masters-orleans Chapter 353 The Second Battle
Chapter 353 The Second Battle
Chapter 353 The Fourth Battle
On June 6, after two days of rest, the fourth game of the finals officially started.
During the rest of the first two days, the entire NBA was discussing one thing, can the Sonics win the championship today?
That's right, it's not about whether you can win the championship, but whether you can win the championship today?
After all, it is a huge advantage of 3:0, the gap is really too big.
Not to mention the many people who eat melons in the NBA, even the Nets actually have similar ideas.
"I know no team can come back 3-0, but history is man-made, isn't it?"
"It's very simple, the situation is not good for us, but we will not give up, we will keep fighting."
……
This is the head coach of the Nets, Byron Scott, and what Jason Kidd said in an interview.
The two still expressed an unyielding temperament and confidence in themselves.
It can be seen that the two denied that they belonged to ducks, and there was only one mouth left on their bodies, which was still hard.
However, just when everyone was expecting the Supersonics to win the championship, an accident happened.
Wang Hao suddenly discovered that the art of war mentioned by his ancestors, the so-called mourning soldiers must win, seemed very reasonable.
The players of the Nets are now a group of mourners, because they are too aware of the difficulty of winning four games in a row.
Perhaps because they accepted their fate, they let go completely, and there was no more pressure.
At this time, the Nets have fully played out.
47:58
At halftime, the Sonics trailed by 11 points.
After completely letting go of the burden, the Nets finally played the ultimate rotation defense.
Throughout the first half of the game, the Sonics' shooting percentage was suppressed at about 43%, especially the three-point shooting, which was only 30%.
Not just others, Wang Hao was also restricted today.
There is no way, as long as he has the ball, there will always be at least two people double-teaming. It is really difficult to hit two.
As for him passing the ball, the Nets can always rotate quickly and the defense can be in place in time.
Once the defensive efficiency is improved, the Nets will have more opportunities for fast breaks and semi-fast breaks.
Under Kidd's tandem organization, the players of the Nets can always get the ball in the most comfortable position.
Sure enough, as long as they are not caught in a positional battle, the Nets' offense is still somewhat guaranteed.
"Being 11 points behind is a really bad situation, but take it easy everyone.
We are the leading party. If we lose today's game, we are not losing the championship.
Take it easy guys, like everyone says, we're the champions, sooner or later! "
Paul Westphal's voice sounded in the locker room, and to be honest, it didn't sound like the head coach said it.
At this time, shouldn't it be to encourage the players to let them burst out with greater energy?
This is correct, but Paul Westphal obviously has more considerations.
As a player, he knows the player's mentality very well.
Sometimes, the victory that seems to be close at hand is actually a huge pressure, and it is the easiest to perform abnormally under pressure.
Not to mention, the Sonics are still a particularly young player.
Among the entire team, Gary Payton and Ewing are very experienced, but everyone else is too young.
Even Wang Hao is only in the third grade.
Paul Westphal knows very well that even if he loses this game, it is actually not a big deal.
The Sonics can also lead 3:1.
But there is one very important thing, that is, the current finals format is still 2:3:2.
That said, the next game, if any, will still be played in New Jersey.
Losing this game is no big deal.
But because of losing this game, the supersonic players were under tremendous pressure.
Even if it affects the next game, then the problem will be big.
Once losing two games in a row, the big score becomes 3:2, coupled with the momentum of the Nets chasing two games in a row, it is definitely a big problem.
Relieve the psychological pressure of the players, this is what the head coach has to do.
It's just that Paul Westphal will not give up easily if he gives up this game.
How to reverse the decline depends on the tactical arrangements.
In the first half, Paul Westphal also made some changes, such as Wang Hao and Gary Payton's pick-and-roll.
This can be one of the supersonic killer features.
However, in today's game, it was somewhat ineffective.
Wang Hao double-teamed while holding the ball, and Gary Payton switched defenses while holding the ball, which really made it difficult for the SuperSonics to play.
Gary Payton's three-pointer can only be said to be okay, but today's state is not very good.
Especially the Nets' rotation defense, which can be in place every time.
Gary Payton made 3 three-pointers from the outside, and there was no open space, basically all defenses were in place.
And Wang Hao, who has been double-teamed, naturally had a problem with the offense.
As for the Nets and the Supersonics, they are fast-paced teams that don't like to play positional warfare, but tend to switch offense and defense.
Today's Nets, using defense, seized the opportunity to switch offense and defense many times.
Under the ebb and flow, the Sonics can only be forced to play more positional battles, but unfortunately, they are targeted by the Nets' defense.
Now how to do?
At this moment, all Paul Westphal could think of was a solution.
If the team can't start the situation, it can only rely on the stars.
Just like the Bulls back then, when the team couldn't score, it was very simple, just hand the ball to Jordan.
It's just that time has changed and the world has changed, this trick will not work.
In the Jordan era, the zone defense was an illegal defense. At most, it was just hitting the sidelines and waiting for you to attack before double-teaming.
The Supersonics were able to beat the Lakers this year. In addition to various reasons, the legalization of the zone defense is also a reason.
And what Paul Westphal needs to do is to find a way to give the ball to Wang Hao and create opportunities for him to single out.
"Wang, in the second half of the game, you mainly played off the ball, just like last season.
Gary, be ready to give the ball to Wang, and everyone else is ready, pick and roll, and screens.
Wang, remember, don't be obsessed with three-pointers, you must ensure the efficiency of the offense. "
……
In fact, this is not just a simple offensive tactic, but the tactical system of the Sonics in the second half.
Create scoring opportunities for Wang Hao and improve scoring efficiency.
As long as the Supersonics can guarantee the efficiency of offense, the Nets' chances of offensive and defensive conversion will inevitably be greatly reduced.
As a result, the Nets will inevitably fall into positional warfare.
And the positional battle of the Nets is obvious to all, basically it's just two or three tricks.
And the premise of all this is to throw the ball in.
In other words, the Supersonics put all the pressure on Wang Hao, and he is the key to today's victory.
For other players, Paul Westphal will try to help them decompress and restore their sense of normalcy.
But facing Wang Hao, he wouldn't do that, and even exerted more pressure.
On the one hand, he knows that a player like Wang Hao can only unleash more abilities under greater pressure.
On the other hand, this is also as it should be.
As the core of the team, he received the most attention and honor after the team won.
In the same way, the core of the team naturally needs to bear the greatest pressure and make the greatest effort.
"Wang, in the second half of the game, we'll just watch you."
As soon as Paul Westphal said the words, the eyes of the entire Supersonic team fell on Wang Hao in unison.
Wang Hao looked back at everyone and said calmly, "No problem, just leave it to me."
The voice is very calm, but there is a huge self-confidence hidden in the invisible, unparalleled self-confidence.
It was obviously a sentence without much power, but hearing the supersonic speed in the ears of everyone made them feel a lot more at ease.
Because Wang Hao has always done this.
At the beginning of the second half, the Nets took the lead in attacking.
As soon as Kidd was outside the three-point line, he passed the ball to Corey Kiddles, and Corey Kiddles passed it to Keith Van Horn.
After a circle, it returned to Kidd's hand.
No way, this is the offensive tactics of the Nets. Everyone can pass, but no one can attack.
In the end, after Kidd broke through, he forced the ball to Corey Kiddles, and he tried to miss a long-range two-pointer.
One shot didn't make it, anyway, there is still an 11-point lead, and the Nets are not in a hurry.
Returning to the Supersonics' offensive round, Wang Hao still tried to get the ball from the low post first.
The Nets double-teamed as always, and he didn't delay, and quickly returned the ball to Gary Payton.
At the same time, Wang Hao immediately slipped the bottom line and ran to the other side. With the help of PJ Brown's cover, he quickly got rid of Corey Kiddles.
Comes out 45 degrees to the left of the rim as Corey Kiddles is blocked and he gets his chance quickly.
Gary Payton was prepared and passed the ball to him immediately.
I have to say that the Nets' defense is really good, and they have a full understanding of zone defense tactics.
After Keith Van Horn saw Wang Hao running out of the perimeter, he quickly defended him.
To be honest, at this time, if Gary Payton's pass is a little slower, Wang Hao has no chance to shoot directly.
After getting the ball, you have to find a way to create a shooting space, and then the Nets can double-team again.
Fortunately, Gary Payton will not make such mistakes.
The basketball was in Wang Hao's hands, and without any delay, Wang Hao shot it straight away.
But at this time, Keith Van Horn's interference was long overdue.
"Shh!"
And Wang Hao did not disappoint the trust of the head coach and teammates.
49:58
It's just a goal, it's harmless, and the Nets are not in a hurry, but continue the game step by step.
The only thing that troubles them is perhaps the offensive position, and they don't know how to fight at all.
Kidd thought for a while, or gave the ball to Kenyon Martin.
When Lewis is on the court, and playing at the 4, Kenyon is a strong point for the Nets.
It's just that the Nets can double-team, and so can the SuperSonics.
After Kenyon Martin took the ball, Gary Payton on the same side was already eager to try, pretending to double-team at any time.
Sure enough, as soon as Kenyon Martin dribbled the ball, he left the double-team and went up.
No way, Kenyon Martin can only pass the ball.
Kidd has long been ready to respond on the outside, but Michael Reid's rotation is also very fast.
Kidd didn't delay, and quickly gave the ball to Corey Kiddles who was in the open position. At this time, Wang Hao came up again.
Corey Kiddles passed the ball again, and the opportunity appeared in the hands of Keith Van Horn.
Because at this time, Kidd has to run from one side to the bottom corner of the other side, obviously he can't run basketball so fast.
Coupled with Keith Van Horn's height, he can only interfere as much as possible.
"Bang!"
However, Keith Van Horn's shot came out of the frame.
In fact, throughout the four games of the Finals, Keith Van Horn's performance was average.
Facing Wang Hao, he was completely powerless.
The speed is too slow to break through. If you want to use your height and weight to hit the inside line, you really can only think about it.
Even his mid-range and long-range shots, which could have been made with his height advantage, are hard shots.
But after the first three games, his shooting percentage is also very average.
In the finals, Keith Van Horn's performance was even worse than that of the original time and space.
No way, who made him face Wang Hao.
Even Reagan Fox can handle him, let alone Wang Hao.
If it weren't for Wang Hao's heavy offensive task, it would be impossible to fully pay attention to him on defense, which gave him some opportunities.
Otherwise, Keith Van Horn's performance will only be worse.
The continuous poor performance has actually affected his self-confidence and even his performance.
Let's just say that today, the overall performance of the Nets is good, but so far, he has only made 6 of 2 shots and scored 5 points and 3 rebounds.
After the start of the second half of the game, consecutive offensive failures made Byron Scott on the sidelines slightly frown.
As for the Nets players on the court, there was no time to worry, because Wang Hao had already grabbed the rebound.
After getting the ball, he didn't waste any time and directly increased his speed.
Just as Kidd was about to intercept him, he had already given the ball, and Gary Payton on the right was advancing rapidly.
Corey Kiddles didn't have time to watch Michael Reid, and quickly ran towards Gary Payton.
Facing Corey Kiddles, Gary Payton chose to break through, and he really let him go directly to the basket.
It's just that, because of the interference of Corey Kiddels, the rest of the Nets also quickly returned to the defense.
Seeing that he was about to plunge into the Nets' double-team trap, Gary Payton made a sudden shot.
This is a toss?
No, not a throw, but a pass.
I saw the basketball in a very perfect posture, not only in mid-air, but also very high.
Todd Mike Lodge took off with all his strength, trying to interfere with the pass, but found it a bit out of reach.
Although he can't bounce, but as a big center of 213 cm, this height is not low.
Corey Kiddles looked back after landing, only to see a figure jumping up from the three-second zone suddenly.
It was Wang Hao who asked Kidd.
I saw Wang Hao jumping high, the height even surpassed Todd Mike Lodge, and firmly grasped the basketball with one hand.
At this moment, Wang Hao, like riding on Todd Mike Rocky, smashed the ball into the basket hard.
"boom!"
After Kenyon Martin, another insider of the Nets was also dunked by Wang Hao.
(End of this chapter)