On the team bus, Granger and Paul George were chatting.
"Sickle got the DPOY, I'm really jealous."
Paul George looked through the media interviews with Lian Dao and the photos of Lian Dao excitedly holding up the best defensive trophy, his eyes filled with envy.
He also wants to be like Lian Dao, achieve the Grand Slam of Honors and become the one who shines brightest in the spotlight.
But Paojiao himself also knows that he is still far behind now, especially after two seasons of competition, Lian Dao left a deep impression on him.
When Granger was injured last season, Paul George played against Lian Dao at the third position.
If Paojiao himself was asked to describe the feeling of playing against Lian Dao, he would sum it up in two words: suffocating!
The defense is suffocating, and the offense is equally suffocating!
However, this also inspired Paijiao's competitive spirit, and he spent a lot of time on training.
The progress this season is the best proof.
"What do you think our chances of winning this round are?"
Paul George asked the team boss Granger.
In fact, Paul George is still very confident in the Pacers.
Because this season's Pacers and last year's Pacers are no longer teams of the same level.
From individual players to team lineups, they have all completed transformation.
It can be said that the team has made visible progress this season.
"Four percent!"
Granger curled up her little finger, but finally stretched out four fingers.
This number is actually very conservative, but Granger believes that they may not even reach 40%.
"Boss, we have to be more confident. Amare's condition is no longer what it was a year ago. I believe David can deal with him."
"As for sickle... it's a bit troublesome, but I believe we can work together to restrain him without any problem!"
Young Paul George maintains a high morale.
"We have no right to look down upon them, Paul!"
"Especially sickle, he is much harder to deal with than LeBron!"
Compared to the young Pickle Pepper, Danny Granger is more mature and rational.
There is a kind of composure in him that has been beaten by society.
"Of course, we are facing the defending champion, but we are not bad, right? Besides, what if we accidentally kill them?"
Looking at the way Pickle talks, he looks very much like himself when he first joined the league.
Danny Granger thought the same thing when he faced the Cavaliers and James.
But Granger, who became a rookie in his second year, faced James for the first time in the season, and he was defended and only got 4 points, 6 rebounds and 5 fouls.
He made 0 of 6 shots against James in the game.
It can be said that in the first real matchup, he was blocked by James!
James scored 30 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in that game.
However, the Pacers won that game.
Therefore, Danny Granger did not refute or admonish Pickle. On the contrary, he admired this little brother's fighting spirit.
Young people are not afraid of being crazy, but they are afraid of not having the fighting spirit and not dare to challenge to higher heights.
So, Danny Granger just nodded.
He may not have the youthful energy of Pickled Pepper now, but he has a heart that wants to prove himself.
It's not like Granger hasn't heard comments about him from the outside world. Many people say that he no longer has the strength of the All-Star player he once was.
Even some fans think Paul George has greater potential than him.
Granger did not deny this, and he was very optimistic about his little brother.
And Paul George also respects him very much.
Granger is also very happy about Paul George's growth.
In fact, Granger doesn't value the position of team leader and is willing to let George go if he grows up.
However, no one remains indifferent after hearing the outside world’s doubts about themselves!
Therefore, Danny Granger also wants to prove himself.
Although the defending champion Knicks are a challenge, it may not not be an opportunity.
As long as they get past the powerful Knicks, they will have greater confidence in winning even the Heat's Big Three.
Moreover, what Pickle Pepper talks about are the advantages they have.
Competing on the same stage, everyone has a chance to win the championship. Since the Knicks could do it last year, why can't the Pacers do it this year?
…
May 12, 7 p.m., Madison Square Garden.
The entire arena was completely full, and the enthusiasm of the fans before the semifinals was obviously higher than in the first round.
[Recommended, the Changyuan app for chasing books is really useful. Download it here. You can try it soon.]
Mainly because of the opponents in the first round, the strength gap was really big. Fans didn't even see Lian Dao really exert his strength, and then the game was over.
The Pacers are different. Their team's growth this season is obvious to all.
The Pacers are very dynamic this season, and their record once surpassed the Celtics and the Hawks, a veteran playoff team, ranking fourth in the Eastern Conference.
Especially in the second half of the regular season, even when facing the Heat's Big Three, they still managed not to fall behind.
And Paul George has also become famous this year.
Although he lost to Ryan Anderson when he competed for the Most Improved Player, his popularity is no better than his opponent.
On the contrary, the young Pickle Pepper is even more favored by fans.
Plus the star player Danny Granger.
Although his condition has declined somewhat, never underestimate the potential of a veteran All-Star player to explode in the playoffs.
And George Hill, David West, Royce Hibbert...
This year's Pacers have clearly grown to the point where they can compete with the Knicks.
During the warm-up before the game, live footage showed Paul George and Danny Granger, the Pacers' twin stars.
Through the large LED screen at the scene, Lian Dao saw the confidence on their faces.
Can this series be as simple as the first round?
…
The pre-match warm-up was over and the lineups of both teams were announced one after another.
Pacers: George Hill, Paul George, Danny Granger, David West, Royce Hibbert.
Knicks: Holiday, Danny Green, Lian Dao, Stoudemire, Cousins.
The lineups on both sides are the same as before, all are full main lineups.
Amid the cheers of the fans, Cousins jumped out of Hibbert, giving the Knicks the opportunity to take the lead.
Although it was the semifinals, D'Antoni did not change his offensive strategy.
It was still the same as the game against the Magic. Lian Dao used singles to contain the opponent's defense, and then supported the team's offense.
The Pacers are the same as before, still using their personal abilities to defend alone.
At the beginning of the game, the Knicks' first offense made the Pacers players realize that their defense was not truly airtight yet.
In his first attack, Lian Dao dribbled through and penetrated into the paint, attracting Hibbert's help on defense.
He passed the ball directly through a gap and assisted Cousins for a flying dunk.
"Is this your best defense?"
After Lian Dao assisted Cousins to score, he did not forget to mock Danny Granger.
Feeling the Pacers' fighting spirit, his desire to play was aroused at the beginning.
Granger has always been a strong offensive and defensive player. What is most commendable about him is his defensive enthusiasm.
But his real defensive strength is barely above the average level.
In order for the Pacers' defensive system to play its maximum role, each player's defensive ability must reach the first-class level of players at the same position.
Otherwise, they will not be able to kill their opponents and will expose their flaws.
The Pacers' foundation is defense.
Offense is not the Pacers' strong point. As early as when Larry Bird was the coach, he didn't know how to organize the offense.
At that time, I had no choice but to open the tactical notes from assistant coach Rick Carlisle's Trail Blazers days and learn from them now.
Paul George's offensive state is very unstable. Sometimes when the touch comes up, he can score 30.
But there are also many times when you will face a "super ghost" state and you can't score a goal.
The team only values defense. On the first day of training camp this season, Vogel called Hill, Hibbert and George to the locker room.
Have them stand side by side with their arms stretched out.
"I just want to explain to these guys that our height is amazing and our defense takes advantage!"
Vogel said.
…
"Danny didn't put a lot of pressure on sickle on the defensive end!"
Over in the commentary box, Mike Breen was obviously not satisfied with Granger's defense on the first goal.
"brush!"
But as soon as he finished speaking, David West used his inside steps to turn around and face Stoudemire and score from mid-range.
David West changed from his weak state during the regular season games.
Entering the playoffs, David West has a simple style of play, solid basic skills, and decisive shots.