I’m Really Playing Basketball

In the third-place final between Spain and Russia, Spain, which was more optimistic before the game, was beaten violently by Russia at halftime, which made many viewers who had their own judgment about this game feel a little confused.

The Spanish players who were like gods descending from the earth yesterday when they played against the United States, why did they suddenly become like this?

When playing against the United States yesterday, Navarro scored 14 points in a single quarter. After halftime of this game, he only made 0 of 3 and only scored 1 point on free throws.

Yesterday we played against the United States and made the American team very embarrassed. In the end, the superstars of the American team were forced to make crazy fouls and beat Gasol, the giant of Spain. In this game, here in Russia, halftime was played. Finished with only 1 out of 7.

So much so that O'Neal, who was broadcasting the game live, couldn't help but rant: "In one day, Marc Gasol turned into an All-Star who has passed his prime."

The poor performance of Navarro and Gasol is a microcosm of Spain in this game. Throughout the first half, Spain was completely disconnected from inside and outside. It can be said that it was suppressed by Russia.

No matter inside or outside, as soon as the Spanish team players get the ball, they immediately press closely. In this high-intensity confrontation, the Spanish team's technical advantage cannot be used.

To put it simply, you can't break through Spain's defensive system, and Gasol can't beat Sasha Cowen at the basket. In the end, Spain can only be forced to shoot from the outside, but the opponent you face when shooting is Kirilenko and others are tall people over two meters tall.

Finally, the feeling in Spain in the first half was that Navarro couldn't break through, Gasol couldn't hit inside, Rubio couldn't make an outside shot, and the aerial trapeze Ibaka didn't have the space to fly.

By the way, Ibaka, who had 12 points and 9 rebounds against the US team, also performed poorly in this game.

He couldn't get in inside, and when shooting from the outside, Russia's defense was too fast, with one senior and four juniors, a big center, and three Kirilenko-style fast forwards. Ibaka's shooting speed was too slow and he had to speed up his shooting. Speed ​​can only reduce the shooting rate. In fact, most of the time, Ibaka doesn't even have a chance to shoot.

Even Spain's always stable leader Gasol was exhausted by Russia's crazy defensive system in the first half.

Facing Russia's defensive system of one big, four small, and four long-armed men, Gasol was also very uncomfortable. Every time Gasol asked for the ball in the low post, Russia would use their long arms. The players used forward defense and tried their best to prevent Gasol from catching the ball. Once Gasol got the ball inside, Russia would immediately adopt a fierce flanking tactic, giving Gasol almost no chance to breathe.

For Gasol, the most classic scene in the half was that with 1 minute left in the second quarter, Gasol finally got the ball under the basket. At this time, four Russians pounced on him. , surrounded Gasol, it was really too fast!

And it's not just fast, this is Gasol. His support is quite invincible. Faced with such a flanking attack, he can pass the ball, but Gasol is struggling because of such a flanking attack from Russia. , giving him no room to play the ball at all. Even a player with Gasol's ability to play the ball cannot play the ball. One can imagine how tacit and terrifying Russia's defensive system is.

Of course, in this attack, Gasol relied on his super personal speed to cause the opponent to foul after struggling.

However, Gasol, who was so tired from playing, walked to the free throw line, sweating all over his body, with his waist bent and his hands on his knees, looking very tired. So in the end, this free throw, He made one of two free throws.

Facing a three-dimensional defensive system like Russia, Gasol's halftime data was also extremely bad, 1-for-4.

It can be said that in the first half of the powerful Spain, if a player performed well, he would not only score 20 points in one half.

As long as Spain performs better, it won't scare the US team like that.

You know, after the semi-final between the United States and Spain, Barkley, O'Neal and many American media trumpeted this game as the greatest semi-final in Olympic history.

Good guy, the greatest semi-final opponent in the greatest semi-final game, met Russia who was fucked wildly by the Chinese team, and barely managed to score 20 points in the last half.

For a time, the social media on the Internet in the United States were all filled with questions: 'How did China defeat Russia in just one session? ! 'question.

To be honest, if it weren't for a player like Yao Ming in the team who can defeat Russia's defensive system, the Chinese team would also be anxious when playing against Russia.

Russia's defensive system is extremely powerful even in the history of FIBA ​​and the Olympics.

Historically, in this year's Olympic Games, Spain, Lithuania and Argentina all lost to Russia.

In this Olympics, the United States team also did this.

In history, Russia played Spain in the semi-finals and finally collapsed in the second half because they were exhausted and could not maintain their high-consumption defensive system. In the end, they were penetrated by Spain's three-point shooter led by Calderon, and then The defensive system collapsed, both internal and external losses were lost and the loss was reversed.

But obviously, the situation in Russia and Spain in this game is very different.

First of all, Spain now has a bigger physical problem. They just fought the United States for a whole game yesterday, and the game between Russia and China collapsed in the first quarter. Russia can be said to be a blessing in disguise.

And it's not just physically different, it's also psychologically different.

Historically, Spain can advance to the finals and compete for the championship if it reverses Russia.

But now, this is only the final of third and fourth place. Even if Russia is reversed, it will only be third place. There is a medal, but only a bronze medal, and the psychological motivation is not enough.

Physically exhausted, mentally lacking in motivation, plus being beaten so badly in the first half.

It is almost impossible for Spain to come out like history.

Therefore, after the start of the second half of the game, Spain did not see much improvement, and Russia was still in control of the situation.

Of course, it would be difficult for Russia to push Spain as hard as it did in the first half.

In the end, Russia defeated Spain 59-47 and won the third place in the Olympic men's basketball competition.

It can also be seen from the score of Russia in this game that this team's offensive capabilities are actually very limited.

Especially when Kirilenko only made 2 of 12 in this game, Russia's offense was also difficult.

But the defense of this team is really outstanding. Spain, which could score 100 points against the US team, was forced to score 47 points in the whole game, more than half of it.

So the question is, facing a Russian team with such a strong defense and a Chinese team that scored more than 100 goals, how strong should their offense be?

Everyone who watched this game, including the players of the US team, did not dare to say confidently that they could score more than 100 points against Russia, or even more than 90 points.

For Spain, an Olympic bronze medal is not that precious, but for Russia, this bronze medal is very precious.

After all, in this Olympics, they did not qualify directly, but climbed up through the qualifying rounds. Many people were not optimistic about them, but in the end, they created the best results in team history.

So, when the final whistle sounded, Kirilenko rushed to the center of the court crazily with a basketball in his arms, and his teammates rushed up and pressed him to the floor to celebrate.

A rather crude way of celebrating, very Maozi style.

In a subsequent interview, Kirilenko could not conceal his excitement and said: "I am so happy. We defeated a strong and experienced team. Spain is very good, but our defense, our The mentality helped us get this medal!”

"I know that after we lost to the Chinese team in the semi-finals, many people looked down on us, but we did not lose confidence. After that defeat, we encouraged ourselves that our opponent was the Chinese team, the strongest team in FIBA ​​history. There is only the Chinese team, and there is only one such team in the world. We told ourselves that except the Chinese team, we can beat any opponent!"

"Yes, after the semi-finals, Chen encouraged us. Chen told us that we are very strong. Now, I can tell the world that what Chen said is right, we are really strong!"

This Olympics is very important for Kirilenko. His contract has expired and no NBA team has offered him a contract yet. Many people say that his style and strength may not make it in the NBA. For a few years, I didn't dare to offer him a big contract.

It can be said that during this trip to the Olympics, he moved forward with countless doubts.

As an opponent, Chen Xiao gave him a lot of praise in this Olympics.

Whether before or after the game, Chen Xiao was full of praise for him and his Russia.

To be fair, with regard to the big score when Russia lost to the Chinese team in the semi-finals, Chen Xiao could have pretended that he and his Russia were noobs.

This is no problem at all.

If they were players from the U.S. team or from other countries, I'm afraid they would have actually said this openly or covertly.

But Chen Xiao has always supported him and his team.

In the end, for supporting them, they were actually laughed at.

This made AK feel that Chen Xiao was really capable.

When Chen Xiao became famous in the NBA, he was credited with hitting a buzzer-beater over his head in his rookie season.

To be honest, if the Warriors are short of players and have salary space, he wouldn't mind going to the Warriors to work hard for Chen Xiao.

It's just that the Warriors don't have room to sign him now.

But even so, when AK was interviewed after the game, he was full of praise for Chen Xiao and the Chinese team. All the best players in history and the best teams in history were thrown at the Chinese team for free.

As for this American team?

who cares?

Kirilenko undoubtedly sides with Chen Xiao and the Chinese team.

By the way, why would AK say these things openly or covertly in the post-game press conference that don't need to be said, or are unnecessary to say.

Of course, it's because after the semifinals, the matchup between the Chinese team and the American team was so hyped.

The American media, which has the upper hand in public opinion, wildly boasted about the American team. Using Chen Xiao's words to defend Russia, they wildly ridiculed Chen Xiao and the Chinese team for not facing a strong opponent in this Olympics and taking advantage of it.

Under such hype from the American media, 24 hours have passed. Before the start of the match between Russia and Spain, in the final handicap, the odds of the American team winning the championship were actually ahead of the Chinese team.

Everyone knows that in this kind of one-on-one handicap, the more people buy, the lower the odds. The fewer people buy, the higher the odds and the more profit.

Therefore, after such an operation by the American media, a large number of Americans, Europeans, or people from other countries really felt that the American team could beat the Chinese team.

After the match between Russia and Spain ended, and before the match between the Chinese team and the US team started, in just a few hours, the US team's handicap collapsed.

Yes, it collapsed.

You can imagine that due to the hype, in the 2021-2022 season, the odds of buying Liverpool to win the Premier League are lower than those of Manchester City, and they are much lower. Buying Manchester City is 3 to 1, and buying Liverpool is 1.5 to 1.

Tell me, if you had money now, who would you buy?

Of course, if you buy Manchester City, you have a greater chance of winning the championship, and the odds are even higher. If you don’t buy it now, when will you buy it?

It’s such a good opportunity to cut leeks. If you don’t do it, you would be really sorry for yourself and the American bookmakers.

In fact, such a sudden change in the handicap is also a microcosm of the sudden change in the situation before the game between the Chinese team and the American team.

Before the game started, everyone thought that the Chinese team and the American team were about the same strength. However, it was only after Spain and Russia played that they realized that the Chinese team was stronger, and so much stronger.

So much so that even ESPN almost worked overtime to overturn all its previous analysis of the finals, and then convened experts to write a new analysis.

In this new analysis, ESPN still believes that the two teams are currently the most powerful teams in world basketball, and even the two most powerful teams in FIBA ​​history. The match between them is naturally the highest level in world basketball. However, in terms of strength, ESPN no longer believes that the American team is stronger and the Chinese team is weaker. Of course, it does not think that the Chinese team is strong and the American team is weak. Americans can still expect tough words. of.

Therefore, in this new analysis, ESPN analyzes the lineup structure of the two teams, saying that the Chinese team is as strong as the American team. The two teams are two completely different teams. The Chinese team has the best team in this Olympics. The most luxurious inside configuration in the world, but the strongest point of the US team is on the outside. This is actually the same as the previous analysis, but there is one difference, that is, in the previous analysis, ESPN's expert team believes that, The Chinese team’s inside advantage is not enough to ineffectively ineffective the US team’s outside advantage and lineup advantage.

But now, things are a little different. Instead, they believe that the Chinese team's inside advantage can offset the American team's outside advantage and lineup advantage.

In other words, this game between Russia and Spain finally allowed the US team to recognize the strength of the combination of Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian who defeated the Russian inside team.

The combination of Gasol, Gasol and Ibaka made the American inside scream.

Russia's Sasha Kaun beat Gasol and Ibaka.

Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian were beaten until Kaun screamed.

In this new analysis from ESPN, the inside combination led by Oden and Chris Bosh has collapsed.

Well, before the game even started, ESPN was quite pessimistic.

In the previous article, they were quite optimistic.

I feel that Oden has grown up now and may have a certain opportunity to create difficulties for the combination of Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian.

Now I have re-watched the match between the Chinese team and Russia, and they have completely extinguished this little hope.

Even if you don't want to admit it, the facts are there. Although Oden is strong, under FIBA's competition rules, he is really not as useful as Sasha Cowan.

Just look at the embarrassed look of Gasol in front of Cowen, who beat Oden to the point of vomiting, and you will know that under FIBA ​​rules, the level of Oden and Yao Ming is either one level, or two. The level is, maybe, three, or even four, or five levels off!

As for whether it is three levels, four levels or five levels, it depends on how much strength Yao Ming hides.

Of course, the main change in ESPN's analysis is the comparison of the two teams' insiders. I used to think that if the Chinese team's insiders were 10, the American team would have 8 anyway.

But now I have discovered that if the Chinese team's inside number is 10, the Russian inside number who was beaten by Yao Ming in the first quarter is only 6, which is just a pass, and the strength of the Spanish inside number, which was beaten by the Russian inside in the first half, is only 5 points at best. It looks like, and the US team's insiders, who were suppressed by Spain's insiders for a whole game, are only capable of 4 points at most.

Therefore, don’t make empty comparisons. The US team’s insider is 8, the Spanish team’s insider is 9, and the Chinese team’s insider is 10. This is YY.

When there is an intermediate player like Russia in the middle, the evaluation of the US team's inside strength and Spain's inside strength really drops off a cliff.

That's what's changed in this new match analysis, while the rest of the comparison remains mostly unchanged.

ESPN now believes that there are two variables in the match between the Chinese team and the US team. The biggest variable is whether the US team's inside line can hold up under the pressure of China's inside line. If it cannot hold on, it will collapse directly. Then this will The game is over.

If it can hold on, even if it is beaten badly and does not collapse, just like it did in Spain, then the US team still has a chance.

As for the American team that has a chance, it depends on the outcome of this matchup between Chen Xiao and Durant.

When it comes to dominance, in FIBA, inside dominance is indeed more important. The inside combination of Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian is the cornerstone of this Chinese team.

But when it comes to scoring, there is no doubt that Chen Xiao and Durant are the two strongest players in this Olympics.

Let’s not talk about Chen Xiao. Even though Chen Xiao didn’t take that many shots in this Olympics and cooperated with the team’s strategy to give opportunities to the inside and his teammates, no one doubted Chen Xiao’s scoring ability.

The person who needs to talk now is Durant.

In the 2010 World Championships, Durant was a blockbuster, allowing everyone to see that the American team also had a buggy outside line like Chen Xiao in FIBA ​​games.

In this Olympics, Durant, who played in the Olympics for the first time, once again proved that his 2010 World Championships was not a fluke.

He is really strong in FIBA.

So far in this Olympics, Durant has averaged 25 minutes per game and 20.5 points per game. The scary thing is that his three-point shooting percentage is as high as 58% per game. In all the past games, he has scored the least points per game. Made 4 three-pointers.

As long as the US team's game reaches a critical moment or an anxious moment, Durant's three-pointers are scored one after another, the 17 points in a single quarter against Argentina, and the 30 points in the game against Spain are all the same.

In this Olympics, the only players who averaged more than 4 three-pointers per game were Durant and Chen Xiao. Chen Xiao averaged 5.5 three-pointers per game.

For players who average two or more three-pointers per game, only Chen Xiao has a higher shooting percentage than Durant. Chen Xiao's three-point shooting percentage is 58.5%. In fact, the difference is not much.

However, from the scoring data of the two, even a blind person can see that their scoring ability is unique among the outside players in the entire Olympic Games.

This also shows from the side that the two men's soaring scores in the 2010 World Championships are extremely meaningful.

The scoring ability of the two is so strong.

According to ESPN, when Jordan came to FIBA, he was inferior to the two.

Of course, although the two are on the same level, Chen Xiao is still a little better than Durant. Now it depends on whether the other outside superstars of the US team, such as James, Kobe and Wade or Ron Howard, can help Durant puts more pressure and consumption on Chen Xiao, especially James.

The entire NBA knows that James is Chen Xiao's best defender.

On the Chinese team, no one can guard Durant except Chen Xiao.

Therefore, Chen Xiao must go all out on offense and defense in this game. The defense must defend Durant, and the offense must defeat James, the strongest "Chen Xiao Terminator" in the US team.

Therefore, ESPN feels that the last time the scores soared in the World Championships, Chen Xiao and Durant played 50-50, and Chen Xiao won a small victory. That time, Durant did not have James to help him.

But this time, Durant has James helping him.

Therefore, in the final showdown, maybe Durant can beat Chen Xiao by a small margin.

In fact, it's not just ESPN experts who think so.

Within the Chinese team, Chen Xiao also said this to his teammates.

As someone who owns the system, he knows best how powerful Durant and James are.

In history, the combination of Durant and James All-Stars was so powerful that even for just one round, it shocked the entire NBA.

Of course, Chen Xiao is not Curry, and the NBA is not FIBA.

But Chen Xiao still prepared for the worst.

And this is also the reason why Chen Xiao asked the Chinese team to shift the playing style from him to Yao Ming and Arab League in this Olympics.

"I can't guarantee that I can bear the offense of defeating this American team when facing this American team. I need your help."

This is the first time Chen Xiao has said to the national team that he cannot handle the game alone.

Logically speaking, this should have an impact on the team's morale, but the final result...

Faye Wong, the head coach of the Chinese team, was very surprised when she saw the excitement and excitement in the eyes of Dayao, Arab League, and other Chinese team players.

What Chen Xiao said not only did not dampen the morale of the Chinese team, it even made the morale of the Chinese team even more explosive!

"Xiao Chen, you said for the first time that you need us!"

"Yes, Brother Chen, we used to rely on you, and you used to carry us forward. Now, we can finally move forward together!"

"Brother Chen, now we can finally say with pride that we are your teammates, not your burdens!"

Looking at the excited expressions on the faces of the Chinese team players, it was difficult for Coach Faye Wong to describe his mood at this time.

Touched, pleased, or regretful?

It’s easy to understand how moved and gratified you are. What’s the regret?

Of course it is a pity that as the head coach of the Chinese team, he cannot make himself needed by Chen Xiao like these players of the Chinese team.

No matter how many achievements he has made in the Chinese team, in everyone's eyes, he is still the blood-sucking insect lying on Chen Xiao and Yao Ming.

To be honest, this is quite a pity for a head coach.

He also wants to prove himself.

Of course, Coach Faye Wong soon adjusted her mentality.

"Even if I'm not needed by Xiao Chen, I can't mess up the team and mess up the team!"

Director Faye Wong once again warned herself in her heart not to cause trouble.

In fact, many times, for a very strong team, it is rare to have a head coach who does not cause trouble.

Although Faye Wong has not had any outstanding performances in coaching the Chinese team over the years, as a six-time champion head coach, he has never been inflated. Instead, he still focuses on Chen Xiao and does everything according to Chen Xiao's requirements. , which itself is very rare.

It should be said that people who understand China's humane society and seniority-based culture will even think it is a miracle when they look at Faye Wong's hard work in guiding the Chinese team over the years.

Most people, I'm afraid, were already inflated when the Chinese team won the 2008 Olympic Games and completed the five-time championship, feeling that they were invincible.

After adjusting her mentality, Faye Wong put the strong regret in her heart out of her mind. Instead, she looked at the excited and high-spirited players of the Chinese team and said seriously: "I only have one sentence, don't let our I have no regrets about my national team career!”

This is the best time to put pressure on them!

Therefore, after Faye Wong finished speaking, the Chinese team's locker room was filled with roars that seemed to break through the sky.

On the other side, the US team's locker room cannot have the same fighting spirit and unity as the Chinese team's locker room.

This is not to say that the American team was scared.

The situation has changed dramatically, and their current pressure has indeed become extremely huge, but it is impossible to say that they are scared.

Of course, the environment in the United States and the environment of the American team would not allow them to have as many emotions as the Chinese players.

At the very least, neither Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, or James Durant on the American team has as much influence as Chen Xiao does on the Chinese team.

However, even so, the players of the US team still have very determined faces.

"No matter what, revenge is here!"

"We have been losing for 10 years, and now we don't want to lose again!"