Chapter 727 Your Defense Is as Weak as a Woman (First Update!)

Tang Tian turned to look at Stevens at this time, with a smile on his lips.

The seemingly similar tactics really feel like Popovich's figure is overlapping.

This saved him a lot of effort.

In the next few minutes, the Rockets lost their touch, and the Pelicans built a lead, forcing D'Antoni to call a timeout.

Because the Pelicans have a strong defensive system, it is difficult for the Rockets to launch a defensive counterattack, which greatly reduces their ability to play magic ball.

This is why Stevens can limit the Rockets' offense with his 2-1-2 zone defense.

Limit your defensive counterattacks, and then pinch your position to attack. Stevens has the upper hand in the battle with D'Antoni.

After the timeout, both sides put their main players on the court.

At this time, the Rockets made tactical adjustments on the offensive end.

It was still a magic ball, but the starting point of the offense shifted from Paul and Harden on the outside to Cousins ​​on the inside.

Cousins ​​held the ball and hit Jokic with his back. After using his strength to drive to the basket, he continuously turned around and hit the board to score.

Although the Kings have never made it to the playoffs, before the injury, Cousins ​​was definitely one of the top three or even first centers in the league.

Although Jokic completed his muscle gain in the summer, his upper limit against this area is still much weaker than Cousins.

He didn't guard it, but looking back, Jokic showed his talent on the offensive end. He sent a second pass from outside the three-point line at the top of the arc, and Davis received the ball and scored a dunk.

Looking back, Paul advanced to the frontcourt and continued to hand the ball to Cousins.

It can be seen from the adjustment after the timeout that there is a gap between D'Antoni's tactical level and Stevens.

He basically has a unique approach. He played bombardment when he was with the Suns, and he played magic ball when he was with the Rockets.

But both periods have one thing in common. There are superstars in the team. When things don't go well, just give the ball to the superstars.

Now that the outside can't score, the ball keeps getting to Cousins ​​inside.

Because of the Rockets' ability to contain the outside, Tucker was squatting in the corner and pulling Davis very close to the corner, making it difficult for the Pelicans to help defend.

Cousins ​​continues to play Jokic in the low post.

Jokic's center of gravity was very low this time. Cousins ​​didn't push it too much and chose to turn around and take action.

Jokic reacted very quickly and reached out quickly to cause interference.

"Bang."

Cousins' shot bounced off the back of the rim.

But he bounced very quickly and directly took off the second time to score a tip-in.

Cousins ​​scored 4 points in a row over Jokic!

Jokic has successfully gained muscle through hard training during the offseason, and his strength, especially on the defensive end, has improved significantly.

But this time he was educated by Cousins.

It was only then that many fans at the scene remembered Jokic's words. In fact, he was only in his second year.

Tang Tian assisted Holiday on a layup, but looking back, Cousins' strong attack passed Jokic and scored a one-handed dunk.

He has scored 6 consecutive points in this period, and he is like a monster inside.

After Tang Tian reached the frontcourt, he directly passed the ball from Holiday, and then signaled Jokic to raise the high pick-and-roll and play the No. 1 tactic.

Before the injury, Cousins ​​was the best among big men in terms of speed and defensive ability.

But after all, he is a traditional insider. It is still easy for Tang Tian to beat him, and he is very aware of Cousins ​​​​'s weaknesses.

But Jokic blocked it, and the Rockets' reaction was different than expected.

Cousins ​​did not come out. He switched directly to Davis, but Tucker switched over.

Tang Tian was dribbling the ball and couldn't help but turn his head and glance at Buzdelik sitting on the sidelines.

This coach is really good at defense.

If Cousins ​​comes out of the penalty area, it will be an opportunity whether he is playing one-on-one or passing the ball to Davis who is cutting in.

After all, it's impossible for Cousins ​​to guard him one-on-one, and if he comes out, he will definitely not have time to go back.

But Bzdelik's defensive change allowed Cousins ​​to stay in the penalty area and the other four people assisted in defensive rotations, which perfectly solved this problem.

Facing Tucker, Tang Tian started dribbling continuously and then made a sudden jump shot.

Although the ball was scored, Tucker's defense was in place and the tactical intention of the ball was completely missed.

Cousins ​​continued to single out Jokic in the low post, causing the latter's hitter to foul.

Jokic defended very hard, but there was really a gap in the confrontation.

Stevens on the sidelines glanced back at the bench, considering whether to replace Biyombo.

Cousins ​​made two free throws, and his personal scoring streak reached 8 points.

There were no substitutions on the sidelines. Stevens knew that although Jokic was shy, he was not low-spirited and was still hesitant.

In the Pelicans' offense, Tang Tian continued to call Jokic for pick-and-rolls.

Cousins ​​still didn't come out, so Tang Tian continued to signal Davis to raise the pick-and-roll.

His purpose is quite clear, and he will not stop until Cousins ​​is replaced.

But the Rockets' execution was very good. Even if they gave Tang Tian room to take action, they were determined not to let Cousins ​​​​come out.

Tang Tian chose to break through the basket and stepped up from the double team, causing Cousins' defensive foul.

"DeMarcus, since when did you like to hide like a woman?"

Before walking to the free throw line, Tang Tian said to Cousins.

Cousins ​​frowned.

Most people can tell that Tang Tian's words were deliberately provocative, but Cousins' reaction was obviously angry.

Tang Tian felt happy when he saw this. Sure enough, Cousins ​​was still the same Cousins.

It's easy to change a country's nature, but it's hard to change it, and this didn't change when it came to the Rockets.

Tang Tian made his first free throw.

"Keep hiding like a woman, it will do you good."

Tang Tian continued to speak to Cousins.

Cousins ​​looked angry, and Tucker looked at Tang Tian in surprise. He didn't know that Tang Tian had the ability to talk trash.

Tang Tian made two free throws, and the Pelicans continued to cling to the score.

Back on the defensive end, I don't know if Tang Tian's trash talk had an effect. Cousins ​​​​was a little anxious in the inside attack this time, but was successfully defended by Jokic.

Seeing this, Stevens also put away the idea of ​​​​substitution.

In the Pelicans' offense, Tang Tian continued to switch. This time, as soon as Jokic set a pick-and-roll, Cousins ​​switched to guard Tang Tian.

His eyes were full of anger.

Tang Tian couldn't help laughing when he saw this.

Sure enough, Cousins ​​is Cousins, the guy with a worse brain than Whiteside.

Bzdelik looked on from the sidelines in surprise, but he didn't immediately stand up and say that Cousins ​​​​is the team's superstar after all, and he also needs face.

After his teammates pulled away, Tang Tian faced Cousins' continuous changes of direction and accelerated, stopped suddenly, easily got rid of him, broke through to the inside and scored a dunk.

As a traditional big man, it is really difficult for Cousins ​​to keep up with Tang Tian.

Cousins ​​threw his hands away angrily.

When Tang Tian turned around, he smiled and said something to him.

"Your defense is as soft as a woman's."

Thank you for the tip in 2020.