Hearing Sam Cassell's firm voice, Phillip Sanders' frown instantly relaxed, and he couldn't help being surprised and happy.
If the "alien" can come back in the crucial battle of Tianwang Mountain, it will definitely be a timely help to the Timberwolves.
As the head coach of the Timberwolves and the man who built this team with Kevin McHale, Flip Saunders is very aware of Cassel's importance to this team.
The Timberwolves have always been eliminated in the first round in the past few seasons. There have always been conflicts in the locker room and team unity problems. The Wolf King is not a perfect leader because of his domineering attitude.
In this regard, there is a huge gap between him and Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki.
The arrival of "Sam" Cassel has brought the Timberwolves to a whole new level. He is the commander on the court and the absolute leader of the team's locker room.
The Wolf King and the "Madman" were fighting on their own at the beginning of the season, and no one was convinced by the other. Without the glue of Cassel, the Three-Headed Monster would have never been able to reach the Western Conference Finals.
"Sam, the team and I are looking forward to your playing, but your back injury..."
In fact, the Timberwolves management and team coaching staff considered persuading Cassel to play in a closed game as early as the Western Conference Finals when the Timberwolves were facing huge difficulties.
But the Timberwolves' team doctor at the time was very responsible and believed that Cassel's back injury was quite serious, and playing a closed game would have serious side effects, and the game's status could not be guaranteed.
Although Cassell is low-key, he is a veteran who has been in the league for more than ten seasons. He also won two championship rings with Olajuwon and has seen all kinds of storms.
Therefore, naturally, for the benefit of the Timberwolves team, he will not rashly shut down and ruin his career.
Moreover, Cassell's back injury was at its most serious relapse stage at that time.
"Coach Sanders, I can do it. Thomas' team doctor has told me the worst outcome!"
"This season can be said to be the final peak of my career. I am very much looking forward to winning this championship. It will also be the greatest honor of my career!"
"When we fell behind in the Western Conference Finals, I couldn't see much hope, but Lin's appearance changed everything!"
"Now we only have the last two wins left to win the championship. If we miss the championship, it may become a lifelong regret for me!"
Phillip Sanders was so excited that his voice became trembling: "Sam, thank you! I believe we will win tonight!"
After hanging up Cassell's phone, Flip Saunders looked at the assistant coaches around the conference table with bright eyes and said confidently:
"Sam is coming back tonight from behind closed doors. Let's overturn everything and rearrange our offensive and defensive tactics tonight!"
"For the Timberwolves, this is a battle that cannot be lost!"
At two o'clock in the afternoon, the Timberwolves' players, coaching staff, and team doctors had arrived at the Palace of Auburn Hills and planned to conduct a last-hour training session at the training facility.
But when accompanying Sam Cassel took off his suit and put on his Timberwolves No. 19 jersey, Lin Fei and the other Timberwolves players were surprised.
"Guys, let me and you fight side by side in Tianwang Mountain tonight! Let's win that damn victory!"
Cassel deliberately did not reveal the news in the hotel in advance, but waited until he arrived at the arena to give everyone a surprise.
The Wolf King was the first to rush forward excitedly and patted Cassell's shoulder gently, not daring to use force:
"Sam, the team doctor said you can play tonight? Mader is great, let's kill those Piston bandits together!"
After losing two games in a row in Detroit, the Wolf King was naturally very angry and aggrieved.
Especially when the last game ended with a buzzer beater in double overtime, it really made the Wolf King have the urge to rush forward and kill Billups.
"Madman", Szebiak and Lin Fei also gathered around, not sure whether Cassel was really ready to play.
"Sam, don't be too pushy. With or without you, we will win this battle tonight!"
"Yes, Sam. Forced to fight with injuries is not a wise choice. He will ruin your career!"
Lin Fei also comforted him: "Sam, although I miss your passing very much, please don't make fun of your own health and future!"
Cassell had a firm smile on his face. Although he was ugly, he was gentle and exuded the aura of a kind and humble academic leader.
"I will play behind closed doors tonight. You don't have to persuade me. I have already discussed it with Coach Sanders!"
"If you still feel sorry for me, your big brother, then use all your strength to defeat those arrogant guys from the Pistons!"
As soon as the words "Alien" came out, the surrounding air suddenly became quiet, and every Timberwolves player seemed to have a little more fighting spirit in his body.
The Wolf King clenched his fists tightly and gritted his teeth and said: "Sam, you are good, I will definitely beat that bastard Rashid in tonight's game!"
"Madman" was rarely silent. As Cassel's peers, he could best understand each other's mood. "Alien" was trading the end of his career for a championship.
Winning the championship this season, even if he retires on the spot, is a kind of perfection. After all, "Madman" and Cassel have been playing in the league for many years and are no longer short of money.
Compared with Cassel, "Madman" seems to need this championship more. After all, he has not won a championship in his 12-year career.
Lin Fei was also moved by Cassel's decision and opened his mouth to say something, but Cassel took the lead and smiled and patted his shoulder:
"Lin, try to be yourself tonight, I believe I can pass more good balls to you!"
Cassel's words made Lin Fei, a big man, almost break his guard. He went up and hugged the other person to cover up the tears in his eyes.
"Sam, you look handsome tonight!"
Cassel smiled: "Lin, your compliment caught me off guard!"
Although he is destined to leave the Timberwolves at the end of this season, Lin Fei will always remember his rookie season.
Remember Szebiak, an old friend, and the support and encouragement of “Madman” and Wolf King.
Also remember Flip Saunders as a bole, and Sam Cassell as a respectable big brother.
Phillip Sanders' coaching team quickly walked onto the court and quickly explained tonight's offensive and defensive tactical arrangements. Then they divided the 12-man roster into two teams for tactical drills.
Cassell hasn't had the occlusion injection yet, so he just went on the court in advance to do some simple running and passing, and moved his painful back to prepare for the game after the occlusion injection.
The effect of the occlusive injection can last about 3 hours, so the Timberwolves’ team doctor will inject Cassel’s back muscles and ligaments one hour before the game.
Make sure he lasts the entire game.
The effect of the occlusive injection is only to relieve the nerve pain for a short period of time, but it does not mean that Cassell can complete any actions on the court like a healthy player.
Injured back muscles, ligaments and mucous membranes will still affect Cassel's performance.
With Cassell on the court, Lin Fei's off-ball movements became more active. He could even try some bolder methods. Many times after running backwards, he would bend his body to catch the ball from the outside, and he also had very efficient results. Hit rate.
This also made Lin Fei more aware of how important it is for him to partner with a top point guard.
Because the Timberwolves lost in G3 of the finals, Lin Fei only received 30 points of free attributes from the system. In G4, Lin Fei did not play for even one minute, so naturally he received no reward.
In addition to the 30 points of free attributes accumulated in two days of training, a total of 60 points were added to the defensive attributes.
[Ding, all 60 points of free attributes have been added to the defensive attribute, and the defensive attribute +1 has been raised to 53 points]
Lin Fei's little nose twitched, the defense value was increasing more and more slowly.
For the sake of precious free attribute points, we must win tonight’s game at Tianwang Mountain!
After the training, Phillip Sanders made the final summary and arrangements:
"Sam, Trenton, Madman, Kevin and Olowokandi are starting tonight!"
"Lin and Szebiak are back on the bench. You two are still the team's most important rotation players!"
"The starting lineup continues to maintain the offensive and defensive strategy of the last G4 game. Kevin and Latrell attack the basket more offensively to cause damage and actively rush for offensive rebounds!"
"Trenton, you are easily missed. Don't hesitate after getting the ball and take action decisively!"
"Olowokandi, you have been beaten twice in a row by Big Ben at the basket. The team needs you to show a positive performance tonight. No one dares to say that you are a parallel import No. 1 pick!"
"On the defensive end, we need to show a tougher attitude and sense of pressure to force the Pistons to make mistakes and gain more opportunities to counterattack fast breaks!"
"Only by playing more counterattacks and fast breaks can we destroy Detroit's arrogance at home, and Lin can hit more three-pointers!"
Under the spotlight, the time quickly came to seven o'clock in the evening.
The home fans at the Palace of Auburn Hills were extremely enthusiastic, and the Pistons' pre-game appearance ceremony was also explosive.
"Beep!"
At the whistle of referee Stephen Jiawei, the most intense and intense battle of Tianwangshan in the finals officially began.
The Minnesota Timberwolves' starting five are:
Point Guard (PG): Sam Cassel,
Shooting Guard (SG): Trenton Hassell,
Small forward (SF): Latrell Sprewell,
Power forward (PF): Kevin Garnett,
Center (C): Michael Olowokandi.
The return of "alien" Sam Cassell made Pistons fans feel a little uneasy.
But more Pistons fans think this is a good sign, because Cassel's back injury is unlikely to improve in a short time.
If Cassel plays in a closed game, this further illustrates that the Timberwolves are at the end of their rope.
In front of the live commentary desk, tonight's commentary partners are still TNT's two live treasures, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
As Sam Cassell’s big brother during the Houston Rockets’ two consecutive championships, Kenny Smith couldn’t help but admire:
"Sam has always been the bravest fighter on the field, and I saw that in his rookie season!"
"I hope the Timberwolves tonight can bring bigger surprises to the fans!"
As "Lin Chui" Charles Barkley, the focus is not on Cassell himself:
"Sam's return may mean that Lin will get enough playing time tonight. What the Timberwolves need more is not Sam to score, but assists!"
"Lin is an extremely eccentric and talented shooter. He needs a more perfect point guard next to him!"
After Lin Fei fell off the cliff in G3 and G4 of the finals, Charles Barkley stood up for Lin Fei in public, believing that the Timberwolves' tactical system could not match Lin Fei's superb off-ball ability.
"We can't ask for more from an undrafted player. After all, this guy only earns an annual salary of $350,000! He should have been sitting on the bench as a free VIP spectator!"
"In any championship-level team, if there is a minimum-paid player who dribbles poorly and defends poorly, his catch-and-shoot three-point shooting rate exceeds a terrifying 80%,"
"Then if this team cannot use this player properly and make reasonable use of his off-ball and three-point abilities, it only means that there is a problem with the main configuration and coaching team of this team!"
"And there is nothing wrong with the player himself!"
"No matter how accurate and powerful a sniper rifle is, it still needs a well-trained special forces soldier to unleash its great power!"
"There is no doubt that Lin is a sniper rifle for the Timberwolves. Let us wait and see how the Timberwolves will make good use of it tonight!"
Charles Barkley's remarks can be said to fully demonstrate his identity as "Lin Chui".
It not only found enough reasons and cover for Lin Fei's sluggish performance in G3, but also full of expectations for Lin Fei's battle at Tianwang Mountain tonight.
On the court, the two teams jumped the ball at the beginning.
This time Olowokandi learned his shame and acted bravely, finally gaining some face after failing to jump the ball in four consecutive games.
"Snapped!"
Sam stepped forward to take the ball and advance, and the Timberwolves took the lead in attacking.
Although he received a blocking injection in advance and could no longer feel the pain in his back muscles and ligaments, Cassel was still more cautious at the beginning and did not dare to make too drastic movements.
Billups soon followed up fiercely, deliberately creating more physical confrontation for Cassel.
Cassel handed the ball to the "Madman" immediately. The "Madman" made a pick-and-roll with the Wolf King in the high post, and misplaced Rasheed Wallace.
"Whoosh!"
"Madman" made a very sharp breakthrough at the beginning. He passed by Roaring Tianzun, entered the penalty area, jumped decisively and delivered a layup.
Seeing that the "madman" had already taken off to raise the ball, Big Ben decisively let go of Olowokandi and turned over to defend him, and he was about to score a big shot.
However, facing Ben who came up to defend on the left and Rashid who was chasing behind him, the "Madman" actually remained calm in the face of danger. He made another familiar fake shot and passed the ball. With a flick of his wrist, he gave the ball to Ou behind Ben. Lowokandi.
The basketball almost flew past the side of Ben's face. Ben Wallace was so shocked that he couldn't hold back his big hand and slapped it hard on the empty steel backboard.
Kenny Smith in front of the commentary desk was extremely excited, patted the table and said:
"Latrell's difficult pass was so beautiful. It was exactly the same as the assist he passed to Lin at a 0-degree angle on the right side in G2 of the finals!"
Although "Madman" passed the ball beautifully, Olowokandi, the rough guy under the basket, failed to catch the ball and almost made a mistake with his hand and went out of bounds.
By the time Olowokandi held the basketball firmly for the second time and was about to take off for a dunk, Ben had already turned over and came back to defend.
"Give me the damn ball!"
The Wolf King came down the middle and roared at Olowokandi. After receiving the ball, he jumped up decisively and smashed the ball into the basket through Ben Wallace who was unable to block the shot.
"Boom!"
"Beep!"
The ball went in and the buzzer sounded, and referee Stephen Jiawei signaled Ben Wallace to foul the Wolf King's shooting thug.
2+1.
The Wolf King beat his chest and roared, showing his dominance as the new MVP.
At the beginning of the game, Ben dunked to score 2+1, which was of great significance to the Timberwolves playing away from home.
After losing two games in a row, Kevin Garnett also deeply reflected on his own problems. He cared too much about the honor of FMVP, which became a subtle shackle and burden on him.
In tonight's game, with the return of Sam Cassel, the Timberwolves can be said to be back to almost full form.
The starting five dominate the offense and defense, and Lin Fei and Szebiak on the bench provide sufficient firepower support. The Timberwolves that beat the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals tiebreaker are back tonight.
"Uh-huh!"
The Wolf King went to the free throw line and made an extra free throw. When he returned to defense, he roared at Ben Wallace: "Man, I will send you off the field with six fouls tonight!"
Pistons offense.
Billups focused on Cassel's point, and he fought hard with his upper body, squeezing the opponent to break through the penalty area.
But Cassel defended the ball very well. His rich experience and faster speed made up for the lack of tonnage, making Billups' breakthrough very uncomfortable.
Billups made an emergency stop and held the ball behind Cassel. This time he was convinced of his guess. It seemed that Cassel had really sealed the deal to win the finals.
"Sam, in order to win a FMVP for the Wolf King, are you going to ruin your own future?"
Although he is not good at talking trash, Billups does not mind using some psychological tactics in order to win.
Cassell was always alert to Billups' movements and responded with a chuckle:
"Chauncy, you should be the one who wants to compete for MVP, right? Richard's scoring average is much higher than yours!"
Billups didn't waste any more nonsense and quickly summoned Rasheed Wallace for a pick-and-roll, but the Wolves switched defense very decisively, and his long arms completely enveloped Billups' shooting space.
"Whoosh!"
Billups naturally passed the ball to Rasheed Wallace, but the ball was passed carelessly, and Cassel rushed forward and directly completed the steal.
"Snapped!"
During the counterattack and fast break, Cassel gave the ball to the "Madman" who was rushing down the left wing. The latter completely threw away Prince with his speed and explosive power, and went directly to the basket.
Billups could only grit his teeth and switch to defense to prevent the "Madman" from making a fast break dunk.
As the "Madman" broke through the basket, the ball protector held up Billups, looked at all six directions, and made a comfortable pass to the ground without looking at anyone.
Cassel, who quickly followed up from the left, caught the ball and jumped up, hitting a layup and scoring two points.
"Uh-huh!"
Timberwolves (5): (0) Pistons.
Lin Fei, who was on the sidelines of the Timberwolves, also jumped up and waved a towel with Szebiak, and his eyes also flashed with emotion.
It can be clearly seen from Cassell's fast break layup just now that even if he blocked the ball and prevented the pain of his back injury, his technical movements were still restricted and he was inevitably stiff.
At the same time, in the counterattack fast break just now, Lin Fei believed that if he was on the court, he would definitely have the confidence to get a chance to catch the ball from the outside.
Under the iron barrel defense of the Pistons' five tigers, Lin Fei can only hope to get more shots by playing more counterattacks and fast breaks.
(End of chapter)
