This year’s conference finals in both the East and West are weird.
The six games that have been completed have all been victories by big scores.
Either you kill me or I kill you. There is no critical moment or the last moment.
After the first half of every game, some teams collapse immediately.
In the game between the Cavaliers and the Celtics, it's not that the Celtics are strong enough, but that there are special factors.
But the game between the Lakers and the Warriors is indeed a game between the two teams!
After G1, the whole world was shocked by the power and magic of the Lakers.
After G2, the whole world began to be shocked by the strength of the Warriors.
Then, after G3, everyone was numb. Such a powerful Warriors team was actually defeated by 30 points. In the end, after everyone was shocked, they could only call Coach D bullshit.
Barkley, who had retired for so many years, was actually able to get back into playing shape by Coach D!
A veteran who was signed by Coach D as a mascot actually became a key player in the playoffs!
This directly caused TNT's commentator O'Neal to hold the donkey's butt and chew on it after the game. While chewing, he shouted, "Magical Coach D!"
Well, before the start of G3 between the Lakers and Warriors, the Lakers' center started with Barkley instead of Garnett. O'Neal bluntly said that Barkley would lead the Warriors to easily defeat the Lakers in this game. If not, He kissed Barkley's big ass right after the game!
Then, after the game, Barkley disliked O'Neal's bad mouth and refused to let O'Neal kiss him. Kenny Smith, who was very provocative next to him, directly brought the donkey that had been prepared long ago and put a hitch on the donkey. Buckley's brand.
"Shaq, kiss him, tonight he is Sir Charles!"
Farke!
This was planned!
The great Shaq has been tricked again!
"Shaq, you are right. When I was in the Lakers, I hugged Coach D's thigh, just like you are hugging a donkey's thigh now. However, I have never licked Coach D's ass, hahahaha..."
Amid Barkley's laughter, O'Neal almost choked on his own saliva.
Then, audiences around the world burst into laughter.
In this series between the Lakers and the Warriors, the game was played very unrestrainedly, and every game was a big score victory.
But the game is very exciting, exciting in all aspects, the skills and tactics of the game, the highlights of the game, and there will be a hot spot player in every game, Garnett Wade in G1, Curry and Yi Jianlian in G2, Barkley in G3 .
In every game, everyone can see something unique.
In fact, not only ordinary fans, but also the NBA coaching group and the NCAA coaching group are paying close attention to this series.
"What ordinary fans see in this series is the big score in each game. What we see in this series is the battle of three coaches."
After Phil Jackson, who was standing in front of the TV, finished speaking, Kidd nodded next to him.
This is Phil Jackson's opinion on the continuous big scores in this series.
The head coaches on both sides were changing formations like crazy, and each change was extremely effective, directly defeating their opponents.
This is very powerful.
In the NBA playoffs, it is common sense for many coaches to change their lineup if they lose the game.
However, not every coach can achieve results after changing formations, let alone directly destroy the opponent's tactical system.
In G1, Popovich relied on his familiarity and understanding of Cole to destroy the Warriors' previous tactical system, and the Lakers won a big victory.
In G2, Cole stepped out of his comfort zone and made a decisive change of formation, breaking the tactical system of the Lakers and Popovich, and the Warriors won a big victory.
In G3, Popovich decisively changed the lineup and replaced Garnett with Barkley. This broke the Warriors' tactical system and the Lakers won another victory.
As the best head coach in the NBA, even Phil Jackson has not seen such a contest in the NBA for many years.
Especially since Popovich and Kerr are still a pair of masters and apprentices.
Of course, Cole is also his named disciple.
Among this group of second-generation people, the first one to come forward was Miracle Monty. Unexpectedly, the second one to come forward was Cole.
Just relying on that G2 game, Cole was gratifying enough.
You know, in 2007, Nowitzki had no power to fight back against Nelson.
Cole, on the other hand, not only fought back, but also succeeded once.
"I don't know how Cole will respond in the next game. This is a very, very difficult question."
"Mayfair, do you think Cole will not change his lineup in the next game?"
Kidd's words surprised Phil Jackson. He actually judged from his own words that he thought Cole would not change his lineup in the next game.
And this is indeed his conclusion.
In the next game, Cole is indeed likely not to change his lineup.
Even, there is no way to change the formation!
What does it mean that there is no way to change the formation?
That is, Cole has just given up the previous traditional system and plays five-little Gafak basketball.
It's impossible to change again just because you lost a game.
Moreover, the Warriors were defeated in the last game. It was not only Barkley's outstanding performance, but also the Warriors' shooters such as Curry and Klay. They were really tough.
Curry made 3 of 11 three-pointers, Klay 2 of 7, and the Warriors as a whole were 10 of 35, not even 30% from the field.
Five primary schools versus five primary schools.
One side is playing three-pointers and outside.
One side is playing inside and fast break.
If the three-point shooter cannot shoot three-pointers.
It is indeed easy to be defeated by the five small teams that play fast break and inside.
Every piece of iron you have is material and nourishment for the opponent to counterattack.
And Barkley, Ebanks, Antetokounmpo, McAway and Wade.
They can really run!
They can really defend the three-point line.
If you can't get away with a three-pointer, not only can you not outrun them, it's also difficult to attack them inside the three-point line.
In the last game, the Warriors were defeated unjustly.
Therefore, when the Warriors were defeated in the last game, it was not necessarily because the Warriors' tactical system was not good, but because the players' touch was indeed not good enough.
That being said, however, after losing so miserably in the last game, it would be difficult for most people to remain calm.
Therefore, after the previous games, many experts and media were wondering whether Cole was going to change his lineup again.
Even Kidd thought so.
Unexpectedly, Mayfair Jackson didn't think so.
"Whether Cole will change his formation in the next game will be the key to whether he can become a famous coach. If he persists and does not change his formation, then he will have one foot in the door of a famous coach."
"..."
Kidd opened his mouth.
"Why one foot?"
"If, in the next game, the Warriors still suffer a crushing defeat and fall behind 1-3, and Kerr still does not change his formation and still believes in his tactical system and players, then he will have two feet in the world. Handsome door.”
"What if we are swept by the Lakers gentlemen in the end because we don't change our formation?"
Kidd stared at Phil Jackson with wide eyes.
And Mayfair Jackson smiled.
"Then he'd be a joke."
"..."
Seeing Kidd's shocked speechless appearance, Phil Jackson put away the smile on his face and looked out the window deeply.
"There is a thin line between a famous coach and a joke. I am like this, Popovich is like this, in fact, Coach D is like this too."
You always say that Coach D likes to walk by the river. In fact, who of us, Bobo and I, is not like this?
It's just that our shoes are already wet, but Coach D's shoes are still dry.
"Famous coaches are just a bunch of lunatics who dare to become a joke."
"..."
Looking at the stunned reporters, a smile appeared on Fair Jackson's face again. Fair Jackson looked at his disciple with a smile.
"Jason, do you have the courage to be a joke?"
"..."
The shocked Kidd had almost no hesitation.
"have!"
"Congratulations, Jason, you have what it takes to become a famous coach. Your coaching career is destined to be extraordinary."
It is destined not to be an ordinary coaching career.
Either it's a joke!
Or a famous handsome man!
The one on the left is a joke, the one on the right is a famous coach.
However, we will always walk in the middle of this line!
Kidd felt that he had realized it.
So Cole, are you a mediocre person or a truly famous coach?
Kidd was curious.
In Los Angeles, Popovich is also curious.
What choice will Cole make in the next game.
He knows Cole well.
However, G2's Cole completely confused him.
In fact, Popovich couldn't understand the fact that Cole dared to take action against him in G1.
No one dares to say they know Cole now.
And he, Popovich, just knows Cole better than anyone else.
In the next game, will Cole return to traditional basketball, or will he continue to play five primary schools?
In fact, Popovich certainly hopes that Cole will return to the traditional style of play.
In this way, the Cole he was familiar with returned.
but……
Popovich knows that, I'm afraid, it won't be that easy.
Cole is definitely hesitating now, and no one can make the most decisive decision at this time.
And he and the Lakers are not so relaxed now.
Because the key to the Lakers' ability to withstand the Warriors' five small teams is Barkley.
But after Barkley played in the last game, his recovery status has not been very good.
Coach D's Lakers have rules. Barkley cannot play two games in a row and can only play a maximum of three games a week.
One game, two days of rest, the second game, another two days of rest, and the third game.
Exactly one week.
Follow this schedule.
Barkley played G3, then rested in G4, played in G5, rested in G6, and played in G7.
This rhythm is good.
He is willing to accept this rhythm.
but!
In the last game, the Warriors were at their best.
It's very unusual to be so tough at home.
Then in G4, the Warriors players are likely to get better.
The Warriors in G4 will be very strong.
If Barkley doesn't play, the Lakers will most likely be chased 2-2.
Then this series is really going to the tiebreaker.
As for G4, if Barkley plays, then it may be difficult for Barkley to play in this series in future games.
According to Barkley's current body, injuries are likely to occur in this game. Even if there are no injuries, there will be hidden dangers of injuries.
However, if Barkley leads the Lakers to win in G4, the score will be 3-1...
Thinking of this, Popovich forced himself to calm down.
According to the Warriors' style of play, it is normal for God to play one game and another to play ghosts.
The Warriors were amazing in G4, so if G5 comes to the Lakers' home court again, there's a high chance it will be a ghost!
The Lakers, who are leading 3-1, return to their home court and face Curry and Clay, who may not be so accurate. Even without Barkley, can they beat the Warriors by playing traditional basketball?
There is a high probability that the Warriors can be defeated!
Therefore, as long as G4 can win on the road, as long as the big score is 3-1, Popovich believes that his goal of 4-1 and solving the Warriors within five games can be achieved!
Of these two options, if it were him, he would certainly choose to defeat the Warriors 4-1.
In the tiebreaker, no one knows what the outcome will be.
Moreover, the Lakers' offensive mainstays Wade, Garnett, Pierce and Barkley are all veterans.
The tiebreaker is very detrimental to the Lakers.
As the veterans' consumption increases and their physical reserves deteriorate, it is difficult to guarantee their offensive status.
The longer it takes, the worse it will be.
Popovich knows this.
In fact, most people on the Lakers know this.
I heard that Barkley himself has gone to coach D, hoping that coach D can lift the restriction on his playing time.
As the acting head coach of the Lakers, Popovich certainly hopes that all his players can play.
but……
Popovich sighed.
Now, he knows what kind of difficult environment Coach D is coaching in.
Coach D led the Lakers to 73 wins in the regular season this season. In such an environment, he constantly rotated, constantly rested veterans and injured players, and led various rotation players and young players to deal with injuries and injuries. Achievements achieved despite the constant torment of injuries.
In the playoffs, Coach D defeated the Spurs, which he claimed to be the strongest in history, in such an environment. Even if he put on a magical costume, he lost in the end.
Now I am giving even Barkley a headache.
And Coach D, when he played the Spurs in the playoffs, he gave up to Wade and Seth Curry!
"Pop, the longer you stay with the Lakers, the more you will understand how great Coach D is. After you have stayed with the Lakers for enough years, you will feel that if there is a God in this world, then this God can only It’s Coach D.”
Recalling Stephen Jackson's words, Popovich now feels more and more justified.
Just when Popovich was struggling with whether Barkley would be able to play in the next game.
The door to the Lakers training ground was pushed open.
"Hey boys, your greatest King Charles, he's back!"
Looking at the familiar big butt, Popovich's eyes widened.
In an instant, surprise appeared on Popovich's face!
"It's stable, the Western Conference finals, it's stable!!"
For a moment, Popovich looked at Barkley with a look of respect and sadness.
Maybe he will win his first career championship.
However, he may not be able to play in any finals game.
so.
Everyone in the entire training hall looked at Barkley in silence.
Buckley came in with a laugh.
But other people in the training hall couldn't laugh.
In everyone's mind, Barkley looked like a dead dog in the locker room after the last game.
Less air in, more air out.
It really seemed like he was about to die.
Barkley is back.
But the atmosphere within the Lakers was calm.
Even after watching the game between the Cavaliers and Celtics.
Even if you see that the Cavaliers are already leading the Celtics 3-1.
Everyone on the Lakers was very calm when discussing the game.
"It seems that they also know that if the Black Knights play two games at home, they may not be able to walk out of Cleveland alive."
"Now it's 1-3. I'm curious what else they can do."
Lakers players are discussing this game.
And right now.
Buckley, who had been silent until now, spoke.
"If he wins the championship, will you respect him?"
"He has played in the most finals. Will you respect him?"
"Give you a chance to spiritually transcend yourself. Will you give up this opportunity?"
"Yes, this is not pain, this is opportunity."
Look at the smile on Barkley's face.
Everyone in the Lakers' eyes widened.
"If that day comes, I swear, you will envy me for being the only one to walk out of the court lying down!"
"And this is the new Lakers spirit, right, teacher Devin Ebanks."
Looking at the smile on Barkley's face, Ebanks was stunned for a moment, and finally nodded.
"yes."
This is the new Lakers spirit!
(End of chapter)
