The best teammates in the NBA

Chapter 124 Small Defects of the Lakers Twin Towers (7000 word chapter)
Although the Thunder scored 28 points in the first quarter, Coach Brooks was not satisfied with the second half of the game. His tactics were too rigid. Of course, this was also because Li Ze was restricted by Kobe's defense.

In fact, the number of core tactics for each team in the NBA is not too much. After more than 20 game adjustments and experiments, the Thunder coaching staff designed 5 sets of core tactics for the team.

To be precise, it is to design tactics for Li Ze and Durant.

After Turtle joined the team last season, head coach Brooks wanted Turtle to play the role of tactical initiator and ball control in the offense, but after playing for one season, the effect was very poor.

After constant trials this season, the coaching staff determined the tactics for Guigui to be singles in the elbow area after a high pick-and-roll, breaking through and splitting the ball, and switching offenses.

At the beginning of the first quarter, it was to beat Fisher. Turtle succeeded in attacking continuously. After the Lakers made substitutions and adjustments, the starting points of the offense became Li Ze and Durant.

One of the most frequently used tactics is that Li Ze opened up space in the left corner, Durant first made a cover for Jeff Green in the penalty area, and Jeff Green quickly ran to the bottom corner.

At the same time, Krstic made an off-ball screen for Durant's outside ball at the free throw line. After the tactics were completed, Turtle could easily pass the ball to Durant who came out of the screen.

Although Durant's ability to dominate the ball is a bit poor, his finishing ability is absolutely nothing to say.

Whether it's a Shunbu breakthrough after catching the ball, or an emergency stop jumper on the move, you can easily score points, and if it doesn't work, it can still cause damage.

This is how Artest was beaten by Durant, but after a few rounds, the Lakers also reacted. Bynum strengthened the retraction defense, trying not to give to the basket, so that Durant made an emergency stop jumper .

This trick really worked. At this time, the tactics should have changed, and Li Zelai started with the ball, but the embarrassing thing was that facing Kobe's strict defense, there was a problem with the cover and receiving the ball.

Kobe's defensive aggression is too strong, there are a lot of small moves, and he is also very quick to squeeze the screen. This has caused Li Ze to be unable to easily catch the ball with his teammates' screens, and it is extremely difficult to break through every time he catches the ball.

There was a problem with the starting point of the offense, and there were more singles in the second half of the first quarter. Fortunately, everyone had a relatively high shooting percentage at the beginning of the game.

Every time he meets a playoff team, Coach Brooks shortens his rotation, and this game is no exception. He kept Li Ze and Jeff Green in the starting lineup and replaced him with Livingston, Sefolosha and Ibaka.

At the same time, he took out the tactical board and kept telling his teammates:
"Kayce, play more double-screen tactics. After you play, you can master it yourself. We need to clear the paint. Green, Ibaka, pay attention to the quality of the screen. Everyone must open up the offensive space."

Coach Brooks doesn't mention defense at all. This 5-small lineup is just offense. It will certainly not be able to defend against the Lakers' low attack, but as long as they can score and respond, this game will be worth playing.

The last time we played against each other, the small lineup collapsed. This time, the head coach Brooks still did not give up, and the fifth small team continued to play.

In the CCTV studio, the hosts Yu Jia and Director Zhang couldn't help but be taken aback when they saw that the Thunder had sent out another five small lineups.

"The Thunder didn't have a center in the lineup in the second quarter. Collison didn't play, and rookie Ibaka went directly, so it would be difficult for them to defend against the Lakers' low-post offense."

The host Yu Jia is not very optimistic about the Thunder's lineup adjustment.

"Indeed, the Lakers have always maintained a high level on the court. Bynum and Odom are both on the outside. Vujacic and Shannon Brown are on the outside. Artest also goes directly. It depends on the offense of the Thunder. .”

"The last time I played against each other, I remember that the Thunder team was also five small players. They were defeated by the Lakers in the low post, and they couldn't make shots on the offensive end. Let's see how it works this time."

This kind of purely small lineup is not common. Director Zhang is very curious about how the Thunder's offense should be played.

In the second quarter, the Thunder team took the lead in attacking. Just after Livingston dribbled halftime, Li Ze immediately made an offensive gesture to his teammates and ran to the right corner outside the three-point line.

At the same time, Sefolosha also ran to the left corner. Livingston was 45 degrees to the left outside the three-point line. At this time, he pretended to play a pick-and-roll tactic. Walk.

At this time, Li Ze also started to move, running towards the top of the arc of the three-point line. Jeff Green first helped Li Ze block Artest, and then Ibaka's second screen successfully let Li Ze. The top of the arc catches the ball easily.

Livingston passed the ball very comfortably. After receiving the ball, Li Ze did not hesitate to shoot a jumper directly from outside the three-point line.

"Shua" three-pointer hollow into the net.

After scoring the goal, Li Ze immediately applauded to celebrate, and at the same time gave his teammates a thumbs up. The quality of the double screen this time is very good.

"Scored a three-pointer! The Thunder's tactic ran beautifully. At first I thought it was going to be a pick-and-roll again, but I didn't expect to give Li Ze a double screen."

The host Yu Jia praised the Thunder's offensive tactics.

"It's interesting. Bynum's defense of the Lakers didn't improve much at all. After Li Ze's two screens, there was no one to defend."

Director Zhang briefly analyzed the reasons for the Thunder's tactical success after seeing Li Ze make a three-pointer.

The offense of the Lakers is a bit rough and simple. The outside line is strictly guarded by the Thunder, and the ball is immediately given to Bynum in the low post. Facing Ibaka's top defense, he approaches the basket with two hits, turns around and hooks scored.

As a player who aspires to become an All-Star center in the Western Conference, Bynum still has some low-post skills.

These days, if you want to be an All-Star insider, you can't just eat cakes, which is why Warcraft Howard is obsessed with low-post offense.

Seeing the Lakers score in the low post, the Thunder have nothing to worry about on the field, and the defense depends on the sky. This is already a consensus of everyone.
The Thunder team attacked, and a few people on the perimeter first passed a few simple passes. Li Ze noticed that Bynum's defense was still wandering back and forth near the three-second zone. He first gave Jeff Green a look, and then compared Livingston. Make a tactical gesture.

Ibaka was still near the free throw line. At this time, Jeff Green suddenly ran in from outside the three-point line. Li Ze hung up a screen for Jeff Green in the three-second area of ​​​​the basket, and immediately popped out.

Ibaka's cover at the free throw line slowed Artest's pursuit by half a beat, so when Li Ze received the ball and made a breakthrough, Artest was already stuck halfway and could only Side defense.

Bynum saw that Li Ze had already rushed to the penalty area, and immediately shrank to the basket, but Li Ze had been observing the Lakers' defense. Seeing the opponent's movement, Li Ze hit the ground behind his left hand and passed the ball to find Ibaka.

After the latter received the ball, he made a mid-range jumper from the free throw line.

"Shua" two-pointer hit steadily.

The same tactic, if Durant comes to play, there is a high probability that the ball will be an emergency stop jump shot or a layup to cause damage. After all, Durant has to pay attention to protecting the ball, and Artest's defense is also very oppressive.

But Li Ze doesn't have this trouble. The balanced left and right hands and the [Ball Protector Master] badge bonus allow him to control the ball with ease. As long as the quality of the front cover is improved, the tactics can be easily played.

In the next 3 minutes or so, the Thunder's offense was completely driven by Li Ze. Ibaka's offensive end did not go to the basket at all, but just covered near the free throw line. The Thunder completely cleared the paint.

Li Ze did not attack continuously, but created more opportunities for his teammates through his own attractiveness. After covering, he came out to catch the ball. As long as he observed the Lakers' defense coming to help defend, he immediately distributed the ball directly.

Both Sefoloza and Jeff Green easily ate the pie. The Thunder's strategy worked. The Lakers did a good job of defending the pick-and-roll. After all, they are the defending champions, and their basic defense is online.

But after the big man is pulled out, there will be some problems in the anti-continuous screen.

At 8 minutes and 25 seconds of the second quarter, coach Phil Jackson requested a timeout. The Thunder came up and played a wave of 9-4. The Lakers were obviously a little impatient, and the offensive rhythm was not right.

Coach Brooks clenched his fist secretly, that's it, this is the attack he wanted to see, and he looked at Li Ze with more and more satisfaction.

Don't look at Durant flicking the towel on the sidelines, jumping up and down, smiling, but the sense of crisis in his heart emerged again:

"With the same tactics, I can't play better. Even in many rounds, I can't pass the ball like Kayce, and the tactical status will catch up with me?"

Coach Brooks doesn't know Durant's small thoughts, at this time he just wants to pursue the victory:
"Guys, keep our offense going, Kayce, when Kobe comes on, you're going to play some crosscuts, use Green and Ibaka screens, go from strong side to weak side, Kevin, you're going to be in the two corners more Activity."

"Russell, when Kayce gets rid of the defense, pay attention to the defensive positioning of the Lakers players, and move the ball quickly!"

"We want to tear down the twin towers of the Lakers. Remember, keep the offensive space, and shoot the three-pointer resolutely. Kayce, master the offensive rhythm!"

Li Ze immediately nodded to indicate that he understood. Durant felt uncomfortable when he heard it, because in this tactic, Li Ze became the core of the tactic, and he used to control the ball more.

After returning from the timeout, the Lakers took all the main players, the Thunder kept Ibaka, Turtle and Durant appeared again, whether they can take the lead at halftime depends on the remaining 8 minutes.

The Lakers came back from a timeout and immediately played a high-low coordination. Gasol came to the low post, received a pass from Bynum, and easily hit the basket with a back hook shot.

Jeff Green served from the bottom line, and the tortoise slowly dribbled across the half court. At this time, the Thunder's offensive positioning was very interesting, clearing one side.

Durant is in the corner on the right side of the three-point line, Li Ze is at 45 degrees on the right side of the three-point line, Ibaka is in the elbow area on the right side of the free throw line, and when Jeff Green comes to the elbow area on the left side of the free throw line After settling, Li Ze pushed away Kobe on the defensive end and started instantly.

Moving from the right side of the three-point line to the left, the two elbow screens helped him get rid of Kobe's entanglement easily, and came to the left 45 degrees outside the three-point line, and the tortoise's pass also arrived.

After receiving the ball, Li Ze didn't adjust, and shot quickly from outside the three-point line.

"Shua" three-pointer hit steadily.

"The Thunder team's tactics are interesting. In the second quarter, most of the arrangements for Li Ze were double screens, just to get rid of the defense. As long as he can easily catch the ball, the rest is up to Li Ze, who will immediately drive the offense. .”

Director Zhang was happy to see it, but he didn't expect that the Thunder did play some new tactics.

"The core idea of ​​several tactics is to play misplaced. As long as the two big men of the Lakers follow the delay, Li Ze can play misplaced and create opportunities for his teammates."

The host Yu Jia once again praised Li Ze's ability to handle the ball.

Coach Brooks was so excited watching from the sidelines, he had to play like this, the twin towers were useless, Li Ze could shoot, shoot, and pass from the outside, and punish the opponent's big man if he misplaced.

In the first quarter, Durant was short of controlling the ball, otherwise the offense would have been smoother. After changing the core, the effect was immediate.

Phil Jackson was no longer leaning back tactically at this time. After getting up, he immediately signaled his big players to delay immediately, and couldn't let the Thunder attack so easily.

The Lakers' offense is no problem, Kobe and Gasol's pick-and-roll, easily penetrated the Thunder's defense, Gasol's mid-range jumper from the free throw line, Jeff Green really can't defend.

But Gasol looked back and was punished by Li Ze on the defensive end.

It was still a crosscut after the double screen, but this time Gasol went up quickly, and the defensive rotation immediately turned in front of Li Ze, letting Li Ze take half a step, and at the same time raised his left hand high to interfere with the jump shot.

Li Ze received the ball, made three threats, pretended to break through to the left, quickly released the ball, and immediately changed direction under his crotch. This change of direction forced Gasol to change his defensive focus.

Immediately afterwards, there was another cross-step dribble and pull back. Gasol wanted to block again, but it was too late. He could only watch Li Ze retreat and shoot a three-point jumper.

"Shua" three-pointer hollow into the net.

"Shhh!!"

After the goal was scored, the originally silent Staples Center immediately booed Li Ze. Lakers fans don't want to see Li Ze continue to show off at home.
"Go in again with a three-pointer! Li Ze's ability to control movement is too good, just two simple shakes, and Gasol was shaken away!"

The host Yu Jia excitedly raised his commentary volume.

"It's mainly the rhythm and the range of motion. Gasol was worried that he would be passed by with one step, so he had to give Li Ze some distance in defense, but he was still staggered. Li Ze dribbled the ball with a large range and a good rhythm. The boy played really well! "

Director Zhang was delighted to see Li Ze's outstanding performance. It doesn't matter whether he wins or loses this game, it's enjoyable to watch.

In the remaining few minutes of the second quarter, the two sides came and went. Although the Thunder was constantly rushed by the opponent's offensive rebounds, resulting in the transition attack being unable to play, but the positional battle relied on Li Ze's continuous connection, still maintained With a 5-point lead.

Durant was in a tangled mood at this time. Although he had become the second choice for offense, he found it easier for him to score. Whether it was off-ball control or Li Ze's breakthrough, it always made him easy to eat. .

With more than two minutes left in the second quarter, coach Phil Jackson replaced Bynum and took Odom to strengthen the rotation speed of the defense.

Afterwards, the two teams began to fight frequently, and their physical energy continued to be exhausted. Naturally, the shooting rate began to slowly decline. In the last few rounds, the Thunder changed another offensive routine.

Li Ze dribbled the ball across half court, Turtle and Jeff Green sank to the two bottom corners, Ibaka came over first at the elbow of the free throw line and played a pick-and-roll screen for Li Ze, at this time Durant feinted at the free throw line Cut inward.

When Li Ze broke through with his left hand, Ibaka went over to cover Durant and let Durant bounce to catch the ball. When the ball arrived, Durant did not hesitate after receiving the pass from Li Ze. Jump shot from outside the three-point line.

"Bang" hit an iron with anger.

"Fake! This is not allowed!"

Durant cursed angrily, this opportunity is too good, no one is defending, and he is determined again.

The long rebound was protected by Odom, he pushed up to switch offense, and found Kobe with a pass. The latter received the ball and accelerated directly. Relying on Li Ze's defense, he rushed to the basket. special.

After the latter received the ball, he made a chic shot from outside the three-point line.

"Bang" is also iron.

Artest was raising his hands to celebrate, but at this time he could only wave his fist embarrassingly to express his annoyance.

After the long rebound was accepted by Jeff Green, he immediately made a pass to find Turtle. The latter caught the ball, accelerated in a straight line, and rushed to the opponent's penalty area, ignoring Gasol under the basket. Pick the basket successfully.

"what!!"

After scoring, Guigui slapped his chest angrily. This was the Thunder's first conversion attack, and he held back for most of the game.
Kobe's face was gloomy. The ball was his problem. He should attack the basket directly. Passing the ball was a wrong choice.

With 38 seconds left in the second quarter, the two sides still had a final attack. The Lakers pressed the attack time to about 10 seconds and handed the ball to Kobe in the low post.

Facing Li Ze's defense, after three threats, his right hand quickly released the ball, his crotch changed direction, and he dribbled two steps towards the baseline with his left hand, pretending to break through the baseline, then suddenly twisted his body, and dribbled up the line with his right hand step.

Seeing that Kobe was on the edge of the baseline paint again, Li Ze suddenly felt bad, and then he saw Kobe pulled back with his right hand, quickly combined with the ball, and shot a fadeaway jumper.

"Shua" scored two points easily.

"Oh ah!!"

In the Staples Arena, the audience immediately cheered for Kobe's fadeaway jumper. Los Angeles fans just like watching Kobe's singles, it's so picturesque!
While serving the ball, Li Ze caught up with Kobe, who was back on defense, and whispered:

"The paint area near the baseline must be your shooting hotspot. Every time you catch the ball in the low post, you always like to get close to the paint area near the baseline. I will guard you in the second half."

"Yeah, you figured it out, but you can't stop me, I'm still going to hit shots there in the second half, you lack aggressiveness in the card position, come on, rookie!"

Kobe graciously admitted, and by the way, put an X on his face calmly.

On the final attack of the Thunder, Li Ze was entangled by Kobe again and couldn't catch the ball. Turtle saw that there was not much time left. After Ibaka's high pick-and-roll, he made a three-pointer one step ahead and made an emergency stop jump shot.

"Shua" hit the buzzer and scored two points.

At halftime, 61 to 54, the Thunder entered the second half with a 7-point lead on the road.

During the intermission, Coach Brooks directly compared pictures on the tactical board and began to explain the tactical arrangements for the second half to the players:
"The Lakers may take the twin-tower lineup again in the third quarter. If Bynum and Gasol are here, pay attention, guys, we must continue to clear the paint and make good screens."

"Of course, if Phil Jackson makes adjustments, he will deploy a lineup of one team and four teams. At this time, we must speed up the offensive rhythm. The opponent's shooting percentage has begun to decline. We must seize the opportunity to switch offenses."

"Kayce, if the opponent is a big and four small lineup, you have to stand two more corners and pull Kobe out. Russell, at this time, you have to play more pick-and-rolls at the 5th position."

"Kevin, you have to play smarter. When Krstic is on the court, you have to make good use of his off-ball screens to gain better shot space for yourself and make decisive shots."

"On the offensive end, this is all. On the defensive end, on the low post defense, the defenders on the line can appropriately increase some interference or double-teaming. You have to communicate on the field and don't be afraid of fouls. We controlled the number of fouls very well in the first half. "

"We lead by 7 points. In the third quarter, we played tougher. In this game, we will win the final victory."

Head coach Brooks was already on the upswing at this time, and the bottom-of-the-box tactics were also brought out, bowl after bowl of thick chicken soup.

At the beginning of the third quarter, Phil Jackson's head coach immediately changed. Odom started and replaced Bynum. At the same time, Fisher still started in the second half. The Lakers still needed Lao Yu's three-pointer.

While serving the ball, Li Ze gestured to Guigui, and the pick-and-roll started. After halftime, Li Ze immediately smoked from the corner to open up space for his teammates.

Li Ze's left bottom corner, Durant's right bottom corner. At this time, Jeff Green and Durant moved at the same time. Krstic also raised to pick and roll for the tortoise. Durant's side is fake, and the tortoise is here. it is true.

After the pick-and-roll, he broke through on the left side, immediately accelerated in a straight line, rushed to the basket, faced Gasol who was back on defense, and after the mid-air confrontation, he scored the ball.

"Roar!"

After landing, Turtle immediately showed his biceps to the audience at the Staples Arena.

The Lakers attacked, and when Gasol fell to the low post to catch the ball and hit hard, Durant, who was on the line, began to interfere symbolically. In addition, Krstic used his big body to defend desperately. , sliding out of the basket.

After Jeff Green protected the rebound, he found Durant with a pass. The latter didn't stop the ball and immediately passed it to the accelerated turtle. Fisher wanted to grab it to delay the speed of the transition.

But it's a pity that the tortoise rushing up is like a small tank. It accelerates faster and faster in a straight line. After kicking up two or three steps, it throws Fisher away. The big windmill dunked.

"Kang" converted and dunked successfully.

"Shhh!!"

Staples Arena erupted in loud boos as the excited Turtle bounced back to defense while raising his hands for louder boos.

"It's incredible! Westbrook's athletic talent is really lightning fast. Once the Thunder's transition attack starts, the Lakers can't stop them. They still have to replace the old fish. The defense is too bad."

Director Zhang lamented Guigui's physical talent, and at the same time gave the Lakers a trick.

But Fisher can really play a role on the offensive end. Taking advantage of Kobe and Gasol's restraint in the low post, Fisher can hit an outside three-pointer after scoring consecutively.

Coach Phil Jackson is also struggling at this time. Replacing Fisher may be stronger defensively, but on the offensive end, Fisher can really make a three-pointer. open.

But after halfway through the third quarter, the situation on the court changed suddenly. The Thunder's offense was still the tortoise's high-position pick-and-roll tactics, but this time, Fisher squeezed through the pick-and-roll in a timely manner, and Gasol shrank faster.

Seeing that there was no chance to make a move, Guigui gave the ball to Kostic in the high position. At this time, Li Ze ran over from the bottom corner and handed Kostic a hand.

After receiving the ball, with 10 seconds left in the attack time, Li Ze held the ball in his right hand and pretended to break through. He noticed that Kobe was adjusting his defensive focus, and suddenly turned around sharply.

Taking a step with his left hand, he used Kostic's big body to block Kobe, and after throwing off the defense, he made a quick shot from outside the three-point line.

"Shua" three-pointer hollow into the net.

"Li Ze's three-pointer, scored! Wonderful extraordinary action, the point difference came to 10 points!"

The host, Yu Jia, did not expect the Thunder to resist in the third quarter, and even widened the point difference to double digits.

Kobe didn't expect Li Ze to throw it out from outside the three-point line. The rookie made a three-pointer in front of him and had to respond with one.

After halftime, Gattle immediately raised the pick-and-roll, Kobe broke through from the left side, and at the top of the arc, he shot a three-pointer.

"Bang" hit an iron with anger.

Artest and Odom immediately rushed to grab the rebound, and there was a ball under the basket. In the end, Jeff Green struggled to protect the rebound.

"Kevin, Double!!"

Before halftime, Li Ze immediately shouted at Durant, and at the same time made a tactical gesture to his teammates.

After halftime, Li Ze immediately went to the left bottom corner outside the three-point line to open up space. It was still a high pick-and-roll tactic, but this time Kostic gave Guigui a false screen.

And Durant in the bottom corner, through the double screen of Jeff Green and Krstic, received a pass from the turtle from outside the three-point line, got rid of the defense, and shot a jumper.

"Shua" three-pointer and then scored.

This goal made Artest, who was defending Durant, break the defense a bit. In this game, he was not going well on the offensive end. He always had to squeeze the screen on the defensive end. Durant also made 4 fouls. With a burst of fire, I can't hold it anymore at this moment:
"You're a shitty jerk who only knows how to shoot and shoot free throws, and you're nothing without the whistle!"

"Fack squid! Go beg Kobe, let him take you back to win the game, look at you, you really look like a poor puppy! You can only bark, go find your master."

Durant, as a laning expert, is also fully fired at the moment, and he is spitting at Artest.

Seeing that the situation was wrong, Li Ze hurried up to grab Artest, and at the same time Turtle also rushed up, pushing Odom away to prevent the opponent from attacking him.

Artest, who was pulled, did not rush up. At this time, the referee also came over and quickly separated the two sides.

The audience at the Staples Arena didn't think it was a big deal to watch the excitement. They all watched happily, and many people booed accordingly, and the atmosphere at the scene suddenly became noisy again.

Seeing that Artest was still chattering, Li Ze said to Durant beside him:

"Nice job, Kevin, that guy must have committed 5, and he won't be able to make it to the third quarter!"

Durant was very proud. After giving Li Ze a high-five to celebrate, he said with a smile on his face:

"That guy's trash talk is out of date, he should check Twitter more, no one can beat me in the field of trash talk!"

Li Ze had a strange expression on his face, and the famous trash talk suddenly appeared in his mind: "Before you come." Hurry up and put this boring thought behind you, and think excitedly in your heart:

"Artest was technically knocked down, and the Lakers don't even think about chasing him back in this game!"

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(End of this chapter)