The Warriors' substitutes have also changed to some extent from before.
In addition to Belinelli, DeAndre Jordan, Anthony Morrow and Radmanovic, Deng Fang also kept Curry on the court.
Livingston didn't play.
Why?
Because the Black Bear is on the court, his defense is average, especially against pick-and-rolls.
Curry can target this on the court.
In addition, the more important point is that Iverson came up.
Deng Fang wants Curry and Iverson to play against each other.
A face-to-face contest!
In fact, Iverson only played three games with the Grizzlies in later generations. Today's game is his first game of the season.
The arrogant Iverson has always been resistant to playing as a substitute.
However, after experiencing the situation of being unable to sign a contract with any team, in order to be able to play, Iverson still accepted the role of substitute, and he also generously stated in front of the media that everything was for the sake of competing for the championship.
Deng Fang clearly remembers that in the following year, Iverson played well as a substitute in the first two games he played, and his shooting percentage was quite high.
However, the turning point came in the third game, when the Grizzlies challenged the Lakers away from home.
That game was also another battle between Iverson and Kobe.
In the past ten years, the two geniuses of 1996 complemented each other and were both hailed as geniuses.
However, by this season, the two outstanding players of the 1996 generation had already had different fates. Iverson could not even make the starting lineup, and Kobe had just won his fourth championship.
There was a huge gap in strength between the two teams. In the later game, the Lakers defeated the Grizzlies at home without any blood. Kobe scored 41 points on 19 of 30 shots. Iverson still came off the bench. He only got 5 shooting opportunities.
Hit 2 of them and got 8 points and 3 assists.
It is worth mentioning that Kobe also achieved an achievement in this game - before the game started, Kobe's total score was 23,986 points, and Iverson's total score was 24,012 points. The gap between the two was only 26 points.
In the end, Kobe scored 41 points and Iverson only had 8 points.
After the game, Kobe not only became the youngest player in history to score 24,000 points, but also successfully surpassed Iverson and became the 16th place on the new all-time scoring list.
Such a face-to-face overtaking is difficult for anyone to accept.
After the game, Iverson had a meeting with then-Grizzlies owner Heisley.
He then asked for leave from the Grizzlies and left the team on the grounds of "dealing with personal matters."
According to media analysis, the reason why Iverson suddenly announced his departure from the team without playing in a home game has a lot to do with the Lakers' game.
In other words, being surpassed by his former "lifelong enemy" in front of his eyes obviously made Iverson feel very unhappy!
You must know that Iverson always suppressed Kobe in the early stages of his career. However, he did not expect that more than ten years later, the gap between the two people's situations would be so big!
Seeing Kobe Bryant's radiance, Iverson wanted a more important role, but unfortunately the Grizzlies couldn't satisfy him.
Ten days later, the Grizzlies officially announced the layoff of Iverson, and a week later, Iverson issued a retirement statement: "To my fans, I am here to announce that I have planned to end my NBA career.
After leaving the game, I have been thinking about this issue."
The entire league was shocked by Iverson's decision to retire. However, within ten days, Iverson withdrew his retirement announcement and made a comeback with the 76ers, the place where the dream began.
At the return press conference, the always strong Iverson burst into tears and said bluntly: "I want to retire here."
As for the issue of substitutes, Iverson once again expressed compromise: "If we can win the game the way the coach wants, then I will be satisfied."
Despite what Iverson said, the 76ers decided to let the legend start. In the 25 games he played for Philadelphia again, Iverson started 24 games, averaging 31.9 minutes per game and scoring 13.9 points and 3.0 points.
4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and a shooting percentage of only 41.7%.
This was Iverson's final days in the NBA.
It was not until 2013 that he officially announced his retirement.
Deng Fang still has great respect for Iverson.
Deng Fang admired Iverson's fighting spirit, unwillingness to admit defeat, and experience of grassroots rise.
Now that he has the opportunity to coach his team and face Iverson, Deng Fang still wants to do something.
Why?
Because he is Iverson!
And because of Curry!
Later Iverson spoke very highly of Curry.
In an interview, Iverson, who later retired, named the top five players in history: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
You know, Iverson and Curry both played the point guard position.
It is said that intellectuals look down upon each other, but in fact players also have high self-esteem and will not easily admit defeat.
Especially when compared with juniors in the same position.
But Iverson expressed his love for Curry without reservation. He believed that Curry changed the game. He is the best player and shooter in history. Iverson even publicly claimed that he was a super fan of Curry.
In addition, in later generations, the famous magazine "SLAM" once asked netizens on INS: Iverson and Curry duel, who do you think will win?
This question attracted the attention of many netizens, who also left their own answers in the INS comments.
One is a master of passing; the other is a three-point shooter who ushered in the small ball era. It’s really hard to choose one.
Afterwards, Iverson himself forwarded the news and wrote: "If I were not Iverson, then I would choose Curry; it is an honor to be compared with him."
It is really unusual for the unruly Iverson to say such a thing.
Therefore, Deng Fang wants Curry and Iverson to truly compete on offense and defense.
Although Iverson is now in the late stages of his career and his competitive state is much worse than at his peak, the direct confrontation between the two is still of great significance.
Most importantly, this opportunity is so rare.
This is a real direct confrontation on the NBA court!
Therefore, during the timeout period, Deng Fang specifically told several players who were about to play that on the defensive end, if Black Bear Randolph was singled out in the paint, they should resolutely attack from a double flank.
If the ball is released, cover it as quickly as possible.
If Iverson challenges Curry alone, let Curry defend alone, and no one else can help defend.
The offensive end has also been changed. As long as the Grizzlies are not flanking, there will be no pick-and-roll, allowing Curry to challenge Iverson alone.
Give them both a relatively fair chance to face off against each other.
Let these two most dazzling point guards in NBA history have a real one-on-one battle!
Let’s see who is stronger between the two in a duel!