Coach, I don't want to retire yet

Chapter 320 New mission, the final bloom!

On April 4, the first round of G25 between the Spurs and the Lakers at home is about to start. The atmosphere at this time is completely different from when the series just started a week ago.

A week ago, the Spurs fans in the Holy City were even ready to sweep the banner of the 73-win league's No. 4 Lakers, waiting to humiliate Coach D and the Lakers in this G[-] game.

The strongest regular season record in NBA history.

The strongest black eight in NBA history!

What a great revenge!

What a refreshing revenge this is!

At that time, the entire Holy City was plunged into endless anticipation and madness.

At that point, no Holy City fan thought the Spurs would have a problem in this series.

At that time, the whole world was laughing at Coach D for still dreaming, that the Lakers could beat the Spurs!

At that time, the fans in the Holy City were definitely the most brutal group of people who mocked Coach D.

But now, a week has passed, and everything has become completely different.

It's so different that fans in the Holy City can't understand it.

The Spurs, now, have actually changed from the advantage to the disadvantage!

Coach D took the initiative to challenge Pop and the Spurs. In the end, it was Pop and the Spurs who failed!
Even after losing the last game, Pop seemed to have drained his soul. The Spurs even felt like they were going to collapse!
A week ago, all the media that praised Pop and the Spurs are now touting Coach D’s invincibility.

Even with CBA, they can still defeat Popovich and the Spurs!
And the banners they displayed to humiliate Coach D in their last home game have now become the laughing stock of all NBA fans across the United States.

They have become clowns who challenge Coach D beyond their own capabilities.

The NBA is such a reality!

The NBA has always been such a reality.

Facing such a realistic NBA, Spurs fans must be feeling very uncomfortable now.

After the last game, the Spurs' promotion odds and probability were cut in half. Now the Lakers' probability of promotion has exceeded 50%, while the Spurs' probability of promotion has been below 50%.

"Will Bobo give up the defensive battle with Coach D in this game?"

"Coach D is a proud person, and Bobo is also a proud person. Giving up means a lot of things. There may be no way to get back what is lost..."

"But if there's a defensive battle, Bobo is no match for Coach D..."

"Yes, Pop's best defense and the Spurs' best defense are no match for Coach D..."

When the fans entered the stadium, all the Spurs fans were sighing worriedly.

The local newspapers in the Holy City reported before the game that in this game, Pop will give up defense and start attacking, and will take Biyombo in the starting position and replace Waiters in the starting position to play against the Lakers.

Before the start of this game, the local newspapers in the Holy City were overwhelmingly reporting on the Spurs' starting lineup, which was recognized by the entire world.

Biyombo has excellent defense, but has almost no offensive ability. He must win. There is no problem with this.

Duncan, Leonard, Danny Green and Finson, who can attack and defend, all need to stay on the court.

So who is the other player in the starting lineup?
Obviously, since we are playing against the Lakers, and we can't let Barkley and Garnett play at the same time, we definitely can't use big men and double inside players.

Therefore, Mirotic, Split, and Diaw will definitely not work.

Then among the remaining players, there are only a few options, Dellavedova, Waiters, Ginobili, Patty Mills, and Belinelli.

Dellavedova is a magic weapon against Seth Curry, but Coach D said that neither Seth Curry nor Wade will be in this series, so Dellavedova doesn’t have much influence. It has strategic significance. His presence on the court will not have any impact on the Spurs' offense.

Belinelli's function overlaps with that of Danny Green. He is a role player who has no independent offensive ability, weakened defense, and strengthened offense.

Patty Mills has the ability to attack independently, but his defense is too poor.

Ginobili is too old. In the regular season this season, Ginobili's scoring, shooting percentage, and playing time all set new lows since his rookie season. Now, Ginobili is about to turn 38. On his birthday, Ginobili didn't play much in the games before this series. In such a crucial game, it is impossible for Ginobili to start.

The only possibility is Waiters.

Therefore, this is simply an open secret. Popovich wants to play offense. Facing the Lakers who are so strong in front, Popovich has no choice but to go to Waiters. Waiters is the best choice because he can attack. He can defend and attack independently, share the pressure on Leonard and Duncan, and can also be a shooter beside them.

After the Cavaliers lost the boss battle with Irving, Waiters came to the Spurs. He performed very well in the Spurs. His talent is there. Except for his relatively inefficient offensive style, he has almost no shortcomings and can do everything. There is a lot of room to play under the Spurs and Popovich.

So far in the playoffs, he has averaged 9 points per game and shot nearly 40% from three-point range. Not only can he play in isolation, he can also be a shooter.

Therefore, there is really no need to blame the media in the Holy City for going undercover and frantically discussing the possible starters for the Spurs' next game.

Anyone who is normal actually knows that the only choice for Popovich and the Spurs in the next game is Waiters.

If the Lakers' previous performance was not so strong, if Coach D was not so strong, if Garnett, Barkley, and Pierce did not show such strong combat effectiveness, Popovich and the Spurs can play whatever they want, but now, the Spurs Team, there really is no choice.

Therefore, even Du Kang predicted this.

And in Du Kang's simulations over the past two days, what he saw was indeed Waiters starting.

without any problem.

but!

Just as Du Kang was simulating his last game in the visiting team's locker room at AT&T Arena, at the same time, he was in the home team's locker room.

"Bobo, let me start this game."

"Manu?"

Popovich looked at the disciple in front of him in surprise, then frowned.

"Manu, your playing time in this game will not be too little, but starting..."

Popovich definitely hopes that Ginobili can contribute more in this game.

In the past ten years, I have relied on Parker in good times, Tim in bad times, and Manu in desperate times.

Over the past decade or so, Manu has saved him and the Spurs from desperate situations countless times.

He believed in Manu's character and his spirit.

but……

I'm sorry and ashamed.

He has no way to extend the lives of veterans like Coach D.

Manu is old, he is old.

"Manu, I'm sorry, I'm not Coach D..."

But before Popovich could finish speaking, he was stopped by Ginobili.

"Pop, if you still want a championship, I can't give it to you. If you want to win this series, I may not have that ability, but if it's just one game... I've rested enough. , you should, you can stick to it.”

A smile appeared on Ginobili's face.

"I hope that this game can be regarded as saying goodbye to you and Tim. The Spurs are about to enter a new era, and I want to say goodbye to our past era in this game, Pop, is that okay?"

Ginobili didn't make any promises to Popovich.

No victory was promised, not even anything.

but……

The expression on Popovich's face at this time became particularly wonderful.

His expression kept changing.

If any other Spurs player dared to make such a request to him, he would definitely refuse.

And he will definitely give this person a hard look.What the hell!

How dare you ask me for a position, a starting spot, and time!

Don’t look at what kind of crisis the Spurs are facing now?
The Spurs now have no possibility of being willful.

Now we are 1 to 2 behind. If we lose this game, then the Spurs will basically be sent away.

Trailing 1 to 3, and the next game is an away game, there is no way to play this game.

Therefore, this G4 is a life and death battle for the Spurs.

If you win, there is still hope, but if you lose, there is really nothing!
but!

The person making the request is Ginobili, not an ordinary Spurs player!

He is the G in GDP!

He is the symbol of an era for the Spurs in the past ten years!

It was impossible for Popovich to refuse his request.

Budenholzer next to him also knew that Popovich could not refuse, but he could refuse.

"Manu, you should know how important this game is to the Spurs. We cannot lose this game. Manu, you still have a long contract with us, and you still have a long time with us. As long as you want, you can always stay in the Spurs. No one will let you leave. If you want to say goodbye, we have plenty of time and games, you..."

Budenholzer didn't finish, but was still interrupted by Ginobili shaking his head.

"Mike, everything you said is right, but this is the last chance. I feel that after this year, I may never be able to bloom again. I want to leave the last glory to Tim and Bobo who need it most. "

"Manu..."

Seeing the smile on Ginobili's face, Popovich and Budenholzer's eyes widened at this time.

"Maybe I can't do anything in this game. Maybe in this game, I will be so angry that Bobo wants to kill me, but I am sure that now, I still want Bobo to cook for me after the game. Ability, maybe, I can really do something for you."

After Ginobili finished speaking, he looked at Popovich, and his meaning was very clear.

He hopes Popovich will allow him to start in this game.

At the same time, Budenholzer also looked at Popovich. At this time, Budenholzer had a complicated expression on his face.

He also has a deep feeling for Ginobili. If Popovich is Manu's master, then he is Manu's second master. He really grew up with Manu and Tony.

Manu said so.

What can he say?

So, Bobo, I finally leave the most difficult question to you.

Looking at Manu's firm eyes at this time, after a short silence, Popovich finally showed a relaxed smile on his face.

Popovich patted Ginobili on the shoulder.

"Manu, don't put so much pressure on yourself. Coach D can trust Pierce, Garnett and Barkley. Although I'm not as good as Coach D, you are Manu, Manu Ginobili!"

"Popovich, always believe in Manu Ginobili!"

After Popovich finished speaking, he turned and walked into the locker room.

The moment Popovich turned around, the relaxed smile on Popovich's face disappeared, and his hands were clenched into fists.

I do not regret!
Looking at Popovich's back, Ginobili smiled and closed his eyes.

"Thank you, Bobo..."

And not far away, a dull gaze kept looking at this place.

Tony has left.

Bruce, Stephen, they're all gone.

This era, in fact, should have ended long ago.

This era, in fact, should have ended long ago and been handed over to the new king.

However, Bobo's obsession prevented all of this from happening according to time.

The conflict between Tony and Kawhi sounds complicated, but it is actually very simple.

Kawhi felt that they should take the initiative to end the past era.

Maybe Kawhi doesn't have such strong emotions, but Kawhi is not a person, he is a team.

Therefore, facing the Spurs in such a desperate situation, after Tony left, perhaps, not so many people wanted to save them.

Even Kawhi...

"Manu..."

Duncan closed his eyes.

His fists were clenched tightly.

The P of GDP left.

But, there are G and D!

"Leave the best for you."

……

……

After the last game, Du Kang was in a very good mood.

The players and coaches around the Lakers know this very well.

However, before the start of the G4 game, Coach D's mood suddenly seemed not so good.

Although Du Kang was already trying hard to suppress his emotions.

But in the last simulation, I lost by 20 points!

What's more important is that after losing the game, he also received a new task!
"Ding, congratulations to the host, you have triggered the hidden mission, 'The Last Bloom'. In this game, you will meet a veteran and risk your career to bloom your last youth and save your team.

Do you want to accept this task? "

Du Kang was shocked when he saw this mission.

But he really thought that the mission he triggered was Duncan's mission.

In this game, Duncan will play Garnett Sala, and the outcome of the duel between the two is likely to determine the outcome of this game.

If Duncan suddenly adds buffs, it will definitely be very detrimental to him and the Lakers.

Finally, Du Kang thought about it seriously, although the mission did not say who it was.

But the high probability is Ginobili. Du Kang feels that Duncan is unlikely.

As for Duncan and Ginobili triggering the mission together, is this even more impossible?

but!

"The more brilliant it blooms, the higher the reward will be after defeating the opponent."

These words of the new mission, murderous, soaring!

(End of this chapter)