Chapter 1374 1373. Rondo’s Brain

Three-two zone defense is a tactic targeted at teams with players who have an advantage in the outside three-point range.

The biggest advantage of a player with strong three-point shooting is to open up space and help his teammates or break through himself.

The three-two zone defense can be very effective against three-pointers in international competitions.

but……

The problem is, this is not an international competition!

Rondo waved to Kwame Brown and asked Kwame Brown to leave the three-second zone.

Okur will definitely not leave, and Kwame Brown has no shooting ability, so he still has to stay in the three-second zone.

Rondo was counting. When Kwame Brown left the three-second zone for two seconds, Rondo began to break through!

Rondo, who had been ready for a breakthrough for a long time, left Deron behind with a change of direction. Deron's defense was not bad, but it was definitely one level behind Paul, and it was only one level behind in his sophomore year. , was easily passed by Rondo.

Rondo grasped the timing very well this time. If he breaks through a second or even half a second earlier, Okur will not leave the three-second zone. As long as he is within an arm's length of the person being defended, he will not be called for defense. Three seconds, if it breaks out too late, Okur will go back immediately after leaving the three-second zone. Rondo's timing is perfect!

Rondo broke into the three-second zone, forcing Kirilenko in the zone defense to shrink in, compressing the Jazz's three-and-two zone defense into a two-and-three zone defense!

Liu Mang was running, emptying the top arc. Rondo passed the ball behind his head and hit the top arc. McGrady received the ball and made a three-pointer...

Unfortunately, McGrady missed an open shot.

But Rondo, with the stature of a thin and short point guard, trapped Okur, grabbed the offensive rebound, and tipped the ball in, causing Okur to foul.

The floater was destroyed and he only made a shooting motion but failed to make a shot. Rondo was somewhat annoyed and high-fived Kwame Brown before walking to the free throw line.

But this already makes people feel bright. Rondo can always find such opportunities!

Coach Sloan is extremely jealous: What kind of draft vision is this?

He didn't like Boozer back then. In the original time and space, they used high salary to attract Boozer to join, which didn't cost much. But in this time and space, in order to get Boozer, he was cheated by the Eagles with the sixth pick. Although the second-choice Rondo didn't perform well at the beginning of the season, by the middle of the season he was already a very outstanding point guard of the younger generation, no worse than Deron last season!

Looking at Rondo walking to the free throw line, Coach Sloan was extremely jealous. He felt that Rondo seemed to be more talented than Deron, whom he selected with a high draft pick. As long as he can practice shooting, he would definitely be much better than Deron. , and can even be compared to the point guard the Hornets drafted.

But Coach Sloan felt a little more comfortable when he saw Rondo go to the free throw line and make two free throws. This guy won't be able to practice shooting for at least a year or two, and his basic shooting skills are basically zero...

Liu Mang is also in pain. With Rondo's breakthrough, if his free throws can have an average level of more than 70%, his offensive threat will be much greater.

Now like this, if the opponent really can't guard it, just foul it. This is what Okur did when Rondo grabbed the offensive rebound just now.

Two free throws equaled a mistake after the offensive rebound.

Both teams wanted to win, and the situation was tense from the beginning.

Compared to the first time this season when the Jazz were defeated for three quarters, and the Eagles relied on the Three Eagles to chase points in the final quarter, this time it was much better. At least the game was stalemate at the beginning.

The new combination of Deron and Boozer is difficult to deal with. From an offensive perspective, it is more powerful than the old duo. The center position can be used to shoot three-pointers, which is something that the old duo cannot enjoy. Okur shot 44.6% from three-point range and averaged 1.9 three-pointers in 4.2 attempts per game, which is scary.

Liu Mang felt why in the original time and space, the Rockets with Yao Ming were forced to play in the playoffs by the Jazz and never won a single victory.

The Jazz have top defense. Kirisek has a first-class defensive rating of 85. Kirilenko is the favorite for the best defensive player and ranks second in blocks. Although Deron is not as good as Paul, he also has a quasi-first-class defense. Okur can squat. At the basket, Boozer's poor defense is made up for by the outside.

With a top-notch defensive configuration, the Jazz are not weak on the offensive end, averaging 102 points per game. What they are good at is grinding out mid-range shots and air cuts one after another, putting their opponents in a state of anxiety and eventually being defeated. They grind to death.

On the defensive end, the Hawks tried their best to defend, but Boozer couldn't help it. Boozer, who almost never shot three-pointers, averaged 22 points per game with a 57% shooting rate. , his unsolvability on the offensive end is comparable to Nowitzki and Duncan. If he were not half a head shorter than these two, Boozer could almost be called unsolvable on the offensive end.

Of course, Coach Sloan's pick-and-roll system is the key. Cooperation with Deron and Deron passing the ball greatly improved Boozer's performance.

On the defensive end, they tried their best to limit the Jazz. On the offensive end, the Eagles mainly shot mid- and long-range shots.

Rondo can easily compress the Jazz's outside zone defense into the inside. This is the Hawks' advantage. Rondo's breakthrough and offensive awareness are better than last year's Iguodala. He was quite restrained last season. The Jazz's defensive system was compressed to the inside.

Liu Mang had Rondo in charge, and McGrady took over, focusing entirely on scoring and defending Deron. In the first quarter, he scored 12 points on 4 of 9 shots, 2 of 5 and a 40% three-point shooting rate. It is quite difficult for him to score. Such a high three-point shot has a 40% hit rate. Not to mention this era, even in the future era of three-point explosion, it can scare opponents.

After the official timeout in the first quarter, Blake replaced Rondo. Blake's performance in the game was quite satisfactory. He didn't break through, but he had a stable three-pointer and was very cautious in passing. McGrady became the main point guard. McGrady learned quickly and quickly imitated Rondo's offensive organization method, which he had prepared for a long time. Maybe McGrady himself didn't understand Rondo's ideas. After all, the future Cousins ​​will never understand Rondo's ideas, but just follow his instructions.

After the first quarter, the two teams tied at 25, which was a satisfactory scoring performance.

Both teams had good defense. Except for Boozer's 10 points and 2 assists in a single quarter, no one else on the Jazz scored more than 5 points in a single quarter.

In the second quarter, Coach Kruger did not replace Liu Mang.

12 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal. Liu Mang did not do anything else except scoring, defending and grabbing rebounds. With such a simple jigsaw player's playing style, Coach Kruger was not worried about Liu Mang's physical fitness and let Liu Mang continue to play in the second quarter.

The second lineup... Coach Kruger did not consider too many defensive issues. Liu Mang, Jason Terry, Battier, David Lee, and Fizer played.

In the second quarter, the Hawks' defense began to be eye-catching...

The Hawks wanted to let the main players rest, but the Jazz would not.

The Hawks had already won the honor, and the next step was to create greatness, while the Jazz had achieved results in the past two years. In addition, Oku, the "oldest" in the core lineup, was at his peak at the age of 28. On the bench, there was Matt Harpring, who was at the end of his peak at the age of 31, and he was also an excellent 3D small forward. In the second quarter, the Jazz sent out a lineup of Deron, CJ Miles, Harpring, Louis Amends, and Boozer.

At the beginning of the second quarter, CJ Miles received a pass from Deron and shot a three-pointer against Liu Mang's defense, and it went in!

"CJ Miles, 19 years old, ability rating 70, offense 77, defense 59, three-pointer 80, mid-range shot 62, layup 81..."

Looking at this ability rating, a sophomore player is only 19 years old, Liu Mang couldn't help but spray: "Another damn high school student."

As luck would have it, Liu Mang spoke out loud, CJ Miles looked at Liu Mang innocently, feeling wronged: "Isn't this the way I learned from you? And your team used to be the team with the most high school students, right!"

There is a reason why Liu Mang didn't have much impression of CJ Miles. Last season, CJ Miles, who was only 18 years old, didn't get many opportunities to play. He was injured in the training camp this season and just returned this month. His performance was average. Coach Sloan was not willing to let him play. It was too wasteful, and he didn't have the capital to waste.

Receiving the pass from Jason Terry, Liu Mang pushed forward to the frontcourt.

Looking at the opponent's defensive position, Boozer played center. Liu Mang knew that this guy must have suggested that he play center, expecting that they would use a small lineup.

Liu Mang made a gesture, asking David Lee to go to the low post, and David Lee excitedly went to the post.

In terms of physique, David Lee and Boozer are on par, with similar height and weight, but David Lee has better static strength.

Liu Mang passed the ball to David Lee, who was blocking Boozer. David Lee used the threat of a retreating mid-range shot to shake off Boozer, who had average defensive ability, and turned around beautifully in the low post to throw the ball out.

Maybe it was because of his poor touch or because he was too excited, David Lee's shot was too strong!

However, Fizer knocked away Amundsen, who had a ponytail, and rushed out of the three-second zone. After knocking Amundsen away, he pushed the ball back to the basket!

David Lee's shot missed, and Liu Mang couldn't help but slap his thigh hard. He didn't expect that Fizer, who had average performance and many fouls in the last game, would make a contribution today!

The Hawks also scored in the first attack of the second quarter.

However... for a player who has been out of the NBA for more than a year and no other team wants him, even though he was once the fourth pick, don't have too much expectation.

When the Jazz attacked, Deron and Boozer set a pick-and-roll, and Fizer, who switched to defend Deron, followed up. But after Deron broke into the inside, Fizer had clearly covered Deron's shooting space, but pressed on him. Deron took advantage of the situation and bumped into Fizer, throwing the ball out.

The referee whistled, and Fizer fouled Deron on defense!

Foul is foul, Fizer did not make any moves after the foul, and watched the ball fly over his head and fall into the basket.

"Marcus, if you foul, just slap him on the floor! How can you watch him shoot?" Liu Mang couldn't help but spray.

Deron's balance in confrontation is second to none among the league's point guards! What is this guy thinking?

"..." Fizer kept his head down and didn't say anything. He was not very happy to be yelled at by a second-round pick who was one year later than him.

Although Liu Mang is recognized as one of the best players in the league, "poor people have short ambitions" is well reflected in Fizer. The only thing Fizer is most proud of in his basketball career is his status as the No. 4 pick.

Some people cannot be helped, and Liu Mang is too lazy to say more.

Deron was shocked when he heard Liu Mang's words.

"What do you mean by hitting the floor? We are a friendly team!" Deron felt that Liu Mang was too scary. Strength was secondary. This young senior had a bad heart!

Liu Mang watched Deron hit the free throw and scored 2+1, widening the score to 31 to 27, with a difference of 4 points.

After receiving the serve from Jason Terry, Liu Mang took a deep breath and calmed down. There was still a lot of time, and he played one by one. When it came to the rotation lineup, although there were some disadvantages, there were also some advantages against the relatively weak second lineup of the Jazz!

Liu Mang was devoted to the game, he was the main point guard, and the opportunities he could create were no less than when he played without the ball!

Using David Lee's scoring ability under the basket, Fizer's impact, Jason Terry's singles shooting, Battier's three-pointers and two passes, Liu Mang tried his best to play the advantages on the offensive end, and the key was to shoot whenever there was a chance!

Without Kirilenko's help defense, Harpring was very good, but certainly far behind Kirilenko. Liu Mang focused on the game and played very well, scoring 9 points and 2 assists in half a quarter, helping the Hawks get 16 points in half a quarter. With Liu Mang's three-pointer at the sixth minute and twelve seconds, the Hawks overtook the Jazz by two points with 41 to 39. Coach Sloan called a timeout and entered the official timeout.

Dawdling!

Liu Mang's definition of the Jazz is a team that dawdles to the extreme!

Unlike the Spurs’ pressure rhythm, and the Pistons’ defense to death, the Jazz made Liu Mang feel a sense of procrastination whether in offense or defense.

And it is very easy to pull the opponent into that procrastination rhythm.

Back to the bench, Liu Mang took the towel and training clothes handed over by the team staff. He knew he had to rest for a while, and Rondo and McGrady would lead the team next.

Liu Mang began to think about the question that he had not figured out last night - how did the Lakers, who were not so strong in the original time and space, beat the Jazz in the playoffs for three consecutive years? And why did the Rockets have no chance at all?