unfinished glory

Chapter 41 Finals preview ([-])
The players on the field surrounded Li Chongxiao and walked to the bench. Popovich hurriedly called everyone to gather around and arranged for the last 19 seconds.

After the Pistons called this long timeout, they still had a 20-second short timeout, and the Spurs still had one long and one short timeout, two timeouts.

Now the Pistons have no more than two offensive strategies. One is to spend time to the end and shoot a three-pointer.

The other is to hit a quick two, then foul, and bet on the Spurs' free throws.If the Spurs hit all the free throws, they will take a timeout to shoot a three-pointer; if they hit one free throw, they can shoot two points or bet on a three-pointer; if they miss both free throws, the opportunity will come.

The Spurs' defense first focuses on three-point defense, with Parker off and Bowen on.As for the inside, the Pistons have a high probability of being a combination of Rasheed Wallace + McDyess, with Duncan and Horry defending one-on-one.

It should be noted that Rasheed Wallace also has a three-pointer. The Pistons are likely to use Billups or Hamilton to play a pick-and-roll with him.

After a timeout, it turned out that the Pistons had Rasheed Wallace and McDyess on the inside, and Prince, Hamilton and Billups on the outside lined up.

After dawdling for 9 seconds, the Pistons did not get a good chance. The pick-and-roll of Rasheed Wallace and Billups was also destroyed by the experienced Duncan and Bowen.

In desperation, McDyess began to get a position inside, and Rasheed Wallace pulled to the bottom line on the other side. It seemed that the Pistons were going to hit an inside two-pointer.

It was Hamilton's sudden start, and Prince came over to block it. Li Chongxiao was prepared, and cleverly went around, chasing Hamilton to the three-point line.

Then Billups suddenly dribbled the ball to the top of the arc, handed the ball to Hamilton, and made another block.

This is something the Spurs and Li Chongxiao didn't expect, and they were blocked by Billups. Fortunately, Bowen was experienced and quick to react, and intercepted Hamilton at a 45-degree angle outside the three-point line.

But it wasn't over yet. Taking advantage of Bowen and Li Chongxiao's attention being attracted to him, Hamilton returned the ball to Billups who was removed, giving the Pistons a chance to make a three-pointer.

Li Chongxiao was indeed shaken for a while, but fortunately, he was quick and forced to pull back, soaring into the sky, relying on his super long wingspan and big hands, he caught the ball thrown by Billups in the air.

Billups hit the ball at the front of the basket and bounced away. The four big men stuck in the basket missed it. Li Chongxiao chased Billups ahead of Billups and hooked it with his long arms.

In desperation, Billups only fouled. He was very depressed today. He made a shot and a rebound. His chances were not bad, but both times he was destroyed by the opponent relying on his long arms.

He scratched his sweaty forehead and sighed helplessly, his supernatural powers were no match for his talent.

Li Chongxiao made two free throws and the Spurs led by 5 points, leaving the Pistons 6 seconds behind.

Back from the timeout, Billups was in Li Chongxiao's position just now, and missed a shot two steps away from the three-point line, and the game ended.

The Spurs won the rehearsal of the finals 74:69 by relying on the outstanding performance of young player Li Chongxiao at the last minute.

After the game, Popovich took Li Chongxiao with him for the first time and attended the post-match press conference.

Reporters are very concerned about what the Spurs' victory in this so-called "Finals Preview" contest means to them.

Popovich is old and cunning, and Duncan is very low-key. They both said that this is just an ordinary regular season, and the season still has a long journey. We don't care about the playoffs or the finals, but only care about the present.

Another reporter who knows the ball asked about the last quarter. The unconventional lineup put up by the Spurs achieved a good defensive effect. How did Popovich think about it? Is it a temporary targeted operation, or does he have long-term use ideas? .

Popovich said that the Pistons themselves couldn't make the shot, and it had nothing to do with our lineup.As for the future, when we can't make shots, we can try this lineup.

Of course, the Huaxia reporter is also indispensable.

After watching Li Chongxiao's performance in November, San Antonio also began to have Chinese reporters stationed there.

After congratulating the Spurs on their victory as usual, all the questions focused on Li Chongxiao.

Popovich was not humble this time, and he praised: what about hard training, mature mentality, and great potential?

Duncan said that the newcomer is nimble, well-behaved and obedient, knows how to respect the elderly, and is also handsome and cute.

Anyway, the two of them just picked up what the Chinese reporters and fans liked to hear, and the reporters who were so happy to interview couldn't close their mouths.

Some clever American journalists have eyes brightened, can't deal with you two old fritters, and can't deal with a newcomer?
For a moment, all the questions focused on Li Chongxiao, "Do you think this match was won by you?"

"Of course not, this is the result of the team's hard work."

"Did you make the three-pointer you made on your own? Is it a bit risky?"

"It wasn't on a whim. I also practiced shooting from the same position during training." Li Chongxiao said solemnly: "The coach encouraged us during the timeout, and we will shoot when we run out of opportunities."

Popovich sat on the side with confidence, as if everything was under control, completely forgetting the urge to strangle Li Chongxiao to death.One Ginobili is enough, if there is another one, it is estimated that he will have to retire early.

Then the reporter asked again, are you satisfied with your position in the team?

Of course Li Chongxiao is satisfied, this is the truth.He said that he is a player with the 28th pick in the second round, and now he can enter the main rotation in a strong team like the Spurs, so why not be happy.

And on the bench, he can learn from veterans such as Bowen, Ginobili, Horry and Barry, which is very beneficial to his own growth.

Speaking of which, he ignored the coughing sound from Duncan next to him, and added specifically: "Especially Tim, his performance on the court fascinated me, I can learn the most, and my wish is to be able to Play like Tim."

After a while of uproar, this battle of focus is completely over, but the impact will take a long time to subside.

For Li Chongxiao personally, in this strong dialogue, he got ten points, which is full of gold.And at critical moments, one offense, one defense, one rebound and two free throws, he behaved like a superstar.

It proved that he can play a tough performance in the big scene, which further consolidated his position in the team.

The situation of some Spurs players is more delicate, mainly the two insiders. Nesterovic has exposed the shortcomings of softness and slow movement. Malik Rose is too short and can still play in the regular season. In the playoffs, these problems will be easily addressed in the playoffs, and Popovich began to consider the issue of trading.

For the team, as Li Chongxiao continued to contribute outstanding performances, the coaching staff began to experiment with more backcourt combinations.

Duncan is the core of offense and defense and the axis of the inside line. Parker and Ginobili are the two organization points and offensive initiation points. Li Chongxiao and Bowen have also proved that they can coexist and play efficient defense.

So this lineup, isn't it just right for the Suns that have sprung up this year?

(End of this chapter)