NBA: I really just want to be a second-in-command

Chapter 180

In the absence of Kobe, the Spurs and the Lakers played this role, not only beyond the expectations of the media and fans, but also obviously beyond the expectations of the players and coaches on both sides.

Throughout the whole game, Popovich's expression was serious, without showing a trace of relaxation or smile.

On the contrary, Phil Jackson, the Zen master, seemed very relaxed from the beginning. In fact, Kobe was not able to make it in this game. , put on the bench lineup, and prepare for the next back-to-back game.

So his mentality has been very relaxed.

But it was still Lu Yusheng who bit the score bit by bit and once again led the Lakers to a decisive moment against a powerful opponent.

Moreover, this is not the most important thing. What surprised Zen master the most was that this kid was so unique that he suddenly used his back to hit Tony Parker, and made Popovich helpless.

This point was completely beyond the Zen master's expectation, and it also surprised him.

After all, this solved a problem that he had been troubled for a long time.

Before he found a suitable big man, no one was available, and he had been using Luke Walton as the tactical axis of the triangle offense.

Although Luke Walton has a good pass and good coping ability, Luke Walton's offensive ability is really limited, and in the third position, his body is not enough, which makes it easy to be restricted to death by the opponent.

Therefore, once he fails at this point, the triangle offense will be difficult to play.

Facing the Suns last season, starting from the third game, when Luke Walton was restricted by Sean Marion, the Lakers' offense completely became a stage for Kobe alone, and no one else could participate at all.

If it weren't for Kobe's personal ability is too strong, the Lakers may lose even worse.

But if Kobe is allowed to play this tactical axis, his ability is definitely enough, but it is not suitable.

First of all, he himself does not quite accept this positioning. Secondly, besides the tactical axis, the triangle offense also needs a strong scoring point. If Kobe is allowed to do the tactical axis, he will lose that scoring point, which is equivalent to demolishing the Eastern Wall. Make up the Western Wall.

But now, he was pleasantly surprised to find that Lu Yusheng was able to do this. This was simply a gift from heaven!

Lu Yusheng's height, weight, and strength have an absolute advantage in the number one position.

In fact, Lu Yusheng tried to shoot in the previous games, but Master Zen thought it was just a flash of inspiration. After all, there were several games where he still struggled with his shooting.

But I didn't expect that after only a few games, this kid not only shot steadily, but also practiced back-ups with Kobe!
In fact, Zen Master originally planned to talk to Lu Yusheng and let him try to make this tactical axis.

Unexpectedly, before he had time to say it, Lu Yusheng found that position on the court by himself, and the effect was surprisingly good, which confused the experienced Popovich.

"Is the technique of back-up singles easy to learn?" Zen Master asked Kobe next to him.

"Are you kidding?" Kobe said, "You have been coaching for so many years, haven't you only met two people who are proficient in this technique?"

"Then how could he master it in such a short time?" Zen master asked.

"There are two reasons. The first one is that few people in the first position will face the opponent's post-up singles, so they seldom pay attention to this aspect of defensive strategy. If they pay more attention to it, Lu will definitely not The second reason why he can fight so easily is that Tony Parker is not physically strong. Lu's body is far stronger than him, and his strength is also better than him, so he can fight smoothly. In fact, his skills are not so good. Just getting started, you can see that when Jacqui Vaughn was defending him just now, he was actually playing very hard. Fortunately, you replaced him, otherwise if Jacqui Vaughn has been consuming him, he would have been unable to fight. In. Of course, there is a third reason."

"What is it?" Zen master asked.

"Good teaching."

The Zen master smiled.

"I'm not boasting. I took this kid to see Michael that day, and he took the initiative to ask Michael for advice." Kobe said.

"Oh? Did you take him to Michael? What to do? Ask for technical advice?" Zen Master asked.

"Of course not. When did that guy take the initiative to teach the younger generation, he only had money in his heart." Kobe said, "He wanted to sign Lu and sign it into his brand."

"Then it seems that it should be signed. The boss will personally do it, and the price should be very good, right?"

"Then you are wrong, you really haven't signed it."

"Why?" Zen Master asked in confusion, "The price is not high enough?"

"300 million per year."

"That's pretty high. He's a rookie and he's only played a few games. This kind of price is a bit outrageous." Zen master said, "Is he still not satisfied?"

"This is outrageous. What's outrageous is that he has signed a contract with Reebok, and the signing fee is 800 million per year."

"How much?!" Zen master's glasses almost fell to the ground.

Kobe smiled, "You also think it's outrageous. When Michael and I heard the news, it was your expression now. The guys from Reebok were really driven crazy by other brands, and they only called one of them. A rookie contract of 800 million for seven or eight games."

Zen Master smiled, "It seems that you are very unbalanced. I heard that your contract with Nike seems to be only more than 500 million."

"Please, it's not a matter of my balance or imbalance. The main reason is that Reebok and the lunatics completely violated the laws of the market and business. This kind of investment is simply a gamble like a lunatic." Bryant said.

"What if they bet right?" Zen master said, "You have to know, they have no good way. In the past two years, their share in the basketball market has been squeezed by Nike and Adidas. The stars under him are also mediocre. There is only one Iverson, but negative news always breaks out. If this continues, it will actually be a slow death. One, find a rookie with potential, has Michael forgotten how Nike rushed out of the encirclement of the two giants, Adidas and Converse?"

"Hey, Phil, although he does have potential, you don't really plan to compare him with Michael back then, do you?" Bryant said.

"I used to joke with the media, but now, I really think so," Zen master said.

Kobe smiled, "Okay, Phil, don't tease me. How Michael performed in his rookie season is a stat that many league super giants can't achieve. I always thought that I could do it, but until When I started playing, I didn't know what the stats meant."

The Zen master smiled, "It's rare to hear that you took the initiative to admit defeat to him."

"I can't help it. I don't accept anything else, but I still accept this in terms of his performance in his rookie season. So now you really think that kid Lu Yusheng can reach Michael's level?"

"Not to mention, in today's game, he really made me feel very similar to that guy. His tenacity, his state of not being afraid of strong enemies, is really similar to Kobe, I don't think so at all. It is an exaggeration to say that at his current level, if he is thrown to a bottom team, there is absolutely no problem in bringing him into the playoffs."

"Please, Phil," Kobe said, "I'm not talking about the ability to lead the team. Duncan can do it in his rookie year when he brought a bad team to the playoffs, but he Can he sign an 800 million sneaker contract? He doesn’t have much now.”

"No, it's different." Zen Master said, "Lu is different from Duncan, he definitely has commercial potential, and, don't forget, he is of the yellow race, and there is an Asian market behind him. Bu also must have taken a fancy to this, otherwise he would never have given this kind of contract, believe me, Lu Yusheng, it is definitely worth the gamble."

"So you think they can win the bet?"

"I think they can win the bet, and so can Lu Yusheng."

"What can he bet on?"

"A Ferrari." The Zen master laughed.

"Oh, shit! You old guy, you don't play according to the routine. But in this game, he is not stable, right? He still can't solve the pick-and-roll of Parker and Duncan." Bryant said.

"Look, maybe he is not helpless, he is just waiting for the opportunity." Zen master said.

……

On the court, there were less than 3 minutes left in the game, and the score came to 96:96!

The two sides drew again!
The Lakers requested a long timeout.

This time, Zen Master took the initiative to call a timeout, and the purpose was very simple, purely to let Lu Yusheng rest.

At this time, he was already too tired.

After the game, he sat on a chair and gasped for breath.

The Zen master said, "Everyone played very well tonight, Bynum, after the timeout is over, you will play instead of Kwame Brown."

"Me?" Bynum obviously couldn't believe it, and asked him to fight at a critical moment in the game.

"Yes, Kwame Brown is too tired. In a certain critical round, you have to find a way to keep Duncan out of the penalty area." Zen Master came over and said with a tactical board, "And when defending their pick-and-roll, you Listen to Lu's arrangement."

"it is good."

"Luke," Zen Master told Walton, "when they pick and roll, you can put Bruce Bowen down properly and help defend on the wing, just like Ginobili did."

Luke Wharton nodded.

For the rest, the Zen master did not make any arrangements.

Lu Yusheng said to Bynum, "Andrew, when Tony Parker and Duncan pick and roll, when Duncan receives the ball inside, you should try to stand on his right side, but don't exaggerate, just stand slightly to the right. Some."

Bynum:? ? ?

"Why?" Bynum looked puzzled, "If that's the case, don't you give up your defensive position?"

"Don't worry about it, you listen to me, just defend like this." Lu Yusheng knew that with Bynum's basketball wisdom, it would be difficult to explain clearly to him for a while.

Although Bynum was puzzled, he had no choice but to follow suit. Now, Lu Yusheng had such commanding authority.

"Sasha," Lu Yusheng said to Vujacic again, "When they play pick-and-roll tactics, you stand in the midfield and are ready to break fast at any time."

After hearing this, Vujacic frowned, "Is there... a chance for a quick break?"

After all, in the previous games, the pick-and-roll tactics of Tony Parker and Tim Duncan were basically never empty. If you want to break fast, at least you have a chance if the opponent can't score.

"It doesn't matter, maybe there is a chance to break fast." Lu Yusheng smiled slightly.

Vujacic: ...

The time-out is over and the game continues.

Spurs ball rights.

After Tony Parker dribbled the ball for halftime, he once again called Duncan to come up for the pick-and-roll.

Duncan set up a solid pick-and-roll for Tony Parker, completely blocking Lu Yusheng behind him, and then rolled down immediately.

Tony Parker immediately passed the ball to the fast-down Duncan!

The ball was passed steadily to Tim Duncan's hands!
Duncan went down to face Bynum, and suddenly found that Bynum was obviously on the right. He blew the ball with his right hand, dribbled the ball and turned around, preparing to wipe Bynum and catch a layup with a hook.

Unexpectedly, when he was blowing up the ball with one hand, his fingers were suddenly slapped hard!
He hurriedly turned his head and saw that familiar figure at a glance!

Lu Yusheng!
Lu Yusheng has been silently observing Duncan's offensive style inside, trying to find any flaws.

But Duncan's offense basically has no fixed habits, and each time is basically adjusted according to the opponent's defense, so it is difficult to grasp his fixed Seiko habits to find opportunities.

But the hard work paid off, and Lu Yusheng still discovered a small offensive habit of Duncan, that is, when he got the ball down the line, he liked to dribble and turn around to hook. He will definitely use this trick when the defender is on the right side.

Therefore, during the timeout, Lu Yusheng specifically explained to Bynum, asking him to lean to the right side when defending, so that Duncan could confidently use this trick of dribbling, turning and hooking, so that he could not worry about the opponent behind him. Help defense player.

And Lu Yusheng was Tony Parker who let go of his defense in advance, walked directly to the inside, quietly came behind Duncan, and made a steal.

For Lu Yusheng and the Lakers, this is indeed a bit of a gamble. If Duncan didn't use this trick, Lu Yusheng threw Tony Parker on the outside to steal in advance. Duncan passed the ball, and Tony Parker opened his hand. point.

At this point in the game, three-pointers are simply deadly.

But Lu Yusheng won the bet. Since Duncan basically scored all of the previous moves, when he saw Bynum's defensive position so far to the right when he just played, it was like giving himself points!
So Tim Duncan used this move without hesitation, completely ignoring Lu Yusheng who had already sneaked into the inside line.

After Lu Yusheng stole the ball, he stood near the midfield early, and Vujacic was almost down!
Lu Yusheng made a long pass!
(End of this chapter)