NBA's strongest prince

Chapter 126
The Western Conference finals still start on the Suns' territory, which makes it easier for young players to play well.

Joe Johnson said before the game that he is willing to come back, but for the sake of the players' health, it is better for him to sit off the court and be a cheerleader.

The Suns still let Martin replace him, because Russell's offensive power is limited, so he must have an offensive partner in the backcourt.

The Spurs' starting lineup is also different from that of the regular season. They traded to inside player Muhammad in the middle of the season.

Muhammad is not tall but moves faster. The Spurs have always let him start to help Duncan in the playoffs.

The Spurs now only play one big and four small ones occasionally, and generally still need a blue-collar insider to defend.

Unlike later generations, the current Spurs can be said to be a defensive team, but their stars still have relatively strong offensive capabilities and cannot be underestimated.

If the Spurs use two insiders like the Grizzlies, the Suns' fighters actually care about it.

Of course, the Spurs’ individual defense and team defense are stronger than the Grizzlies’. To crack the opponent’s defense, Marion is very important. Can he shoot and pull the Spurs inside to make room for Stoudemire? It will affect the trend of both tactics.

The Spurs' defense is good, but they seldom double-team wildly, and more use the limitations of team skills.

Therefore, it is not uncommon for some stars to go crazy and punch the master to death.

During the regular season, they did not take a special strategy against Stoudemire.

This is also their arrogance, because they have the strength and don't need to do that.

The special strategy is to bet that the Spurs have a comprehensive defense and will not give their opponents a good chance anywhere.

At the start of the game, Stoudemire was full of confidence, but still encountered trouble.

Muhammad can keep up with his speed as much as possible, and with Duncan's help defense, Stoudemire feels very uncomfortable.

It's just uncomfortable, not limited to death, the Spurs don't seem to pinch him like the Grizzlies, but he just didn't get into the state immediately, he needs a little time.

This is rhythm, and the rhythm of defense is to disrupt the opponent's rhythm.

Only the top defensive teams can do this. The current Suns defense is considered excellent, but they are not at the level of the Spurs, so they didn't start very smoothly.

The Spurs did not specifically target Russell. They adopted another strategy, which was to cut off the connection between him and other players.

As long as the Suns start pick-and-roll tactics, the Spurs will be marked to death by other Suns players.

Especially Marion, the connection point between the inside and outside. The Spurs are not a fixed candidate for Marion and Stoudemire's defense. Duncan will be inside more often, only occasionally pulled out. Duncan defends Stoudemire. Sometimes it is more about relying on defensive deterrence, which also makes Stoudemire a little unaccustomed.

The Spurs in the regular season are different from the playoffs. In contrast to the defense, the Spurs' offense is also very fierce. Manu Ginobili, who is still the starter, started to go crazy.

This is a bit helpless, Martin really can't prevent it, and it is difficult to restrict Iguodala in the past.

Fortunately, Ginobili is only Jordan for 10 minutes, so it is impossible to be efficient all the time.

What the Suns have to do now is to withstand both offense and defense.

This is the strongest enemy in the West, the Spurs. Russell felt the pressure, but he was still fighting high.

The mock battle really works. If he hadn't faced the difficult Spurs countless times, he wouldn't be so calm.

Now, Russell has been reminding his teammates that when he is familiar with the opponent's situation, he can always point out the key points and subtly help the team against the Spurs.

Under Russell's command, the Spurs' opening sap did not stun them.

Although they fell behind by a few points, they made it through.

"Brother, be more decisive, don't be impulsive on the defensive end." Russell and Stoudemire said.

Stoudemire gritted his teeth and said: "I will, I will not be influenced by them."

Stoudemire didn't have a chance just now, but he had a foul when he was about to start, and then Duncan singled him out and was called for another foul, not as long as before.

When he played again, Stoudemire exploded.

Russell was still resting at this time, but Duncan was also resting on the Spurs side.

The Spurs' inside bench is very average, that is, Duncan is exceptionally strong. Once Duncan goes down, it is useless for the Spurs players to keep up with Stoudemire's speed.

Stoudemire's strength is no longer what ordinary teams can stop, but the inside situation. The Spurs are not at the level of the previous two opponents, so as long as Duncan is not on the court and Russell passes the ball, the Spurs cannot defend Stoudemire. Tadamier.

In the Spurs this season, there are still relatively few people playing, and it's not just the inside that has this problem.

The Spurs' tactics of shooting birds from the bench are now unable to be used due to personnel problems.

The Spurs have no other way but to let Duncan return to the court faster, otherwise the Suns will overtake the score.

When Duncan returned to the court, not only did the team become stronger on the defensive end, but also on the offensive end. The pick-and-roll threat of Parker and Duncan on the Spurs was no less than that of Russell and Stoudemire.

It's just that Parker is more aggressive and can't drive other players up, so their pick-and-roll tactics are more of a two-person threat, while Russell can drive a team. .

When Duncan returned to the court, Stoudemire had already played some sense.

Coupled with Russell's playing, it is no longer possible for them to press Stoudemire to the original state, and the score between the two sides has also fallen into a stalemate.

The Spurs' defensive strategy has not changed because of Stoudemire's rise.

Russell and Stoudemire can communicate directly, but the Spurs are strangled at other points, basically not giving three points.

In this case, the Suns will become the Spurs, and the pick-and-roll tactics will become a duo.

The shortcomings of other Suns players' insufficient ability to hold the ball have also been exposed.

Of course, only the Spurs' defense can expose this shortcoming of the Suns. Marion is completely locked up on this point, which is a bit unbelievable.

It is also because of Joe Johnson's absence that Martin can't provide more help now. It is already the limit to attract a defensive player for the Spurs.

In the contest of rotation, the Spurs give more opportunities, but to be precise, they are only matching players around GDP. GDP has two people on the court at almost any time. Players such as Bowen and Muhammad are swapped with bench players. For the Spurs Has little effect.

Therefore, except for Barry, the dunk king with a better shot, the role of their substitute lineup is really limited.

In this case, Russell's confidence is getting stronger and stronger, and the Spurs have not exceeded expectations.

Moreover, Joe - Johnson's recovery is also very smooth.

(End of this chapter)