Greg. Popovich's confidence has always been that he firmly believes the Grizzlies will play a traditional two-post lineup.

In this way, the Spurs' big four are just enough to restrain the Grizzlies. Coupled with Leonard's defense against Link, playing the Grizzlies won't be a problem.

But as soon as the game started today, the situation was beyond Popovich's expectations. The Grizzlies actually changed their formation, and a team that was ridiculed by fans as "a set of starters to death" actually took the initiative to change the formation!

Not just Popovich, many people, even Grizzlies fans, didn't expect this!

Popovich couldn't help but turn his head to look at the other half, and his eyes fell on Dave. Jogger.

While Joggle is the best coach of the year, Popovich doesn't think Joggle is a master tactician. If Popovich were to be judged, Jogel is the kind of coach who doesn't make mistakes, but he doesn't surprise you too much.

He has always believed that it is impossible for Jogger to find a way to deal with the Spurs. It's like Scott. Brooks, hasn't he and his Thunder also been tuning in?

But now the Grizzlies' starting lineup has allowed Popovich to refresh his perception of Jogle.

Could it be that the guy has already found out that the Spurs are actually playing one big and four small?

Popovich shook his head, not thinking about the mess.

What Popovich didn't know was that Joggle had already responded because he had a player next to him who had just been named to the best team.

After the Grizzlies attacked, the Spurs' defense spread out. It's clear that they're very confident in one-on-one marking.

But at this time, it was Duncan who was the most uncomfortable to defend. Because the Grizzlies play one big and four small, the Grizzlies don't have a second interior line.

After Split stuck to Gasol Jr., Duncan suddenly found himself unable to find the counterpoint.

Whether it's Iguodala, Link, or Jimmy. Butler, they're all big hits for Duncan!

Although Duncan can't jump very much, his ability to stand on the stake frame is still very strong.

But if Duncan is allowed to get out, it will be difficult for some strong people.

But now, Duncan has no choice!

Old Deng gritted his teeth and pasted Butler, he had to mention the high position he was not good at.

Facing Duncan, a superstar-level big guy, Butler was not nervous.

Single-handedly with the most feared player in the world every day, Butler has long forgotten what it is to be afraid.

Duncan stretched his arms as far as he could to increase his defensive area.

Link began to break through under Leonard's entanglement, and Duncan was ready to make a move and was ready to defend Link at any time.

In the process of breaking through Leonard, Link got a taste of what it was like to fight against "quasi-FMVP".

This Spurs No. 2 has improved a lot defensively and is much better physically than last year. It's almost impossible to push his defense hard. Even if LeBron comes, it is estimated that he will be staggered.

However, Link's purpose in forcing a breakthrough through Leonard was not to score.

As the encirclement between Leonard and Duncan was about to form, Link jumped up and half-turned in the air to pass the ball to Butler, who was waiting outside the three-point line on the left!

It stands to reason that Link couldn't have had passing vision just now. Duncan and Leonard not only blocked his path forward, but also blocked Link's view.

But Link knew Butler would retreat to that position before he broke through.

Link's passing is not based on his eyes, but on his control and understanding of the situation of the game.

Grant. Hill's high basketball IQ combined with Link's hard work makes it easy for Link to find teammates in the open spot.

Butler received the basketball from outside the three-point line, and by this time, Duncan had shrunk into the paint area due to the defense of Link.

Thus, Butler gets a huge vacancy!

Without hesitation, Butler, who made his first start in the playoffs this season, shot the first shot of the Western Conference Finals!

Butler's three-point shooting percentage this season is actually not high, and it has even regressed compared to last season.

After all, it takes years for a player like him to completely improve in shooting.

But Butler wasn't completely out of the field from beyond the three-point line, not to mention that he deliberately practiced his shooting yesterday.

Popovich's head swung with the basketball moving in the air, and then watched as the basketball rolled up into the white net.

"Jimmy. Butler hit the first shot and scored beautifully! We don't know about Dave. Why did Coach Jogel suddenly replace Randolph with Butler, but at least in terms of the first attack, Butler did play a huge role! Beautiful goals, beautiful assists, the defending champions take the lead at home! ”

"Damn!" Popovich scolded secretly, the Grizzlies suddenly came to such a big and four small, and the Spurs couldn't match up on the defensive end at all!

But it doesn't matter, Popovich believes the Spurs can also take advantage of the inside to get back the points they lost.

The 2.03-meter-tall Dior can defend the inside, but the Grizzlies' forwards may not be able to do it.

So, Popovich clapped his hands on the sidelines and gestured at Parker.

Parker understood, and then slowed down.

In this round, the Spurs want to play the ball inside!

If the Grizzlies used a small man to defend Duncan, it would be tantamount to suicide. But if you use a small man to defend Split, the Brazilian also has the advantage of height and reach as a number five. In any case, the Spurs have the advantage on the inside!

Popovich touched his chin, the Spurs can't stop the Grizzlies, and the Grizzlies don't want to stop the Spurs!

After Parker passed the half, Duncan and Split were already in position.

Then people were surprised to find that Gasol, who is 2.16 meters tall, went to defend Duncan. And Split's No. 5 position is defended by Link himself!

Parker didn't think much of it and played the ball directly into Split, who was in the low post.

The number five is misplaced to play on the outside, and this is a great opportunity!

In the old days, it was very disadvantageous for a small man to misplace to defend the number five position. For example, it's hard to imagine how Link would defend against O'Neal or Yao Ming.

But in this day and age, the advantage and dominance of the No. 5 player on the inside is shrinking. Split took the ball and hit it twice, and found that he couldn't even stand up to Link!

The advantage of the center on the inside has become smaller, and they can't even play misalignment, which is actually one of the reasons why the era of small ball has come.

Since big men don't have an advantage, then everyone simply doesn't need big guys.

Popovich gritted his teeth, he didn't expect this to happen.

Link is notoriously good defensively, and he is the winner of this year's Defensive First Shot + Defensive Player of the Year.

But Link's dominance on the defensive end, like Leonard, is mostly on the outside.

But now, Link has shown his defensive ability to defend with tenacity even on the inside!

Split's face turned red as soon as he "swooped", and as an inside lineman who couldn't move the No. 3 position, it was indeed very embarrassing.

Split then forced a turn, ready to finish off with a slow three-step hook.

However, Split, who averaged less than five shots per game in the playoffs, is not for this. Although he is the European MVP, his offensive skills are still too rough in front of Link.

Split dribbled in front of Link, and Link was watching slow motion.

Seeing the right moment, Link did everything and gave Split a mistake.

Link proved with practical actions that the Spurs' double height has no advantage in front of the Grizzlies' big and four small!

After the steal, Link took advantage of the situation to push forward and counterattack. He had just looked up when he spotted Jimmy. Butler has rushed to the front.

Butler's guy was not intended to be the most aggressive player on the field today.

Link didn't hesitate and pushed the ball forward! The basketball raced past halftime and fell into Butler's hands.

At this point, Butler was empty. Although there was Green behind him, the distance was still a little far.

So, after continuing the three-pointer just now, Jimmy. Butler showed the fans another two-handed slam dunk!

5-0, the Spurs, who originally wanted to surprise the Grizzlies, were now "pleasantly surprised" instead.

Looking at Popovich's surprised expression, Link smiled contentedly.

Previously, Durant failed to rewrite history and still lost to the Spurs according to the trajectory of the original history.

Then, history will be rewritten today!

"Burris, get ready to play!" Popovich yelled at the Frenchman on the bench that he had to implement his plan ahead of time.