Chapter 116 Outbreak Warning On The Edge Of The Cliff (2/5)
Losing the first game of the playoffs is not the end for the Celtics, but now, they must make adjustments.
In the first playoff game, the Celtics were suppressed by the Cavaliers on both offense and defense, which meant that there were problems with the Celtics' targeted layout from the beginning.
Doc Rivers felt that the team should no longer be limited to the coaching staff to find ways to adjust, so he decided to hold a team-wide tactical meeting.
In the hotel conference room in Cleveland, Jim Bravo checked every corner of the room to make sure there was no monitoring or recording equipment.
Then, Rivers announced the start of the team meeting.
"In the first game, our defense against lbj completely failed. Lin's single defense could not limit lbj's breakthrough and distribution system. We cannot continue the defensive strategy from the first game."
From the beginning, the meeting centered around the defense of James.
Doc Rivers and Jim Braver both believe the Celtics should double-team James.
Only Lex Kalamian among the coaching staff still insisted on guarding James alone, but he proposed to let Pierce guard James alone: "Forcing lbj to play alone and not letting him drive his teammates is still the easiest way to win. My suggestion
Yes, if Paul is to defend lbj, his size can match lbj."
"I also think single defense is the best option."
Lin Yu also put forward the same opinions as Lex Kalamian. At the same time, he shared his experience in defending James.
"To defend lbj, it's best to guard his right side, because he is used to breaking through from the right side. As for the left side, he is more used to shooting from mid- to long-range."
Rivers nodded, affirming the defensive experience shared by Lin Yu.
He then shook his head: "It's too risky to defend alone. If we can't stop lbj, it will be difficult to win the game."
The discussion started between single defense and double-team defense. Most coaches and players supported double-team defense. Only Lin Yu and Lex Kalamian believed that single defense was a better defensive method.
After another discussion, Rivers finally made a decision: "Whether we try or refuse another failure, we think we have to use double-team defense in the next game, and we have to try to silence lbj.
Let’s see what kind of effect that kind of defense can have.”
He looked at Lin Yu: "In the next game, Lin, you continue to defend lbj."
Then, he put up a tactical board: "One meter inside the three-point line, lbj will enter his efficient offensive distance. In this position, he can make countless choices, breakthroughs, mid-range shots, passes...
…”
"At this time, the closest defensive player immediately flanks, and the weak-side player moves to the strong side to defend. The defensive rotation must be fast. As long as our defense is in place, lbj can be restricted."
Lin Yu listened quietly, and he agreed with Rivers' idea.
In other words, there is nothing wrong with Rivers' double-team defense and it can work, but the defensive discipline requirements for the Celtics are too high.
If the weak side reinforces the side a little slower, a huge gap will appear on the strong side.
Facing an excellent passer like James, once there is a gap on the strong side, the Cavaliers will not hesitate to use this gap to score.
This is the disadvantage of the double-team tactic.
In the current defensive league, there are many teams that can limit the young LeBron James. In the future, if they defend James against a 1802 Pistons, they will be able to limit James, but this Celtics is definitely not among them.
.
It can only be said that Rivers has not clearly understood the current Celtics defense.
Or maybe it was Lin Yu's two outbursts in the regular season that gave Rivers an illusion. By the playoffs, this illusion was torn apart, but Rivers hadn't realized it yet.
The Celtics' next defensive strategy is thus determined.
But in the second playoff game two days later, the Celtics were once again at a disadvantage.
As soon as the game started, LeBron James rushed forward. This guy rushed without any structure, like a headless fly.
The Celtics used a double-teaming tactic. Lin Yu's pressure was much less, but James quickly led his teammates by passing the ball.
Mike Brown reacted quickly. He replaced Donyel Marshall and Damon Jones. With two more stable firepower points on the outside, the Cavaliers' three-pointers were immediately opened.
In the first quarter, the Cavaliers scored 33 points. Just like the previous game, the Cavaliers achieved a double-digit lead in just one quarter.
Off the court, Rivers frowned deeply. He now believes what Lex Kalamian and Lin Yu said. The double-team tactic is not suitable for defending James, or it is not suitable for the Celtics to use to defend James.
But Rivers is still hesitating, wondering whether he should make adjustments immediately and return to the defensive method of the previous game.
Then in the second quarter, the Cavaliers continued to score three-pointers in a row. The Celtics fell behind more and more, and the defense on the field quickly collapsed.
Not only can the defense of the weak side and the reinforcement side not keep up, but the double team defense of the strong side has also become hesitant.
Lin Yu seemed to be back in the first game, constantly fighting James in the mid-range, and then being eaten alive by James.
In the regular season, he never played such a difficult game. In the playoffs, he failed one after another, and everything looked different from the regular season.
In the first half of the game, the Cavaliers played the hottest offense in this defensive era. They directly scored 68 points and then gained a huge 21-point advantage.
Just like that, there was no suspense. The Celtics lost another game. The morale of the Celtics became even lower. They didn't expect that just a young Cavalier would crush them in almost two games.
Two days later, the series moved to Boston.
Rivers adjusted his defensive strategy in the second game, and Lin Yu continued to resist James. There was no double attack, and the Cavaliers' role players were unable to fully open up the ball.
The game was much more anxious than the first two games. Until the fourth quarter, the Celtics were only 5 points behind.
At the critical moment, the game became a game between two superstars, James and Pierce.
James, who has fully opened up his personal offense, is still unstoppable, and Pierce is always known as the key player with a big heart.
But at the last moment, James' scoring became more stable, two points after two points. Lin Yu was surprised by James' fighting spirit.
The game ended at the end, and the Cavaliers still won the game...
Another two-game losing streak. Counting the defeat in the first game, the Celtics are already 0:3 behind in the total score. In this situation, the Celtics have been forced to the cliff by the sea and they have to take a step back.
Jumped down to fish.
"The Cleveland Cavaliers won the third game between the two teams. They are already leading 3:0. As long as they win one more game, they will defeat the Celtics and advance to the second round..."
"Now, the Cavaliers are very close to the final victory."
At this stage of the game, the Celtics have almost lost all hope of winning the series. The only thing they can do is refuse to sweep.
After the game, Lin Yu was lying on the floor on the sidelines. He felt sore all over and was exhausted. He didn't care about the result of the game at all.
After three games, Lin Yu is the one who has spent the most on the Celtics.
He, a defender who weighs just over 100 kilograms, was forced to hold up against LeBron James, whose height, weight and strength were one level higher than Lin Yu or even more.
This kind of confrontation is really disproportionate.
Pierce came over and pulled Lin Yu up.
After three consecutive losses, Pierce, who was originally full of confidence, no longer showed his confidence, but Pierce still did everything a team leader should do.
"Let's go, Lin, don't think so much." Pierce was silent for a while: "Now, what we should consider is winning the next game. We must refuse to sweep."
Refuse to sweep?
Lin Yu agreed with Pierce's idea. Indeed, the Celtics, who had lost hope of winning this series, could only fight for face.
The Celtics want to refuse to sweep, and Lin Yu also wants to refuse to sweep, not only in terms of the total score, but also in terms of LeBron James directly confronting him and crushing and sweeping him!
