Legendary star

Chapter 134 The Lakers' Shrinking Defense

"Meng, the penalty on the court is not good for us now, so pay attention to your action scale and don't be called a foul again." Meng Xu was replaced because of 1 fouls after only 3 minute in the second quarter, but Less than 3 minutes after the start of the third quarter, Meng Xu was fouled again when he wanted to steal Rick Fox. Popovich had to call a timeout. After thousands of exhortations, he did not replace Meng Xu, who has already fouled 4 times.

In the second quarter, after Meng Xu was off the court due to a foul problem, the Spurs resumed the combination of inside and outside tactics, but the Spurs still faced the same old problem. Except for Mario Ellis feeling slightly normal, Sean Elliott And Avery Johnson's shooting percentage has not been high, especially the Spurs' 3-pointers, only 2 of 6 shots in the entire second quarter, which also made the Lakers continue to shrink their defense and double-team Tim Duncan frantically.After halftime, 1 to 49, the Lakers have overtaken the Spurs.

"Meng, after playing, don't hesitate to shoot as long as you have a chance, even if you miss the shot." After Popovich told Meng Xu, just when Meng Xu was about to play again, assistant coach Mike Budenhoe Erzer held back Meng Xu. According to the Lakers' previous shrinking defensive tactics, it would undoubtedly be very difficult for Meng Xu to continue to break through like in the first quarter. However, under this defensive tactics, outside shooting opportunities are very Mostly as the No. 3 3-point shooter in the Spurs, as long as Meng Xu can decisively shoot a few [-]-pointers, the Lakers will soon be able to defend them.

"Well, I understand." After resting for almost the entire second quarter, Meng Xu's physical fitness is also very abundant now.After the timeout, Duncan and Avery Johnson were replaced by Sean Elliott and Jalen Jackson. The Spurs' current center is Samaki Walker. Liott, Mario Eli, Meng Xu and Jalen Jackson are all pitchers, but they are often inaccurate.

"It shrinks so much, do you just look down on my 3-pointers?" When Jalen Jackson sent a sideline kick and Meng Xu was dribbling the ball more than one meter away from the 3-point line, the one closest to him The Lakers defender turned out to be at the free throw line.Because of the extremely poor outside shooting percentage of the Spurs in the second place, the Lakers have also been implementing the tactics of shrinking defense.

Meng Xu did not prepare to speed up to break through as usual, but took a step forward and made a decisive shot directly outside the 3-point line. Rick Fox, who was more than one meter away from Meng Xu, stretched out symbolically. After making a move, he could only watch Meng Xu's basketball fly to the basket.

"It seems that the Spurs are going to change their tactics." Magic Johnson also smiled when he saw Meng Xu shot directly from outside the 3-point line. The most effective way to break the Lakers' shrinking defense is to shoot from outside. , as long as the Spurs can hit several mid-range and long-range shots in a row, the Lakers will have to give up the tactics of shrinking defense, but the Spurs' outside line is too unstable. Suddenly, I couldn't look directly at it.

"It was just an accident." Seeing Meng Xu's 3-pointer, Phil Jackson's eyelids twitched inadvertently, but he quickly recovered. As the All-Star 3-pointer this season, Meng Xu's 3-pointers are pretty good, with 42% 3-pointers in the regular season, and a total of 126 3-pointers this season, which is also ranked among the top 10 in the league.But in this round of the series against the Lakers, apart from the first three games, Meng Xu's 3-pointers have always been poor in the next three games. scored 3 goals.

"Not coming out yet?" In the next attack, when Meng Xu held the ball and stood outside the 3-point line, Rick Fox, who was facing him, still had no intention of pressing. It seemed that Meng Xu was still going to shoot. .

"If only you guarded me like this for the whole game." Without the slightest hesitation, Meng Xu took off from a distance of one meter away from Rick Fox. Although Meng Xu's take-off height was not high, due to the distance Because of the distance, Rick Fox could only watch Meng Xu throw the ball.After making another shot, Meng Xu smiled at Rick Fox. It's an exaggeration to say that he hits every shot without interference, but if he shoots 100 shots, he can still hit 60 shots.

"Are the Lakers still shrinking their defense? When did Phil Jackson become so stubborn?" When Meng Xu hit the third 3-pointer, 3 to 60, the Spurs had already tied the score. Regarding Phil Jackson's defensive tactics on the court , Magic Johnson is also puzzled. It is understandable that Meng Xu continued to shrink when he hit the first goal, but when Meng Xu hit the second 60-pointer, he was still implementing shrinking tactics. Shi Johnson seems a little unreasonable.

"Erwin, maybe Phil thinks that Meng can't always have such a good touch, and compared with outside shots, breakthroughs are more lethal." Jackson justified it, but it can be seen that the reason for this ground washing is very far-fetched.

"Yeah." Shaking his head, although Johnson wanted to say that Phil Jackson's adaptability on the court was a bit weak, he didn't say it in the end. Phil Jackson is a famous coach with 6 championships in his hand, and he is in the Lakers. In the first season of the season, he had the best record of 67 wins in nearly 30 years. If the magician questioned his coaching ability, it would obviously not be so convincing.

Just ignored his assistant coach's suggestion to expand the defense, and was still telling his assistant that Meng Xu's 3-pointer was an accident, Phil Jackson was severely slapped with a big ear, his face was livid, and he was a little embarrassed Phil Jackson quickly called a timeout. While changing the defensive tactics on the field, he also hoped to disrupt Meng Xu's hand feeling. Through this time, Meng Xu's deterrent power was once again in Phil Jackson's heart. Step up a notch.

"Meng, it's good." When he was off the court, assistant coach Mike Budenholzer handed Meng Xu a towel and a water glass, and patted Meng Xu on the back.

"Thank you." Meng Xu was a little flattered when the assistant coach handed over the water glass and towel. In the Spurs coaching staff, Popovich has a hot temper, but he also has a very funny side. He would often start a conversation with Duncan David Robinson Kind of a joke or something.And Mike Budenholzer is a bit cold, no matter in training or in the game, he always looks serious.As Popovich's apprentice, Mike Budenholzer and Popovich have completely different styles of doing things.

(End of this chapter)