no shortcuts in basketball

Chapter 183 James: Strong sense of immersion

At the Chicago United Center, the finals G2 officially kicked off.

Yao Ming moved the ball back to the Bulls half, and the home team got the opportunity to attack first.

"Come on! Bulls!"

Chicago fans were almost crazy tonight. The game had just started and they were already cheering for the home team.

In addition to the unfavorable situation of the team, what is more important is that the next three home games will be in Dallas. It is still unknown whether the Bulls can return to Chicago.

The Mavericks started the same as G1. They did not go directly to the zone defense and defended man-to-man.

It can be seen that Carlisle is still a little worried about the Bulls' outside touch.

After all, you can't say Rose is right. He also has a three-point shooting rate of about 35%. If the opener makes a smooth call, the Mavericks will be passive all night.

And for a coach of Carlisle's level, it's impossible for him not to notice that the Bulls were out of shape in G1, but the Bulls' mental outlook during the warm-up tonight was obviously different.

The Bulls didn't hesitate when they saw this. Xu Yong fed the ball directly to Yao Ming in the low post.

Yao Ming caught the ball, leaned against Chandler, and took a shot.

Chandler jumped up hard to block Yao Ming.

However, Yao Ming's shot was faster than he expected. This time the ball was not blocked, but a slap directly hit Yao Ming's wrist.

The referee blew the whistle and called Chandler's thug for a foul.

This foul directly shocked the head coaches on both sides.

Carlisle: What's going on?
Thibodeau: Will the Mavericks give a big gift tonight?
In fact, not to mention the coaches on both sides, Xu Yong didn't expect it at all.

Regarding the chain reaction of premature fouls by the main center, Howard had vividly demonstrated it when the Bulls played the Magic before.

Although Chandler may not commit a second foul like Howard, it can already halve his defensive deterrence.

Even this kind of thing may be barely acceptable to other teams, but for teams like the Magic and the Mavericks, where the center is extremely critical, it has a great impact.

Needless to say, the Magic, as for the Mavericks, play team basketball, one carrot and one pit, everyone performs their own duties, full of execution, and as precise as a machine.

But what this kind of team is most afraid of is if something goes wrong.

Just like if there is a problem with one part of a machine, it will cause problems for the entire machine.

Don't mention Haywood. Haywood is not even a little bit worse than Chandler, otherwise the Mavericks wouldn't have waited until Chandler came to get tough.

No one knows what Chandler is thinking. Maybe he was suppressed too much by Yao Ming in the last game and wants to prove himself tonight; or maybe he just wants to prevent this ball so that the Mavericks will not Falling into passivity too early.

But no matter what, judging from the results, this is good news for the Bulls.

Yao Ming went to the free throw line and scored two points, giving the Bulls the lead.

And back on the defensive end, the Bulls also showed a completely different intensity from the previous game.

The speed of their assist defense and supplementary defense has been greatly improved.

This is the state. The same group of people in different competitive states can produce completely different effects.

The Mavericks played two consecutive rounds of coordination but failed to find a good opportunity. Finally, Kidd's three-point shot missed the basket due to Rose's interference.

After O'Neal protected the defensive rebound, the United Center quickly became restless.

Putting aside the issue of Chandler's foul, the Bulls' enthusiasm at the start tonight gave people an overall impression that was indeed a completely different team from the previous game.

The Bulls advanced into the frontcourt, and the Mavericks switched to a 2-3 zone defense.

Chandler's premature foul forced Carlisle to use zone defense to protect the penalty area.

But just after the Mavericks did this, the Bulls began to show their tactical adjustments.

The first thing that changed was Yao Ming's position.

一般来说，安排一个能传球有中距离投篮能力的人在罚球线，落1-3-1落位是破2-3联防最好的方法。

This is what the Bulls G1 did, and the effect was good.

But the Bulls went off the beaten path tonight.

Yao Ming and O'Neal both fell to the low position, while Xu Yong and Artest were at 45° angles to the left and right.

Then the tactics started quickly. Artest and Xu Yong cut to the basket from the left and right sides, but when they cut to the free throw line, they suddenly turned back and set up two pick-and-roll walls on the left and right sides of the high position at the top of the arc.

The purpose of these two walls is to block the two people standing on the outside in the 2-3 zone defense and create space for the No. 1 holding the ball to break through.

This is a tactic called [cross] but has not yet landed in the NBA.

Even though Carlisle has been coaching in the NBA for many years, he was caught off guard by Thibodeau's new move.

Of course, the Mavericks players were more confused than Carlisle.

Because Rose is so fast, even if Marion reacts quickly enough to squeeze through, Rose has already broken into the penalty area like lightning.

Chandler had to guard against Yao Ming and didn't dare to make a save at this time.

Rose almost completed the emergency throw without being marked.

"Shh!"

The basketball is firmly in the pocket.

0:4.

The Bulls started the game much more smoothly than in G1.

The Mavericks attacked again, Nowitzki received the ball from the outside and scored, and Marion made a layup.

"boom!"

He was directly blocked by Yao Ming who recovered the basket!
After blocking the shot, Yao Ming gave Marion one of his favorite tomatoes, and the United Center was in a state of excitement.

Moreover, the Mavericks' frontcourt pass came out, and Stevenson's pick-and-roll shot also hit the frame under Xu Yong's hard defense.

After the rebound was protected by Yao Ming, the Bulls directly launched a defensive counterattack, three-on-two in the frontcourt.

Rose quickly advanced after receiving the ball, and then knocked the ball to Xu Yong who followed up.

Xu Yong caught the ball with one step inside the free throw line, and then flew straight up.

Seeing that he couldn't defend himself, Kidd got out of the way.

"Oh!"

Xu Yong made a gliding chop and then hung the basket with both hands, directly igniting the atmosphere in the United Center.

0 is better than 6!

The Bulls had a perfect start!

At this time, Jordan, who was thousands of miles away, smiled and took a puff of his cigar.

Xu Yong's enthusiasm in defense and fast break at the beginning made his previous worries completely unnecessary. This little guy is really good!
Oh, sure enough!

In Miami, James had a guessing look in his eyes.

How great it would be if he was the one beating the Mavericks now!
It's a pity no.

On the field, Carlisle stood up from the bench and made new tactical gestures to the players on the field.

Kidd advanced to the frontcourt, backed up Rose and waited for the tactics to get into position, then passed the ball to Nowitzki's hands.

Nowitzki reacted quickly after receiving the ball, but his turn did not give him a direct shot. O'Neal was also trying his best to guard him tonight.

Although, the ball was still missed.

Nowitzki turned around and shot the golden rooster independently, but O'Neal was unable to pounce.

"Shh!"

Nowitzki continued to show off his soft touch, helping the Mavericks break their scoring drought.

However, after the goal was scored, Thibodeau's expression on the sidelines did not change much.

As Wade said, it's impossible for a player of Nowitzki's level not to score.

Moreover, the Mavericks failed to score consecutive offenses in the opening game. Xu Yong's system of "Nowitzki supports the team in the first three quarters and outputs in the last quarter" has been broken.

Nowitzki was forced to step forward at this time. This is what the Bulls want to see.It can be said that so far in the opening game of G2, everything has been developing in a favorable direction for the Bulls.

As long as Ross continues to output firepower in positional battles.

"Come on! Bulls!"

The United Center was filled with cheers from fans once again.

The Bulls got their blood pumping with this start tonight.

The Bulls continued to use cross tactics, and this time Marion bypassed Artest's pick-and-roll from behind in advance.

But at this moment, Rose changed direction and broke through from the right.

The best state of this tactic is like the previous round, which gave Rose a direct scoring opportunity at the free throw line.

But it doesn't have to be that way, because the purpose of these two pick-and-roll walls is to create a breakthrough channel for the No. 1 holding the ball.

As for whether you take the middle or both sides, the waterway or the dry road, there is not much difference.

Rose once again went straight into the penalty area, and this time Chandler chose to save it.

Upon seeing this, Rose jumped up and used a dodge gliding lever in the air to reverse the basket.gif!

At this time, Chandler didn't dare to make a move even though he had a foul on his back. He could only watch Rose send the ball into the basket in the air.

2:8.

The tide has turned, the Mavericks kept suppressing the Bulls at the beginning of the last game, and the Bulls responded exactly the same tonight!

"Defense! Defense!"

Moreover, the fans at the scene were full of momentum and cheered constantly.

The Mavericks' continuous tactical cooperation still failed to produce a chance.

The Bulls are in this state tonight, and it's really difficult for the Mavericks to score.

The ball still can only go to Nowitzki.

Tonight's Mavericks have become the Bulls from last game.

A calf and a bull, I can’t tell the difference.

Nowitzki still pushed forward, turned around, broke through and faced the help defense, tilted his body and shot, causing Artest to foul.

After stepping to the free throw line, he made two steady free throws and scored all 4 points of the Mavericks.

During the transition between offense and defense, Carlisle directly stood on the sidelines and directed.

This cross tactic is not complicated, it just requires more help in defense.

With Rose's habit, if he doesn't distribute the ball quickly enough, he will easily be forced to make a mistake.

Facts quickly proved that Carlisle was capable. When Rose broke through from the left this time and encountered help, the ball was slow and was forced to stop.

Fortunately, he protected the ball well and was not intercepted. When Stevenson made a move, the referee called a foul, and the ball still belonged to the Bulls.

"Pay more attention to our position." Xu Yong walked to Ross at this time, pulled him into his arms, and reminded him.

Although Rose's passing ability is not top-notch, it is definitely above average, especially for sudden points, and his effect is no worse than that of James.

He just wanted to prove himself a little too much.

Just like in the previous round, although the ball was scored beautifully, compared to that difficult goal, it was a better choice to pass the ball to Yao Ming after Chandler came out to help defend.

"We are a team." After Ross looked up, he continued.

Ross nodded.

It may not be useful to be reminded by others, but Xu Yong is very useful.

Because although he didn't hear the exchange between Xu Yong and Thibodeau, Thibodeau's adjustment of tactics was probably approved by Xu Yong.

Otherwise, if you had taken the ball away from Xu Yong without saying hello, the Bulls would have been in chaos.

The ball came out in the frontcourt and Rose continued to hold the ball.

This time Xu Yong and Artest provided a very strong pick-and-roll, and he successfully broke through from the center.

However, Marion was very experienced with this shot. He went to the penalty area to shrink in advance and blocked Rose's shot route.

Rose saw it was Marion, turned around and threw the ball to the right at a 45° angle.

In the cross tactic, the two pick-and-rollers on the outside bounce directly to the three-point line after blocking, so this is a tactical pass.

Artest caught the ball and met Stevenson's defense. He quickly turned the ball to the left at a 45° angle.

At this time, the Mavericks players felt a little headless.

This is a sign of success in breaking through the zone defense. When one point is missed, no matter how fast you make up the defense, you will still be exhausted.

After receiving the ball, Xu Yong calmly shook Nowitzki, who was rushing towards him, and then made a pull-up three-pointer.

"Shh!"

Hand up and down!
4 is better than 11!

The Bulls widened the point difference to 7 points!
The fans in Chicago are totally excited.

Team basketball is not exclusive to the Mavericks!

Although the Bulls may be worse in terms of tacit understanding and experience, the Bulls are obviously stronger as a single-point offensive threat.

Different approaches but similar results, different approaches but similar results! How wonderful!

At this time, there was also James who was far away in Miami.

He sat upright in the emperor's soft chair.

This tactic has a strong sense of immersion!
Because like Rose, he is a breakthrough player. Although he is not as fast as Rose, he passes the ball better.

If the Heat can introduce this tactic next season, he will just take off.

Rose took the initiative to high-five Xu Yong while retreating.

Xu Yong's reminder is very important, otherwise he might have made a mistake just now.

"Defense! Defense!"

The scene was filled with cheers, and the Bulls' momentum was fully on the rise.

Nowitzki catches the ball and plays again.

But just as he turned around, Xu Yong seized the opportunity to quickly flank and steal directly.

Although Nowitzki is excellent at controlling movement, he is a power forward after all and has a high center of gravity. He cannot deal with this sudden attack.

After he lost his balance, control of the ball was in Xu Yong's hands.

Xu Yong got the ball and threw it to Rose on the outside.

For the second time tonight, the Bulls hit their defensive counterattack by storm.

Rose ran forward on Hot Wheels and quickly broke into the frontcourt to perform his iconic abdominal dunk.

4:13.

The point difference has reached 9 points!
Carlisle reached out and called a timeout.

This is no longer just a matter of changing the situation, but the Bulls are going to blow the game in the first quarter.

The faces of the Chicago fans were already beaming with joy at this time.

Among the 13 points scored by the Bulls, Rose had 6 points, Xu Yong had 5 points, and Yao Ming had 2 points.

Unlike Xu Yong who played alone in the last game, the Bulls' three core players blossomed together tonight.

"Charles, what were you talking about earlier? Epic championship?" At this moment, Smith from the commentary box asked Barkley with a smile.

Barkley's big mouth really opened up.

"Kenny, are you commentating on the first day? The game has only started for a few minutes. Believe me, the Mavericks will launch a counterattack soon!" Barkley said still confidently.

(End of this chapter)