The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 428

After killing the Cavaliers, the Spurs' reputation reached a new level.

Everyone was amazed that Popovich had changed again. This time he actually competed with the Cavaliers for the main force, which is unbelievable.

Some netizens calmly pointed out that Popovich has changed a long time ago. If he would not allow players to score 50+ in the past, he would not allow players to break the record. Even if the record was broken, he would use rotations to prevent the team from continuing.

It's even more impossible for the main force to let Zhang Xiaotian, Leonard and others only play for 10 minutes before it's normal.

Of course, some people despised Popovich's main players in rotation a few days ago.

In fact, Popovich in the eyes of fans is processed. As a head coach, he will not prevent players from setting records and winning honors. He just doesn't want players to be too addicted to it.

In other words, he doesn't care if the Spurs continue to set records.

Netizens whose speeches were overwhelmed have actually pointed out that the Spurs have obviously rested their two main players. It is because of how good their players are.

Of course, no one cares about this kind of big truth. This must be a terrifying conspiracy.

However, the winning streak continues.

On January 1, the Spurs played away against the Eastern Nets.

Aldridge was the only original starter for the Spurs in this game. Although Zhang Xiaotian really wanted to score points in this game, he still took a round off at the team's suggestion.

It's good to rest in rotation when facing fish belly, at least the victory point is relatively guaranteed, Zhang Xiaotian comforted himself, after all, if the opponent is too weak, he may be replaced if he does not score 50 points.

The team's suggestion is also for the health of the players, after all, the game against the Cavaliers was too intense.

Among the substitute players, Ginobili also rested, as if Popovich just wanted to hit the face of the outside world.

But the team still won, firmly suppressing the Nets at halftime.

Now the Nets are extremely weak, Jeremy Lin has suffered another injury, and the bottom of the league is not discussed.

"The Spurs are still the Spurs no matter who gets hurt," Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie lamented after the game. "I think they're the 'Patriots' of the NBA."

"You just need to select players from the team that you want him to play, find players who can surpass themselves and are willing to enter the rotation, and they will be satisfied with their positions and will not complain about this or that." Spurs coach Gregg - Popovich introduced his experience after the game.

"Some players may have promised you these things before, or he can still meet this situation in this season. But when it comes to the trading time or contract year, they will no longer be satisfied only as a rotation player, they will also hope Do other things. So, you have to do your job and make sure you bring those right players around your star players, players who are willing to do those things for a long time, and that's very important."

Speaking of Zhang Xiaotian and Leonard, Popovich joked: "I still enjoy this season. There is a lot of joy. It won't always be just those old guys."

"They have a system there," said Nets general manager Sean Marks, a former Spurs player. people."

After the team doctor's strict judgment, Leonard still has some problems with his fingers, and he will continue to rest for another game.

Zhang Xiaotian also has some occupational problems with his ankle and wrist, but it doesn't affect him very much, and he can play next.

Zhang Xiaotian felt that the reason for Leonard may be that this buddy trained too hard, and his difference was because of the system support, if there is a problem with the body, he can make up for it, so he can be more unscrupulous.

It's a pity that the next Raptors are not a good target to score points. You must know that Leonard doesn't have much rest time, so he has to cherish it.

The Raptors didn't feel very good during this time, and they were also eroded by injuries.

But in the East, they can still be regarded as a strong team.

Without DeRozan, the Raptors are still fighting with two guns in the backcourt.

Murray, a rookie, was naturally bullied by Lowry, but Danny Green did not limit Norman Powell, a second-year player who replaced DeRozan in the starting lineup.

This is a bit surprising. Norman Powell should be more defensive than offensive.

In terms of substitutes, both sides performed well. The Spurs' Mills played a regular role, and Ginobili also played steadily. The Raptors' Patrick Patterson, Patrick Patterson and Corey Joseph all played. well done.

It is worth mentioning that Corey Joseph got a lot of opportunities after Zhang Xiaotian left, and then left the Spurs after his value increased. This is also a fixed pattern for many Spurs role players.

Zhang Xiaotian can return with a maximum salary, which is actually very unexpected.

The Spurs had a slight advantage in the first half because Zhang Xiaotian completely suppressed Carroll, and Aldridge did the same for Jared Sullinger.

So in the third quarter, the Raptors removed two people from the starting lineup and replaced them with Terrence Ross and Lucas Noqueira.

Terrence Ross is a little more stable than Carroll.

Carroll can be regarded as a strong player, but after getting the big contract, he feels that he is not so hard-working, and the offensive problem is completely exposed. There is no way to face a strong striker like Zhang Xiaotian.

After adjusting the personnel, the Raptors have made significant progress on both offense and defense.

There should be no gap between the players' abilities. This is entirely a matter of execution and attitude.

Terrence Ross' defense is also good, but the attitude can't change the problem that the strength can't keep up.

On the contrary, Aldridge is restricted. Whenever people want to praise him, Aldridge will show his other side.

Zhang Xiaotian played very hard in this quarter, and almost gave up all the advantages in front.

The Raptors mainly played well at the first position, and the starting substitutes all felt very good.

It's time for the Spurs to cultivate a suitable guard, or Mills can start. Although the organization and defensive ability are open to question, the three-point ability is good for Zhang Xiaotian.

Fortunately, the Spurs' overall defense was good and did not allow the Raptors to overtake the score.

So, it's the last day that Zhang Xiaotian likes again.

At the beginning, he steals Terrence Ross. This guy is really too thin. As soon as Zhang Xiaotian squeezed past Terrence Ross, he couldn't protect the ball in his hand.

In the front, he defended Zhang Xiaotian close to him, and after Zhang Xiaotian broke through, he defended inside.

They have two big men inside, just standing there is also a deterrent.

But it’s not working now. Zhang Xiaotian’s ability to capture opportunities is stronger after opening and closing. Whether it’s a strong shot against the defense or a step away from the defense and pull it up, it is difficult for the defense to keep up.

To deal with him now, you must flank in advance, but he assisted his teammates with two consecutive second passes to score so that the Raptors could not attack unscrupulously.

(End of this chapter)