NBA: Duncan feels uneasy coaching Warriors

Chapter 157 Changing the Starting Lineup
"The ability value is fixed, should I give it to Giannis?"

In fact, Su Chen has a little urge to give to Middleton.

When facing the Trail Blazers in the last game, the weakness exposed by the Timberwolves is that the outside line is too lacking in projection.

This is still the case when there are strikers fetters and the overall striker ability is improved.

Otherwise, the overall shooting percentage of this lineup is simply unqualified.

If Middleton's strength is greatly improved, the ability value is 80%, and then the fetters of the striker are added.

In this way, the Timberwolves can launch an offense from the outside to create opportunities for the inside.

Su Chen glanced at Cole who was opposite.

I don't know if Cole takes him seriously or not, but considering Cole's current situation, it's hard to think whether or not to take this Timberwolves seriously.

While leading the team, Su Chen occasionally watched news about the Warriors, and Cole was often questioned.

If Cole had studied it carefully, he should have discovered one thing.

That was in the last round, the Timberwolves were actually beaten by the Blazers.

The defense against Giannis Antetokounmpo has achieved good results after the Blazers adopted a strong striker like Batum to defend.

It's just that the morale of the Blazers was low at that time, and Su Chen immediately covered it up, and the Blazers didn't make more things out.

As long as Cole discovers this problem and wants to restrict Giannis Antetokounmpo, he only needs to ask Green to restrict it.

The league still doesn't know much about Giannis Antetokounmpo. In their view, such a tall player needs to use the inside to defend.

In fact, many strikers have a good matchup effect on Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Su Chen also didn't understand this point.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is so tall and strong, how can he be restricted by some strikers?

For example, Leonard, his muscular explosiveness is not inferior at all. In the 19 playoffs, he was almost a combination of offense and defense, which put Giannis Antetokounmpo in trouble. Leonard had no main defense in the first two games.

After Leonard defended Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Raptors won 4 consecutive games and eliminated the Bucks.

There is also Butler, who also achieved good results.

In the 2020 season, Butler personally dealt with Giannis Antetokounmpo and eliminated the Bucks 4-1.

Then in the 2023 season, the eighth-ranked Heat faced the No. 4 Bucks, and eliminated the Bucks 1-[-].

If Leonard's defense is a crushing force defense, Butler's defense against Giannis Antetokounmpo is full of wisdom.

Giannis Antetokounmpo wanted to hit Butler, but was caught with a lot of walks.

And then there's Green.

At this time, Green is very young and full of strength. His defensive IQ is very high. His speed and IQ can judge Giannis Antetokounmpo's next position, and then block it.

Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn't have the technical characteristics of shooting and gorgeous dribbling, and he will fall into Green's trap.

It is not easy for Giannis Antetokounmpo to rely on strength to attack Green. His strength is not lost to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The most important thing is that although the current Giannis Antetokounmpo uses a fixed ability value, he will have 80% ability.

But Giannis Antetokounmpo's core strength still hasn't reached that level. Although he is already gaining muscle rapidly, everything still has a process.

Even the Heat's version of James, if you don't paddle on the court, seriously defend Giannis Antetokounmpo.

It can also play a certain restrictive effect.

"Except for the fact that Butler is already in the lineup, these strikers who can limit Giannis, the next team basically has one."

Thinking of this, Su Chen felt a little helpless.

The Warriors have Green, the Spurs have Leonard, and the Heat have James.

Even the Blazers in the first round have a Batum who can use it, but the Blazers didn't think of this level at the beginning.

"Let's see the situation first."

Su Chen hesitated for a while, but still didn't use the fixed ability value on Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Let's look at the Warriors' defensive strategy first.

Commentary seat.

The series between the Warriors and the Timberwolves is the series with relatively high traffic in the second round of the game.

The gold medal commentary team also came to the target center to explain the game.

"Guys, there's a weird déjà vu feel to this series."

"Cole followed Su Chen's tactical system last season, and then Su Chen created a new tactical system this season. It looks like the former Su Chen is playing the current Su Chen."

Johnson said with a smile to several people.

"I support the Timberwolves this time. Although the outside world thinks that the Timberwolves are weaker, at least their style of play is much more pleasing to the eye."

Barkley said at this time.

Barkley really hates the gradually popular small ball style of play. Since last season, he has unabashedly attacked and slandered.

But now Barkley won't say that the three-point jumper can't win the championship. After all, he was slapped in the face last season, and this season is a little more low-key.

At first Barkley thought he hated Su Chen, but when Su Chen changed his style of play, the Warriors still insisted on that style of play.

Barkley knew that what he hated was not Su Chen, but the three-point play itself.

An enemy's enemy is a friend, even though Su Chen was the creator and proponent of this strategy.

But Su Chen knew that his mistakes could be corrected, and the Warriors were still obsessed with it. Barkley naturally hoped that Su Chen could give the Warriors a little color.

"It seems that you really hate three-pointers. Last season, you criticized Su Chen so much, and now you have become a supporter of Su Chen."

Kenny Smith also said with a smile.

But Kenny Smith is not a supporter of Su Chen, but a supporter of the three-point system.

After Su Chen changed his style of play, Kenny Smith, who had publicly supported Su Chen, basically stopped watching Su Chen's games.

Of course, I don't hate Su Chen, after all, Su Chen is the creator of this tactical system.

"That guy Giannis is a bit fierce, I like this guy."

O'Neill said next to him at this time.

In fact, O'Neal and Barkley are in the same position. They both don't like the current changes in the league. They still think that basketball is a sport for the strong.

Although O'Neal doesn't think that the current Timberwolves are stronger than the Warriors, this does not change his position.

Compared with last year, basically only Kenny Smith supported Su Chen's team.

This year it became Barkley and O'Neal, both of whom became supporters of Su Chen's team.

However, their support was not from the heart. It was because Su Chen had become an opponent of the three-point system tactics, so they supported Su Chen.

If the Timberwolves' opponent is the Spurs, then they will support the Spurs without hesitation.

As for Johnson, he is still the same scribble commentary as last year.

If the Warriors are good, he is a supporter of the Warriors, and if the Timberwolves are good, he is a supporter of the Timberwolves.

In competitive sports, someone wins and someone loses, but for the fans.

As long as the jersey is changed quickly enough, there is no failure.

Several people were chatting, and at this time the starting lists of both sides came out.

"Huh? Ibaka didn't even start."

Johnson was a little surprised when he saw the starting lineup.

"The Ibaka they paid so much for, in this important game, it can't be said that it can't be played."

Kenny Smith had the same reaction after seeing it.

The Timberwolves originally had very strong potential.

Gobert can still be a good player if he trains well. Even though Gobert's problems with the Thunder have lasted for a season, the Thunder still firmly gave Gobert the starting lineup.

Gobert's talent is very good. The reason why he did not become a particularly high pick is because he is worried about whether he can adapt to the rhythm of the NBA.

Looking at it now, Gobert's confrontation can completely gain a foothold in the NBA, which makes Gobert's value rise.

Shortcomings such as buttery hands can be corrected.

McCollum has very skilled dribbling skills, as well as good ball feel and shooting ability. He is the embryo of becoming a star.

Little Curry will not say it for the time being.

Originally, the Timberwolves would have succeeded in reaching the playoffs this season.

Now that some potential has been taken and replaced with immediate combat power, the standard for the Timberwolves will go even further.

After all, apart from potential, all the first-round picks that the Timberwolves could trade in the future were all sold out by Su Chen.

Ibaka is such a big price, in exchange for immediate combat power.

Throughout the season and the first round of the playoffs, although Ibaka did not show a strong offense on the offensive end, he still has space and dominance on the defensive end.

"Let Giannis play center, the Timberwolves are planning to speed up, and the Warriors have to punish them inside."

After seeing the starting lineup, O'Neal expressed his opinion.

"Haha, the Warriors' system deserves to be built by Su Chen himself. How can the Warriors use a three-point team to punish the insiders?"

At this time, Barkley suddenly laughed and said.

Everyone knows that Barkley's prejudice against the Warriors, just listen to his words casually.

But think about it seriously.

It seems that is really the case.

"They also have David Lee, and although David Lee hasn't played much this season, I think Kerr can bring him back."

Kenny Smith, said at this time.

"If you've really watched Giannis' defense against some elite post-ups, you know that's a bit of a stretch."

"He can't defend against a super-back-up inside line like Duncan Nowitzki, but the defense against Aldridge in the last round often achieved the effect of closing the game."

"Also, David Lee has completely become a tool insider under the Warriors system. His back-up ability has not been used many times in a season."

Barkley refuted Kenny Smith.

When Kenny Smith was told by Barkley, he didn't think of anything to refute for a while.

Sometimes, fans don't see as thoroughly as black fans.

Barkley, as a Warriors black fan, has a deeper understanding of the Warriors.

He hates the Warriors, but he also watches Warriors games, and when he waits for the Warriors to pull, he steps on his feet.

As a supporter, Kenny Smith often sees the positive side of the team instead of staring at the negative side of the team.

"So that's the case. Cole must feel very disgusted now. Su Chen's lineup is just for disgusting Cole."

After hearing Barkley's words, O'Neill also laughed.

As they discussed.

Cole, who was on the sidelines of the Warriors at this time, saw the Timberwolves' starting list.

At first, I thought Su Chen was here to make a joke, but when I thought about it, it seemed like a formal punishment.

Really can't punish the inside line put out by the Timberwolves.

Giannis Antetokounmpo's defensive ability on the inside, he also asked the team analysts to do an in-depth analysis, through the surface of the data.

Giannis Antetokounmpo can perform well against most ordinary insiders.

Of course, the defensive effect against Aldridge in the last round looked very efficient, but it was a little watery.

That was when Aldridge was exhausted by the Timberwolves' front line, and then Giannis Antetokounmpo suddenly went to exert strength on Aldridge, which made Aldridge uncomfortable.

So looking at the data, Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to offset Aldridge.

But in reality, Giannis Antetokounmpo is not there yet.

"Do you want to use David Lee?"

Kerr looked at David Lee, who was warming up for shooting, and fell into deep thought.

But after thinking about it for a while, I still think I'll take a look first before I talk about it.

David Lee has passed a season and has transformed into a tool man. His job is to shoot rebounds in the pick-and-roll.

The team has also adapted to David Lee's position in the team.

Suddenly changing to an inside play with David Lee as the core will undoubtedly disrupt the entire deployment of the Warriors.

Cole didn't want to, the game hadn't even started, and Su Chen just made the Warriors mess up with just one change.

Cole decided to ignore Su Chen's lineup adjustment.

soon.

The game is about to begin.

Cole walked to the middle and shook hands with Su Chen.

When the two shook hands, they didn't speak, they just made eye contact and nodded their heads as a greeting.

This game is meaningful for both coaches.

Cole wants to prove himself, and Su Chen also wants to prove himself.

A battle of proof between coaches.

At this time, the referee entered the field with the ball.

The players on both sides began to stand in their own positions.

Timberwolves starting lineup: Giannis Antetokounmpo (C), Luol Deng (PF), Andre Iguodala (SF), Robert Covington (SG), Jimmy Butler ( PG)

Warriors starting lineup: Festus Ezeri (C), Draymond Green (PF), Corey Brewer (SF), Klay Thompson (SG), Stephen Curry (PG) )

The Timberwolves put out a fairly large lineup, all of which were forward players.

Su Chen, who was on the sidelines, looked at the crowd with a serious expression.

This lineup is based on his consideration.

Playing the Warriors requires speed, as fast as you can.

And at the beginning, Su Chen planned to play unlimited defenses, so even if he was preparing for defensive strength, he didn't use Beverly and Middleton.

Although it has been proved later that the unlimited defense changes cannot really limit the Warriors.

But that also caused some troubles for Cole. Now Cole still needs a certain amount of time to adapt to infinite defense changes.

There is.

Unlimited defense was never used against the Warriors, but against Curry!

(End of this chapter)