basketball player

Chapter 51 050: Big Enough Trouble

Al Horford hit a three-pointer. Although it was just an ordinary three-pointer, it surprised everyone present, including Barkley.Prior to this, it is not that there have been no centers in the league who can shoot three-pointers.The Turkish center Mehmet Okur, who is very familiar to Chinese fans, is a big insider with very accurate shots.

But even so, it is still not the league's mainstream tactical arrangement for the center to shoot outside the three-point line.More coaches are willing to let centers fight inside and grab rebounds instead of letting them shoot like guards.

That's right, if you have O'Neal and Yao Ming, then letting the center shoot from the outside is simply a waste of money.But the question is, is there any center in this league that you're willing to sacrifice space for his paint dominance?Instead of letting the current center stand on the inside, it is better to let them pull out and pull out the opponent's rim protector at the same time, so as to win more opportunities for the team.

It is now 2010, Yao Ming still does not know when he will be able to play, and O'Neal has also become the "mascot" of the Celtics.In other words, there is no super center in this league now.

The era of big men dominating the league is over, and Henson believes that the fast-paced and big-space offense will gradually become the mainstream.And if a team has shooting threats in five positions, it is undoubtedly the best match to obtain offensive space.

Al Horford's cold shot sounded the alarm for the Spurs.If they continue to leave the Pacers' fifth position beyond the three-point line, they will definitely pay the price.

Popovich is still unmoved, this wise old coach will not be frowning because he is behind by one point.Even if Horford can pull Blair out, it's useless, because the Spurs are more than just Blair as a rim protector!

Parker pushed the ball across the halfcourt in the slow, methodical way Spurs games have always been.But always inadvertently, you have been killed.

Henson doesn't want to be killed by the Spurs, although most people expect so.Holiday posted it just after Parker passed halftime. This was arranged by Henson. He needed Holiday to give the opponent physical confrontation all the time.

If Parker was three or four years younger, he would be able to break through in one step against this kind of defense.But now Parker can only be entangled with Holiday. The decline of the Frenchman's own physical fitness is one aspect. Holiday's own excellent defense is also the reason why he can contain Parker.

Due to not playing enough time last season, Holiday's defense has been underestimated.Although Holiday is thin, he is a very smart defender who can predict the opponent's next move and respond in time.Two years ago, when Henson saw Holiday playing at UCLA, it was his timely supplementary defenses that put James Harden into a hard fight.

The Spurs' offensive initiation point was contained, and the entire offense suddenly became unsmooth.But this difficulty did not bother the seasoned Spurs. "Demon Sword" Ginobili made a catch from outside the three-point line, and Parker successfully sent the ball.

However, Manu had just caught the ball and was about to break through, but he felt like he hit his head against the wall!It was Wesley Matthews, with his rapid lateral movement and strong body, he directly forced the "Demon Saber" to a stop!

"Matthews, very tough blocking! He was undrafted last year and played for the Texas Legends last season. Although he is a sophomore, it is actually his first official appearance in the NBA! Matthews has always been known for his tough defense. It seems that Manu does not have an advantage in this matchup." Kenny Smith said clearly, while Barkley looked confused.He was still trying to figure out who the guy named Wesley Matthews was among the guys on the court.

The Pacers' perimeter defense was unexpectedly tight. The Spurs fell the ball several times, but still didn't get a good chance.In the end, the Spurs still found Duncan, who is the only sure scoring point for the Spurs on the field.

Duncan repeated his tricks and turned over Horford for a jumper. Wipe the board at 45°, Duncan's move is almost unsolvable.Horford spread his hands helplessly. He had tried his best to defend, but Duncan was terribly steady.

"It doesn't matter! We have defended very well! Keep up the good work and keep going!" Henson didn't want to see any discouragement from the players. Once young players lose confidence, the blow to the team will undoubtedly be devastating.So after Duncan scored, he immediately yelled at Horford and clapped his hands hard.

"I bet that in the future, half of the fans in the Conseco Arena will buy tickets to watch the game, just to watch Henson Joe's funny performance on the sidelines. Look at Henson, and then look at the rock-solid Popovich, that Chinese is simply a clown." Barkley complained about Henson with disdain, but in fact, there are few coaches in this league who can be as steady as Popovich.

4 to 3, the Spurs still maintained the lead relying on Duncan's two shots.But Henson was not worried about being behind, on the contrary, he felt extremely happy.Just now, the team's defense on the perimeter was as tight as an iron wall!If it weren't for the Spurs' strong point inside Duncan, they wouldn't even get a point!But Duncan is 34 years old this year. Can he score in the paint so efficiently for 48 minutes?

Even if Duncan wanted to, his physical fitness would definitely not be able to support him to do this!Basketball is a tug-of-war, and it doesn't hurt to be a little behind at first.

The Pacers' offense was still pushing fast, and Holiday resolutely implemented Henson's arrangement, trying not to let the team fall into positional warfare.In offense, positional warfare consumes a lot and fast attack consumes less.The cost of defending the defensive position is small, while the defense of the fast break consumes a lot, so that the Pacers are the one that consumes less in both offense and defense.Henson believes that when the Spurs start to wear down, they will naturally show their holes.

Horford popped up after the pick-and-roll, and Holiday drove straight in!It seems that the Pacers' offense is exactly the same as just now.

Holiday broke through resolutely and decisively, without leaving too much time for the Spurs players to think.Is it to make up the defense or let Parker solve it by himself?They have to make split-second decisions.

While Holiday broke through, George and Matthews also moved to the strong side.Unknowingly, the right side of the court was pulled empty.

Blair is sticking to the top of the three-point line. If no one protects the basket, Holiday will definitely be able to score easily.At this critical moment, Duncan moved into the three-second zone!The Spurs fans breathed a sigh of relief, it's safe now!

Holiday stared at the basket, and bravely jumped up to face Duncan!But he didn't jump up for a layup, but for a pass!

When everyone thought that Holiday would end the offense, the basketball flew out of Duncan's waist and jumped into the hands of Daniel Granger, who was ambushing in the right corner of the court.

Holiday attracted Duncan, while George and Matthews pulled everyone else to the strong side.So when Granger received the basketball in the weak-side corner, there was no Spurs player in a white home jersey within three meters of him!
Fast pace, big space.Henson smiled, this is the effect he wanted!

Granger glanced at the ball after receiving it, and then shot it calmly.Granger's three-point shooting percentage has remained above 38% for two consecutive seasons, and he is a very reliable long-range shooting point.

The basketball went into the net hollow, without giving the Spurs any chance to breathe.Granger held up his right hand, showing three fingers.Weak team brush?Granger believed that under Henson's leadership, he would definitely be able to get rid of such infamy!
"He made two consecutive three-pointers. Coach Henson's tactical thinking is very clear. That is to use his shooting ability to open up space and create opportunities for easy shots. From the current point of view, Coach Henson's strategy is very successful, and the Spurs' defense always ignores the other." Kenny Smith began to look at Henson with admiration.

However, after a few rounds, the Pacers showed an unexpected maturity.

"Screening, running, passing. The Pacers' offense is so seamless, it's like they've been together for a decade!"

This time, even Barkley could not refute.He didn't know what kind of magic the 31-year-old young coach had, but the Pacers' offense didn't seem to be at the same level as the preseason.In the preseason, the Pacers' offense was messy and disorganized.But now, everyone has a clear division of labor and a tacit cooperation.

"Yes, their offense is indeed well-organized. But it is obvious that Coach Henson has been thinking about how to use shooting to solve the problem. However, basketball games cannot be won by shooting alone! Look, they can't be so accurate for 48 minutes!"

As soon as Barkley finished speaking, the first iron strikes of the day came from the court.But it wasn't the Pacers who struck the iron, it was Richard Jefferson.

The tall and long-armed Paul George interfered a lot with Jefferson. Jefferson thought that the rookie playing in the NCAA Division II would be nervous, but George's defense was very good.

Under extremely strong and serious interference, Jefferson's three-pointer knocked out of the frame.Horford was firmly stuck in his position, but he didn't take off and didn't grab the rebound, but let Daniel Granger easily pick it up!

Of course, this was not because Henson wanted Granger to stat, but because Granger was able to dribble the ball forward quickly after grabbing the rebound!Fast, the Pacers' offense revolves around the word "fast" all the time.

Granger quickly advanced after grabbing the rebound, and before halftime passed, he hit the ball into the hands of Paul George, who was cutting in from the right!

This run and pass gave George an instant opportunity to play a fast break.At this time, except for Jefferson who was following him, there was no one in front of George!
Jefferson wanted to make a foul. In this case, he would rather let the opponent make free throws than let him dunk easily.However, Jefferson clearly underestimated the No. 24 rookie's athletic ability.

Jefferson pulled George's jersey with his hands, but George didn't stop because of this, but took two big steps and took off directly one step inward from the free throw line!

Under the horrified gazes of the Spurs fans, the first-year rookie named Paul George glided like he had wings.Jefferson looked at the number 24, as if seeing himself ten years ago.

"Bang!" There was a loud bang from the basket.

"Beep beep beep beep!" The urgent whistle followed.

"The dunk is succeeded, but also a penalty! Hahahaha, the fast attack of the Pacers made the San Antonio Moma extremely embarrassed! Jefferson also tried to explain to the referee, what did he explain? Can he report that George's sole is installed with a spring!? Do you see Charles, the free throw line is dunk in one step, but this is the official game! The team is too vibrant. They are completely different from the preseason! 8 to 4, St. Antonio Matta must be vigilant! "

Kenny Smith's roar added a lot of color to George's dunk. If you don't hear the commentator's surprised shout after a wonderful dunk, the visual impact will undoubtedly be much less.

After George scored, Granger excitedly rushed to the chest.Henson smiled, it seemed that Granger and this kid got along really well.

But what made Henson even more excited was that Popovich, who had been as stable as Mount Tai, finally frowned and stood up from the bench!
It seems that Henson and his team have caused enough trouble for the old man's Spurs.
(End of this chapter)