Legendary star

Chapter 270 Sublimation of Defense

"Only 50 seconds into the game, Phil Jackson called a timeout." When Horace Grant sent a sideline ball, Ron Haber, who received the basketball, was about to pass the ball to O'Neal, but was cut off by Meng Xu The ball was gone, and when Meng Xu scored two points again through a fast break, Phil Jackson on the sidelines immediately called a timeout.

Less than a minute into the game, Meng Xu had already contributed 1 steals, 3 block, and through 1 fast breaks, creating a 3-6 lead for the Spurs. Looking at his proud disciple Ron Haber, Being embarrassed by Meng Xufang, Phil Jackson's face is also very ugly now.In the past, whether it was in the Bulls or the current Lakers, the pressing tactic was a trick I tried time and again, but I didn't expect that I would be disgraced by Meng Xu's pressing today. Xu's pressing made him feel ashamed. This backcourt combination that used to form with Jordan and Pippen, through the full-court pressing tactics, was invincible, causing countless powerful players to fall under the Bulls' pressing tactics, but today Ron Haber also fell under the pressing tactics. Just look at Ron Haber's face when he was off the court, Phil Jackson knew that he could no longer count on what he was doing in this game. Xu's direct steal has already dealt a huge blow to the veteran's confidence.

After the final timeout, Phil Jackson replaced Ron Harper with Derek Fisher. A team's main point guard was replaced after only 50 seconds of the game. It was somewhat ruined. .The importance of this game is self-evident, so in this case, Phil Jackson also hopes to win this game through timely adjustments, but I don’t know if Derek Fisher can break through Meng Xu blockade.

After this timeout, the situation on the court has improved a little. Facing Meng Xu's pressing, although Derek Fisher is also in a mess, at least he can barely dribble the ball to advance halfway. After closing in on Derek Fisher a few times, he gave up on him and went to defend Kobe.But what surprised Phil Jackson even more was that while defending Kobe, Meng Xu still had the energy to help defend Derek Fisher and Rick Fox. Oelie and Sean Elliott, under Meng Xu's fill-in, actually made the Lakers' outside offense have no chance at all.

In this game, Popovich also showed a rare smile on the sidelines, because in this game, the Spurs finally played the rhythm he wanted, and finally played the game he wanted now, and thinking of this, Popovich Povich was genuinely happy.And when the first quarter of the game ended, Popovich was also very rarely on the sidelines, handing out towels to every player on the court.

"In the first quarter of the game, the Spurs' defensive efficiency was frighteningly high. With the offensive ability of the Lakers, they only scored 14 points in the first quarter. After O'Neal got stuck in the quagmire of Duncan and David Robinson, the Lakers The outside line of the team actually misfired, especially Kobe, who made 5 of 1 shots in the first quarter and only scored 2 points. If Phil Jackson does not think of a way to change the current situation, the Lakers may lose this game." After the first quarter of the game, although the Spurs' offensive efficiency was not high, the Spurs still led the Lakers by 24 points 14 to 10. Therefore, after the timeout, the Magic who were still worried about the Spurs before the game started Teacher Johnson, now it seems that he is worried about the Lakers.

"Ervin, I think from the first quarter of this game, Meng Xu is enough to support a team's defensive system, although compared with Tim and David, Meng Xu is still weak in some aspects. There are big shortcomings, but Meng Xu's current defensive ability is not inferior to Scott and Michael at their peak, and even stronger than them." Throughout the first quarter, Meng Xu contributed He scored 6 steals and 3 blocked shots. Meng Xu also had the ability to assist defense in the past, but it can only be called good. It is far inferior to today's game. Meng Xu blocked Kobe by the way when he was defending against Kobe. Without Derek Fisher and Rick Fox, one person beat the entire perimeter of the Lakers to the ground.

"It is true. If Meng Xu's previous defense was only tactical, then in today's game, Meng Xu's defense can be called strategic defense. Meng Xu is indeed a special player in this league. Existence." In basketball, outside players are subject to the limitations of defensive ability and defensive means, they are more of a defensive vanguard, to undertake the task of defending the opposite outside arrows, while inside players are limited by height and frame protection. Their natural advantages make it easy for them to support a team's defensive system, from the ancient Russell to the modern dream Olajuwon, and now to Duncan of the Spurs. One person is enough to support the defense of the entire team.As for outside players, even if they are as strong as Jordan, they form a defensive system with Pippen, not to mention that Jordan has defensive champions like Haber and Rodman. In today's game, Meng Xu It also proved to the world that an outside player is also very likely to support a team's defensive system.

Due to the big score lead, the Spurs bench is filled with a relaxed atmosphere, especially the two veterans Mario Elli and Sean Elliott, who are full of smiles, and another veteran David Robinson , I have been teasing with everyone on the bench. In the first quarter of the game, David Robinson, who has been fighting directly with O'Neal in the interior, is still under great pressure, but now I see the team's score and David Robinson is also very happy with the double lead on the scene.While everyone was smiling, the two core members of the Spurs, Duncan and Meng Xu, showed no expression at all. Duncan was staring at the scoreboard in the distance, while Meng Xu was looking at the center of the field. I don't know what the two of them are thinking at the moment.

"Okay guys, let's continue to maintain this defensive strength, and at the same time strengthen our offense." Popovich did not arrange any tactics, but gave a few words of encouragement with empty hands. After that, Popovich walked directly in front of Duncan and Meng Xu: "Tim, Meng, you two have no problem with your physical strength?"

"No." Meng Xu and Duncan replied in unison. Endurance is Duncan's strong point, and Duncan is now at his peak, even if he plays the whole game, he will not be lacking in physical strength.And after Meng Xu used the enchanting potion, his stamina attribute had reached 110 points, so there was no problem. From the first quarter of the game, it can be seen that while Meng Xu played his life on both ends of the offense and defense, He didn't sweat much. There was no problem in a game of this intensity for 20 minutes.

"That's good, this game is up to you." After Popovich finished speaking, he put his hands on the shoulders of Duncan and Meng Xu. Judging from this game, Popovich is more and more like a Nanny coaches too.In this game, both Meng Xu and Duncan tried their best on the defensive end, especially Meng Xu. In the past, under the circumstances of organizing the team, Meng Xu's defense was weak compared to last season. It's not a small step back, but in this game, Meng Xu really sat on both offense and defense, and Popovich can also clearly see that Meng Xu's defensive ability, especially the ability to assist in defense, has improved again. As long as Meng Xu and Duncan can continue to maintain this defensive strength, no matter whether he is the Lakers or the Sea People, he will kneel under the Spurs' defense.

After the start of the second quarter, the Spurs and the Lakers continued to deploy their main lineup. The Lakers wanted to quickly recover the score, while the Spurs wanted to continue to expand the score. Even if the main lineup plays the whole game, it is normal.

After the game restarted, the Lakers obviously changed their offensive strategy. O'Neal no longer went deep into the basket to fight with Duncan David Robinson, but began to try to catch the ball below the free throw line and attack directly. With Meng Xu messing up the outside line, the Lakers can only count on O'Neal on the offensive end.

Under O'Neal's aggressive attack, the situation on the court has indeed changed. The Lakers, who were almost beaten by the Spurs in the first quarter, are now showing signs of turning around. At least on the scene, the two teams are now playing. It's inextricable, and in terms of scores, the Lakers are constantly chasing points.I have to say that when O'Neal really started to exert his strength, there was really nothing to stop him except for fouls.

At this time, facing the unstoppable O'Neal, the Spurs would not be able to rely solely on defense. In this case, Meng Xu began to gradually shift his energy from the defensive end to the offensive end.Duncan's flu hasn't healed yet, so at this time, it's time for Meng Xu to stand up.

When Meng Xu stood at the top of the arc with the ball again, he casually watched the positions of his teammates. After two consecutive changes of direction, Meng Xu got rid of Kobe and Rick Fox who were double-teaming him. Xu did not continue to break through to the basket, but passed the basketball through the gap to Duncan, while he continued to run towards David Robinson. After making a gesture towards David Robinson, he was just under the basket. Not far away, David Robinson and Meng Xu made an off-ball screen to block Kobe behind Meng Xu. Almost at this moment, Duncan, who was in the double-team, passed the basketball to Meng Xu. After reaching the basketball, Meng Xu continued to take a step forward, crossed the 3-point line, then turned around and made a jumper, hitting the first 3-pointer of the game.

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(End of this chapter)