Forward to the basket

Timeout, when Van Gundy signaled to the referee to ask for a timeout, the score on the court had been rewritten by the Celtics to 14:6, and only 5 minutes had passed in the first quarter of the game.

Wave after wave of offense, if tide can be used to describe the Celtics' offensive mode, then what the Magic encountered today must be the most turbulent stage of tide, drowning them almost instantly.

This is a very helpless situation. Van Gundy yelled on the sidelines for almost 5 minutes, but nothing changed at all. Even though he had changed players several times, he couldn't contain the Celtics' attack.

Just like Rivers' request, the Celtics' offensive speed is not blindly seeking speed, nor does it have to kill the opponent with a stick, they pay more attention to the efficiency of offense.

It's just that when seizing a fast break opportunity, with an engine like Rondo, plus the other four guys, it can be shockingly fast, and this is the basis for establishing the Celtics' own tight defense. superior.

Grab the opponent's weak point, and then stab it out fiercely. Not only is it precise, but it is also very deadly.

Once this kind of offensive efficiency is on track, it is definitely a big killer, just like the Spurs under the command of Vicky, what they never want is not gorgeous, but a kind of extreme practicality.

They may not have an amazing performance in a game, but the numbers on the scoreboard will truly reflect their abilities.

Now Rivers requires the Celtics to implement the same rhythm. It is not necessary to play a gorgeous match with every ball, but it must ensure that every link is efficient.

Don't make mistakes, or make up for them after making mistakes, instead of hitting your fast break when your opponent catches you.

Now the Celtics' defense starts with reducing mistakes. Even if there are mistakes, they will minimize the threat. Such a team is completely honing themselves for the playoffs.

Although the regular season is not halfway through, Rivers' goal this season is not as simple as entering the playoffs.

In the regular season, it is not necessary to take the top spot in the league, but in the playoffs, the Celtics only have one goal, and Rivers' efforts are aimed at that.

Although Rivers didn't say anything big to the media before the start of the season, this guy has long been thinking about the championship trophy after getting Garnett and others.

What is number one in the regular season, what is the top five points per game, these are obviously floating clouds, only the championship in the playoffs is the final evaluation standard, whether you are a king or not, the trophy can tell everything.

Rivers doesn't want to have a lively season, dominate the regular season, and then be kicked out in the playoffs. He has to prepare, and he will definitely not delay until the start of the game.

During the regular season, they kept polishing the team's skills and tactics, and gradually kneaded the team into shape. Even if there were any missing parts, they could use this time to make up for them.

In the transfer market, Angie started quickly, and in the position of coach, Rivers' actions are no slower than anyone else. You can feel this by looking at the current record of the Celtics.

Compared with the Celtics, Van Gundy is not a star. Even though the Magic has a good record, as a coach, he understands the gap.

At least for now, Van Gundy has not been able to make the Magic's overall style of play tend to be consistent. The relationship between the primary and secondary offenses of the inside and outside lines is often adjusted according to the player's touch. This is a fatal flaw.

Don't look at how the Magic has a big guy like Howard sitting on the inside, but this is a world of difference from O'Neal's era. Now Orlando's offensive firepower is more on the outside.

However, regarding this issue, Van Gundy couldn't turn the situation around. Although he really hoped that he would have a ruthless character who could pull out the wall inside, Howard was obviously a little bit behind.

It's not that Howard is useless, it's just that compared to this guy's defensive ability, Howard's offensive firepower is really not very good, whether it's a small hook, or the movement of the basket, Howard, who is full of tendons, is far inferior On O'Neal, let alone in his peak period, even now, there is still a gap.

Back then O'Neal and Hardaway were able to bring the Magic into a strong team in the Eastern Conference. It was not without reason. This guy's destructive power at the basket is one aspect. Similarly, the offensive firepower of this big shark is really strong

In the era when the interior line is gradually weakening, O'Neal can still win the scoring title by his own offense at the basket. This in itself is a proof that his destructive power and offensive methods really cause headaches for opponents.

Especially while taking advantage of his own advantages, O'Neal has a lot of offensive methods at the basket. Regardless of whether it is a strong attack or a single with the ball behind him, this guy has two brushes.

Don't look at how he was dealt with by Olajuwon once, but O'Neal at that time was still a little immature.

If both of them are really at their peak, it's hard to say the outcome, at least O'Neal won't lose so miserably, and his sturdy physique is definitely a giant killer in the basket.

Now Howard's physical fitness is not to be picked, he needs strength and power, he needs to bounce and bounce, and he doesn't suffer from height, but this guy's offensive methods are absolutely pale.

Facing the basket and backing the basket, the shooting rate is very unreliable. The only thing he inherited from O'Neal is probably his free throw technique, which is equally bad, and even surpasses his predecessors.

When everyone mentioned O'Neill before, they all said that at a critical moment, you can "cut the shark", and it is absolutely right.

But now when many teams run into the Magic, they will take the initiative to think of cutting Howard, especially in the last few minutes of the game. If you cut it, you may win.

"I didn't have O'Neill's life, but I got O'Neill's disease." This is how many people commented on Howard.

The Magic have always hoped that Howard will be able to get the hang of it, at least he can carry it inside and become an offensive fulcrum. However, Van Gundy has also coached O'Neal. He knows that no matter whether Howard can win the championship in the future, at least he can In this position, he cannot reach the height of O'Neill.

At least in terms of offense, unless Howard can work hard for a few years, the gap between him and O'Neal will never be bridged, and this is definitely not an alarmist.

Just like the timeout called by Van Gundy, the lagging behind in the score is not fatal, but tactical mistakes, or if the attack point is wrong, it will be a big deal.

Looking at the group of players around him, Van Gundy knew that the few minutes of confrontation just now put a lot of pressure on these guys.

It wasn't that the shouts of the surrounding fans affected them, but that when they confronted each other on the field, they could clearly feel that the two sides had different priorities, especially in terms of efficiency.

The big Van Gundy called a timeout, one is to curb the Celtics' offensive momentum, and the other reason is to change the current state of the Magic, especially the center of gravity of the offense.

"Dwight, your task is to protect the rebounds in the interior, not to be the main offensive point. I need you to cover the offensive firepower of your teammates. Don't pester the opponent to single-handedly. I hope you remember that basketball is for five people. Cooperate, not perform alone, you have fallen into the trap designed by the other party."

If it was normal, maybe Van Gundy would not say such merciless words, but the situation on the field just now is very clear, Howard is already attacking with a feverish mind

If this guy is not awakened at this time, then the Magic may not even be able to survive the first quarter. This damn point difference is caused by Howard's four shots.

And this guy was still yelling at Nelson just before the timeout, why didn't he pass the basketball to him earlier, with such a mentality, he still wanted to kill the kid in the No. 99 shirt opposite him? That was a dream

But Van Gundy also knew that Howard lost his composure today because he was teased by his opponent.

If it weren't for Chen Feng's constant nagging provocations in his ears, I'm afraid Howard wouldn't be so abnormal.

In other games, Howard seldom required such a strong attack. Obviously, this was stimulated by his opponent, especially because of the news before the game, which made Howard long ago lost his calm heart.

Van Gundy didn't know how to evaluate Chen Feng, but he could tell that if Howard really let him fight for Chen Feng, Howard would definitely lose in the competition of basketball IQ.

Because that cunning bald boy was too slick, Howard was teased by him four times as the main attack, but he hit one in the opening game, and then he supported his teammates in the paint several times in a row.

If it were normal people, before the start of the game, there would be such an uproar, how could they humiliate their opponents when they didn't catch, and attack wildly with the ball, this is definitely unavoidable.

But that kid didn't seem to have that idea at all. Except for his aggressive offense, the rest of the time he was integrating himself into the entire Celtics' offense.

Such a calm head is definitely not the kind of character who makes mistakes easily. Howard hit an iron plate this time.

Not only is Howard unable to take advantage of the battle for the basket, but he has always been at a disadvantage in terms of dominance. Van Gundy can only temporarily let this guy avoid such a duel.

If he continues to let things go like this, maybe that unlucky Howard will be dealt with by Chen Feng. With his offensive efficiency, alas, it really hurts to think about it.

Therefore, Van Gundy has to consider not only Howard's emotions at this time, but he also has to warn this monster that if you want to win, you have to be obedient.

After all, the boss of the team is still Van Gundy, and Howard is not O'Neal, so he doesn't dare to resist the head coach's intentions. Even if he is upset, he has to stay by the side in a muffled voice.

Xing character, this sentence is absolutely true, if it was O'Neal, he would definitely tell the head coach loudly, I want to dominate the game, you must let the defender pass the ball to me.

This is a kind of confidence, and it is also a kind of strong self-confidence. You can say that he is domineering, but this guy will definitely make you choose to believe him with a result that makes you speechless.

What Howard lacks now is this kind of ability, which is why O'Neal ridiculed him in the newspapers. He is just an imitator, a big boy who likes to play tricks, and he is far from being a successor.

Even if the fans in Orlando hope that Howard can become the next O'Neal, but now it seems that this wish will be delayed indefinitely for the time being, and he will not be able to bear that title in a short time.

To settle Howard, Van Gundy's adjustments are not over. He just wants to let the players understand that he has suppressed the chaos just now, and he hopes for the rest of the game to be as usual.

"You partnered with Carlos to make the back line alive. In the few minutes just now, you were severely restricted by Rondo. I don't want the next game to be like this. Remember my words."

Van Gundy pointed to Nelson and said that, likewise, he also replaced Bogans from the field and replaced him with Arroyo.

The defensive strength of the two small men dropped instantly, but at this time, Van Gundy had to consider not only tightening the defense line, after all, the Magic team was behind, and defense alone was definitely useless.

If the offense can't open up the situation, everything is useless. Press Zohuad to attack, that is, to spread the offensive firepower of the entire Magic team, so as to catch up with the gap.

Howard is no longer the first choice of offense. In fact, the Magic team used to play like this, but today is a bit special. Howard wants the ball too strongly.

Well now, Van Gundy put all this in the face and said that he was telling Howard not to mess up the game because of one person's problem

The combination of Arroyo and Nelson is to cause trouble for Rondo in the backcourt, but Van Gundy's offensive focus is no longer here. He needs two other guys who can stand up in time at this moment.

"Rashad, you and Hidayat need to expand the range of movement. The outer firepower has not been able to open. This is the main reason why the opponent dares to shrink the defense. This problem must be changed."

The adjustment of the back line is just to make better use of the speed to attack the Celtics, but Van Gundy's ultimate move is definitely not Arroyo and Nelson, he is more concerned about the two heavy artillery of the Magic.

Misfiring for a full 5 minutes, now Van Gundy needs these two guys to be tough, at least to bring changes to the team.

Anyway, the Magic is not a soft persimmon in the East. Even if the North Shore Garden Arena is difficult to capture, they will not be bullied by their opponents like this. Losing is not terrible. Losing confidence is fatal.

Van Gundy wants to let Boston fans see that the Orlando Magic are not so easily crushed.

He wants to fight back, and the Musketeers of the Magic team have already loaded their bullets...