In fact, whether it is the tactical system of last season or the newly determined Princeton tactics this season, the Blazers' offensive model is centered on the inside.
To put it simply, it relies on the offensive threat inside to attract opponents to double-team, thereby allowing outside players to get opportunities to take action. The difference is that last season's tactics required Wang Zelin to support a lot of low-post singles, while Princeton needed him to expand his offensive range and no longer be limited to the low post.
In history, only the Kings team at the beginning of the century truly brought Princeton tactics to its peak. Therefore, when subsequent teams learned Princeton tactics, they were inevitably influenced by the Kings.
However, even a master tactician like Sima Wei never thought of completely replicating King Princeton. Not only because the Spurs don't have Chris Webber, it's difficult to use this tactic to the same level as the Kings, but more importantly, they have Tim Duncan. What they need more is a Princeton team with Spurs characteristics, rather than a complete Princeton team. Replica King.
In the same way, as the season progresses, both the players and the coaching staff of the Trail Blazers have learned and understood Princeton more and more deeply, and they have gradually formed their own characteristics instead of pure imitation.
After all, those who learn from me will live, and those who resemble me will die.
The Trail Blazers played Princeton, which was not as dependent on stars as last season, but it also did not reach the level of everyone in the Kings era.
In fact, to put it bluntly, it is a matter of efficiency. The real Princeton system is more suitable for teams without superstars and with high requirements on players' personal abilities.
Because there are superstar teams. Often one or two people can rely on simple and efficient singles to solve all the problems on the field quite roughly. For example, the Lakers OK combination, which was the same generation as King Princeton, is the epitome of the star's style of play.
Also, all superstars have their own pride and quirks. They are not willing to give up the ball or have inside players mention the top of the arc or the high post as a starting point for tactics.
Therefore, the Trail Blazers can beat Princeton. Integrating tactical ideas into their own team's offensive system and finding their own way is inseparable from their two outstanding insiders, Zelin and Aldridge.
Wang Zelin is excellent in support, shooting, and low-post singles. He can take on the work that Webb was responsible for in the Kings at his peak. Aldridge is different. His offensive firepower far exceeds that of Vladi Divac, but his support awareness and court insight And passing ability is not as good as the latter.
Therefore, there is no need for Terry Stotts to let the team sacrifice its strengths and weaknesses. Since the Trail Blazers don't have two inside support points like the Kings, they can just focus on one point in Wang Zelin.
What Aldridge was supposed to do before remains the same now. Anyway, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Trail Blazers have talented offensive firepower inside. The only thing Terry Stotts needs to do is to fully demonstrate the team's advantage.
…
From the beginning of the game, Wang Zelin focused on Nowitzki. On the defensive end, he took the initiative to switch defenses with Aldridge. On the offensive end, he also kept thinking about mismatch attacks.
But in this quarter, the old driver felt extremely good, and he couldn't make any shots. Even though Wang Zelin's defense was already in place, he was still beaten by his opponent with 3 of 4 shots, including a difficult long two-point Golden Rooster, which scored 2+. 1!
The old driver scored 7 points in a single quarter with a 75% shooting rate.
While Wang Zelin was annoyed, he became more determined to develop an unbeatable mid-range shot through hard training (or cheating).
You don't see many players who rely on their bodies to earn a living. In their peak years, they performed superbly in the league, but in their twilight years, they can only bounce around in multiple teams, living up to their former glory.
And a small number of superstars who chose to transform from physical to technical early on, in the twilight of their careers, are still thriving in the league.
Whether it is the previous "big ball" era or the future "small ball" era, facts have proven that the CIC is still the most lethal weapon in the league.
CIC is not only a must-have standard conventional weapon for super giants, but it is also the only weapon that allows them to defend their dignity in front of talented young players in the later years of their careers and when their physical functions have seriously declined.
Just like Dirk Nowitzki now!
Until the end of the first half, the Portland Trail Blazers, who were considered to be significantly stronger, did not lead the opposite Dallas Mavericks by much, 51:50, only leading by 1 point.
The reason is very simple. The first half became King Nuo's performance time, because during this period, King Nuo played 20 minutes, made 8 of 11 shots, and 3 of 3 free throws. He scored 19 points extremely efficiently. By the way, 3 rebounds and 1 assist.
Among the 11 shots, except for one ball-free layup and one tip-in under the basket, in the other 9 shots, King Nuo never stepped into the paint area.
It is a wise saying in basketball that the closer you are to the basket, the higher your shooting percentage will be.
But today, Nowitzki used one unsolvable mid-range killer move after another to help the Mavericks cling to the score.
While Wang Zelin was puzzled, he felt even more admiration in his heart, as did the home fans in the stands of the Rose Garden Arena.
At the end of halftime, the moment the two teams entered the rest period, a large number of fans gave Nowitzki warm applause as he walked back from the tunnel to the locker room.
At this moment, everyone seemed to have forgotten the conflicts and unhappiness before the game. What they saw was a veteran who relied on his unyielding fighting spirit to fight fiercely for half a half with the Blazers, whose lineup was obviously younger and more powerful, but still did not fall behind.
This is the last passion of a veteran. Perhaps the boss's own problems should not be raised to the players...
Nowitzki and Nowitzki once again impressed an away stadium with their superb mid-range shooting skills and pure desire to win.
Basketball should be pure.
…
Home dressing room.
Terry Stotts saw Wang Zelin return to the locker room without saying a word until now, thinking that this proud young man was dampened by Nowitzki's mid-range shot.
How is this possible?
He hurriedly stepped forward and comforted: "Wang, don't think too much. For more than ten years, Dirk's Golden Rooster has killed countless games and confused countless excellent defenders. In fact, there is no need for you to blame yourself. You It’s been done well.”
Wang Zelin raised his head in confusion: What the hell? Why do I blame myself?
However, when he saw the caring look on his coach's face, he immediately understood: "Coach, in your mind, am I just a person who gives in easily?"
Then without waiting for Tristos to answer, he continued: "In the second half, I will continue to defend Dirk! Don't worry, coach, I'm not that fragile. If you want to defeat me, 19 points is not enough!"
Feeling the firmness and confidence in Wang Zelin's words, Terry Stotts was startled for a moment, then smiled: "That's good!"
It seems that I have overthought it. This kid is not as simple as I thought. He is still tenacious!
In fact, Wang Zelin performed very well in tonight's game. He made 7 of 9 shots and 3 of 5 free throws in the first half. Not only did he score 17 points, but his shooting percentage was higher than Nowitzki's.
But the German tank, at the age of 35, scored 19 points in the first half against the young and energetic Blazers No. 36, which moved the outside world even more.
Therefore, the first half seemed to be a standout situation. In fact, the two heroes are facing each other tit for tat.
The Mavericks are also aware of this.
Away locker room.
The Mavericks players looked at No. 41 with admiration in their eyes. This 35-year-old "old guy" once again conquered all his teammates.
The king's style remains the same, and there is still a lot of oil in the tank of the German tank.
From a historical perspective, this is indeed the case.
Nowitzki, who is 35 years old this season, is performing like Tim Duncan who completely completed the transformation in the Spurs in 2012. He can be said to be a child again.
Nowitzki's average playing time in the Mavericks this year is only about one minute more than last season, but his on-court performance and offensive efficiency have suddenly improved.
Not only has he returned to the 20+ club in the league in terms of scoring, but his overall shooting percentage is as high as 49.7%, which is only 3 points less than the MVP season score in the 2006-07 season, and his shooting percentage is only 0.5% less.
Both the Mavericks and Nowitzki have actually gone downhill after winning the championship in 2011. The difference is that Nowitzki's condition is far from a cliff-like decline.
Wang Zelin knows very well that even two years later in the 2015-16 season, Nowitzki, who is two years older, still plays more than 30 minutes and can steadily contribute 18 points and 6.5 rebounds.
It wasn't until the 16-17 season that this veteran really ushered in his cliff-like decline stage.
At that time, he was already 38 years old!
While admiring them, Wang Zelin couldn't help but sigh: Whether it's Kobe, Duncan or Nowitzki, although these old guys are old, they still have a certain degree of deterrence on the court.
After all, these three old fritters are all in the West!
Since he came to this time and space, the development trajectory of the NBA in this world has gradually changed from the NBA in his memory.
The reason why people resist unknown things is because they are worried that the unknown will affect their own interests.
But Wang Zelin is not afraid at all!
He even hopes that the NBA will have stronger players and greater changes in the future.
Because no matter how strong others are, Wang Zelin will never be as strong... This is a level of self-confidence.
I’m really looking forward to what the NBA will look like in the future!
However, the most important thing right now is to win this game first.
German tank, let me see how much stock you still have in your fuel tank!
…
Come back in the second half.
The two sides changed sides and fought again.
Looking up, Wang Zelin smiled. As expected, Nowitzki continued to play.
Back at halftime.
"Dirk, do you want to continue?"
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle asked.
Judging from his original intention, he did not want Nowitzki to continue to hold on, as this was not cost-effective.
Nowitzki, who is one year older this season, has an increased playing time instead of decreasing. Although his playing style favors the outside and is not as prone to injuries as traditional inside players, no one can be sure of the actual development.
Playing against the Trail Blazers is different from other teams in that both the difficulty of attacking and the requirements for players' competitive state are higher than at other times.
That's why Rick Carlisle asked this question... Of course, he knew very well that the man in front of him already had his own answer.
"why not?"
Nowitzki asked, with an infectious smile on his face.
This is the kind of smile that remains unchanged even after seeing the clouds rise and fall.
Facing a familiar smile, it was difficult for Rick Carlisle to harden his heart and say "NO!"
In the end, he had to agree with Nowitzki's choice.
Return to the venue.
The Mavericks attack first and get down low.
Wang Zelin was carrying Nowitzki from behind and said with a smile: "Dirk, retire as soon as you get old. Are you really prepared to let Mark Cuban support you for the rest of your life?"
Rolling a glance at Wang Zelin, Nowitzki said: "It's not impossible. If Mark knew this idea, I think he would be very happy."
"..."
No, what does the pride you are showing mean?
Grass!
Well, Wang Zelin admitted that he did envy the friendship between Nowitzki and Cuban.
It is precisely because things can be encountered but cannot be sought that they are so precious in the NBA, a place full of commercial atmosphere.
Seeing Nowitzki in such amazing form, Monta Ellis didn't act like a monster. He took the ball from Calderon, broke through two steps, got close to Nowitzki, and handed the ball over first.
After all, this is the driver's territory, and he still wants to get this job.
Nowitzki caught the ball and hit Wang Zelin in singles, while other players began to pull away.
Carter and Monta Ellis stood at the three-point line in the bottom corners on both sides. Point guard Calderon stood near a 45-degree angle on the right wing to respond. Dejuan Blair, who came on the bench, blocked Aldridge in the short corner on the left wing, ready to play at any time. Be prepared to rebound.
"King, please guess how many points I will get on your head tonight."
At this time, there were still 14 seconds left in the attack time. Nowitzki was not in a hurry and even made fun of Wang Zelin.
"Hey, Dirk, don't be too optimistic. Don't forget that you are the one lagging behind." Wang Zelin looked unhappy.
At this time, Wang Zelin began to miss Howard very much. Compared with this old mid-range monster, Howard's three-axe attack of the happy beast is much more fun.
He gradually understood Chairman Yao's joy in eating, sleeping and playing World of Warcraft, and he also understood Chairman Yao's pain when facing Jazz Boozer.
At this time, Nowitzki suddenly changed from facing the frame to playing from behind. Just as Wang Zelin was about to take a step forward, the former turned around, turned over and shot a jumper.
Everything was so unexpected!
Wang Zelin didn't even have time to react when he shouted "a plant". The sound of a basketball falling into the bag could be heard behind him.
