With Ying Guodala there, there would be no tiebreaker in the series. It was just to verify this conclusion that Deng Fang did not make any intervention in the first three games.
The Warriors led 2:1 in the first three games. After the third game, Yingodala suffered from left knee discomfort and was doubtful for the game. The media speculated what happened to the Warriors?
The Warriors have never had any injury news before, so why is Yin Guodala doubtful for the game this time?!
Fortunately, news came within a few hours that Deng Fang took action and the discomfort in Yingodala's left knee was relieved!
This also means that Yingodala can play in the fourth game, and the five completely dead players can appear!
This is not good news for the Rockets!
But there is nothing the Rockets can do, what is supposed to come will always come.
At 8pm on May 22, 2018, Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Warriors and Rockets started on time at Oracle Arena.
The Rockets' starting lineup remains unchanged: Paul, Harden, Ariza, Tucker, and Capela.
The Warriors are starting with the dead five: Curry, Clay, Ying Guodala, Durant, and Draymond Green.
The Rockets took the lead in gaining the ball. Paul dribbled to the frontcourt and then handed the ball to Harden to start the offense.
After his teammates were in position, Harden signaled Capela to come up for a pick-and-roll. Draymond Green quickly switched defenses in front of Harden, and Yingodala followed Capela to the penalty area.
This was just the first pick-and-roll, and then Ariza came up to block Green. Curry, who was guarding Ariza, was replaced in front of Harden.
The purpose of the rocket is very clear, which is the military training library!
Without Looney, Livingston would have to train Curry!
To be honest, this is not because Curry is not good at defense, but because the other four people are so good at defense!
Clay, Ying Guodala, Durant, and Draymond Green are known as the four iron locks. No matter their height, speed or strength, they can almost defend from one to five!
Of course, in the true sense, Green is the only one who can defend from one to five. The other three can only switch to guard the center and go around to prevent the ball from being received. At the same time, they need help from their teammates.
Even so, not everyone can do it!
Although Curry's defense is not bad, especially when compared with point guards, he is not good compared with these people. After all, his height, speed, and strength are all there.
Harden and Paul are strong in singles, and one of the important reasons is that they are strong enough!
Harden was able to clamp the opponent's arm during the breakthrough process, and he was able to push the opponent to the basket without shaking the opponent away. This was all achieved by relying on sheer strength.
Harden can't defend well, which means he can defend fast defenders. If he is allowed to switch to the inside, it will still be no problem. This is also because he is strong enough.
The same goes for Paul. He suffers from his size, but he is able to achieve top level on both offense and defense. The main reason is that he has enough strength, even if he is switching to small forward, there is no problem.
In order to protect Curry, Deng Fang also made full preparations.
Ariza blocked Green, Curry immediately stepped forward to stop him, and then went back to find Ariza. At this time, Green switched defense.
Seeing that time was running out, Harden had no choice but to challenge Green one-on-one.
I have to say that Harden is at his peak at this time, and it’s really up to who to pick!
Even Green is no problem!
Of course, if there is a choice, I still don't choose Ying Guodala as the target of the one-on-one challenge, followed by Clay, Durant, and then Green, Curry, and Looney are the first choices.
It's not that you can't challenge Yingodala alone, it's just that the hit rate is too low.
Needless to say, Green's defensive skills are great, but he also has to put in a lot of energy when facing Harden!
For no other reason than Harden's threat is too great!
Under the rules of the league at this time, Harden is almost impossible to guard!
In the three years from 2017 to 2020, the league's rules are the same as before, which is to protect offensive players more and encourage offense.
You cannot touch the ball holder above the free throw line, and the defender cannot make physical contact during the breakthrough process. Even if the ball holder actively reaches out to touch the defender, it will still be counted as a defensive foul...
Under such rules, Harden, who relies on his brain to play, studies the rules all day long, has enough strength, can break through and score three-pointers, is unstoppable!
Of course, good defenders can still restrict Harden, but it is almost impossible to completely restrict him.
Harden dribbled the ball quickly. Green was worried that Harden would step back and get too close to the three-pointer, so Harden changed direction and rushed over.
Once Harden occupies a good position, the defender will not dare to make any moves!
If you don't make a move, Harden will catch you, let alone if you dare to get close, you will be physically released from him!
It’s hard to say how good Harden’s playing skills are. He spends all his time studying the rules and forgets to eat and sleep. His ability to draw fouls is unparalleled in the league!
The title "Son of JDZ" is no joke, it came from free throws one after another!
Before the game, Deng Fang specifically explained this: We must avoid being cheated by Harden into fouling!
As long as Harden and Paul keep getting fouled, the game will fall into the rhythm of the Rockets!
However, it is not easy to achieve this. For this reason, some things must be given up: such as helping to defend against double attacks and letting the Rockets shoot outside shots.
There's nothing you can do about it. Unless your strength is much higher than your opponent's, you have to make some choices.
Seeing Harden burst in, Yingodala quickly filled in. At the same time, Durant on the outside also returned to the penalty area to fill in for the vacated Capela.
Deng Fang's strategy is to resolutely deny access to the restricted area and allow appropriate release of outside areas.
Deng Fang firmly believes that the Warriors are not afraid of a three-pointer!
Harden saw Ying Guodala coming to defend, and immediately passed the ball to Tucker in the bottom corner.
The Warriors' defense is very flexible and the players cooperate well. Green, who lost his defensive position, immediately pounced on Durant's defender Tucker.
Although Green pounced quickly, the ball was faster than people. Tucker was already ready to shoot and took action immediately after the ball came into his hands.
The bottom corner is Tucker's sweet spot, and you can't miss this opportunity.
This is how the Rockets play, shoot decisively when the opportunity arises, don't hesitate!
You can miss the shot, but you can't miss it when you are open. This is D'Antoni's consistent philosophy.
The basketball went hollow into the net, and the Rockets scored first.
It was the Warriors' turn to attack. The Splash Brothers ran two laps first. The Rockets switched defenses endlessly, and Curry had to come out with the ball to organize the offense.
First, Green came up to pick-and-roll with Curry, and then Yingoda pulled up to pick-and-roll with Curry.
The Warriors' purpose is also very clear, which is to force Harden to defend the ball holder and consume as much of Harden's physical energy as possible.
If Capela doesn't play alone, he'll look for Harden to do it!
Harden switched to Curry before it was over, Durant came up to pick and roll with Curry again!
Dooku’s pick-and-roll move came out!
Deng Fang is not like Cole in history. He always saves his ultimate move and uses it at critical moments.
There is a reason for Cole to do this, that is, the ultimate move cannot be used often, otherwise the opponent will have a way to break it.
But Deng Fang also has a reason: he doesn't use any move often and he's not proficient in it. Since it's a big move, use it more often. Let's see what you do!
Since it is a big move, it means that the opponent has no good ideas!
Sure enough, the Rockets still chose to switch defense, and Harden switched to Durant.
Curry did not challenge Harden one-on-one because it had just begun and Harden's physical strength was still intact. At this time, Curry did not have much advantage in challenging Harden one-on-one.
When Curry singles out Harden, he can only choose to break through, but Durant is different.
Curry handed the ball to Durant. With his absolute height, Durant took a tentative step and raised his hand to shoot!
