Chapter 124: Strangling strategy! The defending champion, whose lineup remains the same but still ge
Last season, the Warriors were one of the teams that beat the Nuggets the most during the regular season.
This is also a big reason why Arenas was so confident before the game.
Since the lineups of both sides have not changed much, but the strength of the Warriors' players has improved, the general thinks that it should not be a big problem for the team to continue to suppress the Nuggets this season.
After playing the game, I found out that Ryan’s progress was much greater than that of everyone in the Warriors!
With three consecutive shots at the beginning, everyone suddenly understood the happiness that belonged to Daddario.
Suddenly, I felt that Kobe was not a good person.
But Ryan is really strong!
Fans across the United States are a little desperate at this time. Ryan used to kill people from mid-range shots, but now he kills people like this from three-pointers.
How can we still play this game?
Three consecutive three-pointers, two of which were three-pointers with the ball.
Simply outrageous!
Not to mention Arenas, even Mike Breen is convinced. Ryan is really looking more and more like Jordan!
At that time, it was precisely because the media complained that Jordan was not as good as Drexler in three-pointers that Jordan created a "hand-to-hand battle" that nailed the glider to the pillar of shame.
Now, some media are complaining about Ryan's lack of progress in three-pointers. Arenas even personally went off the court to challenge Ryan and asked him to see what a real three-pointer is like.
So Ryan also seized the opportunity and opened his hands to Arenas.
Mike Breen said that Ryan is like Jordan, not just in terms of his style of play, nor just in terms of three-pointers.
But he felt that Ryan was becoming more and more of a true king!
Why is Bird the king of forcing? Because he can always turn what he says into reality.
Why does Jordan scare everyone? Because if you dare to mess with him, he will beat you down in minutes.
And Ryan is simply a combination of the two!
While turning what he said into reality, he pushed everyone who dared to provoke him to the ground and beat him violently.
He said that if I make you cry tonight, I will definitely make you cry. If this isn’t the domineering power of a king, what is it?
No one can hit Ryan in the face, only Ryan can hit others!
It is very difficult not to get slapped in the face, after all, some people are getting slapped in the face themselves.
For example, a certain Kenny Smith!
Today he slapped himself in the face.
At this time, he shook his head in the studio: "Okay, I was wrong before. Ryan's three-point look is not like Charles's appearance, but more like Duncan's smile. It is both scary and murderous!"
Kenny Smith really has nothing to say. Everyone knows the level of Arenas' three-pointers. He was the man who hit the most three-pointers in the league last season except for Ray Allen.
And when Ryan faced such a person, he actually dared to fight him for three points, and he even won!
This damn dominance deserves to be the defending champion!
The game was suspended, and Arenas walked off the court dejectedly, his face in pain.
The Warriors played so smoothly in the preseason that he is not used to being suppressed at the beginning.
Of course, Arenas is not the kind of person who gives up easily.
After sitting on the bench and taking a sip of water, Arenas prepared to regroup.
Damn it, don't think I'm going to be like that loser Drexler, who can be fooled by a few three-pointers.
In the 1992 hand-to-hand battle, the reason why the Trail Blazers lost so miserably was not only because Jordan exploded with three-pointers, but also because Drexler himself only scored 16 points on 5-for-14.
When Jordan completely exploded, Drexler acted like a weakling and didn't respond at all, as if he was completely intimidated by Jordan.
If not, who are you going to explode?
But Arenas is not like this. With his character, he often becomes more courageous with every setback!
What's more, Arenas has so many helpers around him.
The general knew that a one-on-one fight with Ryan would not work. Next, win as a team!
After returning from the timeout, the game continued. Arenas calmed down and stopped attacking aggressively.
In this round, he steadily passed the ball to Yao who was asking for the ball in the low post.
Nene was flanked by Yao Ming the moment he caught the ball, but Yao Ming was already very good at dealing with this kind of flanking attack.
He expertly passed the ball to Jamison, who took the opportunity to cut along the baseline, and the latter easily dunked.
This season, Dayao's ball-playing ability has improved greatly.
This allows him to feed the ball to his teammates in a very timely manner after encountering a double attack.
One round later, AK47 made a mid-range shot. Yao Ming grabbed the rebound and took two steps forward. Facing Nene who rushed up to press for him, Yao Ming, who was 2.26 meters tall, passed Nene with a bad luck!
Then Dayao immediately passed the ball to Richardson, assisting the latter to dunk successfully!
The whole audience exclaimed, "What the hell is this 226?"
The great Yao in this history was trained by the Warriors. Although he was not like Wen Banyama, he could pass through the crotch and hit three-pointers despite his height of 2.24 meters.
But in this era, Dayao's versatility is already amazing.
Commentators often lament: "Yao is just a 2.26-meter small forward!"
After thoroughly practicing his passing this season, Yao Ming has played more like a striker.
Yao Ming's series of performances brought the Warriors closer to the score.
It also reminds the Nuggets that this game is far from just getting rid of Arenas.
The overall strength of the Warriors this year is very strong!
At 9-7, the Nuggets only led by 2 points.
The general also clapped his hands to encourage his teammates: "Defend one more! Defend one more and we will equalize soon!"
The entire Warriors team was inspired, and Richardson took this defense very seriously.
He had been deceived by Ryan's fake moves several times before, so this time, he was determined not to give Ryan any room to shoot!
Ryan caught the ball outside the three-point line as always, but as soon as Ryan received the basketball, Richardson discovered that Ryan had disappeared.
That's right, Ryan took the first step directly when he caught the ball and flashed past Richardson! The speed attribute of 99, coupled with the "instant start" talent fragment, and Richardson's too close defensive distance, all allow Ryan to penetrate his defense in seconds!
Although Ryan also had the "instant start" talent last season, his speed attribute was also 98.
But because three-pointers are average, many people still choose to take a small step when defending Ryan from the three-point line.
This greatly limits Ryan's breakthrough.
After all, Ryan can only run in straight lines now, and his low dribbling attributes make him less fond of making complicated dribbling movements to pass people.
But now, of course, when people have to shorten the defensive distance because they are afraid of Ryan's three-pointer, the power of Ryan's terrifying first step is fully revealed!
This is the meaning of Ryan's need for three-pointers. After the three-pointers are accurate, it is not just as simple as scoring a few more three-pointers in a game.
It makes it more difficult for others to defend you! Even more unable to grasp the distance when defending!
The moment Ryan broke through Richardson, Mike Breen thought he had seen peak Grant Hill!
No, more simple and crude than Grant Hill!
Grant Hill's breakthroughs are often accompanied by rapid changes in direction.
But Ryan, he really passed the opponent by accelerating in a straight line!
Ryan's speed was so fast that even Yao on the inside had no time to defend.
By the time he moved towards the basket, Ryan had already reached the inside and hung the frame with one hand and successfully scored.
"A breakthrough like the wind! Ryan scored 11 points in a row in the beginning. The Warriors were about to close the gap, but Ryan stepped up in time!
The Warriors can't stop Ryan at all now, and Ryan can score at will! "
Richardson froze on the spot, not even reacting.
Not this.
What just happened?
How come I was passed over?
Ryan just caught the ball and suddenly disappeared?
Richardson was not a strong defensive player to begin with, but now facing Ryan, who can shoot from long range and break through, he is helpless.
Ryan's extremely fast breakthrough + tomahawk chop suppressed the momentum that the Warriors had finally gained.
Arenas gritted his teeth, finally boosting his morale with just a wave of offensive.
It's all gone now!
But Arenas still doesn’t believe in evil, so what? Can't we take the lead even once today?
Keep chasing!
However, the Warriors' lagging situation lasted for the entire half!
The next half of the game was basically like this. The Warriors finally used a beautiful offensive to close the point difference, and they were about to equalize or take the lead.
But every time it comes to this final moment, Ryan will use an attack that the Warriors can't defend to interrupt the momentum.
Mid-range jump shots, baseline dunks, and assists after attracting double-teams. Ryan gave the Warriors hope again and again, but they were disappointed again and again!
The Warriors players are convinced. Although the two teams did not meet in the playoffs last season, they did play four times in the regular season.
At that time, I seemed to think that Ryan was not that difficult to guard against!
Why do you feel like you can’t hold down Ryan at all this year?
If you give him space, he can shoot a three-pointer.
If you stick a little closer, he can break through directly.
Yao Ming helps defend the inside, and Ryan assists Webber or makes a mid-range pull-up jumper.
Yao Ming didn't help defend, Ryan just rushed in and dunked!
The Warriors' defense was simply ravaged by Ryan as easily as he was pinching a ball of paper!
So after halftime, Warriors fans discovered in despair.
Ryan already scored 31 points in half the game!
Among them, he made 5 of 7 three-pointers!
Ryan's three-pointers in this half have already tied his previous record for three-pointers in the entire game!
On the other hand, Arenas, under the restrictions of Kirilenko, scored 13 points in the half.
But compared with Ryan, this performance is nothing to mention!
Mike Brin couldn't help but joke:
"Gilbert is simply the LeBron James of the Western Conference today!"
Ajan:? ? ?
This can reach me too! ?
It is indeed too similar. James and Arenas both made all kinds of nonsense before the game and were beaten in various ways during the game.
It's not like Arenas doesn't work hard and doesn't have stage fright.
I simply couldn't get into a fight with Ryan.
After all, AK47's defense is not so easy for Arenas to handle.
Arenas also admitted that his face was swollen from being slapped!
Fortunately, the overall performance of the Warriors is still very good.
Yao Ming had 12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks in the half. He was trained to be full of versatility.
Role players such as Jamison and Richardson also scored the points they deserved.
Therefore, even though Ryan scored 31 points at halftime, the Warriors were only 6 points behind the Nuggets at halftime!
Arenas knows very well that if he can win the game, he can save some face.
After the Warriors returned to the locker room, Lionel Hollins, who coached the Warriors in this history, yelled:
"Don't give up! Keep defending seriously! There's no way Ryan can score 30 points in the second half!
We can definitely turn the situation around in the second half! "
Hollins believed that the team actually played well in the first half, and there were no problems with the offense. On the defensive end, apart from being unable to guard Ryan, there were no other obvious loopholes.
As for Ryan, although he scored 31 points in the half, he was just filling the vacancies where others were not so strong in scoring ability, and it did not prove how successful the Nuggets' offense was.
In the second half, as long as you increase your defensive intensity and wait until Ryan's touch is no longer so magical, you can change the game in one fell swoop!
To this end, Hollins reworked his strategy for defending Ryan.
He asked Richardson to guard Ryan closely. Once Ryan started to speed up, Arenas and Barnes immediately double-teamed him.
If Ryan plays without the ball, double-team him as soon as he gets the ball.
In the second half, Ryan will definitely be strangled!
Most coaches will make adjustments based on the game situation.
Not everyone is like 23-year-old coach Baobovich, who turned around the game entirely by inadvertently trying out the top three lineups after losing.
Hollins believes that after some adjustments on his part, Ryan will be able to be held down.
And as long as Ryan can be contained, the Nuggets will be completely doomed!
Hollins, on his side, prepared a plan to strangle Ryan.
In the Nuggets' first attack after the start of the second half, Ryan was indeed defended by the Warriors.
This time, as always, Ryan caught the ball and made two triple-threat moves before breaking through directly.
But as soon as Ryan passed Richardson, he bumped into the double-teamed Barnes and was caught in the attack.
Seeing this, Ryan quickly handed the ball to Kirilenko.
But AK47's three-pointer bounced out of the frame, and the Warriors got themselves off to a good start in the second half!
Ryan is now being double-teamed more and more frequently, which makes Nuggets fans both happy and worried.
The good news is that being defended like this has proven that Ryan is indeed the most unstoppable scorer in the league.
But it's uncomfortable because Ryan's scoring momentum will inevitably be curbed after being double-teamed.
Yao Ming gets the rebound and the Warriors attack.
On the first attack of the second half, the Warriors used their most efficient tactic today and handed the ball to Yao Ming in the low post.
Nene attacked as usual, and Dayao also passed the ball to Jamison who was left open as usual.
Jamison stood outside the three-point line, ready to catch the ball.
If this three-pointer can be made, the Warriors will only be 3 points behind!
but.
Kirilenko suddenly appeared on the passing line and skillfully snatched Dayao's pass!
Only then did everyone realize that it was Ryan himself who was defending Arenas in the second half!
Kirilenko began to help prevent and sweep!
Hollins thought he was the one who strangled Ryan in the second half. No, it was the Warriors who were sent to the gallows!
It was useless for the Warriors to contain the Nuggets' offense in the second half, because the Nuggets focused on defense in the second half.
Bird's strategy is to focus on offense in the first half and defense in the second half, which is exactly the same strategy as the one used to strangle the Heat in the Finals.
In the first half, Ryan was allowed to rack up points as much as he wanted. He didn't need to be too far ahead of his opponents, as long as he didn't fall too far behind. In the second half, he suddenly turned on the intensity and strangled the game!
Originally this strategy was invented to save Ryan's energy in the Finals, but Bird found it to be very effective, so he decided to use it as a regular strategy this season.
After AK47 is liberated from single defense, it can do more things on the defensive end.
As for Ryan, because he didn't work hard on the defensive end in the first half. So now, he has enough energy to deal with Arenas!
Are the Nuggets having trouble attacking? The Warriors' offense will be even more difficult in the second half!
No, as soon as the Nuggets' defense tightened, the Warriors immediately started making mistakes.
After the steal, AK47 directly made a long pass from the backcourt to find Ryan.
After receiving the ball, Ryan confronted Barnes in the penalty area and pushed him away, and then easily counterattacked and scored a layup!
Not long after the Warriors were happy, they were knocked back to reality!
After the goal, Ryan immediately ran back to the half court and yelled at Arenas: "Face my defense, don't you want to defeat the defending champion? Face me!"
Arenas, who was furious, did as expected in the next round. The result was that he relied on Ryan to enter the penalty area and missed the layup!
Arenas's proud confrontational ability is completely useless in front of Ryan.
Ryan's single defense will make Arenas realize that he scored 13 points in the first half. This is already a lot!
Basketball strikes, Weber tried his best to block Yao Ming, and Nene grabbed the rebound.
After getting the basketball, Nene immediately gave the ball to Ryan beside him.
Then
Ryan ejected directly to start. After getting the basketball, he suddenly accelerated. He instantly increased his speed and crossed half the court as fast as lightning! When Ryan rushed to the midfield line, the Warriors didn't even react to retreat!
Ryan's talent fragments and 99 speed give him the ability to force quick moves from the backcourt!
Ryan used his abnormal acceleration ability to throw off the Warriors' defense. Only Jason Richardson bit Ryan's side and behind.
But it didn't help. He knew that there was no way he could chase Ryan from behind.
With a loud bang from the basket, Ryan succeeded in a dunk.
In the third quarter, although they were flanked in the first round, it became more difficult to attack the position. But relying on defensive counterattack, Ryan still scored 4 points in a row, and his personal score became 35 points!
Moreover, the score difference was widened to 10 points in one breath!
Hollins thought the third quarter was his moment to kill the game.
But the one who was really hanged was himself!
As soon as the Nuggets' defense became more intense, the Warriors' offense, which could barely sustain itself in the first half, fell into a quagmire!
As Ryan retreated, he continued to shout at Arenas:
"Beat me in frontal defense, Gilbert. You yelled so much before the game, but you beat me once!"
Ryan is deliberately stimulating Arenas' nerves so that he can't breathe for a moment.
It also lets the whole world know that this is the consequence of casually provoking the defending champion!
The following third quarter was a disaster for the Warriors.
Arenas' offense was frequently blocked, and it was difficult for Dayao to score comfortably in the double attack.
Just pass the ball, and occasionally it will be intercepted by Kirilenko who comes out of nowhere.
The entire Warriors team seems to have fallen into a room full of killing mechanisms like those in horror movies. They don't know when something will come out and kill them bloody!
Yao Ming turned around and hooked his hand, and was blocked by Kirilenko.
Jamison makes an open shot and can be interfered by the sudden appearance of Nene.
Arenas' singles were really inefficient under Ryan's defense.
What's even more fatal is that once the Warriors fail to attack, the Nuggets can immediately launch a counterattack!
The benefits of passing the ball are available to everyone, and not just in positional offense. In terms of launching fast breaks, the Nuggets are also far ahead!
The Warriors did use a double attack to contain Ryan in positional defense, but the Nuggets in the third quarter didn't rely on positional offense to score at all!
They can kill the warrior just by relying on the 99-speed Lane counterattack!
When the Nuggets play like this, they are not only efficient, but also entertaining to watch.
The fast break dunks made all the fans cheer.
The three most beautiful places in the world have now become: KTV, Shanghai Halloween, and the Nuggets’ counterattack in the Pepsi Center!
Arenas was the one who was beaten the worst in the third quarter. With Ryan's dedicated single defense, he only scored 4 points in the third quarter!
Arenas knew that his strong penetration would be a disadvantage when facing Ryan, so he planned to use the mid-range to solve the problem.
But his touch in the mid-range today was very average, and he couldn't take advantage at all in the duel with Ryan.
So in the third quarter, the Warriors failed on the offensive end over and over again. The Nuggets strangled the enemy's throat tightly, leaving them unable to breathe at all.
Bird's strategy was a great success, and the team directly solved the game in the third quarter!
When the buzzer sounded at the end of the third quarter, the Warriors players felt as happy as hearing the bell ringing.
Arenas stood blankly in the center of the field and looked up at the big screen.
18 points difference!
At the end of halftime, the Warriors were clearly only 6 points behind!
Mike Brin looked at this familiar scene and shook his head:
"In the finals last season, the Nuggets disappointed the Heat. It seems that after the finals, the Nuggets have opened their Pandora's box and are out of control.
Bird has developed all the potential of this team. Now, they can skillfully disembowel their opponents, leaving their pitiful opponents to silently ponder the pain and inferiority on the bench!
Ryan was the most cruel, scoring 41 points in three quarters and 5 three-pointers in the half! "
Before the season, everyone believed that the Nuggets, whose lineup had not changed, would not be much better no matter how strong they were.
Each team has also made various reinforcements for the Nuggets last season.
As a result, in the first game, Ryan shot 5 of 8 from three-point range, and then the "third quarter killing plan" became the direct norm.
The Nuggets' lineup has not changed, but they have still become stronger!
Their stars have evolved and their strategies have also been optimized.
They are ready to defend their title!
Bird looked at the Warriors players who were in pain and the Nuggets players who were enjoying the killing, and clenched his fists.
There was only one thought in his mind at this time - consecutive championships!
This company has never done something before, maybe these guys
Really able to make it a reality!