No one thought that the Clippers would change coaches before the game against the Warriors.
Moreover, Tyronn Lue did not resign or leave his job, but retreated to the position of assistant coach.
Then the general manager assumes the role of head coach.
This reminds people of the 2006 Heat.
After Stan Van Gundy led the team to lose the Eastern Conference Finals in 2005, Riley forced Van Gundy to resign in the 2006 season and then took over the Heat.
Then he led the Heat, a group of veterans, all the way to the finals, and created a miracle to win the championship, which can be regarded as a model of temporarily taking over to win the championship.
However, the Heat plummeted in the 2007 season, fell apart, and were swept in the first round.
Riley has also been criticized for being a peach picker, because if Wade had not been injured in the 2005 season, the Heat would have probably passed the Pistons and entered the Finals.
By the 2006 season, it was a matter of course, but Riley jumped out and led the team to win the championship based on the structure established by Van Gundy.
In fact, this is not the first time Riley has done this. In the 1981-1982 season, Riley took over Westhead's Lakers midway.
Then that season, the Lakers defeated the 76ers and won the championship. Riley also became famous in one fell swoop and began his journey as a famous coach.
However, the Lakers' basic lineup structure had been established at that time, and they won the championship in 1980, forming a proper championship team.
Coupled with the Lakers' super-talented lineup with four No. 1 picks and No. 2 picks at that time, Riley more or less gave people the feeling of picking a peach.
Picking peaches twice in a row gave people a reason to criticize Riley, but Riley didn't care. Winning the championship was his only goal.
Min Congda had the same idea at this moment, and the Clippers' lineup and tactical system were clearly created by him. When he stepped forward to be the head coach, it was not picking peaches, but returning them to their original owners.
After observing for more than half a season and repeatedly watching videos, Min Congda has felt that the Warriors are on par with the Clippers in terms of hard power.
It is impossible for the Clippers to run at a constant speed and easily crush their opponents like they did last season.
Meeting the Warriors in the playoffs will definitely be a terrifying battle.
For his fourth consecutive championship, and for this fierce battle, Min Congda started preparing early.
Returning to the Clippers coaching position before challenging the Warriors at Oracle Arena in February is also part of Min Congda's preparations.
This decision is not sudden. In fact, Min Congda had already started communicating with the coaching staff more than two months ago. He wants to take command of the team in February.
Therefore, Min Congda followed every away game. Min Congda also actively participated in pre-match preparations and training, and worked with the coaching staff to formulate combat plans.
One thing the Clippers are better than many teams is that they are extremely united internally. From the coaching staff to the players, everyone is in one heart.
If a team is not united, no matter how strong its individual abilities are, it will not be able to exert 100% of its strength, and it may even hold each other back, causing internal friction.
The Warriors are also very united, but the Warriors' unity relies on one breath, a spirit of revenge that must overthrow the Clippers this season and win the championship.
This tone can only last for two seasons at the longest, and there is a high probability that it will not be maintained in the third season. However, with the talent of their lineup, without this tone, they are still capable of winning the championship.
Therefore, Min Congda knew that it would not be easy for the Clippers to defeat the Warriors. They must regard their opponents as their number one enemy and find ways to gain an advantage at the beginning of the regular season.
Tonight's regular season game is a game that competes for psychological advantage and morale. The Clippers must win a victory on the road, otherwise being killed by the Warriors three times in a row during the regular season will be a big blow to the players' psychology.
Min Congda's surprise appointment was a moderate blow to the Warriors.
Before the game, Steve Kerr was still full of confidence. Even without Kevin Durant, he believed that the team could still defeat the Clippers at home.
The Warriors' record this year gives Cole reason to believe that they are the strongest team in the league this year.
The combination of James + Durant is indeed very powerful, and it has been put into good use in the hands of Cole, with a good chemical reaction effect of 1+1 greater than 2.
On the bench, Cole also focused on developing Draymond Green, becoming the team's super sixth man, a versatile player on both offense and defense.
The existence of Green gives the Warriors excellent flexibility in the forward position. Each of the three has its own characteristics. One is an absolute super attacker, the other is a historical all-around athlete, and the third can do all kinds of dirty work. , a new era second-round small forward who can truly play five positions.
These three people take turns playing, and they are completely worthy of the Clippers' three-forward combination of Leonard, Paul George and Butler, and are even stronger in terms of overall strength.
Not to mention that the Clippers are now without Paul George. The forward triangle that once dominated the league has collapsed and is already at a disadvantage.
Although the Lillard + Thompson backcourt cannot compare with the Clippers in terms of offensive influence, their firepower is equally strong.
Especially Thompson's defense. In theory, he is also an excellent defender who can swing at the second and third positions, which is something Curry and Harden do not possess.
The only thing the Clippers have a big advantage is their inside line. Fatty Kelan has declined this year and has suffered many injuries. Milicic's retirement has resulted in no hitters.
Anthony Davis is the Clippers' only absolute advantage. In the first two games between the two sides, Davis missed one due to injury and was severely restricted in the other.
In short, when it comes to the lineup on paper, the Warriors really live up to the Clippers at all, and are even better than the Clippers in terms of experience and strength.
Therefore, it is natural for Cole to be confident, but there is a prerequisite, that is, the opposite coach is Tyronn Lue, not Min Congda.
Before the start of the game between the two sides, after the opening ceremony, the coaches walked to the midfield technical table to shake hands and greet each other.
Cole is 1.91cm tall and is considered an average short man among NBA players, but he is a giant when faced with Min Congda.
But the 175-year-old Min Congda has been in the league for many years, and no one dared to underestimate him because of his height, just like no one dared to underestimate David Stern.
At the moment of shaking hands, Min Congda looked directly into Steve Kerr's eyes and said, "Steve, do you want to take revenge on me?"
Min Congda's hands were not big, but they were very strong. He grabbed Cole, as if forcing Cole to answer the question.
Deep down in his heart, Cole must have resentment towards Min Congda and the Clippers.
They hired me from the TV station and said they wanted to implement my tactical concepts, but in the end they only made me an assistant coach.
Well, I did it for my ideal, and it succeeded, and the Clippers became the championship.
But he suddenly fired me and sent me to the rival Cavaliers.
After a short honeymoon in the Cavaliers, the memories that followed were not really good ones.
Cole once wanted to end his coaching career and go back to being a commentator.
When he came to the Warriors, he felt reborn. The Warriors' regular season record this year is aimed at 70 wins.
Today is all thanks to Min Congda, so Cole's statement that he doesn't want revenge must be a lie.
But for Min Congda, Cole also had a little fear deep in his heart. He was never convinced when he faced Jordan.
Because in his opinion, although Jordan is very strong and is the absolute king on the basketball court, he is essentially a great athlete.
Without basketball, the developed sports industry in the United States, and not living in this era, Jordan might have been an ordinary social elite in his opinion, and he would not have achieved such high achievements.
It can also be seen from his later management of the Wizards and Bobcats, including playing baseball, etc. After leaving the basketball game, Jordan cannot be said to be mediocre, but he cannot be said to be great.
Cole is not afraid of such a person. He only appreciates and admits that this person is really strong, but in his heart he says, "Although I can't beat you, I just don't accept it."
But Min Congda was different. He was convinced by Min Congda before he was sent to the Cavaliers. Cole really couldn't see through him or understand this person.
He felt that he was suppressed everywhere and his every move could be predicted. In daily interactions with him, he felt that he was a man of great wisdom.
Being a person, doing things, and running a basketball team is called "an antelope hanging its horns without a trace." Especially the understanding of basketball is extraordinary and does not stick to any form or experience, highlighting the essence of seeing through and playing freely.
It is really scary for such a person to appear on the opposite side as a coach.
Cole was silent for two seconds. He didn't know how to answer Min Congda's question.
Min Congda smiled, let go of his hand, and said, "I wish you good luck. This year may be your only chance."
(End of chapter)
