Chapter 199 Unfriendly schedule (8500 words chapter)

On January 1, 2011, the first day of the new year, everyone in the Thunder will experience a back-to-back game. Tonight they will challenge the San Antonio Spurs away from home.

Li Ze feels that after the start of the new year, the Thunder's schedule is very unfriendly. After this game, they will also challenge the Grizzlies and Mavericks away from home, and then return to home to play the Grizzlies again.

In short, in the first week after the new year, the Spurs, Grizzlies, and Mavericks took turns playing. The Thunder were extremely vulnerable to cheating. In the three games at the end of December, no new badges were produced, but Li Ze gained

Another golden badge.

Achievement Badge [First Step Master]: 4/5000 (can enjoy the championship badge bonus)

It brings explosive activation to triple threat postures and fancy dribbling movements, reduces the impact of side defenders, and reduces the physical consumption caused by movements.

After the badge was upgraded to gold, Li Ze was naturally filled with joy. The combination of [Triple Threat Veteran] + [First Step Master] would make his breakthrough easier, but he had not yet had time to verify the specific bonus brought by the badge in the training game.

It worked and we flew directly to San Antonio.

On the plane flying to San Antonio, everyone in the Thunder team was gossiping about the results of the second stage of voting for the All-Star Game. Durant looked at the magazine in his hand, feeling increasingly happy:

"It seems that I can finally get the starting position this year. At the forward position, I am already 130,000 votes ahead of Anthony. Kayce, congratulations on winning the second stage vote leader with 1,210,658 votes, 100,000 votes ahead of Kobe!"

Li Ze also smiled happily when he heard Durant's words and said:

"It seems that playing in Madison Square Garden really has a big bonus. It would be great if Russell could also enter the starting lineup. Three of the five starting players will be in the starting lineup. It's up to us who wants to win the award."

"I'm already very satisfied with the current number of votes. The guard ranks 4th and there are more than 400,000 votes. This situation is much better than last year. Looking at the situation in the East, O'Neal may be selected as an All-Star again," said

Really, this is definitely the result of the emotional bonus!"

Turtle also pays attention to his own All-Star vote data. He will definitely not have a place in the starting lineup, but the Thunder team has such a good record that he can also take his turn as a substitute.

It's just that when he saw O'Neal appearing as the second starting center in the Eastern Conference All-Stars, Turtle couldn't help but feel sour. It's really enviable that anyone who cares can enter the All-Star Game.

"Everyone will choose to respect the veterans, but for this year's All-Star Game, I just want to know whether the players union can reach an agreement with the league this time. Many players are already planning to play in overseas leagues."

Jeff Green, who is deeply involved in trade rumors, is more concerned about whether he can play in the future. As a role player, if the suspension is too long, the losses will be huge, especially this year he has not been able to reach a contract extension and the next contract has not yet been secured.

Of course, I am more concerned about my job at this time.

"Maybe the schedule may be shortened next year, but there will definitely still be games to play. Don't worry, man, if you want to stay in good shape, we can train together during the offseason."

Li Ze has organized another training camp of his own. Although he plans to play in the Asian Championships this year, in order to maintain a good competitive state, the training camp in October still has to be carried out as planned.

"When the time comes, add me Kayce. I don't want to go overseas to play, so I just sit back and wait for the result."

"As long as we don't shut down for a year like before, a few months is still acceptable."

"I haven't had a happy All-Star Weekend in the past two years. Let's get over the labor agreement issue as soon as possible!"

After Popovich's adjustments this season, the Spurs have given Tony Parker more freedom. Parker, who has reached his peak, has also made up for his shortcomings in shooting. The most important change is that the team has begun to be more precise.

Rely more on three-pointers.

In the previous game between the Bulls and Horses on December 30, the Spurs made 11 of 28 three-pointers. Relying on their crazy outside performance, they successfully had the last laugh. After the first meeting this season, the coaching staff has been observing the Spurs.

But for the Spurs' tactical play, Coach Brooks is a little helpless. Team basketball is the symbol of the Spurs. The combination of internal and external play is also because the opponent has Tim Duncan. As for how to limit the opponent's three-pointers, the Thunder

The team has no good solution.

Every time he meets the Thunder, Tim Duncan will explode. If he wants to limit the opponent's performance, the defense on the line must shrink, which gives the Spurs the opportunity to pass the ball continuously.

In fact, this choice is quite helpless. The closer you are to the basket, the higher your shooting percentage. A proper three-pointer is better than allowing Duncan to easily score two points under the basket.

Tonight's game is still broadcast live on NBATV across the United States. Coach Popovich is very satisfied with the team's current situation. However, thinking about the Thunder team who are playing back-to-back tonight, Popovich is still more cautious before the game and constantly reminds the players.

Our defensive strategy for this game:

"We must strive to squeeze through all the screens. If we need to switch defenses, we must loudly remind our teammates on the court. Just like the game plan we formulated before the game, we will not give Lee and Durant the chance to catch the ball easily.

Squeezing through the screen is very important."

"As for the offensive issue, I don't want to emphasize it too much. Share the ball, Tony, and control the offensive rhythm on the court. We are not pursuing a high number of rounds in tonight's game. What we need more on the offensive end is the success rate, guys.

, do you understand everything?"

"oh"

When head coach Popovich heard the weak responses from his players, he suddenly twitched his mouth. After getting along for a long time, his head coach's authority was getting lower and lower.

On the other side of the ocean, it is the New Year's Day holiday in China, and the 2nd happens to be Sunday, so CCTV Sports naturally broadcasts the game between the Thunder and the Spurs.

Host Yu Jia and guest Zhang Weiping also discussed the results of the second stage of the All-Star voting before the game. Seeing that Li Ze won the vote again, the two of them boasted for a long time. Director Zhang was in a good mood. He felt that he

My reaction was two beats faster tonight.

"The Spurs' lineup is the same as last season, but their results are completely different. Director Zhang, do you think the Spurs have a chance to reach the finals this year?"

When Director Zhang heard the question from host Yu Jia, his butt suddenly tilted to the edge of the sky, and he answered cheerfully:

"The playoffs mainly focus on the stars. Duncan is still old, and Parker's shooting is also unstable. In the Western Conference, we still have to look at the Thunder and Lakers. The regular season results can also be used as a reference."

The host Yu Jia was speechless for a moment. This answer was obviously a bit crooked. Fortunately, the director gave a hint and quickly brought the topic back to this game.

"Thank you to Director Zhang for your comments. George Hill is still on the bench tonight. Both teams are making regular rotations. We will switch the screen to the game ahead."

Li Ze naturally didn’t know that Director Zhang had sent a bunch of poisonous milk to the Thunder before the game. After playing for more than 5 minutes in the first quarter, he could only be sure of one thing: Turtle had entered the sewer again.

After the opening, he made zero of three shots and made three turnovers in an explosive manner. Perhaps it was because the previous game was too easy. Several breakthroughs and passes to the inside seemed a bit casual, but Tim Duncan is not Al Horford.

The guys took advantage of the Thunder's turnovers with ease.

When the official timeout was entered, at 10:16, the Thunder were temporarily 6 points behind. Perhaps due to the law of conservation of character, Guigui failed to score a layup tonight.

"It's all my fault. I played like shit after the start. I'm so sorry, guys!"

Returning to the bench, Guigui quickly apologized. He had hit too many downwind balls before, so he didn't feel nervous at the start of tonight's game.

"The game has just started, just stay focused. Kevin, don't get too entangled with Jefferson. Just like in the playoffs last season, this guy wants to use physical confrontation to consume your energy!"

Li Ze did not enter the offensive mode after the game started. Instead, he carefully observed the Spurs' defensive situation. When he saw the opponent's stalking defense again, he quickly reminded Durant.

Durant nodded to indicate that he understood. Coach Brooks also took out his tactical board and reminded his players:

"Pay attention to Tony Parker's right-hand breakthrough. The opponent suddenly combines and turns very quickly while moving. Russell needs to speed up the pick-and-roll. Kostic, you also need to master the defensive distance."

"Kayce, try to catch the ball outside the three-point line and pay attention to the Spurs' defensive position. Okay, boys, hold on for a few rounds and we can equalize the score! Let's go!"

After the timeout, the Thunder team attacked. After the turtle quickly passed the half court, he immediately gave the ball to Li Ze on the left wing outside the three-point line. When Krstic quickly moved up the line, the turtle also came over and pretended to hand over.

, and then sank to the left corner, taking away Tony Parker's defense.

Ginobili was always paying attention to Krstic's movements, but Li Ze did not wait for the screen to happen. After shaking his body confusingly to the left, he suddenly lowered his center of gravity, quickly released the ball with his right hand, and broke through directly.

With a fast and fierce first step, Li Ze easily got rid of Ginobili's defense. When he saw the opponent sliding backwards, he pulled his hips back sharply, then exerted force with his feet and retreated deftly, three times.

A jump shot from beyond the arc.

"Shua" the three-pointer was hit steadily.

The Spurs fans at the scene subconsciously exclaimed. Such a goal brought back their painful memories of the playoffs last season.

In terms of timing of breakthroughs, Li Ze felt that he was doing better than before. The golden [First Step Master] also brought him that indescribable basketball intuition. When he broke through, he seemed to

He is a veteran who has been fighting in the league for many years, and he seems to be more and more at ease.

"Yes! Let Li Ze play more. The score difference instantly came to three points. This ability to combine sudden shots is really powerful."

The Thunder made consecutive mistakes in the first half of the game, and Li Ze did not choose to attack with the ball. Director Zhang seemed a little silent. As soon as the three-pointer was scored, the old man suddenly became happy again.

Tony Parker slowly dribbled across the half court. When he saw Ginobili asking for the ball, he immediately gave it to the opponent. Duncan came directly to the three-point line to pick and roll. Li Ze felt that the opponent was going to make a response ball, and the pick and roll happened.

When the time comes, squeeze through quickly.

Ginobili felt the defensive pressure on his side. During the march, his left hand suddenly dribbled the ball behind his back. Then he stepped back directly to the three-point line and quickly shot a jump shot. Li Ze successfully predicted the opponent's move and directly

Jump to cover.

"Hiss" Li Ze's fingertips still touched the basketball.

"Pay attention to where you land!"

Hearing Li Ze's reminder, Kostic felt that the ball seemed to be missing. He quickly moved his position and successfully got the ball. Then he passed the ball to Turtle, and the Thunder launched a transition attack.

The Spurs retreated quickly and quickly completed their defensive positions. Turtle did not choose to break through this time, but immediately gave the ball to Durant on the right wing outside the three-point line. Just after receiving the ball, Jefferson immediately

Following the defense, Duncan also began to adjust his defensive position.

With his right hand strictly guarded, Durant chose to hold the ball with his left hand to accelerate the breakthrough. As soon as he reached the free throw line, he found that Duncan's defense had also come up. Although Kostic had an open opportunity under the basket, his ability to handle the ball was slightly poor.

Durant didn't dare to risk passing the ball.

Seeing the sudden stagnation of the offense, Li Ze immediately came to the top of the arc outside the three-point line to respond. Durant hurriedly passed the ball and quickly opened up the offensive space for Li Ze.

Facing Ginobili's defense outside the three-point line, Li Ze held the ball with his left hand, jumped and dribbled, and quickly changed direction. At the same time, he lowered his center of gravity and instantly accelerated the dribbling rhythm.

Substantial forward body direction change.

Tim Hardaway's signature Crossover, this fake movement of changing direction by turning his knees, directly stunned Ginobili.

"oh!"

The wonderful passing action made the audience at the AT Center Arena scream loudly. At this time, Li Ze held the ball in his right hand and accelerated with all his strength. Duncan quickly retreated. During the march, Li Ze suddenly made a sharp turn and went directly to the basket.

Following Duncan's block, he easily picked the basket with his left hand.
To be continued...