I am Really an Insider

Indianapolis, this is the first time the Spurs have played in the city this season.

The media did not do much publicity for this game. Although it was a matchup between the second best player in the Eastern Conference and the second best player in the Western Conference, the quality of the game was certainly not bad.

But the Spurs and Pacers don't have much overlap either historically or this season.

To put it bluntly, there are no gimmicks!

Moreover, the playing styles of the Spurs and Pacers are somewhat unpretentious.

If you look at the Nets, you can still see Carter flying into the sky and escaping.

Watching the 76ers, you can also watch Iverson's explosive breakthrough.

Looking at Mosaic, you can also look forward to 35 seconds and 13 minutes.

Looking at the Lakers, you can also guess how much iron Kobe will have to play.

But when you look at the Spurs, what do you see?

Duncan shot from the left side and from the right side. Hook on the left, hook on the right. A slow motion of the left hand and the right hand, and then called it a day to win the game.

The introduction is the Spurs, and the introduction is the fact.

Although Ginobili is cool, he is just a seasoning.

The Spurs and Pacers, you don’t need to fight to know that both sides will definitely put a lot of effort into defense.

Forget about smooth offense and elegant dunks. Blacksmithing and hand-to-hand combat are the main themes.

Is this as good as Wayne beating the Class of 2003? Could it be as good as Wayne beating up the Pistons?

Therefore, today's game did not attract too many fans' attention.

Originally, now that the regular season has reached the late stage, the fans are already a little tired of it and are waiting to watch the playoffs.

Instead of looking forward to today's game between the Spurs and the Pacers, it would be better to look forward to the fourth game between the Pacers and the Pistons in a few days.

Maybe in that game, Wallace and Wayne can still compete in the season-ending boxing championship finals.

Isn't that wonderful?

Therefore, this game between the second in the Eastern Conference and the second in the Western Conference gives people a tepid feeling.

But the Pacers' internal attitude towards this game is very serious.

Larry Bird clearly told Carlisle: "Treat them like their opponents in the Finals."

Well, Bird has been thinking about who the Pacers might face in the Finals.

Judging from the situation in the Western Conference this year, the Spurs are the most dangerous one.

Although the playoffs haven't started yet, after all, we are the forcing king on the sixth level, so we must consider the long term.

It would be so embarrassing if we really made it to the finals, but were unprepared and were beaten to pieces.

Carlisle actually cares about the Spurs, a team that just won the championship two years ago and the backbone of which hasn't changed much.

After the Lakers fell, they had the most championship genes in the Western Conference.

Therefore, Carlisle made a lot of preparations for this game.

Especially in the defensive arrangement against Tim Duncan, NBA Jim Kelly lost his hair like crazy.

Duncan is really too strong. The Pacers have not encountered strong insiders this season, such as Shaq, Coyotes, and Yao Ming.

But Duncan is the most special of them all.

Because he has the least shortcomings.

Against Wolf, you can choke him and let the rest of the Timberwolves attack.

When playing against Shaq and double-teaming in the penalty area, his ability to digest the ball is not that strong.

When playing against Yao Ming, double-teaming + pulling out to shoot + speeding up the tempo of the game can be broken.

But against Duncan, all the above tricks are useless.

From a one-on-one perspective, the Pacers don't have anyone who can stop the invincible No. 21.

Therefore, the only option is to double team.

One is top defense and the other is assist defense. At the same time, the person assisting in defense must be able to maneuver quickly to avoid being unable to return after being double-teamed.

You know, Duncan's support and the Spurs' role players' attacking abilities are both extremely strong.

If you really let others shoot, that's the rhythm the Spurs like.

Well, now the answer is very clear.

O'Neal Jr. and Wayne will build the Pacers' interior defensive barrier.

This is a 2V1 battle that may not be winnable.

Superstars who reach their peak right after their debut, and who have been at their peak for many years, are so terrifying.

Of course, Carlisle also knows that the Spurs encountered in the regular season are not necessarily tactically complete.

Popovich is very ruthless, and he won't use all his tricks during the regular season.

As witty as Carlisle, would he not be able to see through this?

Therefore, he also planned to save a hand in this game and temporarily try to double-team Duncan's defensive effect.

If the two sides really happen to meet in the finals, well, then it depends on who scares whom more.

This game may not be that exciting for fans.

But for both sides, it is a very important test battle in the finals!

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Wayne took a short rest after dinner and then went with the team to Bankers Life Arena to warm up.

In the stands, as always, countless fans waved large signs holding up Batman masks.

There are no fewer people wearing jersey No. 99 than those wearing No. 31 and No. 7.

Just take a quick look and you'll see that the ones wearing No. 91 are the fewest!

Artest: It’s hard to be the vice-captain.

"Today's game will allow the Pacers to win their longest 10-game winning streak of the season. Therefore, I think the Pacers will resist tenaciously."

On the commentary desk, Steve Kerr, who once played for the Spurs, started his work as a guest commentator.

On the Spurs side, the players also came out early to warm up.

After all, this is a very disciplined team that treats any game meticulously.

The current Spurs look quite dated at first glance.

Because Manu Ginobili still has hair.

And in the Spurs, Wayne also saw players such as Brent Barry and Robert Horry.

Duncan, on the other hand, seems to be not much different from the future. Since entering the NBA, Duncan's style and appearance have not changed much, and even the traces of time on his face are not easily noticeable.

I really don’t know whether I should say he looked mature when he was young, or he looked too young when he got old.

On the contrary, after retiring, Duncan suddenly sported a dreadlocked hairstyle, which was eye-catching.

At an age when players love to show off their personalities, Duncan is short most of the time.

As a result, after he retired, this guy became more and more arrogant.

So you never know what's going on in your stupid mind.

In addition to these people, Wayne naturally also saw Bruce Bowen, a guy who would later have his jersey retired by the Spurs, but it was difficult for him to gain respect from fans.

Seeing Bowen, Wayne couldn't help but smile.

The kind that even after professional training can’t help it.

Not because Bowen looks funny, but because Bowen reminds Wayne of what Popovich said to Pachulia later.

In Wayne's previous life, when Zaza Pachulia took the black kick that made him world-famous, the entire basketball circle was very angry.

Basketball games can have confrontations and even conflicts. But it has to be said that it is too bad of character to use underhanded tactics to intentionally hurt people.

As the Spurs coach, Popovich was naturally extremely angry after the game.

So at the press conference after the game, Popovich said angrily: "I don't care what your purpose is, you have to go to jail for manslaughter."

Even manslaughter means going to jail. To this day, Wayne can't forget the disgusting feeling he felt when he heard Popovich say that, as if he had eaten a fly and almost vomited it out.

Damn it, you are really good at playing double standards.

That's not what Popovich said when Bowen was at Black's house.

Probably around 2006, the league called Bowen to warn him and asked him to standardize his defensive actions.

As a result, before Bowen said anything, Popovich jumped out to protect the cub.

"I ask Bruce to maintain his original defensive strategy and style and not be affected by outside influences."

"Things like stepping on someone else's foot and spraining your ankle are commonplace on the court. Why didn't the league pursue others, but kept holding on to Bruce? Is it because more similar incidents happened to Bruce?

Bruce has to guard against the best players in the league every day. If he really intends to play dirty, the chance of his opponent being injured is much higher than it is now. "

If you listen to this, then listen to the saying that "manslaughter also leads to jail time", it's really true.

This is a blatant double standard.

I am a loser and I am justified. You, a loser, will have to go to jail even if you did not do it on purpose.

Wayne didn't know how Popovich could say that at such an old age.

Pachulia's behavior is reprehensible, but when Popovich talks about deliberately hurtful topics, it's really - how many do you deserve?

Think about it, when the 40-year-old Carter was playing an away game at the ATT Center, he saw Bowen's jersey being hung over the arena as if it were a belief.

Then their head coach openly said something in front of the public: Manslaughter will also lead to jail time.

I guess Carter just wanted to laugh.

"Wei, why are you so dazed? Did you get fooled by Tim Duncan? It's okay, I'm not here!" At this time, a cowardly shout brought Wayne back to his senses.

Wayne glanced at Artest with disdain, "You are useless, you are not guarding Duncan."

"Nothing, so be careful in the game today, Ron."

"Be careful? Are you talking about Bruce? No one in the league knows what that guy does. Don't worry, I will protect myself. If he does anything outrageous, I will definitely be more decisive than Carter!"

Artest said, showing off his bread-sized biceps.

By the way, just last month, Bowen, who didn't want Bilian, actually attacked Carter for the third time.

Fortunately, Carter had rich experience and was able to avoid Bowen's bad kick.

Don't ask Carter where his experience comes from. It's all blood and tears.

After escaping Blackfoot, a furious Carter chased Bowen and tried to beat him.

And guess what?

Bowen turned around and ran away!

That scene is no less famous than the famous scene where Wayne chases Tianzun for half the game.

In the end, the referee intervened in time, and Carter put away his old punch and just yelled a few words at Bowen.

If Popovich was the head coach of the Nets at that time, would he have said: "You will go to jail for attempted murder."

Therefore, Artest said that he would be more decisive than Carter, which means: The referee cannot stop me!

If Bowen plays dirty tricks, Artest and I will decide this person, and it will be useless even if the referee comes.

Wayne shook his head, so you dared to be arrogant in front of Bowen.

How dare you be so decisive when you really meet Double Wallace?

An hour later, there was no one left in the Bankers Life Arena.

The referee signaled both sides to get ready and kick off immediately.

In his final deployment, Carlisle still emphasized the defensive strategy to Wayne and O'Brien, who started today: "Double-team, resolute double-team, don't let Duncan easily get one-on-one opportunities in the low post."

Wayne nodded. It would definitely take some effort to defend the league's number one power forward.

Wayne was very lucky that he had just increased his physical fitness to 80 the day before yesterday.

Otherwise, he would have to be run to death today.

After the explanation, the starting lineup consisting of Johnson, Miller, Artest, Wayne and O'Brien stepped onto the court.

Popovich stared at Wayne and stroked his chin thoughtfully.

As for the Spurs, the starting lineup is Parker, Manu, Bowen, Duncan and Rashu Nesterovich.

Duncan has spent more time at the four position this season due to plantar fasciitis.

But whether Duncan is standing at the fourth or fifth position, he is still a huge threat.

Wayne couldn't help but look up at Duncan, but unexpectedly, Duncan and Wayne were looking at each other.

Both of them were stunned for a second, and then Wayne noticed that Duncan slowly opened his big mouth and showed a terrifying smile.

"Hiss!" Wayne gasped. It's okay that Shi Buddha didn't smile, but his smile was so scary! ?

Seeing Wayne avoiding his gaze, Duncan scratched his head in confusion.

Is this my way of being friendly?

Why does everyone avert their eyes when they see me smiling?

People nowadays are really strange.

In Duncan's helpless mood, the referee threw the ball into the air.

What both sides consider to be the "first rehearsal of the finals" has officially begun.

Thanks to the big guys like I Am a Hero of Chaotic Room, The Moved Heart, Jian Wang, Shen Ye Alone, Passing Water Night Feng 7, Brother Su from the East Prison District, etc. for their rewards, Lao Ge, thank you all~