unfinished glory

Chapter 78 The Semi-Final Begins

On May 5, in San Antonio, the Spurs ushered in the first game of the Western Conference semifinals, and Li Chongxiao started.

In the game, Popovich handed over the experienced Finley to Bowen, and Li Chongxiao mainly defended the opponent's main small forward Josh Howard.

When Li Chongxiao saw Josh Howard, he smiled unconsciously, which made Josh Howard somewhat puzzled.When Li Chongxiao was visiting the forum a few days ago, he saw that Huaxia fans nicknamed the pair of Josh Howard and Marquis Daniels of the Mavericks, "Black Wind and Double Ugly".

Li Chongxiao came here to play, and did not study the appearance of these opponents, but such a profound nickname always makes people smile knowingly.

……

In the first round of the game, Muhammad succeeded in jumping the ball, and the Spurs attacked first.

Li Chongxiao received the pass on the right side of the three-point line, and Josh Howard stood firmly in front.

There are really no handsome guys in the Mavericks team, but there are quite a few not-so-good-looking ones.For example, Finley, known as the "poor man's Jordan", looks like Mutombo's generation.

But Josh Howard and Marquese Daniels were pulled out alone because they were good defensively.

If Li Chongxiao played singles at this moment, he would definitely have no chance. Fortunately, the Spurs didn't have this in their tactics.

Duncan pulled over, leaned on Dampier, opened his hands for the ball, and the other teammates scattered to the other side, taking away the defensive players.

Li Chongxiao raised the basketball and pushed it in the direction of Duncan. Josh Howard took a step back unconsciously, leaving a big shooting space for Li Chongxiao.

Off the court, Mavericks coach Avery Johnson covered his forehead, and Josh Howard missed the ball.Sure enough, Li Chongxiao didn't miss this good opportunity, raised his hand and hit a three-pointer, helping the Spurs score first.

In the offensive round of the Mavericks, Nowitzki was blocked by Muhammad and missed a mid-range shot.

In the second round of offense, the Spurs repeated their old tricks. Li Chongxiao and Duncan pulled aside again, and it was still Duncan who turned his back to ask for the ball.

This time Josh Howard was not fooled, Li Chongxiao really gave the ball to Duncan, and then he lifted it up, grabbed Josh Howard, and failed to form a double team.

Facing Dampier, Duncan topped twice, jumped to the basket, and completed the throw before Nowitzki's double-team.

This kind of cooperation between Li Chongxiao and Duncan began to be practiced at the end of the regular season, and it was used more and more on the court.

In fact, this kind of inside-out tactic is one of the basic tactics of basketball, and there is nothing complicated, but there are not many teams that can play well.

The reason why the Spurs can maintain a high success rate is mainly due to the people who use tactics.Not to mention Duncan, there is no player on this planet who can defend him one-on-one.As for Li Chongxiao, a shooter who shines brightly with a little sunshine, there are relatively few leagues.

It is also very important that these two men have a high basketball IQ and can grasp the timing of the pass.

There are many combinations in the league that played like this before, and they are more famous, such as the OK combination of the Lakers, the combination of Webber + Stojakovic of the Kings, Garnett + Cassel/Sprewell of the Timberwolves, etc.

But now there are fewer and fewer teams that can play like this, and it is still one of the standing tactics. The only ones that can be counted are the Pistons’ Rasheed Wallace + Hamilton/Billups, the Rockets’ MM combination, And the Grizzlies are Gasol + Mike Miller.

As for other teams, the Suns have shooters, but Stoudemire can't play back; the Clippers' Elton Brand has a back, but there are no shooters in the team; the Supersonics have shooters, but there is no suitable insider; O'Neal Invincible with back and body, but the second master Wade is not good at shooting...

Yi kind of cycle!

Relying on this tactic and the same basic pick-and-roll tactic, Li Chongxiao used Duncan in the first quarter to score another three-pointer and an assist, which profoundly exposed the way for role players to survive in the team-holding thighs!

A role player with a certain outstanding ability is already worthy of a certain opportunity given by the coaches.If this ability is defensive, it is even more loved by the coaches, and even a "mad scientist" like Old Nelson will not refuse.

Coupled with the ability to serve the boss on the pitch, unless the boss is down, otherwise the team can be regarded as safe and secure.

……

Facing the Mavericks' inside defensive players, Duncan played freely.

As a former teammate, Avery Johnson knew the legendary star so well that Sean Bradley, the "big bamboo pole" against Yao Ming, didn't dare to put it on defense.Alan Henderson, who was not tall enough, was also pushed off the court.As for Nowitzki going to defend Duncan, the Mavericks coach never even thought about it.

Only Eric Dampier was left to suffer on the court, there was no way, the bull that was blown out would have to be paid back sooner or later.

In the first quarter, Duncan only played 9 minutes, easily scored 10 points and 6 rebounds, and sat on the bench to drink water.

Li Chongxiao was still on the court, the young man had good physical strength, and he stayed with Ginobili for the remaining 3 minutes.

Coach Popovich kept him on the floor, mainly by making him responsible for guarding the arrow of the opposing bench -- Jerry Stackhouse.

Stackhouse was born in North Carolina, Jordan's younger brother, and Carter's brother.As a top student in North Carolina, his scoring ability is naturally very good. He once scored 57 points in a single game and averaged 29.8 points per game in the season.

When the Spurs coaching staff analyzed this player, they pointed out that the biggest difficulty in defense lies in Stackhouse's tonnage and height advantages.When facing a defender with average physical fitness, he can always squeeze the defender close to the basket with his back, and then use a simple turnaround jumper to hit the ball.

For Li Chongxiao, this is the biggest problem in defense.

However, the coaching staff also pointed out Stackhouse's problems. His shooting percentage was not stable enough, with a career high of only 43.5%, and in the season when he scored the highest 29.8 points, it was only 40.2%.

The coaching staff suggested that Li Chongxiao spare no effort to increase physical confrontation and improve defensive intensity.Li Chongxiao followed suit and continued to defend with physical contact.

And Stackhouse, who has changed his temper, is also very tough. After he stopped obsessing with offense this season, his defense has ushered in earth-shaking changes.

The two did not give an inch in the offensive and defensive, and engaged in physical confrontation time and time again.In order to grab a rebound, the two sides entangled each other under the basket, arms wrapped around arms, legs pressed against legs, and no one gave way to the other when they took off, and both fell to the ground.

Within 3 minutes, Stackhouse fell to the ground four times, and Li Chongxiao fell to the ground six times. The playoffs suddenly became more intense.

The hand-to-hand fighting style of the two made the audience's blood pumping, and the voices of cheering for Li Chongxiao were endless.

In the short period of the game, Stackhouse hit Li Chongxiao twice with his back inside, and made two shots.Li Chongxiao was not to be outdone, he made a three-pointer and desperately stole the opponent once.

As for Ginobili, who Popovich has high hopes for, he will become a spectator with Finley of the other side, watching the two little strong fights.

With the outstanding performance of Duncan and Li Chongxiao, the Spurs took the lead in the first quarter at 23:17.

(End of this chapter)