It was sloppy, too sloppy, but Jordan couldn't think of any other way. He could only do what Li Ao said first.
Fortunately, Gentry replaced Odom, so he didn't have to do this kind of thing right away.
He is such a nice guy and really wants to maintain his image as an 'excellent veteran'.
After the timeout, the Clippers sent out a combination of Bibby, Li Ao, Jordan, Matt Halprin, and Jaylon Collins.
The Suns sent out a combination of Marbury, Dan Marley, Pence, Marion, and Chakaridis.
The game continued with the addition of Chakaridis and Dan Marley, and the Suns' performance on both ends of the floor improved.
Although Chakaridis can't make up for it, the 218-centimeter-tall, 132-kilogram center under the basket has a huge restriction on the Clippers' attack on the frame. Even Matt Halprin, who has been scolded by the opponent's insiders many times, The powerful striker of the 'rugby player' is easily defeated when cutting into the frame.
Dan Marley, the current historical three-point shooter, is one of the few players who has made thousands of three-pointers in his career.
After he came on the court, Marbury had better space to break through, Pence had more high-post support options, and Marion had better conditions for cutting into the frame.
However, the Clippers' offensive efficiency increased instead of falling. Matt Halprin came on the court, Li Ao's wing used cover to move, Bibby used Jordan's pick-and-roll breakthrough attack and Jordan's high post attack to launch the offense, and the game became smoother.
At 9 minutes and 42 seconds into the first quarter, Li Ao received Jordan's pass from the right sideline, turned around and faced Marbury and hit a three-pointer. 19 to 18, the Clippers overtook the Suns by 1 point, and the Suns called a timeout!
The first quarter was almost over, and Li Ao didn't want to admit it, but their Clippers team had indeed become an 'opportunity' for the opponent to form team cohesion.
This kind of thing makes me feel honored but also at a disadvantage.
Fortunately, they withstood the Suns' initial offensive and overtook the score.
Marbury played very hard tonight, and the feeling he gave Li Ao was completely different from the two games last season!
Last season, Marbury and the Nets seemed to be inseparable. This year, Marbury is holding back his energy to prove himself.
The most intuitive difference - not the only one!
But what amazed Li Ao the most was Pence, who had been looked down upon by the media, fans and even his opponents!
He is indeed a super genius who is known as "you can reach the stars with your hands". After changing his strategy and playing style, he quickly integrated into a new identity.
Li Ao didn't want to admit that Pence was better at coping than him. He passed the ball quickly when it was time to pass the ball quickly, and it was smooth and moderate when it was time to slow down. The change in rhythm can better sort out the team's offense. In this regard, he Spider-Man It's not possible yet.
During his college and rookie seasons, due to his lack of ball control ability, he always made quick decisions when receiving the ball, and his passing habit has been developed.
There is also the gap in competition experience.
He can't change these two aspects in a short time.
But he is not in a hurry. He can learn and adjust. He is still young and has plenty of time.
If he really doesn't have the talent in this area, he can still score!
But the better Pence plays now, the more Li Ao feels pity.
This opponent reminded Li Ao of Hill after joining the Suns in the original time and space. He got help from Thomas Carter. He adjusted his playing style no longer relied on physical fitness and maintained his health. But Hill had a super giant teammate in Nash. , with D'Antoni as a top run-and-gun coach, and the rule that high-post areas cannot be defended... Pence's environment is much worse.
…
Gentry rotated the lineup, Bibby and Li Ao continued to play, and Big Q, Odom, and Jaylon Collins came on.
When Jordan returned to the bench, he saw Odom sitting on the bench with blank eyes. He could only tear off the mask of the 'friendly veteran'. After Gentry finished replacing people, he found Odom and ordered After Odom came on the court, he was responsible for offensive rebounds, wing screening, and fast break counterattacks.
Seeing Odom obediently accept the arrangement, his eyes are as innocent as a college student who has just entered society... Jordan is convinced, Spider-Man is really good at reading people!
This kid does have something, and he knows every teammate thoroughly.
On the other side, the Suns also made lineup adjustments, with Scott Skiles sending out a combination of Marbury, Rodney Rogers, John Wallace, Marion, and Jack Voskull.
After the timeout, the Clippers, who overtook the score, did not take the initiative.
As Li Ao expected, Odom played unfocused, which had a great impact on their overall offense.
He actually predicted this before the game. Once he encounters a tangled matter, Odom will become this kind of character, and there is no way to change it. He can only wait for Odom to figure it out on his own.
Fortunately, with Jordan's instructions, Odom's limited attention was focused on a few things. Although he did not contribute much on the offensive end, at least it did not hinder him.
All the offensive pressure was concentrated on Li Ao and Bibby.
In the last two minutes of the first quarter, the Suns relied on Marbury's 5 points and 1 assist to score 7 points!
Marbury desperately wanted to prove that he could lead the team to win. When the opportunity came, he risked his life to seize it.
At this time, Bibby's ability to withstand pressure was reflected. He scored a two-point breakthrough and gave Li Ao a hook assist. In addition, he started a fast break at the last moment. Li Ao received a long pass and then passed the second pass to the fast forward. Odom, Odom caught the ball and hit a close throw, and the Clippers also scored 6 points.
The Clippers struggled to stabilize the situation and entered the second quarter with a 25-25 tie with the Suns.
But the Suns have gained momentum!
Marbury took off in the second quarter!
Facing the wheel-to-wheel defense of Li Ao, Bibby, and Big Q, Marbury made 2 of 3 shots in a single quarter, including 1 of 1 three-pointers, plus 4 of 4 free throws, scoring 9 points and 2 assists, showing his All-Star strength. !
Pence only scored two points on free throws in this quarter, but he made good use of Marbury's threat of sudden points, with 4 assists in a single quarter.
Under the leadership of the two, the Suns scored 26 points in a single quarter, continuing their offensive firepower in the first quarter.
For the Clippers, Bibby and Li Ao rested for half a quarter. When Jordan and Odom led the team, Jordan basically led the charge alone. Facing the menacing Marbury and Pence, Jordan was obviously defeated. , although they scored 13 points in the second half, 1 point more than the Suns' 12 points in the second half, they only scored 9 points in the first half.
After halftime, the Clippers trailed the Suns by 4 points 47 to 51 entering the intermission.
After returning to the locker room, Li Ao took the initiative to find trouble with Jordan, and the two began to argue with each other. The teammates looked at it with fear and joy. The overall atmosphere was good, and morale was not low because of being beaten for a quarter. Gentry Song Take a breath.
Gentry is in a lot of pain right now. The initial rule adaptation bonus has almost been eaten up. The next game will not be as easy as before.
He somewhat regretted talking to Odom about changing his positioning... But for some things, the sooner it's done, the better.
Putting his regrets aside, since he had done everything, he had to bear the pain, and he focused on the game in front of him.
But facing the Suns, who are playing with great momentum, what should we do now?
Just when Gentry started to have a headache again, a handsome face appeared in front of him...
"Iron-blooded! Coach."
(End of chapter)
