Chapter 463 Who Wants to Destroy Garnett?

The Spurs currently do not have a dedicated home court and are staying at the Alamodome. There were not many disturbances before the first game of the Western Conference Finals. The Mavericks, who arrived in San Antonio in advance to prepare for the game, finally appeared at the Spurs' home court on the evening of the 18th.

After all, in the Western Conference Finals, the atmosphere was lively at this time, and in the Spurs uniform area, owner Holt and current general manager Gregg Popovich also came to the scene in suits to help, but there was no expression on their faces. Although excited, some looked at the players from both sides with a frown.

"Greg, do you think this is a win or a loss? Tell the truth!" Pete Holt blocked Popovich's mouth in advance.

"Ask Bob Hill. After all, he's the head coach and I'm not!"

"But I want to hear your thoughts! You are a smart man, and Hill is the coach you recommended. It makes no sense that you can't see the winning, losing, and direction of the game. Tell me."

"This..." Popovich glanced at Holt, "To be honest, this round is difficult to play. Robinson's past record against Lee is very obvious. Meeting Lee is better than meeting Olajuwon. The problem is still serious, as far as the core players are concerned, we have lost a bit."

"Li? Wasn't there news about his shoulder injury in the first round?"

"No, no, no, I didn't see where he was injured. Those reports are not entirely credible. You just need to treat him as if he were in his prime. And this kind of guy...if we didn't already have Robinson, this You can even chase him after the season ends."

"That's enough. I'm not here to listen to you praise your opponent. Say something useful." Holt was inexplicably irritable and waved his hand, while Popovich was embarrassed.

"What is useful? Let's see how this round goes first. We already know how scary Lee is, and Garnett at the Mavericks' fourth position... with Lee on the court, he is a threat to us. Just as big.”

"Then... what about the kid named Tim Duncan you were talking about? It should be okay for him to fill our fourth position, right? I remember you said that this kid will participate in the 96 draft this year?" Holt Being the boss doesn't mean that he doesn't care about the team's big and small matters, and Popovich did tell him how awesome Duncan is. He doesn't even need to report to Popovich, or even the scouts from each company. Everyone has noticed this young, giant youngster of a top power forward.

"I was about to tell you about this!" Popovich's face became serious. "The news from our side is... Duncan will not participate in this year's draft. He has to complete his senior year and will go to the 1997 draft by mistake. , and you also know our regular season record this season, this year’s draft basically has nothing to do with us, we can only watch next year!”

"Next year? Duncan's pick has been booked to be No. 1. Do you think we have a chance?"

"Yes, there must be. If we lose to the Mavericks and Li Shengli in this round, we must equip Robinson with a qualified helper, and...Robinson and several of our main players will definitely, definitely be injured next season. 'Cultivation!"

The main force is passively injured?

Holt couldn't believe his ears.

Although Robinson and several main players do have old injuries, and the entire Spurs can be regarded as fighting with injuries and full of wounded soldiers, the key point is that this is too straightforward, right?

Is it worth it to directly drag the Spurs, who have qualified for the playoffs for seven seasons, out of the playoff gate, just for an uncertain draft pick and an uncertain Duncan?

"Oh my God, are you crazy?"

"No, I'm not crazy!" Popovich said excitedly: "Look over there in Boston, our news has been sent back... Damn it, that old guy Auerbach has no intention of losing face at all. , intending to show off and provoke Stern, and not only Boston, but other teams are also showing signs of chasing Duncan. So, Holt, just watch, the regular season next season will be very exciting, we We have to fight, otherwise our Spurs will always be a playoff team, not...a championship team!"

"I don't believe it. Is this just for a rookie?"

"I don't believe it either, but what I believe is that if some teams have a poor record and fail in the first half of next season's regular season, then in the second half of the season, the entire league will fall into the most embarrassing situation in history. , everyone... rush to lose!"

"Is it possible?"

"It's not possible, it's certain."

So sure?

Holt took a deep breath, "Forget it, let's not talk about it. Is there anything in this year's draft..."

Seeing that Holt was unwilling to say more, Popovich simply changed the topic, "Don't think too much about it this year. There are indeed a few good players in the scouting report, but I don't think the quality of the rookies in this class will be the same." It's too high, and more importantly... we don't have a high enough draft pick."

…

Holt and Popovich chatted for a long time, and the game on the court had already started, just as Popovich expected... The game was difficult to play. Halfway through the first quarter, The score between the two sides was 18:13, and the Mavericks led by another 5 points.

The Mavericks' lineup remains unchanged, with four generals on the bench, Crotty on the bench, and McLeod on the third position.

The Spurs lineup is center Robinson, power forward Charles Smith, small forward Sean Elliott, point guard Avery Johnson, and shooting guard Vinnie Denat.

At this time, the Spurs were attacking.

Avery shook off Kidd and was instantly met by Garnett, who was covering the defense. He passed the ball to the boss Robinson, but Li Shengli's signature confrontation blocked Robinson's effort, and Robinson was still some distance away from the basket, so he turned his back. The shot was unstable and passed to his inside partner Charles.

Just when Charles was about to take a shot, Garnett touched it back again. The height difference made it difficult for him to take a shot, so the ball returned to the outside. The Spurs rubbed against the Mavericks' hole, but they failed to get in and failed. return.

In the end, Vinny from the outside shot and hit an iron, which ended the attack. Garnett was happily talking trash. Even if no one paid attention to him, he still went around looking for teammates to give him high-fives.

…

What kind of defense is this?

Is Maverick wearing a chastity belt?

After a wave of attacks, not to mention the audience, even Holt and Popovich had dark faces. Fortunately, this was the home court of the Spurs, and the on-site director did not focus the camera on these two people, but if the Mavericks General manager Toby was present, and he still had this look on his face. I believe the director would not let go of this opportunity to ridicule.

Be patient and keep reading!

…

The offense and defense changed sides and returned to the Mavericks offense.

Kidd advanced with the ball and handed it to Li Shengli in the high position, and Li Shengli's shoulder injury did exist. In the past, if he couldn't make a mid-range shot, he could only use his feet to block Robinson's push back, and seize the gap to squeeze in. .

To be honest, if the opponent was not Robinson...

Li Shengli's terrifying lower body strength can even knock his opponent to the ground. In this era where the inside is full of madmen and tough guys, it would be a fool's errand to not be stepped on if he falls in the penalty area. Te will definitely run up and step on him to show his toughness.

At this time, Robinson looked very embarrassed. Charles sensed that his boss was in trouble and immediately came to his aid.

However... as soon as he approached, Li Shengli stood up and passed the ball to Garnett. The Spurs' other three players couldn't prevent Garnett's jump shot, so Charles had to return exhausted.

Charles is back?

Garnett carried the ball to one side and passed it to Li Shengli. Li Shengli continued to push Robinson, and Charles's face turned yellow. When he turned around again, the ball was passed quickly again, but the difference was that...

Garnett's shot from the high post, with a fatal shot height, made this offense too comfortable. The more he played, the happier he became. He had no control over his words, and his trash talk was like a machine gun shooting at the Spurs.

…

One offense and one defense?

Two losses are not enough to explain the problem, but the key is that Holt and Popovich watched a few rounds. As long as it was an inside confrontation, Robinson was okay, but Charles was simply being played between the crotch of Garnett, and he was exhausted. Not to mention, the life is almost gone, and the defensive effect has not yet appeared.

"Damn, this waste!" Holt's whispered curse was really not in line with his identity, but Popovich heard it clearly.

"You can't blame Charles. This Garnett is different from the traditional four position. He... is too flexible!"

"Okay, I don't need to hear any explanation. Greg, you have to know that I am not a philanthropist. The player's data and performance are related to the team's performance, and the team's performance is related to how much money I make. These people have far more money than Shouldn't I see the value of ordinary people's wages?" Holt was so angry that he had a headache.

"You are right, so...it also proves that what I just told you is also right."

"Everything is correct, so who is wrong? That's enough, don't beat around the bush with me!"

"Duncan, I mean Duncan, you can see that our inside line is not as strong as expected, so we must get Duncan. The premise of how much we gain depends on how much we pay, and next season... is when we should pay. .”

"Damn, let's talk about this later, I have to leave."

"Leave? Don't you want to watch?" Popovich pulled Holt, "Holt, don't be like this, your and my identities are different from others. The consequences of leaving early... you should know those How the media will write about tonight.”

"Oops!" Holt couldn't vent anymore. He clenched his fists and cursed, but he still got up.

"You still want to leave?"

"Can I ride to the bathroom?"

"Then...then you'd better smile!"

"Damn it, you're still making me laugh after being beaten like this?" Holt was furious, "Listen, listen to what this Garnett is scolding, I've never seen such a person before!

"Greg, go, tell Hill, even if you lose this game, you have to suppress this annoying Garnett... No, damn, destroy him!"