Grab Curry at the start

Chapter 150 The Strongest Rival

Standing in the Western Conference finals, the young Timberwolves are actually full of confidence.

No matter what worries Zhang Sixin had before the game, he must encourage the players.

The first two series swept their opponents, which also made the Timberwolves' young people a little bit flustered.

The opponents who swept them in the regular season were all swept by them in the playoffs. There was no Lakers who could sweep them in the regular season. Why can't they win.

In fact, there is often no essential difference between the mentality of players and fans, especially young players who have not had so much experience, they fantasize about beauty.

In the first game, the Lakers taught the young Timberwolves a lesson.

The Timberwolves still defended Kobe like they did in the regular season, not flanking first, and then flanking recklessly when Kobe stopped passing the ball at the critical moment.

However, Kobe in the playoffs obviously didn't have so much hypocrisy, and he was full of firepower when he came up.

When the Timberwolves pinched, Kobe couldn't hold his hand anymore.

This can be said to be Zhang Sixin's mistake, but it is not entirely true. After all, Kobe has the ability to pass the ball, and it is a normal procedure to test first at the beginning of the game.

In addition to Bryant, Gasol also played well.

Gasol in the playoffs is better than the regular season. He is obviously an excellent second-in-command. When he is not required to take the biggest responsibility for the team, he does a good job on both offense and defense.

Gasol's single defense is actually not very good, but the Timberwolves' few low post insiders are not particularly strong. Gasol's level is enough, and Gasol's comprehensive and flexible skills are better than Love.

Love's strength can bully ordinary teams, but it is more difficult for Gasol's level of insiders.

So the Timberwolves lost, not only did not restrict Kobe, but also because the two insiders were restricted by the opponent, and Curry was the only one who could play on the offensive end.

Neither offense nor defense played well in the first game, and the Timberwolves also knew how heavy they were.

Although the first away start of the playoffs will be difficult, their strength is indeed lower than that of the Lakers.

To beat the Lakers, they must target each other's weak points, and then play well on their own, and they need a little luck.

After the game, Zhang Sixin also sighed: "The Lakers played very well. In my opinion, this is the best game they played in this year's playoffs. Kobe can say that he controlled the whole game. I think if he still performs like before, we can still bear it... But there is really nothing you can do about the jumper he scored like today."

"He totally took over the game, that's the real Kobe, it's scary."

Lakers coach Phil Jackson also praised Kobe. He said: "I don't know what your diamonds mean, but Kobe is the shining diamond on the court."

Kobe said domineeringly: "I played more aggressively, played according to my own habits, got shots, grasped them; dribbled the ball to the three-second zone, and shot the ball. That's what I did."

In the second game, the Timberwolves flanked Kobe in advance, reducing Kobe's scoring, but the game was still won by the Lakers.

In the case of increasing flanking, just as Zhang Sixin predicted before the series, Kobe will pass the ball before the critical moment.

Under his passing, other Lakers players performed well.

Both Artest and Bynum played very well, especially Gasol, whose performance completely overwhelmed Love.

Love couldn't beat Duncan in the last series, but Gasol is not the Lakers' number one point. The Lakers also have Kobe, and Bynum, a statically talented No. [-] inside, so the Timberwolves can't play like they are facing the Spurs.

The point is that they also lost in rebounding, which they are good at, in this game, which is very shocking.

Lakers three high, Gasol, Bynum and Odom, rebounding is still very good.

The Timberwolves' unchanging advantage in the previous two series is hard to say in this series.

Of course, the most important thing is Kobe's point, both flanking and not flanking are troublesome.

Even if the Timberwolves return to the home court, there are still prerequisites for winning. The rest of the Lakers must feel bad at the beginning of the attack, or they will not attack at the beginning, but the team must fully keep up with the rhythm of the Lakers on the offensive end.

How to do it, Zhang Sixin discussed with the coaching staff and decided that it still depends on the team's own offensive feeling.

If the team feels good about attacking and can play against the Lakers, then don't pinch Kobe first.

If you can't score on the offensive end, you can only pinch Kobe.

It's better to let other Lakers play than to be blown by Kobe. The Timberwolves' wings are not bad, but no one can limit Kobe. The opponent has a superstar, and the Timberwolves can only bet.

Some teams have to bet against the Timberwolves. If they are in a weak position, they have to be tough on themselves, and they will win if they are hardworking.

"It seems that we really didn't adapt to the start of the away game. It would have been better if we knew our record in the regular season." Zhang Sixin chatted with the players in a relatively relaxed and tone.

"Actually, with our strength in the second half of the season, we can do it. Because your progress is so fast, as the head coach, I am very surprised."

Before the series, Zhang Sixin would also cool down the players, but after losing two games in a row, the outside world already thinks that the Timberwolves are completely dead, so he must firmly give the players confidence.

"Now that we have come to the Western Conference Finals and faced the strongest opponent in the league, are we going to surrender? Of course not, we have also defeated them before. Now that we are stronger, of course we will have a chance."

"However, it is not that simple to beat the best team in the league. Everyone can feel that in the playoffs, a strong team will be stronger. Just like us, we played much better than in the regular season."

"But it's not enough. If we want to pursue higher goals, we have to do better. There may still be a gap between us and the Lakers in strength, but this gap is not irreparable. In the away game we lost more in the first game, and the second game was much better. We will continue to improve in the away game. Now that we are back on our territory, it is time to fight back."

"We may have to rely on the home court advantage to win the opponent, but what is that? Conversely, they have to be at home to be more sure of defeating us."

There is actually no logic in Zhang Sixin's words, but the players just think this is the case.

The third game of the series has not yet started, and it seems that the Timberwolves are about to win the game. This is actually a hint in the heart. With Zhang Sixin leading the Timberwolves to achieve results this season, his words will undoubtedly have similar effects.

The three-day adjustment time between the home and away games of the Western Conference Finals also gave the players sufficient preparation and adjustment time.

"To be honest, the Lakers were the best before, but we will get better and better. Surprise them at home! Gentlemen."

(End of this chapter)