Chapter 415 Western Conference Finals

That afternoon, the Trail Blazers held a tactical meeting. Everyone from the relevant management to the coaching staff and players participated, including owner Paul Allen.

Larry Bird first analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of both sides, and then said: "There is no doubt that we are at an absolute disadvantage in the interior, and the playoffs are no better than the regular season. We will encounter more fierce competition in the low post. We need Use appropriate tactics to change or make up for this disadvantage. If we cannot make up for and change this disadvantage, we will definitely lose."

Having said this, he said to Zhao Dong: "Feilong, what do you think?"

Zhao Dong shook his head and said: "The coaching staff arranges the tactics and I will execute them. Maybe, start the tactics according to that damn god-slaying lineup?"

He is not a coach, what can he do?

Larry Bird smiled and said: "You are right, Feilong, we will fight like that."

Then he said: "O'Neal and David Robinson are two towers under the basket, so we must separate them.

Inside, our two top players, Brian Grant and O'Brien, are the starters. "

"Yes, coach." The two stood up and shouted excitedly.

Larry Bird said again: "No. 3, Marion."

"yes."

Marion also stood up in high spirits.

After two seasons of training, he has gradually grown up and is versatile on both offense and defense.

This season he averaged 30 minutes per game, averaging 16 points, 10 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. His three-point shooting rate reached 37.5%, and his overall shooting rate reached 53%, which is very efficient.

In addition to shooting, his offense includes many dunks from the wing and many fast break dunks. This is the reason for its high efficiency.

At the same time, he showed strong talent in rebounding, averaging 10 rebounds per game, second only to Zhao Dong.

He is also the one who plays the most minutes besides Zhao Dong and Eddie Jones, so he grabs more rebounds than several inside players.

However, compared with his previous life, his playing time has actually declined. In his last life, he averaged 36 minutes per game for the Suns this season. Almost all statistics are better than this life, except for three-pointers, which is 25%. , far inferior to this life, and the overall efficiency is also lower than this life.

Larry Bird on Marion: "Defensively,

You must help defend the paint area in time and grab every rebound. "

"Understood." Marion said excitedly.

For the last two starters, Larry Bird didn't talk about the tough combination of Zhao Dong and Eddie Jones on the back line. He started talking about tactics directly.

He said: "The inside line is completely open, and the three people on the outside line are cutting in quickly from the left, center and right. If we cannot guard the Lakers Twin Towers, then we must be highly efficient on the defensive end. We are the same as the Lakers and Knicks last season. Confrontation."

"Defense, we can't defend. Offensive, we are not afraid of anyone. The combination of super centers can also destroy." This is what Zhao Dong said next, with great momentum and confidence.

The Blazers' players and management were also infected. Owner Paul Allen said excitedly: "Then we will use offense against offense to defeat the Lakers."

"Blow the Lakers." Everyone shouted.

On the 19th, the day of G1 of the Western Conference Finals.

On this day, a large number of Hollywood stars flew to Portland, and a large number of league stars also flew to Portland.

At night, the Rose Garden Arena is sparkling with stars.

"Honey, this is the most celebrities I've ever seen in the Rose Garden." Looking at the stars and players on the sidelines, a male fan shouted excitedly.

"No, dear, I don't want to see celebrities, I just want to see Feilong break 100 again." A female fan next to her said excitedly.

At half past seven, the first lineup was announced.

Lakers: O'Neal, David Robinson, Rick Fox, Kobe Bryant, Ron Harper.

Trail Blazers: O'Brien, Brian Grant, Marion, Eddie Jones, Zhao Dong.

The Western Conference Finals series was broadcast live on TNT, with commentators Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.

At this time, Barkley said: "In terms of the Lakers lineup, Ron Harper is an injury risk. This season, he has been injured in 36 games and only played 46 regular season games. His opponent will be Feilong.

Comparing the lineups of the two sides, the Lakers are more than one level stronger inside, so Feilong will definitely increase the impact on the inside. Even if Kobe switches defense, Ron Harper will also bear the responsibility of helping to defend Feilong. He will face a strong impact, and if If he has problems, the Lakers' defense will be weakened. "

Smith disagreed, saying: "No matter who is playing against the Flying Dragon at the No. 1 position, it is of no use. In the Olympics, whether it was Kidd or Payton, they were beaten by him. So, even if Ron Harper Even at his peak, he can't guard Feilong. What I mean is, even if he can't beat him, it won't make much difference if another person comes in. They'll all be beaten anyway."

"OK, Kenny, you're right." Buckley smiled helplessly and nodded.

In the CCTV commentary box, Zhang Li said with a smile: "This year's Western Conference Finals and Finals will be very exciting. The Trail Blazers can't guard O'Neal and David Robinson, so they will definitely strengthen their offense, use offense to attack, and reproduce last year's finals with the Lakers. Final scene.

No matter which team enters the finals, I think the situation is the same when facing the Nets. No one can guard the other. In a state of mutual explosion, everyone has a better offense. "

Su Qun said: "Coach Zhang, I think the Blazers' lineup is actually very good. Although the inside line is a little weaker than the Lakers, in terms of small forward, Marion is much better than Fox. Needless to say, Feilong is the point guard. Guard Eddie Jones can also take on Kobe."

Zhang Liyi nodded and said: "Marion is indeed better than Fox, and much better. If he is in other teams, he should have more playing time, but he can't get more playing time in the Trail Blazers, which is detrimental to his There are certain limits to performance.”

Su Qun said with a smile: "But if he plays less in the regular season, his physical reserves in the playoffs should be better. Last season, he and Ginobili had physical problems in the playoffs."

"Yes, the Blazers should have taken this into consideration. After all, he is only in the second grade and not very old." Zhang Lili said with a smile.

This is the first appearance.

When the Lakers came on the field, as the team that swept the Trail Blazers in last season's Western Conference Finals, the Rose Garden Arena was filled with loud boos.

"Sweep the Lakers! Sweep the Lakers! Sweep..."

It was the home team's turn to take the field, and all the home fans cheered in unison, with great momentum.

Barkley smiled: "Under the leadership of Feilong, the Trail Blazers achieved a record of 74 wins and 8 losses. The morale is very strong and the fans' expectations are also very strong. However, it is not that difficult to sweep the Lakers. The Trail Blazers need to be more calm. Some."

Smith said: "Last year the Knicks swept the Lakers, but Ben Wallace couldn't pull out and O'Neal was double-teamed under the basket. It will definitely not happen this time.

But I think this time the Blazers will definitely pull out the two super centers to facilitate their outside breakthroughs. This is also a tactic the Blazers often use this season. "

"When their inside players are Grant and O'Brien, they are indeed qualified to play like this. The tactics of the God-Slaying lineup are to completely pull out the inside. This is a tactical change that did not exist in the previous traditional center tactics."

Having said this, Buckley said proudly: "Do you know who invented the God-Slaying Tactics? It's me, that's my show, and all the ideas are mine."

Kenny Smith glanced at the Finals ring on Barkley's right index finger and said disdainfully: "You have the nerve to wear that ring of yours? I heard that you are still investing with Feilong, and you actually came up with the god-slaying tactic. Aren't you afraid of being kicked away by him?"

Barkley almost jumped up and quickly said: "One code is one code, I am doing a show, Feilong will not blame me."

"That's not necessarily true. If the Blazers are eliminated this time, I'm optimistic about the result of you being kicked away by him." Smith chuckled.

When Smith said this, Buckley became really uneasy and muttered to himself: "It's been a year, Feilong shouldn't blame me, right?"

David Stern also came to the scene and, accompanied by boss Paul Allen, presented the MVP trophy to Zhao Dong before the game.

At eight o'clock, the game started. After O'Neal and O'Neal Jr. jumped the ball, the Lakers attacked, and the two super centers went directly to the basket.

Grant carried O'Neal. His tonnage was 116 kilograms and he could still carry him for a while, but he was quickly squeezed out of the way, allowing the latter to occupy the best position under the basket. He could only move forward immediately.

Xiao O's original weight was 105 kilograms, but this season he has completed weight gain at the team's request, reaching 115 kilograms, the same as David Robinson.

Under the pressure of the coaching staff and Zhao Dong, he increased the confrontation that he didn't like. He was young again and moved faster. David Robinson was old, but he kept the latter outside and could not let Robinson get close easily. Basket. valley

As a result, the Twin Towers cannot meet at the basket, leaving some opportunities for the Blazers' defense.

The Trail Blazers played a two-one-two zone defense, with the very mobile Marion guarding the center, and Zhao Dong and Eddie Jones guarding the outside.

The defensive tasks of Zhao Dong and Eddie Jones are mainly to prevent Kobe's breakthrough.

Marion's main defensive task is to defend Kobe's second line of defense, but the most important thing is to help defend the basket.

At this time, Eddie Jones and Zhao Dong double-teamed Harper who was holding the ball. The latter quickly passed the ball to Kobe. The first two immediately turned back and pounced on Kobe.

At this moment, David Robinson suddenly pulled outwards and asked Kobe for the ball.

As soon as Kobe got the ball, he didn't stop. He flicked his hands and flew towards David Robinson in an instant.

As soon as Robinson got the ball, he immediately attracted the attention of the Trail Blazers' defense, but instead of taking a shot, he threw it directly to the basket.

"boom!"

O'Neal rose like a giant beast under the basket and sank the Blazers' basket.

Brian Grant went around and was pushed away from the basket by O'Neal, unable to make defensive moves at all. Marion, who went to double-team, was also a little slow.

The Blazers' on-site commentator sighed: "This giant is really unstoppable under the basket!"

In the TNT commentary box, Barkley praised: "In terms of lineup, the Trail Blazers' five starting defenses are all good. But the Lakers have three superstars in O'Neal, David Robinson, and Kobe who need to be double-teamed, which makes the Trail Blazers completely unable to Prevent any of them from being killed.

The Shark is a giant who needs to be double-teamed without the ball. Not to mention that he is under the basket. Even if he is on the low wings three meters away from the basket, he still needs to be double-teamed without the ball. But don't say that now. Without the ball, the Blazers couldn't even double-team with the ball. "

Smith said: "The Trail Blazers are playing a two-one-two zone defense. Fox's position is somewhat empty. Marion's defensive focus is more on the basket. Next, the Lakers should pay attention to it. Marion's defense is very fast. .

If the Lakers hit Fox's open space, whether his shooting percentage can be guaranteed is also a question. "

"He is definitely not the first choice, even if there is space. Attacking at the basket is the guarantee of high efficiency." Barkley said with certainty.

Trail Blazers offense.

Grant and O'Brien completely opened up and were close to the three-point line, which was still within their attack range.

The Trail Blazers obviously have a tactic of stretching the inside and breaking through from the outside, so the Lakers also play zone defense to prevent outside breakthroughs and get back to the basket in time.

The Lakers play in a second or third league and focus on defending the low post.

Phil Jackson knew very well that even if they played a three-two zone defense and mainly defended outside breakthroughs, the Lakers would not be able to prevent Zhao Dong's breakthroughs, so he simply defended the low post. Zhao Dong would break in and double-team in the paint area.

He has too much experience playing against Zhao Dong. Zhao Dong is known as the god of efficiency, and his main style of play is to rush in and hit.

Zhao Dong advanced with the ball and approached the top of the arc. Kobe and Ron Harper pressed up and began to double-team him on the outside.

The purpose of double-teaming him is to force him to shoot or pass the ball from the outside.

The last time he broke 100 points, Zhao Dong mostly shot jumpers and a lot of three-pointers, but that was Kobe's one-on-one defense without double-teaming. Now he is double-teaming on the outside. Phil Jackson believes that Zhao Dong can't be that high again. ’s jump shot percentage, his most likely option is to break through.

Sure enough, Zhao Dong did not force a shot in the double-team, but implemented a breakthrough.

"squeak!"

His feet suddenly exerted force, and with the sharp friction of his sneakers, Zhao Dong took a step forward, trying to force his way through the gap between Kobe and Harper.

The next moment, Kobe and Ron quickly closed the door to defend.

At this moment, Zhao Dong did not slow down, and suddenly turned around quickly, passed by Harper, stepped across the free throw line, got rid of the double team, and entered the paint area.

"pretty!"

Seeing this breakthrough, Su Qun shouted excitedly.

The Lakers have O'Neal under the basket. As long as Big Mac's defense is diligent, it is the top basket defense.

However, Zhao Dong just flew towards the big shark without any hesitation.

Tonight, he is going to attack the two super centers and strive to defeat them as soon as possible.

Even if O'Neal pulls him down, he will not hesitate.

Only in this way can the Blazers' chances of winning be improved.

O'Neill looked at Zhao Dong flying up and made up his mind to strike hard and teach Zhao Dong a lesson so that he would not dare to attack him again.

He jumped into the air and grabbed Zhao Dong directly with both hands, not caring about the ball at all.

"Bang!"

Zhao Dong was pulled down directly and hit the floor.

"Beep!"

The referee's whistle sounded immediately.

"Uh-huh!"

Trail Blazers fans immediately booed O'Neal.

Countless fans began to abuse O'Neal and raised countless middle fingers at him.

"Damn it, Shark should be punished. This is a flagrant foul. He wants to destroy Feilong." The on-site commentator roared angrily.

"Boss!"

Grant and Xiao Ou rushed up immediately.

"fine."

Zhao Dong responded, took two breaths, and got up.

"Feilong, I won't show mercy." O'Neill said solemnly.

When he pulled Zhao Dong just now, he didn't make any protective move.

Zhao Dong stared at O'Neal and said coldly: "Do I need it?"

A chill arose in O'Neal's heart. From Zhao Dong's attitude, he felt that he was in trouble tonight. This guy would not let him go. He might attack him again, even if he was injured.

In the CCTV commentary box, Zhang Lili said at this time: "Zhao Dong should be careful. Let alone this Western Conference Finals, even in the team training game, O'Neal will not allow his teammates to dunk on him."

"There should be no injuries, Zhao Dong has never been injured before." Su Qun said.

"His physique is indeed super strong." Zhang Li said with a smile.

"Whoa! Whoa!"

Zhao Dong hit two consecutive goals to equalize the score.