The Timberwolves' offense was well organized under Brandon's management, and Anthony Peeler scored frequently. Both Mercer and Crawford were unable to fight back.
If Oakley hadn't bullied young Loren Woods inside, Cartwright might have been unable to sit still before the first quarter was over.
36:26
The Bulls only relied on Oakley to score two points, plus one of two free throws to score three points.
Marcus Fezer has been in poor condition during this period and cannot be counted on.
Entering the second quarter, Brandon and Pillar were still very stable. There was no other way. The Bulls' double backcourt relied on scrambling to win. When they encountered other teams' substitute lineups, they made a sudden move.
, Especially Crawford, his offensive ability is undoubted, but when a commander appears in the opponent's lineup, his role will be greatly weakened.
In the average team’s bench, there is no commander who averages close to 9 assists per game!
With five minutes left in the second quarter, Cartwright had no choice but to replace the main player in advance, hoping to save a wave.
After the main players came on the field, they obviously curbed the momentum of the score expansion, but the Timberwolves' head coach Sanders did not replace the main players, but continued to let the substitutes fight with the Bulls.
It wasn't until the score reached eleven points, 55:44, that he made a big move and replaced all the main players in the last two minutes of the second quarter.
The physical advantage allowed the Timberwolves to open the score again.
The Bulls, who originally had the advantage of being young and physically strong, suddenly became the disadvantaged team.
In the end, 61 to 46, the Timberwolves led by 15 points entering the halftime break.
When he came off the stage, Garnett glanced at Scarlett who was sitting in the first row of the auditorium. The more he looked at her, the more he felt that this woman was beautiful. She was indeed an actress who had appeared in "Manny and Lo" and her skin was also very good.
, the figure is also great...
Suddenly, he felt that Scarlett seemed to notice his gaze and smiled at him. He felt dizzy and almost fainted due to lack of oxygen.
But the truth is...
Scarlett saw Lu Yu preparing to leave the court from behind Garnett, and showed a comforting smile to Lu Yu. She knew that Lu Yu must be feeling depressed now that the score was behind.
Lu Yu also saw Scarlett's gaze on his face, turned his head and smiled. After looking at Scarlett for a few seconds, he looked at her a few times.
Scarlett has obviously been carefully dressed today. Her blond hair is like a waterfall draped over her shoulders. Her already beautiful face is even more stunning after being painted over. She is wearing a dark red dress that fits her perfectly.
Her figure outlines her curves even more perfectly.
Lu Yu's eyes finally rested on Scarlett's chest. The low-cut neckline revealed a wave. He couldn't help but think of the night when the two of them were testing the strength of the bed in the dormitory...
Just when he was feeling ashamed of himself, Chandler's sigh brought him back to reality.
He glanced at Chandler, who was frowning, and asked aloud: "What's the matter, Tyson?"
"Nothing?" Chandler didn't want to say.
"Huh?" Lu Yu stared at him.
"It's just... damn, the first time I came on the bench, I was beaten like this..." Chandler suddenly cursed.
Lu Yu understood that he was autistic after being beaten by Garnett.
This is actually not Chandler's fault, because every team's defense has its own defensive system, and the Bulls' defensive system usually starts with perimeter blockade.
Lu Yu, Trenton Hassell and Artest, the three of them formed a defensive iron gate in the backcourt. In the penalty area, there were Chandler, Oakley, Brad Miller, except Marcus Fei. Zell and everyone else's defensive abilities are also online.
But Chandler is a rookie after all. Although his height and movement speed can keep up with Garnett, his experience is much weaker, so it is inevitable to suffer losses on defense.
Their conversation was heard by Oakley who was about to enter the locker room. Oakley patted Chandler on the shoulder and said with a smile: "If you can guard against it, wouldn't my position be replaced by you?"
Oakley is considered half of the starters. Whether he or Marcus Fizer can start depends on who the opponent's power forward position is. However, the Timberwolves' power forwards in this game are Garnett, Oakley and Fizer. You can't guard anyone, so Cartwright had a sudden idea and let Chandler start. Chandler always felt that this was a disservice to Oakley, and quickly said: "I didn't mean that, I just didn't want to be He bullied me so badly."
Before he finished speaking, a voice next to him immediately rang.
"I think you're playing well. From now on, you can play power forward. Don't come back and compete with me for a job. I don't want to be pushed to the bench by you in two years."
You don't have to look to know it's Brad Miller.
Ron Mercer, who had been silent on the side, spread his hands: "You are worse than me? Last season I was the team's main scorer, but this season I was pushed to the bench by the guy with the same name as me. I They all wonder if the coach sometimes admits the wrong person."
Silly Tai scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
Everyone laughed happily, temporarily diluting their lagging mood.
Cartwright is very satisfied. The healthy competition in the team will make everyone put in 100% effort. It can be seen from the training in the team. Now everyone is working harder than the other. No one wants to lose. The main force is afraid of being replaced by the substitute. The substitute wants to To become the main force is a good thing for the team.
"Now you're talking about how I can't guard Garnett. You're going too far!" Chandler was speechless.
"If not, I will help you flank Garnett." Artest said suddenly.
"I can also give up Szczerbiak's defense and help you defend." Trenton Hassell also said.
Chandler was stunned. He knew that because he couldn't guard Garnett, the team would fall behind, but none of his teammates complained about him, and they even wanted to help him take on the defensive responsibility.
A warm current flowed through his heart.
At this time, Oakley clapped his hands and signaled everyone to be quiet: "Actually, it's not impossible to defend Garnett."
Um?
Cartwright's eyes lit up. He was actually a player of the same era as Oakley. It was he who traded Oakley to the Bulls back then to form the Bulls dynasty. However, Oakley was also a unique figure in the Knicks. .
The most important thing is that Oakley is a power forward. He has played against Garnett many times. He may have some tricks to deal with Garnett when he was on other teams.
So when Oakley said there was a way, his eyes immediately scanned the substitutes. Who else on the substitutes was qualified for the defensive task?
After searching around, he was disappointed to find that there seemed to be no one there.
"Charles, I don't think our team's substitutes can defend Garnett one-on-one. Of course our players are all great, but Garnett is indeed one of the strongest players at the power forward position in the league."
Cartwright sighed and said.
The relationship between Cartwright and the players has always been harmonious, and the atmosphere of tactical discussions within the team has always been good, so he does not resent players' opinions.
What's more, this person is Charles Oakley, who has the same qualifications as him.
Oakley smiled and said: "I didn't plan to change anyone to defend. Tyson defended very well."
"Then you..." Cartwright was stunned.
"But, Tyson, can you be tougher? You have to know that you have the same name as the boxing champion." Oakley said half-jokingly: "Think about Karl Malone's defense, be tougher and suppress Garnett.
Outside the three-second zone, if he dares to take a shot, you must dare to go up to him. Don't be afraid of fouls. At worst, you will leave the game with six fouls and substitute someone to continue to go up against him."
"It's not just Tyson, but all of us. For any Timberwolves player, as long as they dare to rush into the penalty area, we must give them a tough physical confrontation."
"What about the opponent's pick-and-roll cut?" Artest pointed out the crux of the problem.
When the opponent makes a pick-and-roll cut, he will not have enough time to bypass the defense and follow up, which will definitely leave the opponent with an opportunity to cut in. At this time, if he wants to go up and attack the body, there is no doubt that the referee will blow the whistle.
"Should I choose to double attack after the air cut?" Crawford also asked his question.
At this time, Oakley was stopped. His idea was very simple, which was to provide physical confrontation. This is what he has always done in this league, but the confrontation now is not as intense as it was in the 1990s. If it were changed
When he was young, could Garnett still be able to show off in front of him?
"I have a method for pick-and-rolls."
Lu Yu smiled.
Everyone looked at Lu Yu.
"Unlimited defense changes!"
"Unlimited defense changes?"
Everyone was stunned. They had heard of defense switching, but no one had heard of the tactic of unlimited defense switching.
"Unlimited switching defense literally means unlimited switching defense. When facing the ball holder and his teammates in the pick-and-roll, the player who originally defended the ball holder does not have to chase the ball holder too much. Instead, the player who is opposing the pick-and-roller has to guard against the ball holder.
To defend the ball holder. To put it more simply, there is always a defensive player in front of the ball holder, understand?" Lu Yu explained to everyone.
In fact, unlimited switching defense and zone defense complement each other.
When the opponent's outside shooting is open, their pick-and-roll is more accustomed to passing the ball to the outside. At this time, the advantage of unlimited defense changes is reflected.
When the opponent mainly attacks inside, zone defense will be even more advantageous.
And when the ball is hoisted inside and there are screens and air cuts, a combination of zone defense and unlimited defense changes are needed to defend.
This is based on the tacit understanding and physical fitness of the five players, and the requirements are very high.
There cannot be too obvious defensive loopholes in the team, and all five players must have strong defensive abilities. The weak defensive points will be targeted.
But there don't seem to be many points where the Bulls can be targeted. Besides, can the Timberwolves think of a solution to the offense in a short time?
This kind of constant rotation, coupled with the power of zone defense, and the tough defense Oakley mentioned, will definitely have a certain effect.
When Cartwright thought of this, he felt a little excited in his heart.
Even if we lose this game, it's still worth it.
Because after this game, the Bulls' defensive system officially took shape. When facing any team in the future, they will not be afraid of the opponent's offensive wave.
But this tactic is not a perfect tactic.
Although no one in the league has ever used the tactic of unlimited defense switching, everyone knows the common defensive concept of switching defenses. There is one biggest problem with switching defenses——
"What if Billups hits Brad?" Cartwright asked the last question.
