Chapter 115 Backstabs often come from blind spots

He Zhongqiu then made the free throw, making it a two-plus-one.

At the end of the first half, the Knicks led by 44 points, 50:6.

Zhang Heli said happily: "In the second quarter, Zhongqiu spared no effort to play under the basket. In more than seven minutes, he made 4 of 3 shots and 4 of 2 free throws, and scored another 8 points.

上半场10投7中，8罚4中，轰下了18分5篮板4盖帽1抢断2失误3犯规的数据，是尼克斯的得分王，表现真不错。”

Xu Jicheng smiled and said, "The Knicks really believe in Zhongqiu, and they will attack as soon as they go on the court."

Sun Zhenping smiled and said, "You can't believe it. The top scorer Alan Houston made 6 of 1 shots, and the madman made 7 of 3 shots. In general, the outside efficiency is too low. The team needs to score, and Zhongqiu has an advantage under the basket."

Zhang Heli nodded and said, "Zhongqiu played for 16 minutes in the first half. He averaged 30 minutes per game in the regular season. He will definitely play more in the playoffs. His physical strength in the second half should not be as abundant as in the first half."

Sun Zhenping analyzed: "He should increase his shots near the basket in the second half, and his offensive efficiency will be lower.

The Knicks scored 18 points in the first half, but the team only led by 6 points. The Knicks' outside players should stand out, otherwise they may lose the game."

"Uh-huh."

Zhang and Xu nodded.

He Zhongqiu came on the court from the beginning of the third quarter, and went off to rest after playing for half a quarter. In 6 minutes, he made 3 of 1 shots, made one attack under the basket, scored one of two rebounds, and got 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block and 1 foul.

After three quarters, the score was 65:69. The Hornets scored 21 points in the quarter, while the Knicks only scored 19 points and were still leading by 4 points.

Alan Houston's touch improved in this quarter, but it was still just average. He made 7 of 2 shots and scored 5 points.

"There are 22 minutes in three quarters, and Zhongqiu should play the full last quarter." Zhang Heli said.

"That's four fouls. We need to control this and don't commit the fifth foul too early." Sun Zhenping said.

"Yes, yes." Xu Jicheng said.

On the Hornets bench, Paul Silas was arranging tactics for the final quarter and said, "Defense is our focus. The Wolverines only played for 6 minutes in the third quarter and only had one attack to the basket. In the final quarter, they are likely to let the Wolverines strengthen their attack to the basket."

He stared at PJ Brown and Magloire and said, "Once he gets to the basket, you can double-team him appropriately."

The two nodded quickly, and he said to the three main players on the outside: "You keep the defensive pressure on the outside and strengthen the defense. Once they have an open position, you must strengthen the defense."

On the Knicks bench, Don Cheney said: "Their perimeter defense hurt our outside shooting today. In the final quarter, we must strengthen our low-post and basket offense from the beginning."

At this point, he looked at He Zhongqiu and said, "Wolverine, you shot 4 of 2 shots near the basket today, which is very good. You can do more.

Remember, I don't need you to shoot all the time under the basket. I hope you can still maintain a good condition at the last second."

"I understand." He Zhongqiu nodded.

Thibodeau then interrupted and reminded: "Once we pull away from the score, be careful that they will double-team Wolverine in the basket in advance."

At this time, the whistle sounded, the final quarter began, and both sides fielded all their main players.

Knicks offense.

He Zhongqiu took a step outside the left waist position, and Magloire stood at the left waist position.

After Sprewell on the left wing got the ball, he passed it down. He Zhongqiu caught the ball with one hand and turned around to finish facing the basket.

His bank shot has reached level 81, but this is a finishing move. To complete an attack, the offensive technique and the finishing move must be connected together.

In terms of offensive skills, his low-post back-to-the-basket attack is only level 55, and his face-to-basket attack is only level 60. When the two are combined, his offense in the mid-range shooting area is only level 45, and his close two-point shot is only level 62.

Therefore, he seldom shoots in the mid-range shooting area one step outside the left waist position, and at least he has to enter the paint area before shooting.

His face-to-basket offense borrowed techniques from David Robinson. While facing the basket, he leaned down, grabbed the ball with both hands, and prepared to break through with the ball.

Magloire also leaned down and went into a defensive position.

"Can you do a probing step?" Michael Breen asked.

The next moment, He Zhongqiu answered him with action.

"squeak!"

With the sound of friction between sneakers, his left foot instantly stepped forward to the right, stepped on the left side of the defender, pinned his opponent, and at the same time, he blocked the position with his left arm, dribbled the ball with his right hand, and started a strong attack.

Magloire was trapped by He Zhongqiu's left leg and left arm, unable to move sideways, and could only retreat.

But at this time he was half a beat too slow. He Zhongqiu took one step to his upper side, and took another step past him, and he fell behind.

But PJ Brown on the right wing reacted very quickly. When He Zhongqiu received the ball, he had already started moving towards the penalty area. This time he returned to the basket in advance and just blocked He Zhongqiu.

"squeak!"

In the sudden stop, the level 70 dribbling skill came into play. Without any mistakes, he pulled the ball up with one hand and completed the side pass.

At this time, Magloire, who was attacked, pushed to his right side and reached out to take the ball from him.

"here."

Kurt Thomas, who was at the right waist position, raised his hand and shouted.

"Oh!"

He Zhongqiu made a ground pass, Kurt Thomas received the ball and made a layup, but it was too late for PJ Brown to return to defense.

"brush!"

The basketball went through the basket and scored two points.

"Beautiful! Zhongqiu broke through with the ball, attracted a double-team, created an open opportunity for his teammates, and then assisted his teammates to score." Zhang Heli praised.

Xu Jicheng said: "Zhongqiu's first step in holding the ball was quite fast. If PJ Brown hadn't blocked him in time, it would have been another flying dunk."

"Sure." Zhang Heli nodded and smiled.

Sun Zhenping analyzed: "Zhongqiu's low-post face-to-basket ball-holding offensive skills are still lacking in maturity, and his sudden stop was a bit hasty.

This is because his dribbling skills have been improved. If it was before the All-Star Game, his dribbling was not as good as it is now, and it might have been another mistake.

When he was dribbling the ball, he lacked observation of his surroundings and did not notice PJ Brown's return defense in time, otherwise he could have made defensive preparations in advance. "

"Correct."

Zhang Heli nodded and said, "If he had discovered the double-teaming in advance, he could have taken a step forward and shot from the upper side of Magloire on the left waist without taking a second step.

Magloire was a little slow to react, and he was caught by him. He shot from there, which was actually a small open space. "

"Also, his low-post footwork is not good enough and needs more practice," said Xu Jicheng.

"Speaking of low-post steps, Coach Zhang, you are a master, can you tell me about the low-post steps of Mid-Autumn Festival?" Sun Zhenping said.

"Row."

When it comes to pace, Zhang Heli is very clear. When he was the No. 1 power forward in Asia, he was not tall enough, so he made up for it with low-post pace. He has a say in this regard.

He said: "Just now, Zhongqiu's second step was blocked. If his pace was good enough, he could stop suddenly and change direction upwards, so that he could avoid the double-team directly and get space to shoot. He could use a floater, a small hook shot, or a half-court shot to solve the battle.

He can also use his strength and pace to force a step toward the baseline after receiving the ball, and then cut in between P.J. Brown and Magloire behind him to complete a layup.

By the way, he can also stop suddenly, turn around and pass the ball, and then step back and jump shot.

I won’t talk about Yao Ming’s turnaround fadeaway jump shot, which is a bit too advanced for the current Mid-Autumn Festival.”

"It seems that there were a lot of offensive techniques available just now!" said Sun Zhenping.

Zhang Heli nodded and said, “Zhongqiu’s offensive techniques are too simple, there are not many tools in the arsenal, and it is relatively easy for the opponent to defend.

Magloire only needs to defend his breakthrough and let him shoot mid-range shots.

When he was defending just now, after Zhongqiu's first step, he tried to move sideways upwards, but was blocked, resulting in a defensive mistake.

He should actually step back and defend, so that he could grab half a beat of rhythm and block Zhongqiu's second step.

When PJ Brown double-teams, he only needs to block Zhongqiu outside the reasonable collision zone to prevent his most threatening attack under the basket. He did the same thing just now, but he didn't block Zhongqiu's pass. He forced Zhongqiu to pass the ball, which was considered a successful defense. "

Three minutes into the final quarter, the score was 69:75, the Knicks were leading by 6 points, the Hornets had the ball, and they called a timeout after serving the ball.

Michael Breen said: "The Knicks played five attacks and succeeded three times. Kurt Thomas stood up and scored 3 points in a row with 2 of 4 shots. The madman also made 2 of 1 shots."

Dream said: "Wolverine frequently took positions in the low post. Although he didn't get any data, only one assist and one indirect assist, his effect was still obvious.

He suppressed the Hornets' low-post defense, forcing the Hornets to double-team him in the low post. Kurt Thomas got small open spots in succession, and the Hornets' defense on the perimeter was not in place, with only one of the three defenses in place. "

Xiao Fan said: "The Hornets succeeded in two of their four attacks, and their offensive efficiency was also good, both of which were shots from the outside. The Knicks' outside defense is not that good.

Now it depends on the Knicks' outside touch. If they can play efficiently under the strong defense of the Hornets' outside line, they can win the game.

If not, the Hornets can maintain their touch from the outside and possibly turn the tables, and winning an away game will put them in a favorable situation.”

On the Hornets bench, Paul Silas was analyzing the situation and arranging tactics.

"Defense, where is the outside defense I need? Do you want to watch Kurt Thomas continue to score?"

“Also, pay attention to Wolverine’s passing. He doesn’t have much organizational ability, and his direct assist ability is not that good either. Do you understand what I mean?

Yes, his target of passing the ball is usually someone who is left open, and an open teammate within his field of vision.

Then let's change the method of double-teaming. He has been using face-to-basket offense instead of back-to-the-basket defense, so we will no longer attack the weak side to help defend.

Instead, the people behind him double-team him, so that the open space for the Knicks is behind him and he can't see it, OK?"

"OK."

"Remember, we firmly double-team the basket, double-team him from behind, and can't let the Wolverines score under the basket."

"Yes."

Paul Silas seized on He Zhongqiu's weakness in organizational ability and arranged the most appropriate double-team tactics.

In the next three minutes, He Zhongqiu was double-teamed twice, had the ball stolen once, and missed a forced shot. The Hornets took advantage of these two opportunities to tie the score.

Halfway through the final quarter, the score was tied at 79:79, and the Knicks had the ball. They called a timeout after serving the ball.

Zhang Heli said with some concern: "The Hornets' double-team tactics played very well in the last three minutes of the first half. Zhongqiu made 2 of 0 shots in the first half and didn't score a single point. He couldn't play in the low post. The Hornets' outside defense against the Knicks' outside defense will be stronger."

"I hope Zhongqiu can have a good performance in the second half. He was restricted by double-teaming in this half and didn't have much to show for himself," said Xu Jicheng.

Sun Zhenping analyzed: "These two double-teams came from behind. The Hornets took advantage of the mid-autumn face-to-basket attack and lost sight of the player behind them.

I think the Knicks should change their tactics and let Chung-Ai go directly to the basket, so he can observe the situation of the two wings and not lose sight of his open teammates when he is double-teamed. "

"Yes, that's right." Xu Jicheng said.

Zhang Heli said: "The Knicks let Zhongqiu play in the low post on the left wing, which must be to save him some energy.

But Zhongqiu's post-up technique was too poor, and the Hornets adjusted their double-team tactics in time and no longer used weak-side double-teaming. The Hornets' on-the-spot tactical command was stronger, and head coach Don Cheney's ability was still a little lacking."

Sun Zhenping said: "Zhongqiu is still not very threatening in the area outside the basket, and his offensive skills are not up to par. His offensive rhythm after receiving the ball is not fast, which gives the opponent a chance to double-team him."

Zhang Heli nodded and said, "Yes, if it's Duncan, it takes less than two seconds from receiving the ball to completing the shot, and the opponent can't double-team him easily.

Jordan is the same. The time from receiving the ball to shooting is only 1.3 seconds, which does not give opponents a chance to double-team him unless they double-team him in advance.

Sun Zhenping said worriedly again: "Zhongqiu just got another foul, five fouls, the Hornets may continue to attack him, which is also a big explosion point for the Knicks."

"If he is beaten down, the Knicks will be finished," said Xu Jicheng.

"Without him last season, the Knicks didn't even make the playoffs," Zhang Heli said.

"Wolverine, in the second half, you will be the main attacker under the basket. If you have a chance, you should shoot. If you don't, pass it out."

"OK."

"Don't shoot recklessly from the outside, be patient, break through with the ball more often, form an inside-out coordination with the Wolverines, or cut in without the ball to create singles opportunities for the Wolverines."

"OK."

On the Knicks bench, Don Cheney adjusted his offensive tactics.

"Listen carefully, strengthen the breakthrough from the outside and beat Wolverine." Paul Silas said in front of the Hornets bench.

"OK."

The timeout ended and the Knicks attacked.

He Zhongqiu entered the basket and Magloire defended on the left side of the basket, which was his right side.

"The defensive positioning is very important. It is to prepare for the double-attack on the right wing, and at the same time it blocks Zhongqiu's observation of the left wing." Zhang Heli said quickly.

Ellis lobbed the ball toward the basket.

At the same time, as Zhang Heli said, the left-wing Hornets' small forward Mashburn quickly rushed to the basket and implemented a double-team.

He Zhongqiu's vision was blocked by Magloire, and he did not see the pincer attack from Mashburn on the left wing at the first time.

"Snapped!"

He blocked Magloire with his right hand and caught the ball with his left hand.

At this time, PJ Brown on the right wing moved a step towards the penalty area. His speed was not fast, but he showed the momentum of a double-team.

Kurt Thomas did not have much open space, so He Zhongqiu did not choose to pass the ball.

He didn't know that PJ Brown's movement was not really to double-team him, but just to use movement to attract his defensive attention and create opportunities for Mashburn's double-team.

He Zhongqiu did not choose to pass the ball. Instead, he turned downward, passed the ball to his right hand, positioned himself with his left hand, and prepared to jump and dunk.

But as he turned around, Mashburn appeared from behind Magloire, startling him.

"Snapped!"

Mashburn was quick and slapped the basketball that had just been passed to his right hand. He instinctively clenched his fingers and his right hand instantly turned into an eagle claw.

"what?"

Mashburn was a little dumbfounded. He couldn't knock the ball away that Wolverine was holding with one hand. How was this possible?

"This beast, he really is Wolverine!"

At this moment, he thought of Wolverine tearing the wardrobe apart with his bare hands.

The next moment, He Zhongqiu jumped up and smashed the ball with his right hand.

Magloire jumped to block the shot, but his height was not enough and he was blocked by He Zhongqiu's left arm, so he could not get close enough to block the shot.

"boom!"

The basket whined instantly.

"Dunk? Beautiful! Zhongqiu scored, the first goal of the last quarter."

Xu Jicheng shouted excitedly, and then sighed: "It seems that he still has to play under the basket. Even if he is double-teamed under the basket, with his physical fitness, he can still play a strong attack.

If he is double-teamed away from the basket, his means are limited and he cannot force an attack. His ability to pass the ball is still a bit problematic.”

"Passing the ball is a matter of experience and basketball IQ. After all, this is my rookie season."

Zhang Heli said, and then said: "The Wasp really took advantage of the opportunity when Magloire blocked his sight to attack from both sides.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, you should be especially careful about places that are out of sight. Backstabs often come from blind spots, so it is easier to deal with them if they come in the open."

Sun Zhenping said: "After receiving the ball, the offensive rhythm should be as fast as possible, or use footwork to increase the distance before shooting.

Zhongqiu's offensive rhythm under the basket is obviously faster. In areas where he cannot attack the basket directly, his offensive rhythm will be much slower. This is because his offensive skills are not good enough."

(End of this chapter)