I am Really an Insider

On the wooden floor of the SBC Center, a huge O'Brien Trophy is painted next to the team's logo.

This is the unique floor pattern of the NBA Finals, reminding fans all the time what the ten people on the court are fighting for.

Although the alliance later canceled this design for unknown reasons, most people still miss it very much.

The Spurs' long-haired guard No. 20 stepped over the O'Brien Trophy on the floor with the ball.

Tonight, he is a nightmare for the Eastern Conference champions.

"Manu Ginobili is like a miracle, the Argentine seemed to be able to score with just one shot today!

The Pacers restricted Tony Parker in this game, but the Argentine stood up!

Now, Manu continues to hold the ball, let's see how he plays! "

Sitting behind the commentary desk, Mike Breen could feel the Argentinian's overflowing confidence.

At this time, there were only the last 40 seconds left in the game, and the Spurs led by 6 points.

Warrior Jackson nervously stood in front of Ginobili. The Argentinian had already scored 24 points.

Although Ginobili is not as tall as Jackson, he still handles the ball calmly.

He controlled time from outside the three-point line, trying to run out all 24 seconds and not leave the Pacers a chance to counterattack.

Wayne fought wildly with Duncan in the paint. Although Duncan's efficiency today was not as high as Ginobili's, under the double-teaming of O'Neill and Wayne, No. 21's shooting percentage today was only 45.5%.

But he still scored 24 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Therefore, Wu Sheng did not dare to let the Argentinian go, and Wayne did not dare to let Duncan go at all.

Just like that, when there were only 6 seconds left in the attack time, Manu waved his hand gracefully and called for cover!

Thinking of the last time the Spurs played against the SuperSonics in the Western Conference semifinals, when Ginobili took the blame to Duncan in the last 0.5 seconds, Wayne stayed close to him, preparing to follow him out.

At that time, no matter whether you switch defense or continue to defend Duncan, you must not make a mistake.

You think he's going to play in isolation, but in fact he's very likely to pass the ball out of nowhere.

This guy Ginobili, you never know what he's going to do next.

Well, maybe not even Popovich knows.

Manu is usually the one who breaks the mold on a Spurs team that is so steady.

But just when Wayne was eager to try, the Spurs' arrangement exceeded everyone's expectations.

The person who went out to pick and roll Ginobili was not Duncan, who was a mid-range threat, but Nazr Mohammed, who was traded from New York to the Spurs late in the regular season this year.

With his tougher style of play, faster movement and aggressive offensive rebounding, Mohammed replaced the white center Rasu Nestenovich "Ouchi" and has been in the playoffs. Started for the Spurs.

Facts have proved that he has indeed improved the Spurs' defensive strength and secondary offensive opportunities in the playoffs. So far in the playoffs, he has averaged 3.3 offensive rebounds per game.

However, Mohammed is just a blue-collar coolie. He has no mid-range shooting or even any offensive skills.

If you let him cover, O'Neal can switch to Manu unscrupulously.

So, why did the Spurs do this? Is it a tactical mistake?

No.

Popovich clenched his fists off the court. This was all arranged by him.

Indeed, Muhammad does not provide the mid-range threat that Duncan does. Therefore, the purpose of the Spurs' pick-and-roll this time is actually to allow Manu to hit Ou in a misplaced position.

What Popovich wants is for Ou to switch defenses!

The pick-and-roll was formed, and Xiao Ou was indeed in front of Manu for the first time.

But Manu did not break through immediately. After bypassing the screen, he suddenly paused, which forced Xiao Ao to follow.

Taking advantage of Xiao Ao's opportunity to move forward, Manu suddenly changed direction and accelerated.

One goes forward and one goes backward.

This is what the big and small are most afraid of.

Manu easily penetrated O'O and jumped up next to him for a shot.

The moment the Argentine took action, a red light just appeared on the backboard.

The basketball hit the net, and this time, he didn't pass the blame.

"Go in again, Manu Ginobili, his mid-range jump shot almost killed the game! Spurs fans can cheer, Ginobili's shot allowed the Spurs to keep their first victory in San Antonio !”

The audience cheered, and Manu, with long flowing hair, scored his 26th personal point.

He made 10 of 16 shots from the field and his 62.5% shooting rate was comparable to the inside.

He left the Pacers with 16 seconds, but the point difference was widened to 8 points.

Even if Wayne has the purple "Big Heart Killer", it won't help.

There's no time.

Even McGrady's miracle moment took 35 seconds to complete.

What's more, the Spurs will never allow the same thing to happen twice.

Carlisle spent the last timeout and set up a quick three-pointer tactic for Wayne.

But all this has been guessed by the cunning "Penguin" on the other side.

After the game restarted, Duncan and Bowen sandwiched Wayne, with Bowen almost lying in Wayne's arms.

Wayne was unable to catch the ball, and Xiao Ao could only hand the ball to Wu Sheng in the critical moment.

But unfortunately, Wu Sheng's quick three-pointer failed to hit, which also meant that the Pacers completely lost hope.

At the end of 48 minutes, the Spurs won the first game of the Finals 96-87.

Manu raised his arms and ran on the court. Behind him, Duncan stretched out his claws, as if chasing his prey.

Otherwise, why do you think Manu runs so fast?

"Be good, come here and let me touch your head!"

Popovich stood up and glanced at Wayne intentionally or unintentionally.

When the two looked at each other, the old man raised his head slightly and smiled proudly.

1-0, with Reggie Miller's last wish and endless enthusiasm, the Cornfield Team came to San Antonio and suffered a heavy defeat.

"If I remember correctly, this is the first time the Pacers have lost their first playoff game this season. I don't know what they're going to do, this is adversity they've never faced. Mike here. Breen and Kevin Harlan, see you in the next game."

After Mike Brin finished speaking, he turned off the microphone and let out a big breath.

He opened his hands and realized that his palms were all sweaty.

This finals game is indeed different from before.

Before, both the Pacers and the Spurs actually gave people a feeling of being at ease.

Although the Heat once forced the game to the King's Mountain, as Wayne said, they relied on explosion to win.

But this time the Pacers met the Spurs, it really gave people a feeling that everyone was evenly matched.

"It's all my fault, it's all my fault." The moment the game ended, Xiao Ao shut himself up.

He believed that the failure was due to his failure to guard Manu in the end.

But the truth is more cruel than Ou thinks - even if Manu doesn't score a goal, the Pacers will most likely not win today.

In today's game, it was not a collapse at a certain moment or someone's fault that led to the failure.

The Spurs can win because of their strong strength, tight defense and rigorous strategy.

Today, the Pacers' offensive efficiency was not very high. Under Duncan's defense, Wayne didn't have many chances to take shots and only scored 18 points in the game.

It's not just Wayne, it's true that most people don't get very good shooting opportunities.

The defensive intensity and level of this game made the Pacers feel like they were back in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Pacers' defense against the Spurs was also very targeted, but Ginobili played too well today. Another one, although Duncan's shooting percentage was not high, it was not very low either, and he still scored a lot of points.

Duncan is Duncan, and he is at his peak when he is not yet 29 years old. This is the golden age for an insider.

"We still have a chance, Jermaine. Stand tall, we are not losers yet." Miller walked up and patted Xiao O's back.

After that, he talked to other teammates one by one.

Miller really doesn't want to see the team be broken up in one game. This loss is indeed a blow to morale, but it is not fatal.

Being behind 0 to 1 just means that the start is a little slower than others.

Finally, Miller walked over to Wayne.

Although Wayne is a rookie, he faced this defeat calmly than most older players.

For some reason, Miller wasn't surprised.

Maybe it's because he almost forgot that Wayne was actually a first-year rookie.

The strongest first-year rookie in the 21st century!

"You must have been stepped on by Bowen in the end." Miller then did not speak to Wayne in a comforting tone.

"Well, damn Bruce. He should be grateful that the game was about to end and I didn't have the heart to play with him, otherwise"

Wayne shrugged. When Bowen and Duncan double-teamed him, he kept stepping on Wayne's feet to restrict Wayne's movement, which prevented Wayne from getting the ball.

At that time, Wayne really wanted Bowen to relive that unforgettable night.

"As long as you're not injured, be careful with that guy. Go back and let's keep up the good work in the next game."

"Well, we're just close." Wayne nodded, turned around and left this sea of ​​joy that belonged to San Antonians.

At the post-game press conference, Popovich and Duncan made Ginobili comfortable.

"Manu played at the level he should have. He scored a key goal against Jermaine at the last moment. That's what he will do. He is a special player."

Popovich was so happy that he completely forgot that he was clamoring to trade the Argentinian out during the Western Conference semifinals.

Duncan, on the other hand, had a rare moment of humor with reporters: "Today, 20 is greater than 21."

Other than that, Popovich had no more sarcastic remarks.

Although the Spurs won beautifully this time, it was only the first game after all.

At this time, if you taunt hard, there is a high chance that you will overturn.

After all, this is not a novel villain, and he will not suddenly become wise.

But at the end of the press conference, Popovich still asked provocatively: "Aren't there any reporters from Indiana today?"

He used these words to respond to the Yincheng reporter who embarrassed him before the finals started.

Since most of the people present were San Antonio reporters, they laughed in unison.

Amid bursts of laughter, Popovich walked out of the press conference satisfied.

Wayne?

Just a little brat!

In front of the great idiot Deng, this guy who is known as the strongest first-year guy in the 21st century is not a threat at all!

18 points in a single quarter? You try one on Duncan's head!

Duncan: Hey, don't poison me, old man Bo!

Popovich believes that in a few games, he will be able to mock Wayne unscrupulously.

Just thinking about it makes me a little excited.

The two front teeth of labor and management cannot just be forgotten!

Let me show you a street in the Holy City, who is the master?

The next day, Wayne got up early and prepared to go to the gym for training.

I feel so depressed and uncomfortable. Now besides playing basketball and thinking about the game, I can’t think about anything else.

As a result, Wayne was dumbfounded when he arrived at the basketball stadium near the hotel.

Payton, Miller, Wu Sheng and Xiao Ao all appeared at the door at the same time!

Well, only Artest slept the most soundly.

In terms of big heart, it has to be Taizi.

"Oh, it's so early." Payton smiled crookedly.

"Hey, let's just treat it as morning practice." Miller said and started shooting from outside the three-point line.

Two old guys, very motivated.

After all, they may be the most eager to win the championship among everyone.

Others can also console themselves by saying, “See you next time.”

But for Miller and Payton, there may really be no next time.

Wayne shrugged and went to the court to shoot.

After a while, Payton suddenly spoke.

"I think we will be more decisive in the next game."

"Well, the Spurs' defense has no intention of giving us the so-called good opportunity. Sometimes, if there is a slight chance, you have to shoot. Otherwise, at the end of the pass, you will still have to force the shot, which will be even less efficient." Miller also immediately agreed.

As expected of two old gangsters, when they said this, Wayne realized that it was true.

In fact, the reason why yesterday's game, including the game between the Spurs and the Pistons in the original history, made people feel boring was not because of the low scores and the high number of strikes.

What really ruined the perception of the game was the long confrontation that resulted in no chance to make a shot.

Blocking, physical combat, defense, flanking, and passing take up most of the game.

Just like a boxing match, what everyone looks forward to the most is the punch to the flesh.

But if two overly cautious boxers gesticulate for a long time but don't make a move, it will be ugly and naturally difficult to win.

The Pacers' offense was like this yesterday. Because they didn't have a good chance, they weren't decisive enough.

If you wait until the end is no longer possible and then forcefully take action, the chances are actually not as good as before.

In fact, we also had this problem when playing against the Pistons, but because the Pistons themselves were not able to attack well.

Therefore, the two sides grind each other's defense, and in the end the key offense is dominant and the Pacers are more likely to win, and this problem is covered up.

But now facing the Spurs, while their defense is no less than that of the Pistons, they also have offensive masters like Ginobili and Duncan.

It will be very difficult for the Pacers to rely solely on defense.

"Well, I will be more determined in the next game." Payton nodded, he didn't want his championship dream to be broken again.

Unlike Miller, Payton doesn't care where he wins the championship, as long as there is a championship to win.

To be honest, he also felt that he had reached his limit.

In one or two years, given his competitive status, will any championship-contending team want him?

Let alone a year or two, just this year, he was almost dumped by Danny Ainge in the messed up Atlanta.

Payton knows that it is impossible for him to lead the team and fight against strong enemies like he did during the SuperSonics era.

He really needs to rely on a good team. To put it bluntly, he needs to hold on to his thighs.

But Payton doesn't want to win a championship in vain. He just hopes that he can continue to shine as a role player.

This year is his best chance to win the championship!

No matter what, don't let the opportunity slip away.

The team's official training started at 10 a.m., and Artest opened the door to the training hall with a smile at 9:30.

"Hey, I must be the earliest here today." Artest looked up and his smile stopped abruptly.

I originally wanted to be the first to establish the image of a good leader, but now there are so many people here?

"Hey Ron, you had a good sleep!" Xiao Ao deliberately said hello, trying to embarrass him.

I haven’t even avenged the smack in my face with Gatorade before.

"I slept well. I got up at six o'clock to watch the video of yesterday's game!" Tai waved his hand, you know nothing about the team leader!

"That's it. As far as I know, the only video of the editor is in the hands of the coach."

"Ah, ahem, I watched the online replay. Do you understand the Internet? Have you never surfed the Internet?"

"Well, that's really hard on you."

"Hey, as a team leader"

Before Artest finished pretending, Carlisle walked into the training hall and interrupted him with a shout: "Notify everyone, a meeting!"

"Meeting? Whose meeting is it?" Wayne was stunned for a few seconds before he realized that this meeting was not the other meeting.

Carlisle simply wanted to hold a tactical meeting.

God knows how many domestic basketball forums have changed the original meaning of words.

When the head coach holds a temporary tactical meeting, it usually means one problem - the tactics need to be drastically changed.

This has never happened before in the series. Like in the previous game against the Heat, Carlisle used one move to shrink all the way to guard Wade, and he used it until the end of the series.

But it's obvious that playing against the Spurs won't be that easy.

No, in just one game, Carlisle asked for a change.

Both sides must constantly adjust, game, and use tricks until one of them falls.

This is the finals, a showdown between the team's offensive and defensive systems, and the ultimate competition of the coaching staff's decision-making ability.

Looking at Carlisle's big bags under his eyes, you knew he must have been playing basketball again last night.

In the tactical meeting, Carlisle was playing the edited video.

When Duncan's attack was played, Carlisle asked everyone if they saw anything wrong.

Xiao Ao said at that time: "Ron, didn't you watch the video all morning? You should have seen something."

"Oh? Really? Then tell me what you think, Ron." Carlisle looked at Artest happily, and then the whole team's eyes fell on him.

"Uh" Artest glared at Xiao Ao, why don't you just wear No. 25, you two-five guy!

"Duncan's problem is us and them." How could Artest answer that? He didn't watch the video at all.

After seeing Artest hesitating for a long time, Carlisle knew the result: "Well, that's very good! Duncan's problem is that we didn't double-team him enough!

Although Duncan's shooting percentage was only 45.5% in the last game, it was still too high!

We need to further reduce Duncan's efficiency.

No matter what, we can't let Duncan open the situation! "

Carlisle did not start with Ginobili, who was the most efficient yesterday, but continued to fight Duncan!

To put it bluntly, Ginobili is a surprise player. If you pile resources on him, you will play into the trap of the old thief Veach.

Ginobili's stability has never been good, and he seems to be in trouble. But Duncan is different. If you don't change, he will grind you to death every game.

You asked Carlisle to choose between Duncan and Ginobili, and Carlisle would choose Duncan 100 times.

As long as Duncan is uncomfortable, the Spurs will be uncomfortable.

The significance of making Duncan uncomfortable is not only in terms of scoring, it will also disrupt the entire Spurs' offensive operation.

Since yesterday's double team was not very successful, let's do three or four!

"Same as playing against the Heat, when Duncan holds the ball, I need at least three people to decisively shrink into the three-second zone. Jermaine, in the next game, you have to defend Duncan, and Wayne can help defend at any time.

Remember, it's better to let someone else on the Spurs take the shot than let Duncan have the ball easily.

We must kill Tim Duncan within the three-second zone! "

Carlisle tried to silence the league's best power forward.

Blocking Duncan or blocking outside shots, Carlisle and Popovich gambled again.

"On the offensive end, Wei, bring Duncan to the outside tomorrow. I need you to be the transfer point."

The Spurs used Duncan to directly defend Wayne, which is enough to show that Popovich attaches great importance to Wayne.

To say that you are not afraid of Wei Shen, who scored 18 points in a single quarter, is to fool him.

Popovich was so scared that he peed!

In terms of height and frame protection ability, Mohammed is the power forward and Duncan is the center.

In terms of matchup, it should be Mohammed guarding Wayne.

But the fact that the Spurs use Duncan to defend is very telling.

Some people say they are not afraid, but are very honest in their tactics.

In this case, Carlisle will use his plan.

If you want to guard Wayne, you have to get out.

Once Duncan goes out, what about Muhammad's rim protection?

In the last round of the series, Stoudemire averaged 37 points per game.

Well, in the last round, it was not Duncan who faced Stoudemire, but Mohammed.

The arm-wrestling moment between Carlisle and Popovich was over, and he changed everything that needed to be changed.

Next, it depends on whether the players can defeat the Spurs guys.

On June 12, the second game of the finals officially started.

As soon as Wayne and the others stepped into the stadium today, they found that the fans in the stands were holding up 2-0 signs.

Obviously, they all hope that the Spurs can go to Indianapolis with a total score of 2-0.

Before the game, a reporter asked Wayne: "Are you worried about 2-0 happening?"

Wayne nodded: "We're worried, so we try not to let this happen."

After the game started, Carlisle changed his formation again on the Pacers' side.

He finally put Payton in the starting lineup, hoping to hit his opponent with all his strength from the start.

As soon as Duncan won the ball for the Spurs, he found O'Neal moving directly towards him.

Today, Duncan was about to get into a physical fight as soon as he crossed the midfield line, and the confrontation took another level.

Wayne was on the inside, ready to go.

Parker slowly controlled the ball, and the game entered a long confrontation at the beginning.

If the Spurs and Pacers didn't have a grudge during the regular season, and if everyone didn't expect Wayne to suddenly beat Bowen and Popovich in the next second, the ratings of the game would probably make Stern cry.

Finally, Duncan received the basketball on the right side and was ready to attack!

Sure enough, the Spurs' first choice is still Duncan rather than the Argentine.

Duncan comes over with the ball. His way of breaking double teams is to be decisive and quick.

Once you hesitate, you will be trapped.

The Spurs' offense emphasizes a ball that cannot die.

Wayne double-teamed as usual. Duncan saw that it was too difficult to force an attack, so he prepared to pass the ball to Manu.

But Duncan turned his head and was shocked.

A rare expression of surprise flashed across Shi Fo's face.

Because he didn't expect that Artest was actually in the three-second zone!

This is not a double team, this is a triple team!

Just like that, Duncan's pass was destroyed by Artest behind him.

Payton gets the ball and rushes, and Duncan immediately follows back to defend.

At this moment, Payton, who broke into the mid-range, suddenly passed the ball out, and it was Wayne who caught the ball.

Duncan quickly turned the gun and rushed towards Wayne outside the three-point line, preventing the strongest first-year player from taking an easy shot.

However, Wayne didn't take the shot and wasn't intimidated by Duncan.

He just flicked the ball inside.

O'Neal Jr., who was already in position, received the ball steadily, and faced Mohammed, who was disadvantaged by his height, he easily turned around and scored with a hook!

"The ball went in, hoo-hoo, it went smoothly! This may be the smoothest offense the Pacers have had in this series so far!"

Carlisle waved his fist off the court, and it turned out that his tactics were effective.

Popovich frowned. Carlisle and D'Antoni really cannot be confused.

On the court, O'Brien pointed at Wayne to express his gratitude.

Today, under Carlisle's tactics, Wayne has to show his other abilities besides scoring.

Power forward mode, on!

And Duncan didn't know it yet, but this was just the beginning of a series of suffering journeys for him.

1.4W today, I am really not Brother Wei.