The rest is just noise

Although there are many disadvantages to the pocket formation, for example, arranging the pocket will allow the Lakers to get open shooting opportunities from the high post.

Even like the 2020 Bucks, the inside configuration of the Greek Monster + Lopez, coupled with the luxurious wing group, will often miss the opponent's three-pointers.

The essence of the pocket formation is to limit the opponent's scoring in the paint.

In today's era, a defensive formation that can effectively limit the opponent's scoring in the paint is a good defensive formation, because the players have not developed the shooting ability that can kill the game from the mid-range and long-range positions.

The phrase "shooting can't win a championship" is not accurate. It should be "unstable shooting can't win a championship."

Bill Fitch noticed Laimbeer's little tricks on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which made the superstar, who has always been disliked by the media, angry.

M.L. Carr's nagging brown sugar defense affected Wilkes' mentality.

Although he is not tall enough, he has the air of a gangster who is so angry that he will not pay for his life.

Due to his athletic ability, Bird's defensive awareness and skills cannot exert his greatest power, but he is the key to the pocket formation. His BQ, his anticipation, and his accurate grasp of the Lakers' offense allowed this player to be displayed on the court for the first time.

The formation produced unexpected effects.

Laimbeer harassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl restricted Wilkes, Bird served as the core of the pocket formation, and the most critical presence on the entire defense was Ralph Sampson and his long legs.

Louis regarded Sampson as a sweeper at the fourth position, responsible for stopping all Lakers players who invaded the paint area, so as to form a complete pocket.

Michael Cooper and Jamaal Wilkes drove to the basket multiple times but couldn't take the shot because Sampson's territory was all over the court.

This puts unlimited pressure on their offense.

"Damn, this is what I want!"

Fitch was thrilled to see the Celtics hold the Lakers, one of the second-best offensive efficiency teams, in check.

The Lakers scored 30 points in the first quarter but only scored 21 points in the second quarter.

The fast break they were proud of could not be used. Every time Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hit the basket in the low post, he had to face the Celtics' pocket double-teams.

Even if he passes the ball out, Sampson can defend it in time.

Unless, he passes the ball high.

In fact, this is the only way the Lakers can crack the pocket formation.

If you can score from the high post and from outside the three-point line, the Celtics' pocket will not be as tight as a virgin.

"God, have we really never practiced this defense?" K.C. Jones couldn't believe the pocket formation worked the first time it was used.

Louis laughed dryly and said: "What do you think?"

"You must have secretly practiced this while I was on a business trip!" K.C said firmly.

The question is, it’s not cheating, why are you carrying K.C?

And, even if he cheats, as long as K.C is not afraid to go home and kneel on the floor, Louis can definitely take him to the nightclub with him.

"Really not." Louis denied.

"No?" K.C couldn't figure out why they were suddenly able to master a mature defensive formation even if they wanted to break their heads. "Are you asking me to believe that this kind of defense has never been tempered?"

His unseen look made Louis couldn't help but think of Versailles.

"Well, although it has some effects, there are still many shortcomings. We gave the Lakers too many shooting opportunities. Really, Ralph, can't he take a few more steps? He's as soft as cornbread.

It’s really worrying to step on it.”

After hearing his words, K.C's mouth twitched, his face trembled, and he couldn't say a word.

Maxwell couldn't bear to be ridiculed by Louis like this, "Kid, didn't you see when I was seriously defending?"

For this kind of thing, one code should come down to the other.

Even if he, Li Yunlong, beat the Japanese Emperor to death, the division commander would still punish him for mobilizing troops without authorization. Besides, Maxwell was never active in defense, especially when defending without the ball.

Fitch didn't mention him before because Fitch's defensive system believed that allowing opponents to shoot high baskets was an acceptable option. But Maxwell went even further and was blatantly lazy on the court. This was unacceptable to Louis and what Fitch found unacceptable.

This can no longer be tolerated.

"Even if you are selected to the All-Defensive Team for ten consecutive years, as long as you don't defend seriously for one day under my nose, I will replace you." Louis smiled.

Maxwell said angrily: "You think you are the head coach?"

"I'm not yet, but our coach knows who to listen to." The eyebrows on Louis' eyes danced proudly, and he said slowly and leisurely, "If you don't believe it, you can try it."

Maxwell's face was angry, he could not refute Louis.

The tyrant-like Bill Fitch obeyed Louis.

In order to prevent Louis from being ignored by the media, Fitch even openly declared in front of the media that the Celtics have two coaches.

This greatly increased Louis' attention.

Just look at the speed at which he rose through the ranks with the Celtics, and you'll know that he's not a piece of cake.

Veteran Archibald advised: "You know the 'little devil' is right."

"How old is he!" Maxwell claimed to be a veteran of Green Kai, and he really didn't believe that Louis could kill him on the bench.

"Shut your fucking mouth!" Fitch turned his face like a devil, "If I see you, a lazy dog, working hard on the court again, you're going to get the hell out of me and go to the locker room!"

Fitch's ability to intimidate players is unmatched by Louis.

He is someone who dares to play against Auerbach, unlike the previous Celtics coaches who were just Auerbach's puppets in front of the stage.

Based on this alone, no one on the team is not afraid of Fitch.

He really has a decisive say in player appointments and mid-season trades.

Fitch was very satisfied with the pocket formation proposed by Louis. After this defensive formation was deployed, he saw the "integrity" he had been emphasizing.

The problem with the running-in is obvious. The Celtics' pockets are often poorly tied and prone to leaks.

No one can guard Kareem Abdul-Jabbar one-on-one.

But with a pocket formation, multiple people can work together, which is very different from the common double-team. In a pocket formation, three people start the attack. If there are more people in the penalty area, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar may encounter four

A pincer attack by one or even five people.

His height allows him to see open players and pass the ball, but if the ball is too close, Sampson's vitality will be enough to cover it. If the ball is too far, his teammates' shots will not be guaranteed.

In order not to fall into the pocket, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made many offensive attempts outside the paint area.

Shooting, long-distance sky hooks, giving up the offense to fight for offensive rebounds and play second offense, all of them.

Based on his ability, he can still achieve success in this fight, but he completely loses his dominance in the opening game.

On the last possession of the first half, the Lakers tried their best to pass the ball to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

In an instant, Sampson was in place.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had already anticipated the opponent and actually passed the ball before the double attack was formed.

What he didn't expect was that the entire defense was controlled by Louis. He gestured for people to flank him, and then notified Bird in advance to prepare for the steal.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's reaction was within Louis' judgment. Bird intercepted Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's pass, made a long pass with one hand, and sent the ball to the frontcourt.

At this time, the Celtics' number one position was Gerald Henderson. This energetic young defender took advantage and scored the last goal of the first half without any pressure.

59 to 51

After halftime, the Celtics led the Lakers by 8 points.

Fitch happily led the team into the tunnel and back to the locker room.

Along the way, there were constant boos at the Forum. Lakers fans' dislike of the Celtics has become a cultural heritage passed down from generation to generation.

Lakers fans who don’t hate the Celtics don’t deserve to call themselves Lakers fans. If you look at the history of these two teams, you should know that this is not a behavior that can be explained by fraternity. You either like green and hate purple, or you like purple and hate green.

, there is no option to have them all.

Louis saw a majestic figure in the crowd.

He is as tall as Mount Tai.

At the end of halftime, the few on-site media also went to him for interviews as soon as possible.

Even if Louis is illiterate about NBA history, it is impossible not to recognize this giant.

Ostrich, Big Dipper, Wilt Chamberlain, the creator of countless unsurpassed records - however, Louis preferred his other nickname: Big Musty.

Da Beidou, who has been retired for several years, has become accustomed to his status as a celebrity. He often boasts in front of the media that he was invincible in the past. He is not as eager as Russell, so he does not have many rings.

Tonight, a reporter asked him what he thought of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's performance.

Properly pick things up.

"I don't think I need to say anything? His performance is the reason why he will never be as good as Bill Walton." Chamberlain would never miss an opportunity to disparage Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Chamberlain gave the answers the reporters wanted, and they were satisfied.

Louis wanted to go over and ask for an autograph, but he and Chamberlain didn't know each other, so after thinking about it, he decided not to do it.

"In the second half, we performed as usual!"

"I'll just say one thing!"

Fitch stared at Maxwell deliberately, "If I see anyone slacking off on the court, I can't forgive him!"

Although the pocket array can be effective, it cannot be used throughout the field.

Because it has requirements for personnel configuration, Bird, Sampson and Laimbeer are the basic frontcourt configuration, and there must be two people on the back line who can defend.

Carr and Randy Smith are both very useful when they are full of energy, but their physical strength cannot last for a long time. At the end of the first half, Fitch replaced Smith with Gerald Henderson. Although the pocket

The battle is still there, but the restrictions on Norm Nixon are no longer what they used to be.

Therefore, in the second half, the Celtics opened up their formation and played whatever they wanted. What we are looking at now is the daily training and basic combat capabilities of the two teams.

Louis was satisfied. Although the pocket array was an idea that came to him suddenly, it proved to be useful. As long as he practices more, he will have better results.

In an era when teams focus on attacking the inside, without dangerous shooters, the pocket formation can exert greater power, especially when faced with a team like the Lakers that uses a single stack formation all year round, it is almost a lifeline.