The godfather of basketball started from conquering the NBA

"This?"

When the Timberwolves' starting lineup came out, both the Western media and the Chinese media were dumbfounded.

ESPN's famous commentator Jeff Van Gundy even angrily said:

"The Timberwolves were able to win the first two games because of the players' personal abilities and their belief in not admitting defeat. But now Xu Xiao is ruining their belief. He is really bad. I have never seen the playoffs regarded as a A childish coach, Xu Xiao is not worthy of being the coach of the Timberwolves."

Even Yangyi, a well-known domestic media person, said before the game:

"I really didn't understand this change 2, maybe it's because my level is low, but the lineup in the last game obviously achieved very good results. It was a lot ahead from the beginning, and it was only because of Durant that we caught up with the score in the end. Explosion."

Having said this, he paused again and said:

"But you can't point to Durant's explosion every game, and for Ten Thousand Steps, if you are afraid of Durant's explosion, then you should make adjustments for Durant instead of continuing to use a The second-year rookie went against Durant, but instead gave up his inside advantage.

I didn’t understand that throughout the series, Josh and Durant faced off very rarely. Why not use Josh, the best defensive point of the Timberwolves, to limit Durant? And I don’t understand why they have to do it in the playoffs. During the game, it is taboo for military strategists to change generals on the spot. "

Although everyone was complaining about Xu Xiao's random formation changes, the Blazers' head coach seemed to have some clues.

"They want to use their speed to crack our height. We don't want to be led by them. We will attack the inside violently as soon as we open the game. Ade, you have to teach this Josh a lesson. Although he has played the fourth position before, But now he has lost a lot of weight to better adapt to the third position, so let me knock him down."

As soon as the game started, the Trail Blazers handed the first ball to Ade.

"The head coach of the Trail Blazers, McMillan, also made targeted adjustments in a timely manner. We saw that the Trail Blazers did not go to Durant for the first ball but to Ade. This shows their impact on the inside today. He is very determined, and Josh will not be able to guard against Ade if he plays like this in a positional battle."

Yang Yang on the other side of the ocean was giving a rational explanation, and the other host was also sparing no effort to praise: "Indeed, even though Josh has played the fourth position before, he can't guard against someone like Ade now after losing weight. Inside, even though he's a first-defense player."

After Ade scored the first goal, the Rose Garden burst into cheers.

"Next ball, shut them up."

Westbrook advanced with the ball, suddenly accelerated past Miller, and went straight to Ade, followed by a no-look pass. Josh received the ball and hit a three-pointer.

Before the cheers in the Rose Garden ended, the Timberwolves completed their counterattack.

"Do you think I'm just fast? More importantly, I'm accurate."

Xu Xiao smiled slightly on the sidelines.

"Keep the pace down!

Don't let them hit the speed!

Guaranteed rebounds!

Go inside more! "

McMillan shouted anxiously from the sidelines.

But the Timberwolves' rhythm can be suppressed by him if he wants to?

Westbrook's speed is not comparable to that of the old Miller. Even if Westbrook is double-teamed and Josh is the second ball-handling point, it is obviously impossible to expect Ade to limit him.

Although the Trail Blazers played the offense they wanted, the defense was completely unwatchable. They struggled to score a goal in the paint and came back with a three-pointer.

So the score was actually the Timberwolves taking the lead.

Ade continued to attack the inside. This time he finally got a foul from Josh. McMillan took the opportunity to stop Durant and said to him:

"Look at Jimmy Butler. He is just a defensive engineer. Don't pay attention to him. Just cover up Josh. He is the core of the Timberwolves' offense."

After Adelaide made two free throws, the Trail Blazers tied the game with the Timberwolves at 12. Xu Xiao did not call a timeout. He was fully aware of McMillan's arrangement.

Then he smiled knowingly at Westbrook, and then saw Westbrook making a gesture to Jimmy.

In the next attack, Durant decisively switched to Josh's side. Josh did not stick to the ball and immediately passed the ball to Jimmy who was in the open.

"Jimmy, shoot that damn goal for me."

Jimmy Butler didn't hesitate. Although he knew in training that his shortcoming was shooting, he also practiced very hard, just to seize the opportunity when it came up.

Just like it is now.

"Three-pointer! The Timberwolves hit another three-pointer. This is a three-pointer from Jimmy Butler. This is the Timberwolves' third three-pointer in the opening game. They shot completely crazy."

Even the commentators were not calm this time. He easily hit three three-pointers in the opening game. Even Jimmy, who usually rarely participates in offense, started to hit three-pointers. This shows that the Timberwolves' offense has really opened up.

Xu Xiao on the sidelines looked calm.

Of course he knows, because he gave Jimmy a star card, and it belonged to Don Marshall, a great player who once hit 12 three-pointers in a single game. Before Curry appeared, he and Kobe maintained the record of three-pointers in a single game.

With the blessing of such a star ability, it can just make up for Jimmy's poor three-point shooting problem.

"Jimmy, you can try to increase your ball-handling attack. Remember, I require you to be an offensive and defensive superstar, not an ordinary 3D player."

After Jimmy hit a three-pointer, he wanted to take credit from his coach when he heard Xu Xiao's words to him.

"Offense and defense, super star."

These words kept mumbling in his mouth.

"Pay attention to return to defense."

Westbrook yelled, and at this time Durant rushed up, trying to beat the Timberwolves before they were able to gain a foothold.

But the Timberwolves' defense was also very timely. DeRozan and Josh teamed up to defend Durant.

Westbrook, who grabbed the backcourt rebound, advanced directly and quickly. At this time, Billups got up and hit the iconic chasing three-pointer.

Next, the Timberwolves continued to look for opportunities on the outside. When Jimmy caught the ball again, Ade defended it.

Jimmy started directly, passed Ade in one step, rushed into the paint, and faced the dead Bodog for a hard layup to score 2+1.

The score was directly stretched to 7 points.

At this time, the Blazers remembered to call a timeout.

But the Timberwolves' touch was completely unstoppable.

Xu Xiao replaced JR Smith again. The Timberwolves' tactics were simple and clear, they just couldn't get out of the inside defense.

JR Smith hit two three-pointers, helping the team open the score gap to 10 points.

Although the Trail Blazers still tried to open up an advantage in the paint, the Timberwolves' defense was too mobile.

As long as you walk towards the basket, the defense will immediately start to shrink. As soon as the ball is passed, the defensive formation will immediately spread.

This is due to the defensive system Xu Xiao built for them and the defensive tactics specially developed for the Blazers' offense.

Force them to pass the ball and let the role players finish the offense.

You must know that the Trail Blazers have never been a team that relies on role players. What really kills them is the singles between Durant and Ade.

At the end of the first quarter, the Timberwolves led the Trail Blazers by 36 points 26-10, but this was not the most terrifying thing. The scary thing was that the Timberwolves scored 6 three-pointers in this quarter.

Before the start of the second quarter, the head coach will be interviewed by reporters.

But Xu Xiao just said lightly:

"From the beginning of this game, I will change the perception of basketball. Just watch. This is just the beginning. Please watch and learn well."