Coach, I don't want to retire yet

Chapter 607 The most sophisticated game!
In Game 1 of the finals between the Bobcats and the Lakers, the Bobcats won the victory with great difficulty at home.

After the game, the entire NBA was discussing Game 1 of this year's finals, and almost all the discussions were positive.

Over the past three years, the refereeing factor in the NBA Finals has been too big.

This year's finals, in theory, is a true NBA finals about basketball.

There are no other factors interfering in the finals, just players and basketball.

What’s more important is that the players and basketball in this year’s finals are also the strongest.

I have to say, this is a very lucky opportunity.

So, after the game, NBA Finals manager David Stern was very excited. He expressed his satisfaction and expectations for this year's finals, and announced to the world that the NBA has now entered a new era.

Whether the NBA has entered a new era is definitely important for public opinion and the NBA.

But for the Bobcats and the Lakers, it is definitely not that important.

In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, both teams played very well, but in this game, both teams actually held back.

For example, on the Lakers side, Yao Ming was actually suppressing his own fighting power throughout the game, helping McGrady and Kobe.

It's not that McGrady and Kobe are not strong, but Kobe and McGrady helping Yao Ming are definitely stronger than Yao Ming helping Kobe and McGrady.

For example, the Bobcats' O'Neal and Grant Hill only played for a short time in the game.

This is definitely a reservation. With the strength of O'Neal and Grant Hill, they have no problem playing at a high level for more than ten minutes in a game.

O'Neal and Grant Hill played so little, and it was obvious that Coach D intended to lower his absolute strength to maintain his sustainability. If the Bobcats really went all out, they would definitely not care about sustainability and would definitely go all in with their strongest strength.

Therefore, although both teams performed very well in G1 and the players of both teams have gone through all the difficulties, both teams actually have backup plans and have not brought out their strongest players, so both teams still have room for adjustment.

Of course, what I mean here is that there is room for adjustment.

If the Bobcats or the Lakers are really willing to bring out their strongest selves, then they would definitely be willing to do so in Game 1.

Since they didn't take it out and instead kept it in reserve, they must have their own concerns.

For the Lakers, there is no problem in bringing out the strongest player Yao Ming. However, Yao Ming is too important to the Lakers. He is the ballast stone. Whether Yao Ming is stable or not directly determines the strength level of the Lakers. The Lakers with Yao Ming and the Lakers without Yao Ming are two different teams.

If Yao Ming is fully utilized, then they must aim to sweep the Bobcats. If they cannot defeat the Bobcats in four or even five games, what if Yao Ming has fought too hard in the previous five games? To Popovich, Yao Ming has never been the kind of player who can tolerate a lot of trouble.

In terms of intensity and continuity, Popovich chose continuity. Yao Ming assisted McGrady and Kobe, so that the Lakers could play seven games at 99% strength instead of four or five games at 7% strength.

Popovich's choice is actually similar to Coach D's choice to use O'Neal and Grant Hill for half a quarter in a game.

Neither of them felt they could sweep the other.

Neither Dukan nor Popovich felt that the opponent was a team that could be easily defeated.

Therefore, persistence is more important than short-term bursts.

Therefore, both Du Kang and Popovich chose continuity.

Of course, after G1, the situation may be a little different.

Because the Bobcats won the game, the Bobcats, who were already prepared for a protracted battle, can continue to use their own sustained style of play and choices.

The Lakers, on the other hand, need to consider, if they continue to play in this way, what should they do if they lose the next game?
This is also the problem that Popovich is worried about now.

G1 was played on June 6nd.

G2 was played on June 6nd.

G3 will be on June 6th.

G4 will be on June 6th.

Popovich is now keeping an eye on the schedule.

The schedule for the first four games of the finals has been released. It can be seen that the first three games are three days apart, and starting from G4, there will be two days apart.

Therefore, if we consider that although they played a Game 7 with the Thunder, none of the Lakers' Big Three played in Game , then the Lakers could have fought hard in the first three games.

G1 was tentative, and the Lakers' test is over, that is, if the Lakers don't go all out, then the two teams are equally matched.

This is extremely deadly.

"I'm not as good as Coach D. At the critical moment, I don't have the confidence to lead the team to victory!"

Popovich let out a long breath.

Before the start of this finals, he once again had the idea of ​​competing with Coach D.

But after Game 1 of the finals, he no longer had such thoughts.

Game 1 of the Finals can already explain a lot of problems. Who could have thought that Coach D would use GDP to play in the critical moment, and who could have thought that Duncan would shoot a three-pointer in the end?
Coach D's ability to win at critical moments is unmatched.

"If I don't fight now, but fall into Coach D's rhythm, the rhythm of the final battle with Coach D, maybe this great Lakers team will be swept by Coach D!"

Popovich thinks this is not just groundless worry, he really feels so.

Therefore, the Lakers must not play a last-minute game with the Bobcats. Even if they have to play a last-minute game, the Lakers must enter the last minute with a lead and advantage.

Popovich made his decision.

But the expressions on Popovich's two assistants' faces were not so optimistic.

Not to mention Yes, even Bowen could see that Popovich's choice had some hidden dangers.

"Pop, even if we maintain our momentum and make it to Game 7, we may still be at a disadvantage physically. If we choose to play explosively and fail to resolve the game within five or even six games, I'm afraid that Game 7 will be very disadvantageous to us."

This is not Bowen's unfounded worry.

Because once you choose to explode, you really can't stop.

You have to burst out all the way and end the battle as soon as possible, and never delay.

There may not be any problem with the first three games, but starting from G4, it is possible that the team will play one game every two days, and even the home court will have to be changed for G6.

If the game really has to be played in the last two days, the Lakers will collapse.

The intensity of this finals was already high.

And more importantly, the last time the finals went to a Game 7, there was a game every two days afterwards.

"So, I hope we can win the next game, then go back home and win all three games!"

Popovich naturally will not pin his fate on the league's schedule.

Popovich's idea is to win the next game and return to their home court. The Lakers will play three consecutive games at home. With their stronger strength and home court advantage, they have a chance to win three games in a row.

"If we lose the next game, we must fight hard in G3. Even if we fight hard, we will have to play a Game . In the end, I'm afraid we will probably lose even a Game . We will fight hard in the next game. The initiative is still in our hands. The opportunity is still in our hands. If we don't fight hard in the next game... Do you have the confidence to beat the Bobcats in the next game? The Bobcats with high morale led by Coach D."

After Popovich finished speaking, Bowen did not object this time, and Yes, in fact, just frowned and did not object at all.

All I can say is that Popovich has his own considerations, and they are very thoughtful.

Indeed, for the Lakers, it is unacceptable to fall behind 0-2.

If they were behind 0-2, even if the Lakers tried their best, they would only have a chance for a game .

The finals format is 232, which is good for teams without home advantage, because as long as they steal one game away from home, they can win three games in a row at home. But if the home team wins two games at home, then this format is very disadvantageous to the visiting team, because if they steal one game at home, they will lose the game.

Since Popovich has no confidence in winning the next game, there is nothing wrong with this choice.

"Go all out!"

Popovich made the final decision.

On the Bobcats side, after the end of Game 1 of the Finals, Du Kang was also arranging training and tactics with his coaching team.

For the Bobcats, Game 1 of the Finals was not a pressure, but a motivation.

Before the start of the finals, the Lakers were very strong and invincible. The odds and experts outside were telling the Bobcats that they had no chance.

The Bobcats themselves also think so. They are also very afraid of the strength of the Lakers.

After Game 1, the Lakers are certainly still strong, but they have also proved that they can win.

This is extremely important.

Confidence can sometimes bring a lot of things.

"Coach, I guess Popovich will fight us hard in the next game. Should we change our style of play?"

The general unspoken rule in the NBA is that the winning team does not make adjustments.

You have already found a way to win. What if something goes wrong if you make random adjustments?
But in the finals against the Lakers, the situation was different.

If the Bobcats don't adjust and can't match the Lakers' strength, they may be swept away in one wave.

"The Lakers can win, but they can't win easily. We need to put enough pressure on the Lakers and consume enough energy in every game!"

Iverson said this.

Now Iverson is temporarily serving as an assistant coach for the Bobcats. Of course, this assistant coach is definitely a part-time job, with no salary and no title. He just follows Du Kang to learn.

Du Kang was very satisfied to hear Iverson say this.

Iverson has grown a lot in these years with the 76ers. He has a vision. Although they lost to the Celtics in the playoffs this season, Iverson has also demonstrated his potential.

If Nash saw the current predicament of Popovich and the Lakers, then Iverson provided a solution and also saw the essence of this finals.

"As long as we can hold on, the Bobcats will be the final winner. The key is to hold on."

Du Kang said with a smile.

When the Bobcats play against the Lakers, in terms of absolute strength, the Lakers are definitely stronger, there is no doubt about that.

Because on the offensive end, both teams only have Yao Ming as a truly invincible player.

Thabeet, Beasley, Kobe, McGrady, and O'Neal are also invincible, but they are not undefended.

Yao Ming is truly undefendable.

If the two teams really only play one decisive battle, then the Lakers' chance of winning is over 80%.

If the two teams were to go to a two-game decider, the Lakers' chances of winning would be over 75%.

If two teams play three games to decide the best, it is still 75%.

If the two teams were to play a five-game series, the Lakers' winning rate would be over 70%.

However, the finals is a best-of-seven series.

More importantly, the Bobcats have already won one game, so this one is very important.

"Coach, how should we deploy our troops for the next game?"

"O'Neal is not going."

Du Kang finished speaking with a smile, and Iverson, Nash and others looked at each other.

On June 2016, 6, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, the Bobcats and the Lakers faced off again.

The Bobcats' starting lineup for this game was Duncan, Thabeet, Beasley, Jordan, and Grant Hill.

O'Neal did not start.

Not only did O'Neal not start, he didn't even appear on the court!
"Where's O'Neal?!"

"Oh my god, is O'Neal going to desert the finals? Where is O'Neal?!"

Everyone was dumbfounded!

The commentator on the scene was dumbfounded.

The fans at the scene, the viewers in front of the TV, the fans on the Internet, and even Popovich were all a little dumbfounded at this moment.

Without O'Neal, can Duncan really match Yao Ming for an entire game?

Without O'Neal, can the Bobcats use their heads to block the Lakers' strong attack under the basket?

Is Coach D ready to give up on this game?
If this happens, the Bobcats will easily collapse!

Because there is no O'Neal.

At this moment, the entire Charlotte Arena was a little noisy.

In Los Angeles, O'Neal is watching the finals in his mansion.

Watching his teammates working hard on TV, O'Neal is very excited and nervous.

"Grant really tried his best in this game!"

Grant Hill can break through and shoot, run and jump, attack and defend. The Lakers no longer have O'Neal, but can rely on an all-forward lineup to block the defense.

Each of them is tall and strong, and can run and jump.

In addition to the starters, Ding Yanyuhang, Marion and others on the bench can also rotate.

Although the Lakers had the upper hand in the game, the Bobcats never collapsed and the game went to the very last minute. In the end, the Lakers defeated the Bobcats 128-120 on the road.

The Lakers tied the finals score at 1-1.

Charlotte.

The game is won!

Popovich breathed a sigh of relief after finishing his post-game press conference.

At this moment, Bowen ran over with a grim look on his face and whispered something in his ear, which made Popovich dumbfounded instantly.

"Pop, there's news from Los Angeles that O'Neal arrived in Los Angeles from Charlotte a day ago!!!"

what? !

"Coach D wants to grab G3!!!"

(End of this chapter)