NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 487 The Clippers Play with a Small Lineup

Whether the Clippers will change their lineup and how they will do so will be a major point of interest in this game!

More than 70% of outside observers believe the Clippers will change their lineup for this game. Budenholzer isn't like Doc Rivers; knowing their starting lineup is countered by the opponent and not making changes doesn't seem like his style. This game presents a good opportunity to change the lineup. Even if the change fails, the series is only tied 2-2, and Game 5 will be played at Staples Center, giving the Clippers home-court advantage.

The starting lineups for both teams appeared on the big screen at the stadium.

The Warriors' starting lineup, playing at home, remained unchanged: Curry, Klay Thompson, Iguodala, Durant, and Green. Just like in the previous game, the "Death Lineup" continued to start.

In the previous series, the Warriors used their "death lineup" for a long time, and even if they lost, they wouldn't change this starting lineup. This is their strongest lineup, Kerr's trump card.

This team has been excessively strong for the past two seasons. They have a system, superstars, a solid defense, a high margin for error, and an extremely high ceiling.

However, the intense schedule of the past two seasons has taken a toll on the team's core members. Durant and Curry are not known for their stamina, so the fatigue accumulated from the dense and high-intensity games is unavoidable. Furthermore, their consistent success in making them the focus of attention and a key subject of study across the league means they have virtually no secrets. They have room for adjustment, but their cards are practically transparent.

The Clippers' starting lineup for this away game is: Jia Fei, Beverley, George, Gallinari, and... Dillon Williams!

Yes, you read that right. The player who replaced Olynyk was not Jia Fei's good buddy Art Mayok, nor the beastly center Carrell, but this season's second-round rookie Dillon Williams!

As soon as the list was announced, a gasp of amazement rippled through the room…

No one expected the Clippers' lineup change to be like this. The reason so many people were surprised is because everyone had a preconceived notion that the Clippers wouldn't follow the Warriors' small-ball lineup strategy. It's worth noting that in the past two seasons, any team that tried to play a small-ball lineup against the Warriors ultimately failed. The Rockets players, fresh from their defeat, gave it a thumbs up…

The Warriors are arguably the most successful small-ball lineup. Their loss in the 2015 Finals wasn't due to the Hawks' small-ball lineup; the Hawks weren't playing small-ball at that time. The Hawks simply didn't have a superstar big man; essentially, they were a traditional lineup, just with every player capable of three-pointers and handling the ball.

The Warriors' loss to the Cavaliers in 2016 wasn't due to the Cavaliers' small lineup; the Cavaliers played a "one big man, four small men" style, with Tristan Thompson still playing as a big man. Moreover, the Warriors didn't have Kevin Durant that year.

With Durant's "Death Lineup," they've never lost to teams with small lineups, at least not in a single series.

"Teacher Su, this is incredible! The Clippers are actually playing a small lineup, with rookie Dillon Williams starting!" Wang Zixing almost screamed. This lineup was truly astonishing; the Clippers were really going all out!

Su Qun was also somewhat surprised: "This lineup change is really incredible. The Clippers have abandoned their big lineup and are playing a small lineup like the Warriors. If I remember correctly, this is Dillon's first start of the season!"

Of course, Dillon did start in the regular season, in the team's final game of the season. Not only did he start, but Hartenstein, who had been playing in the NBDL, also started...

Although Dillon was a rookie and it was his first time starting in such an important game as the Western Conference Finals, he didn't look timid at all. On the contrary, he had a sinister expression and looked like a bulldog, not like a good person.

"Teacher Su, if Dillon starts, who will the Clippers play center?" Wang Zixing asked a crucial question.

"It's really hard to say. We all know that the Warriors' small-ball lineup has Green playing center. As for the Clippers' lineup, they don't really have a true center. If we're talking about height, Gallinari, who's 2.08 meters tall, should play center, since he's been playing power forward this season." Su Qun's answer was somewhat vague.

Of course, we'll have to wait until the competition starts to know for sure.

As the starting lineups of both teams took to the field, Green still had a big smile on his face, talking non-stop about everything from pop music to different types of wine, and occasionally spouting trash talk.

Dillon immediately stared at Green as soon as he entered the court. The two disliked each other and exchanged some trash talk, instantly making the atmosphere on the court tense.

Durant isn't one to trash talk in public; he simply said, "You think you can become the best second-round pick? I don't think you'll ever make it in your lifetime..."

Dillon immediately retorted, "Who do you think you are!"

Green immediately retorted angrily, "You little brat, just wait until I kick your ass! I want to see what you look like with your bare bottom!"

As the leader, Jia Fei couldn't help but resort to his verbal sparring skills: "You kicked my butt before you kicked his..." He turned to the gloating Durant and said, "Joining the team that beats you, I think it's hard to imagine another MVP doing that, he's the only one!"

Durant: "..."

A woman adorns herself for her lover, and a man dies for his confidant. The team leader spoke up for him and defended him against others, deeply moving Dillon and further solidifying his resolve to support Ja Shen.

The referee warned the players on both sides to stop talking nonsense, or they would be ruthless if they got a technical foul.

Jia Fei and the others stopped arguing. Only Green and Dillon glared at each other. If looks could kill, their gazes would have left a trail of corpses...

To the surprise of the fans at the scene, it was Jia Fei who jumped for the ball with Green!

What?! Why is Jia Fei the one jumping the ball?

However, everyone quickly realized that if Olynyk didn't play, then the Clippers' starting lineup would be without an inside player, so it wasn't wrong for Jia Fei, who had the best jumping ability and the longest wingspan, to jump for the ball. It was better than Gallinari jumping for the ball!

Green was about to grumble as he approached Jia Fei, but the referee's murderous glare silenced him. Green looked burly and fierce, like Li Kui, but he was incredibly cunning. He wouldn't request to be ejected from such an important game. He was adept at bullying the weak and fearing the strong, and he knew how to play his hand against the enemy. He wasn't just a mindless brute.

One is Green, and the other is a Running Man member. They both look like brainless, rough guys, but they are both incredibly cunning. Appearances can be deceiving, and this is truly exemplified in these two.

At the start of the jump ball, Jia Fei's speed was clearly superior to Green's, and he hit the high point of the ball before passing it to Paul George.

Paul George passed the ball to Beverley, who dribbled it across half-court.

The Warriors' defensive strategy remains unchanged: Curry guards Beverley, and Iguodala guards Jia Fei.