Eight Hundred and Sixty-Five. The Last Loophole in the Spurs System
According to rumors, Sun Ce trained with Kobe during this year's long offseason, and invited Stoke, who had not appeared in public for a long time except for coaching Deron for a few months in 2005 and appearing on TV when he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2009. Become a trainer.
Mirroring the 76ers and Bulls in the East, the Grizzlies are regarded as one of the two young teams with the last potential in the West, the other being the Thunder.
And Popovich is most afraid of the Grizzlies.
Among the two towers of the Mavericks, Nowitzki is 33 and a half years old, and Yao Ming will also turn 30 in September. It is difficult to say who will lose dominance first between these two people and Duncan; the Lakers are missing one of the three towers, and Brand There is absolutely no way to make up for center Bynum, who is currently ranked second or third in the league; the Thunder are a perimeter team... and the Grizzlies' four major insiders, except for Randolph, are all young players. Still on the rise.
Looking at the two sets of twin towers on the opposite side, Popovich felt confused, so Popovich has regarded the Grizzlies as the strongest opponent in the future since last season. I heard that Sun Ce learned from Kobe and Stockton. At that moment, he felt something was wrong.
Needless to say, Kobe has never lost in the Western Conference Finals. The Spurs have met the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals many times in the past 11 years.
Stockton... When Popovich led the team, they played against the Jazz once in the playoffs in 1998, and they were beaten to the point of death.
Popovich had a hunch that Sun Ce would seek advice from these two people in order to deal with his team.
That’s what it turned out to be!
This guy was a half-baked high post player last season. He may not have enough experience now, but he has a keen sense of offense to seize opportunities, and his shots from the right side of the three-second zone are really accurate! When the defender was close, Sun Ce turned around beautifully, and with Sun Ce's size, he turned around and rushed into the basket. Without moving ahead, Duncan could only foul to prevent himself from becoming the background again.
The most important thing is Sun Ce's teammates, a lot of high-quality role players, filling up the 12-man roster! There is also a third point guard that Popovich wants to watch the game in a suit...
Moreover, Popovich still can't find the chips to trade the tall point guard that the Grizzlies want to send away. If a team offers Vazquez, Chris Wallace must be a first-rounder. The draft position doesn't matter, I just want a first rounder who can be used cheaply for four years.
Popovich has given all the draft picks that can be traded in the next few years to the Grizzlies, and the next one will be sent to 2017. At that time, he did not dare to give away the draft picks. In his opinion, it might be the time when the draft picks would be transferred to the Grizzlies. He went with the No. 1 pick, and when it was time to show off, he was quite willing to show off.
Popovich feels that the Grizzlies are really the best team against them!
Among the four inside towers, Randolph started this year in almost the best form of his career; Gasol's mid-range shot has returned to its original level. Perhaps due to his weight loss, his stability in confrontation is not as good as before, but about 40% of his mid-range shots in the open position are The shooting percentage is expected to be high; Yi Jianlian continued his good performance from last season and did well in off-ball cuts, offensive rebounds, and open jump shots on the offensive end. And Jordan, with Nash, became a real No. 1 player in the running and gunning stage. Once at the end, keep taking off...
Without a human shield with good consciousness and sufficient ability inside, Popovich couldn't use his ideas on the defensive end, and he had to block the three-pointers of Neal, Klay Thompson, Paul George, and Battier in turn. It just so happens that Neal and Klay Thompson can still hit mid-range shots.
With such a group of teammates, Sun Ce himself is the most accurate mid-range shot among his teammates except Randolph!
Sun Ce took advantage of the excellent form of his teammates at the beginning of the season tonight.
He maximized his post-up ability on the right side of the high post. In addition, Sun Ce's characteristics of high post-up play in the opposite direction are different from ordinary people. Before Duncan was released without a good center partner, it was already very difficult for the Spurs to defend mid-range shots. Didn't guard against Sun Ce!
In fact, there is only one missing link!
When Gay came to the Spurs, he actively worked hard to strengthen defense and tried to avoid his dislike of confrontation... At least he made himself more willing to fight on defense, showing a first-class edge-level defense. Popovich's ideal The team system is 90% complete.
But the only thing missing is a capable enough meat shield center to free Duncan, so that Duncan, whose defense has not changed much from his peak period after losing weight, can play a Garnett-style defensive coordinator role.
This poor quality prevents the system from being perfected.
Popovich really wanted Perkins from the Thunder, but after playing so well at the beginning of last season, he actually didn’t know what else the team needed. At that time, the Spurs were invincible in the first half of the regular season. , kept winning, who knew how to adjust. At that time, it was already a situation of "no way to win more games". At the end of the season, when he was restrained by the Grizzlies, he knew what was needed, but it was too late. At that time, Kay The Celtics don't want much, just draft picks or an excellent striker. He can trade Richard Jefferson and a draft pick, and maybe get back Nate Robinson. .
But it’s too late now. Not winning the bargain-basement Perkins was Popovich’s biggest regret in more than a year. Missing Sun Ce, Evans, and Paul was something he couldn’t do. , they can't give the No. 2 pick or No. 2 pick like the Grizzlies and 76ers, nor can they give Bynum the Lakers.
But Perkins, a center who is perfect for the Spurs, was not taken at a bargain price, which was a huge loss! It was just like the Celtics breaking their own foot.
After watching the half-time, Sun Ce scored 9 points in the last 5 minutes, and passed 1 assist and 1 beautiful pass. Gasol passed the ball to Tony Allen for a layup. The Grizzlies played a wave to overtake the score in the last 5 minutes of the half. Popovich could only put his expectations on the team's second-year center Split, hoping that this guy can play quickly.
It's not the data. It's easy to play the data of high-quality role players in the Spurs. What matters is the role!
…
Playing for 11 minutes in the first half, getting 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block, Sun Ce's performance was explosive.
The shooting performance of 5 of 7 shots was too good, and the mid-range shooting of 3 of 4 shots couldn't be better.
The Grizzlies also took advantage of this to enter the second half with a two-point lead at the end of the half.
Back in the locker room, Sun Ce was also analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of his team against the Spurs, but from a different perspective than Popovich.
Sun Ce had long known that his and Randolph's mid-range shots were a powerful weapon against the Spurs. They might not be so useful against the Lakers and Mavericks, but they were useful against the Spurs.
And using the opponent's inside line, which currently only has Duncan as a player who can defend, is an opportunity that the Grizzlies must seize!
The Spurs system is not yet perfect, and they must seize it this year.
As for whether the opponent can strengthen the center... Sun Ce estimated that it would be difficult. There is still no team like their Grizzlies that can satisfy the former star player wherever he wants to go.
The Spurs have no bargaining chips for trading, and they can't spend a lot of money. They can only dig from themselves. Sun Ce knew that Split's starting strength in a system like the Spurs would be in the 12-13 season.
However, the advantage in Sun Ce's mind is not as strong as the disadvantage in Popovich's mind!
They played so well in the first half, but they were still only two points ahead of the Spurs!
In Sun Ce's opinion, the advantage of the Grizzlies is not as big as Popovich thinks from the "underdog perspective"!
They still failed to defend the Spurs and lost 57 points in the first half, which is unacceptable to the Grizzlies. After Gay, the Spurs still have big defensive problems. Nash led the team to score 31 points in 13 minutes, and Sun Ce exploded in the last 5 minutes. The Spurs can't defend, but the Spurs' offensive firepower is really fierce and very even. Everyone dares to shoot and can shoot when they have a chance. 54% in the first half, in the middle of the half...
Sun Ce thinks that no matter what the result of this game is, he will have to discuss the defensive problems against the Spurs' offensive system with his teammates and coaching staff.
The Spurs' system defense is actually okay at present, but it just happens that the Grizzlies are very restrained by the current Spurs' defense, which is the advantage of the Grizzlies.
But the Spurs' offense is almost the same as the complete version of the Spurs system in Sun Ce's impression, which is difficult to deal with!
...
Sun Ce only played for 11 minutes in the first half and continued to play after the start of the second half.
During the halftime break, Coach Hollins discussed with the coaching staff and prepared to make another push in the second half!
Sun Ce had a good shooting touch today, and Nash played equally well with the right teammates. He asked about Nash's condition. Nash didn't play for the last 5 minutes of the first half and rested for almost seven or eight minutes, and rested for another 20 minutes during the halftime break. He felt fine and said he could play. Coach Hollins confirmed again and again, and said he could rest if he felt tired. Nash was sure he could play.
Under this premise, Coach Hollins sent out a combination of Nash, Sun Ce, Klay Thompson, Yi Jianlian, and Jordan after the halftime break.
The strategy was obvious, so obvious that Popovich saw it at a glance. The opponent wanted to rush in the first half of the third quarter and then fight the defense.
This is the usual style of the Grizzlies, but now with Nash, running and gunning can be used unscrupulously.
Popovich will naturally not just sit there and wait for death.
The Spurs can play so well against the Grizzlies... or the Spurs can play so well against all teams, but there is a premise, that is, the opponent also wants to score.
But the Grizzlies are not the same as ordinary teams. When they need to defend, they can give up the offense.
This is the most difficult point for the Grizzlies. After they have a few points of leading advantage, they directly give up the offense and fight the defense!
Originally, Popovich sent out a rotation lineup at the beginning of the third quarter, leaving only Ginobili to lead the team, Parker, Gay, and Duncan all rested. Duncan might not play in the third quarter, and Parker and Gay were prepared to play in the second half of the third quarter.
But in this situation, Popovich immediately replaced Parker and Gay in advance after they made a layup to tie the score and Yi Jianlian cut in to receive Nash's pass and caused Blair to foul. He sent out a lineup of Parker, Ginobili, Gay, Richard Jefferson, and Blair to attack!
Fans at the scene and fans in front of the TV saw a game they did not expect today.
The Grizzlies' game... can also be played so well!
The Spurs' brisk offense is very good to watch. In the second half of last season and the playoffs, fans have gradually gotten used to it. However, the Grizzlies took advantage of the Spurs' weakness in the interior. Randolph and Sun Ce each played well at the beginning and end of the first half. In the ten minutes in between, Nash led the team to play authentic running and gunning...
In the second half, after Yi Jianlian made two free throws, the two teams continued to attack each other, and they were even happier. Nash and Parker led the team, Sun Ce and Gay played supporting roles, the Grizzlies played run-and-gun, and the Spurs played smooth teamwork. The game between the two teams was more exciting than fans expected!
Among them, the catch-and-shoot competition between Sun Ce and Gay was the focus of fans' attention. Gay left the Grizzlies, and Sun Ce truly established his position as the team's strongest outside line. Last season, Gay was still the nominal star of the Grizzlies, but now the title of star has indeed fallen on Sun Ce's head. The duel between the new and old stars is still very interesting.
Sun Ce scored 13 points in the first half and Gay scored 12 points in the first half. The two continued to compete in the third quarter.
However, the key point is still the point guard's organizational ability.
Parker is the one who benefits the most from the Spurs system. Duncan is not considered to be the beneficiary. He is the key to the Spurs system. Parker has played at the MVP level under the increasingly perfect Spurs system. Although it is very similar to the MVP level under the system of Sun Ce, he can play such a performance.
It's just... the Grizzlies have a real MVP!
Nash plays run-and-gun, and he really has the strength of an assist king!
In this matchup, Parker is still inferior to Nash as in the first half.
At 7 minutes and 21 seconds in the third quarter, the Spurs called a timeout.
5 points difference!
After Blair and Yi Jianlian each scored two points, Nash and Parker led the team to compete and scored a score.
There were 4 minutes and 39 seconds left in the third quarter, and the score was already tied. The Grizzlies led by 5 points!
Gay has no problem. He has good stamina. He can keep a good rhythm and play for 35-60 minutes or even 37-80 minutes in a game. In the Spurs, there is no need to worry too much about keeping the rhythm. The team plays very steadily on offense. It is also possible to defend the Spurs. Gay keeps a good rhythm.
In fact, it is only because the Grizzlies are too strong inside that the Spurs' inside defense is insufficient. Except for those few strong inside teams, the Spurs can defend other teams very well.
But Ginobili... his stamina is really bad. In his early years, he could have a good performance for 20 minutes in a game. Now it is only 12-13 minutes at most, and it has been used up!
Popovich had no choice but to replace Duncan in advance and sent out the lineup of Parker, Danny Green, Gay, Duncan, and Split to start the decisive battle in advance, trying to narrow the gap and overtake before the end of the third quarter, and not giving the Grizzlies the opportunity to defend to death in the fourth quarter.
The Grizzlies sent out a combination of Sun Ce, Neil, Klay Thompson, Randolph, and Jordan.
Nash played for nearly 28 minutes, which exceeded the 25-minute playing time limit given by the Grizzlies. He probably won't play next.
However, the Grizzlies' offense has already soared.
Sun Ce, who has scored 22 points in nearly 19 minutes, is now in good physical condition and has a good touch. After the official timeout, he started the single-point scoring mode with Randolph, who had rested for a long time.
Sending three role players, Neil, Klay Thompson, and Jordan, is for single-point scoring.
Sun Ce and Randolph, one in the high position on the right and the other in the low position on the left, each played two balls and kept switching singles. No matter how well the Spurs played, they relied on these two advantages to keep singles.
When the Spurs started to double-team, the others had their chances.
Klay Thompson's performance was average, and it was still far from his peak.
But Neil was very active in shooting against his old club. He scored 8 points in 14 minutes in the first three quarters. He scored a three-pointer the first time he received a pass from Sun Ce after the timeout. He scored double digits in his first game with the new team!
Led by Sun Ce and Randolph, the Grizzlies played a wave in the last 4 minutes and 39 seconds of the third quarter, and the score difference widened to 7 points!
…
The advantage is like a snowball. Perhaps it is related to the beginning of the season. The Spurs' lineup was restrained by the Grizzlies. It was also the first match of the new season. The Grizzlies had a good shooting feeling and the Spurs were not good at playing games without advantages... Under multiple factors, the Grizzlies had an advantage in the first three quarters. With the Spurs' fierce offense, the Grizzlies relied on the more fierce running and gunning brought by Nash and the excellent state of Sun Ce and Randolph tonight, leading by 7 points in three quarters.
The fans were looking forward to the fight between the two teams in the final quarter. The Grizzlies scored 93 points in three quarters and the Spurs scored 86 points in three quarters. The 7-point difference was not a difference at all. If the Grizzlies were careless and their offense was interrupted, the Spurs could catch up in minutes.
The fans at the scene and those watching the live broadcast in the United States, ESPN live broadcast in many countries around the world, China's court TV live broadcast, and live broadcast in Asian countries and regions were all worried.
The feeling of the two teams' play was not the kind of crazy throwing basketball in the future, but very routine. Nash's authentic running and gunning and Parker's Spurs system offense were very methodical. Sun Ce and Randolph's singles and points also showed the strength of the stars, and they were mid-range and low-post singles, not the kind of one-step back from the three-point line. The fans were very happy and looked forward to the fourth quarter...
Then the Grizzlies sent out Sun Ce, Tony Allen, Paul George, Randolph, and Gasol in the first half of the fourth quarter.
It would have been fine to send out this lineup, but after the start of the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies' play style changed completely!
The Grizzlies lost their smooth offense and also killed the Spurs' offense. The Grizzlies didn't want to score at all. They directly raised the confrontation to the highest level possible, frantically making physical contact and killing the opponent's shooting touch without caring about their own shooting touch!
This abrupt change of style...even the fans at the scene wanted to shout "refund"!