Coach, I don't want to retire yet

Chapter 385 Despair!

Los Angeles.

After the G5 game between the Lakers and the Warriors, the Lakers, who were playing at home, lost this game. The whole of Los Angeles was simply like mourning.

Before the game started, the Lakers fans at the scene were holding slogans that said, "Enter the Finals and kill James."

Before the game started, none of the Lakers fans at the scene paid any attention to the Warriors.

The Warriors are just a team we have a 3-1 lead over!

The great victories brought by Barkley in the first four games made the Lakers, from management to fans, full of confidence.

Even Nash, who is next to Du Kang, is perhaps the most familiar with the Warriors. He has a strong mentality of underestimating the Warriors. Maybe not underestimating the enemy, but a huge 3-1 lead, plus two home court advantages. Brings a huge sense of superiority.

Everyone thinks that even if the Lakers don't have Barkley, they won't be able to win any of the three games?
Lakers, the finals are determined!

However, these people have obviously forgotten that the Warriors are not such a weak team.

In fact, the Warriors have always been a stronger team than the Lakers.

The reason why the Lakers were able to beat the Warriors 3-1 was entirely due to Popovich's familiarity with Cole and the victories brought by Barkley in those two games.

Now Popovich is no longer familiar with Kerr.

Barkley was also injured and unable to play.

The Lakers are now facing a completely different Warriors team.

The Lakers are mostly veterans. Although they are so confident that they underestimate the enemy, they cannot really be distracted during the game.

In fact, in this G5 game, the Lakers players played very hard.

Without hard work, it is impossible to prevent the Warriors from hitting only 37% of their three-pointers.

Without hard work, Garnett, who returned to the starting lineup in this game, would not have scored 35 points in the game.

And Wade scored 40 points in the game.

Garnett and Wade combined for 75 points in this game.

The two are really prepared to fight in this game, and then fight it out to implement Popovich's strategy of eliminating the Warriors as soon as possible and advancing as soon as possible.

Therefore, in this game, Wade played 45 minutes and Garnett played 42 minutes. At the end of the game, their legs were visibly shaking, and they were sweating so much that they couldn't stop it.

The Lakers are playing this game as the last Western Conference Finals, and there is no way out.

So Wade, Seth Curry and Garnett started attacking like crazy.

Wade attacked 9 times in the first quarter, hitting 9 of 4 and scoring 8 points.

Seth Curry attacked 7 times in the first quarter, hitting 7 of 1 and scoring three points.

It is precisely because of Seth Curry's poor touch that Garnett needs to forcefully attack from behind.

However, throughout the first quarter, the Warriors' offense was really not very good. They shot 30 of 10 in a single quarter and their shooting percentage was only over 3%.

The opposing Warriors made 20 of 10 in the first quarter, with a shooting percentage of 50%.

There was a 10-shot difference between the Lakers and the Warriors in the first quarter. After the first quarter, the scores of the two teams were actually the same.

Why did the Lakers have 10 more offensive opportunities than the Warriors in the first quarter?
It's very simple, Garnett really worked hard!
In the first quarter, Garnett grabbed 3 offensive rebounds and 2 steals.

Garnett alone stole 5 offensive opportunities for the Lakers.

Without Barkley, the Lakers can't break the Warriors' five small defenses.

Therefore, the Lakers' shooting percentage in the first quarter was very poor.

However, this group of veterans of the Lakers used their own efforts and hard work to win the first quarter.

The game was tied in the first quarter, the game was tied in the second quarter, and the game was tied in the third quarter.

Even with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, the two teams were still tied.

However, in the last 5 minutes, the Lakers simply couldn't hold on and collapsed.

Wade, who had already played 40 minutes, and Garnett, who had already played 38 minutes, gritted their teeth and made 15 of 5, 4 of 4 free throws, and scored all the Lakers' last 14 points.

And what about the Warriors on the opposite side?
库里4中2，三分球4中2，罚球4中4，10分。

易建联4中2，罚球4中4，8分。

In addition, Clay and Love also scored 4 points each.

In the last 5 minutes, the Lakers were beaten 14-24 by the Warriors.

In the end, in the most critical 5 minutes, the Lakers lost this battle of teeth.

After this game, the Lakers were desperate.

Because Curry's three-pointers in this game were 12 of 4, and Klay's three-pointers were 9 of 3. Neither of them actually opened three-pointers.

However, the Warriors still won the game with their better overall offensive and defensive strength.

He came off the bench and scored 10 points and 8 rebounds on 16 of 15 shots. Love, who single-handedly defeated all the Lakers' substitute forwards, shined in the audience.

Without Barkley, Garnett moved to the starting lineup, and the Lakers simply had no one who could match Love.

Neither Ebanks nor Antetokounmpo or Covington can match up.

In the end, we can only increase Garnett's playing time. Garnett played 42 minutes in this game. The big reason is that he was restrained by both starting Yi Jianlian and substitute Love.

The final result is that Love did not defend well, and neither did Yi Jianlian.

In this game, Garnett can be said to be difficult to beat with four fists.

In fact, Garnett's opponents in this game not only have four hands, but also two legs.

Facing the five young warriors, Garnett still has to run with them. How old is he? He still has to run around with young people like Yi Jianlian.

Garnett was gritting his teeth in this game.

这场比赛易建联19中10，全场砍下了27分15篮板4抢断4盖帽。

In this kind of game rhythm.

Garnett is invincible, he can attack and defend, he can run and jump.

One person almost suppressed Lakers attackers such as Antetokounmpo, Ebanks and McAway who were attacking the basket.

And this is one of the reasons why the Lakers were desperate after the game.

The Lakers' loss at home in this game was really not due to the feel.

It's really because of the system.

Without Barkley, the Lakers would really not be able to match the Warriors in terms of system.

Without Barkley, the Lakers seemed to lack the soul to face the Warriors.

And Barkley is indeed the soul of the Lakers playing the Warriors.

Barkley's role is on both ends of the floor.

Therefore, without Barkley, the Lakers' problem facing the Warriors is that offense is a problem, and defense is also a problem.

In Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers failed to defeat the Warriors at home, which caused the entire Los Angeles to explode.

Everyone is stressed.

Including Popovich.

Popovich now feels that his little hair is once again in danger.

Even when he went to bed last night, in his dream, he had invited Coach D back to coach, and he was ready to give up the job.

It’s not just a matter of giving up.

But be prepared for self-sacrifice.

Coach D’s words kept echoing in his ears.

The best head coach is one who can sacrifice everything for the team.

In the best team, everyone in it is the owner of the team, so they will sacrifice everything for the team and become extremely strong.

Once he understands this and really understands this, he can start teaching.

If someone else said this, Popovich felt that it must be bragging, and he would never believe it.

But, this is what Coach D said.

Moreover, everyone on the Lakers practices this.

For the sake of the Lakers, Coach D voluntarily gave up the opportunity for front-office glory.

For the sake of the Lakers, Barkley was willing to use his own corpse to pave the way for the Lakers to move forward.

For the Lakers, Wade is willing to sacrifice his knees, be in a wheelchair for the next life, and keep throwing himself in the air.

There are too many such mental powers in this team.

In such a team, even the most selfish person will be moved.

At that moment, he was really moved.

I am really ready to ask Coach D to come back and lead the Lakers to the finals. As for him to prove himself, it doesn't matter if he doesn't, or he sacrifices for the sake of the team.

However, in the end, selfishness still took over the high ground in his head.Having come this far, how could he give up?

Since he can't invite Coach D back, and since he wants to prove himself, he can't even go to Coach D for advice. Coach D won't come down to give guidance out of respect for him.

Then, the only one he can rely on is himself.

How could he not see that there is something wrong with the entire system now that the Lakers are facing the Warriors?

Offense, defense, he wants it all!
However, without Barkley, he has no offense and defense!
Without Barkley, the current Lakers can no longer balance offense and defense.

"So, is it offense or defense?"

Popovich once again fell into a historic decision.

And in Auckland.

Cole was also under great pressure at this time.

He defeated the Lakers strongly in the away game. The entire game followed his plan, with a stalemate in front and a decisive victory at the last minute.

All this is his plan.

None of this plan went astray.

But he still couldn't be happy.

Because, for three consecutive games, the Warriors failed to open a three-pointer!

This is very abnormal!
The two home games are not open, and the away games are not open either.

After he played five small games, except for the first game, the Warriors' three-point shooting rate did not exceed 40% in the next three games. Even Curry and Klay's three-point shooting percentage was even lower.

As long as he is not a fool, he will see it.

This old guy Popovich really strangled the Warriors' outside three-pointers!

Unless God wears Curry or Clay's jersey, otherwise, it is impossible for the two to explode if they feel normal.

"As expected of a man who has studied Farke basketball for a whole season!"

At this point, you have to admire Popovich.

Popovich is a man who can even make UCLA air cuts.

His attainments in the tactical system are indeed beyond words.

Curry and Klay failed to shoot three-pointers, and their role in opening up space was unparalleled.

In order to control these two people, the Lakers let Ebanks and Antetokounmpo expand wildly, which also gave Yi Jianlian a huge space on offense.

This also increased Garnett's consumption on the defensive end.

The offensive value of the two in the Warriors is still unlimited.

But, of course, he would not want to play at the last moment if he could.

At the last moment, no one can guarantee that they will win.

Do you really think that since you are young, you will definitely win at the last moment?
That's too naive.

If possible, Cole definitely hopes that there will be no final moments in the game against the Lakers. Curry and Klay's three-pointer separated the Lakers in the first half. This is the safest way.

But how to help Curry and Clay break away from the shackles of Popovich and the Lakers?
Cole really didn't want his team to die suddenly because of the sudden outburst of a Lakers veteran at the last moment.

You know, although the Lakers are without Barkley, Garnett, Wade, Seth Curry and Pierce are all capable of killing the Warriors!

The pressure is great, the pressure is unparalleled.

Cole can't even imagine whether he and his team can withstand the next game until the last moment.

In the last game, everyone didn’t lose track.

So what about the next game?

Except for Yi Jianlian, he couldn't believe anyone, including Curry and Clay.

It was in this atmosphere that G6 between the Lakers and Warriors started!

Play against the Lakers at home again.

The Warriors players came on the stage to the cheers of the fans.

Yi Jianlian's face was expressionless.

Curry was chewing on his braces nervously.

Dream Chaser Green was shaking his head excitedly.

Le Fu's eyes were a little wandering.

Iguodala was chatting and laughing with Dream Chaser next to him.

And Clay...

"G6!"

Clay, his eyes are shining.

The greater the attention of the game, the greater the attention you will receive after becoming the protagonist!

G6 between the Cavaliers and Celtics has ended.

The Celtics successfully defeated the Cavaliers, who suspended Irving and Isiah Thomas, on the road and tied the score to 3-3.

Now, it’s the Warriors’ turn, and it’s my turn, Klay Thompson!

In this game, the whole world will see how special I am!

I, Klay Thompson, will not be a supporting role even if I am with Yi or Stephen!

Everyone faces stress differently.

In this G6, everyone on the Lakers and Warriors felt tremendous pressure.

Leading 3-1, if it is chased 3-3, this will definitely be a historic turning point for both sides.

Neither side will accept losing this game.

Not only the teams on both sides felt this kind of pressure, but even the commentators on both sides felt it.

Therefore, O'Neal was complaining like crazy before the game.

"I bet that these two teams didn't dare to move a step in this game, for fear that the slightest move would cause the team to collapse."

This is true.

At this time, people become more conservative.

But soon, O'Neill's eyes widened.

"Oh my God, Garnett didn't start this game, but the Lakers' starters were Ebanks, Antetokounmpo, Covington, McAway and Wade!!!"

"Neither Garnett nor Seth Curry started!!!"

"Is Popovich crazy?!"

Soon, O'Neal and the shocked audience were shocked again.

After the first quarter, Curry made 3 of 0 three-pointers. Not only did he miss, he even had no chance to connect.

The Lakers, who were already suffocating Curry, were squeezing Curry even harder in this game!

In the first quarter, Clay actually attacked 10 times, but only 10 of 3!

In the first quarter of the game, Clay and Curry actually shot 13 of 3!

After the first quarter of the game, it was an away game. The Lakers, who started Garnett and Seth Curry, actually led the Warriors by 23 points 20-3 on the road!
At the end of the first quarter, Warriors head coach Kerr's hands and lips were trembling on the sidelines.

despair!

Yi Jianlian, who went 4-for-4 in the first quarter, felt the pain of Garnett in the previous games. He had an invincible shooting percentage and was almost never able to connect the ball as he was bypassed by Ebanks and Antetokounmpo.

Yi Jianlian can punish the fifth-small Lakers, but Yi Jianlian has almost no chance to punish by going around.

The final opportunity all appeared on Clay. Clay really dared to shoot. If the opportunity was given to him, he would shoot.

However, McAway, Covington and Wade in front of Clay are all very strong, and Clay's so-called opportunities are all shot against others.

The Warriors didn't have any chance. In the first quarter, the Warriors' offensive shooting percentage was only 30%!

"In a duel between the five small teams, the Lakers are the smaller team, and the Warriors are the bigger team. They are at a disadvantage!!!"

"Incredible Lakers, incredible Popovich!"

"Popovich brought the Lakers back to life!!!"

"Now, we once again feel the great decision-making of Coach D. In the NBA, besides Coach D, Popovich is the most special one!!!"

On the sidelines, Popovich didn't smile, but directed Garnett and Seth Curry to play.

At this time, all Garnett's eyes were on Kevin Love not far away!
Looking at Garnett and Seth Curry at this time.

The only thing in the hearts of the Warriors fans at the scene was...

despair!

(End of this chapter)