Four Hundred and Fifty-Seven: The Next Key Man for the Spurs

When the Grizzlies arrived by plane in Memphis, their hometown, they were all bleary-eyed.

They just took a nap on the plane and haven't woken up yet.

Despite winning yesterday, the Grizzlies players were still exhausted. 8 days and 6 battles, seeing that 3 games have been played. The physical fitness problem that Stevens was worried about also appeared.

Yesterday's battle with the Warriors really took a toll on the Grizzlies players' stamina. The current Warriors are not a weak team, and it is impossible to win them without a little effort.

That's why Stevens is so egalitarian on offense. He did this not only to improve offensive efficiency, but also to save players' physical strength.

They have worked hard enough on the defensive end, but they can't continue to fight the Warriors on the offensive end.

Even so, the Grizzlies' physical exertion is still very high. Especially a few outside lines, running with Curry and Thompson the whole game, tired enough.

Returning to Memphis this time with a victory, the players didn't look like they were coming back.

Reporters could not help but be a little worried, because just an hour earlier, the San Antonio Spurs players had arrived at the Memphis International Airport. And they all looked refreshed, mentally, much better than the Grizzlies.

Are the Grizzlies really okay with tonight's game?

"It's been tough for us, but it's not the first one we've had. I believe the players will stick to the end. Last time we played against Spurs, we lost by four points. However, we won't be Falling in the same place twice." Stevens's answer was impassioned, but his frowning frown betrayed his anxiety.

The Grizzlies went home after leaving the airport, and Stevens set the practice in the afternoon to give everyone more rest.

The Spurs' training was scheduled by Popovich from noon to the afternoon, just staggered from the Grizzlies.

For this game, Popovich attaches great importance to it. After all, the San Antonio Spurs have been eliminated by the Grizzlies in the past two seasons!

Are the Spurs weak? Not bad. Despite their aging roster, they are still one of the best teams in the league. After all, last season, they were the second in the Western Conference in the regular season, and in the previous season, they were the first in the Western Conference! The only obstacle they encountered was the grizzly bear!

the year before,

Popovich can still be dismissive of the Grizzlies. But now, the Grizzlies are definitely Popovich's number one imaginary enemy. If you can't beat the Grizzlies, it's bullshit trying to get out of the West.

Therefore, every time he ran into the Grizzlies, Popovich took it very seriously. He won the last game, but that can only represent a staged victory. If you want to suppress the Grizzlies, you have to start the regular season.

So, an hour before the training started, Popovich came to the training hall, ready to discuss training plans and combat plans with his colleagues on the coaching staff.

But what Popovich didn't expect was that as soon as he opened the door of the training hall, he saw the taciturn No. 2.

Quiet, that guy is really taciturn. Unlike Duncan, Duncan actually has a lot of truth in private, and it is very funny. He has perfect sand sculpture attributes, but he is calmer on the court.

But Leonard, he is a man more taciturn than Duncan. From the field to life, it's the same.

"Kawai! We just got off the plane a few hours ago! According to my instructions, you should be resting now." Popovich looked at his watch and shouted at Leonard, who was practicing shooting.

"I'm not tired, boss." Leonard simply responded with a few words, and continued to do his own thing.

Talk to this guy, and you will know what it means to cherish words like gold.

"Stinky boy, the game is going to be played tonight, save your strength. Link has enough for you to drink a pot, remember what I arranged? Tonight, you have to kill Link and haunt him like a ghost. ... If you can get him off the pitch all over the place, that's even better."

"I still remember, Boss. Don't worry, I won't waste my energy. I'll kill him tonight."

Popovich nodded in relief. This No. 2 has only experienced a year of growth, and it is already more practical than last season.

Leonard's improvement this year is all-around, offensively, he dares to shoot. Leonard has averaged double digits this season. Of course, the most important thing is the defensive end. In Popovich's eyes, this kid is a natural defensive machine.

Excellent wingspan, suitable height, strong confrontation ability. On top of that, Leonard is now more accurate at predicting defenses than he was last season.

When Popovich's assistant coach Budenholzer told him to reluctantly give up and replace Leonard with George Hill, Popovich refused. George Hill is a malleable point guard, and Popovich believes that kid can play.

But for now, Popovich no doubt thinks he's earned it. Sure, George Hill is a good player, but Leonard has more potential. George Hill might grow into an All-Star starter, but Leonard.

Popovich now expects him to be the key to the next Spurs!

Even, it's a star!

Popovich believes that the current Leonard is enough for Link to have a good drink. Maybe in the first half, Link will play very smoothly. But with physical exhaustion, Link will fall into Leonard's entanglement.

Tonight's game, the Spurs are bound to win!

※※※

The Grizzlies seemed even more tired when Stevens saw the players in the afternoon.

Sometimes this is the case. After continuous exertion, if you don't rest and carry it hard, you may feel better. But if you rest but don't rest well, your spirit will deteriorate further.

Right now, the Grizzlies are in a "rested but not rested" state.

During training, Stevens organized everyone to run and run tactics, but the effect was very bad,

Players who are dragging their tired bodies are unwilling to work hard, and they will not achieve the purpose of training.

In the end, Stevens had to end training half an hour early, allowing the players to receive a half-hour muscle-relaxing massage.

"It's too bad, after all, it's 4 days and 3 games. Today, everyone is too tired." Grizzlies assistant Dave Jogel shook his head, wondering how well the Grizzlies could execute their tactics today.

"There's no way, I can only let them rest as much as possible. I hope that seeing those guys in black jerseys at night can arouse their fighting spirit. By the way, how is the situation on the Spurs side?" Steven Sis put his hands around his chest, very serious. Popovich wants to win the Grizzlies, Stevens wants to win the Spurs!

As a result, what young coach is not excited to play against Popovich? Stevens wanted to beat Popovich, just like Kobe wanted to beat Jordan.

Second, if the Grizzlies can't beat the Spurs, they can't rush out of the West.

The Grizzlies' goals are very high this year, and Stevens doesn't want to miss them because of the Spurs.

"The Spurs' predicted starting lineup today is about the same as before. Parker, Danny Green, Leonard, Duncan and Splitter. This lineup has been honed very well this season. On the bench, there are still There's Manu Ginobili and Boris Dior. I think we're going to have a strong interception today."

After Dave Jogel finished speaking, Stevens nodded silently.

If this game can be won today, Stevens believes that both himself and the players will benefit a lot.

After the massage, the players stepped into the arena and began to warm up. When they went out, the Spurs, the visiting team, had already started to warm up first.

Duncan looked at Link with his cult "graceful" smile. Today's Spurs are as hideous as Duncan's smile.