Min Congda became anxious and angry again.
With his keenness on the game, it goes without saying that bad premonitions are emerging again.
In the middle of the first quarter, the Spurs called a timeout, replaced McDyess, who was not performing well, and replaced him with Split.
The young Splitter came on the scene, improved the Spurs' inner basket protection problem, and increased the threat to the Clippers' basket on the offensive end.
But this player was still too young and not experienced enough, so he was immediately fouled by Baron Davis on defense.
Baron Davis went to the free throw line and made two free throws. By the end of the first quarter, the Clippers already led the Spurs by 7 points, 27:20.
It's only the first quarter, and the gap is already quite big. The key is that the Spurs can't see any good countermeasures.
The Spurs, who had flourished a lot in the regular season and dominated the league, seemed to be a completely different team in the playoffs.
There is no strong point inside, and the outside is unstable. The third position can only grab points, but the offense and defense do not meet the team's tactical requirements.
In Min Congda's view, the Spurs' performance in the first quarter, from an offensive and defensive perspective, had two failings: offensive and defensive.
Observed from an internal and external perspective, there are two things that don't work: the inside line doesn't work, and the outside line doesn't work either.
To sum up the evaluation, there are still two points that are not good: neither is this, nor is that!
Min Congda was on pins and needles sitting on the bench, as if he had fallen into that deep nightmare again.
Every team he sees will disappoint him; every arrangement he is full of confidence in will soon be shattered.
However, the Spurs' careful arrangement was shattered too quickly!
I don’t even have a seat on the bench. It seems like you are going to lose the series?
"No, this game, and even the entire series, has just begun."
"Don't panic, trust Popovich's ability to adjust. He is an excellent coach after all."
And Popovich stood on the sidelines, his mind was also confused. He looked at Split's immaturity, but didn't know who to send on the stage.
Originally, his planned substitute player should be Matt Bonner, but Bonner is now sitting on the bench of the opposite Clippers.
Moreover, the Clippers don't use Bonner very much at all. If you don't use it, why don't you give it to me? Keep it as a waste, I will use it.
In addition to Bonner, the only inside player who can be used is Juan Blair, but in terms of defending Blair, he is not as good as McDyess.
By the way, Danny Green, whom Popovich was interested in in the summer, failed to get it and was renewed by the Cavaliers. He never expected it.
Camby wanted to grab him, but he failed and was signed by the Cavaliers. Are the Cavaliers that good?
The Clippers bought out Hinrich some time ago, and Popovich also wanted to get him, but he was signed by the Cavaliers again!
Popovich was surprised, why do the Cavaliers always steal my people? In the past, the Cavaliers' management was not that smart.
Two of these three players have ties to the Clippers, and with Bonner in the mix, Popovich has reason to suspect that the Clippers management is behind the scenes.
It's that Smart!
In the end, Popovich had to sign Brad Miller with a three-year, 15 million contract to supplement the inside line.
But Miller has entered the final stage of his career. He really doesn't have much gas in the tank and has made too little contribution.
Miller's first-hand defense and support during the regular season helped the team a lot, but in the first game of the playoffs, like Ginobili, he was absent due to injury.
Popovich originally thought, I will let you have a horse and a pawn. With the Spurs' rich playoff experience and the strength of their home court, they can finish the first game and let the two players have a good rest.
But after the first quarter, the Clippers led the Spurs by 8 points, 30:22.
Popovich himself felt that he seemed a little unable to beat him.
For these experienced coaches, they know very well whether they can win or not.
If the players in this game are not in good condition, or there is a mistake in the pre-game arrangements, or the opponent performs beyond their normal performance.
If you can find a way to adjust, you can come back in the second half or the next game.
But once the players perform well, there is no problem with the pre-game arrangements, and the opponents just perform normally.
The most terrible thing is that there is no way to adjust it. If you don’t have any cards in your hand, the situation will be terrible!
The current situation is that Popovich's two cards are useless, and Dunleavy still has a handful of cards in his hand.
The main force was on the court, and according to the established plan, the Spurs were already beaten to a point where they were a little overwhelmed.
"Shetter, did the Clippers really lose on purpose and fall to eighth place to beat us? Smart is really insidious."
During the break, Popovich had already begun to slander Min Congda.
Popovich has been in the league for more than ten years, and this is the first time he has encountered someone who has caused him big trouble both on and off the court.
The key is that the other party doesn't seem to be exerting any force at all, just sprinkling water randomly.
In the second quarter, the Spurs actively made adjustments and replaced Gary Neal to enhance the team's outside firepower.
to put pressure on the Clippers' perimeter defense.
Didn't your two insiders retreat and come out to help defend?
Just use the one-on-one quick singles between Neal and Parker to score points.
This strategy is really unlike the style of Popovich and the Spurs.
But the effect was pretty good. At the beginning of the second quarter, the Spurs scored quickly.
After the Clippers replaced Harden, the team's game rhythm saw some changes.
In addition, Milicic was a little uncomfortable coming on the court, made mistakes one after another, and fouled Jefferson to the free throw line.
The Spurs once chased the score to 32:28, only 4 points behind.
But Harden received Curry's pass from the outside and hit a three-pointer from the top of the arc!
Then on defense, Blair tried to pick and roll and then catch the ball and rush to the basket.
Being defended by Paul George, he made a big block and blew away Blair's layup!
In the Clippers' counterattack, Harden quickly crossed the half court, observed while dribbling, and drove to the basket from the middle.
Suddenly the ball was passed to the bottom corner. Curry caught the ball, shot a three-pointer, and hit it again!
Curry's third three-pointer of the game.
Two second-year young men, their talents are fully demonstrated in the offense.
Popovich felt an itch in his heart when he saw it.
Pure talent, not relying on tactics or discipline to play.
This dribbling observation, this center attack, and no-look passing are all full of uncertainty and imagination.
It is very difficult for defenders to judge his path. This is talent, which gives the soul of tactics.
Curry, who caught the ball and shot three-pointers, was fast, accurate, and ruthless. San Antonio fans watched every shot with fear.
The two of them played with each other, 8:2, and opened the point difference to about 10 points.
Halfway through the second quarter, the Clippers were already 47:37, leading the Spurs by 10 points.
As far as the Clippers' offense is concerned, the halftime score is probably over 60 points.
You know, Clippers insider Randolph hasn't started getting serious yet.
Fatty Lan began to play support and embroidery, and his ribs frequently cooperated with his teammates in passing games.
It shows that the Clippers have not really increased their intensity at all. The players are becoming more relaxed and in a better mood as they play.
At this time, young people such as Harden, George, Curry, and Gasol finally understood.
It turns out that there was a reason why Mr. Smart was so angry and caused them to lose the last game.
The reason is very simple, the Spurs opponent is really too weak!
They have every chance to beat their opponents and advance to the next round!
Everyone competed and communicated on the field, and gradually reached this consensus.
Sure enough, they wrongly blamed Mr. Smart, and he was right.
The depression and depression before the game have all disappeared!
Of course, it didn't disappear.
But it was all transferred to Min Congda.
Before the first half was over, Min Congda's seat was already empty.
Cole looked back and saw Min Congda's empty seat and asked Ada: "Ada, where is Mr. Smart?"
Ada replied: "Mr. Smart said he had a stomachache, maybe because he ate too much popcorn."
"Maybe, this guy, I just saw that his face was not very good. He is such an adult, why do he eat popcorn every day?"
(End of chapter)
