The red team attacked. This time Harden and Garnett played a pick-and-roll. Jeremy Lin was very afraid of Harden's shooting and chose to go to the line and bypass it.
Harden took a step forward, squeezing the blue team's defense, and then passed the ball behind his head to find Garnett who bounced out of the screen.
The ball was passed very comfortably. Garnett caught the ball outside the three-point line and shot directly without any adjustment. It was too late for Tucker to pounce.
"Uh-huh!"
Garnett raised the knife and hit a three-pointer.
5:4.
Coach McHale on the sidelines nodded repeatedly and couldn't help but admire:
"There has been a chemical reaction between Garnett and Harden. As long as Garnett can stabilize his open three-point shooting rate at around 36% during the game, the pick-and-roll between the two of them will become the key to the Rockets' offense." Big killer."
This goal made McHale seem to have seen the pick-and-roll cooperation between Harden and Patterson at the beginning of the season.
"I think Garnett can definitely do it. His three-point shooting in recent years is not bad. It's just that the Celtics didn't give him corresponding tactics."
Xu Xin said that he was very confident in Garnett's shooting.
"David, starting today, you are going to assign a shooting training plan to Garnett. We need him to hit those open three-pointers in the game."
David is the team's shooting coach and has great experience in improving players' shooting skills.
"Okay, leave it to me."
David replied.
The blue team attacked, Jeremy Lin dribbled the ball across half court, and like the red team, took the initiative to initiate a pick-and-roll.
O'Neal Jr. mentioned the three-point line screen, and Harden chose to step off the line to defend the pick-and-roll. Jeremy Lin's three-point shooting with the ball was relatively average, only 33% this season.
Therefore, Harden is more willing to give Jeremy Lin a three-point opportunity instead of letting him break through.
Jeremy Lin did not choose to shoot a three-pointer. He took one step and tried to break through to the inside, but was blocked by Harden.
Fortunately, Jeremy Lin is used to this. When he initiates a pick-and-roll, his opponents often choose to go off the line.
After failing to break through, Jeremy Lin made the most correct choice without any hesitation and returned the ball to O'Neal Jr. near the free throw line.
Asik moves too slowly and chooses to retreat when facing the pick-and-roll, which gives O'Neal Jr. an opportunity to make an open mid-range shot.
Xiao Ao, who was left open, took a very decisive shot. With a standard jump shot, the basketball hit the net.
5:6.
The two sides fought back and forth, and the score increased alternately.
It can be seen that the interior defense of Garnett and O'Neal is better than Asik in terms of experience and effect, which is also expected.
But what was unexpected was Tucker's defense. Tucker, who was a small forward, was placed at the power forward position by McHale.
This naturally came from Xu Xin's suggestion. Xu Xin and McHale said that Tucker's effect in playing the fourth position is much better than that of Ariza playing the fourth position.
McHale was doubtful at first. It wasn't that he didn't believe Xu Xin's judgment. It was just that Tucker had just signed with the Suns for a minimum salary this season. The Suns acquired him from the European League. No matter how discerning Xu Xin is, how many games have you seen Tucker play? Competition, the sample is too small.
But after a while, McHale was completely convinced. On the offensive end, Tucker was only responsible for standing in the bottom corner to open up space. Garnett initially chose to let him go, but he hit two three-pointers and actually made them.
Now Garnett didn't dare to let him shoot anymore, and his defense expanded. The defensive deterrence of the red team inside has declined. Jeremy Lin and Butler have gained more opportunities to attack the frame, and the offense is very efficient.
On the defensive end, Tucker was unable to effectively interfere with Garnett's shooting due to his height limitation, but Tucker worked hard in the lower three lanes.
Every time Garnett takes a shot after confronting Tucker, the shot is not very comfortable, and the shooting percentage is naturally not high.
But that's not Tucker's strongest suit. His strongest point is his ability to do dirty work.
Tucker always runs tirelessly on the court, constantly helping his teammates to defend and sweep, constantly blocking positions to grab rebounds, constantly loudly reminding his teammates of their defensive positions, and maintaining the blue team's overall defensive system to the greatest extent.
McHale also found that when Tucker switched to Harden, the defensive effect was unexpectedly good, even better than the defensive effects of Butler and Ariza.
"Remember what I told you about unlimited defense changes? Tucker is the most important part of unlimited defense changes."
Xu Xin and McHale said.
McHale was thoughtful, his mind racing.
"If the opponent has good offensive rebounding ability, Harden, Butler, Ariza, Tucker, Garnett, I think this set of one big and four small will be the best.
The defensive ability is absolutely historical.
On the offensive end, there are two ball-holding points on the field, plus three players with shooting range.
Both Ariza and Tucker are capable of open three-pointers. Although they are not elite level, they are enough. "
McHale thought for a moment and then spoke.
"If the opponent's offensive rebounding ability is weak, then use Jeremy Lin, Harden, Butler, Ariza and Tucker.
The offensive capabilities of this five-small lineup will be even more terrifying. However, Jeremy Lin's defensive ability is average, and there are also problems with inside help defense. "
McHale spoke of his concerns.
During this period, Xu Xin often taught him about the offensive tactics and unlimited defense changes of the five small lineups, but McHale still did not dare to use them at critical moments.
He is a relatively traditional coach. Since he knows that this lineup has loopholes in defense, he will not try it easily.
Xu Xingyan did not force himself and said:
"Patrick Beverley, I will send you his information later. He meets your requirements very well. He is a standard defensive player. However, his offensive ability is limited, and his shooting stability requires systematic training."
McHale was very interested. He rubbed his hands and said with a smile:
"The person you like can definitely do it. Shooting can be practiced as long as he is diligent. In this way, the secret lineup of the fifth primary school is completed."
Taking into account tomorrow's game, today's training match will be played in two quarters, each quarter will only last 10 minutes.
In the last two minutes of the game, the red team led by 6 points at 46:40.
In the red team, Harden takes on the important task of attacking. Using the pick-and-roll of Garnett and Asik, it can be said that he is almost at his best. There are too many changes and it is difficult to guard against.
From the scene, although the red team has two big men, the offensive space does not appear crowded.
Ariza and Delfino each stand in a corner, and Garnett also has shooting range.
On the blue team's side, Jeremy Lin, Butler and Livingston all have the ability to attack with the ball, but there is no coordination between the three, and they basically play their own roles.
The three of them have realized this and have added a lot of catching and shooting training during this period, but the overall shooting rate is still much worse than their shooting with the ball.
Shooting habits and shooting rhythm are the result of accumulation over time and cannot be changed overnight.
As for O'Neal Jr. and Tucker, both of them lack offensive capabilities.
O'Neal Jr. has lost his advantage in confrontation ability and speed at the basket due to his old age.
Tucker is because he doesn't know much about offense. He is only responsible for opening up space on the court and shooting three-pointers from the corner.
However, Xu Xin and McHale don't think this is a problem. On the contrary, it is a good thing.
O'Neal and Tucker's non-possessing style of play is exactly what the team needs.
If they also need the ball, and Jeremy Lin, Butler, and Livingston also need the ball originally, then with this lineup, there won't be enough balls in the world for them to score five points.
