I just play ball

Chapter 228 Kobe's Visit
Six o'clock in the evening on the [-]th, FedEx Arena.

At this time, the audience has not yet opened the arena, and the entire arena seems relatively empty. Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger is being interviewed. Randolph and other players have already started shooting training, and the sound of basketball hitting the board is thumping.

Li Yue came in whistling, took off his training coat and threw it on the chair, and began to warm up for the ninth set of radio gymnastics. Nick Young stood by and smiled and imitated. Thackeray also joined in the fun, and the media on the scene took pictures.

After finishing the show operation, Li Yue also picked up the basketball and started shooting training. At the same time, based on the relevant information collected before the game, he continued to think about the countermeasures for the next game, and tried his best to try to gnaw the hard bone of the Grizzlies and avoid falling into the extreme of two consecutive losses. Great passive.

The Grizzlies starting list was submitted two hours ago. The point guard is Mike Conley. His teammate, Marc Gasol, the best defensive player in the 100-100 season, scored 12 points higher, and it was not because the team's defense was easy to follow the situation. His personal defensive contribution was as high as 13, and Marc Gasol was only 2.

Thinking of this, Li Yue couldn't help curling his lips.

Conley is quite difficult to deal with. Fortunately, the Lakers rarely rely on point guards to end the offense. Even if that happens, most of them are open shots or empty cuts without defense, and some of them are cameos by changing positions.

Compared with Conley, the Grizzlies' starting shooting guard is even more difficult, and his name is Tony Allen.

Although he is a player who joined the league in 04, Tony Allen only allowed his opponents to score 100 points per 98 possessions last season, with a personal defensive contribution of 4.1 and was selected to the best defensive team.

The data does not reflect how good Tony Allen's defense is. His timing of confrontation, disruption of dribbling rhythm, defensive continuity and tenacity, and aggressiveness are top-notch among perimeter players, especially in pick-and-roll defense. Many big men It's useless to build a wall. As the most difficult defender in the mouth of the offensive god Kobe, it is absolutely worthy of the name.

Thinking of this, Li Yue couldn't help shaking his head.

Fortunately, Tony Allen doesn't know much about offense, and the Lakers can take advantage of it on the defensive end.

The Grizzlies' starting small forward is Tyshawn Prince, one of the "Pistons Five Tigers". Poor, but because the overall defense of the Pistons was dragged down, and it dropped sharply after the Grizzlies. Compared with Conley and Tony Allen, Prince's defense is characterized by his height, long arms, and fast lateral movement, which interferes very much with the ball holder. They teamed up in 100 Billups blocking Kobe is the best representative.

Thinking of this, Li Yue couldn't help frowning.

The Grizzlies' starting power forward is Zach Randolph. When he was still in the Knicks a few years ago, he gave the impression of being a scoring cash machine. Since joining the Grizzlies, he has restricted the opponent's scoring from 111 to 110 every 109 rounds. Changed to 105, 101, 99, until last season's terrifying 4.7, with a personal defensive contribution of 11 and an average of [-] rebounds per game.

With the addition of Marc Gasol, who averaged 1.7 blocks per game, the Grizzlies ranked first in the league in limiting opponents' points per game last season, only the neighbor's amazing 89.3 points, which is 1.4 lower than the Pacers, who also emphasize defense and rank second.

It can be described as terrifying!
After recalling it carefully, Li Yue resolutely focused on mid-range shooting, because he knew that the three-point line and the inside line were not so easy to shoot with his feet, and he had to make quick shots, and he might lose his shot if he was slow for a second.

Three-threat action followed by one-step dribble shooting, direct shooting around the screen, back-up and back-up shooting, high-speed sprinting and emergency stop shooting, etc. He walks through each of them, and only counts as five hits each time. Finish.

As time passed, the arena opened to the audience, and Li Yue put down the basketball and returned to the locker room.

He entered the player tunnel, and was dragged by the PR president Blake for an interview.

The reporter of "Memphis Natives" first asked a question: "Tony Allen claimed in an interview that he is one of the best defenders in the league. What do you think about this?"

If you say 'best', you can still say something real, but if you add 'one', there is nothing to talk about.

Li Yue replied in an official speech with a smile: "He is a great defensive player who has achieved many incredible achievements. I am very happy to accept his challenge. Let's see you on the field."

FOX Sports question: "Coach Dave Joerger said in an interview on the sidelines just now that the Grizzlies will learn from the Mavericks' rotation defense and use quick counterattacks to widen the point difference. What do you think of this?"

Li Yue scratched his neck when he heard the words, and forcibly held back the burst of laughter. This kind of question is too funny.

According to the information collected yesterday, the Grizzlies wanted to speed up the fast break in the first three games, but because of the presence of two heavy players, Randolph and Marc Gasol, it was completely impossible to implement it. style of play.

Moreover, the Grizzlies' main substitutes are traditional center Costa Koufos, veteran guard Mike Miller, and slow swingman Quincy Pondexet. How can they push counterattacks like the Mavericks' Harris and Ellis ?
When Dave Joerger said that, he was either laughing at himself or being suspicious, and there was a high probability that he was tired of being asked and perfunctory. After all, he was a head coach who just took office. Wouldn’t it be weak to ask him to learn from another coach? ?
The ESPN reporter finally asked: "As we all know, it is difficult for any player to score high against the Grizzlies in recent years, and you averaged 5 points per game in the previous 53.2 games. How many points do you think you can score at least in this game?"

"Scoring is not my focus, our primary goal is to win games."

Li Yue left after finishing speaking, and went straight back to the locker room. When he opened the door, he saw Kobe in a suit.

"Why are you here? When did you arrive?"

"It's only been 5 minutes, and I feel too uncomfortable not being able to play, so I just came here to train with you." Kobe got up and walked over, and the two bumped shoulders to salute, "How are you preparing for the game, the Grizzlies are a difficult opponent."

"Let's fight steadily." Li Yue sat on the chair, untied his shoelaces and took off his socks, "How is your injury?"

"Gary told me that I'm 90% recovered, but I feel like 95%." Kobe smiled, "I think every cell in my body is shaking with excitement at the thought that I will be able to play again in a month."

"Then go to the stadium first to find out how you feel." Li Yue picked up the towel and walked to the bathroom, "By the way, do some pre-match mobilization."

Only the Pelicans are left for the Lakers' Southwest road trip. Corbett's intention to come here is definitely not because he can't bear loneliness. Years have happened.

Defending the title is so difficult. Even a tiny factor can lead to a chain reaction. For example, increasing the playing time of the main players after two consecutive losses resulted in injuries to the main players, which in turn affected the subsequent schedule. Now the Lakers have two major injuries, which must be strictly controlled Accident.

"Then I'll go there first." Kobe shouted, "I want to see you score 50 points."

(End of this chapter)