In response to the failure in the playoffs last season, the Cavaliers have made some fine-tuning in their tactical strategies this season.
In the 2008-09 season, the Cavaliers followed the ultimate defense and allowed the lowest points per game in the league during the season, averaging 90 points per game.
Their scoring average is 100 points per game, and they can beat their opponents by 10 points in each game. Before the start of the Eastern Conference Finals of the playoffs, the Cavaliers averaged only 78 points per game in the first two rounds.
Two 4:0 easily took away the opponent.
It can be said that under the guidance of Mike Brown, their defense has reached a very high level.
But on the offensive end, the Cavaliers rely heavily on James, relying on James' quick counterattacks and breakthroughs and distribution in positional battles.
It can be said that the Cavaliers are a team built entirely around James' style of play.
There are big Zs inside, tall rim protectors like Varejao, and small guards with three-point shooting ability on the outside.
James is a super versatile oversize historical striker. Rather than linking everyone else together alone, it is better to say that a group of people defend him and move towards the throne.
It's a pity that in the Eastern Conference Finals, they encountered the high-ranking outside shooters of Warcraft Howard and the Magic. The old and weak inside and the short outside became fatal injuries.
And the 2009 Warcraft is the only player in the league who can physically compete with James.
The matchup and tactical configuration of both sides in this round of the series were purely Tianke. Even with the help of the league referees, the Cavaliers still lost without much suspense and suffered a fragile defeat.
You know, the Magic only got through seven games against the Celtics without Garnett in the semifinals.
If Garnett comes back...
This season, the Cavaliers have added Shaquille O'Neal inside, hoping that the old Superman can restrain Warcraft.
Anthony Parker was signed on the outside, hoping to improve the team's outside height, but to be honest, the improvement is relatively limited.
On the defensive end, the Cavaliers no longer pursue ultimate defense this season, and their pressure has slowed down.
Because no matter whether Varejao, Big Z or O'Neal is inside, they are unable to support the high-intensity defense of the whole court.
Especially O'Neal, when he is on the court, the deficiencies on the defensive end are obvious to the naked eye.
It's just that O'Neal still has residual power on the offensive end, which can enrich the team's low-post offense.
The Cavaliers' offense is more coordinated and smooth, focusing on offensive efficiency, reducing three-point shots and improving three-point shooting percentage.
Their field goal percentage ranks among the top three in the league, and James' fast break counterattacks are among the best in the league.
When the Cavaliers couldn't open up the opening position battle, the fast break counterattack led by James began to score points.
After scoring the first fast break dunk, Curry had an idea in his mind. If he had stopped in James' fast break path just now, he would probably be killed.
The on-site play by play commentator also said: "James has the speed of a small guard, but his size is the same as Karl Malone, like a truck."
Curry continued to take charge to organize the Clippers' offense.
The Cavaliers' defense was coached by Mike Brown, and it won the true passing of Popovich from the Spurs.
Close rotation defense, pressing the three-point line and three-second zone. Once the defense is successful, rely on James to immediately launch a defensive counterattack.
Curry held the ball and relied on the cover of his teammates to shuttle back and forth outside the three-point line, but could not find a good opportunity.
Still passed it in to Randolph, but the ball was destroyed by Hickson from behind.
Randolph and Hickson grabbed the ball together, and Randolph still controlled the ball.
Passing back to the outside, Thornton took the ball and broke through the basket, but missed the shot against the defender!
O'Neal grabbed the backboard and passed the ball to James, and the Cavaliers launched a counterattack again.
James broke through the middle with the ball and passed the ball to Anthony Parker on the wing. Anthony Parker succeeded in a layup!
The Cavaliers chased two more points. Once James took the ball and pushed for a fast break, the opponent simply ignored one thing and the other.
If you play James, James will distribute the ball. If you defend alone, James will break through and you can't stop him at all.
After chasing two goals in a row, Curry finally stood up and retaliated. He seized the gap in the middle and used the rhythm to break through the basket.
Facing the cumbersome and slow O'Neal, Curry made a sudden throw and the ball bounced off the board and into the basket, scoring two points.
At 6:12, the offense on both sides became smoother and smoother, and the state was slowly coming out.
Min Congda looked at the Clippers' defense and the Cavaliers' offense and believed that against a team like the Cavaliers that relies on quick counterattacks, they must give up fighting for offensive rebounds and slow down the speed of the game.
Give up offensive rebounds, retreat with all your strength, and stop James from the back line to prevent him from rushing forward.
As a heavy forward, James once starts at full speed, the only way to stop him is to foul.
Therefore, it is necessary to interfere with his start and interfere with the knight's first pass.
"O'Neal just got a rebound. Randolph should not grab the offensive rebound, but should grab the ball from O'Neal's hand and prevent him from passing it comfortably. Others must retreat quickly, and Curry must take the responsibility. The mission of the first line of defense, but it’s a pity that this guy is too thin.”
Min Congda quickly developed a strategy to deal with the Cavaliers' defensive counterattack tactics.
This strategy is actually similar to the Boston Celtics' strategy, giving up offensive rebounds, interfering with the first pass, and destroying quick counterattacks.
Of course, the Celtics have another trick, which is that their offensive position is very efficient.
Without pursuing a second attack, try to hit one hit while slowing down the pace of the game.
It is currently impossible for the Clippers to establish such a defensive strategy.
Another wave of Cavaliers counterattack is coming.
The score between the two sides reached 10:14, and the Cavaliers had caught up to only 4 points.
In the Clippers' offensive round, Curry broke through the middle with the ball, and then passed the ball to Thornton on the wing after the pick-and-roll.
Thornton caught the ball and feinted a shot, trying to break through the basket with the ball, but James knocked the ball away!
James' defensive ability is also outstanding. He was second only to Howard in the selection of the best defensive player last season.
James' defensive position may not be good, but he has excellent physical confrontation, unparalleled strength and agility.
Knocking the ball away from Thornton, James picked up the ball and passed it to Mo Williams, and then he started an NFL running back-style charge!
Williams only dribbled the ball a few times to advance. James had already rushed to the frontcourt. Xiao Mo passed a long pass to James.
The ball looked like a dunk, and the moment James caught the ball, Curry stepped in and intercepted the ball!
"nice shot!"
Min Congda couldn't help but admire that Curry predicted the passing route correctly.
He blocked the ball in advance instead of using his body - he didn't have much body to use.
After successfully stealing the ball, Curry made a long pass from the backcourt to the frontcourt!
Gordon caught the ball and was about to go for a layup, but was intercepted by Anthony Parker.
The two sides were engaged in a chaotic fight on the court for a while, and the camera followed them back and forth.
James caught the ball again and did not waste the opportunity, throwing a high ball inside.
O'Neal had already squeezed to the basket and succeeded in an alley-oop dunk with both hands!
Now Curry has no way to intercept in advance. If he intercepts again, he will lose his life.
The two sides played a high-quality game in the first quarter, which made the fans on the sidelines excited.
At the end of the first quarter, both sides frequently engaged in fast breaks, steals, attacks on the basket, and confrontations.
James made three one-arm dunks in the first quarter.
And Curry even passed two people in a row and succeeded in a difficult throw.
Both sides were in high spirits, and the battle ended at 23:27, with the Clippers leading by 4 points.
Min Congda looked at it but shook his head and said: "Hitting randomly, beating randomly, beating randomly."
My grandma has passed away. I will try my best to maintain normal updates. Please forgive me if this is affected.
(End of chapter)
