Zhou Mubai's understanding of the Spurs' defense surprised Popovich.

During the two attacks, Zhou Mubai seemed to have taken the same method to attack - both of which were using breakthroughs to break the defense.

However, the purpose and details of the two attacks were different.

The first offense was Garlinari who found the bottom corner after a breakthrough. This was unimaginable, because the three-pointer in the bottom corner where Garlinari was located was the top priority of the Spurs' defense, and Zhou Mubai actually found a chance to take action by compressing the defense.

This is a very difficult thing, just like finding the hardest part of the opponent to break the defense. The difficulty can be imagined.

As for the second attack, it was a bit interesting. It seemed that Zhou Mubai attacked according to the Spurs' ideas. The Spurs often forced their opponents to shoot mid-range shots - this method is extremely difficult and inefficient, which is what the Spurs are willing to see.

It was nothing about Zhou Mubai's shooting into the middle distance, but his operation before shooting made Popovich a little uneasy.

This anxiety was confirmed next.

Zhou Mubai kept breaking through Parker, and after the breakthrough, he used mid-range shots.

Parker defended according to training - even after being broken, he would chase Zhou Mubai and prevent Zhou Mubai from shooting easily.

Then Zhou Mubai was using this seemingly difficult scoring method to score 5 of 6.

This is uncomfortable, with an 83% shooting percentage, which is more efficient than the basket!

Popovich quickly called for a pause.

Zhou Mubai returned to the bench to rest with a smile.

The old thief Popovich left the opponent with the most difficult choice, but what he didn't expect was that even the most difficult was left by him.

Popovich seems a little worried - do you have to stick with it?

If Zhou Mubai is attacked with all his strength... Popovich closed his eyes slightly.

no!

Popovich decisively pinched off this idea.

He has studied many games of Zhou Mubai, and the strategy of attacking Zhou Mubai is not advisable because Zhou Mubai's pass is too sharp. Once he is attacked, he will have to withstand the bombardment of the shooters on the outside!

In that case, the opponent often gets beaten up if he can't withstand many rounds.

On the contrary, if Zhou Mubai beats one by one, he can control the situation relatively, especially when he can only score two points per round.

I don't believe that you can maintain this hit rate for a long time!

Popovich insisted on this style of play, but made a little adjustment - he asked Ginobili to defend Zhou Mubai.

Ginobili's physical confrontation is better than Parker, his pace is not slow, and he is smarter.

However, Zhou Mubai still scored 5 of 6 against Ginobili's defense!

Zhou Mubai made 10 of 12 shots in the first half of the first quarter, scoring 20 points!

D'Antoni's eyes kept twitching.

It is difficult to play against the Spurs and it is difficult to play a fast break, and Popovich will not allow it, so Zhou Mubai's 12 shots were all made using mid-range jump shots after the breakthrough!

One by one, there are three more people entering this one!

Ginobili felt his temples rushing, which was a state of high blood pressure caused by blood rushing to his head.

He is a very calm person, known as the Pampas vulture, oh no, it is the Pampas eagle, but he was broken through again and again by Zhou Mubai tonight, and at the moment he calmly threw into one middle distance after another, as if he was specifically mocking him.

Popovich sighed, no, he had to change.

It is obvious that Zhou Mubai is not James. Of course, although Zhou Mubai plays Kobe very well, he is not Kobe after all.

You can make a shot when you defend against James, you can make a shot when Kobe is blocked, and you can do nothing right.

But Popovich is an old thief after all. After thinking about it, he waved his hand and changed his defensive strategy.

Zhou Mubai on the court frowned slightly.

The Spurs' defense has changed a lot, and the single defense has become a pinch. After Zhou Mubai passed the half, Tony Parker and Ginobili joined hands to surround him - it seemed like a pinch in the half!

This is to force him to transfer the ball and give it to others to deal with it.

Duncan sits at the basket, and the people outside defend two and three.

It seems that the Knicks have taken a big advantage. After all, two-defense and three-defense means that as long as the ball is well conducted, there will be a space to take a bold move!

But things are not that simple.

When Zhou Mubai passed the ball, Wilson Chandler just hesitated for a moment. Tony Parker immediately ran back to make up for the position, and the leaked space was filled.

This is the horror of the Spurs' defense.

The defensive discipline is very good. How to fill up the position, how to rotate, and what principles are there. These are all ground up little by little during training.

As long as the Knicks players are a little slower and hesitate, they can make up for it.

Moreover, the Spurs' defense is not to completely prevent Zhou Mubai from receiving the ball, but to reduce Zhou Mubai's holding time.

This is very important.

With Zhou Mubai's hands, he can have enough time to adjust the ball.

But if he is forced to throw the ball and then pinch other people, even if the ball returns to Zhou Mubai's hand again at this time, it will be difficult for Zhou Mubai to have so many choices.

So this is how the Spurs - they first force Zhou Mubai to pass the ball, and then defend it, and then Zhou Mubai has to attack in a hurry when he receives the ball.

D'Antoni quickly called for a pause.

Popovich's move did work, and the Knicks' efficiency dropped significantly.

Zhou Mubai was a little helpless. Chris Duhong and Wells Chandler did not play firmly enough. It was difficult to face a team like the Spurs. If the defense was a little tight, they would not dare to make a shot.

This is Popovich's plan.

D'Antoni corrected loudly: "Resolutely and resolutely! Why bother with so much? If you have a little space, you can vote for me!"

After the game, Du Hong and Chandler were indeed much more decisive. Unfortunately, the Spurs' defense was too good and there were open positions, but it was fleeting. They were always a little panicked when they shot, and it was difficult to make a shot if the rhythm was not right.

The Knicks' offense suddenly fell into a low point.

This is a matter of personal ability.

If there is a second in command with outstanding abilities, he can play a greater role when Zhou Mubai attracts two people to attack.

But these people cannot count on these people now.

Gallinari is a very good pitcher, but his breakthrough offensive ability has not been developed yet.

Chandler is just a newcomer with good athleticism. He can play other teams, but it will be difficult for him to complete the task if he wants to challenge Duncan to take charge of the basket.

Du Hong is a mediocre player. It is OK to let him pass and shoot step by step, but to be honest, he can't do it.
Chapter completed!