warrior godfather

Chapter 289 Let go of a series
In the second quarter, both teams switched to a connecting lineup. The Warriors had Jeremy Lin, Klay, Kirilenko, Yi Jianlian and Big Z, while the Grizzlies had two main players, Gasol and OJ Mayo. Battier, Darrell Arthur and Greivis Vasquez.

Mike Breen looked at the lineups of both sides and said:

"The Grizzlies used the same eight-man rotation as in the first round. Vasquez should only be on the top for a few minutes in the second quarter, while the Warriors still adopted a long rotation. Coach Z has sent 10 players. Just wondering if Danny Green will play again in the second half."

The transition period was not as slow as the first quarter. Gasol tried a few low-post attacks when he came up, but Zhang Yu knew that he would be the core of the Grizzlies' offense in the transition period, so he set up a net for him, and the big Z topped Defense, Kirilen Science and Technology Association defends against pincers, and others are ready to shrink the frame at any time. They would rather give the Grizzlies other players open three-pointers, but also guard the penalty area tightly.

Gasol could only split the ball several times in singles, and the effect was not good. He simply came to the high position to support him, and made two mid-range shots from time to time. The Warriors also resumed their single defense against him.

The primary purpose of the Warriors' defense is to keep the Grizzlies' twin towers away from the low post area. As long as they leave the low post, the offensive threats of Gasol Jr. and Randolph will plummet, and there is nothing to fear.

However, when the Grizzlies' offense was blocked, the Warriors' offense was also in trouble. Except for Clay and Yi Jianlian, everyone else couldn't open up space, and Clay would only play without the ball, and Yi Jianlian's three-pointers were also half-baked.

The Grizzlies also adopted a shrinking defensive strategy, which just took advantage of Gasol's defensive advantages. It was difficult for Jeremy Lin to hit the basket through the pick-and-roll.

The two sides played very lively, but the speed of the score increase was not fast. When the two teams returned to the field as starters, the score was 38:37. The Grizzlies relied on the advantage of Gasol to overtake by one point. .

However, the Warriors quickly stabilized the situation by relying on Curry's return. As soon as he came on the court, he sent an empty catch to Chandler through the pick-and-roll, and the scores of the two sides staggered.

The reason Curry didn't attack himself was because the Grizzlies changed their defensive strategy against him.

After a quarter of trials, Hollins did not dare to let Curry continue to attack. When he was picking and rolling, he double-teamed him, and Curry could only throw the ball to Chandler who was running down.

The Grizzlies' follow-up help defense was quick, but Chandler's footsteps were faster. After receiving the ball, he took advantage of the momentum and dunked before Randolph and Battier's follow-up help defense was in place, but the two were only slightly behind. One step slower.

Looking back, the Grizzlies' offense still relies on Randolph's low-post attack and Gasol's high-post handoff. Although these usual tactics are the focus of the Warriors, the Grizzlies lack offensive resources, and the offensive end can only Relying on the twin towers is, at most, trying to do the details well and pursuing the success rate.

After Curry was double-teamed twice, Zhang Yu simply asked him to hand over the ball, and Butler held the ball to attack. Green also started to deal cards, and the Warriors played pass and cut.

Although the pace of the game against the Grizzlies was slow, the confrontation was fierce. With Curry's physical fitness at this time, he could not fill the whole court alone. Zhang Yu just took this opportunity to let him paddle.

As a result, the two teams fought each other on offense. The Grizzlies' inside offense hit the Warriors' strongest shield, and the success rate was not high. Green and Chandler gradually adapted to the Grizzlies' offense, frequently switching positions and flanking each other. With a very tacit understanding, Randolph and Gasol Jr. played very uncomfortable, and the Grizzlies' outside opportunities are gradually decreasing.

And when the Warriors' main attacker is not Curry, their offense becomes indescribable. Butler's efficiency in singles against Battier is very average. There are not too many openings, and most of them are strong three-pointers.

The rest of the second quarter passed in a relatively dull and slow rhythm. After the first half, the score became 49:50, and the Warriors led by 1 point.

During the halftime break, Zhang Yu had nothing to say about defense. The Warriors had no problems defensively. There was no need to make any adjustments in the second half. The Grizzlies had no other offensive resources. Just need to guard Randolph and Gasol Jr.

On the offensive end, Zhang Yu is facing the same dilemma as Hollins, that is, the main offensive resources are lacking, and Curry has only one ball-holding point.

The Grizzlies are different from the Thunder. Facing the Thunder's loose defense, Butler's singles, Jeremy Lin's pick-and-rolls and Green's passing and cutting can all play a big role. They can share part of the ball possession and Curry's pressure on the offensive end. .

But the Grizzlies' defensive discipline is very strong, the rotation is fast, and the confrontation given to the Warriors is also very tough. The referee's scale is also looser than in the regular season. Attacking with the ball, the Warriors' other offensive methods did not have much effect.

So there is only one adjustment made by Zhang Yu, and that is to let Curry start the attack mode.

After the start of the third quarter, Curry changed his paddling mode in the second half of the second quarter. He first played a pick-and-roll with Chandler and Green, and the Grizzlies resolutely double-teamed.

Subsequently, Zhang Yu no longer let Curry play pick-and-roll with the inside, but pick-and-roll with Clay, singles OJ Mayo.

The Grizzlies didn't double-team Curry again. Hollins was more at ease with OJ Mayo's defense. What he was afraid of was Curry's small play, but OJ Mayo declined rapidly this season, and his offense and defense were not as good as before. , Curry succeeded in consecutive singles, and the Warriors quickly opened the point difference to about 5 points.

Hollins immediately called a timeout adjustment, allowing OJ Mayo to return to his position after a strong delay to avoid Curry's roll call.

This trick really worked. Although this strategy of not changing defenses would allow Clay to have a short-term open space, he has not yet developed the ability to shoot quickly, and he cannot seize this fleeting opportunity. It was too late to make a shot, so I could only watch Conley switch back to Curry.

After Curry tried two rounds, he failed to switch OJ Mayo in front of him. In the end, he could only hastily throw a three-pointer, which ended in a strike.

Mike Brin said:

"The Warriors' offense seems to have encountered a problem. Their scoring has stagnated, and they are only 1 point away from being chased by the Grizzlies."

Van Gundy nodded and said:

"Yes, Hollins gave Curry the treatment of a superstar, and he was not allowed to easily target the weakness of the Grizzlies' defense through the pick-and-roll. Coach Z needs to use other methods to let Curry find the wrong position."

On the sidelines, Zhang Yu, who was pointed by Van Gundy, did not show any impatience. Instead, he smiled and shouted at Curry:
"Stephen!"

Curry, who received Butler's serve, looked this way after hearing the words. Zhang Yu raised his right hand and patted the top of his head. Curry looked carefully twice and nodded.

The smile on Zhang Yu's face became more intense, and he sat back in his seat.

After Curry dribbled the ball for half the court, Clay wanted to come up to cover him, but Curry waved his hand at him, raised his right hand, and raised his index finger. After the other Warriors players saw it, their eyes were all terrified. They all started running.

At this time, Curry was standing outside the 45-degree three-point line on the right side. Clay, who was on the same side as him, ran diagonally outside the 45-degree three-point line on the weak side. Butler was in the left bottom corner. Green , Chandler are on the left and right sides of the penalty area, entangled with Randolph and Gasol Jr., leaving all the space on the strong side to Curry and Conley.

Conley glanced to the left and right, and immediately realized that Curry was going to single him, lowered his center of gravity, and kept his eyes on Curry's movements, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

After his teammates pulled away, Curry began to dribble. He first dribbled the ball under the crotch + changed direction in front of his body, and with the shaking of his shoulders, he slowly stepped forward. Conley had to step back in small steps to seal the Blocking his breakthrough route, at this moment, Curry suddenly dribbled the ball with a backhand, making a gesture to break through from the right side. Conley's center of gravity shifted to that side in a hurry, but Curry immediately dribbled the ball behind his back, leaning backward to the left. Take a step, raise your hand and shoot a three-pointer.

His movements are flowing like clouds and flowing water, with a light rhythm and extremely fast shooting speed. Conley's reaction is a little slower, and he can't interfere with his shooting. Spinning rapidly, it drew a gentle arc and fell into the net.

At 63:59, the Warriors re-extended their lead to 4 points.

"It`s good! Curry succeeded in singles against Conley. This is his fourth singles success in front of a Grizzlies player after Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, and OJ Mayo!" Mike Breen loudly road.

On the sidelines, Zhang Yu smiled and clapped. Feeling the excitement of the auditorium behind him, he gently lifted his left leg and placed it on top of his right leg. He leaned back and adjusted into a comfortable posture.

He let Curry play the pick-and-roll all the time, not because Curry has no singles ability, but because he wants to let him find easier misplacement opportunities.

Since Hollins won't let Curry find a wrong position, he simply won't play the pick-and-roll.

Conley is smaller, unlike big players, who will be easily thrown away by Curry. Curry needs to do more moves in singles, and his physical energy consumption will increase a lot, but that's all.

After Zhang Yu intercepted Tony Allen, no one in the Grizzlies could limit Curry.

Round conversion, the Grizzlies attack, Randolph stormed from the low post, Chandler came up to double-team, Randolph passed inside and gave Gasol Jr., who made a mid-range shot.

63: 61.

Looking back, Curry approached Conley again, and the others all dispersed, clearing the strong side, leaving him enough room for heads-up.

Conley has a deep memory of Curry's step-back three-pointer just now. This time when defending Curry, he took a small step forward to cover his shooting space.

Curry glanced down, saw Conley's movement, squinted his eyes, first made a slow change of direction, and then suddenly made a crossover movement, rushing into the three-point line from Conley's left side.

Conley blocked it urgently, but it was too late. He was too close to leave room for reaction, and was passed by Curry in one step.

Curry broke through to the inside, and Green stuck Marc Gasol behind him tightly, delaying his speed to defend Curry. Curry stopped and started quickly, stuck behind Conley, and then stepped forward, riding a horse and shooting an arrow, Easy toss the ball in.

65: 61.

After the ball was scored, Curry retreated back to the backcourt with a smile, but Conley was frustrated by being swayed by Curry and made a three-pointer, and was easily broken by Curry. He spread his hands and looked helplessly to the sidelines.

Seeing Curry scoring consecutively, Hollins was also a little annoyed, but Conley was the most suitable guard in the Grizzlies to defend Curry. He had no one to replace him, so he could only clap his hands at Conley and said loudly:

"It's okay Mike, you're doing a great job, play defense!"

Seeing that the head coach didn't blame him at all, Conley felt relieved and returned to the game, while Hollins sighed softly and turned to look at the Warriors' bench on the other side of the technical table.

He racked his brains on how to defend Curry, but it still didn't have much effect, and the Warriors have defensive champion Tony Allen, but Coach Z only let him play as a substitute.

His eyes moved, and he saw Kirilenko sitting on the Warriors' bench, and his eyes were even hotter. If these two were in the Grizzlies, he could create the strongest defensive lineup that would make the entire league terrified!
But soon, Hollins' mind faltered in the fourth quarter.

For the rest of the third quarter, the two teams continued to stage a defensive battle. Conley couldn't defend against Curry's singles, but his defense was above the league average after all, which could still reduce Curry's efficiency, and the Grizzlies didn't have to. To put it bluntly, their offense has never been anything but efficient.

After three quarters, the Warriors entered the fourth quarter with an 80:74 lead of 6 points. Curry scored 14 points in a single quarter. This is also the largest lead the Warriors have achieved after the opening 3 minutes.

During the break between festivals, Zhang Yu asked Curry:

"Stephen, are you tired?"

Curry's panting sound was slightly rapid, and the surface of his skin was covered with dense beads of sweat, but his eyes were extraordinarily bright, and he said:

"Boss, I'm not tired, I feel in good shape."

Zhang Yu said:

"Okay, you may have to play early later, get ready!"

Curry said excitedly:
"No problem, boss!"

Zhang Yu nodded slightly. He could see that Curry was in a very excited state. A large number of singles allowed Curry to completely enter his own rhythm, and also inspired his competitive spirit. He might even feel Not physically exhausted, I just want to kill the Grizzlies with my own hands and win this game.

After the start of the fourth quarter, the connecting lineup appeared, but unlike the second quarter, Zhang Yu changed the rotation.

The Warriors are Klay, Jeremy Lin, Big Z, Kirilenko and Butler. Among them, Jeremy Lin must be a backup point guard, but Yi Jianlian did not play again. With his current offensive ability, he is very difficult in front of the Grizzlies' defense. Difficult to score, it only has the effect of opening up the space, and the certainty of the open three-pointer is not high. It is better to go to Kirilenko to improve the defense.

And the Grizzlies' eight-man rotation is indispensable, Hollins has no room for adjustment, and can only hope that Gasol can lead the team to recover some points.

But after Kirilenko came on the court, the Warriors' shrinking defense intensified. The Grizzlies' already inefficient offense was even more difficult to produce. It was difficult for them to hit the inside and it was difficult for them to grab a second rebound. But he obviously can't move in the playoffs.

After 3 minutes, although the Warriors' scoring efficiency was also very low, the Grizzlies were even lower. Only 3 points were scored. The score came to 87:77. The Warriors extended their lead to 10 points. Hollins had to call a timeout and start The lineup is back.

He knows that the rest time for the main force is not enough, but he can't sit back and watch the situation continue to deteriorate, so he can only go to the main force to chase points in advance.

But Zhang Yu didn't give him the opportunity of Tian Ji's horse race. He also took advantage of this timeout to switch back to the main lineup, pushing the race to the final stage ahead of schedule.

After Hollins saw Zhang Yu's adjustment, his face suddenly became very ugly, because Zhang Yu was not put in the starting lineup intact. Lineup - Curry, Butler, Kirilenko, Green and Chandler.

This is a stronger defensive lineup than the Grizzlies he expected.

Van Gundy was also very surprised after seeing this lineup:
"Coach Z has deployed a near-perfect defensive lineup. Except for Curry, the other four Warriors are all over two meters tall. Both single defense and co-defense are at the top level, and the protection of the penalty area is even more impeccable. It's hard to imagine what the Grizzlies have to do to break through the Warriors' defense."

On the field, Randolph and Gasol also deeply felt the opponent's malice, but if the Grizzlies want to win, they must face the difficulties.

After returning from the timeout, the Grizzlies had the ball. Randolph came to the low post, took a deep breath, reached out for the ball, and started low post singles.

After receiving the pass from Conley, he pushed back hard, trying to resolve the battle before the Warriors pinched, but Kirilenko, like a long-legged spider, pounced on Randolph the moment he received the ball. Forced him to play the ball.

Battier, who received the ball, hadn't figured out what to do next, Kirilenko pounced back again, and blocked him with his long arms.

He didn't play much in the first half, he has plenty of energy and a very fast rotation speed.

Afterwards, the Grizzlies did not find a chance for several passes. The Warriors lineup has both height, strength, and rotation speed. Even Curry, the weakest link, is also defensively aware and cooperates with his teammates tacitly.
The Warriors team formed a large chain net with the ball holder as the fulcrum. It is flexible and hard, and can quickly bounce back after contracting. The pressure on the ball is extremely strong, locking every attack of the Grizzlies.

In the end, OJ Mayo missed a strong three-point shot from the outside. The Grizzlies wanted to grab the offensive rebounds as they did in the first three quarters, but found that they were surrounded by long arms. The ape arm was pulled off from the top of Randolph's head.

The Warriors immediately counterattacked, and Butler drove straight in, dunking the basketball with both hands.

At 89:77, the Warriors extended their lead to 12 points.

Next, Hollins' face became more serious. Although the Warriors no longer had an easy chance to counterattack after the Grizzlies deliberately accelerated their defense, the Warriors' impregnable defense made the Grizzlies completely helpless.

Randolph ate two big blocks in a row and couldn't score at all. Only Gasol stumbled and made a mid-range shot, and Sam Young and OJ Mayo took advantage of the Warriors' defensive communication mistakes to make two shots. Open three-pointers, but these sporadic scores can't alleviate the Grizzlies' deteriorating situation.

Although the intensification of physical consumption has reduced the stability of Curry's long-range shots, his three-point shooting percentage has remained at around [-]%. Li was still able to steadily score points on Conley's head.

Gradually, time passed and the game drew to a close. The Grizzlies still couldn't narrow the point difference, and Curry would also miss three consecutive shots. However, the Warriors' strong defense could keep the Grizzlies from scoring. Naturally, I can't catch up with the points.

In the end, the Warriors won the game 104:97, leading the Grizzlies 1:0 in the series.

After the red light came on, Mike Breen quipped:
"Although the Warriors won, I must say that this was a dull game. Coach Z went further and further on the road of pursuing defense. The Grizzlies' game rhythm was very slow. Now the Warriors It's starting to look like they're getting closer, and all the rest of this series may be as boring as today's game."

Van Gundy asserted:
"After this game, I think the series can also be concluded."

"It's only played one game now, so it's too early to say?" Mike Brin looked at Van Gundy curiously.

Van Gundy explained:

"The Grizzlies already have an eight-man rotation, and the lineup has no potential to be tapped. The various offensive methods that worked for the Warriors when facing the Thunder all failed in front of the Grizzlies. Only Curry could score stably. Coach Z directly laid it out in the fourth quarter The same one-star four-defense lineup as in the previous round was produced, except that Tony Allen was replaced by Kirilenko, and there should be no other tricks to use. So I judge that this round of the series will maintain today’s tone, Every game will be a defensive battle, and the Grizzlies' twin towers can't break through the Warriors' defense inside, but Curry has no one to contain, so the Warriors will win the final victory."

He paused, and said with a slight sigh:
"Coach Z took advantage of the Warriors' lineup. Since the Warriors only have Curry as a stable ball-holding point, but have many defensive champions, he put on the ultimate defensive lineup to bring the Grizzlies' offense to the same level as the Warriors. Even lower level, and then use the advantage of high star level to beat the Grizzlies. This is the gap in hard power between the two teams. Unless Hollins can find a way to break the Warriors' defense or guard Curry, the Grizzlies will be the most Win one or two games, and you'll still lose to the Warriors in the end."

"Jeff, what would you do if you were Hollins?" Mike Breen asked.

Van Gundy thought for a while, then slowly shook his head and said:

"No, I can't think of any way... The biggest advantage of the Grizzlies is the twin towers. Both offense and defense rely on the twin towers as the axis. This is also the biggest reason why they were able to black eight in the last round. The tower has become a disadvantage-Curry is best at playing small and big, and no one outside the Grizzlies can limit Curry."

"In this game, Curry scored 42 points, 38 assists and 5 rebounds in 2 minutes. Although he took 30 shots and the efficiency was not high, in this kind of defensive battle, hard solutions are the most important. , and Curry provided a hard solution for the Warriors, which is enough, no matter how low the efficiency is. I believe that if you let go of a series, Curry will transform into a real superstar!"

(End of this chapter)