rpbooks Chapter 427 Entrusted with an important task
Chapter 427 Entrusted with an important task
Chapter 427 Entrusted with an important task
To some extent, the Blazers' current starting inside line is flawed on the defensive end.
Although Oden has shown his defensive talent, he is still a traditional stalwart insider in the final analysis. It is okay to let him stand firmly under the basket to protect the basket. It is really difficult for him to pull out to defend. Just switch on the smaller players when the opponent runs the pick and roll.
Although Aldridge's moving speed is relatively faster, and he is an insider who likes to float in the middle distance, but he is not tough enough. It is good to be able to cover the opponent with his height. Can expand the defense line to the entire three-point line like a defensive gate.
But in the face of Popovich's big and four small lineups with Duncan as the axis, these two guys are somewhat useless. Oden can't defend, and Aldridge can't defend the opponent.This makes McMillan a little troublesome, who should be used to play the center position?
It's not that the Blazers can't play a big and a small forward. As long as Batum plays the small forward position, Ye Feng can continue to play against Leonard. But the center of the big and four small forwards was Aldridge, and it is obvious that now Aldridge can't play a positive role.
After thinking about it, McMillan turned his attention to Hickson, who was only signed in the middle of the season. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that it made sense for Hickson to be the fifth position in the small ball lineup, and it would probably play a very important role. Good effect, as long as his attitude is positive enough.
Although Hickson is only 2.06 meters tall, he is a very tough insider who dares to fight.Hickson, who is only 24 years old this year, is in the golden period of his career. He does not lack in jumping, strength or moving speed. Although he is at a disadvantage in height, it should be no problem to hang around Duncan.
After confirming his thinking, McMillan immediately told the players about his plan. Everyone was taken aback and looked at Hickson who was also in a daze.Especially Aldridge and Oden, with undisguised suspicion on their faces, but out of respect for the head coach, no one said anything.
However, in order to dispel everyone's doubts, McMillan still made an explanation. He coughed lightly and said: "Everyone performed very well in the previous few games, but Popovich's big and small lineup is no longer suitable for the two of you. This is coming." He nodded apologetically to Oden and Aldridge.
"I won't talk about the specific reasons here. I think everyone can see what happened in the last game. The reason why JJ was chosen as the starting center is entirely to limit Duncan's performance. I believe he can accomplish this. Herculean task. Well, tell me you can do it?"
McMillan said the last sentence to Hixon, and everyone stared at him closely.Although Oden and Aldridge were not very convinced, they still hoped that Hickson would accept the job. After all, what the head coach said was quite reasonable.
Hixon, who received the eyes of his teammates for the second time, swallowed and said in a low voice, "In this case...let me try!"
McMillan said impatiently, "Have you missed your breakfast? Can you be louder? And I don't want to hear the word try! Either you should come down, or you can't do it, I don't want it." You heard the third answer, do you understand?"
Hixon gritted his teeth, raised his head and shouted loudly: "No problem, please believe me!"
McMillan said with a half-smile: "I hope you will do what you say. You must know that defending Duncan is the guarantee of our next win. As long as you can limit him, or even lock him directly, then the team's promotion is certain. things, but if you can't..."
Hickson snorted and said in a low voice: "Then the team may suffer a reversal and watch the opponent advance to the finals..."
Ye Feng stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "That's not so dangerous, but it will be difficult for the team to break Popovich's tactics, and it will cost more to beat them." With a lot of energy, even if we reach the finals, the probability of winning again will be much lower, so let's work hard together!"
Hickson nodded gratefully, and was dragged by the assistant coach to watch Duncan's game tape.
After the team meeting, McMillan left Oden and Aldridge to comfort him for a while. Fortunately, they are both good-tempered players. After making it clear, they naturally accepted their status as substitutes. After all, it was also for the team. Contribute to the victory!
Ye Feng and the others are very familiar with the lineup of one big and four small, and only Hixon is not familiar with it.You must know that in many cases last season, in order to play fast, McMillan would send a large, four small or even five small lineups. Both the backcourt and wing players are familiar with it.
Then they need to get Hickson into the state as soon as possible. After all, before that, Hickson only played as the main force in the second and third seasons of the Cavaliers, and the Cavaliers were James' team at that time. There is no need to play a lineup of one big and four small. Hickson is still used more as a blue-collar insider. How to make him temporarily act as the "big" of one big and four small is indeed a problem.
On the defensive end, Hickson does not need to be familiar with it. He only needs to rely on his own movement speed to entangle Duncan in the high position. It was impossible for him to stand idly by.
In fact, an insider like Duncan is most suitable as the core of the big and four small insiders, because he has a good pass, but Hickson doesn't. This is the fifth season of his career, and he only has one game. Average assist more than 1 time.It is unrealistic for him to serve as the core of support in the high position. It would be good if he can pass the ball to his teammates at that time, and don't expect extravagance if he finds a gap or something.
So in McMillan's view, Hickson still has to play the Blazers' conventional tactics on the offensive end, such as pick-and-roll rolls or something.Although there is no problem with his size to directly attack the frame, in fact, when he played for the Trail Blazers this season, 23.7% of his shots were short-range two-pointers, and his shooting percentage reached 55.8%, which is basically enough.However, the Blazers didn't expect him to score. Grabbing more offensive rebounds at the basket to complete the second offense was what McMillan wanted him to do.
Although the effect of the training is remarkable, no one can tell what it will look like before the official game, and the fifth game is still held in San Antonio. It seems that Hickson, who has been entrusted with important tasks, can really complete this. possible task?
(End of this chapter)