiveness in the Western Conference and even the entire league. The Spurs have not even missed the playoffs for any year.

How can such a dual-core driven Grizzly be defeated?

Rick Carlisle has been thinking about it for a long time, but still hasn't found the answer to this question.

Such a Grizzly has almost no solution when the lineup is complete.

It is simply the BUG of the NBA!

Unless, another BUG stands out. . .

But there are only a few such players in the league. Do the Mavericks have them?

Really!
Looking back, Nowitzki also leaned on Duncan, dribbled the ball, jumped back obliquely, and threw the ball with an exaggerated arc in the air.

The ball enters the net hollow.

The king of Germany this season is undoubtedly the man who best fits the definition of "BUG" in the entire league!

In the second quarter, Nowitzki began to take over the team's offense.

The German heavy artillery fired a fatal shell at the Grizzly! (end of this chapter)