Tom Thibodeau took leave?
When this news spread to the outside world, it obviously caused many people to be surprised. In the eyes of the outside world, Thibodeau's move is completely retreating in order to advance. After all, he is the head coach of the Timberwolves. If he chooses to give up his job, what should the team do?
It’s true that the team has assistant coaches, but can assistant coaches solve the team’s problems?
No one knows.
At the same time, Zhao Feiyang and others also learned about Thibodeau's request for leave. Especially when they knew that Thibodeau's leave was only for one month, everyone understood that this was Thibodeau's way of expressing his determination to fight.
"Zhao, I'm afraid it's a bit difficult to handle now! If Coach Tom doesn't compromise, what should we do in the future?"
Serge Ibaka asked at Zhao Feiyang's home.
When he said this, Zhao Feiyang and a group of teammates were sitting on the sofa playing games. When Ibaka asked about it, Zhao Feiyang, as the team leader, had not yet spoken, but Zach LaVine beside him couldn't wait to hear it. responded.
"Serge, do you think Coach Thibodeau is great?"
"Last year we maintained the top few results in the regular season. Although this year is a little different, we have played for so long to reach the sixth position in the Western Conference... Of course there are other complicated reasons for this. But how many games have we won since Coach Thibodeau came? Do we win more or lose more?"
These words stopped Ibaka.
He thought for a moment, trying to recall the Timberwolves' record. It was his teammate Adrian Ennis who reminded him.
"After Coach Thibodeau came, our record has not improved much. Judging from the current games, we have lost more than we have won..."
Ibaka was silent now.
If this is the case, Thibodeau's presence on the team is indeed not that important. During the period before he came, the team did not have many problems under the leadership of the assistant coach.
The reason why the starting record was not good is that many players failed to strictly demand themselves during the lockout period. In addition, after winning the championship last year, everyone's mentality was a bit too indulgent. Therefore, most people's state after the start was None of it is good.
The second is the issue of Zhao Feiyang's absence.
The arrival of Derrick Rose is certainly helpful to the team, but he is not yet familiar with the team's style of play, and unlike Zhao Feiyang, who can exert great value to the team. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Timberwolves, who lack the core, lose!
"Sergey, don't worry!"
Zhao Feiyang stood up and patted Ibaka on the shoulder to comfort him, "The team also has assistant coach Eric Stotts. He was originally coach Thomas's assistant. He knows the team very well and is also the most considerate person for the players. .......With him here there will be no problem..."
Eric Stotts, whom Zhao Feiyang mentioned, is a member of the assistant coaching team.
Originally, Thibodeau planned to fire him after taking over the position of head coach of the team. After all, Eric was under the former coach Thomas. However, the team management did not agree with Thibodeau's idea, so they forcibly fired Eric. Stayed.
Because of this, Thibodeau has always neglected Eric, almost excluding him from his main team.
When he was working under Coach Thomas, Assistant Coach Eric was responsible for tactical command and even some specific training. However, when he arrived at Thibodeau, Assistant Coach Eric was arranged to watch game videos and analyze different opponents.
This job is not easy, and it is not neglected in itself, but Thibodeau assigned a lot of tasks, but rarely used the plans given by assistant coach Eric.
"Okay! If that's the case I won't worry!"
"No matter what, I still believe in you."
Ibaka said.
The reason why he is on Zhao Feiyang's side is also very simple, that is, Zhao Feiyang has received enough support. Whether he is a main player or a substitute player, everyone treats him as a leader.
Zhao Feiyang's feedback to everyone is also good. He helps other players on the field and introduces some of China's endorsements to his teammates off the field. Even if he is a substitute member of the team, he will also provide some "help in times of need" when the opponent is short of money. "monetary assistance.
In short, his style of doing things both on and off the field is recognized by everyone.
Coupled with his personal prestige in leading the team to win the championship, it can be said that his status in the team is completely inferior to Thibodeau, the so-called head coach who came from the air.
Maybe joining Thibodeau will get more playing opportunities, but that will most likely end up being the opposite of most players.
Ibaka is not stupid, he also grew up from an ordinary player. He knows very well what that choice will look like. Once the head coach loses power, there is definitely a high probability that he will be isolated.
Of course, interests aside, the most important point is that Coach Thibodeau doesn't care about his players that much. Ibaka doesn't want to end the season like Howard one day!
Although coach Thibodeau chose to take leave to express his dissatisfaction, there was no chaos within the team.
Not only that, but strange things happened.
All the players who had not come to training before came, not only maintaining a more focused training attitude than before, but even working harder than before.
When this strange phenomenon reached Thibodeau's ears, Thibodeau almost went crazy.
"What?"
"They are back to train again? And they choose to train more?"
"Damn... someone must be teaching them to do that! Yes, it must be Zhao Feiyang... Even so, I won't compromise. I want to see what they can do. Looks like..."
Soon the challenge from the Timberwolves came.
After losing to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Timberwolves ushered in an away game this time. The away opponent is the New Orleans Pelicans.
The team flew to New Orleans for the game the day before.
The Pelicans' record this season is mediocre. After the start, the team failed to perform very stably. They always won a few games but then lost immediately. If it weren't for Anthony Davis and DeMarcus on the team, With star players such as Cousins, I'm afraid the team's record will be even worse.
With a not-so-bad lineup, the Pelicans have maintained their record at ninth place in the Western Conference.
Judging from the record on the books, the Timberwolves are only two or three rankings higher than them, and the victory gap is not as big as imagined.
The most important thing is that Dwight Howard, another core core of the Timberwolves' inside line, has been reimbursed for the season. With a clear gap in the strength of the inside line, the outcome of this game seems to be unknown.
The Smoothie King Center is the home of the Pelicans and the venue for this game.
call out.
After the whistle blew, the game between the two sides officially started.
Without Thibodeau directing from the sidelines, the players, both main players and substitutes, were very relaxed. The team's assistant coach Eric Stotts also temporarily came out to direct the game at the invitation of Zhao Feiyang.
"Guys, our opponent is not weak today! We must take this game seriously..."
Assistant coach Eric encouraged everyone while arranging the lineup.
Just after he finished speaking, Zhao Feiyang on the side suddenly said, "Coach Eric, I have an idea. I wonder if I can try it?"
"What?"
"Many players in the team didn't get many playing opportunities before, but I know they worked hard on the court and never slacked off... Although today's opponent is not weak, I still hope to be able to Give them a little more chance..."
"I can give up my starting position..."
Not to mention the reaction of assistant coach Eric when Zhao Feiyang opened his mouth, the substitute players all cast grateful glances at him.
Zhao Feiyang had also spoken to them before, hoping to allow more substitute players to come on the field. Unfortunately, coach Thibodeau did not listen to such suggestions at all. Now that Coach Thibodeau is not here, they naturally hope to get more playing opportunities.
Assistant coach Eric did not agree in a hurry, but thought about it carefully.
"good."
"I also see everyone's efforts, so I am willing to support you in doing so... But I have one request, that is, whether you are a substitute or the main player, you must go all out on the court! We must Play our wonderful performance and let the world see what a championship-level team looks like..."
"good."
The players were so excited that they all screamed with excitement.
Soon, under the arrangement of assistant coach Eric, the substitute members were added to the starting lineup. Zhao Feiyang took a break, and LaVine also sat on the team bench. The task of organizing the offense was handed over to Ricky Rubio, and the second position was given to substitute player Kris Dunn.
Andrew Wiggins is no longer starting at the third position, and he is replaced by substitute Brandon Rush.
The fourth position is given to Adrian Ennis, and the fifth position is given to Gorgui Dieng.
This arrangement was completely different from the Timberwolves' previous roster. Therefore, when this lineup appeared on the court, not to mention the Pelicans players, even the Pelicans fans on the sidelines were stunned.
"WTF?"
"What are they going to do?"
"All of them are substitutes? Why did the Timberwolves arrange such a starting lineup? Is there some conspiracy?"
Fans are speculating.
Thibodeau, who was sitting in front of the TV and watching the live broadcast on the sofa at home, was obviously stunned by this scene. He was stunned for a moment, and then he couldn't figure out the reason why the team made such an arrangement for a long time.
"Damn it! After a long time, they came up with such a lineup arrangement? What can a group of substitutes do?"
"It's over! The game is lost! These guys are just messing around... I knew that these people can't do anything! Without me, they are nothing..."
"If the team didn't have so much money, I would have to fire all these substitutes... Just wait! The worst game in the history of the Timberwolves is about to begin... Fortunately it's not I go down in history with these poor guys..."
