Chapter 568 Millsap returns to the starting lineup
After the opening, the Knicks' offense focused on three-pointers and breakthroughs, with Danny Green standing outside the 45-degree three-point line.
Stoudemire and Cousins stand in the ribs on both sides. Stoudemire can easily shoot from mid-range, while Cousins can pull up to a three-pointer at any time and shoot a three-pointer, or support the attack.
There are very few people in the Knicks' penalty area.
Holiday stood in the corner and cut into the basket along the baseline whenever he had the chance.
The purpose of this third-line offensive tactic is to stretch the Pacers' defensive formation.
This creates more space for Lian Dao's breakthrough and passing.
Hibbert was originally guarding the penalty area, but facing the Knicks' two inside players with shooting abilities, he had to step out.
In particular, Cousins' flexibility and comprehensiveness gave Hibbert a headache.
Even though he has a height advantage, there is no good way to deal with Cousins who can shoot three-pointers and break through with the ball.
This is not a question of ability, it is entirely a question of basketball development.
How can today's fans imagine that in the future basketball will require big men to have a three-pointer.
Cousins has excellent center physical fitness and the offensive skills of a power forward.
It can be said that he can enjoy it both now and in the future.
And it was indeed Cousins who was the first to show his prowess today.
His position on the ribs is very convenient whether he is pulling outside the three-point line to shoot a three-pointer or attacking the basket.
Especially with Lian Dao's support, Cousins' offensive ability was completely unleashed.
However, Pickle's defense allowed Danny Green to miss both of his outside shots.
I have to say that Paul George does have an advantage on defense.
Stoudemire was also obviously unable to cope with David West, who was in explosive form in the playoffs. The latter used his position behind the screen to succeed in two consecutive shots.
On the offensive end, facing David West's defense, Stoudemire was still in a sluggish state.
Two offenses, one was interfered with by David West under the basket, and the other was an open shot.
In the first five minutes, the score was 8:8.
In the offense of George Hill and David West, the Knicks just couldn't open the score.
"I love how tough they play!"
The Pacers' performance also earned praise from Mike Breen.
The competition will be interesting only if the competition is intense enough. Watching the torture of vegetables really doesn't arouse much interest.
At this moment, the Knicks started making substitutions very early.
As soon as the whistle blew, D'Antoni brought Millsap onto the court and replaced Stoudemire.
This substitution came early and was a bit unusual.
Because if this was changed, the Knicks would really suffer from the height inside.
Vogel was also stunned for a moment when he saw it.
Then, he responded quickly.
In the Pacers' offense, George Hill handed the ball to West in the low post after seeing Vogel's instructions.
Vogel is trying to tell D'Antoni that even if you make a substitution, I will still have a way to deal with it.
West played a post-up game and was very flexible under the basket. Cousins chose to double-team under the basket to help defend.
West showed his passing skills and passed the ball to Hibbert in time.
Hibbert caught the ball and shot directly.
Cousins turned around to interfere, but in the end it was too late.
After scoring, Hibbert was very excited, and when he returned to defense, he high-fived West excitedly.
It has to be said that although Hibbert has not reached the height of Yao Ming's strength, his 49.8% shooting rate is still quite threatening.
There was a commotion at the scene. They didn't expect the Pacers to play so decisively.
Live footage of D'Antoni.
However, D'Antoni's face was calm and he just made two tactical gestures towards Cousins, showing a very calm expression.
Although I'm not sure if D'Antoni's calmness was fake, this expression made the fans at the scene feel at ease.
The Pacers retreated quickly, learning from the Magic's mistakes.
The Pacers didn't give the Knicks a chance to play fast break at all.
Stoudemire was in a really sluggish state before, so Vogel asked Hibbert and West to complete the defensive switch.
Although West is not very flexible, he can still keep up with Cousins as a power forward.
The most critical thing is that with West's interference, Cousins' strength from beyond the three-point line has dropped sharply.
Hibbert still guarded the interior, ensuring the Pacers' interior defense.
This time the Knicks attacked, the Pacers still maintained this defensive position.
Lian Dao continued to break through to the basket with the ball, and the Pacers continued to shrink to the basket to cover up defense.
With Hibbert guarding the basket, Vogel felt relaxed.
Especially his strong body, coupled with a fairly good wingspan and wide hands, this has become a nightmare for many players who like to break through.
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Historically, James was very embarrassed when Hibbert helped defend him.
Even because Hibbert was really blocking the sky when standing inside, it once caused dissatisfaction among a large group of players led by James.
Together, they made suggestions to the Alliance, hoping that the Alliance would pay attention to this issue.
In 2014, the league revised the penalty area rules.
The specific rules are: when a defensive player takes off vertically to defend, if he blocks the attacking player to both sides or by turning around in the air, he will be judged as illegally defending.
The referee will call a blocking foul. This rule is also called the "Hibbert Vertical Rule."
It was also because of the emergence of this rule that it directly became the last straw for traditional centers.
The league has since completely entered the faster-paced small ball era.
And breakthrough players like James and Antetokounmpo began to completely dominate the league.
It can only be said that Hibbert's existence has indeed accelerated the reform of the NBA.
Therefore, historically, it was Hibbert who really put defensive pressure on James.
…
Lian Dao didn't force the ball, and made a beautiful pass without looking at anyone, and threw the ball to Millsap who was receiving the ball on the left wing.
Lian Dao's offense can influence the game, and his passing is also such a big threat.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Especially when paired with the Pass Master Badge, it can improve the shooting touch of the receiving player by 5%.
Millsap had an excellent opportunity after receiving the ball, and he even had time to adjust his shot.
Because the distance was too far, Hibbert gave up his defense and turned around to grab rebounds.
"brush!"
However, with such a big gap, there is no chance of a rebound.
Millsap made a three-pointer!
The Knicks took the lead.
Lian Dao high-fived Millsap while retreating.
Millsap's mentality is very good. He entered the league from the bench to the bench, and after Stoudemire joined the Knicks, he went from the bench to the bench again.
As Stoudemire's condition declined, he returned again in the second half of the season.
It can be said that Millsap has never complained.
What he does most is keep training to improve his strength.
He cherishes every appearance, plays every game well, defends every time, and makes every basketball.
Some players are so talented that they attract attention as soon as they enter the league. They can live a good life without working hard.
But Millsap is obviously not, so this also taught him to be mature and steady, to work hard, and to be down-to-earth!
In this playoffs, his efforts paid off, and D'Antoni decided to completely use Millsap.
It can be said that this game is the last opportunity D'Antoni gives Stoudemire. If he can seize it, he will still be.
If he can't catch him, he will be reduced to a substitute!
this is the truth!
After returning to the defensive end, D'Antoni's previous tactical gestures came into play.
When David West received the ball in the low post for a single, Cousins did not double attack under the basket, but firmly stuck Hibbert.
Not only did Cousins not help defend, but the rest of the Knicks also didn't help.
In fact, D'Antoni's strategy at the beginning was to defend West alone.
However, after West scored several goals in a row, Cousins became a little anxious, so he gave up Hibbert and double-teamed West.
West got a one-on-one opportunity against Millsap.
He lowered his focus to push Millsap, but he found that... he couldn't push him.
Millsap's strength is not inferior to that of the No. 5 player, and it is not an exaggeration to call him a devil's muscleman.
You know, during the Knicks' 2010 playoffs, Millsap struggled with Howard and Garnett.
Although they lost in the end, Saburo's desperate defensive spirit made the two of them miserable.
This time against West, Millsap still maintained plenty of defensive passion.
West didn't make any move at the first try and gave up decisively.
Then he used his superb steps under the basket to shake Millsap away and make a hook under the basket.
But he underestimated Millsap's basketball IQ, and was unmoved by West's feint.
Seeing that Millsap was not fooled, West's expression became much more solemn.
He knew that the guy in front of him was not as easy to deal with as Stoudemire.