Chapter 155: The Weakness of the Mavericks

The second night, American Airlines Center.

The entry of the Warriors players caused a burst of booing. The black eight two years ago was a miracle for the Warriors, but it nailed the Mavericks to the pillar of shame, and it was still the kind that could never be deducted again.

Zhang Yu shook hands with Carlisle with a smile on his face, recalling what Old Nelson said to him before coming to Dallas:

"Ronan, no one knows the Mavericks and Dirk better than me, and their lineup is getting older. Running and guns are their eternal nemesis, and speed is the magic weapon to beat the Mavericks!"

Carlisle said with a sullen face:

"Anthony Tolliver...do you think he has Stephen Jackson's defense?"

Zhang Yu smiled slightly:

"He's good enough against Dirk Nowitzki."

Carlisle sneered:

"hope so."

The two separated and returned to their own benches. The big screen in the middle of the stadium now listed the starting lineups of both sides.

The Mavericks Marion is injured, and the starters are Dirk Nowitzki, Kidd, Drew Gooden, Beau Bois, and Quinton Rose, of whom Beau Bois and Quinton Rose are both false starters.

The Warriors generally followed the usual starting lineup, but made a small change. Anthony Toliver replaced Varejao as the starting power forward, and Zhang Yu changed the starting lineup only 10 minutes before the game. Varejao because of " back strain" and was replaced temporarily by Anthony Tolliver.

This is also the reason for the conversation between Zhang Yu and Carlisle just now. Carlisle obviously felt that Zhang Yu underestimated Nowitzki and let Anthony Tolliver, a player with no defensive ability, start the game. Know this with confidence.

The game was also broadcast live across the United States, with ESPN's chief commentator Mike Breen and well-known coach Jeff Van Gundy serving as live commentators.

Seeing the starting lineups of both sides, Mike Breen said in his magnetic voice:

"Anthony Toliver replaced Anderson Varejao as the starting power forward. He is a space-type four. This season's three-point shooting rate reached 38.6%. Not as good as Varejao in other aspects, Jeff, why do you think Coach Z let him start?"

Jeff Van Gundy, half bald, thought for a few seconds, and said:

"As you said, the only advantage Anthony Tolliver has over Varejao is his three-pointers. Coach Z probably wants to add a space point, following the example of the Warriors' successful black-eight lineup two years ago, using speed Counterattack and shooting ... but his defense is very average, and if he starts, Dirk Nowitzki will be more unstoppable."

Mike Brin looked at the information in his hand:

"As of this game, the Mavericks had a record of 10 wins and 3 losses, ranking second in the Western Conference, only half a game behind the Lakers. They are in a wave of five consecutive victories, and the momentum is booming. Nowitzki He averaged 26.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, and his shooting percentage reached a terrifying 49.3%. It is hard to imagine how he will perform in the face of Anthony Toliver's defense."

Jeff Van Gundy nodded:

"So I'm more optimistic about the Mavericks. Coach Z may want to play against the Mavericks, but Nowitzki's state is terrible. He is an unstoppable German tank. I don't think Curry's firepower can compete with the Mavericks. He's comparable."

He considered it from the perspective of a head coach, and he couldn't think of any possibility that Anthony Toliver could limit Nowitzki. He was very pessimistic about Zhang Yu's change.

The two voices fell, and the game officially started.

"The second center in the West" Dampier did not play, so that Biedrins easily won the jump ball with Drew Gooden and allocated the basketball to Curry.

After Curry received the ball, he held the ball forward without hesitation, and other Warriors players also rushed forward.

The Mavericks players were caught off guard, and the defense was a bit chaotic. Curry observed his teammates' running positions, saw Azubuike who was in the open, and threw the ball with one hand.

Azubuike is surrounded by no one to follow him. He catches the ball and shoots.

3:0, the Warriors got off to a good start.

Carlisle shook his head with some dissatisfaction. He emphasized many times before the game that he should pay attention to the Warriors' fast break, but he still allowed the opponent to play once at the beginning.

"Pay attention to retreating, don't go to your opponent after losing the ball, follow the nearest Warriors player!" He shouted loudly during the game.

In Carlisle's view, as long as the defense is done well, this game is easy for the Mavericks.

The Warriors' interior defense already has great limitations. Biedrins' advantage lies in his mobility, his ability to switch defenses on the outside, and his ability to protect the frame, but he can't defend against inside stars who have the ability to attack independently.

Not to mention Varejao, his physical talent is very average, and his defense relies on awareness and making offensive fouls. Only the Cavaliers, who can't keep good players, will offer him a one-year $900 million contract.

Now that Zhang Yu puts Anthony Toliver on the starting lineup again, the Warriors' offense may be further improved, but the inside defense has become worse. Carlisle believes that Nowitzki can blow him up and lead the Mavericks to this victory. .

But the smile on Carlisle's face faded after the Mavericks hit the baseline and launched the offense.

"Oh, we saw Butler follow Nowitzki to the elbow, and Anthony Toliver went to the bottom corner to defend Quinton Rose. The Warriors changed their matchup!" Mike Breen said in surprise.

I saw Butler followed Nowitzki to the elbow area, went around in front of him, tried to get stuck in his position, and interfered with his receiving the ball.

Carlisle's face darkened, he glanced at Zhang Yu, and then smiled coldly.

Young man, do you think everyone is old fritters like Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes?

Carlisle doesn't believe Butler can restrain Nowitzki like they did.

What's more, Nowitzki has learned from the pain and practiced his skills hard in the past two years. Compared with the year when he was hacked, his back-up skills have been greatly improved, and he is no longer as easy to be restricted as before.

Carlisle waved his hand:

"Give the ball to Dirk!"

Kidd heard his instructions, and with his experienced experience, avoided Butler's interference, and lobbed the ball to Nowitzki lightly.

After receiving the ball, Nowitzki turned and was about to go to the basket, but Azubuike forced up from the strong side corner and blocked his forward path.

Nowitzki paused, and Butler behind him followed, and Azubuike sandwiched him between them, stretching out their hands to frantically interfere with his dribbling.

Nowitzki's confrontation ability is not outstanding. Under the two black and hard presses, his figure was a little unstable, and he quickly distributed the ball to Beaubois in the bottom corner.

Beaubois was completely emptied, but he didn't hesitate to shoot the ball as soon as he caught it, and made a very decisive three-pointer.

Bang!

However, his decisiveness was useless. The ball went off track as soon as the shot was taken. The basketball hit the left basket. inside.

The Warriors quickly launched a fast break. Butler and Azubuike, who were still biting Nowitzki just now, ran wildly, forming a three-line fast break with Curry.

The Mavericks tried hard to retreat, but Kidd's weather-beaten old legs had already lost the speed of the point guard. Nowitz was basically not good at mobility, and the only ones who caused the Mavericks to retreat in time were Beau Bois, Drew Gooden and Quinton Ross.

Fortunately, Carlisle's targeted training before the game was not in vain. All three of them followed their opponents and did not give the Warriors a chance to play more fast breaks.

But the one defending Azubuike was Beaubois, who was only 1 meters tall. Curry threw the ball over after halftime. Just vote.

Beaubois tried his best to interfere, but it was ineffective. He could only watch the basketball fly over his head.

Fortunately, not long after the opening, Azubuike's touch has not yet warmed up, and the basketball is out of the frame.

He shook his hand angrily, shook his head and retreated to the backcourt.

"Kelana, just do it, keep going!"

Seeing this scene, Zhang Yu on the sidelines was not only not angry, but gave Azubuike a thumbs up.

Azubuike's expression improved a lot, he nodded slightly, indicating that he knew, and a hot flame ignited in his eyes looking at the Mavericks' basket.

Zhang Yu's exhortation before the game sounded in his ears:

"Do you still remember how you played last season? As long as you have a chance, take bold shots, don't think about whether you can score or not, your task is to put the ball in the basket, you don't need to think about shooting percentage, you don't need to think about your teammates!"

The slight hesitation in Azubuike's heart because he missed the shot disappeared without a trace, and he let go of all his worries.

The Mavericks attacked, and Kidd hung the ball to Drew Gooden inside, who leaned back against Biedrins, turned around and made a fadeaway shot.

3: 2.

This strong inside player is the most famous homeless man in the NBA since the new century. He entered the league in the same year as Yao Ming, and was selected by the Grizzlies with the fourth overall pick in the 2002 draft.

In his rookie season, he played 51 games for the Grizzlies and was inexplicably traded to the Magic. After the season, he was selected to the All-Rookie Team with 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds.

In the second year, Drew Gooden's performance was still stable, averaging 27 points, 11.6 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game in 1.1 minutes off the bench, which is completely worthy of the Magic's focus on training.

But the strange thing is that not only did the Magic fail to make him a starter, they also traded Drew Gooden to the Cavaliers in 2003.

Drew Gooden was very upbeat, and quickly secured his starting position in the Cavaliers. His data improved to a quasi-double-double level of 14.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. He became a powerful helper for James. He spent four years in the Cavaliers, each season. Can make stable contributions to the team.

In the 2007 finals, Drew Gooden averaged 12.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, and he was able to grab 3 offensive rebounds per game. His performance was very impressive.

But the next season, he was sent to the Bulls by the Cavaliers in a three-way deal involving 11 people, starting his wandering career.

Last year, he was traded to the Spurs, the Kings, and the Mavericks in the offseason, but no one knows where his next stop will be.

Drew Gooden obviously has good strength and a good personality, but he just couldn't play with one team for a long time. He even changed three clubs in one season and became the most famous homeless man in the league.

The NBA is a place where destiny is unpredictable. There are superstars with one person and one city, there are precarious draft picks, and there are inexplicable homeless people like Drew Gooden.

No matter where he goes next stop, he will play well for the Mavericks, otherwise he won't even be able to roam.

After the round transition, the Warriors finally fell into a positional battle.

Curry didn't hit the pick-and-roll, but waved his teammates to pull away, and he wanted to single Kidd.

Sensing Curry's intentions, Kidd opened his hands and stood ready.

But his legs were already scarred and his knees were so old that he couldn't keep up with Curry's speed. Curry made a quick change of direction and rushed past him.

Curry went all the way to the penalty area and left Kidd behind. Drew Gooden couldn't just sit back and watch him make an empty basket, so he could only come up to defend.

Curry deliberately took an extra step, and waited until Drew Gooden was completely in front of him before throwing the basketball into the sky. Biedrins succeeded in an alley-oop dunk without interference.

5: 2.

"Beautiful cooperation! Curry's pass is very sophisticated, let Biedrins catch the ball in the most comfortable position, and easily completed the dunk, Kidd's speed is too slow, he can't guard Curry at all!" Mike Bu Lin said.

Looking back, Nowitzki once again asked for the ball in the low post for singles, but the Warriors' pincers were very decisive. Whoever was on the strong side, Azubuike or Anthony Toliver, came up to double-team Nowitzki, regardless of himself. the counterpointer.

This time it was Anthony Tolliver's double-team, and Nowitzki gave Quinton Rose the ball. The latter also made an open three-pointer very decisively, but missed the shot.

The long rebound bounced into Curry's hands. Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately counterattacked. This is a habit engraved in his bones.

Curry sprinted to the frontcourt, and in front of him was the retreating Beaubois. He looked up at the frame, took a step outside the three-point line, and raised his hand to shoot a three-pointer!

Beaubois tried his best to reach out and cover Curry's face, but Curry had already entered his own rhythm, completely undisturbed, and hit the net with a three-pointer.

8: 2.

Mike Brin said:

"The Warriors' aggressive defensive strategy was affected. Dirk Nowitzki's point was timely, but unfortunately, his teammates didn't seize the open shot. The Mavericks are in trouble."

Jeff Van Gundy exclaimed:

"Butler's defense is also the key. His defensive sense is too good. Although it can be seen from the details of the front circle that he lacks experience, he can entangle Nowitzki every time and flank his teammates. This is a very rare opportunity, and Coach Z asked him to defend Dirk Nowitzki, which is really a stroke of genius."

"This also has a lot to do with the Mavericks' injuries. If Marion is standing in the corner on the strong side, the Warriors can't arrange such a defense." Mike Breen added.

Jeff Van Gundy shook his head:

"If Marion can play, Coach Z should use other defensive strategies."

Carlisle didn't know the conversation between the two, but his face also became very ugly.

Zhang Yu's change happened to hit the Mavericks' weakness. Nowitzki has a narrow vision and is not good at breaking double teams throughout his career, so he can only distribute the ball to those who the Warriors intend to open.

Neither Quinton Rose nor Beaubois is a reliable shooter. One hits only 23% of the shots, and the other only shoots wide open spots, with very low output.

"Di-"

Carlisle decisively called a timeout. He had to make adjustments, otherwise the Mavericks' offense would have been stagnant.