Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 229 Strong Teams as a Sharpening Stone: We Are Very Strong
Sports Channel.

During halftime, Yang Jian read a few text messages from fans.

"This fan said he never expected the Knicks to be leading the Spurs at halftime, saying that the Knicks now have at least the strength to make the playoffs."

"Another fan's opinion is more objective: the Knicks' performance was affected by the major changes in the team's roster at the beginning of the season. Now, after two months of adjustment, their performance will get better and better."

"Then a fan complained that Yao Ming played too little in the first half, only scoring 11 points."

In the first half, Yao Ming took 7 shots, made 4, and scored 11 points including free throws.

He also grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.

"Coach Zhang, what do you think of Yao Ming's performance? Is it true, as this fan said, that Yao Ming didn't play enough?" Yang Jian looked at Zhang Weiping.

Zhang Weiping laughed and said, "11 points in the first half is already quite a lot. At least 20 points plus 10 points is no problem."

"For many interior players, consistently putting up 20 points and 10 rebounds is already a star-level performance."

"Moreover, Yao Ming played less in the first half, which I think was more due to the team's tactical arrangements."

Su Qun chimed in, nodding in agreement, and said, "That's right, I think the Knicks' use of Yao Ming in the first half was very interesting."

"In the past, Yao Ming was the absolute offensive core of the Knicks. All the balls had to be sent to him first. This treatment was just like that of Shaquille O'Neal on the Lakers."

In the past, the Lakers would try every means to get the ball into O'Neal's hands first.

"However, today, although Yao Ming was constantly receiving the ball, he rarely took shots. He was more responsible for playmaking and drawing the defense. You can see that he delivered 4 assists in the first half, which is the best proof of that."

"Although Yao Ming took fewer shots, his impact was just as significant."

"That's what a star player is like, like Shaq. Even if I'm just standing under the basket, you still have to assign two players to guard me."

“In this situation, Yao Ming can motivate his teammates and create opportunities for them. So you see, even if Yao Ming only scores 11 points, the team is still in the lead.”

"The Knicks are on the right track to take this path. When Yao Ming doesn't need to score 30 or 40 points and the team can still win easily, that's when the Knicks will be truly strong."

Duncan's average points per game were just over 20, which isn't high for a top star, but his team still managed to win.

"It can also reduce Yao Ming's fatigue. If he plays too much inside, he is prone to fatigue problems in the final moments of the game."

While the three were discussing, the second half began.

For both head coaches, halftime does not signify the end of their tactical battle.

Let's try again in the second half.

Popovich, who was behind, made the first move.

With his way, he also gave his body.

Aren't you just copying me?

Then let me show you how the real League of Legends fights!

The Spurs set up their positions: Robinson in the paint, Bowen in the weak-side corner, and Jackson on the weak-side wing.

Duncan didn't head towards the paint; instead, he received a pass from Parker.

Parker started moving and made another handoff pass to Duncan.

Duncan also precisely delayed Billups' timeout.

As Parker drove into the paint, Bowen and Jackson moved simultaneously on the weak side.

The two switched places.

While Wallace was chasing Jackson, Robinson moved two steps to the side and set an off-ball screen, blocking Wallace.

When Jackson arrived at the weak-side corner, Parker, who had broken through to the basket, faced Yao Ming's blockade and had already passed the ball.

Just in time, with no one around Jackson, he pulled up for a three-pointer and made it.

Popovich, standing on the sidelines, turned to look at the other side with a proud expression.

See? We can come up with so many variations of the same move.

Carlisle happened to look over as well.

Through the scorer's table, Carlisle read Popovich's changing expression.

He swept his hands outwards.

Billups understood immediately.

Joint defense.

The Knicks have started playing zone defense.

After the zone defense was relaxed last season, every team had to practice it.

Therefore, zone defense is not unfamiliar to players in the league; the only difference is how well they execute it.

Popovich, whose face had just put on a smile, suddenly froze.

His eye twitched violently, and he couldn't help but curse under his breath.

Are you copying me again?
However, the effect is immediate.

On the offensive end, the Knicks continued to use the Lakers' style of play from the first half, focusing their efforts on Houston.

Houston was in good form today, scoring a total of 11 points in the third quarter.

Therefore, at the end of the third quarter, the Knicks led 72-65, maintaining a 7-point advantage.

In other words, the Spurs' efforts in the third quarter were in vain.

MSG's camera was right up in Popovich's face.

"Greg doesn't look too good," Mike Brin joked.

Frazier chuckled inwardly.

Carlisle used Popovich's tactics and took the lead step by step; no wonder Popovich was in a bad mood.

But what surprised Frazier even more was the Knicks' performance today.

He didn't mention the three core players, but instead praised the role players.

"Carlisle must have some special magic in tactical planning and lineup arrangement; he's very powerful."

"But I want to say that the role players were very crucial in making us reach this level in today's game."

"Think about what these players were like at the beginning of the season. They were inexperienced, their offense was poor, their defense was poor, and each of them had a lot of shortcomings."

"Looking at it now, I can clearly see the growth and changes of every player."

"Scott's plan is slowly succeeding, and these role players are really getting better and better under Don's training."

Brin nodded.

Putting everything else aside, just looking at their defense, he really felt that the Knicks now were worlds apart from the Knicks at the beginning of the season.

The final quarter begins.

During the rotation period, the Spurs started conceding points again.

The impact of a group of young people is too strong.

Seeing the point difference widen to 10 points, Popovich quickly substituted in his starters.

Just before going on the court, he grabbed Duncan.

Without saying a word, Duncan understood Popovich's thoughts with just a glance.

You have to rely on yourself now.

The Spurs have a lot of tactics, just like every team, so many that you can't possibly memorize them all.

Like all teams, the Spurs have one last trick up their sleeve: giving the ball to their star players.

As a star player and the absolute core player, you have to step up in crucial moments.

Duncan just smiled and walked onto the court.

Popovich was not in a good mood as he watched Duncan's retreating figure.

When you pin your hopes of winning on Duncan alone, it only proves that you have failed in your tactical setup.

"Peter!"

Popovich sat back down and complained to PJ Carlesimo next to him that Carlisle was like a completely different person today.

To be honest, he and Carlisle weren't that familiar with each other.

But Carlesimo is familiar.

Back when he was with the Trail Blazers, Carlisle worked under Carlesimo.

Carlesimo should know very well how good he is.

Carlesimo had anticipated Popovich's response. After a moment's thought with his arms crossed, he said, "He's always learning and improving, which is impressive."

Having worked with Carlisle for three years, Carlisle's biggest impression of him was his diligence and hard work.

He remembered that after each game, Carlisle would watch the video several times.

Summarize the problems that occurred during the competition, and then try to adjust and improve them.

It was through this diligence that Carlyle made progress and improved every year.

Popovich raised an eyebrow slightly in surprise.

According to Carlesimo, then Carlisle has worked hard enough.

Carlesimo continued, "He's very imaginative; his mind is always full of brilliant ideas."

At this point, Calesimo paused for a moment and said in a low voice, "Greg, you should know that the characteristics of the players determine the tactical system."

The management brings in certain players, and the coaching staff then develops tactics based on those players' characteristics.

Of course, players can also be selected based on the system.

But this is no easy task, because players always have various shortcomings, making it difficult to truly select the players you want. Popovich nodded, a sentiment he deeply understood.

Every summer is the most painful time for him.

The Spurs are a small market team, and the players that Popovich wants and has his eye on are simply unavailable to him.

We have no choice but to make do and compromise on tactical plans.

Carlesimo said, "But the Knicks have Tang, and the Magic wanted a defensive specialist, and Tang has been trained."

"The Knicks want a Garnett; Bender is playing more and more like him."

“Greg, you should know how wonderful it is for a head coach to get the players he wants.”

“Rick is very creative. He didn’t have the means to realize his ideas before, but now he does. Their combination will be terrifying.”

Popovich's eyes narrowed sharply.

That's right.

A tactical genius and a head coach with plenty of ideas.

A highly capable trainer who can meet the head coach's requirements as much as possible.

Such a combination is like adding wings to a tiger.

Thinking about this, Popovich couldn't help but mutter something.

"Damn New Yorkers."

Just because you have money doesn't mean you're all that great.

The media had already reported that the Knicks offered Karl-Anthony Townsend a lucrative contract and even a luxury house and car to entice him to join the team.

Their actions practically scream "I'm rich and I can do whatever I want!"

Carlesimo chuckled and couldn't help but turn his head to glance at the other side.

Tang Sen sat in the corner, chatting and laughing with Tedsky.

Carlesimo couldn't help but think.

If the Knicks' plan had succeeded, with Townsend's help, they would have trained a bunch of excellent players and won the championship.

Some owners in that league would go crazy and desperately throw money at Tang Sen to poach him.

Unfortunately, the Spurs don't have that ability.

Thinking about this, Carlesimo also wanted to complain.

Yes, New Yorkers are just annoying!

With just over five minutes remaining in the game, the Spurs began to close the gap.

Duncan drove past Chandler, stopped abruptly, turned, and made a jump shot.

It's hard.

Chandler's 2.16-meter height wasn't for nothing.

However, in crucial moments, the Spurs can also trust Duncan's ability to break through defenses.

With a full-court press and high-pressure defense, the point difference quickly returned to 6 points.

Carlisle promptly called a timeout.

"Yao, it's your turn!"

Carlisle looked at Yao Ming.

He scored 11 points in the first half, but only 5 points in the third quarter.

Under his own direction, Yao Ming played cautiously.

It wasn't that Carlisle didn't trust Yao Ming's scoring ability, but rather that he knew that role players weren't necessarily reliable in crucial moments.

After all, the opponent is the Spurs.

Therefore, he needs to keep a trump card, which is Yao Ming's ability to solve difficult problems.

He had Yao Ming participate in the offense, reducing his own offensive efforts, encouraging his teammates to focus on conserving their energy for now.

"My requirement is very simple: if Duncan scores 1 point, you have to score 1 point for me."

Carlisle's demands were anything but simple.

But he believes in Yao Ming.

With the Pacers, he played team basketball, and everyone could score.

Of course it's great, but that doesn't mean Carlisle is unaware of the benefits of star players.

Doesn't he want to play like the Lakers, relying on star players?
Of course I'd like to, but we don't have any players. One old Miller isn't enough.

This is a major reason why Carlisle likes Yao Ming.

He didn't have Shaq's bad habits, such as disliking defense, being too lazy to cooperate with teammates, or creating opportunities for them.

Yet he possesses the same scoring ability as Shaquille O'Neal.

Such a player is simply perfect.

After the timeout, Yao Ming immediately responded with one of his own.

Receive the ball in the low post, turn directly to the top line, and shoot with a backward lean.

He's been practicing this move for a month now, and he's gotten quite good at it on the sweet spot on the left side of the basket.

David Robinson, despite his height and long arms, could only stare helplessly at Yao Ming as he leaned back.

"Tim, this guy is too shameless."

As Robinson ran past Duncan, he couldn't help but mutter a comment.

Duncan shrugged.

For some reason, I also felt a little regretful.

In the summer, am I a little stingy?

It's just three million, it's not like we can't afford it.

If I had trained hard with Tang Sen for a summer, I would only be stronger now.

It's too late for regrets now. Duncan stopped overthinking and, having played this far, he also wanted to win.

Even if it's just a regular season game.

Holding the ball and facing the basket, Duncan takes a probing step and dribbles straight to the basket.

Chandler wasn't out of position, but Duncan just kept making the shot, hitting a high lob.

As Carlisle had instructed, Yao Ming also agreed to take one point for every point Duncan scored.

He pushed Robinson aside with a shove, stepped forward to cut across the middle, and raised his leg.

Skyhook.

A gasp rippled through the stands.

Robinson leaped into the air, attempting to block the path.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played in the NBA for 20 years, yet his skyhook was only blocked 5 times.

This thing is all about how you feel.

In a flash, the point difference remained unchanged.

And time was passing by, second by second.

The fans in the stands grew increasingly excited, and the music echoing through the stadium became more and more urgent, as if they were making a final charge for victory.

Popovich stood on the sidelines, utterly bewildered.

Because he discovered that Carlisle had once again thought ahead of him.

Moreover, Yao Ming's restraint in the first three quarters may have been preparation for this moment.

terrible.

Popovich glanced at Carlisle.

If he loses today, he will accept it wholeheartedly.

6 points, 5 points, 7 points...

The score is about the same, and it might be evened out in one or two rounds.

But the Spurs just couldn't catch up.

In the final 5 minutes, Yao Ming displayed top-level performance, scoring 8 points efficiently with 3 out of 4 field goals and free throws.

Those 8 points extinguished the Spurs' hopes of a comeback.

The timer is reset to zero.

Madison was boiling over as if hot water had been poured into a frying pan.

In the MSG studio, Brin's voice was high-pitched.

"I think before this game, nobody thought we would win because we were at the bottom of the East, we were the minnows."

"what about now?"

"We were in the lead the whole time, we won."

"Some say the Spurs are a whetstone for strong teams, so as a loyal Knicks fan, please stop calling us a bad team, we are very strong!"

(End of this chapter)