Li Yan discovered something amazing. The Spurs used the method of beating James to deal with him.
When it comes to dealing with James, no team is more professional than the Spurs.
In 2007, Duncan touched Young Zhan's head with fairly good hair and encouraged him: The future is yours.
Seven years later, in 14 years, Duncan looked at LeBron James, who had gone bald, and wondered whether he should say something or not.
Even though James has become bald and stronger, your uncle is still your uncle.
Seven years later, the Spurs finally succeeded in helping James, and the wanderer returned to his hometown with honor.
James' template when he entered the NBA was "Magic" Johnson, and Li Yan loaded it with the Magic template.
It can be said that Li Yan and James have many similarities.
Both are good at breaking through and attacking the basket; both are good at attracting double teams and creating opportunities for teammates through passing; both are physical monsters; both are good at controlling the overall situation and have comprehensive skills...
The biggest shortcoming of both of them is that their shooting is not stable enough.
Of course, Li Yan has better passing and control skills than James, and better low post skills; and James' violent physical confrontation is something Li Yan does not have.
But overall, Li Yan's technical characteristics are indeed a different kind of James.
No matter how good your physical strength is, there will be a time when it runs out. In the original time and space, the reason why the Spurs were able to easily defeat the Cavaliers 4-0 was because they used their strong defense to wear down James.
In G1 of the 2007 Finals, James played 44 minutes, making only 4 of 16 shots, 2 of 6 three-pointers, 25% shooting, 14 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 6 turnovers.
In G2, James played 38 minutes, making 9 of 21 shots, a field goal percentage of 42.9%, 0 of 2 three-pointers, 25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 turnovers.
In G3, James played 42 minutes, making 9 of 23 shots, 0 of 5 three-pointers, 39.1% shooting, 25 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 turnovers.
In G4, James played 46 minutes, making 10 of 30 shots, 2 of 7 three-pointers, 33.3% shooting, 24 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists and 6 turnovers.
Throughout the four games of the series, James averaged 22 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 5.8 turnovers per game. He made 32 of 90 shots and made 8 of 22.5 shots per game. His scoring was not even as many as his shots, and his efficiency was appalling.
The Spurs' tactics are obviously on the right track.
Now they just want to separate Li Yan from his teammates, let Li Yan attack, and then continue to consume Li Yan through confrontation.
Li Yan tried to crack the Spurs' defensive strategy.
First, Li Yan tried to give the ball to Anthony and Iverson, allowing the "golden guns" to solve the problem through their personal abilities.
It's just that Anthony's "broadcast gymnastics" and Iverson's "impact kill" were not very effective. The Spurs' overall rotation defense was in place.
The efficiency of the "golden guns" is average, and Li Yan's role in squatting on the outside is no different from JR Smith.
The result was that the Spurs ended the first quarter with a 5-point lead, 29-24.
If the Nuggets continue to play like this, it will obviously be a slow death.
Also, without Li Yan's time and space, the "Golden Guns" have no chance of winning against the Spurs.
If the Nuggets want to win, they must rely on the "variable" Li Yan to stir up the situation.
In the second quarter, Li Yan led JR Smith and Nene to compete with the Spurs' second lineup.
The Spurs are led by Manu Ginobili and Robert Horry.
Without Duncan and Bowen on the court, the Spurs' defensive quality dropped significantly. Li Yan and Nene's pick-and-roll effect was great, and the Nuggets continued to get easy scoring opportunities.
The Spurs also responded, but they were still at a disadvantage.
The situation is behind, but Popovich is not panic at all, he has a plan in mind.
At 4 minutes and 23 seconds into the second quarter, the Nuggets overtook the Spurs by 3 points.
In Popovich's view, the Spurs players have been rotated, and Li Yan has been consuming physical strength, which is completely acceptable.
The Spurs conducted a personnel rotation. In the starting lineup, except for Oberto who was replaced by Horry, the rest of the personnel appeared.
Nene, who played eye-catchingly on the Nuggets side, continues to stay on the court. The lineup on the court is Iverson, J.R. Smith, Anthony, Li Yan, and Nene.
This series is not only a contest between the players, but also a contest between the two famous coaches George Karl and Popovich.
George Karl obviously also used his brains. Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby, the two "rough guys", have no shooting range and can't open up space. Duncan has obvious advantages at the basket.
So George Karl put JR Smith on the court to open up space, and Nene also had certain offensive capabilities.
George Karl's idea is very nice, but it makes us Xiao Li fans feel very sad.
Forget it, the brother didn't rest for a minute, and now he was pushed to the power forward position again, and he had to flank Duncan with Nene.
Inside the studio.
Barkley said in surprise: "Wow, it's okay that Li didn't rest. Now the defensive end is pushed to the inside again. It's okay to help defend other inside lines, but this is Tim Duncan!"
George Karl is too messy. No matter how good Lee is, he can't use it like this! "
Fans at the Pepsi Center also showed worried looks.
Oh my God! Everyone felt sorry for Li Yan.
But the next moment, something even more shocking happened.
Not a double attack, but a single defense.
Yes, Li Yan defended Duncan alone.
Duncan was stunned. What's the matter? Did I read that right? I’m really embarrassed to do this!
"Wang Defa!!! What is George Karl doing? Lee going to defend Tim Duncan alone? Is this asking Lee to commit suicide?"
Buckley yelled, "You can't do this!"
However, in the next scene, everyone was dumbfounded.
Li Yan was not crushed by Duncan as everyone expected.
Duncan's back fight was countered, but Li Yan actually withstood it.
"Wang Defa!!!"
"Unbelievable!!!"
Li Yan withstood "Stone Buddha" Duncan, which had a great impact on the fans' senses. (Some readers think that compared to "a mountain in Puerto Rico" that withstood the "chosen son" LeBron James, it is still a little worse.)
Duncan was very surprised. Although he only used 70% of his strength tentatively, this was not something that an outside player could withstand.
The next moment, Duncan used all his strength.
"Bang!" Under the confrontation, Li Yan took a small step back, but quickly stepped forward again.
Duncan was shocked. Is such a confrontation really what a perimeter player should have?
Of course, as a "big basic skill" Duncan will not use this offensive method.
But something fatal happened. Duncan's continuous changes in footsteps and turns failed to get rid of Li Yan.
Li Yan's long arms put a lot of pressure on Duncan.
The "Stone Buddha" felt like he was enveloped by a huge "spider web".
The usually calm "Stone Buddha" Duncan felt a little uncomfortable being guarded by Li Yan.
Feeling the surging power in his body, Li Yan's confidence exploded:
You're sweating profusely now! You are very strong, but I am defeated!
