The rest is just noise

Laili reluctantly asked for a timeout, looking for a strategy to break the fake pick-and-roll.

In fact, this kind of attack is very simple to crack.

As long as there are a few more people in the paint, the inside line will not be able to get a comfortable offensive space.

However, once this is done, the infinite defense changes of the Verdun Line cannot be maintained.

Because if two people are needed inside to ensure safety, just relying on three players to rotate defense on the outside is not enough to limit the Knicks' offense.

Because the Knicks' lineup has at least two players with shooting ability from the outside.

Laili adopted a compromise approach.

As long as the Knicks fake pick-and-roll inside, the player responsible for containing the corner shooter must immediately retreat to the basket.

Mason/Clifford, who were supposed to face off against Ewing/McHale, had to rotate to the Knicks' corner shooters as quickly as possible.

After all, this is just idealism.

Although it is feasible, the Blazers have never practiced it specifically.

When the timeout ended, the Blazers' wing players took advantage of their quick movement and got stuck in the paint before Ewing passed down.

However, Mason, who faced off against Ewing, did not come as quickly as expected.

He hasn't arrived yet.

Seeing Jordan, who was responsible for defending Wilson, choose to shrink into the paint, Rauf saw clearly who should pass the ball.

Wilson received the pass, but Mason's defense was not in place yet.

When he lifted the ball, Mason's defense arrived, but before he could block the shot, Wilson's three-pointer had already flown out of his hand.

The Blazers allow members of the Verdun Line of Defense to use unlimited defense changes in positional battles, which is a way to maximize their athletic ability.

This move is not clever.

Especially now, the Knicks have come up with a targeted cracking strategy, but Laili still insists on this approach, which has a sense of "you have such a good card in your hand, what can you do if you don't show it off".

It seems that Lee stubbornly maintains unlimited defense changes, just like watching Claire Hasumi show off her riding skills in every work.

Although Hasumi's riding skills are indeed top-notch, it's hard to avoid getting tired of beating her opponents to death every time.

This kind of behavior that cannot jump out of the comfort zone is not worth learning.

The reason why unlimited defense changes are popular in the small ball era is precisely because the Warriors made "small lineups" popular.

Small lineups coupled with pick-and-rolls and the terrifying outside three-point threat made the already imbalanced offensive and defensive game environment increasingly tilted toward the offensive side. Later, in order to limit the small lineups, each team became reckless, focusing only on matchups and not on effects.

.So, if you play a small lineup, I will also play a small lineup. It doesn’t matter if the center is 2.06 meters tall. The key is to be able to defend him. Only in this way can we achieve indiscriminate defense changes.

But there are almost no small lineups at the moment, so Laili chooses to switch defenses infinitely, not only to show off his skills, but also to show off his muscles.

Unfortunately, I met the Knicks.

His opponent is Coach Lu who has traveled back from the 21st century to torture him.

Although the concept of unlimited defense changes is trendy, and the Trail Blazers' wing lineup is also luxurious, the foundation of this defense is based on the concept of emptying the inside.

Therefore, as long as the inside players mainly attack the penalty area, even if they have a wing player under the basket, it will be difficult to make a difference.

Isn't it funny that a 6-foot-7 wing has to protect the rim in front of a 7-foot center?

Fast-footed wings are useless in front of the interior. In the penalty area, size is king.

The reason why few teams in the small ball era engage in unlimited defense changes by their opponents is because in that era there were no longer many big men who had an absolute advantage in size. Therefore, even if the big man moved down, the other side would help defend the wing.

He is about the same height as a big man, so his defensive effect is naturally not bad.

As the game progressed, Laili's face turned blue and purple.

Louis not only fundamentally rejected his strategy, but also personally taught other teams in the league how to deal with the Blazers' unlimited switching defense.

Other teams may not have as luxurious a lineup as the Knicks, but who doesn't have a few big men?

As long as a shooter is placed in the bottom corner or at a 45-degree angle on the opposite side, it can deal a heavy blow to the Blazers' unlimited switching defense.

Starting today, the Blazers will either view unlimited defense changes as an unsustainable method, or let Mason leave the Verdun defense.

Because Clifford's speed is okay, Mason's straight-line speed is good, but the speed of changing lines when turning to the bottom corner or a 45-degree angle is too different.

For various reasons, the Trail Blazers' Verdun defense did not produce the expected results.

For the first time this season, the Trail Blazers failed to establish a lead after setting up the Verdun defense.

Fans inside Memorial Stadium were disappointed.

Announcer Bill Shenley said: "This is the most frustrating scene of the season so far!"

For the Knicks, Louis replaced Rauf, McHale, and Stevens in exchange for Stockton, Miller and Rodman.

The advantage on the field has been established, and all that's left is to pursue it with all its strength.

"Now is a time when the Trail Blazers' morale is low. We must seize this opportunity to let them see what a truly effective 'system' is." Louis said arrogantly, "Give Coach Laili and his team a good start."

Let’s take class!”

For most of the remainder of the second quarter, the Knicks presented an amazing offensive feast to the audience. The players fully demonstrated Louis' basketball philosophy of "high post running, side tearing, and inside pressure." It stands to reason.

It is said that a large number of sudden points and ball transfers are difficult to decouple from mistakes, but it is precisely because this is a game that dances on the edge of a knife but cannot be played away that it makes people so addicted.

Especially the last goal of the first half.

There was not much time left in the game. Wilson dribbled the ball toward Jordan from the outside. Except for his teammates, everyone thought he would choose to run out of time and then throw a three-pointer over Jordan's head.

However, Wilson did not choose to do that.

He used himself as bait, using gestures to get Rodman to pick and roll.

The Blazers were so nervous when the Knicks used a fake pick-and-roll that they didn't know whether the pick-and-roll was real or fake.

They overreacted.

As soon as Rodman stopped and Wilson showed no clear offensive intention, double teams from Jordan and Barkley came up.

Rodman took advantage of the opportunity.

Wilson jump pass.

Rodman caught the ball, pretended to attack the basket, forced the Blazers' defense to shrink, and then passed the ball outward to Ewing.

Standing in the high post, Ewing gave Miller a hand-off pass and screen.

In those few seconds, the Knicks passed the ball as if the game had just begun. They had to play patiently.

Such cooperation dazzled the Blazers, and the atmosphere was dull and unable to respond.

Miller made a three-pointer at the buzzer and made a hollow hit.

The Knicks led the Trail Blazers by 17 points before halftime thanks to Miller's buzzer-beater.

"Coach Lu, there are many people who are not optimistic about you, and there are even many fans who think that this season has lost its suspense. What do you think of this view?"

Louis joked: "I don't agree with everything they say, but I'm willing to give up my right to drink Coke for a month to defend their right to say it."

"Do you think the Knicks are still the No. 1 title favorite?"

Louis raised his eyebrows, "Does anyone think so? Are you kidding me? We are the fucking defending champions."

Since the interview was in real time and there was no intelligent voice mosaic, Louis did say "fuck" in the interview that was broadcast live across the United States.

Of course, this is harmless.

Louis returned to the locker room, affirmed the players' performance, and intended to use this big victory to draw the players' attention back to the game.

It's already late March, 2/3 of the schedule has passed, and it's time to focus.

"At the end of the game, if we don't beat the opponent by more than 20 points, it means you are not so eager to prove yourself in the game against the Trail Blazers." Louis has always been well versed in aggressive tactics. "If that happens, it will be the greatest tragedy.

As the defending champion and a dynasty team that has won five consecutive championships, we have lost the heart of a champion. A true champion will never slack off for a second when facing a powerful enemy like the Trail Blazers!"

Games against the Trail Blazers are always exciting.

The Avengers of Rip City bring out the best in the Knicks every time.

In the second half, when the game reached a deadlock, Wilson completed difficult positional duels every time he took over the ball;

Ewing defeated Sabonis, who was not used to the intensity of the game. Miller's three-point threat may have surpassed Dale Ellis. Rodman proved that no matter how far Kemp evolves, the opponent cannot

Possibly replacing his value on defense and rebounding;

If the Trail Blazers only played less than half of their strength due to various reasons, then the Knicks used 100% of their strength to defeat the opponent at their home court.

Without any preparation by the Portlanders, the Knicks gave the Trail Blazers, who claimed to be the finale of the season, a beating.