rpbooks Chapter 438 I am more optimistic about the Pelican
Chapter 438 I am more optimistic about the Pelican
Chapter 438 I am more optimistic about the Pelican
An Luo actually felt sorry for the Timberwolves and the group of players.They are all very powerful.Towns and Butler are both All-Star players; Teague was also an All-Star player, and his performance this season is still outstanding; Wiggins should be considered a quasi-All-Star player, and with his talent, he cannot If there is an accident, he can also be an All-Star in the future.From this point of view alone, the Timberwolves should be very strong.But such a group of players, what they play is not ideal.
There may be many reasons for this, but An Luo still feels that Thibodeau should bear the greatest responsibility for this.
Thibodeau doesn't seem to be coming out of the Bulls yet.He still emphasizes defense and the tactics of shooting fewer three-pointers.There was nothing wrong with this seven or eight years ago.But today's alliance is completely different from that time. NBA teams are increasingly advocating the balance of offense and defense, and the offensive end is increasingly dependent on three-pointers, which means that Thibodeau's set of theories is incompatible with the trend of the league.
This season, the Timberwolves averaged 22.5 three-pointers per game, 8 three-pointers per game, and three-pointers accounted for 26.1% of the total shots. These three statistics are the last in the league.
Although under the leadership of Thibodeau, the Timberwolves have indeed improved.This season, they won 16 more games than last season!And finally returned to the playoffs after many years.But most of the credit has to be attributed to the joining of Butler, a strong support, and the growth of young people such as Downs.
Tactical backwardness is only part of it. What he is most criticized for is his overdrawn use of the main lineup.According to statistics, the average playing time of Timberwolves' starters is 34.6 minutes, ranking first in the league, and the average playing time of substitute players is 13.7 minutes, ranking first in the league.
Both Wiggins and Towns are only 22 years old, and it’s okay to play more time. The problem is that for 28-year-old Butler, 29-year-old Teague and 32-year-old Gibson, Thibodeau also has a lot of arrangements. playing time.Even though they were free from injuries during the regular season, it was difficult for their tired bodies to maintain a good state in the more intense playoffs.And because he has been the main force, the Timberwolves' bench lineup rarely gets a chance to exercise.It seems unrealistic to expect these players who only average about 10 minutes per game in the regular season to stand up in the playoffs, show off their power, and help the main players.So in the series against the Thunder, there were very few players on the bench who played particularly well.Belica, who performed well in the first two games, fell silent in the next two games.
The use of main and substitute players can also be seen from the efficiency value.This season, the Timberwolves' starting lineup ranks third in efficiency in the league, while their bench ranks last in the league.There is such a big gap between the main force and the substitute, Thibodeau is still to blame.
Of course, in this league, there are still a few main players and head coaches who are as deadly as Thibodeau.But their tactics are closer to the mainstream. Even if the main players play for a long time, the more energy-saving tactics are not a big problem.
Thibodeau is a head coach who has made a name for himself in the NBA.His iron-blooded defense has allowed him to succeed in this league, but it has also become his constraint.Thibodeau's situation today is easily reminiscent of another famous marshal "Zen Master" Phil Jackson in the past.His "triangle offense" has been successful with both the Bulls and the Lakers.But it stumbled on the Knicks.Moreover, because he forced the players to play the "triangle offensive tactic", he had a very unpleasant quarrel with Anthony, and he could only be fired in the end.So is Thibodeau.His iron-blooded defense helped the Celtics win the championship in 2008 and also allowed the Bulls to play the best record in the league for two consecutive years.But it stumbled on the Timberwolves.Of course, this is not all his fault, times change too fast.If Thibodeau does not adapt to the situation and makes some adjustments to his tactical play and employment strategy, I am afraid that Jackson's yesterday will be Thibodeau's tomorrow.
After the series ended, An Luo finally ushered in the time to rest.The intensity of the playoffs really made him feel tired.Fortunately, this is not the first time I have experienced it, and the Timberwolves are not particularly difficult to deal with.
When returning to the locker room, An Luo was blocked by reporters.Although there was a special press conference after the game, An Luo did not attend.Dealing with that guy is still very tiring.However, An Luo is still very enthusiastic about domestic reporters.Therefore, An Luo still couldn't escape.
An Luo led the reporter to the visiting team's locker room.The two chatted about the game and the series as a whole.Although the reporter An Luo hadn't seen it much before, the questions he asked still revolved around the game.And the other party was obviously well prepared, and An Luo hadn't discovered many problems before.
Finally, the topic was introduced to the second round of the playoffs.
"We all know that the Thunder is going to compete for the championship. But the teams in the second round of the playoffs are the strongest teams in the Western Conference. How will you prepare for this?"
"Actually, we didn't make particularly targeted preparations. After all, we are already very familiar with these teams. What we should do is to be ourselves. No matter who the opponent is, we only need to do what we should do well. We can win. Of course, it is not easy. But we always try to do our best!"
"Then An Luo, what do you think of the next opponent?" The reporter may have felt that he hadn't expressed it too clearly, so he added a sentence as soon as he finished speaking: "The situation of the Blazers is not good now, but Everyone is optimistic that they can get back a point or two. Who do you want to be your next opponent? Who do you prefer?"
"Uh...Actually, for these two teams, I hope to meet the Blazers. After all, they are very good in the backcourt, and we are also very good. The exchange of fire between the two sides will be interesting. But I think the Pelicans are not good. Give them a chance! The defense of these two guys, Rondo and Holiday is really good! They are very successful in limiting the backcourt of the Blazers. I don't think, Lillard and McCollum Will there be any way to solve this problem in the fourth game."
"So, how many games do you think you and the Pelicans will play at most in the Western Conference semifinals?"
"I'm very optimistic that the Pelicans can sweep the Blazers. But that's only for the Blazers. For us, it doesn't matter how many games we play. The important thing is that we will win."
(End of this chapter)