new lord of the rings

Chapter 131 Fighting wits with Popovich!
Jeff Van Gundy is ESPN's commentator in this field, and Van Gundy Jr. summarizes at halftime.

"The best thing the Spurs did in the first half was control the tempo. Popovich used the Spurs' defense to limit the Warriors' starting speed perfectly. We can see that when the Warriors' starting lineup is on the court, the Warriors are constantly making transitions. , Tried again and again, but the Spurs first used the offensive position to ensure the hit rate, so that the Warriors could not make a transition; when the Warriors wanted to force a transition through the baseline serve, with the Spurs' defensive discipline, the Warriors' efforts were in vain.

Therefore, the Warriors were limited to only 18 points in the first quarter, which is very rare. In the first eight playoff games, the Warriors scored no less than 28 points in a single quarter. The Warriors really encountered an opponent who could restrain them. up.

In the second quarter, the Warriors woke up like a dream, but it should have something to do with Zhang Xin leading the team alone. When Zhang Xin led the team alone, he could play completely according to his own ideas. Zhang Xin slowed down and played against the Spurs. Use his strong ability to attract double-teams to change the Spurs' defense.

When the Warriors started to attack the basket, the outside line was also opened, because Zhang Xin attacked the basket, and when the basket was penetrated, the Spurs could only shrink. Once they contracted, the Warriors' outside shooters had a chance.Barnes and Iguodala made 4 three-pointers in a single quarter, as well as O'Neal and David Lee's long mid-range shots.

Mark Jackson should not be obsessed with being fast. The current configuration of the Warriors can completely diversify tactics, and can make targeted changes according to the type of opponent, especially when there is a comprehensive talent like Zhang Xin. "

The Warriors also made a summary in the locker room. Mark Jackson also reviewed his strategy and adjusted his strategy for the second half.

At the beginning of the second half, Popovich found that the Warriors' strategy had changed.

The Warriors did not insist on speeding up, Zhang Xin went down to the low position and hit his back!

Green held the ball at the top of the arc, Curry went to the bottom line to take Leonard away, Zhang Xin went to the free throw line to catch the ball, and it was Tony Parker who resisted Zhang Xin. Watching Zhang Xin's elegant and calm fadeaway jumper from a close distance;

Zhang Xin went around the bottom line and slipped to the right wing to catch the ball. Leonard was blocked. Duncan hurried over to block Zhang Xin, but Leonard still wanted to chase Zhang Xin. Bogut was emptied, and Green made a through ball When it came to Bogut, Duncan was unable to defend, and Bogut put the ball in;
Zhang Xin slipped to the left wing to catch the ball, and Danny Green, who was on defense in singles, obviously couldn't stand up to Zhang Xin. Leonard, who was on the weak side and switched to defending Thompson, rushed over to help defend, Zhang Xin flicked the ball and was emptied. Thompson, Thompson shot an arrow and hit a three-pointer!

Popovich immediately called a timeout. Although the score was not opened, Popovich was very dissatisfied with the Spurs' defense.

Zhang Xin is not obsessed with his own shot in singles, but if the Spurs do not double-team, Zhang Xin is not afraid to shoot. Now the choice given to the Spurs is, do you want to double-team, if you double-team, I will pass the ball, and if you do not double-team me People beat you up.

Popovich: Of course you have to double-team, but you also need to pay attention to the way you double-team!

Popovich made adjustments.

Zhang Xin slipped to the baseline again and received a pass to play Danny Green in singles. Sure enough, there was still a double-team, but this time it was Splitter who came down to double-team, and Green was emptied!
Zhang Xin: Sure enough!
Zhang Xinzhao passed the ball correctly and threw the ball to Green. He turned around and ran towards the top of the arc. Under the basket, Duncan blocked the middle of the basket, Zhang Xin didn't go in, and jumped directly at the free throw line to make a mid-range shot. Duncan couldn't defend, so he could only watch Zhang Xin hit two points!

Zhang Xin's personal score has reached 22 points.

With the containment of Thompson and Curry, the Spurs' defensive formation is stretched very wide, and Zhang Xin has a lot of room for singles and running positions.

Popovich had no expression on his face, but he was very troubled: Zhang Xin is a type of player who is difficult to limit without double-teaming, and double-teaming is bound to empty other players. If Green can't restrict the Warriors, it is basically There is no way to defend.

Try to defend James?
With a move in his heart, Popovich made a gesture to Parker, and Parker expressed his understanding to convey to other players.

Zhang Xin found that the Spurs' defense had changed, and no one was double-teaming him in post-up singles. Looking at the passing route, there were all Spurs players.

Zhang Xin sneered: Did you take me for James?

Zhang Xin is holding the ball at the top of the arc, looking at Danny Green's defense, Nima, this is not letting go!

Zhang Xin pulled up a three-pointer and shot, the orange basketball spun happily in the air, pierced the Nets, and hit a three-pointer!

Danny Green glanced at Popovich blankly, and Popovich was expressionless.

In the next round, Zhang Xin found that Danny Green was still refusing to let go, so Zhang Xin pulled up and shot without hesitation, and hit a three-pointer!

Zhang Xin looked at Popovich strangely, and Popovich called a timeout.

Popovich: I just want to test your character and see if you hesitate.

Zhang Xin was puzzled by Popovich's strange coaching.

Little Van Gundy laughed.

"I probably know Popovich's thoughts. Popovich probably uses the way of defending James to defend Zhang Xin. He will not let go and cut off the connection between Zhang Xin and his teammates. But Zhang Xin is not James. Zhang Xin is history. A level shooter, Popovich made the wrong idea! Another possibility is that Popovich just wanted to see if Zhang Xin dared to shoot, but unfortunately, seeing Zhang Xin’s appearance, as long as you dare to let go, he Just dare to vote, Zhang Xin has already scored 28 points, and there is still a lot of time."

Zhang Xin scored 10 points in a row in the third quarter, forcing Popovich to call a timeout and return to the bench. Curry and Thompson Green both smiled and touched Zhang Xin's head. Fortunately, there was Zhang Xin, otherwise they would face the Spurs. Old Jiang, the Warriors are really hard to beat.

In the playoffs last year, the Warriors relied on Curry to attack. Although the Spurs were scared into a cold sweat, the Spurs used Curry to chase and intercept, and finally eliminated the Warriors.

But this year won't work. If Curry is still blocked this year, the rest of the Warriors will be able to bomb the Spurs' basket. The changes in the system will greatly enhance the Warriors' combat effectiveness.

After trying two rounds, Popovich knew it was not going to work, so he decisively called a timeout, but how should he defend Zhang Xin next...

After the timeout ended, Zhang Xin found that the Spurs' defense had changed again. Leonard stayed close to him, constantly interfering with his receiving the ball, regardless of others.

Zhang Xin knew it clearly, did he separate himself?Quickly gestured with Curry, and stood in the bottom corner to open the defense.

(End of this chapter)