Chapter 512 The Most Versatile Player in the League

Phil Jackson had to call a timeout.

Give up?

This is the playoffs, a life-and-death battle!

It is definitely impossible to give up, but whether it is the Lakers' run-and-gun tactics or defensive strategy, they are in complete collapse and failure when facing the Supersonics at this time.

Phil Jackson knows that this is not just a tactical problem, but also because the Supersonics were pulled up by Lin Dong and Sakuragi Hanamichi, and all the confidence of the Lakers was suppressed.

It's not that the run-and-gun can't be played, but for the time being, all strategies must be adjusted.

Yao Ming can't be pulled up to the high position anymore. Although his high-post pick-and-roll 3-pointer caused a lot of trouble for the Supersonics in the first half, and once cracked the Supersonics' rotation defense, when Lin Dong defended Nash and Sakuragi blocked Kobe successfully, the Lakers couldn't even get through half the court, so it was meaningless to put Yao Ming in the high position.

We have to slow down the rhythm and grind the position with the Supersonics!

Besides…

"You have to deal with that No. 10, Bryant!" Phil Jackson said in a deep voice: "That guy's defense against the No. 3 position is probably honed by training with Lin Dong. Your offensive methods are too similar, and he is quite familiar with it. It will definitely not work if you force it, or it will be difficult. The team has no time for you to adapt to his defense now! But he must have a weakness!"

Kobe Bryant stared at the Zen Master.

To be honest, since the end of his three consecutive championships, he no longer believed in the Zen Master's vision. The saying "bystanders see more clearly" may not be useful all the time.

What does defense rely on?

First, look at the basic skills of defense, second, strength and speed, third, endurance, fourth, defensive anticipation awareness, and fifth, defensive will.

The coaches on the sidelines may be able to see the opponent's defensive basic skills, the opponent's defensive will and some decision-making reactions in defensive anticipation, and use these to judge the level of the defensive personnel, but without playing in person, they cannot really feel the opponent's speed, strength and endurance.

If the coach sees the tricks and techniques of the defensive players, then the speed, strength and endurance, which can only be felt by the opponent, are really only clear to the person involved.

The No. 10 of the Supersonics is very strong... Whether in strength, speed or even endurance, Kobe feels that he is definitely the strongest defender he has ever seen!

He is faster and more flexible than Big Ben, and has a stronger will. He is stronger and more aware than Artest. He is more like Kevin Garnett, who is known as the best defender in history in the Timberwolves... No, even Garnett seems to be slightly inferior in strength and defensive awareness compared to him!

This is a combination of Garnett's skills and speed, Big Ben's strength, and even Bill Russell, the Lord of the Rings who proposed the concept of "defense wins the championship"!

Speaking of which, the Lord of the Rings seems to live in Seattle...

The defense of this No. 10 is natural, there is no flaw at all, and it is full of momentum, with extremely strong aggressiveness and dominance. When facing him, even Kobe feels like he is shrouded!

Kobe felt it clearly, Sakuragi Hanamichi's defense even put more pressure on him than Lin Dong's defense.

A guy like this would also have defensive weaknesses? And even his opponent couldn't feel the weakness, but Phil Jackson could see it in just a few balls?

Frankly speaking, Kobe doesn't really approve of Phil Jackson. He looked down on him when he won three consecutive championships, and praised his triangle offense and O'Neal's status as the boss. Even today, he actually values ​​Yao Ming more than himself. It's just that after Lin Dong dominated the league at the No. 3 position, the Buss family began to gradually change the concept of "center ruling the world", and realized that the No. 3 position has greater commercial value, and began to exclude Phil Jackson... Otherwise, if the Zen Master really took the helm, he might not be able to sit firmly on the throne of the absolute boss of the Lakers now...

If this were to be changed two years ago, Kobe would not care. He would only wipe his sweat and even be too lazy to listen to the Zen Master say a word, but now...

"What weaknesses do you see in him?" Kobe asked coldly, as if giving the Zen Master a chance.

Phil Jackson felt that his tolerance for this second disciple was really high, but he often couldn't stand this guy's temper.

But, just like this guy was still willing to listen to him patiently even if his self-esteem was provoked.

Everything is for the championship.

It's not good if the relationship is not good. It doesn't matter whether we respect each other or not. We are just colleagues. There is only one important thing, that is to win!

"I didn't see it!" Phil Jackson's voice was not very friendly, cold, which made the other people on the Lakers bench a little embarrassed. They could fully feel the chill between the master and the apprentice.

"..." Kobe took a deep breath. Although he looked down on the Zen Master's triangle offense, he knew this guy's character. He was a serious person who would not shoot without purpose. If he really didn't see anything, he wouldn't say that just now.

Is it because he felt offended? Then this answer is too naive, maybe there is more to it.

Kobe patiently did not refute or sneer, but continued to look at the Zen Master. Sure enough, he soon heard Phil Jackson continue: "But you can guess it."

"His understanding of the defense of the No. 3 position is probably from the training with Lin Dong, either one-on-one or team competition, and these two trainings have one thing in common, that is, Lin Dong must be the ball holder."

Kobe was slightly startled, as if he thought of something.

"I won't talk about one-on-one," Phil Jackson continued: "As for intra-squad games, apart from Payton and Lin Dong, there is no other reliable point guard in the SuperSonics' current lineup. If Lin Dong and Lin Dong That No. 10 is divided into two teams, and Lin Dong must be the organizer with the ball, so... even if they have been training for several years, it is difficult for the No. 10 to defend Lin Dong when he doesn't have the ball! "

"Don't stick to the ball, play the 3 position and play without the ball!" Phil Jackson said: "Then you will be able to fully release your energy on the offensive end!"

A strange look flashed in Kobe's eyes.

The old guy still has something... Although this guess may not be correct, you can definitely give it a try.

"But the problem is that now Nash can't get past halftime against Lin Dong's defense." Kobe reminded, acquiescing to Zen Master's statement.

"I will adapt!" Nash said solemnly next to him, how could he give up the opportunity so easily after finally getting the opportunity to prove himself: "No one can lock me in the second half!"

Phil Jackson nodded: "Don't always think about fighting a small one against a big one. He is a brand new opponent for you. Just try to adapt. You can do it...but before that."

He looked at Odom: "Raml, you go to receive the ball! Yao, there is no need to play high-post tactics. Since the fast pace of running and gunning has been broken by the SuperSonics, then change the rhythm and go inside!"

"Sakuragi guards Bryant. Without him in the paint, you will be the team's anchor on the offensive end. Beat Chandler, grab your rebounds, and seize every offensive opportunity!"

"No problem!" Yao Mingweng replied angrily.

"On the defensive end, focus on delaying! Give Yao time to return to the basket and control the rhythm!" Phil Jackson said: "Doug, you keep an eye on Iguodala, Odom keeps an eye on Rukawa Kaede, and Nash , and Kobe Bryant double-teamed Lin Dong!"

"On the offensive end, give the ball to Bryant and Yao, and on the defensive end, they lock down their outside perimeter. They can only lose 2 points at most. And as long as Yao is delayed until he returns to the basket, there is still a possibility of defense."

"Four years! Four years, no matter what unhappiness and misunderstandings there have been between all of us, at least when facing the SuperSonics, facing Lin Dong, and facing the championship, all of us have the same heart. "Unanimous!" Phil Jackson said with red eyes: "Although I am just a coach, although I can't go on the court to fight with you, I will fight on the sidelines. I don't want to lose, absolutely don't want to lose. I have never been so eager for a moment. Win! Come on guys!”

beep!

The referee had already blown the return whistle, and with the roar of the entire stadium, the SuperSonics Five returned.

Kobe took a deep breath and stretched out his hand until all the big hands of the players were on top of him. However, Kobe did not shout slogans such as "come on" or "play on the field", but stopped there and looked at Fei. Jackson.

The Zen master was startled for a moment, then realized what Kobe meant, and finally a smile appeared on his face.

Although the problem of discord between the Lakers generals has always existed, he has also made plans to be on the court and off the court. After all, whether it is his own character or Kobe Bryant's character, it is difficult to abandon him. To recognize each other with the concepts in your heart, maybe the rift between the two people will never be repaired in this lifetime.

But……

Phil Jackson also folded his hands.

"The Lakers must win!" Kobe roared: "Go!"

…………

It seems that thanks to the easing of the relationship with the general, it not only improves the team's cohesion, but also dissipates a lot of the tense atmosphere that originally hung over the team.

The Lakers generals who returned to the field looked somewhat different from before.

The Lakers have the ball.

Everyone could immediately see the Lakers' adjustment strategy on the offensive end.

Yao Ming directly sank to the front basket to face Chandler, seeming to have given up on their center high position tactics.

Doug Christie sent a baseline kick, and Nash was locked by Lin Dong. However, Kobe led Sakuragi Hanamichi directly through the half court without any intention of stepping forward to receive the ball.

It was Odom who stepped forward to meet him, and Rukawa Kaede followed immediately.

Stopping the big man from catching the ball is impossible.

This 208 cm tall man is about the same height as Sakuragi Hanamichi, but his weight of only 104 kg makes him look much thinner than Sakuragi Hanamichi.

This is a rare opportunity to prove yourself...

Rukawa Kaede's eyes were shining with a strange light at this time.

He knows the opponent's nickname, the most versatile player in the league!

Frankly speaking, if Rukawa Kaede were to face this 208cm big man in the low post, the gap in height, wingspan and strength would be enough to make Rukawa Kaede feel like he would have nothing to do.

But the problem is, this is in the first half!

What he has to stop is not a big man under the basket, but a big man controlling the ball, which is completely different.

The taller you are, the harder it is to hold the ball, because it means that the frequency of hitting the ball is reduced and the center of gravity is raised. To put it bluntly, if you hit the ball once, the time it takes for the ball to bounce off the ground and return to your hand will always be longer than Others are longer.

There is a high probability that the opponent will use his height, wingspan and strength to beat him from behind like Yao Ming did before, slowly push him over, or look for opportunities to pass the ball and wait for the response from his Lakers teammates.

Sure enough, as soon as Rukawa Kaede had this idea in his mind, he felt that Odom had subconsciously turned his back when he caught the ball.

Rukawa took a deep breath and prepared to meet the opponent's first wave of impact. As long as the body touches, he can accurately judge the opponent's center of gravity and start to try some aggressive defense.

But before Rukawa finished thinking about this...

Huh!

Rukawa's pupils suddenly contracted, and then he felt a giant beast holding his open right arm and speeding up to step past him.

Good, so fast!

Is this the ball-handling speed that a 208-cm tall man should have?