NBA's strongest prince

Chapter 231 The Change of the Spurs

The Spurs also tried their best to attack in the third quarter. Role players like Barry and Finley all made bold shots from the outside.

In this case, the Spurs played better than in the first half.

Daring to fight outside, Duncan can occasionally get some relatively easy opportunities inside.

But the Spurs' better offense doesn't mean they can win at this time. Letting go of the offense will definitely affect the defense, which is why the Suns' defense still has weak links.

The Spurs fought hard to attack, and the game was played better, but it didn't help chasing points.

The Spurs still couldn't have both offense and defense, and the stronger the offense, the weaker the defense. The Suns seized the opportunity, and the offensive end has always remained threatening, stabilizing the lead.

In this case, it will be difficult for the Spurs in the final quarter.

There is no flaw on the offensive end, but it can be fast and slow. Such a Suns have a double-digit advantage in the final quarter, which is desperate.

In the final quarter, the Spurs chose to let Duncan play hard for a few minutes. After it didn’t work, they let outside players come. Popovich also simply let him rest without Duncan. The Spurs don’t need to let Duncan Attract defensive attention.

Just let Parker and Ginobili lead the game directly, plus the role players who can shoot, if there is hope, they will play seriously later, and if there is no hope, they will be training.

As a team with a championship, the Spurs have a relatively relaxed mentality because the coach holds the power and will not take the blame.

The Suns didn't continue to give the Spurs a chance, and they fought the bench lineup to directly blow up the opponent.

The Suns' bench lineup is the strongest in the league. This season's best sixth man was given to Kevin Martin because he scored the most points, but there are still a few players on the Suns bench who have similar roles.

So, in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, the Suns took the Spurs lightly, leading the series 0:[-].

Popovich was also very angry after the game. He said to reporters: "Don't talk to me about defense! Do we have defense? Sorry, I didn't see it."

Parker also said, "We made their perimeter shots too easy. We could have done better."

As for the Suns, Martin, who performed well this time, said: "The coach trusts us a lot, and Russell also trusts us a lot. They always let us be decisive, so that we don't have to worry about shooting."

"The team gave me a lot of opportunities. I have grown a lot this season. I hope I can continue to help the team win. It feels great."

Russell said, "At home, we must achieve this level. The fans are very supportive of us, and we will dedicate a hearty game to them."

Duncan said goodbye to San Antonio, and everyone in the Suns did not underestimate the enemy.

They aim to defend their title and cannot entangle with the Spurs for too long, and it will not be so easy to go to the away game.

Home court advantage, home court definitely has an advantage, and Russell is also ready for the big battle.

There are three days of adjustment time before the third game, which will allow the Spurs to recover some vitality.

The Spurs played a lot of games before, and the physical strength of the players will not be as good as the Suns, but it will be different after a few days of adjustment, so on the training ground, Russell also dutifully reminded everyone to focus.

"In the playoffs, we must tighten our nerves. This is a special period. The attention of fans all over the world is focused on this period. Whether it is honor or value, we must do the same."

The Spurs are naturally unwilling. They have always been a strong team in the Western Conference. It's okay to be killed by the sudden emergence of the Suns last season. Why are they more helpless this season when they are well prepared.

It shouldn't be, when I faced the Lakers Dynasty, I felt like I was fighting.

Therefore, after they returned to the home court, they also worked hard to prepare for the game, hoping to make a comeback.

The Spurs feel that the Suns may be invincible if they have been fighting with the wind, but if they can defeat the Suns in two games, the situation may be different, and the mentality of the young Suns may collapse.

The Spurs coach Popovich is certainly not in vain. He may be a little confused if he didn't follow his plan in the game, but he can still make some adjustments given time.

Compared with the general Johnson's method of changing unimportant starters casually, it is still smarter.

After a few days of thinking, Spurs coach Popovich put Ginobili on the bench.

There is no way, because the Spurs' rotation is much worse than the Suns.

But it is more courageous to put a strong point on the bench, after all, it is the playoffs.

There must also be tricks, and Ginobili readily agreed.

It's just that he may not have thought that after seeing his sub-team perform better, there will be more substitutes in the future.

The Spurs changed their starting lineup, but the Suns' defensive lineup remained unchanged in Game [-].

But even if the starting lineup is changed, the Spurs' style of play remains unchanged.

It's just more pure. Previously, Parker and Duncan mainly played pick-and-roll tactics, which wasted Ginobili. Now, three supporting roles are added, and they can all shoot three-pointers, so there is not much waste.

This is more reasonable than before, and Ginobili's rotation time can also be used to his heart's content.

However, the Spurs' role players are not very used to it yet. After all, the Spurs focus on defense this season.

Asking their role players to ambush at the three-point line and seize the opportunity is too embarrassing for them.

How can these role players train for a season in a team like the Suns? That's about the same, and it's still a bit worse now.

The difference is a thousand miles away, so the Spurs' change has released some of Ginobili's offensive power, but for their overall strength, there is not much immediate effect.

In the first quarter of the competition, the Suns took the lead smoothly, and it was easier than the previous ones.

Ginobili was not present at the start, and the Spurs are undoubtedly a little weaker. The Suns must seize the opportunity.

But after Ginobili came off the bench, he showed value.

He is physically strong now, and he can play right away, which is different than staying on the court and waiting for the ball.

Ginobili is still an All-Star. As a substitute, he must be stronger than any of the Suns' rotation players.

The point is that during the rotation period, the Suns' defense is actually not that strong.

This adjustment by the Spurs is considered to be an idea, and it is impossible for the Suns to adjust their rotation tactics for Ginobili, at least it is too late for this game.

If the sun is weaker, it will be directly restrained by this move.

But they are only being caught up to some points now, and their offensive power in the rotation is still there and will not collapse.

"There is no need to pay too much attention to Ginobili and be influenced by the Spurs. As long as we play normally, even if the opponent is amazing at certain times, we can still win the game."

When Ginobili showed his power on the court, Russell communicated with his teammates in time.

The Suns now have a strong foundation, and if the Spurs want to make a comeback at home, it depends on whether they agree or not.

(End of this chapter)