676: The strangest change of formation
DeMarcus Cousins and the Golden State Warriors are undoubtedly the brightest scenery in the NBA during this time.
4 games back, 4 wins, each of which is comprehensive. Moreover, the compatibility between Cousins and the Warriors is also very high.
In these 4 games, there are teams like the Lakers that are not strong, and there are teams like the Celtics who are aiming for the championship.
And none of these opponents can pose a threat to the Warriors.
Now, people are saying that whether the NBA will usher in the finale early depends on the game on January 28.
Pacers vs Warriors, Cousins faces Henson. If the Warriors can still win this game, then the NBA can basically end early.
After all, if even the Pacers can't stop the Warriors, then who can?
Therefore, before the game on the 28th began, fans and the media had already started a crazy discussion on the Internet.
The most pitiful of all may be Mike Conley, who managed to finish the game on the head of the Pacers, but there was little coverage of him the next day.
Under the topic of Pacers vs Warriors, his stunner seems to be worthless.
Also, Conley's slam may have allowed the Grizzlies to win a beautiful game, but it would have little impact on the NBA as a whole.
The Pacers vs Warriors are different, and the outcome of this game can even give fans a glimpse of the championship this season.
All in all, it's a pivotal matchup for both sides. Can the five-star warriors fight a tough battle? Will the Pacers be able to play against the Warriors without Paul?
All these problems have become one of the highlights of this game. For this game, the fans are very much looking forward to it. But for Henson, the game was a big headache for him.
Until Jan. 27, the night before the game, Henson was studying footage of the Warriors' game. So far, with less than 24 hours left between the start of the game, Henson still hasn't found a way to completely contain the five-star Warriors.
But come to think of it, that's normal. Henson was able to calculate the Philadelphia 76ers to death before because the 76ers did not have a perfect system and championship background. To put it bluntly, although the 76ers are strong now, they are still in the stage of crossing the river by feeling the stones.
The Warriors, on the other hand, have won a real championship and have been able to fight their way out of the West, where there are many strong teams, every year. Steve Kerr has built a complete system for his team, and their players aren't like Embiid and Simmons.
Therefore, there is no such thing as a one-trick way to defeat a warrior in this world. If the Warriors really have so many holes, the Pacers won't have to fight the Warriors to tie for seven last season.
The only thing Henson can do is improvise during the game.
But this does not mean that Henson can not prepare for anything, if he is unprepared to fight against the five-star Warriors, there is only one outcome - failure.
The scariest thing about the Warriors is that they have so many people who can score. Curry, Thompson and Durant are already very difficult to deal with, and now with the addition of Cousins, the Warriors' firepower is even more terrifying.
With Cousins in place, Henson can't play small with impunity. After all, Cousins' destructive power on the inside is still considerable.
Combined with past experience and the latest insights, what Henson needs to do is try to curb the Warriors' scoring points as much as possible, and then make sure he plays efficiently on the offensive end.
How do you curb the offense of the Warriors players? Henson had planned to use Antetokounmpo against Durant, which would definitely minimize Durant's scoring efficiency.
But equally, if Antetokounmpo focuses on the defensive end, his own offensive efficiency will definitely suffer. Is there a way to maximize the suppression of the Warriors' stars without affecting their own stars' offense?
Henson's eyes suddenly lit up, and he thought of a way to deal with the Golden State Warriors!
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January 28 was a normal Monday. But it's a big day for basketball fans around the world.
Warriors vs. Pacers, this game has more meaning than the regular season. You could even say that the championship battle between the two teams is already underway.
The experience gained from the regular season meeting between the two teams will most likely make a huge difference in the Grand Finals.
Before the game began, there were even helicopters hovering over the Bankers' Living Arena. A reporter took a full picture of the stadium in the air, and the fans around the stadium were black and oppressive, which made people feel extremely shocked.
TNT TV won the broadcast rights to the game, and as the national broadcast of the game, TNT naturally sent their "trio" Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal to provide live commentary.
"Have you read the news lately? Most media outlets believe that the Warriors have a better chance of winning. Vegas also believes that the Warriors have a better chance of winning. I've even forgotten how many years ago it was the last time the Pacers were looked down upon. ”
Before the narration began, Obier and his two friends chatted.
Recently, given the Warriors' stellar record and the Pacers' defeat to the Grizzlies, most people thought the five-star Warriors would beat the defending champions at the Bankers' Living Arena.
The Pacers are without Paul, and the Warriors have one more Cousins who is still in the same form. On paper, there is a big gap between the two sides.
Therefore, the media generally believes that as long as the Warriors themselves don't play out of shape, it won't be difficult for them to crush the Pacers.
"yes, the Pacers have ruled the league for too long. For the first time in recent years, a team is better than the Pacers on paper. But to be honest, none of those pre-match predictions can be trusted," Barkley said, waving his hand, "because you never know how that guy from Henson Joe is going to play." ”
I think when Henson first entered the industry, Barkley was also an out-and-out "Henson Black". But now, he's one of Henson's favorite commentators.
The reason for Barkley's transformation is simple, that guy has staged too many surprises.
So today, Barkley also believes that Henson can't do nothing!
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In the dressing room, the players are changing their equipment. Henson didn't ask the players to be quiet, nor did he deliberately put on a face. He knows that the players themselves are well aware of the importance of the game. So, there is no need for him to emphasize.
And in this game, Henson wants the players to relax. If you tighten it up, it may affect your performance.
Half an hour later, the dressing room was quiet as the players turned their eyes to Henson. Everyone knows that it's time for Henson to speak.
"How's it going? After all, you're about to face the second most luxurious starting lineup in NBA history. ”
Hearing Henson say this, the players were confused. The Warriors are the second most luxurious, so who is the first luxury?
As if reading through the players' minds, Henson continued, adding, "Of course, we are the first luxury. ”
Henson's little joke made the players relax a lot. Henson then pulled the cap of the marker and tapped on the tactical board. Five names have been written on it, and they are the five starters of this game.
"I know that the outside world is saying that the NBA can already have an early finale. I couldn't agree more, because at the end of the day, it's still us who will win the championship! Today, I'm going to change formations. I'm going to use a few different methods to defeat the strong opponent in front of me. ”
The players all looked at Henson's tactical whiteboard, and his starting lineup today was quite different from usual.
Rajon Rondo will take the starting point guard. Paul George played the No. 2 and the starting No. 3 position was also changed, becoming the starting point of PJ Tucker. And the big forward and center are still Antetokounmpo and Lopez.
Rondo and Tucker, they spend most of their time in rotation time. Rondo, in particular, doesn't even get a minute of playing time in games where he doesn't need a passer. But today, Henson started him.
Henson's line-up was strange, but no one questioned it. After all, every decision Henson makes, it always works. And with Henson's status with the Pacers, no player dares to question it.
"Tucker and Rondo, you're not fake starters. I need both of you to play a huge role in today's game. What do you think? Are you ready to take on the heavy lift? ”
Henson smiled mysteriously, and Rondo and Tucker looked at each other.
I don't know what kind of killer move the godfather of basketball has this time.