Text/Water Clear
Before taking over as Pelicans coach, Willie Green was an assistant coach at Monty's side for two years, and Booker, Bridges and Ayton, including Paul, were familiar with each other, so Monty needed some new tactics to make Green uncomfortable. offensive? No, Green has eaten it all, so let's make a fuss on the defensive end, after all, we have the resources.
Paul led the Suns over the Pelicans 30+7+10+3
Ayton, one of the league's best rim guards; Crowder, who can defend James, KD and Alphabet Brother's forward line; Bridges, a candidate for this season's DPOY; Cameron Johnson, a strong contender for the best sixth man of the season, plus the old cannon Paul, in the case of single defense has taken an absolute advantage, Monty ordered the whole team, the thief to catch the king first, "pinch" against Ingram and CJ, other positions at any time to change defense and assist defense, how terrifying is it?
First, unlimited pinch and reinforcement entertain Ingram.
Ingram is the third middle throw king this season, as long as he is given a step of space, similar to KD, Booker and Paul, "see the light and die", so Monty's defensive strategy: Crowder, Craig and Johnson do not give a step of space, Ingram wants to create space can only dribble, once the ball is put down, the Sun's pinch will come immediately, driving him to the paint, after all, I have Ayton and McGee and others waiting for a long time, two typical pictures:
The Suns trio hit Ingram
Johnson flicked the defense, Booker flanked the attack, Ayton took a step ahead of time to establish a defensive position, and the Suns' "pin" defense had surrounded Ingram.
Ingram fell into a five-man encirclement
What's more, Craig not only stayed away, but also gave Ingram a tough physical opponent, Johnson, Payne and Booker were all waiting for an opportunity, McGee slid to protect the reasonable collision zone, and Ingram struggled with mistakes in the Suns' defensive traps.
This is the defensive tone set by the Suns for Ingram in the first three quarters, the effect, Ingram contributed 17 points on 6 of 14 shots, 3 assists but 4 turnovers, shooting rate and assists to the error ratio, losing the superstar shine.
Second, pinch CJ McCollum.
CJ is actually the Pelicans' starting brain, so Monty offers the best outside defense of the iron gate Bridges hospitality, height and long arms can cover his projection, note that Bridges treats CJ the same way as Ingram, driving him to the paint trap at any time to curb his mid-range shot and cut off his connection with his teammates, two typical pictures:
Steal CJ instantly
CJ held the ball, Bridges began to defend from the backcourt, did not give him space to project, CJ could only hold the ball to the paint area waiting for the opportunity to find a teammate, as a result, Bridges posted the defense, Crowder and Booker's wings were recovering the pinch, Ayton stood in front of the reasonable collision zone in advance, CJ could only throw Herbert Jones in the bottom right corner, Paul cut halfway.
CJ counter-attacks were all pinched
Even when the Pelicans fight back, CJ, as shown in the picture, will face paul and Booker's attack...
As a result, CJ contributed 13 points and 4 rebounds in 3 of 17 games in the first three quarters, but he made two turnovers.
Monty used a pinch-and-shoot defense to "catch the thief first", after pinning Ingram and CJ, the first three quarters of the game also caused the Pelicans to have 10 turnovers, the overall shooting rate and three-point shooting rate were 33.3%, destroying all of Green's arrangements, the Suns once led by 23 points at 65-42; Green's subsequent response, decisively used the bench lineup, Nance Jr. 7 points in the third quarter, Marshall and Murphy 6 points each, the three major substitutes were stunned to play the suspense of the game back, and even chased the difference of two goals at the beginning of the final quarter, and Paul took over the game at the critical moment.
Another of Paul's pinnacle moments.
Paul "turned back twice" to tease Jones on the layup
Paul's drama fans are well known, once again put on his play herbert Jones picture for fans to reminisce, the first time after holding the ball across the middle line, Joneston looked back; the second time back, Bridges cooperated to the three-point line, Jones was "nailed" in place; Alvarado tried his best to cover, Paul's air small folding stagnant wipe, the real actual combat "military training" ah!
7-of-8, 3-of-4 three-pointers, 19 points, 2 assists and 1 steal in a single quarter, CP3 once again dominated the final quarter!
In fact, if you think about the four G1 games played today, the Heat beat the Eagles, they pressed Trae Young; the Greenshirts won the Nets, they pinned Durant; the Bucks beat the Bulls, they pinned DeRozan; the way, in general, the same campaign, infinite pinch defense and co-defense, and capital, a basket guard who can pounce on the three-point line, such a combination, may affect the trend of each series!