Coach, I don't want to retire yet

Chapter 324 The hunt is about to begin!

Du Kang announced the Lakers' starting lineup for the second half of the game in advance during halftime, and shockingly, he threw all three veterans into the starting lineup.

This decision will definitely make Spurs fans and many D-Blacks laugh out loud, and make many Lakers fans and Chinese fans heartbroken.

Although the use of three veterans in the first half did not quench their thirst, and when separated, they were always unable to concentrate their full strength and their power was scattered, but they still had power.

If three people play together, how long can these three play together?
In five minutes at most, the three Lakers veterans would collapse in this hellish game environment.

It collapsed after 5 minutes of playing. Then, the Lakers will not have these three veterans for the rest of the game. How can the Lakers' offense still work?
Rely on Antetokounmpo?
Antetokounmpo was pinched by Leonard in this series, almost like an undercover player on the offensive end.

By Ebanks?
Ebanks is the most reliable offensive point after the three veterans, but his singles ability is simply not enough.

In the end, it may be difficult for the Lakers to score. When the time comes, they will definitely be trapped by the Spurs' defense like in G1.

It can be said that if the three veterans were to play at the same time, even if Coach D did not want to kill these three, it would be Coach D who asked the Lakers to commit suicide.

Even if the three veterans can catch up with the 20-point difference in these few minutes together, then, what next?
Still a loser!

So, it makes no sense at all!

In such a competition environment, playing three veterans at the same time makes no sense at all!
crazy!

Coach D is completely crazy!

At this time, not only commentators from various countries, but also online celebrities, experts, and online and offline celebrities are saying this.

Even many Lakers fans and Chinese fans looked sad at this time. This series between the Lakers and the Spurs is really too stressful for the coach.

Before Popovich, everyone felt like he was going crazy, just a little bit closer.

In the end, Popovich was saved from going crazy by Ginobili.

But Coach D, he was driven crazy by such a series of games!

Actually it is understandable.

Popovich is under pressure not to lose this series.

But Coach D, as the head coach of a team that led a team that won 73 games in the regular season, was hacked when he led a team that won 73 games?

Is this something Coach D can accept?
Coach D cannot accept it. He is the strongest head coach in NBA history. He is really going to be beaten by 73 wins. Coach D will never have the title of the strongest coach again, let alone the greatest.

So, what is the significance of Coach D’s career?

For Coach D and Popovich, after losing this series, the meaning of his career will collapse.

None of them can accept losing in this series. Therefore, many experts say that this series not only consumes players, but also consumes coaches. There is nothing wrong with it at all.

So, when Du Kang and the Lakers players appeared again at AT&T Arena, the sweaty Spurs fans in the stuffy arena were laughing and taunting like crazy.

All the boos, all the ridicule, all rushed towards Du Kang.

Du Kang felt it and accepted it all with a smile.

As the head coach of the Spurs, Popovich also feels it.

Seeing the smile on Du Kang's face, Popovich had a look of surprise on his face.

He actually let three veterans play at the same time. Why did Coach D make such a meaningless decision?
If the three veterans are on the field at the same time, even if they can have a short-term advantage, so what?

Unless they can always stay on the court, continue to perform at a high level, and continue to not collapse, otherwise, this is the end of hope.

The three of them take turns. Although there is a high probability of losing, at least it can give Lakers fans something to think about. What if one of the three veterans breaks out?
It's not impossible.

But now, Coach D has personally extinguished the expectations of Lakers fans.

This is a very crazy decision, so crazy that it makes people think that Coach D is a fool.

Popovich certainly doesn’t think Coach D is a fool, no one does.

Obviously, Coach D has his own ideas, and his only idea is that Coach D can expect miracles to happen like he did before.

What if these three veterans inspired super strong willpower and persisted for 10 minutes, or even 15 minutes, or even longer?
It's not impossible.

In competitive sports, anything is possible.

Although this possibility is very low.

But, this is the perspective of ordinary people.

From Coach D’s perspective, he has seen too many miracles in his coaching career.

Howard, Iverson, Carter, Kobe, McGrady, and Nash all brought miracles to him back then.

Back then, Yi Jianlian, Yao Ming, Oden, Roy, Ye Si and others also brought miracles to him.

Olajuwon, Reggie Miller, the four veterans of the Pacers, players under Coach D, there are countless people who have surpassed themselves.

From Coach D’s perspective, are Pierce, Garnett, and Barkley worse than those who surpassed themselves?
If they can transcend themselves, why can't you?
Popovich took a deep look at Du Kang, who was not far away. He tried to see the problem from Coach D's perspective.

Then everything suddenly became clear.

Coach D wants to win!

And if the three old players play one by one, it is impossible to win.

Only by playing together can the three old men reverse the course and win!

Therefore, this is the only way for Coach D to lead the Lakers to win this game!
Even if it is impossible to expect the three elders to surpass themselves, at least, this is the only way to win!
Great!

Popovich can only say that he is amazing!
Although in this series he has been running to Coach D to get Coach D's mentality when he was dominant, this is not to belittle Coach D.

Just like Coach D has been messing with his mentality, he wants to mess with Coach D's mentality because Coach D is too strong. Only by doing this can he increase his hope of victory.

The Lakers are in such despair that most of the head coaches, no, all the head coaches except Coach D, no one dares to make such a decision!
Expect miracles!

In the history of the NBA, no head coach would expect a miracle like Coach D!

Obviously, God has always been on the opposite side of Coach D!
"Basketball doesn't treat those who believe in it badly."

This is Coach D’s famous saying.

Therefore, Coach D is not expecting a miracle.

Does he look forward to basketball? Does he believe in basketball? Is everything always possible?

"Sure enough!"

In the history of the NBA, no one has trusted basketball so much!
Looking at Coach D who was applauding the Lakers players not far away, Popovich also had a smile on his face.

"Let me see if basketball is still alive this time!"

The second half of the game begins.

The Spurs' starting lineup at this point is the same as it was in the first half.

Duncan, Leonard, Danny Green, Finson and Ginobili.

Ginobili and Duncan, the two veterans, are not easy now.

Especially Ginobili.

Ginobili's performance in the first half was too good and too exhausting.

It is precisely because the Spurs have two high-consumption veterans that Du Kang dares to play double veterans inside, because the Spurs may not be able to run now.

It should be said that it is very difficult for the Spurs to run now.

Under such circumstances, the double inside advantage of Garnett and Barkley is really too great!

Therefore, many fans know that playing three veterans at the same time will have a great effect in a short period of time.

Fans all know it, how could Popovich not know it.

Therefore, Popovich has only one instruction for the Spurs, and that is to hold off!Play at a slow pace, drag down the Lakers' three veterans, and let Ginobili steal one or two from time to time.

Therefore, after the game restarted in the second half, many Spurs fans at the scene were expecting the Lakers to increase the rhythm. The Spurs and Popovich would slow down the rhythm to see who could control the rhythm in their own hands.

However, the Spurs fans at the scene soon discovered something bad.

The Lakers are 20 points behind. The Lakers are now in urgent need of chasing points. Faced with the Spurs' behavior of deliberately lowering the rhythm, the Lakers should be anxious. After all, their three veterans will not have a lot of time together.

However, the Spurs played slowly, and the Lakers played even slower. They even wished that every attack would hit the hands of Garnett and Barkley!

Of course, it is impossible for the Spurs' lineup to guard against the double inside line of Barkley and Garnett.

Confrontation, contraction, this is the only way for the Spurs to defend.

but!

Barkley and Garnett, they are not ordinary inside players!

They can all shoot!

They can all attack from the outside!
At the same time, they can also attack inside!
"Charles Barkley cross-steps, Charles Barkley turns around! Charles Barkley is going to the basket! No, Charles Barkley, shot!!!"

Leonard's strength on the front line is already very good. Coupled with his excellent defensive ability and judgment, Leonard's defense on the front line is even difficult for James. Leonard is the strongest James finisher in the league. Or, even one of them can be removed. If you insist on making fun of it, well, Leonard is definitely not as good as Barea.

However, seriously speaking, Leonard can indeed be regarded as the number one James terminator in the league.

And James, in the current league, is already the most difficult striker with strength and talent to guard against!

Leonard thought so before!
Until, he met Barkley in this series!

Garnett pulled Duncan away, and Leonard knew he couldn't let Barkley break in.

But just now Barkley almost broke through with a cross step and turn. He relied on his super defensive ability and judgment to block Barkley's move.

If you are defending James and blocking James' breakthrough, James will be useless, because James can't stop and shoot jumpers, he can only pass the ball and pass the blame.

But Barkley, he can shoot! ! !

In order to block Barkley's breakthrough, he almost lost his position just now, so he retreated a bit.

In the end, even if he has long hands and long legs, he can only try his best to block it, and then watch helplessly as Barkley completes a pull-up jump shot!

A swipe!
60 is better than 45!

Three minutes into the third quarter, the Lakers' deficit became 3 points!
In just 3 minutes, the Lakers caught up by five points!

"Coach D's three veterans are indeed strong!"

At this time, the Spurs fans who had been laughing at Coach D just now were trembling, and their hearts were trembling.

They know that Coach D's three-veteran lineup won't last long.

It's impossible to hold on until the 20-point deficit is caught up.

Even if we catch up with the 20-point difference, it is meaningless and we will still lose in the end.

However, seeing the Lakers' fierce pursuit of points under the leadership of three veterans, the Spurs fans at the scene still couldn't suppress the anxiety and uneasiness in their hearts.

This certainly includes Popovich on the sidelines.

Popovich's mentality is the same as that of Spurs fans now.

It's one thing to know, but it's another thing to face it.

However, at this time, Popovich had no other choice but to shout from the sidelines.

"Hang on, hold on for a few more minutes, just hold on for a few more minutes and we will win!!!"

Listening to Popovich's shouting from the sidelines, Ginobili gritted his teeth on the court, almost exhausted, faced Antetokounmpo's defense outside the three-point line, leaned back, and took a shot. An extremely difficult three-pointer.

Beating Antetokounmpo is much harder than beating McAway!

Antetokounmpo really understands him!

He can only rely on this magic ball!
The first two missed, and if he couldn't hit again this time, Ginobili felt that he needed to take a rest, and by the way, he missed Antetokounmpo!

then!

A swipe!
hit!

63 is better than 45!

Seeing that the point difference was once again widened to 18 points!
After hitting the three-pointer, Ginobili roared, completely ignoring that he was now a wet man.

The Spurs fans on the sidelines were also roaring, shouting, and chanting Ginobili's name!
"Manu will miss all the previous shots, but the most critical thing, when he is needed most, he can always stand up. This is Manu, this is our Mr. Desperate Spurs!!!"

The Lakers chased the point difference to 15 points. This goal is really important! ! !

To make progress or not to make progress, those are two completely different moods.

Now, Ginobili is in!
"Now, all the pressure is once again on Coach D and on the Lakers' side!!!"

"This game was so suffocating!!! Which of the three Lakers veterans fell first or Manu fell first? I swear, this is the most cruel game to a veteran I have ever seen!!! Damn it! Ford, if one of them dies on the field, you are the biggest culprit!!!"

Kenny Smith was yelling.

Buford on the sidelines was also gritting his teeth at this time, and all he could think about was Coach D's gratitude.

"If I didn't do this, would we have seen a more amazing Manu?"

There was a glimmer of confusion in Buford's eyes, but only a glimmer.

Soon, Buford put all hesitation aside.

"What we need is not a more magical Manu, what we need is a victory in the game!!!"

"No matter how amazing Manu is, he can't bring us victory, but I can!"

Almost at the same time, Buford's expression changed drastically again.

Because, at this time, the Spurs fans on the side of the court let out a cry of surprise, and the Spurs coach Popovich squatted on the ground again!
On the court, this time, Duncan did not chase him out or beyond the three-point line. The Spurs chose to switch defense!
Is there anything wrong with switching to guard Garnett outside the three-point line?

There is nothing wrong with this!
However, just as the two Spurs players were rotating, Garnett, who took the ball at the top of the arc outside the three-point line, actually shot it directly! ! !
"Such a decisive offense!!! Oh my god! Is this Garnett? Is this Garnett who is exhausted? Is this the same Garnett who was weak in offense at critical moments?!!!"

If Ginobili's three-pointer just now is a super score, a super score that can affect the trend of the game.

Well, the same goes for Garnett's!

Many people, faced with such a situation, don’t even dare to take action!

Even some so-called super giants, the top ten in history, dare not take such a super shot!

Garnett takes action!

And so decisive!

Duncan, who was about to return to the basket, suddenly looked back at Garnett outside.

Looking at Garnett who was also looking at him at this time, Duncan had a dull expression on his face.

And right now!
There was a bang!
The dull expression on Duncan's face became even duller!
Garnett looked at Coach D, who was smiling on the sidelines, and his mouth moved!
"Tim, are you ready this time?"

"The hunt is about to begin!"

In front of the TV, Nowitzki held his hands tightly.

Many people say his career is perfect.

but!

"I know that my career is still just a little bit off, just a little bit off!!!"

What is this little bit?
I got it now! ! !
(End of this chapter)