Seven Hundred and Seventy-Four: Was Surprised

Gregg Popovich's long-standing confidence lies in his firm belief that the Grizzlies will play a traditional two-post lineup.

In this way, the Spurs can just restrain the Grizzlies with their big and four small. Coupled with Leonard's defense against Link, playing against the Grizzlies will not be a problem.

But as soon as the game started today, the situation exceeded Popovich's expectations. The Grizzlies actually changed their formation. A team that was ridiculed by the fans for "playing to death with a set of starters" actually took the initiative to change their formation!

Not just Popovich, many people, even Grizzlies fans, didn't expect this!

Popovich couldn't help turning his head to look at the other half, and his eyes fell on Dave Jogel.

While Joger is the coach of the year, Popovich doesn't think Joger is a tactician. To Popovich's assessment, Joger is one of the kind of coaches who can't make mistakes, but also won't give you too many surprises.

He has always believed that Joger can not find a way to deal with the Spurs big and small. Just like Scott Brooks, haven't he and his Thunder never been adjusted?

But now the Grizzlies' starting lineup has allowed Popovich to refresh his understanding of Joger.

Could it be that the guy has found out that the Spurs are actually playing big and small?

Popovich shook his head, ignoring the mess.

What Popovich didn't know was that Joger had responded early because he had a player next to him who had just made the All-NBA first team.

After the Grizzlies attacked, the Spurs' defense spread wide. Obviously, they are very confident in one-on-one marking.

But at this time, it was Duncan who was the most uncomfortable to guard against. Because the Grizzlies play one major and four minors, the Grizzlies don't have a second insider.

After Split stuck to Gasol Jr., Duncan suddenly found himself unable to find a match.

Whether it's Iguodala, Link or Jimmy Butler, they're a big mismatch for Duncan!

Although Duncan can't jump very much, his ability to stand and protect the frame is still very strong.

But if Duncan is allowed to defend, it will be difficult for some strongmen.

But now, Duncan has no choice!

Old Deng gritted his teeth and posted Butler, he must mention the high position he is not good at.

In the face of Duncan, the superstar, Butler was not nervous.

Playing one-on-one with the most feared player in the world every day made Butler forget what it was like to be afraid.

Duncan stretched his arms as much as possible to increase his defensive area.

Link began to break through under the entanglement of Leonard, and Duncan was ready to make up for Link at any time.

In the process of breaking through Leonard, Link experienced what it was like to play against the "quasi-FMVP".

The Spurs' No. 2 defense has improved a lot and his physicality is much better than last year. It's almost impossible to force through his defense. Even if LeBron comes, it is estimated that he will be swayed.

However, Link's purpose for forcibly breaking through Leonard was not to score points.

As the circle between Leonard and Duncan was about to form,

Link jumped up and turned halfway in the air, passing the ball to Butler who was waiting outside the left three-point line!

It stands to reason that it is impossible for Link to have passing vision just now. Duncan and Leonard not only blocked his path, but also blocked Link's line of sight.

But Link knew that Butler would retreat to that position before he broke through.

Link's passing relies not on his eyes, but on his control and understanding of the game situation.

Grant Hill's high basketball IQ and Link's hard work made it easy for Link to find teammates in the open.

Butler caught the basketball from beyond the three-point line. At this time, Duncan had shrunk to the paint area due to the relationship between defending Link.

So what Butler gets is a huge vacancy!

Without hesitation, Butler, who started the playoffs for the first time this season, shot the first ball in the Western Conference finals!

Butler's three-point shooting percentage this season is actually not high, and it is even a step backward compared to last season.

After all, it will take years for a player like him to completely improve his shooting.

But Butler is not completely without shooting from beyond the three-point line, not to mention, when he deliberately practiced shooting yesterday.

Popovich's head swayed with the basketball moving in the air, then watched as the basketball rolled up the white net.

"Jimmy Butler made the first shot and made a good shot! We don't know why Coach Dave Jogel suddenly replaced Randolph with Butler, but at least from the first shot, Butler did Played a huge role! Beautiful goals, beautiful assists, the defending champions took the lead at home!"

"Damn it!" Popovich scolded secretly, the Grizzlies suddenly came to such a big and four small, the Spurs were not right on the defensive end at all!

But that's okay, Popovich believes the Spurs can take back the lost points with their inside advantage.

Diao, who is 2.03 meters, can defend the inside line, but the Grizzlies' forwards may not be able to do it.

So Popovich clapped his hands on the sidelines and gestured to Parker.

Parker understood in seconds, then slowed down.

This round, the Spurs have to play the ball inside!

It would be suicidal for the Grizzlies to guard Duncan with a small man. But if you use a small man to defend Split, the Brazilian also has the advantage of height and wingspan as a five. In any case, the Spurs have an advantage in the paint!

Popovich touched his chin, the Spurs can't guard the Grizzlies, and the Grizzlies don't even try to guard the Spurs!

After Parker slowly passed the half, Duncan and Split were already in position.

Then people were surprised to find that Gasol, who was 2.16 meters tall, went to defend Duncan. The fifth position of Split was defended by Link himself!

Parker didn't think much about it, and directly hit the ball to Split in the low post.

The fifth position is dislocated to play outside, this is a perfect opportunity!

Back in those days, it was a huge disadvantage for small guys to be dislocated to guard the 5. For example, it's hard to imagine how Link is going to guard O'Neal or Yao Ming.

But in this day and age, the advantage and dominance of the five in the paint is diminishing. After receiving the ball, Split hit twice, and found that he couldn't stand Link!

The advantage of the center in the interior has become smaller, and it is even impossible to play dislocation, which is actually one of the reasons for the advent of the small ball era.

Since the big man does not have an advantage, then everyone simply does not need the big man.

Popovich gritted his teeth, he didn't expect this kind of situation.

Link's defense is indeed notoriously good, and he is this year's All-Defensive First Team + Best Defensive Player Winner.

But Link's dominance on the defensive end, like Leonard's, is mostly on the perimeter.

But now, Link has shown his tenacious defensive ability in the interior!

Split's face turned red with a "swish". As an insider who can't stand at the 3rd position, this is indeed very humiliating.

Then, Split forcibly turned around, ready to complete the offense with a slow three-step hook.

However, Split, who averaged less than 5 shots per game in the playoffs, was not used for this. Although he is the European MVP, his offensive skills are still too rough in front of Link.

Split dribbled the ball in front of Link, and Link seemed to be watching in slow motion.

Seeing the timing, Link started everything, and gave Split a mistake.

Link proved with practical actions that the Spurs' double height has no advantage in front of the Grizzlies' big and four small!

After the steal, Link took advantage of the situation to advance and counterattack. Just as he looked up, he found that Jimmy Butler had rushed to the front.

The Butler guy, had no intention of being the most aggressive player on the court today.

Without hesitation, Link pushed the ball forward! The basketball quickly passed halftime and fell into Butler's hands.

At this time, there was no one in front of Butler. Although there is Green blocking behind him, the distance is still a little far.

So, after the 3-pointer just now, Jimmy Butler showed the fans another two-handed dunk!

At 5-0, the Spurs, who originally wanted to surprise the Grizzlies, were "surprised" instead.

Seeing Popovich's surprised expression, Link smiled contentedly.

Before, Durant failed to rewrite history and still lost to the Spurs according to the original historical trajectory.

Then, history will be rewritten from today!

"Boris, get ready to play!" Popovich yelled at the Frenchman on the bench, and he had to implement his plan ahead of time.

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