Chapter 780 (1/2)

Greg Popovich has always been confident that the Grizzlies will play the traditional double inside lineup.

In this way, the Spurs' size is just as good as the Grizzlies. With Leonard's defense against link, it's not a problem to play Grizzlies.

But at the beginning of today's game, the situation was beyond Popovich's expectation. The Grizzlies actually changed their formation. A team that was ridiculed by the fans as ”a set of first play to death”, actually took the initiative to change the formation!

Not only Popovich, many people, even grizzly fans did not expect this!

Popovich could not help but turn his head to the other half, and his eyes fell on Dave Joel.

Although Joel is the best coach of the year, Popovich doesn't see him as a tactician. To Popovich's evaluation, Joel is one of those coaches who don't make mistakes, but don't surprise you too much.

He always believed that Joel couldn't find a way to deal with the Spurs. Like Scott Brooks, didn't he and his thunder never adjust?

But now the Grizzlies starting lineup, but let Popovich refresh the understanding of Joel.

Can't that guy find out that the Spurs are actually playing big four?

Popovich shook his head and didn't think about the mess.

What Popovich didn't know was that Joel had responded early because he had a player next to him who had just been selected for the best.

After the Grizzlies attacked, the Spurs' defense was open. Obviously, they are very confident in one-on-one marking.

But at this time, Duncan was the hardest to defend. Because the Grizzlies play one big four small, the Grizzlies have no second inside line.

After split stuck to Pau Gasol, Duncan suddenly found himself out of place.

Whether it's igordala, link or Jimmy Butler, they're a big dislocation for Duncan!

Although Duncan is not very able to jump up, but the ability to stand pile protection frame is very strong.

But if Duncan was allowed to defend, it would be a bit of a challenge.

But now, Duncan has no choice!

Old Deng bit his teeth and pasted Butler. He had to mention the high position he was not good at.

In the face of Duncan, a superstar, Butler was not nervous.

Playing against the most terrible player in the world every day made Butler forget how to be afraid.

Duncan opened his arms as much as possible to increase his defensive area.

Link began to break through under Leonard's entanglement, while Duncan was ready to make up for link at any time.

In the process of breaking through Leonard, link experienced the taste of fighting with ”quasi fmvp”.

The Spurs No. 2 has made great progress in defense and is much better than last year. It's almost impossible to break through his defense. Even if LeBron comes, it's expected to be toppled.

But link's goal of breaking through Leonard was not to score.

As the encirclement between Leonard and Duncan was about to form, link jumped up and half turned in the air and passed the ball to Butler, who was waiting outside the left-hand three-point line!

Normally, link just can't have the vision to pass. Duncan and Leonard not only blocked his way forward, but also blocked link's vision.

But link knew Butler would step back to that position before breaking in.

Link's passing depends not on the eyes, but on the control and understanding of the game situation.

Grant Hill's high basketball IQ and link's hard training make it easy for link to find a teammate in the open position.

Butler received the basketball outside the three-point line. At this time, Duncan had shrunk to the paint area due to the relationship between making up and defending link.

Therefore, Butler got a huge vacancy!

Without hesitation, Butler, who made his first appearance in the playoffs this season, shot the first goal in the Western Conference finals!

Butler this season's three-point shooting rate is not high, compared with last season even backward.

After all, it will take years for a player like him to make a complete improvement in shooting.

But Butler is not completely out of the three-point line, what's more, he deliberately increased his shooting yesterday.

Popovich's head swings with the basketball moving in the air, and then, watching the basketball roll up the white net.