Chapter 142 [Looks like a Timberwolves, but is actually a Husky]
When the Timberwolves attacked, Isaiah Lederer singled out Yang Jian with the ball in front of the frame. After a few dribbles in the middle, he saw that Yang Jian was retreating relatively far and took a pull-up three-pointer.
Yang Jian didn't jump but just stepped forward and stretched out his hand. Under slight interference, Leder made the shot. 10 to 5.
Every SuperSonics game is broadcast live on the local TV station in Seattle. The commentators all see the problem, but they have a tacit understanding and do not say it explicitly. Yang Jian likes to adjust his defense according to the strength of the opponent, fearing that the opponent will lose too quickly.
Yang Jian failed to let go in the last game because Erwin Robertson's offense was too rubbish. Robertson couldn't shoot three-pointers, and his mid-range shot was unstable. It was even more impossible to break into the penalty area. Yang Jian let him pass, and there were big players behind him.
What about your height?
In today's game, Yang Jian can put some pressure on him, and the offensive power of the Timberwolves' starting players is not too bad.
The two sides launched a fierce attack. Yang Jian reduced the number of shots, but the tactical effect was fully displayed.
He will still run, attracting defensive focus and passing the ball to his teammates. When he is not running, he is outside the three-point line in the corner. The Timberwolves must send someone to follow him. Payton can easily get a one-on-one opportunity on the weak side.
The pick-and-roll between Payton and Kemp started. Either Payton broke through and made a layup, or Kemp attracted assists from the defense to attack the basket. The Timberwolves' starting inside line frequently missed players, but coach Bill Blair did not adjust the lineup, allowing Garner to
Sitting firmly on the bench.
Garnett had a particularly miserable start. He was a substitute in every game, mainly responsible for catching, shooting and defense, averaging only 8.2 points per game. In a parallel world, after Bill Blair was fired, Flip Saunders became the head coach.
, Garnett began to be reused, and his playing time gradually increased.
Tom Gugliotta and Christian Laettner both played the entire first quarter. They could score, but they couldn't prevent the Sonics' offense. Players flanked Kemp or Payton, and they also had shooting opportunities when they were separated. Young
Both Jane and Schrempf made three-pointers.
The SuperSonics led 42 to 32 in the first quarter.
Seattle commentator Sheldon Lowry said: "Today's first quarter was like an All-Star game. Both sides had high shooting percentages and could not defend themselves. 42 points was the Sonics' highest score in a single quarter since the start of the game.
Scoring record. Payton and Kemp both scored in double figures in a single quarter."
Plummer Lott said: "Young made 3 of 4 shots in the first quarter, two dunks and a three-pointer, and scored 7 points and 3 assists. He played very selflessly today. He didn't shoot when there was a good opportunity and created opportunities for his teammates."
Shelton smiled and said: "It's for Payton, he had 10 points, 5 assists and 1 steal in a single quarter. Payton had not scored many points in several consecutive games, but he took more shots today. The SuperSonics offense was very smooth, and all five starters scored.
I don’t know if the Timberwolves’ bench can withstand this, as their lineup depth is much inferior to that of the SuperSonics.”
Garnett is responsible for leading the bench and is considered the sixth man of the Timberwolves. Two second-round picks who have played in the summer league for the Timberwolves also appeared on the field. The bench lineup looks like the starting lineup of the summer league.
Mark Davis and Jerome Allen's performance in the summer league was mediocre, and they obviously suffered in the regular season. Since the start of the season, their shooting percentages have been less than 35%, and they can still get stable playing time.
This is the current situation of the Timberwolves. They can only choose players that other teams don't want as substitutes. They look like the Timberwolves, but are actually the Huskies.
The Sonics continued to take the initiative, with Schrempf and Kevin Edwards having good opportunities to play with the ball. Garnett defended Sam Perkins and was attracted to the baseline, and did not play much role on the defensive end.
Currently, Garnett's weaknesses are obvious. He can only defend against shots and breakthroughs, but his defense in the penalty area is extremely poor. He is too thin and suffers a disadvantage when playing as a power forward. The penalty area can only be defended by his teammates.
The Timberwolves' backup center is Sean Lukes, who is 208cm tall and weighs 113kg. His performance is not bad, he can protect backcourt rebounds and guard Earvin Johnson.
Lukes is a good role player, just a good one. He was drafted by the Mavericks with the third pick in the second round. He got a lot of playing time at his peak when he debuted, and then his data declined year by year. His only advantage is that he can work hard on the court and attack and defend.
Abilities are very average.
The disadvantage of the Sonics' substitute lineup is that it cannot break through, and the outside players are not very capable of breaking through. If the Sonics sign another substitute guard who can break through, the whole team will be too strong, and the offense of both lineups will be very powerful.
Even if the SuperSonics lineup is flawed, the substitutes cannot launch fast breaks and mainly rely on singles to score, which is not comparable to the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves' substitute lineup does not know what they are doing. Garnett's high-post support and organization forward style of play suits him, but he is helpless.
The abilities of my teammates are so poor that they can't get into space.
Garnett was also limited in singles, missing two mid-range shots, and only assisted Jerome Allen for a layup and scored two points. The rest of the Timberwolves' jump shots also missed the basket, and their shots were messy. Luke
Si grabbed an offensive rebound and added one.
Bill Blair's adjustment method was to have Christian Laettner return to the court to lead the bench and strengthen the offense. The presence of two big men who are good at mid-range shooting can indeed open up the space better. The SuperSonics replaced Kemp.
After Payton and Yang Jian, the two tall and lanky insiders cannot be guarded...
At halftime, the SuperSonics led 75 to 55 by 20 points.
The Sonics players didn't defend seriously, and the Timberwolves couldn't stand it if they hit them casually. There was really nothing they could do about it. Yang Jian found an off-ball screen on Laettner's side, and after catching the ball, he got a good shot.
Isiah Lederer was too slow to catch the ball and shoot a jumper. When the defender was in place, someone gave him a second block. He held the ball in the pick-and-roll and then made an emergency stop jumper. Laettner's assist defense speed was not good at all. Yang simply made three quarters.
An iron-blooded jump shot and a three-pointer. He also broke through and assisted Kemp on an air cut to complete a dunk.
Garnett, who had just entered the NBA, was completely different from Kemp. He defended Perkins on the baseline and didn't dare to go to the basket to defend Kemp. He knew he couldn't guard him because the opponent was too fierce and he could easily do it.
bully him.
In the third quarter, the Sonics' starting lineup continued to play, but Garnett was replaced by the coach and rested.
Yang Jian and Payton continued to use running and screening to create mismatch opportunities, sealing the victory with a wave of 17-5. The two were replaced together, and before that they bumped their chests to celebrate.
Sheldon Lowry said: "The SuperSonics have too much advantage and they overwhelmed the Timberwolves' perimeter. Yang Jian only played 24 minutes, making 9 of 12 shots, 3 of 5 three-pointers, and 3 of 4 free throws, scoring 24 points.
2 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. Payton also played 24 minutes, making 8 of 13 shots, 1 of 2 three-pointers, and scored 17 points, 2 rebounds, 12 assists and 2 steals."
Plummer Lott sighed: "The SuperSonics' two star guards partnered with Kemp are invincible. They cooperate so well. When the three of them are on the court together, the Timberwolves' defense is full of loopholes. Kemp takes the least shots, 9
Made 7 shots, 6 of 6 free throws, scored 20 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block."
Shelton said: "Schrempf also rested and scored 11 points. After Young joined, Schrempf was the star who sacrificed the most for the SuperSonics. His singles last season were an important weapon for the SuperSonics, and now he only
You need to wait on the outside to catch the ball and shoot."
Plummer said: "Young rested, and Garnett came on during garbage time. This season, he often played in garbage time to practice. As the No. 5 pick, his performance was disappointing. He could hardly hit the penalty area, and the ball
The wind is too soft. His characteristics are similar to Laettner's, relying on jump shots to score points, but not as strong as Laettner in confrontation."
Sheldon smiled and said: "Let me tell you some unconventional knowledge. Garnett and Young were born on the same day, May 19, 1976. The two of them played their first professional game on the same day, in the summer of Salt Lake City.
The two teams met in the first game of the league. Miraculously, they both chose jersey No. 21."
Plummer said: "One outsider and one inside player chose the number 21. Maybe people born on this day like this number? They must not have discussed it in advance, and they must not be familiar with it."
Shelton said: "Garnett's current performance is not worthy of being the No. 5 pick, and Young's performance is more like the No. 1 pick. Because of Young, this draft will always be remembered by fans."
The two commentators did not mention Isiah Leder, they forgot about this person who wanted to teach Yang Jian a lesson.