basketball player

Chapter 52 051: Decide to Substitute

After George scored a three-pointer, Popovich couldn't help standing up from the bench.He just stood there and said nothing.But this move is enough to let the Spurs players know that the old man is not happy!If you don't want to be scolded, you'd better cheer up immediately!

George made a solid free throw, and the boos of the fans in the ATT Center did not make the rookie who played for the first time in the NBA nervous.Others may not know it, but Henson knows very well that George is going to be a superstar player in the future.If he can't even stand this test, then he doesn't deserve to be a superstar.

The Spurs trailed by five points and three possessions, and none of their defenses were successful.The Pacers' offense is more blooming, not only shooting, but also a breakthrough player like George.Popovich couldn't help turning his head to look at the Chinese young coach who had been standing on the sidelines since the beginning of the game. Instead of following the tradition like everyone else and putting a blue-collar big man on the court, it would be better to be like Henson and only use the most suitable players!

During the preseason, everyone felt that this Chinese coach was not much better than his predecessor O'Brien.But no matter what others think, Popovich has changed his view of Henson.Obviously, the Pacers deliberately conserved their strength during the preseason.

That kid is not only smart, but also very cunning!
The Spurs immediately launched a counterattack and were already behind by 5 points. They couldn't keep dragging on like this.Parker broke through quite resolutely this time, because Holiday has been sticking to him, so he hopes to take this opportunity to make Holiday a foul.Most rookies have the problem of using too much force when defending, but this kind of endless defense just gives Parker, an old fritter, the opportunity to draw fouls.

Drawing fouls is a skill that all experienced perimeter players must master.Reasonable use of rules is itself part of strength.As a professional player, winning is the first consideration, not spectatorship.

Parker pushed Holiday into the three-second zone, and Holiday was very sticky from the beginning to the end, which is exactly what Parker wanted to see.

When Parker broke through to the free-throw line, he jumped up suddenly, leaning forward, ready to call for a foul.The French have tried this trick time and again. If they are lucky, they may even have a chance to score three points!

However, just as the French twisted his body and waited for the whistle, Holiday, who had been sticking close to Parker, flashed quickly and dodged Parker in a daze!The reaction to this flash was very fast, and he hid very cleanly.

"What!?" Parker looked at Holiday in surprise. How did this kid know that he was going to make a foul? Is he really a second-year rookie?
Of course Holiday didn't know that Parker was going to make a foul, but Henson, who had studied countless game videos, knew.So before the game started today, he specially reminded Holiday.

"If the Frenchman breaks through without warning, you have to be very careful! Beware of him looking for fouls on you!"

Holiday has been remembering this sentence since the beginning of the game. Sure enough, his coach will never lie!Sometimes the trust between players and coaches is slowly built up from these small details.What Henson said can hardly go wrong, which has become the consensus of all the Pacers, so they are very willing to listen to Henson's command.

Parker, who was originally aiming at drawing a foul, was not ready to shoot at all, and this shot, which twisted his body, also knocked out of the frame again.Horford personally picked off the defensive rebound and then made a long pass from the backcourt.

Horford's passing ability is definitely one of the best among big men, but he used to be in the Hawks, with Joe Johnson and "Central Shooting Pretty Boy" Josh Smith, two ball-dominant teammates, Horford's passing ability was hardly displayed.

Horford's passing is not fancy, but the guy wins because of his clear thinking and high passing accuracy.He's always able to see who's in the open and knows who to get the ball to.

If the outside players can't grab the rebound in the first time to launch a fast break, then Horford will launch a fast break with a long pass.This is Henson's plan B, and at this time, this plan B has also been completed.

Wesley Matthews made a fast push with the ball, attracted the defense and played an alley-oop with George.In less than five seconds, the Pacers ended the fight.And Paul George also left a deep impression on the fans because of his two beautiful dunks.As a rookie, there is nothing like a dunk to remind everyone of yourself.

11 to 4, the cheers in the ATT center almost disappeared.George dunked for the second time in a row. The rookie didn't expect his first NBA game to go so well.At the same time, the whistle sounded again.But it wasn't that George got another chance to hit a three-pointer, but Popovich called a timeout!
"11 to 4, the Spurs were stopped! Holiday is very smart on the defensive end, and Horford's passing ability ensures that the Pacers can launch the offense in the first place. George's athletic ability is enough to allow the Pacers to finish the offense before the Spurs' defense is formed. Looking at this lineup, each of them seems to be born for Coach Henson's tactics. No, to be precise, Coach Henson's tactics are born for this group of players!"

This time, Barkley did not make sarcastic remarks. The score of 11 to 4 is really there, and any irony will pale under such a score.

"We must slow down and find our own rhythm! Maintain the effective offensive efficiency at the beginning, and don't be disturbed by the Pacers' speed! Tony, can you explain to me what you were doing just now!? Put away your cleverness, others are not stupid! I want you to control the scene, control the scene! Instead of sending the ball meaninglessly! I know, everyone looked down on the Pacers before the game started. But now? Hit!" Sure enough, the Spurs players who were suspended this time were inevitably scolded.

Parker lowered his head. Even after working with Popovich for so many years, the old man would not restrain his temper for this reason.As long as you make a mistake, whether you are Parker or Duncan, you will be scolded the same.

After returning from the timeout, the Spurs made some personnel adjustments.Popovich replaced Jefferson with the more athletic James Anderson in order to contain George's offense.In addition, Parker was replaced by George Hill. It seems that the old man intends to use Hill to regain control of the rhythm.

After that, the Spurs' offense became a lot more stable, but there was still no good way on the defensive end.

The Pacers stretched out too wide, making the Spurs' efficient switching and recovery useless.But after entering the rotation lineup, the Pacers' offense instantly became much less efficient.

The reason for the decrease in offensive efficiency is simple. The veteran center Jeff Fortes, who came on as a substitute for Horford, did not have the ability to open up space, which made the Spurs' defense finally a little more comfortable.And Hinrich's sharp attack on George Hill seems to have no good solution.

George Hill performed very well last season, and people even agreed that the appearance of Hill would make Parker gradually retreat to the second line.Obviously, he has also been reused by Popovich this season.At the end of the first quarter, the Pacers were beaten 5-0 by George Hill, making the score 25-23.

"The Spurs finally managed to stabilize the situation. They used the second team to gradually regain the feeling of the game when they were behind by 7 points. This is the San Antonio Spurs. This is a team that will not give up lightly! Coach Henson's tactics are very limited. When the space cannot be opened, their offense seems to have no way to do it. I have to say that they are still a bit weaker than a top team like the Spurs." Seeing the Spurs catching up at the end of the first quarter, Barkley gradually spoke more.

The shooting percentage of the Pacers' starting lineup in the first quarter was too high, which is why they were able to lead.However, the shooting touch cannot be so good throughout the game. Barkley believes that the Pacers will struggle very much next!Their poor performance in the second half of the first quarter is a testimony!

After the players walked off the court, Henson slowly sat down in front of everyone with a small bench.As a manager, he can't act too anxious, because that will only make the players more nervous.

"Everyone did a good job, you are ahead of the San Antonio Spurs! In the second quarter, continue to focus. I will watch you, if you are not focused, I promise you will suffer in training!" Henson did not make too many tactical adjustments, because so far, Popovich has not found a way to deal with Henson's offense.

"At the last moment, George Hill caused us a lot of trouble. Lance, are you asleep?"

"No, boss!" Stephenson immediately jumped up when Henson called his name.

He hasn't gotten much playing time since Henson fished him out of the police department.Even in the preseason, each game only lasted more than ten minutes.He knew that this was Henson punishing himself.But he didn't complain, but tried to use his training status to "redeem".

When Henson sent Brandon Rush to replace Matthews in the first quarter, Stephenson thought it was impossible for him to play today.But just now, Henson called his name.

"I heard from the shooting coach that your shooting stability is still a mess." Henson poured cold water on Stephenson as soon as he came up, "So after you play later, I won't allow you to shoot. Your task is very simple, don't let George Hill score again!"

Stephenson, who was originally disheartened, suddenly had bright eyes. He tore off the disposable training pants and jumped with excitement.

Not being allowed to shoot is nothing at all, and now Stephenson just wants to tear Hill into pieces!

(End of this chapter)