play for it

Chapter 124
On February 2rd, the game between the Thunder and the Spurs was highly anticipated around the world, and the degree of attention it received was even higher than that of previous Christmas games.

Therefore, when the Spurs first appeared at the airport, the media reporters who had been waiting for a long time sprinted with long guns, surrounded them excitedly, and surrounded the passing passage until it was completely blocked.

"Damn it, what bastard told us we're here? Don't let me catch him, motherfucker."

Under the difficult obstruction of the staff, Popovich did not have direct contact with those crazy reporters, but even so, under the lens of many cameras, his face was very bad.

"It's probably hard for you to find out."

Borrego shook his head and said quickly. He was standing beside Popovich. Facing the continuous flashing lights, he stretched out his right hand and blocked his eyes with the palm of his hand.

"Humph!"

An unwilling cold snort came out of his nose, and Popovich frowned. The person who got the news did not enjoy it exclusively, but told many media reporters. With so many eyes, it was almost difficult to find the person who leaked the news.

Fortunately, the media reporters didn't stop the Spurs for a long time. The airport quickly reacted and dispatched dozens of security guards.

Under the cover of the security guards, the Spurs headed by Popovich quickly walked out of the airport through a special passage.But also because of this, the address of the bus chartered by the Spurs and the arena they rented were also completely exposed to the public's sight.

Because this game is extremely important, even in the eyes of the Spurs coaching staff, the match against the Thunder is equivalent to a preview of the Western Conference Finals.

Therefore, through official channels, the Spurs spent a lot of money and rented the right to use a basketball stadium for two days. Popovich also brought the team and arrived in Oklahoma City much earlier.

"Borrego, you lead the players into the arena and conduct warm-up training. After I finish dealing with the media reporters, we will conduct intra-team confrontation training as planned."

The bus stopped in front of the arena rented by the Spurs, Popovich got out of the bus first, and asked Borrego who followed him with a serious face.

"understand!"

Borrego nodded, then turned around and led the players into the arena, carrying big bags and small bags.

The team's staff stayed behind, some went around the arena to guard the entrances, while the other neatly set up temporary interview stands.

"Coach Popovich, may I ask why you arrived in Oklahoma City a day and a half earlier? Even spent a lot of money to rent the right to use a basketball stadium in Oklahoma City?"

Not even a minute after the interview stand was set up, a reporter from TNT TV station rushed down from the news van, carried the equipment, and ran to Popovich quickly. His face was extremely flushed because of excitement and excitement.

"Because of our opponent, the Thunder are very strong. Their record is currently No. [-] in the West, and even No. [-] in the league." With his eyes narrowed slightly, Popovich suppressed his unhappiness and said expressionlessly, " So in order to beat them, we have to be fully prepared."

At this time, a reporter rushed over sweating profusely, without stopping, and asked directly panting: "Coach Popovich, what do you think of KD and Westbrook of the Thunder?"

With no change in his face, Popovich said slowly: "Both of them are top players in their respective positions, and they will put great pressure on our defense!"

"Excuse me, Coach Popovich, do you think Young and Leonard in the team can defend against KD and Westbrook?"

"You know it when you play."

"Excuse me, what is Yang's opinion on Owen?
"He was quite right."

…………

When Popovich was dealing with the media reporters with ease, under the leadership of Borrego, Yang Ke and the others first walked into the locker room that comes with the arena, and they each chose a wardrobe with a tacit understanding, and then changed into A full set of training gear.

A few minutes later, everyone set foot on the court in an orderly manner. Under the leadership of Borrego, the team was divided into two teams, the substitute team and the main team. They warmed up by using training with the ball. After half an hour of training with the ball, they turned to Collectively stretch the ligaments.

After the ligament is pulled, the players are paired with two players and practice mid-range shooting within one step of the free throw line. According to scientific experiments, shooting practice in this area is the most beneficial for players to adjust their touch.

Another half an hour later, the whole set of warm-up training was completed, and Popovich finally returned to the arena, called the players in front of him, and told: "Next, we will have an intra-team match. Familiarize yourself with and explain the tactics in the scene when the Thunder fight against each other."

Then under the command of Popovich, the players were divided into two teams, the main team and the substitute team.Among them, the main team, Parker, Green, Ginobili, Duncan and Splitter, Ginobili topped the small forward position, and Borrego was the main team coach.

On the substitute side, Yang Ke, Leonard, Jefferson, Blair and Bonner form the inside line, and Popovich is the coach of the substitute side.

"KD and Westbrook are the Thunder's strong points. In this game, the defense of them is the most important thing. As long as they can be blocked, the game will be stable in all likelihood."

After the teams were divided, Popovich randomly chose one side to be his own half, and then walked to the other side with everyone on the substitute side, saying at the same time:

"Yang, you go to play against Parker after you play; Leonard, you go to play against Ginobili. I need to simulate the situation when you play against the Thunder through the direct matchup between the two of you."

Frowning, Yang Ke said slowly: "Coach, to put it bluntly, KD and Westbrook's physical fitness is much better than Ginobili and Parker, and the pressure they bring us is different. So such simulations are useless."

"You're right, the difference in their sense of physical pressure will be huge, but Manu Ginobili and Parker will bring you another kind of pressure."

Popovich nodded, looked at Yang Ke with a smile in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth slightly raised, "You and Leonard may have a good defense, but Ginobili and Parker can use their own various skills to put You fight against each other. And when you play against the Thunder tomorrow night, the two of you will also face the same situation."

With a flash in front of his eyes, Yang Ke understood a little, and asked thoughtfully: "Coach, what do you mean?"

"I need you and Leonard to re-acclimate to the feeling of being pressed and beaten in advance, so that when facing KD and Westbrook's bombarding offense tomorrow, they will not be caught off guard, and even be able to find a way to deal with it. way."

Popovich quickly said that he knew very well that the Thunder's offense is simple and rough, which is a combination of king bombs. Therefore, as the team's perimeter defense gates, the performance of Yang Ke and Leonard tomorrow is very important.

(End of this chapter)