One Guard

The "script" of the 17-18 season is as exciting as most people imagined. After the introduction of Chris Paul, the Houston Rockets soared and achieved the best regular season record in team history with 65 wins. The Cleveland Cavaliers only ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference. Kelly Irving's departure made the Cavaliers' situation in the Eastern Conference very tense. The Warriors had a very low-key 58 wins in the regular season, but everyone knows that in the playoffs, the strength of this team cannot be measured by 58 wins.

The top eight rankings of the Eastern and Western Conferences have been confirmed. Regardless of surprise or disappointment, the competition for the championship is so cruel.

Before the start of the playoffs this year, what people talked about most was not the Rockets, which had achieved the best record in team history with 65 wins, but that they had won a full ten more games than the Rockets, setting a new record for the most wins in a single season in the NBA this season. Record Dallas Mavericks!

The Mavericks faced the Spurs. A few years ago, no one would have thought that these two old enemies would meet in the first round of the playoffs. But all kinds of incredible things have happened, including this one.

47 wins and 35 losses. After Duncan retired and Leonard had conflicts with the Spurs, the San Antonio Spurs this season only finished eighth in the Western Conference and barely squeezed into the playoffs. As long as they lose one more game, the eighth spot in the Western Conference will be replaced by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Seeing the Spurs that will never wither begin to weaken, countless fans are heartbroken.

Leonard has almost disappeared from the Spurs' lineup this season. Tony Parker, who is 36 years old, has also given up his starting position and is no longer the star who can drive on the court. How long Manu Ginobili can play has become the hottest topic about him. After all, you can't expect a 41-year-old man to lead the team to turn the tide.

In addition to Leonard's injury and the aging of the Spurs, Popovich's wife has become increasingly ill in recent days, and the old man cannot help but be distracted. Popovich was absent from the team's training some time ago, and other members of the coaching staff were solely responsible. With so much bad luck coming together, the San Antonio Spurs are in trouble.

According to media reports, the current Spurs team is a single-core team built around Aldridge and Popovich who are somewhat uninterested in playing. Although Nowitzki has created miracles, people don't expect Aldridge to lead the team out of the encirclement and win the championship like Nowitzki did in 2011, because this is really unrealistic.

Even before the playoffs started, everyone predicted that the Spurs would be swept.

At that time, the Spurs were the Mavericks' most powerful opponent in the Western Conference. But now when the two teams meet again, there will be no suspense in the game. But this is the NBA, no team can be strong all the time. The Chicago Bulls, who established two dynasties back then, still haven't gotten over it yet.

Although the Spurs have had such misfortunes, Carlisle and Yiyang have not neglected their preparations. During the regular season, they achieved an impressive record of 75 wins, but some of the problems the team encountered during the victory were ringing alarm bells for Carlisle and Yiyang all the time.

Among them, the most serious problem is undoubtedly the Mavericks' inside configuration.

"Rudy's recovery from injury is pretty good. If nothing else happens, he will be back in the Western Conference Finals! Of course, the premise is that you must survive the first two rounds before he comes back. Otherwise, he will be next time. It’s been a season.” Benjamin reported Gobert’s latest situation to Yiyang and Carlisle in Carlisle’s office.

Although Benjamin said he was recovering well, he would not be able to return until the Western Conference Finals, which was actually much slower than Carlisle expected.

"That guy sends me text messages every day to tell me that he can play. Silly boy, of course he can play. But, we have to wait a little longer." Carlisle shook his head. He now has more than a hundred messages from Gobert on his phone. Here's the text message.

"I went to his house yesterday to see him. This guy has no problem walking normally now. If possible, Benjamin, arrange for him to do restorative training as soon as possible. Of course, under the condition of ensuring safety."

"No problem, Yi. Don't worry, I will definitely put the players' health first."

Yiyang sighed. This was not the first time the Mavericks had encountered players missing players in the playoffs. It was precisely because of injuries last season that the Mavericks were defeated. But it is the first time in history that there is a lack of an interior defensive backbone at such a critical moment.

It is said that this season is not just the Mavericks, it seems that many teams have encountered injuries. For example, the Spurs lost Leonard, the Pelicans lost Cousins, etc. The number of players on the injury list will definitely increase after the playoffs begin.

Yiyang could only pray that no one from the Mavericks team should fall down again.

Now for the Mavericks, the weakness of the inside configuration is a huge test. Because after losing Gobert, the Mavericks only have a pure center like Tunisian Mejri.

Although Majori's performance after starting the regular season was good, he still couldn't compare with Rudy Gobert. And Mejri may not be able to withstand the intensity of the playoffs.

Majori is the kind of player who can be used, but cannot be used in a big way.

Apart from Majori, the Mavericks are left with only two big men, Dirk Sr. and Larry Nance Jr. Dirk is too old and will definitely not last long in the playoffs. Nance Jr. doesn't have many chances to play this season, and his condition is very average. Carlisle doesn't dare to let him play the No. 5 position. And Kuzma and Rudy Gay, two guys who can be used in three or four roles, are not suitable candidates for the center position.

During the regular season, the Mavericks have already shown some problems with their lack of ability to protect the basket. Once Majori, the only height player, comes off the court, the Mavericks' penalty area is wide open.

In the playoffs, all enemies will minimize your strengths and magnify your weaknesses. By then, the Mavericks' inside line will definitely be the focus of study by all opponents!

Carlisle thought about it for a moment. If he led another team to fight the Mavericks, he could list dozens of ways to deal with the Mavericks' lack of height.

And Aldridge, the only single-core player left in the Spurs, is another low-post killer! The game against the San Antonio Spurs will never be as easy as the outside world says...

※※※

From the regular season to the playoffs, the league traditionally gives everyone two days of adjustment and rest. Except for the one-day interval during the shortened season, there are no exceptions in other seasons.

On April 14, the first round of the NBA playoffs was about to begin, and Popovich didn’t go to the hospital to take a look at his wife until 10 p.m. on the 13th. The reason is simple, he just finished training with the team. And soon, he will leave his beloved wife who is seriously ill again and fly to the place where he failed again and again, Dallas, Texas.

"Eileen, dear Erin, I've missed you all day. Damn the schedule, maybe I can't be with you for too long. Please get better and stay strong. This season will be over soon, and I will I have enough time to spend with you.”

Aldridge, who came with Popovich, stood behind the white-haired old man. Perhaps only in front of his wife, this old man would be so gentle.

"It doesn't matter, go play your game. This is how we've been here for so many years. This is just another ordinary playoff game. Hey, LaMarcus, how are you? Don't stand around, sit down wherever you want. ." Popovich's wife, Erin Popovich, had a smile on her face. Although she had an oxygen tube on her nose, other than that, you couldn't tell that she was a woman who was seriously ill in bed. She is so optimistic and brave.

"Um... no need, I'll just stand there and you guys can talk." Aldridge smiled and did not disturb Popovich and his wife.

He couldn't help but wonder, if his loved ones were lying on the bed like this, would he still have the energy to roar loudly on the basketball court, and would he still have the energy to study his opponents.

But Popovich did it. Except for missing two days of training some time ago, the old man was no different from usual.

He still studies the Mavericks' game tapes day and night, and keeps trying new tactics during training. Of course, how can we avoid swearing when we are angry?

The media all say that Popovich is no longer interested in playing. But only the Spurs players know best that that is nonsense. That guy Popovich still wants to win! Even if his opponent is the 75-win Mavericks, he still wants to win!

The key for Popovich to win is Aldridge, who is standing behind the couple at this time.

Aldridge had a rough time in his first two seasons with the Spurs. Last season, Aldridge averaged 17.3 points per game, a career low since his rookie season.

Just when people were blaming him, complaining about Aldridge, and speculating that the Spurs would trade Aldridge for a top-10 pick, Popovich stood up and said something.

"He never felt comfortable here, but I'm 98.75 percent to blame for that."

Instead of blaming Aldridge, Popovich acknowledged his poor use of Aldridge. As an old coach, it is actually very difficult for him to be willing to speak so shamelessly. If you don't believe it, ask Phil Jackson or Jerry Sloan. They will never admit that they have used any player incorrectly.

It is precisely because of Popovich's candor and changes that Aldridge is in excellent form this season. At the age of 32, he can still play the second spring of his career. Aldridge must thank Popovich.

But when Popovich told Aldridge that he would be the key to the Spurs defeating the Mavericks, Aldridge was timid.

Are you kidding me? I? A 32-year-old forward who has never played in the finals and has only won a championship trophy in China, wants to defeat the invincible Dallas Mavericks?

Aldridge himself didn't believe in himself. Before he even went to Dallas, he began to be afraid.

But when he saw the bravery and strength of Popovich and his wife, Aldridge only felt ashamed!

Popovich is not afraid of farewell in the face of life and death, but I am actually afraid of the Dallas Mavericks?

"Okay, it's almost time. Erin, I have to go, the plane is waiting for me. After two games, we can go back to San Antonio. By then, I will be with you. I love you, Erin." Popovich said, kissing his wife's forehead.

"Go quickly, don't worry about me. LaMarcus, please keep an eye on him. You also know that he is not young." Erin looked at Aldridge again and asked him to take care of Popovich along the way. In fact, this is why Aldridge and Popovich are together. The Spurs are really worried and let Popovich, an old man, run around alone.

"Yes!" Aldridge straightened his back like a loyal guard.

In the taxi to the airport, Popovich didn't say a word. It seems that he is still worried about his wife. The doctor said that Erin's condition was not optimistic, and Popovich could only pray that what the bastard doctor said was all lies.

After a long time, when the taxi was approaching the airport gate, Popovich finally spoke and asked Aldridge next to him only one question.

"LaMarcus, tell me the truth. Are you afraid of facing the 75-win Mavericks as a core?"

"I'm not afraid, boss. I'm not afraid of anything now. I just want to come back with victory." Aldridge's answer was very straightforward.

"Yeah." Popovich nodded with satisfaction, then opened the door and got out of the car.

"By the way, you pay the fare." (https:)

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