Bulldozer of the NBA’s Restricted Area

Admiral, David Robinson?

The No. 1 pick in the 1987 draft went to the Navy and served for two years. It was only in the 1989-90 season that he officially set sail and joined the Spurs. In his rookie season, he reached 24.3 points, 12 rebounds, and 3.9 blocks. He is definitely a first-line center among active centers. top notch.

And last season...the average rebounds and blocks per game increased, especially the blocks, which averaged 4.5 per game.

If you want to defeat such an opponent, you can't just rely on words. And how can it be considered an explosion?

More offensive or defensive?

Looking at data or something else?

It can be said that even several big centers at the same level would not dare to beat Robinson, right? It's okay to explode each other, but if you want to explode unilaterally, unless Robinson... has a bad stomach and diarrhea.

…

In the room, the two people looked at each other, Li Shengli scratched his head, and Crotty looked bad.

"Don't worry!" Li Shengli saw the disappointment on Crotty's face and explained, "My mission is in the first half. If everything goes well, your playing time will be a certain ten minutes in the second half, no matter what the situation is. .”

"I want to know what tasks the coach has assigned you."

"The task is simple, lock Robinson down."

Lock up Robinson?

What kind of locking method?

Crotty asked eagerly: "What's the specifics?"

"He has to score within 10 points in the first half, and I have to beat him in rebounds and blocks!" Li Shengli waved his hand.

"This... what if Robinson rotates in the first half?" Crotty grasped the point. If Robinson really rotated in the first half, then this task would be too funny and too easy. After all, everyone Not playing.

"No, I may not have expressed it very clearly. It was not the first half, but the two quarters, the 24 minutes of my confrontation with him." Li Shengli explained: "In these 24 minutes, if I can do it, the remaining It's yours to play as long as you want, but it won't exceed 10 minutes. Of course, if I can't do it, your chance...is gone."

…

Damn, this is a good calculation.

Crotty lamented Jerry Sloan's "slyness".

You know, Robinson is the core of the Spurs. Li Shengli can suppress his scoring, and also dominates rebounds and blocks. If nothing else... the Jazz at that time could already confirm the lead, and the ten minutes of performance time given to him, It's really not a big problem.

However, it is still too difficult to compress Robinson's score to less than 10 points in 24 minutes.

What if Malone and Li Shengli double-team and a foul occurs in the middle?

If one fails, it will be 2+1, and one-third of the task limit will be gone.

But relying on Li Shengli to defend alone, he has to be careful about free throws caused by Robinson, and he also has to limit Robinson's scoring, and he also has to suppress rebounds and blocks. This is simply difficult. There is no one in the entire NBA who can pat his chest and say that he can do it. Do it.

You know, Robinson currently averages about 40 minutes per game.

The first 24 minutes of the game are the peak of his physical fitness. If the score is within 10, and he continues to maintain high-pressure defense in the following time, he will score 15 points in the game.

Although 15 points seems like a lot, for Robinson, the core of the team and a super giant center... this is definitely a rare lowest point in his state, and even if he gets him to this lowest point, this is only one of the tasks. , followed by the suppression of rebounds and blocks.

One link after another.

It is very difficult for Li Shengli to do it.

"What about the score? What do you mean by your score?" Crotty suddenly thought that if Jerry Sloan asked for Li Shengli's score again, then the difficulty would escalate again, which also proved that Jerry Sloan did not want to give it to him. Chance.

"Of course I have to suppress the scoring, but... because I have the task of limiting Robinson's scoring, this is the easiest compared to rebounding and blocking shots."

…

In 24 minutes, scoring, rebounds, and blocks were suppressed in all aspects, and Robinson's score was also limited to less than 10.

This is definitely a hellish level of difficulty!

If Jerry Sloan is rejecting Li Shengli's request in disguise, then he doesn't have to go through so many twists and turns. As the head coach, he can just refuse with one sentence. If Crotty is not allowed to play, no one can say anything. .

But Jerry Sloan didn't refuse...then why does this hellishly difficult task exist?

You know, Li Shengli and Olajuwon have played against each other before.

Although Olajuwon was dissatisfied with his state in that game, Li Shengli still couldn't suppress his scoring. And Robinson and Olajuwon are both top centers. How could they not have a few offensive skills?

It can be said that the only glimmer of hope for this task is that it is limited to 24 minutes, not all of Robinson's playing time.

…

The next night.

The Spurs' home court, the Alamodome, Utah Jazz VS San Antonio Spurs.

In this game, both teams are locked in the playoffs. It's hard to say whether they will win or lose. Even if this is the home court of the Spurs... Spurs fans don't dare to say that they can definitely win this updated 2.0 version of the new Jazz, because the Jazz center The position was replaced by Li Shengli, who was in the limelight.

However, almost no one would compare Li Shengli and Robinson together. After all, one is the leading rookie center of the new generation, and the other is the top center in the league today.

…

The Jazz lineup needs no introduction.

The only thing to say is that at the shooting guard position, Jan Verhenris continued to play his starting role, while Crotty was still at the water cooler on the sidelines, eagerly watching Li Shengli's debut.

The Spurs' starting lineup.

Center David Robinson, power forward Antoine Carr, small forward Sean Elliott, point guard Vinnie DeNagro, and shooting guard Dale Ellis.

Needless to say, Admiral David Robinson is the absolute core player of the Spurs. When he first joined the Spurs, his nickname was "Lieutenant", but as his status and role in the team increased, fans gave him the nickname "Lieutenant". The military rank was directly promoted to general.

Power forward Antoine Carr is a poor man's version of Barkley. His peak season data was 20.1+5.5 rebounds with the Kings. His offensive ability is greater than his defense. He is Robinson's inside assistant and his performance is competent.

Small forward Sean Elliott, this year's All-Star player, is naturally very capable and is the Spurs' second scorer.

And there's Dale Ellis, Mr. 50 Cent.

The career-high 53 points in a single game was scored when he played for the SuperSonics in the 1989-90 season, but... this is a bit high, because that game went to 5 overtimes, and Dale Ellis played a full game. 69 minutes.

…

The referee signaled both sides to enter.

With Crotty's ardent expectations, Li Shengli walked to the midfield line to prepare for a jump ball, and standing opposite was David Robinson.

As a top star, there is no arrogance in Robinson, only muscles. But because... Li Shengli's mission for today has been set, and all the opportunities Crotty desires are on him, so he must try his best, and looking at Robinson in front of him, he is very motivated.

Robinson naturally took a look at Li Shengli in front of him. When he saw the strange look in Li Shengli's eyes, he muttered in his heart, because Li Shengli looked... very hungry? !

This feeling is hard to describe, but Robinson probably understands that the kid in front of him wants to steal data from him, because he has seen too many rookies like this, and without exception, no one can succeed.

The only ones who can compete with him are a few top centers today.

This Li Shengli in front of me?

Robinson felt that he... was not qualified yet.