I’m Really Playing Basketball

In G1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Warriors and the Spurs, the Warriors' young inside line was trained by Duncan in turns. The inside line suffered a loss, and the outside line was surrounded by three long hands and feet of Luo Ge, Maizi and Leonard. In addition to Chen Xiao and Beal, His performance against Clay was subpar.

Under internal and external difficulties, Chen Xiao was unable to survive alone, and the Warriors lost miserably.

However, facing the Spurs, the strongest team in the league, the Warriors had already expected it.

Any results are normal.

However, the Warriors never thought that Duncan, the Spurs' inside pillar, still has such strong combat effectiveness.

Duncan scored 21 points at halftime in this game!

Good guy, 9 of 12, 3 of 3 free throws, 21 points in the half. Is this a performance that a 38-year-old veteran can produce?

Since last season's finals, Duncan has especially liked to use half-court offense in playoff games.

Because Duncan himself feels that with his current age and physical condition, even if he still has physical strength until the fourth quarter, he will not be able to contribute on the offensive end.

Therefore, Duncan will attack crazily at the beginning of the game, when his physical strength is at its strongest, and his desire to attack is extremely strong, which is not even worse than when he was young.

Moreover, now that he has enough physical strength, he does still have a strong offensive threat.

The main thing is that among the younger generation of insiders in the league, there are fewer insiders who can really do dirty work, have dirty hands, evil hearts, and tough feet.

Most of the young insiders in the league are, to be honest, quite elegant.

Maybe they are very strong, but for Duncan, who has now become an old monster, you may not be as useful as you are good at playing tricks.

Therefore, after G1 between the Warriors and Spurs, some netizens made videos of some relatively immature scenes of Lopez, Big Eyebrow, Gobert, and Ibaka facing off against Duncan and posted them to YouTube. superior.

Then, netizens were all shocked by Duncan.

The No. 1 center in NBA history is really crazy.

The hands, feet, and body are all basic skills, all drama.

To be honest, the Warriors' inside line is actually not weak this season.

In the entire league, among the Warriors' insiders, apart from the Heat's Yao Ming, the only one who can play with such ease is Duncan of the Spurs.

Thinking of Yao Ming, who still firmly holds the No. 1 center position even in his last season.

Thinking about it again, he is already 38 at this time, and he can firmly suppress the rising stars.

It can only be said that for historical players, in many cases, the only thing that can defeat them is time.

Even time can hardly allow them to completely cover up their charm.

It can only be said that the young insiders of the Warriors are indeed miserable.

I have to say that these young insiders of the Warriors have suffered on behalf of Bosh in history.

Historically, after Bosh's finals in 2013 and 2014, Bosh's historical status has plummeted. He was once the number one power forward at his peak, and was brutally beaten by a 38-year-old veteran. What do you think? To have a historical status?

Of course, these four insiders of the Warriors, regardless of Lopez or Big Eyebrow, definitely do not have the status of Bosh at this time in history.

Bosh, that's a real superstar.

Big Lopez and thick eyebrows have no such reputation.

Therefore, netizens did not embarrass Big Eyebrow and Lopez like they did with ridicule and embarrassment for Bosh.

Of course, there is definitely some teasing.

On May 21, the Warriors continued to challenge the Spurs in San Antonio after a day off.

In this game, the Warriors lost even more miserably. The Warriors players felt as if they were blocked in this game.

The Spurs' defense is indeed very strong.

But if you want to say that Beal made 4 of 15 and Klay made 5 of 16, this is entirely due to the Spurs' good defense, that's nonsense.

The Spurs' inside advantage is very strong because of the presence of Duncan and Al Jefferson.

In this game, the Warriors still focused on outside offense, and at the same time they spared no effort to fight the Spurs on the defensive end, just like the strategy that embarrassed the Spurs in the last few games of the playoffs last season.

However, in this game, except for Chen Xiao, the Warriors' perimeter players were in shambles.

In this game, Chen Xiao made 18 of 28, 2 of 8 three-pointers, and 5 of 6 free throws. He scored 43 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists in the game.

Without Chen Xiao, the Spurs won in three quarters.

By the way, Chen Xiao's two three-pointers in this game were the only two three-pointers the Warriors made in this game.

In this game, Klay was 0 of 4 three-pointers, Beal was 0 of 5, Dragic was 0 of 2, Barnes was 0 of 2, and Novak was 0 of 1.

It's like it's been cursed.

In fact, it is not considered cursed.

This also has something to do with Popovich's defensive strategy.

When Popovich faced the Warriors in the playoffs this time, he obviously learned the lesson from last season's playoffs when he was embarrassed by the Warriors' three-point rain. This time when he met the Warriors in the playoffs, he strictly guarded against three-pointers and defended the basket. Limit the Warriors' mid-range play.

In this game, Chen Xiao's shooting percentage excluding three-pointers was 16 of 20!

These are almost all mid-range shots!

But even so, it still failed to kill the Spurs.

It can only be said that the Spurs' current offense is too good.

That rotation, those three-pointers...

If it were the Spurs who didn't like to attack before 2007, Chen Xiao in this game would definitely be able to kill the Spurs by himself.

But now...

It can only be said that the last time Duncan left the Spurs, Popovich really changed a lot.

Popovich's offensive training of the Spurs seems even better than the defense.

This is what is scary and dangerous about this Spurs team.

While the defense is so good, the offense is also so good...

This is not a team that can be killed by one person.

After losing the second game in G2 away from home 107-115, the Warriors were already trailing the Spurs by a score of 0-2.

After sweeping their opponents in the first and second rounds, the Spurs seemed to be about to sweep the Warriors as well.

After watching these two games, many people admit that Chen Xiao is still the strongest player in the league. At the age of 32, he can still play unparalleled games. The other players on the Warriors have also improved a lot compared to last season.

But there is indeed a big gap between the Warriors and the Spurs.

When your offense is immobilized by the Spurs' strategy of pinching the head and putting the tail in the middle.

After your clinging defense was neutralized by the Spurs veteran with his experience.

The Warriors are currently at a disadvantage offensively and defensively. At the same time, the offensive system has not yet been formed due to the players' savvy. How can people play with this?

But soon, the Warriors let the world know how they fought in the face of such a desperate situation.

In the Warriors' home game G3, Steve Kerr asked Chen Xiao to play inside just like the Jordan he assisted.

In G3, the Warriors sent out a lineup of Lopez, Chen Xiao, Nongmei, Clay and Beal.

This starting lineup does not seem to have any changes in personnel, but the positions of the players have changed.

Chen Xiao went to the inside and to Duncan's side.

The thick eyebrows went to the outside and to Leonard's side.

This adjustment does have a miraculous effect.

Although Cole is not as good at playing as Joe, Joe will definitely change the starting lineup.

But even so, the effect is still excellent.

Let's talk about Duncan who performed brilliantly in the first two games.

Duncan started the first two games with a strong attack.

This game was no exception, he took 8 shots in the first quarter!

This is the number of shots taken by Kobe in a single game.

It can be seen that the Spurs hope to use Duncan to tell Cole that your change of formation is useless. If you place your hopes on Chen Xiao, then I will beat Chen Xiao.

In tactical terms, this is called killing people and killing people's hearts.

I have to say that Popovich is really good at playing this kind of underhanded psychological warfare.

But in the end, Duncan's effect was limited.

According to Popovich, Chen Xiao has actually been losing weight over the years, and Duncan has also been losing weight over the years.

Both of them are losing weight in order to play in the NBA for a few more years. It is true that the taller Duncan has an advantage.

But don’t forget, Chen Xiao’s current power is 100!

In other words, compared with when Chen Xiao could play power forward and center, Chen Xiao's current confrontation has not actually dropped much.

The weight has dropped, but the strength has increased, and the resistance is actually about the same.

But Duncan, it is true that compared with the peak, his confrontation ability has declined.

When Duncan was with the Magic, he competed with Chen Xiao at the power forward position and defeated Chen Xiao, who was also known as one of the top five power forwards at the time.

But now, Duncan only has the advantage of height.

Chen Xiao was hit 3 times under the basket, but all failed. In the end, he scored 6 points in the first quarter with 3 of 5 shots.

Duncan's shooting touch in this game is good, but if you can only shoot there and not pose a threat to Chen Xiao under the basket, the Warriors are not afraid.

Because after the inside is safe, the Warriors' outside defenders can also defend more aggressively. In this way, the Spurs' outside offense will not be so easy to beat. No matter how fast they pass the ball, the Warriors can still run fast!

Especially in this game, the thick eyebrows had a miraculous effect against Leonard.

Now, although Ronaldinho Leonard is getting ready to play Jordan's backwards, he is still far behind his historical peak. Therefore, it is really difficult for Leonard to attack against the long arms with thick eyebrows.

Originally, if Leonard had excellent athletic talent, thick eyebrows would be fine, but Leonard just doesn't have Durant's athletic ability and breakthrough ability.

The offense was not good, and on the defensive end, Leonard was not easy to guard against someone with thick eyebrows that was much taller than him.

He has thick eyebrows, is fast, flexible, and has shooting and skills. Leonard's catch-and-shoot shooting is really difficult for Leonard.

This proves that in basketball games, Gao really has an advantage.

If Chen Xiao were not better than Duncan now, Duncan could only shoot. If he faced Duncan in the paint, he would still lose. Even so, Duncan's shots against him were 3-for-5.

In basketball, being tall is a bully!

Usually when he is on the outside, Chen Xiao is also the tall bully.

Therefore, when the entire network felt that the Spurs were likely to sweep the Warriors, Cole borrowed Joe's strategy of "let go of Chen Xiao" and regained the victory 110-100 at home.

In G4, the Warriors repeated their old tricks, but the Spurs' Bobo side did not change their formation.

It’s not that Pop doesn’t want to, it’s that changing the long-established plan after losing a game would appear to be hasty. More importantly, he hasn’t fully seen the weaknesses of the Warriors’ style of play and hastily changed formations. Weaknesses may not be found and problems may arise.

I have to say that Popovich is indeed sophisticated.

In G4, the Warriors defeated the Spurs 100-92 at home.

Duncan faced Chen Xiao in this game. He played 22 minutes, made 3 of 8, and only scored 6 points.

Leonard's shooting percentage was only 3 of 9.

The Spurs have been very stable at two points in the past, but they have continued to suffer in the past two games.

This is obviously not a problem with their status, but a problem with the Warriors' tactics.

In this case, the Warriors' tactics are also particularly targeted at these two people.

Now that the crux has been identified, Popovich feels that he has the ability to still find a way.

Of course, before Popovich found a way for the Spurs, the Warriors were praised to the sky by the American media.

After falling behind 0-2, winning two games in a row is indeed worthy of praise.

Even Boss Qiao, who had been eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals, stood up to praise Chen Xiao and the Warriors.

Especially Chen Xiao.

Boss Qiao's life in Bobcats has not been going well recently.

After Chen Xiao left, he led the Bobcats to miss the Eastern Conference finals for two consecutive seasons.

At the same time, Bennett, who was selected with the No. 1 pick this season, makes him even more Alexander.

In all these years, since he became the Bobcats general manager, he has never been questioned about his selection as he is now.

But now, because Bennett was selected as the No. 1 pick, people are questioning his 'god's eyes'.

You know, his eyes were once known as the best eyes in the NBA draft!

In short, after leaving Chen Xiao, Boss Qiao always felt that everything was not going well for him.

Therefore, I miss Chen Xiao very much.

G5, the Battle of Tianwang Mountain, Popovich finally changed his formation. The Spurs took Al Jefferson out of the starting lineup, and at the same time moved Duncan to the center, taking Bonner, who shot an astonishing 43% from three-point range this season. It’s time to start.

The Spurs directly came with one senior and four juniors.

This made the Warriors' lineup instantly awkward, let alone defensively.

The Spurs have a circle of three-point shooters outside, and they hit 15 three-pointers with a 50% shooting rate in this game!

It directly destroyed the Warriors.

Moreover, after moving his position to the center, Duncan is closer to the basket. His confrontation disadvantage will be replaced by his height advantage. Facing Duncan under the basket, Cole does not dare to use the other four players on the team, and can still only play Chen Xiao. Go to the basket and face off against Duncan.

With the help of a group of three-point shooters on the team, Duncan made 8 of 13 shots in this game and once again scored 22 points and 12 rebounds in a double-double.

Although Chen Xiao had excellent statistics in this game, making 17 of 33 shots, 5 of 15 three-pointers, and 9 of 9 free throws. He scored 48 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, he was still unable to make a comeback.

Mainly, in this game, the Warriors' offensive rhythm was disrupted by the Spurs' three-point rainband. The three-point shooting rate was only 25%. Except for Chen Xiao, everyone else hit one three-pointer.

In the end, the Warriors lost the game 109 to 120 in the battle of Tianwang Mountain.

G6, returned to the home court, also changed to a small lineup, took Lopez out of the starting lineup, Chen Xiao played center, put Dragic in the starting lineup, Beal at the second position, and Klay at the third position.

Although the speed can keep up with the Spurs, the Warriors are too short on the outside.

As soon as the first quarter came up, Leonard, who had not performed well offensively in the previous games, made 4 of 5 and scored 8 points in a single quarter. Maizi made 3 of 4 in a single quarter, 2 of 2 three-pointers and scored 8 points. Luo Ge scored 8 points in a single quarter. 2 of 3, 6 of 7 free throws, 10 points, Luo Ge is really sitting on Dragic and doing it hard.

In the first quarter, Cole, who was led by the nose, was beaten by the Spurs 40 to 20 in a single quarter.

But what makes Warriors fans uncomfortable is that after losing by 20 points in the first quarter, they only lost by 6 points 115 to 121 in the end.

Because in this game, Chen Xiao made 24 of 41 shots, 7 of 18 three-pointers, and 11 of 13 free throws. He scored a crazy 66 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists.

In this game, Chen Xiao really fought hard.

The 38-year-old Duncan was forced to play a full 42 minutes in this game.

At the end of the game, Duncan almost doubled over and vomited.

One minute before the end of the game, Popovich squatted on the ground and prayed.

But in the end, Maizi's pull-up three-pointer over Clay pushed the score to 9 points and stabilized his mood.

Really, when the game reached 6 points, God scared him and the Spurs.

This series between the Warriors and the Spurs finally ended like this.

The Warriors were blocked from the Finals by the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals for two consecutive years.

On the other side, the Eastern Conference finals between the Heat and Bucks also ended two days later.

In the end, the Heat and Yao Ming failed to defeat the Bucks again, and ultimately lost the game by a score of 3 to 4.

Compared with last year, the Heat did not defeat the Bucks this year.

There is only one reason, and that is, this year's Yao Ming is indeed slower than last year's Yao Ming.

At the same time, the Bucks' passing center moved faster after switching from Braxon to Draymond Green.

After the tiebreaker between the Bucks and Heat, Yao Ming cried.

And Ray Allen of the Bucks also cried.

At the age of 39, I finally made it to the finals!

This season in the NBA, there have been too many tears because of farewell.

Before the finals began, Bucks legend, former MVP, and Barkley's legendary figure Ray Allen announced his retirement after the finals.

For a time, the originally even odds of winning the championship began to tilt toward the Bucks.

There is no way, Ray Allen's influence on the Bucks is so profound, you can even think of Ray Allen as Chen Xiao of the Warriors. If the Warriors sacrificed Chen Xiao, what do you think the morale of the Warriors players will be like? status?

That must be an explosion!

The Bucks were already strong, but now they have sacrificed one of the greatest players and one of the greatest leaders in the history of the team. How can this be so bad?

Can you still play like this?

However, when it comes to tricks, you can always trust Popovich.

Six hours after Ray Allen announced his retirement after the Finals, Popovich also announced that he would retire after the Finals.

Therefore, Spurs fans and Bucks fans are really confused, and the entire NBA is confused.

Is it necessary for this year’s finals to be rolled up like this?

The process after this finals proved that the two teams really need to be rolled up like this...