Start coaching the Thunder, starting with Westbrook

Chapter 139 North Carolina Black Hawk
In fact, the Warriors have always existed in the contradiction between cultivating rookies and immediate combat power.

The cosmic brave period is another count. At this time, Iguodala somewhat delayed the training of Barnes. Later, he wasted Curry's peak one year in order to train Wiseman, and almost overcorrected in the next year.

If it wasn't for Curry recovering his form in the playoffs, Wiggins fulfilling his talent, Thompson who returned from injury and the unpredictable Thompson, Green who was bad for a while, or those role players with obvious advantages and disadvantages, or rookies who haven't been trained to win the championship?

Of course, the Warriors' problem is actually a problem with most teams in the league. If you want to cultivate the future, you may consume the present. This is why it is difficult for many strong teams to produce outstanding rookies.

Similar to the Spurs who almost completed the handover of two generations, it is an extremely low probability event, and they always face low ebb and labor pains.

If the Thunder hadn't been for the arrival of Li Sheng, even if Durant didn't leave in the end, they would definitely experience ups and downs in the future, and then go to test the team manager's draft vision, enter the reconstruction period and wait for the next reincarnation.

But it was only the past two years. According to the progress of the rookies, in the third year they should no longer be able to meet the needs of the rookies, and they would eat up the rookie bonus.

The lineup will definitely change, not only about money, but also important things such as playing time, possession of the ball, and team status.

At that time, Gobert should be able to stay. After all, Perkins will retire. The team must have a main center. The home team also has the bird rights to renew the contract more easily.

But Antetokounmpo is hard to say. His demand for money may be secondary, but the core position, ball rights and other treatment will be more important.

At that time, there may be a situation where Ibaka and Antetokounmpo can choose one. After all, the team cannot trade Westbrook and Durant, and they will not leave easily, and Antetokounmpo must be reluctant to leave, so Ibaka can only be sacrificed.

Besides, if he plays the fourth position, there must be a direct conflict with Ibaka. After all, it is difficult for Ibaka to top the fifth position. If the Thunder play a small lineup in the future, it would be more appropriate for Durant and Antetokounmpo to go to the inside.

The so-called "loyalty" of NBA players is only aimed at the kind of superstar that the team will not move easily, not the ordinary star level like Ibaka.

Getting back to the topic, although Mark Jackson didn't think of a way to adjust, the players on the court also have subjective initiative, and the Warriors have never lacked players with high ball quotients.

For example, when Curry realized that the Thunder were deploying heavy defenses against him, the upper hand subsided a little at the beginning, and he began to consciously use his off-ball running to contain the Thunder's defense, thereby creating better offensive opportunities for his teammates.

It was in this situation that Barnes got consecutive post-up opportunities and forced one each of Ennis and Robertson.

Although Robertson's defense is already very good, it is impossible to guarantee that he can defend every ball. What's more, the opponent is obviously using rhythm changes to find the most favorable opportunity to attack. As a passive defender, it is impossible to grasp the opponent's movement every time.

As for Ennis, his top defense is not very good, and he can't hold Barnes.

Although Barnes's style of play is clever and unworkable, and his personality is as low-key, but he can score consecutive points when he is in a state. After all, his height, arm length, static and dynamic talent are not bad at the forward position, and he can also average close to 20 points per game with good efficiency in his peak period.

Now he is still in the growth stage, but just like Livingston, he has a signature back, which can be used at critical moments.

When he wanted to try again for the third time, the Thunder had to make up the defense, so Bazemore got another open opportunity, but this time he didn't let it go, and hit a three-pointer.

Li Sheng was expressionless and indifferent.

Although I was a little surprised by Barnes' suddenness, how to put it, this is an acceptable part.

If more defensive power is used to suppress the opponent's core and at the same time prevent their role players from playing, then it can only be said that these role players are too bad.

An important problem for role players is instability. They may have temporary outbreaks, but it is difficult for them to digest the ball and shots all the time.

And it also puts them in a position that they are not good at, so that they can score in a way that they are not used to.

The Thunder's defensive adaptability is also very strong now. When they realize that their opponents are starting to explode from a single point, they will release their holes appropriately to help defend against double-teams;

Harrison Barnes' fourth consecutive singles, but this time Li Sheng had arranged their defensive positions in advance on the sidelines, so when he leaned back with the ball, the Thunder suddenly completed a wave of rapid defensive rotation.

First, Reggie came over to attack, and when Barnes passed back to Curry, Robertson made up the defense. Curry quickly transferred to Bazemore, and Ibaka came out to interfere again.

This time, Bazemore didn't choose to go up by himself, and hit the ground to Ezeli who was under the basket. Ezeli didn't make a strong attack against Alton. He needed to transfer the ball but was directly stabbed by Robertson.

In this way, even if he can't destroy the pass, he can resist Speights from having a comfortable shot.

The Warriors' pass is not considered a pass, because their players don't actually move much, they just pass the ball. Anyone can do this, but it is easier to be restricted, especially when facing a defensive player like Robertson who has the awareness of an elite defender.

And Ennis was also very sharp, quickly turned around and grabbed the ball to protect it, Barnes wanted to come over to snatch it but couldn't do it, but finally his teammates caught up with the opponent's fast-down players and failed to make them a fast break, so he didn't rashly choose to foul, but retreated quickly.

After a successful defense, the offense and defense switched, and it was the Thunder's offensive round.

Both Ennis and Reggie are in good form today. With this dual-control lineup, the defensive end is a big test for the Warriors.

Ennis also came to the elbow area. Facing Barnes' defense, he didn't rush to get up, but observed his teammates' running positions, and then suddenly passed Barnes to Robertson who slipped to the basket under cover.

Ezeli came back to defend, but his feet were still too slow. In the end, he could only hold the man to prevent him from scoring easily, but there was still a foul.

Robertson made two free throws. His current shooting confidence is still good, but today he is accurate in free throws. He didn't try a three-pointer before, and he missed a layup. Like Antetokounmpo, his personal state is quite average.

However, the Thunder are now playing as a team and trying to create the most favorable offensive opportunities for each player. No matter how bad the NBA players are, they can't layup with an empty basket or dunk with abuse, right?
Well, there are some misses, but the kind of scenes that can directly go to the top five are still rare after all.

(End of this chapter)