When pride still matters

Chapter 107 George Karl chickened out
Determined to compete with Yu Fei, Sam Cassell began a high-intensity full-court press defense.

After the Bucks had a failed position battle, Cassell began his own plan.

With Yu Fei's height, playing point guard for a long time will cause physical problems.

But Yu Fei is not a person who wants to have the ball in his hands from beginning to end.

For example, when dribbling the ball through half court, he often asked Jordan to share the workload with himself.Jordan knew that this was Yu Fei's way of saving energy, but he did not refuse, because controlling the ball was also a way to maintain touch.

Cassel's full-court press failed to effectively consume Yu Fei.

Instead, Yu Fei was allowed to move to the basket without the ball and get a chance to attack Cassel in a misplaced position.

"Co-defense! Co-defense! Co-defense!"

If someone told someone watching the game for the first time that the success or failure of this shot determined George Karl's life, the other person would believe it.

Carl is so passionate.

Yu Fei couldn't imagine what it would be like to play under such a person.

However, Anthony Mason, who was supposed to help defend, was lazy and did not run in time at all. Jordan passed the ball to Yu Fei under the basket.

Yu Fei leaned against Cassel and pushed the opponent away with a hard push. He then put up a layup under the basket and scored.

"Where's the defense? Where's our defense?"

Carl growled angrily.

Can't he see that the only problem with the defense this round is Anthony Mason?
The thief was obviously right in front of him, and with Karl's temperament, he should have been beaten hard, but this didn't happen.

Yu Fei didn't know whether Mason had the ability to be invisible on the court like Heizi, or whether Mason shouldn't have been asked to help with the defense just now. If it was the former, Yu Fei would seriously suggest that the Bucks change to a player with normal vision. Coach, if it's the latter, then there must be something wrong with his view of basketball and the Bucks' defensive system.

However, Yu Fei is a self-centered person who has determined certain facts and is not easy to change. The goal just now was to call God over, and he also wanted to say that Mason was the first person responsible.

But the Bucks were indifferent to this, which was good, and they continued to score points by taking advantage of Mason's laziness on the defensive end.

By the way
Yu Fei glanced at Cassell and sighed: "You're so ugly that even your teammates won't help you defend."

"It's not what you think at all!" Cassel was so anxious that he actually tried to explain to Yu Fei.

But Yu Fei's eyes full of contempt undoubtedly showed his attitude.

No matter what Cassell said, he only believed what he saw.

Damn it!Damn it!
Cassel became more and more angry, glaring at that bastard who had no intention of helping him to defend him, and he was actually asking for the ball again?
Why should I pass the ball to you?Cassell gave Mason a cold look and then passed to Glenn Robinson on the weak side.

"I'm already at my position, what are you doing?" Mason complained first.

Then, the Big Dog hit a jumper under the defense of Hubert Robinson.

Although he scored two goals in a row before, his touch always came and went. If he chose a difficult shot every time, his hit rate was destined to not be guaranteed.

"boom!"

Yu Fei stepped into the paint area and flew to grab the defensive rebound.

Cassel's opportunity to press finally came, but Yu Fei first leaned against him with his back, then turned around and charged forward.

Cassel's pressing defense was instantly broken, and Yu Fei called Tyrone Naseby's pick-and-roll in the frontcourt in advance.

It's Anthony Mason again!
After Naseby caught Cassel, according to the general defensive understanding, Mason should face Yu Fei.

But Mason didn't have this intention. He just stood in front of Yu Fei symbolically, without stretching his hand and putting no pressure on him, as if he was sure that the opponent would not dare to shoot a three-pointer.

Lawson's appearance of assisting Yu Fei seemed like air. Due to his hot state, he made up his mind, collected the ball directly, lifted it up in front of the opponent, and took advantage of the opponent's unsteady footing to catch up and fly for a three-pointer. Out of hand.

"Shuh!!!"

Yu Fei has scored 10 points. His condition is so good that it scared George Karl into a cold sweat, but what really makes him dissatisfied is the team's defensive performance.

Although Yu Fei has a good touch, if the Bucks' defensive response was not so bad, he would not have seized these two opportunities.

As the Wizards were gaining momentum, Karl called a halt to the game.

"Why don't we have anyone to stop that rookie? Why do we make the same mistakes on defense every time? Why are we always so stupid?" Karl growled. "Are you fucking pigs?"

No one responded to Carl.

The crazy coach's temper and character may have been an important driving force for the team when the team's record was improving, but like now, strengthening has become a weakening. When the team atmosphere is bad and there is no chemical reaction, Karl's " Throw away the facts” group trolling will only make the situation worse.

Cassel glared hard at Mason.

Mason looked indifferent.

Ray Allen knows what the problem is, but he also has a problem.

And Glenn Robinson looked equally nonchalant.

Whether Karl admits it or not, the Bucks are no longer the team they were last year that could compete in a series with the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference finals.

Just like the situation in Philadelphia, although it is only half a year since last season's playoffs, the changes in this half year are enough to change the face of the team.

On the other side, Collins saw Yu Fei's explosive state.

He knew very well that Yu Fei in this state was not suitable for playing the No. [-] position.

The first position requires organization, bringing the ball upfield, and thinking about many things. This consumes too much energy. It is better to let him return to the third position and give full play to his offensive ability.

Therefore, Collins replaced Hubert Davis, asked Yu Fei to play the third position, and then replaced Chris Whitney as a porter and outside shooter.

The Bucks' matchups have also changed.

Karl has confirmed that Cassel cannot restrict Yu Fei on the defensive end.

Because Yu Fei's shooting was open tonight.

In this state, Yu Fei must be restricted by a sports forward of the same size.

Karl originally wanted Mason to play against Yu Fei, but he saw Mason's previous performance and asked him to play against Yu Fei. They may be beaten by the rookie tonight with a headline-grabbing performance of 50 points in a single game. .

In the end, Carr reluctantly chose Tim Thomas off the bench.

This guy was the No. 1997 pick in [-]. He had outstanding talent, size, athletic ability, and physical fitness, but he lacked aggressiveness.

The problem is, Thomas has never had a good reputation on the defensive end.

Karl asked him to guard Yu Fei because he just felt that his size would not be a disadvantage against Yu Fei, that's all.

What Karl didn't expect was that although Thomas didn't suffer in terms of size, he suffered in other aspects, especially his attitude and defensive skills. He simply didn't look like a veteran who had played in the NBA for four or five years.

Suddenly, Yu Fei gained unlimited fire rights.

In the first round against Tim Thomas, although he broke through with the ball and missed a pull-up jump shot, his teammates got the rebound and passed it to the outside. After that, Whitney hit a three-pointer.In the Wizards' next offensive round, Yu Fei once again took the ball, lowered his center of gravity, and continuously changed directions. Tim Thomas, let alone the matchup, was like a man who spent two hours looking for a movie but only used it when distinguishing fake moves. The incompetent person who surrendered his gun after 50 seconds was completely thrown away.

Yu Fei rushed to the inside, held Przbilla with his back, and forced a layup under the opponent's defense.

On the other hand, the Bucks rely entirely on Ray Allen's three-pointers.

Moreover, there is also Mason, a well-known cancer.

Yu Fei really didn't know why a coach as strict as Karl could never see the negative effects of this person.

Collins is respectful to Jordan, right?But if Jordan plays a very bad game, Collins will also reduce his playing time appropriately and give some advice.

But with Mason, Yu Fei really didn't feel that the Bucks had any arrangements or requirements for him.

Mason's tactical position is unique. When he is in position, he asks for the ball in the low post first, and his teammates give it to him. This instantly brings fans back to the 50s and 60s. The insider held the ball in the low post and waited for five or six seconds to find the ball opportunity. The era of self-defense.

This style of play is not only inefficient now, but also disrupts the offensive rhythm.

If Mason doesn't get the ball, it's even more top-notch. He won't take up space in the low post. He will just stretch out on the wing, be a passer-by who has nothing to do with the game, and keep attacking him for the rest of the shot. Teammates chant "pass the ball."

Yu Fei has seen a lot of things like cancer on the court.

The head coach was so poisonous that he could still ignore it, and his teammates followed suit, and Mason was the first one to do so.

Then, Yu Fei stopped thinking too much about Mason.

There are cancers in the opponent's formation, which is a good thing.

He wished every opponent had Mason.

Let's see Mason ask for the ball again. This time, Cassel refused to give it.

Ray Allen didn't get a chance, but Cassel held the ball firmly in his hands. Then, Mason was called for a three-second violation.

At this time, the Bucks were already 11 points behind the Wizards.

Coming to the offensive end, Yu Fei took the ball again. This was the third consecutive round that he chose to play singles, and his teammates had no objections.

Yu Fei once again dribbled in front of Tim Thomas.

"Stop him! Stop him!" Carl roared passionately.

As a result, Thomas' defense was still papery. Yu Fei shook him away with a change of direction, stopped suddenly and shot, and this time he made the shot.

The difference between the two sides came to 13 points.

Before Karl could scold him, Yu Fei assisted on the defensive end again.

He was everywhere on both offense and defense.

This invisibly evoked Karl's sweet dream that ended before it even started.

During Jordan's first retirement, the Sonics and the Bulls seriously discussed a one-for-one trade between Kemp and Pippen, but the deal was later halted by the Bulls.It can be said that this is an underestimated "if". If the deal is completed, can Jordan complete the last three consecutive games with Kemp after his comeback?Can Pippen and Payton win the championship relying on defense?

When planning this deal, Karl also asked Jordan - both North Carolina alumni, he and Jordan have a good personal relationship.

At that time, Jordan, who thought he would never return to basketball, strongly suggested that Karl complete the deal, but in the end, due to the Bulls' unilateral reasons, the deal was not reached. Everything after that is history.

Now, a little Pippen appears who looks to have a better future than the original Pippen.

Why is he still a Jordan player?
Karl was puzzled. Could it be that Jordan was born to attract such players to come to his side to help him?

At this moment, Karl forgot the open conflict between Yu Fei and Jordan, and the fact that Yu Fei was almost traded before. He was just envious and jealous that Jordan could always find such outstanding helpers.

Then, 10 minutes into the first quarter, Yu Fei left the game with 15 points and 5 rebounds.

Obtaining such data within 10 minutes shows how good Yu Fei's condition is tonight.

In order to chase points, Carr shortened the rotation, let Ray Allen play the entire first quarter, and then let Glenn Robinson come on to score points.

It turns out it works.

With a 13-point lead, Collins took off both Yu Fei and Jordan to rest.

Suddenly there was no talker on the court, and the Wizards' offensive talent was so barren that they had to rely on Christian Laettner, who was back on the court, as the core.

The last time Laettner played a core role was 10 years ago. At that time, he was still in the NCAA and had great success. But now, he leads the team to let the Bucks chase 8 points in a few minutes.

At the end of the first quarter, 35 to 27, the two sides entered the second quarter.

Collins, if nothing else, was a master on the court. He was not in a hurry when he was chasing points. At the beginning of the second quarter, he still couldn't double-core, leaving Tyronn Lue, Hubert Davis, and Tyrone Naseby to play. , Kwame Brown and Jasidi White will be the starters in the second quarter.

The Bucks' lineup looked significantly better in the second quarter.

The starting lineup is all except Ray Allen and Joel Przybilla.

The strange thing is that this seemingly better lineup did not produce the expected results.

Ray Allen's substitute Michael Reed's shooting skills impressed Yu Fei. He came up and hit the ball directly, which was very impressive.

But then, the Bucks fell into the vicious cycle of Mason asking for the ball and destroying the system.

Mason really explains what it means to stop there and make people chatter about it forever.

"Can they really not see that Mason seriously disrupted the offensive rhythm on the court?" Yu Fei asked.

Chris Whitney blinked and was about to answer, then realized that Yu Fei was not asking him.

Thomas Flynn, a team reporter for the Washington Times, said: "Anthony Mason is a proverbial thorn in his side."

"Like me?" Yu Fei asked self-deprecatingly.

"It's different." Flynn said, "Believe me, you are far inferior to Anthony Mason. If you want to compare yourself with him, you are doing yourself a disservice."

Thanks to the toxic environment in DC, Yu Fei, who chose to be self-reliant, brought a lot of negative publicity to himself, which led to his poor image in the eyes of so-called professionals - Yu Fei called him Jordan's lackey.But no matter how bad the image is, everyone still makes a distinction.

It's like Zhou Shuyi, although she doesn't understand the basic mechanics of the game as a commentator and can only do abstract work as a live broadcast, but she has a face that can at least be seen. But if one day it suddenly comes out that she is involved with a heavyweight like the Butt King, What do you think?

Not worth it, really.

"Is that guy so bad? I remember that many teams were pursuing him during the offseason last year." Yu Fei still has an impression, "I remember that Milwaukee and Philadelphia competed around him, and Milwaukee won in the end."

"That's because George Karl and Larry Brown never backed down from a player with a strong personality. They thought they could control Mason."

These words made Yu Fei realize something instantly.

Yes, Carr is a famous Devils coach like Brown.

But if Mason, as a cancer that is obviously doing evil, has not been removed or cured, then there is only one explanation: George Karl has backed down.

Thanks to those who manually corrected the error
(End of this chapter)