Hearing Sam Cassel's firm voice, Philip Saunders' frowning brows instantly relaxed, and he couldn't help but be surprised and delighted.

If the "aliens" can make a comeback in the crucial battle of Tianwang Mountain, it will definitely be a relief for the Timberwolves.

As the head coach of the Timberwolves and the man who built the team with Kevin McHale, Philip Sanders knows very well how important Kassel is to this team.

The Timberwolves have been out of the first round over the past few seasons, with locker room tensions and team unity issues persisting, and the Wolves are not a perfect leader.

In this regard, he has a huge gap with Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki.

The arrival of "Sam" Cassel has brought the Timberwolves to a whole new level, he is the commander on the court and the absolute leader of the team's locker room.

The Wolf King and the "Madman" fought separately at the beginning of the season, and without the glue of Kassel, the three-headed monster would not have made it to the Western Conference Finals.

"Sam, the team and I were expecting you to play, but your back injury ......"

In fact, the Timberwolves management and the team's coaching staff considered persuading Cassel to play behind closed courts as early as when the Timberwolves were facing a huge dilemma in the Western Conference.

But at that time, the Timberwolves' team doctor was very responsible, believing that Kassel's back injury was quite serious, and the side effects of playing a closed game were great, and the state of the game could not be guaranteed.

Although Cassel is low-key, he is a veteran of more than ten seasons in the league after all, and he has also won two championship rings with Olajuwon, and he has seen all kinds of storms and waves.

So naturally, for the sake of the Timberwolves' team, he will not take the liberty of playing closed and ruining his career.

Moreover, Kassel's back injury was the most serious recurrence period at that time.

"Coach Sanders, I can do it, Thomas's team doctor has told me the worst outcome!"

"This season is arguably the last peak of my career and I'm really looking forward to winning this championship and it will be the biggest glory of my career!"

"When we fell behind in the Western Finals, I couldn't see much hope, but the appearance of Lin changed all that!"

"Now we are only two wins away from the championship, and if we miss out on the championship, it will probably be the regret of my life!"

Philip Saunders was so excited that his voice became a little shaky: "Sam, thank you!" I'm sure we'll win tonight! ”

Hanging up Cassel's phone, Philip Saunders looked at the assistant coaches around the conference table with bright eyes, and said confidently:

"Sam is back tonight, let's overturn everything and rearrange tonight's offensive and defensive tactics!"

"For the Timberwolves, this is a battle that can't be lost!"

At two o'clock in the afternoon, the Timberwolves players, coaching staff and team doctor had arrived at the Auburn Hills Palace arena for the final hour of training in the training hall.

But when Sam Cassel, who was with him, took off his suit and changed into his Timberwolves No. 19 jersey, Lin Fei and the other Timberwolves players were surprised.

"Guys, tonight's Tianwang Mountain, let me fight side by side with you! Go for the damn victory! ”

Kassel deliberately did not reveal the news at the hotel in advance, but waited until he arrived at the stadium, which gave everyone a surprise.

The wolf king was the first to rush up excitedly, patted Cassel's shoulder gently, and didn't dare to use force:

"Sam, did the doctor say you could play tonight? Made, let's kill those Pistons together! ”

After losing two games in Detroit in a row, the wolf king was naturally very angry and aggrieved.

Especially in the last double overtime, he was finally killed, which really made the wolf king have the urge to rush up and kill Billups.

"Madman", Szebiak and Lin Fei also surrounded him, unsure if Kassel was really ready to play.

"Sam, don't be too reluctant, with or without you, we will win this Tianwang Mountain tonight!"

"yes Sam, it's not a wise choice to force an injury, he will ruin your career!"

Lin Fei also comforted: "Sam, although I miss your passing very much, don't joke with your health and future!" ”

Cassel has a determined smile on his face, and although he looks ugly, he is very gentle, and he exudes the air of a kind and humble academic leader.

"I'm going to play behind closed doors tonight, you don't have to persuade me, I've already discussed it with Coach Sanders!"

"If you still know that you feel sorry for me as a big brother, then you should all go with all your strength to beat up the arrogant guys of the Pistons!"

As soon as the words of "alien" came out, the surrounding air instantly quieted down, and every Timberwolves player seemed to have a little more fighting spirit in an instant.

The wolf king clenched his fists tightly, gritted his teeth and said, "Sam, you are good, I will definitely beat that bastard of Rashid in this game tonight!" ”

"Madman" was rarely silent, and as a peer of Cassel, he could best understand the other person's feelings, and "Alien" was trading the end of his career for a championship.

Winning the championship this season, even if it is to retire on the spot, it is a kind of perfection, after all, "Mad Man" and Kassel have been in the league for many years, and they are no longer short of money.

Compared to Kassel, "Mad Man" seems to need this championship even more, after all, he has not tasted a championship in his 12-year career.

Lin Fei was also moved by Kassel's decision and opened his mouth to say something, but Kassel took the lead in smiling and reaching out and patting his shoulder:

"Lin, try to be yourself tonight, I believe I can pass you more good balls!"

Kassel's words made Lin Fei, a big man, almost break his defense, and went up directly to hug the other party, covering up the tears in his eyes.

"Sam, you're handsome tonight!"

Cassel smiled: "Lin, your compliment caught me off guard!" ”

Although he is destined to leave the Timberwolves at the end of this season, Lin Fei will always remember his rookie season.

Remember the old friend of Szebiak, and remember the support and encouragement of the "madman" and the wolf king.

Also remember Philip Saunders, the Bole, and Sam Cassel, the respectable big brother.

Philip Saunders' coaching team quickly took to the court, quickly explained the offensive and defensive tactics for tonight, and then divided the 12-man squad into two teams for tactical drills.

Kassel hasn't had a closed shot yet, so he's just going to go on early to do some simple runs and passes, move his sore back, and prepare for playing after the closure.

The effect of the occlusive needle can last about 3 hours, because the Timberwolves' team doctor will inject Kassel's back muscles and ligaments an hour before the game.

He is guaranteed to last the whole game.

The occlusive needle only relieved the nerve pain for a short time, but it did not mean that Kassel could perform any action on the field like a healthy player.

Damaged back muscles, ligaments and mucous membranes can still affect Kassel's performance.

With Cassel on the floor, Lin Fei's off-ball running has become more active, and he can even try some bolder ways, tilting his body on the outside to catch the ball after many counter-runs, and he also has a very efficient shooting rate.

This also made Lin Fei more aware of how important it is to partner with a top point guard.

Because the G3 Timberwolves lost in the finals, Lin Fei only got 30 free attributes of the system, and G4 Lin Fei didn't play for a minute, so naturally there was no reward.

Coupled with the 30 free attributes accumulated after two days of training, a total of 60 points were added to the defensive attributes again.

[Ding, 60 free attributes have all been added to the defensive attributes, and the defensive attributes have +1 to 53 points]

Lin Fei's little nose twitched, and the defensive value was rising more and more slowly.

For the sake of precious free attribute points, tonight's Tianwang Mountain must also win!

After the training, Philip Saunders made the final summary and arrangement:

"Sam, Trenton, Mad Men, Kevin and Olovokandi start tonight!"

"Lin and Szebiak are back on the bench, and you two are still the team's most important rotation players!"

"The starting lineup continued to maintain the offensive and defensive strategy of the last G4, Kevin and Latrill attacked the basket more on the offensive end to create kills, and actively rushed to grab the rebounds in the front court!"

"Trenton, you are a point that is easy to be emptied, don't hesitate to take the ball and shoot decisively!"

"Olovo Kandi, you've been blown up by Big Ben twice in a row under the basket, the team needs you to show a positive performance tonight, no one dares to say that you are a parallel import!"

"Defensively, we have to show a tougher attitude and a sense of pressing, forcing the Pistons to make turnovers and get more opportunities to counterattack and break quickly!"

"Only by playing more counter-attacks can we destroy the arrogance of Detroit's home court, and Lin's three-pointers can hit more!"

Under the watchful eye, the time soon came to seven o'clock in the evening.

The home fans at Auburn Hills Palace were furious, and the Pistons' pre-game ceremony was equally explosive.

"Beep!"

In the whistle of the referee Stephen Jiawei, the most intense and tense finals of the battle of Tianwang Mountain officially began.

The Minnesota Timberwolves' starting five are:

Point Guard (PG): Sam Cassel,

Shooting Guard (SG): Trenton Hassel,

Small Forward (SF): Latril Sprewell,

Power Forward (PF): Kevin Garnett,

Center (C): Michael Olovokandi.

The return of "alien" Sam Cassel made Pistons fans feel a little uneasy,

But there are also more Pistons fans who think it's a good sign, because Kassel's back injury is unlikely to get better anytime soon.

If Kassel is playing behind closed play, this shows even more that the Timberwolves are at the end of their rope.

In front of the live commentary stage, tonight's commentary partners are still TNT's two big treasures, Charles Buckley and Kenny Smith.

As Sam Cassel's big brother during the Houston Rockets' two-game winning period, Kenny Smith couldn't help but praise:

"Sam has always been the bravest fighter on the field, and I saw that in his rookie season!"

"I hope tonight's Timberwolves can bring a bigger surprise to the fans!"

Charles Barkley, as "Lin Blow", did not focus on Kassel himself:

"Sam's return may mean that Lin will get enough playing time tonight, and what the Timberwolves need more is not Sam to score, but assists!"

"Lin is a talented pitcher who is extremely biased, and he needs a more perfect point guard next to him!"

After Lin Fei fell off the cliff in G3 and G4 in the finals, Charles Barkley stood up for Lin Fei in public, believing that the Timberwolves' tactical system could not match Lin Fei's off-ball ability.

"We couldn't ask more for a draft loser, after all, this guy only gets an annual salary of 350,000 US dollars! He was supposed to sit on the bench and be a free VIP spectator! ”

"On any team at a championship level, if there's a base-paid player who dribbles poorly and defends poorly, but who shoots over a horrific 80 percent from three-point range,"

"So if this team can't use this player properly and make reasonable use of his off-ball and three-point ability, it can only mean that there is something wrong with the team's main configuration and coaching team!"

"And the player himself, there is nothing wrong with it!"

"No matter how accurate and powerful a sniper rifle is, it needs a well-trained special forces to exert its great power!"

"There is no doubt that Lin is a sniper rifle for the Timberwolves, and how the Timberwolves will use it well tonight, let's wait and see!"

Charles Barkley's remarks can be said to show his identity as "Lin Blow" vividly,

not only found enough reason and cover for Lin Fei's sluggish performance of G3, but also looked forward to the outbreak of Lin Fei's battle of Tianwang Mountain tonight.

On the court, the opening two teams jumped the ball,

This time, Olovo Kandi was ashamed and brave, and finally won a little face after four consecutive opening jump ball failures.

"Smack!"

Sam stepped forward to take the ball forward, and the Timberwolves opened the game with the first offense.

Although he had received a closed injection in advance and could not feel the pain in his back muscles and ligaments, Kassel was still more careful at the beginning and did not dare to make too drastic movements.

Billups quickly struck up with a ferocious approach, deliberately creating more physical confrontation for Kassel.

Kassel put the ball in the hands of "Madman" for the first time, and "Madman" made a block with the Wolf King in the high post, misplaced and forced Rashid Wallace.

"Whoosh!"

The "madman" broke through very sharply at the beginning, and directly passed the position of the roaring Tianzun, and after entering the penalty area, he jumped and sent a low-handed layup.

Big Ben saw that the "madman" had jumped up and lifted the ball, so he decisively let go of Olowo Kandi and turned over to pounce, and was about to send a big hat directly.

However, in the face of Big Ben, who came up from the left side of the defense, and Rashid, who was chasing behind him, the "madman" was actually in danger, and another familiar fake shot and real pass, with a flick of his wrist, gave the ball to Olowocandi behind the big himself.

The basketball flew almost against the side of Big Ben's face, and Ben Wallace was shocked, and his big hand that couldn't be contained slapped the empty tempered rebound.

Kenny Smith in front of the commentary desk was very excited, patted the table and said:

"Ratrier's difficult pass is so beautiful, it's the same as the assist from G2 to the right 0-degree corner forest in the finals!"

Although the "madman" passed the ball beautifully, the rough man under the basket, Olovo Kandi, did not catch the ball and almost made a butter hand mistake out of bounds.

By the time Olovo Candy got hold of the basketball for the second time and was about to jump and dunk, Big Ben had already turned over and came back.

"Give me the damn ball!"

The Wolves, who went down the middle, rushed to the horse, roared at Olovo Kandi, jumped up after receiving the ball, and smashed the ball into the basket through Ben Wallace, who couldn't block it.

"Boom!"

"Beep!"

As the whistle blew, referee Stephen Garvey signaled for Ben Wallace to foul the Wolves shooting hitter.

2+1。

The wolf king beat his chest and roared, showing the domineering spirit of the new MVP.

This opening game was 2+1 against the big Ben violent dunk, which is of great significance to the Timberwolves who are playing away.

After losing two games in a row, Kevin Garnett also deeply reflected on his own problems, and cared too much about the honor of FMVP, which became a delicate shackle and burden on him.

In tonight's game, with Sam Cassel's comeback, the Timberwolves can be said to be back to almost complete form.

The starting five Tigers dominated the offense and defense, Lin Fei and Si Zebiak on the bench gave enough firepower support, and the Timberwolves, who beat the Lakers in the West Finals, are back tonight.

"Huh!"

The Wolves walked to the free throw line and hit a free throw, and roared at Ben Wallace in the defense: "Man, I'll send you off the court with six fouls tonight!" ”

The Pistons attacked.

Billups attacked Kassel at this point, and the tough upper body confrontation, squeezing the opponent to break through the penalty area.

But Kassel defended the ball very well, and his rich experience and faster speed made up for the lack of tonnage, which made it very uncomfortable for Billups to break through.

Billups made a quick stop with his back to hold the ball against Cassel, and this time he was convinced of his guess, and it seemed that Cassel really closed himself off to win the finals.

"Sam, in order to fight for an FMVP for the wolf king, as for ruining his future?"

Although he is not good at trash talking, in order to win, Billups does not mind some heart-attacking tactics in actual combat.

Kassel was always on the lookout for Billups' movements, and chuckled in response:

"Chaunse, you should be the one who wants to compete for MVP, right? Richard's points per game average is a lot higher than yours! ”

Billups didn't talk nonsense anymore and quickly summoned a block from Rashid Wallace, but the Wolves switched defenses very decisively, and the long arms completely enveloped Billups' shooting space.

"Whoosh!"

Billups naturally gave the ball to Rashid Wallace, but the ball was passed a little carelessly, and Kassel rushed up and completed the steal directly.

"Smack!"

In the counterattack, Cassel gave the ball to the "madman" who was fast down the left side, and the latter completely shook off Prince with his speed and explosiveness, and was about to go straight to the basket.

Billups could only grit his teeth and switch defenses to stop the fast-break dunk of "Mad Man".

"Madman" broke through under the basket and the ball protector resisted Billups, watching the six ways, a comfortable pass without watching people hit the ground,

Cassel, who was quickly following up on the left, received the ball and jumped up, hit a layup and scored two points.

"Huh!"

Timberwolves (5) :(0) Pistons.

Lin Fei on the sidelines of the Timberwolves also jumped up and waved a towel with Si Zebiak, and at the same time, his eyes also flashed with emotion.

It was evident from Kassel's fast-break catch-and-go layup that even though he played a closed shot to prevent the pain of his back injury, his technical movements were still restricted and he was inevitably stiff.

At the same time, in the fast attack of Fang Cai's counterattack, Lin Fei thought that if he was there, he would definitely have the confidence to run out of an opportunity to catch the ball and shoot.

Under the defense of the Pistons Five Tigers' iron bucket formation, only by playing more counterattacks and fast attacks, Lin Fei can hope to get more shots.

(End of chapter)