After the Spurs won the first game in the semifinal series against the Trail Blazers, more and more people are more optimistic about them winning this series and meeting the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year.
Because from the perspective of the first game, the Spurs' strong perimeter defense can effectively restrict the Trail Blazers' double-gun, but the Trail Blazers have no way to defeat the double-gun from the beginning to the end.
In the Spurs game, if both sides can play smoothly, they will basically win.
Of course, why do you think the Spurs will meet the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year?
There is a reason for this.
Because in the other semifinal match of the Western Conference that just ended, the defending champion Golden State Warriors once again defeated the Utah Jazz. They already had a 2:0 lead in the series and it seemed that they would advance to the Western Conference Finals.
It's just a matter of time.
Therefore, in this case, people can easily think of the scene where the Spurs and Warriors meet again in the Western Conference Finals.
In addition, people are more likely to think of the story that happened between the two teams in the Western Conference Finals last season.
The name that everyone hates, Zaza Pachulia, has been mentioned again. To this day, Spurs fans are always saying that without Pachulia's kick, the ending might really be different.
Looking back at the team's current lineup, the eyes of Spurs fans instantly revealed an aura of revenge.
This year's San Antonians are stronger than last year, so the Golden State Warriors will wait and see.
While fans are picturing revenge against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, Jiang Hao and other Spurs players, under the leadership of Popovich, continue to sweat profusely in the training facility.
Popovich is an absolutely rigorous person, so over the years, people have rarely seen the Spurs lose games because they underestimated their opponents.
Although they won the first game of the series against the Trail Blazers, the team also exposed many problems during the game.
This made Popovich very dissatisfied.
Taking Jiang Hao as an example, he felt that Jiang Hao's duel with the Trail Blazers lacked the domineering spirit of the lightbulb combination with the Houston Rockets.
Popovich attributed this to the subtle impact of Leonard's comeback. Obviously, when Leonard, the core, came back, not only Jiang Hao, but also other Spurs players subconsciously pulled out the attack.
The first important responsibility of the village was handed over to Leonard.
There is nothing wrong with the team's leadership on both offense and defense.
But Popovich knows one thing very well, that is, if the Spurs continue to rely on Leonard, they will eventually miss the O'Brien Trophy. Last season's defeat to Oracle is the best example.
Leonard was not well injured at the time, but what happened after Leonard was injured and came off the field? He was leading by more than 20 points, but no one could step up.
The series with the Portland Trail Blazers is far from over, so even if the team finally defeats the Trail Blazers and advances to the Western Conference Finals, can it really succeed by relying on the same tactics as last season?
Popovich is absolutely out of the question.
Because the Spurs are getting stronger, their opponents are also getting stronger. Although the Warriors this season were beaten by the Houston Rockets in terms of regular season record, it is undeniable that Kevin Durant has further integrated into the team. Their
The team's tacit understanding has been further improved, and the overall strength has actually risen instead of falling.
The playoffs are an example.
They defeated the Thunder with a clean and crushing 4:0. You know, the Thunder's lineup is not weak. Although the trio of Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony did not meet expectations, they are definitely not weak.
persimmon.
The Warriors can easily kill the Thunder, which already explains a lot of problems.
After entering the semi-finals, they quickly took a 2:0 lead. Everyone was shocked. Is the defending champion going to sweep all the way to win the championship?
In this case, what can the Spurs do to take revenge? Full of blood?
Don't talk nonsense, what matters in the competition is hard power.
It is definitely not Popovich's character to surrender. Although the Warriors are coming fiercely, in his opinion, if his team meets them in the Western Conference Finals, there is not no chance at all.
For example, if Jiang Hao continues to maintain the level of playing the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, then he will have a chance.
"Why pass the ball? Is this a good shot? Are you afraid of the rim or are you questioning yourself?"
In the training hall, Popovich immediately stopped the team's training match and cursed Jiang Hao.
In the starting team's attack just now, Jiang Hao did not take a decisive shot when faced with a good shooting position. Instead, he turned around and threw the ball to Leonard. Although Leonard subsequently hit the shot, Bo
Povich was extremely annoyed with the choice Jiang Hao just made.
"I, Kawhi's position is obviously more..." Jiang Hao tried to argue, but was immediately interrupted by Popovich.
"What's more? Are you fucking blind? Are you in a bad position? You do play the role of point guard, but Jiang, please listen to me clearly. In modern basketball, any position needs to be assumed at any time.
"The important task of scoring"
Popovich's sudden anger not only made Jiang Hao depressed, but also everyone on the team was as quiet as a chill at this time. No one wanted to get into trouble at this time.
"You guys have disappointed me so much. Why do you only place your hopes on Kawhi? Why can't you take action decisively? A bunch of idiots."
The entire training match was spent in such a silent environment.
Jiang Hao's face felt a little hot. Popovich had barely shown any mercy to him just now. Although after nearly a season of getting along with him, he knew that this was Popovich's usual style, but it had to be said that he still
It feels a little unbearable.
"Jiang, Greg is actually the one who needs comfort the most. Frankly speaking, our coaching staff didn't think we could go all the way from the beginning. In Greg's words, the reason why the team was able to kill the Houston Rockets is,
When it comes to the semifinals, Kawhi's timely comeback is only one aspect. What's more important is your explosion. If my guess is correct, Greg remembered last year's Western Conference Finals."
"Now it seems that we have a good chance of defeating the Trail Blazers and advancing to the Western Conference Finals. But, Jiang, do you really think that with the current spirit of the team, we can really compete with the defending champion?"
"After so many years, I know Greg too well. He wants revenge. He wants to bring another O'Brien Cup to the city of San Antonio. He wants to end his coaching career with a championship."
Jiang Hao was deeply touched by Englander's remarks. Maybe he understood something.
Chapter completed!