NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 689 directly uses a 5-forward lineup.

The first quarter saw both teams' starting lineups trade blows, with the score remaining close. While Booker was effectively shut down by Jia Fei, Bridges couldn't contain 58. 58, through frequent pick-and-rolls with Ayton, constantly targeted Olynyk, inflicting significant damage on the Clippers.

The Suns played well as a team, and their second-string guard Payne was having a career-best performance, in explosive form. This meant that the Clippers' second unit, led by Brunson, didn't have much of an advantage.

At the end of the first quarter, the Clippers led by only one point, 26-27!

Rest during the holiday.

Coach Buden approached Jia Fei to discuss on-the-spot strategies.

"Let's use a small lineup and switch on defense all the time!" Jia Fei said, looking into Coach Buden's eyes.

Coach Buden nodded. He had come to Jia Fei to discuss whether to use a small lineup, but before he could even ask, Jia Fei had already given him the answer he wanted. This kind of tacit understanding could not be achieved without several years of cooperation.

The teamwork was so smooth that everyone felt comfortable.

Jia Fei really likes Coach Buden, not because the coach has a lot of brilliant ideas or is a tactical genius, nor because Coach Buden is particularly good at developing new players, but simply because Coach Buden is not stubborn and is happy to communicate with the players.

In-game adaptability is crucial. No matter how well you plan before the game, there's always an element you haven't considered. Former Clippers head coach Doc Rivers was adept at developing young talent, and his season planning wasn't entirely nonexistent; he did have pre-game strategies, not just empty platitudes. However, Rivers' in-game adaptability was terrible. Looking completely bewildered was the norm, which is why he often squandered 3-1 leads in the playoffs. His frequent in-game meltdowns were unacceptable… Remember, NBA head coaches aren't just spectators on the sidelines; they're the brains of the team off the court, and pre-game planning is only one part of their job.

The Clippers have a Plan B against the Suns. Plan A is to play it safe and predictable, but if Plan A doesn't work out, they'll decisively switch to Plan B. They don't want to play it safe and predictable against the Suns; if the game drags into the final quarter, anything can happen. You can't guarantee your role players won't miss open shots in crucial moments, and you can't guarantee the opposing perimeter players won't suddenly explode.

To prevent such a potential accident, the best approach is to gain an early advantage to ensure there is no room for maneuver if an unexpected event occurs.

We need to leave some room for error. Any team can be defeated. After all, basketball is a competitive sport and a team sport.

When the Clippers' starters returned in the second quarter, the fans in the arena were surprised to find that Olynyk had not returned!

Tencent Studio.

"Teacher Su, why isn't Olynyk playing? Is he injured? But I haven't received any news from the front that he's injured!" Wang Zixing was completely bewildered.

Su Qun adjusted his glasses and said, "He's still on the sidelines and hasn't gone back to the locker room, so he should be fine. He only committed one foul in the first quarter, and it wasn't because of the foul. I'm wondering if the Clippers are going to make a last-minute lineup change, reducing the center's playing time and playing a smaller lineup more often."

At this point, the Clippers' five players on the court were Grant, George, Jahlil Giannis, Dillon, and Bridges. It was a pure "five-forward lineup," with an average height of over 2 meters, allowing for unlimited switching on defense. Each position had above-average defensive ability, and there were virtually no defensive weaknesses.

When the Clippers used this lineup, they were virtually unbeatable except when the Nuggets' interior defense, which included Jokic and Murray.

The question facing the Suns now is clear: Can Booker destroy his opponent one-on-one? Can Ayton dominate the paint?

It's unrealistic to expect Crowder or Huang Zhong to dominate their opponents. They are role players. If they could dominate their opponents, the ball wouldn't always be in Booker and 58's hands.

The score was 39-38, with the Clippers trailing by one point at halftime, with 6 minutes and 54 seconds remaining.

The Clippers are on offense, and Jia Fei dribbles the ball across half-court.

His defender was still the veteran Cameron Johnson.

With Olynyk out, Ayton was assigned to guard Grant, 58 was still guarding Bridges, Crowder was still guarding Paul George, and Booker was assigned to guard Dillon.

Grant came up to cover for Jia Fei, while Old Huang Zhong tried to squeeze past the cover, not wanting Jia Fei to call out Aiton.

Jia Fei slowly dribbled the ball in, then suddenly made a pocket pass to Grant who was cutting inside!

Grant was quick to get off, and Ayton was quick too, but they were still a step too slow.

Grant received the ball and scored with a left-handed layup!

39:40, the Clippers take the lead!

"What a classic pick-and-roll play!" Wang Zixing exclaimed!

Although the Clippers were down by one point just now, Jia Fei's confident expression seemed to tell everyone that they had no problems.

This is the confidence of the successful, the confidence that comes from enduring countless hardships. Only those with absolute strength can be so undaunted by unfavorable situations.

58 dribbled over, and Bridges was still guarding him.

With Olynyk absent, Grant became the one guarding Ayton.

The defense for other points has also changed. Paul George is now guarding Booker, Dillon is guarding Crowder, and Jia Fei is guarding Huang Zhong.

As usual, 58 ran a pick-and-roll with Ayton, and the Clippers immediately switched on defense.

Ayton was frantically calling for the ball inside, and Bridges was battling him for position.

Ayton really doesn't like physical contact. He didn't have much of an advantage when Bridges, who is relatively thin, went around him like that. Even if 58 passes the ball over, it would be a huge risk.

Jia Fei sighed inwardly. He was truly the Hermes of the softies world. Damn it, all that height and weight was for nothing. He couldn't even get a position. What a waste of such a good physique.

However, it is precisely because they know that Ayton is a soft player that they dare to use a small lineup. If it were a center like Jokic, the Clippers would not use a small lineup unless absolutely necessary.

Fortunately, 58 is, after all, a historically great point guard in the NBA, and he still managed to pass the ball over despite the risky situation.

Ayton received the ball, leaned against Bridges, faked a move, and then rose up, but his shot was blocked by Jia Fei who came over to help defend!

The ball landed squarely in Ayton's arms. Ayton tried to get up again, but Grant, who had arrived on the Pegasus, blocked it!

After being blocked repeatedly, Ayton was completely bewildered. Olynyk doesn't defend like that; he's not that aggressive!

Dillon gets the ball and passes it to Jia Fei for a counter-attack!

Jia Fei received the ball and immediately passed it to Paula, who was making a quick run down the court!

Paul George received the ball, dribbled past Huang Zhong, and scored on a fast break dunk!