The rest is just noise

The Celtics played a better offense in the second half than in the first half, and the Lakers lost the fierce firepower they had in the beginning.

Although the Celtics do not continue to use pocket formations, some methods that have been proven to be effective can continue to be used.

For example, tightening defense on Norm Nixon.

When Magic was there, the Lakers had two engines on the court, and it was difficult to limit their offense. If there was only one Nixon, the problem wouldn't be that difficult.

Louie's pocket formation inspired Bill Fitch.

He put a lot of effort into marking Nixon, letting four different players play against him, successfully making this talented white defender lose his spirituality.

In the third and fourth quarters, Bird's performance became more and more outstanding.

They successfully broke down the Lakers' defense and won a sweet victory at the Forum Arena.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was helpless. He played 41 minutes, made 13 of 25 shots, and scored 32 points and 12 rebounds. Although he was the top scorer in the game, the Celtics' little monster Ralph Sampson scored 32 points and 12 rebounds.

The performance is equally eye-catching.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar doesn't like intense play, which just helps Sampson solve the problem of not liking confrontation.

In the first matchup between Sampson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, he scored 23 points, 7 rebounds and 5 blocks.

It is worth mentioning that Sampson currently leads the league in blocks with an average of 3.7 blocks per game.

Behind him is New Jersey's "Wild Monkey" George Johnson C. This man ranks second among shot-blockers with an average of 3 blocks per game.

What’s amazing is that Sampson was still a substitute for the Celtics.

Playing against the Lakers was his first start.

When he was in college, there was a sentence in the scouting report given to him by Louis: "Blocks and rebounds are not among the top (still very good)."

When he came to the NBA, Sampson's rebounding was just like what Louis' scouting report said. There were many problems. The main reason was that he didn't like to fight with others and didn't like to fight for positions with all his strength. This problem is very familiar to Louis.

We have to move out Mr. Zhou Qi again, he doesn't like the space either.

Because in the youth team/CBA, he can pick melons behind most centers even if he is not blocked. His long hands are unsolvable.

Sampson is tall, long, able to jump and thin, and his inability to get stuck is almost like people like Ben Simmons who cannot shoot three-pointers. It is a "disease of wealth" caused by too good physical conditions.

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His current body is not yet ready for physical combat, so Louis will not pay attention to his positioning problem, but will just say a few words.

When he gets better, his problems must be corrected.

Sampson behaved gracefully in front of the camera and thanked his parents, teammates, coaching staff, and everyone except himself.

Is Bill Laimbeer real?

He believed, "I am the number one contributor to this victory. No one can guard Karim except me."

He boasts about himself.

Unexpectedly, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would describe him as a clown in front of the media: "He only knows some unfashionable little moves. He thought it would anger me, but he didn't know that I never took him seriously."

"Then what do you think is the reason for losing tonight?"

The sensitive Kareem Abdul-Jabbar immediately glared at the reporter: "Are you trying to say that I'm bragging?"

"No, Karim..."

"Then what do you mean?" Jabbar jumped up angrily, "Forget it, I don't want to fucking pay attention to you Shets!"

His neurotic remarks are like a volcano that may erupt at any time. It is difficult to communicate with him in a normal way.

After hearing about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's "feat" in front of the media, Louis thought of Dr. J, Magic and others who are very good at dealing with the media. They already have the prototype of modern star players. In other words, they are the billionaires in the future.

Template for millionaire.

In public, wearing masks, they are very humorous and friendly, and can always say something nice to make you laugh.

No one likes to communicate with such good people.

This kind of role was something Kareem Abdul-Jabbar could never master before retiring.

So the media will regard him as the god of plague.

And he also regards the media as a thorn in his side. He is sensitive and will take any question that is not well-worded to the extreme, comparable to a woman's imagination.

The Celtics are on the rise.

Seems unstoppable.

Bird has led the MVP predictions for two consecutive months, and four Celtics players have been selected to the All-Stars.

They are Bird, Maxwell, Archibald and Sampson.

Moreover, Bird and Sampson are still All-Star starters.

Compared to Boston, Philadelphia is more low-key and more solid.

They only had two players selected to the All-Star roster, but they swept the Eastern Conference with unbeatable momentum.

At the end of January, when the Celtics were leading the league with a record of 45 wins and 7 losses, the team that came before them was the 76ers with 44 wins and 10 losses.

The game is about to begin.

Louis formulated a detailed game plan, including how to limit Dr. J's offense and how to avoid excessive pressure from the two big insiders, Dawkins and Caldwell Jones.

To deal with the 76ers who lack offensive ability, the pocket formation seems to be the best choice.

They almost never shoot three-pointers.

This ultra-running team is obviously very unrestrained, but is extremely traditional in its offensive choices. It regards three-point shooting as the buzzer-beating half-time three-pointer of the future.

They are too cautious when it comes to three-pointers.

It can even be said conclusively that they are a team without a three-point threat.

There is no three-point threat and a lack of attackers. Facing such a team, the pocket formation is simply the best way to defeat them.

The effect of the pocket array was something that even Louis did not expect.

In the first half, Dr. J made 4 of 11 shots and only scored 10 points. His impact offense was completely restrained. The Celtics led by 16 points and were about to welcome the All-Stars with an inspiring victory.

weekend.

But in the second half, the 76ers suddenly changed their lineup. They played this lineup: Andrew Toney, Maurice Cheeks, Julius Erving, Bobby Jones, and Caldwell Jones.

Take away Tony, and this is a team with no defensive dead spots in the lineup.

Sure enough, the 76ers got into the fight and the Celtics' offensive was instantly eliminated.

Louis tried to use Bird to initiate a pass-and-cut tactic to find loopholes, but the Phillies' rough style of play prevented them from running the tactic.

Then, "Boston Murderer" Andrew Toney drew his sharp knife above the free throw line and began to kill the Bostonians.

He didn't shoot three-pointers and relied entirely on one-on-one duels from the high post. He scored 27 points in the half and 35 points in the game, single-handedly defeating the Celtics.

His shooting was bloody and ruthless.

Reed Auerbach witnessed Tony's "Boston Raiders" debut live, and he thought about how Louis praised this player in the first place.

Even Auerbach saw the video and thought Tony was a rare talent.

However, he didn't take any chances, hoping that Tony would fall into a suitable position and take him down with a sense of luck.

The result was that the 76ers took advantage of it.

Tony, who was supposed to play for the Celtics, started a career in Philadelphia that frightened Boston people.

Seeing him performing like this, Louis sighed.

"He was supposed to play for you, Bill," Louis said.

Fitch wanted to hit Tony on the head with the tactical board.

Because every time Tony succeeded in attacking, he would look at Fitch deliberately, as if asking "Are you guys guarding me, coach?".

Hearing Louis' emotion, he turned around with a sullen face: "The only thing to blame is Reed's lack of decisiveness. If we can get him...oh, forget it!"

Louis looked at the arrogant 76ers and believed that this team would become the Celtics' formidable enemy in the playoffs.

There will definitely be a fight between them.

Although the Celtics have more star talent, the 76ers' system is more mature and their lack of offensive ability has improved a lot after Tony joined. Coupled with the wing line composed of Irving, Black Jones and White Jones, it is enough to make

The offense of any forward line in the league is suffocated.

Even Bird couldn't aim at the basket when facing a group of wings with such strength, hardness, height and power.

To deal with this group of people, you must prepare in advance.

After the game, 76ers coach Billy Cunningham was high-spirited. Like all players-turned-coaches, he will be questioned about his professional ability.

The changes in the second half really put Fitch, a typical academic coach, on the edge.

As a result, he was able to cheerfully deliver a speech: "Daryl Dawkins has grown up!"

"Dr.J no longer has to worry about his teammates not being able to keep up with him."

"We are so powerful that even our sixth man was selected as an All-Star." Cunningham announced excitedly, "We are invincible!"

"unbeatable?"

The 76ers' press conference was right next door to the Celtics. Bird had just finished dealing with reporters and was about to leave when he heard Cunningham's words through the wall.

"Really?" Bird asked coldly.

Unfortunately, only Louis could answer him: "See you again in the playoffs, Larry. They did win honorably today."

Bird does not deny this.

He hates losing, and he hates everyone who pretends to compete in front of him.

"Damn, let's see!" After saying that, he kicked over the innocent trash can.