After falling behind 1-3 and finally succeeding in the reversal, there are only nine teams in NBA history, including the Rockets in the first round this year.

This is a scary team with a low success rate, not to mention the experienced Spurs on the other side.

Although the series is not over yet, the fans' judgment is not wrong.

The Pelicans have one foot off the cliff and it's only a matter of time before they're eliminated.

However, it is consolating that even if the Pelicans are eliminated in the next game, they will not be the first to go out of the division semifinals. ^_^

The remaining three sets of games, the Bulls 3-1 Hawks, and the Cavaliers 2-2 Knicks, all still played.

But the game on the Warriors' side was over again.

The Rockets didn't bother the Warriors and were swept out of the game 4-0.

Not only the Clippers next door, but this rocket has also missed the West for many years.

The Pelicans and Hawks are now 1-3 behind their opponents, but the Warriors have shown dominance and swept to the Western Conference finals in two rounds.

Before the start of the season, fans and media believed that James would bring Yu Wei to achieve two consecutive championships after returning home.

Even before the playoffs began, they felt that the Cavaliers, who had completed the run-in, were the favorites to win the championship.

But now it looks like the Warriors are the more competitive team in the playoffs.

Game 5 between the Pelicans and Spurs will be played in three days, and the Pelicans return to New Orleans the day after Game 4.

While the situation is unfavorable, the good news is that they have plenty of time to adjust, and the next game is also on their home turf.

It was at this time that the league announced its second batch of season awards.

In the selection of the Most Improved Award, Jimmy Butler averaged 22.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game, with an absolute majority of 50% of the votes, beating Draymond Green (17%) and Whiteside (16%).

In the selection of the best defensive player, Kawhi Leonard won 30% of the votes with his average of 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, as well as excellent defensive ability, beating Draymond Green (26%) and Jordan Jr. (20%).

With hard work, Leonard finally won the first high-value award of his career.

After the award was announced, Tang Tian sent a congratulatory text message to Leonard as soon as possible.

Leonard also replied as soon as possible.

"Thank you for your guidance and help to remember for a lifetime."

Although Tang Tian has been away from the Spurs for two years, Leonard knows very well that his growth is inseparable from Tang Tian's help.

Although he was now an opponent, he still respected Tang Tian very much.

If there is a sixth game in the series, then Leonard's victory ceremony will take place in the sixth.

If not, the award ceremony will take place in the next round opener against the Warriors.

But no matter what time it is, that will be a big bonus to the morale of the Spurs.

After Leonard won the award, he kept a low profile as before, did not post on social media or give interviews to reporters.

However, the management of the Spurs seems to be a little unable to sit still.

Not long after the results came in, the team's official Twitter posted a message.

"It's time for us to get back what we lost last season @Kawhi Leonard."

This lost thing is obviously a reference to the team's dynasty and championship last season.

The Spurs are on the radar this time around.

However, considering the skepticism they faced after their failed title defence last year, and the instructions given by the team's owner, Holt, it seems understandable.

It's just a little embarrassing that although Leonard opened social media at the beginning of last season, he hasn't posted a single status so far.

And he didn't respond to the Spurs' official Aite.

But it doesn't seem to matter, because the Spurs tweeted this to tell everyone that they have the next core.

Such a high-profile way naturally attracted the attention of the media and fans.

At this moment, a reporter from FOX Sports approached Spurs owner Holt for an exclusive interview.

There are many issues mentioned here, ranging from Leonard's election as the best defensive player, to the official tweet that has just been released, and even the first time that he has mentioned such a sensitive topic as whether he regrets letting Tang Tian go.

Holt answered all these questions one by one.

"Do you regret letting Don go? He's now a top-five superstar in the league. ”

"No, no regrets, we haven't regretted that decision since we made it."

In an exclusive interview, Holt gave a clear answer to this question for the first time.

"You say he's a superstar, that's now, but at that time he was just a role player on the team, and no one could have predicted how quickly he was going to grow, so it was wrong to look back at that decision in the current situation."

"But at that time, he had become the Most Valuable Player of the Finals."

The journalist reminded.

"Yes, he is."

Holt laughed as he said this.

"But you also know, that was probably the most unconvincing FMVP, and I don't mean to belittle Don, but because we're absolute team basketball, that's a fact that has to be admitted."

"Even if he's a superstar now, don't you regret it?"

The reporter asked again.

Hall nodded.

"Like I said, no one would have expected him to grow so fast, and the reason why he can grow so fast has a lot to do with the Pelicans giving him a lot of shots, which is very difficult to achieve with the Spurs, Popovich won't allow that, that's not our style.

Like everybody knows, we have a system where we're a team and Tim is good enough, but if you just look at his stats, you'd think he's just a normal All-Star. ”

"You mentioned Tim, there are rumours that he could retire this season? Will the system continue to exist after he retires? ”

The reporter continued to ask.

"Of course, Popovich is here, it's there, and we've found a new successor, Kawhey, who's as good as Don, he's just got the Defensive Player of the Year, and he's done what Don did and did better.

You see now we have a chance to challenge for our third title in four years, and it's very hopeful, and it really has something to do with our decision to let Don go, and then we have room to sign Pau Gasol, and then we're now 3-1 ahead of the Pelicans. ”

Holt's eyebrows couldn't hide the confidence.

From this passage, it can also be seen that Holt's original intention of choosing to accept an exclusive interview at this time and publish these tirades.

Since Tang Tian played his first game with the Pelicans, the Spurs have been on the cusp and have become the target of criticism from the outside world.

Now that Leonard has been voted the best defensive player and the Spurs are going to eliminate the Pelicans right away, it's finally his turn to take a breath!