Chapter 284 Sense of oppression
In the face of such a military opponent as Popovich, who is extremely tough in character, Rivers is also a little embarrassed. It's not that he thinks he is not as good as the other party, but Popovich's ability is very strong.
After all, this guy is the only active coach in active duty who can lead the team to win three championship trophies except Jackson and Riley, and the Spurs under his command are extremely tough against any team.
They are still the same this season, and at home, they have played a super record, which made many opponents who came to trouble, and finally lost in a mess. This kind of team has always been difficult to play.
Rivers is also lamenting that his luck is really extremely bad. First, he met Phil Jackson in Los Angeles, then Van Gundy, and now he meets a tough Popovich.
This bad schedule is really difficult for this fat man. Even Chen Feng feels sorry for Rivers's experience, but no one can replace the position of head coach. The pressure on this guy has to continue to bear.
Even Rivers can calm down and complain in private in the face of these big-name coaches. After all, when those reporters write reports, he is often a forgotten little role. Whoever it is, he will be annoyed.
But there's nothing we can do. After all, Rivers has only been in the role of head coach for two or three years, and the Celtics he led have played decently this season. When it comes to him, it's more because of Ron and Chen Feng.
Even Rivers himself said, "If there are no two kids in the team, maybe I'm more like a stranger to those reporters. Being a coach in the NBA is a life that is ignored!"
This is a complaint, but compared with those who are still at the bottom of the NBA or as an assistant coach, Rivers this season is almost sure to compete for the best coach of the year.
After all, the Celtics' results are there. Although they are not the top in the league, Rivers led these wild kids to charge fiercely. Even the official voice is very sure of his value.
But when he meets an old world like Popovich, and he is an opponent who can win three championships, Rivers is also a little timid. Coupled with the Spurs' tough record at home, this damn game must be difficult to play.
Comparing the qualifications of Rivers and Popovich, it can also be seen why Rivers is so unre confident.
One is a semi-novice, and the other is a meritorious coach. The ability and achievements are put together, and the judgment is high and down.
No wonder someone said before the game that the Celtics, who just lost one game at the Toyota Central Arena, can't take advantage in the AT&T Central Arena, because this opponent is far more difficult than the Rockets. Maybe the Celtics will have their own two-game losing streak here. This is a bad possibility. No matter who has a headache, in the face of those reporters interviewed, Rivers also learned to be obedient and avoided talking about everything.
"There is nothing to talk about. Either lose or win. Is there a third ending? Unless those kids fight here, and then we are collectively expelled from the field, that's it, unless you see the hell!"
Rivers is very helpless for those reporters to predict the results, and it is inevitable to slander these guys.
But even if there is so much trouble, Rivers has to calm down and make some trouble for his opponent in the Spurs' territory. Although it's a little difficult, these kids may not have this ability.
Rondo, Pierce, Chen Feng, Jefferson, Szebiak, these five guys are the starting lineup picked up by Rivers. Because of the recent continuous hard fights, the old guy's ankle has a problem.
Although Sprewell himself doesn't think it's a big problem and he can continue to play, the Celtics' team doctor thinks it's better to take a few days off first. After all, the old guy is now thirty-six years old.
And after several hard battles in a row, Sprewell's playing time has been maintained for more than 30 minutes.
Without such a hard bone wandering in the periphery, Rivers is always a little worried, but looking at West and the others, Rivers still chose Szebiak, who has more experience on the spot and good offensive ability, to start. After all, without defense, if he loses the attack again, he will lose a lot. It is.
In addition, Szebiak has been in good training recently. The main reason is that this guy is also very clear about the current situation in the team. If he doesn't play hard, he may be swept out by Rivers next season.
After all, no one knows what small actions Angie is doing in private, but many people know that Rivers wants to supplement the strength in the peripheral offensive ability. If Szebiak does not guarantee his state, he is likely to be traded by the team. Although there is not much loss in annual salary, the future is not good. Mix.
Therefore, Szebiak has been very desperate in training recently. Even if he is not good at confrontation, this guy is very active, but his slightly soft personality has determined his weakness on the defensive end.
But now compared with West and others, his attack is a little more reliable. When he meets an opponent like the Spurs, Rivers needs his own starting lineup, which can put some pressure on the opponent and not be easily suppressed.
The other guys are Rivers' usual starters recently, but after finalizing the list, Rivers still explained the task, especially Jefferson, who was given to the position of power forward by Rivers, directly facing Duncan, the number one brother of the Spurs, and what Chen Feng wants to deal with is center El. Sen.
A rather strange name, but Siberdu told Chen Feng that Elson's defensive ability is still good in the NBA, especially for the protection of rebounding. The style of the ball is also fierce enough, and the bounce is also excellent.
"In a word, he can cause some trouble on the defensive end. Of course, you can ignore any of his actions in attack. This guy can play for an average of 20 minutes per game, but he scores less than 5 points, so you just need not to be disturbed by him when attacking. You don't need to take special care of such a family in defense. Dude."
Syberdeau is definitely Rivers' best partner. In terms of his familiarity with NBA players, he can be regarded as the Celtics' database, rarely makes mistakes, and can give some advice in the analysis.
So when he saw Chen Feng looking at the Elson of the Spurs with a blank face, he opened his mouth.
Rivers didn't give Chen Feng any task, because he knew very well that Francisco Elson was not likely to stop him when he met the boy. At most, he was a cool-working blue-collar player of the Spurs.
And the one that Jefferson is going to meet is the absolute core of the Spurs. The fighting and control of the inside lies entirely on whether the Celtics can contain Duncan, so Rivers has a lot to tell Jefferson.
As for Pierce and Ron, you don't have to worry too much about Rivers. Whether it's Brent Barry or Tony Parker in the start, the Celtics can fight, at least they won't fall behind.
Szebiak may be a little sad. If Popovich is not crazy, the person who has to be responsible for the outer defense of the Spurs must be the ruthless Uncle Bao. The soft style of the ball must not be able to withstand that kind of torture. He can stump Uncle Bao and not harass Pierce, even if he is finished his job. Business.
How ferocious is Uncle Bao's defensive ability is, Pierce has quite a say. Therefore, when Rivers threw Szebiak into the starting line, he was destined to become a sucking physique and responsible for pulling hatred.
Fortunately, there are no two third uncles Bao on the side of the Spurs, otherwise, Rivers really wanted to hit his head against the wall.
But even if he is the strongest starter in his hand, Rivers is still a little uncertain. After explaining what these guys are going to do, he has to tell him to be prepared for the vote on the bench.
There is no way. Who let this be the home court of the Spurs? Only five teams have won here before. It is not so easy for the Celtics to be the sixth team. The hard bone of the Spurs is definitely not easy to gnaw.
The starting list of the Spurs is like Popovich's military style. It is straightforward and there is no need to think about it. Parker, Barry Old, Duncan, Uncle Bao and Elson have not changed from the previous lineup.
It's not how rigid Popovich's tactics are, but how rigid the old guy has absolute confidence in his team. It is with that self-confidence and persistence that he can lead the team to win three championships.
This season's performance of the Spurs is not the top in the West, but the winning odds offered by those bookmakers to the Spurs can definitely be included in the top five. The stable performance of these guys is the biggest dependence on winning the championship.
Don't expect the Spurs' game to be so magnificent, but the stability of these guys allows them to win the final victory in the most stable way in the face of the Pistons' iron defense.
Now the Celtics are going to encounter such an opponent. Except for Duncan, every position may not be the top of the league, but they are the strongest group, which is quite difficult to deal with.
There are some things that you can't see his ferocity on paper, but if you meet him head-on, you will deeply feel that you can't conquer. When the five guys of the Spurs enter the field, they didn't roar or wave their hands crazily to summon the roar of the fans, but that kind of silence is a kind of pressure. Force.
Only when you face it can you feel the pressure. Chen Feng is also the first time he has met such an opponent. Although the expressionless guy is not asked to deal with it now, when he really looks at the other party face to face, the dullness, even Bistard Maier's awdness makes people feel even more difficult to deal with.
However, Chen Feng's character is equally tough and terrible. When he comes on the court, he will go all out, no matter who he is facing. Even in the face of Duncan, an opponent known as the most comprehensive power forward in the league, he will not show any timidity. However, now he has to deal with first is an old man. Soldier.
Elson, like the evaluation given to him by Thibodeau, is a veteran, but definitely not a big name.
But it is such a guy who is not famous in the NBA. At the beginning, Chen Feng's first attack almost failed. His existence is completely proof of Popovich's employment policy, practical supremacy, and the Spurs' extremely flexible defensive system, which is to give full play to the potential of blue-collar players. Come out.
Originally, when he was jumping the ball, Chen Feng defeated Elson, a veteran. He even had the opportunity to accurately dial the ball in the air to Pierce, who was waiting next to him. In the card position under the basket, Chen Feng's strong power could still eat Elson to death steadily, but when Ron threw the ball over, that Ben Elson, who was still defending behind him, flashed out almost the first time and almost finished the ball.
A big guy of two meters and thirteen meters can play around with you, and after missing, he can wave his hands and continue to interfere with your turn and fight. Elson's defensive strength also surprised Chen Feng. Although he still pressed his opponent to complete the turn under the basket, and his hand came a backhanded hit on the other side. Points.
But the first attack made Chen Feng play so awkwardly. Not only did he feel the strong home pressure of the Spurs, but even Rivers on the sidelines began to subconsciously clenched his fists. Although he knew that it was not easy to play in the AT&T central stadium before the game, he didn't expect that he had to face this from the beginning. Strong defense, you know, just now, in the process of driking the ball, Rondo almost broke the basketball by Parker.
Because Parker interfered in the front, Rondo gave it a little higher when he passed the ball in.
The result was that because Rondo was obstructed, Chen Feng gave Elson a chance to suddenly detour before reteeing the ball. Such a simple and extreme cooperation almost failed under the interference of the Spurs. This fierce defensive strength made the Celtics feel the pressure from the beginning. Force.
The Spurs are not very tight with you, but as long as it is where the basketball appears, the Spurs players around will bring a strong sense of oppression to their opponents, even if he is an unknown junior, like Elson, an unknown guy, can still make Chen Feng feel very different in the confrontation under the basket. Twist.
"This damn game will be very troublesome." Rivers stood on the sidelines and whispered that Siberdeau beside him can now feel that this is not a noisy stadium, with a strong sense of oppression.
Everyone knows that the Spurs' home court is not easy to play, but no one thought it would be such a situation. Although he was successful in the first attack, Rivers' mood did not calm down at all. He even felt that the game would be very dangerous.
Some teams are like this. Only when you fight with him can you know how strong he is. Otherwise, you will never know how ferocious those dull guys can be if they really show their fangs.
The quiet Spurs bring such a sense of oppression...