One Guard

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks, tying the series at 1-1. In any series, things like this are extremely common. Because the playoffs are such a cruel battlefield, victory and defeat are commonplace.

However, in this series, the Warriors' victory surprised countless people.

The Mavericks' defense, which frightened teams across the league, actually defeated the Warriors' unreasonable lineup. Incredibly, this is how the Warriors' victory made everyone feel.

"This is an incredible victory. The Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks with their five-small lineup! They won, and the Warriors finally won the game! Stephen Curry became the first player this season to win the game. The man who took away the victory from the American Airlines Center in the playoffs!" Kevin Harlan looked at the court in disbelief. On the court, the Mavericks players had already walked back to the tunnel, leaving only the Warriors players. Still celebrating on the field.

Conquering the American Airlines Center Arena, not many people can do it this season. The Mavericks' home court has become a veritable devil's home court, but the Warriors, they broke this curse!

This victory was more than just a victory, it changed the entire basketball world. It turns out that a small lineup can be so extreme! It turns out that no one on the court who is taller than 2.03 meters can win the game. It turns out that by doing this, you can defeat the all-powerful Dallas Mavericks!

The rules of basketball are changing. In this era of declining centers, the Warriors have directly maximized the role of small men.

After the game, Steve Kerr became a favorite among reporters. This bold coach used a tactic that no one had ever used before and defeated a powerful enemy that no one had ever been able to defeat.

"This is an incredible game. I think we can continue this state at home." After the game, even Curry himself claimed that this game was "incredible." Relying on pure offense to destroy the Mavericks, others may not even dare to think about it!

At the press conference after the game, all the reporters also wanted to hear what attitude Yiyang and Carlisle had towards this defeat. Yiyang is still expressionless, and you can't tell whether his mood is good or bad. But Carlisle's relaxed look puzzled the reporters.

"Coach Carlisle, how do you evaluate the fact that the Mavericks lost to the Golden State Warriors by one point today and the total score was equalized by the opponent?" Carlisle instantly became the primary target of reporters.

"What? We are the ones who lost today? Damn it! Did I read the score backwards!?"

The reporters were stunned when they heard Carlisle's answer. What's going on? The biggest own goal in history?

After seeing the surprised expressions of the reporters,

Carlisle smiled with satisfaction. Carlisle made no secret that he was a fan of Popovich. He liked everything about Popovich, including the old guy's "humor" that drove reporters crazy.

"It's just a joke, otherwise I really don't know how to answer your question or how to look at it? How else can I look at it! Just clean up your crying face. Victory and defeat are common in military affairs, and this is the NBA!"

Carlisle was able to handle the reporters, but in reality, that wasn't his true take on the loss.

The day after the game, the Warriors took the world by storm. As the first team this season to upset the invincible 74-win Mavericks, they have a lot of momentum. Countless acquaintances are looking forward to it, hoping that the Warriors can create a miracle and reverse the Mavericks' dominance of the league.

If the Mavericks win 74 games in the regular season, they will not be able to win the championship. Then, they will become the biggest joke in the world!

But Yiyang and Carlisle, the two true souls of the Mavericks, did not give up on themselves. The Warriors' five-small lineup is indeed very scary, but in Carlisle's view, Cole's lineup is not impossible to crack. Yes, maybe the other 28 teams can't crack it, but Carlisle can!

So two hours before the start of training the next day, Carlisle called Yiyang and Armstrong to his office. The purpose of these three guys is very clear. They repeatedly watch the game videos when the Warriors use five small lineups and discuss a feasible response plan!

"Actually, I already had some ideas about the general plan yesterday. Today, we are going to discuss whether it is feasible." Carlisle said and started to play the game video prepared for him by the video analyst. And this is why Carlisle was not depressed after losing yesterday.

This is the case in the playoffs. Losing a game or winning a game does not mean the ending. After losing, don't blame others and think about how to solve the problem. This is the way for a man to gain a foothold.

Yiyang's eyes were fixed on the video. This game was the first time this season that the Warriors used a five-small lineup against the Grizzlies.

"You need ball handlers, shooters, and you need someone who can create damage in the low post, and you need someone to defend," Carlisle explained while watching. "When you have three or four of these players, you can form a set. An excellent small lineup. A small lineup requires players to complement each other's physical and technical advantages, and use strength to make up for their height disadvantage. There must also be a chemical reaction. You know what your teammates will do next, and you know what your teammates will do. When to cut in.”

Looking at the five little Warriors' smooth cooperation on the court, they are indeed like this. But this kind of chemical reaction, the Mavericks are not far behind. Even if Yiyang closed his eyes, he could still find Wade's position on the court.

On the court, the Warriors' speed and space made it impossible for the "Black and White Bears" to take advantage of their defensive advantages. To be honest, in Randolph and Gasol, Yiyang seemed to see the shadow of Gobert and Nowitzki yesterday.

On the defensive end, the Warriors adopted the form of assist defense + single defense, which made the Grizzlies very difficult. Especially with Randolph, the fact that Barnes can guard Randolph is not only because he is really strong, but also because everyone else on the Warriors will double-team from time to time. But the mobility of the small lineup allows them to quickly defend back after being double-teamed.

It didn't take long for the video of the Warriors and Grizzlies to finish playing. Because only the part where Death Five played was intercepted, the time was not long.

"When the Grizzlies staggered out of Oracle Arena, they were still looking for ways to win the game. But the Grizzlies must face a cruel fact, that is, they simply do not have the lineup combination that can compete with the Warriors! Curry and Thompson Three-pointers, guards of Livingston's height, the strength of Barnes and Green... these players can't be found everywhere. Facts have proved that the traditional lineup cannot deal with the five small players of death, and Gray The Bears are an extremely traditional team that relies on offense and defense with tall interiors to lead the game. But we are different, we can put together a lineup with five small players to compete with them!"

After Carlisle finished speaking, both Yiyang and Armstrong cast surprised glances at him.

"I play the No. 1 position, Dwayne plays the No. 2 position, Tony plays the small forward, and Iguodala plays the power forward. What about the center? It's impossible to let Aminu play the center!" Yiyang shook his head. There are unique insiders like Draymond Green in the entire league, so no one in this league can replicate the success of the Warriors' five small lineups.

"Of course it's Rudy. His mobility can adapt to such a tempo of offense and defense. The reason why he seemed helpless in the last game was because he was completely unprepared! We don't have to follow the Warriors' path and play fast. There is still an inside barrier in the situation, which is absolutely perfect control of the Warriors!" Carlisle's formation is very bold, with one big and four small, which is not uncommon in the league. But Carlisle's senior and fourth juniors have the strongest offensive ability while maintaining a solid defense. Both offense and defense are very balanced, everyone can quickly switch defenses, and there are almost no shortcomings. In this way, Cole's unique "Five Deaths" can be restrained!

Because these guys under Carlisle are also "weirds".

Not all head coaches are as open-minded as Kerr and Carlisle and dare to challenge different rules. As long as you win, no one cares if you play five centers or five guards.

"Today, are we going to practice this lineup?" Yiyang looked at the video on the screen and geared up.

"Yes, in the next game, we will also go to the home court of the Warriors and give them a damn surprise!"

Carlisle took a sip of coffee and rubbed the dark circles under his eyes. In order to deal with Cole, he studied the game video a lot last night.

Cole may have never imagined that in this league, someone could find a lineup combination to deal with the five small teams of Death overnight.

Yiyang sees Curry to death, Tony Allen can take care of Clay, and it should be no problem to leave Livingston's five weak points to Wade. Iguodala will teach Barnes how to behave. And when Green faces Gobert, don't expect to get through it easily!

Maybe the Mavericks can be like the Warriors in the last round, winning three games in a row and then advancing with a high profile?

But before leading the team to kick the Warriors' ass, Carlisle needs to take a good hour's rest at his desk. After all, he didn't want to become the first head coach in NBA history to die suddenly on the job.