Chapter 899: Their only Problem
Just half an hour after the Grizzlies tortured the Knicks, the Hawks cleanly defeated the Western Conference powerhouse Los Angeles Clippers 107-98 on the road.
The victory in this game allowed the Eagles to extend their winning streak to five games.
This is the third time this season that the Eagles have won five consecutive victories or more.
The Clippers' performance today was not bad. Griffin scored 26 points and 10 rebounds, while DeAndre Jordan scored 15 points and 16 rebounds. Both of them recorded double-doubles.
In addition, a total of 6 Clippers players scored in double figures, and everyone did their best for the game.
But unfortunately, in front of the Eagle, these are nothing.
The Hawks won the game with 28 assists and a 48.1% three-point shooting rate. Budenholzer's offensive concept simply consists of two words - passing and three-pointers.
This team advocates off-ball offense and teamwork, and Budenholzer once told his players, "If you can shoot mid-range shots, don't be afraid to shoot three-pointers."
Millsap only made 113 three-pointers in the previous seven years, but after joining the Hawks, he made 212 last season alone.
Backup power forward Mike Scott shot 0-for-1 from beyond the arc in his rookie year, but he also made 200 shots last season.
Al Horford is no exception. His three-point attempts this season should by the end exceed all previous seasons combined.
Budenholzer has been strengthening the Hawks' three-point shooting ability, supplemented by active off-ball running and team offense, so that the Hawks can always get open opportunities outside the three-point line.
Today's game is a typical example. The Eagles took 27 three-pointers and hit 13 of them.
And most of them are empty!
Therefore, such a high three-point shooting rate is guaranteed.
With the Hawks shooting nearly 50% from three-point range, all the Clippers' efforts were in vain.
After the game, Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer was also asked about issues related to the Grizzlies.
"It's indeed a big challenge to face the league's No. 1 Grizzlies in the next road game in the Western Conference. But we are ready to go all out.
I believe that the first team in the league will feel our enthusiasm. "
Budenholzer is very confident. When he was an assistant coach under Popovich, the Spurs were eliminated by the Grizzlies consecutively, and Budenholzer never knew what it felt like to win against the Grizzlies.
Now, he has established his own business and has sufficient strength.
What you couldn't do back then, let's make up for it now!
Seeing that Budenholzer was so confident and the Hawks were indeed in excellent shape, everyone began to worry about the Grizzlies again.
The Grizzlies have just been upset by the Nuggets. If they lose to the Hawks again, the Warriors will take the first place in the Western Conference.
The next day, the Grizzlies also became the "underdog" in the odds offered by major bookmakers.
"The Grizzlies are indeed very capable. If their lineup is complete, then defeating the Hawks will not be a problem. But the difficulty now is that the integrity of the Grizzlies' lineup is quite poor."
"Quincy Acy both scored 19 points and 14 rebounds. God knows what the Grizzlies' bench will be like tomorrow."
"Facing a team like the Eagles, it is difficult for Link to win alone. Although Link has just won the Player of the Month in December, this new beginning of January does not seem to be very good for Link. friendly."
Fans and media alike felt sorry that the Grizzlies could not continue their winning streak.
It was as if the Grizzlies had raised the white flag before the game even started.
But at this time, Link had no intention of paying attention to the outside world. After receiving the task in the morning to take the substitute position of No. 5, Link began to do corresponding training in the afternoon.
In this era when traditional centers are on the wane, it is not uncommon for short men to play centers.
The most typical example is Draymond Green of the Warriors. He is estimated to be less than 2 meters tall without his shoes, and will not exceed 2.03 meters at most with shoes on.
But this year he has thrived at the fifth position, becoming the Warriors' third-ranked player behind Curry and Thompson.
No, Green is even more important than the "Splash Brothers" in organizing offense and defense.
Facts have proved that in today's era, height is no longer the most important factor limiting a player from playing the fifth position.
As long as you are strong enough, you can still thrive at the center position.
Moreover, Link's height disadvantage will not be too magnified when facing the Eagle.
The Hawks' two big men, Paul Millsap and Al Horford, also fall into the category of "short big men".
Millsap's height is no different from Link's, only 2.03 meters. Initially, due to issues such as being too short and too slow in lateral movement, I fell into the second round.
As a result, he is definitely one of the best No. 4 players currently playing. His height of 2.03 meters did not limit him from becoming an All-Star last season.
Al Horford was the No. 3 pick in 2007, and Oden, who also played center but was 2.13 meters tall, became the No. 1 pick in the same year.
In college, Oden once defeated the University of Florida's inside line with one hand even though one hand was injured.
At that time, the University of Florida's inside combination was Horford + Noah. His height problem was completely exposed in that game.
Horford's official height is 2.08 meters, but if you carefully observe the photos of him and other stars, you will find that his real height may be around 2.06 meters.
But whether it is 2.06 meters or 2.08 meters, they are not much taller than Link.
Except for backup center Payne Antic, the Hawks are almost all short inside players.
But Antichi has height, but does not have enough strength and low-post offensive skills. It's probably not a big problem for Link to defend him.
Therefore, Qiaogel dared to let Link try at position five.
Faced with these short inside players of the Eagles, Link might be able to achieve unexpected results.
In the afternoon training, Link performed very well in the fifth position.
Originally, Link's back-up skills were very powerful, but he once flew past Howard under the basket.
Coupled with the speed, shooting and passing abilities that traditional players at the fifth position do not have, Link is very comfortable playing center.
However, this lineup was so subversive of tradition that assistant coach Quin Snyder found it unbelievable.
"Are you sure this lineup can be effective in tomorrow's game? Even if it's just the second lineup, it's crazy!"
"Times have changed, Quinn. In the past, we would have been killed if we lined up like this. But now, I don't think there is any problem with doing so."
Joger is not a rigid coach. The most important thing is that he believes that Link has this ability.
When his afternoon training was over, Link himself felt good.
Although it was his first time playing the fifth position seriously, he quickly adapted.
Now, just wait for the Atlanta Hawks to come knocking.
That night, Link watched ESPN's tomorrow preview program.
The game between the Grizzlies and the Eagles is naturally the focus of discussion.
In the program, Stephen A. Smith analyzed the eagle.
Why, each of them can stand up and score.
Team basketball keeps the Hawks' shooting percentage high.
His scoring ability from beyond the three-point line is among the best in the league, and so on.
The final conclusion was, "The Eagles are a team with almost no shortcomings, and they don't have any problems."
But a few seconds later, the talented Stephen A. Smith added, "The only problem for the Eagles is that they will meet Link at his peak."
Link watched the show and smiled.
ESPN finally has a less obnoxious host...
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