The Whip of the God of Basketball

The rise of the Minnesota Timberwolves this season is inseparable from the credit of one person, and that is their head coach Flip Saunders.

As the coach of the Timberwolves, Sanders strongly opposed trading Garnett in the summer because he knew that as long as Garnett was around, the Timberwolves would not lose the opportunity to be promoted to the top team in the NBA. Especially in the upcoming 2004 season, after adding strong reinforcements, the Timberwolves with Garnett as the core have a chance to get rid of the embarrassing situation of falling in the first round in a row in the past.

However, multiple factors made Garnett's departure inevitable. Sansers had to accept this fact and focus the remaining energy on cultivating new players and integrating the new lineup.

Sanders is not a coach who is particularly good at training newcomers. Although he single-handedly brought out Kevin Garnett, this is his only work, because Garnett is really a genius. In addition, those young players who are not particularly talented have not burst out with any brilliance under Sanders. Relatively speaking, he is still better at communicating with veterans.

This is related to the start of his coaching career. Unlike some coaches who started in the NCAA or went directly to the NBA, Sanders first served as an assistant coach in the NCAA, and then entered the CBA Continental League to coach, which lasted 7 years. In a league like the CBA, there is no training for new players, and record is the only indicator, so this also leads to Sanders' utilitarian and harsh coaching style.

But obviously, Dak Milicic is a talented young man. His height, touch, footsteps, and strong body all allow Sanders to see the shadow of Garnett. So from the first game of the new season, Sanders assigned Milicic to start and gave him a considerable degree of freedom. For a young foreigner under the age of 20, building confidence is very important.

Except for Milicic, the other main players of the Timberwolves are all veterans that Sanders loves. The point guard is the old ball Picassel, and the small forward is the crazy Sprewell. The two are 34 and 33 years old respectively. But the condition is still quite good. Antoine Walker, who was traded from the Celtics, is in his prime. Although his condition declined last season, he recovered well this summer. In Minnesota, he focused more on basketball. , he also became the Timberwolves' scoring leader in the first 20 games.

Tonight, facing the old team Celtic, Sanders' strategy is quite clear, let Antoine Walker attack hard. Logically speaking, Garnett won't suffer a loss against Walker, but tonight Walker worked hard not to float outside and shoot four-pointers, but to sink down to the low post and hit Garnett hard. On the contrary, Milicic repeatedly wandered around the outside and shot three-pointers, forcing PJ Brown to often follow the outside, giving Walker more opportunities to attack.

Walker scored 21 points at halftime, helping the Timberwolves lead 62:60 by two points at halftime. After the start of the third quarter, Walker even hit two three-pointers from the outside, plus Cassel hit a signature turn-over jumper during the counterattack. Only two minutes into the third quarter, the Timberwolves widened the point difference. It's 10 minutes.

Carlisle had to call a timeout. The Celtics were actually in good shape tonight and their offense was very smooth. Pierce had the advantage in the matchup with Sprewell. His height, weight, and age were all significantly better than those of his already Madman on the decline. He was also merciless when facing his old friend Walker, and the two of them kept putting on good shows to score points with each other. This also makes up for Kevin Garnett's lack of mediocre form on the offensive end tonight.

However, the team's defense has never been able to cheer up. For defense, morale and determination are very important. However, the number one core of the team's defense does not have the momentum of killing opponents in the past, but is somewhat silent. Even if he hit some good shots, he no longer beat his chest or roared, but just silently rubbed his head and continued to invest in the game.

In terms of responsibilities, Carlisle is the offensive assistant coach. There is no problem with the team's offense and he does not need to make any adjustments to the team; but now that the team's defense has problems, Carlisle suddenly feels confused and wants to call someone A timeout is used to boost the morale of the players, emphasize their concentration, increase their intensity, and get the score back as soon as possible.

"Look at our defense. We have exposed countless loopholes outside the three-point line. Here, here, here, our formation is a mess. We have to seal these loopholes. It creates trouble for their offense. Now the opponent's shots are too Relaxed! We can't bet on their missed three-pointers, it would be a mistake. Expand our defensive circle, press them, and then try to create counterattack opportunities as much as possible to get the score back as soon as possible!" Carlisle has been a head coach after all. Yes, no matter whether his judgment of the court situation is correct or not, at least he can give orders and not let the players beat around the court like headless chickens.

But deep down in his heart, Carlisle was still wondering whether Leon would come tonight, and if he was there, how would he deal with the situation on the court.

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Just when the third quarter of the game just started, Leon arrived at the Target Center with Khomeinis, but the security guard at the door stopped him because neither he nor Khomeinis had a ticket.

"I'm the head coach of the Celtics, let me in." Leon revealed his identity. He was also a celebrity in the basketball circle, and the stadium security must know him.

The security guard looked at Leon and recognized him. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Sorry, if you are a team member, you should enter through the player tunnel, but it is temporarily closed."

Leon's face looked very ugly. He knew that the security guard was performing his duties, but he was also obviously suspected of delaying time. Now that his identity has been identified, he should call his colleagues in the infield as soon as possible and notify people from the league or Celtics staff to handle it, instead of just stopping him here without doing anything.

At this time, Khomeinis made a prompt decision. She comforted Leon, then borrowed a mobile phone from the staff and asked Leon to call Celtic or league staff. Fortunately, Leon has an amazing memory, and he immediately called the team's logistics team Mick Harris and asked him to pick him up in the lobby of the arena.

Only three minutes later, Harris hurriedly led a stadium staff member to the lobby, pulled Leon and ran inside without saying a word, regardless of whether Khomeinis could get in.

"Oh my God, you're really here. The Timberwolves are not easy to deal with. We fell behind by two points at halftime. I heard that we were 10 points behind at the beginning of the third quarter. The players need you, Fox!" Harris is a personality. The lively and cheerful fat man just joined the Celtics this year. He is enthusiastic about his work and is a basketball enthusiast.

Leon nodded. Before the game started, he asked to add his name to the roster because he knew that the Celtics' game tonight would not be easy. More importantly, he could not let the Celtics win. Losing this game cannot leave any shadow on Garnett in the center of the target.

Leon followed Harris from the audience channel into the player channel, and then strode forward along the exit channel. The closer to the exit, the deafening sound in the center of the arena became clearer. It seemed that the Timberwolves were climaxing. Leon had already seen it. Garnett missed the shot, and the Timberwolves quickly counterattacked. Sprewell received Cassel's pass during the counterattack and made a backhand layup!

……………………

Carlisle's timeout did not let the Celtics get out of trouble immediately. When the score was behind, scoring was still the first priority. However, the Celtics suddenly fell into a short scoring drought. This pair of Celtics who were chasing points came. It is undoubtedly fatal.

When Kevin Garnett missed a mid-range jumper one step inside his favorite three-point line, Carlisle's heart quickly sank to the bottom. Then Cassel counterattacked with the ball. This old guy was not fast. But no one dared to let him go. And Sprewell rushed to the front like a bloodthirsty lone wolf. Cassel passed the defense of two Celtic players with an extremely tricky angle and passed the ball to the madman. On hand. Sprewell dodged Garnett's defense and scored a backhand layup!

75:59, the Timberwolves launched a 14-0 attack wave, widening the point difference to 16 points! So far, the Celtics have not scored a point in the third quarter!

The target center went crazy, and the audience stood up and waved their glow sticks and placards. They were proud of such a team, and maybe there was a hint of ridicule in it. I'm laughing at you that Garnett left the Timberwolves, but the Timberwolves have become stronger.

Sprewell waved his arms vigorously after scoring. The 33-year-old madman rediscovered the passion for basketball here. He enjoyed the cheers here and enjoyed becoming a hero again.

However, starting from the auditorium near the players' tunnel, the cheers began to weaken, and some chaotic and noisy chatter began to replace the previous uniform shouts. The broadcast director of the TV station quickly noticed this strangeness, and the camera quickly switched to the vicinity of the channel, where Fox-Leon appeared.

He was wearing a gray suit without a tie, his hair was a little disheveled, and his face was a little haggard. But he was walking quickly towards the Celtics bench, his steps firm and powerful. The player tunnel of the target center is at the corner of the court. When Leon came out, he first went to the Timberwolves bench. He squinted at the Timberwolves players walking past them.

He crossed the technical stage, passed the referee holding the whistle on the sidelines, passed all eyes, and walked to the Celtic bench.

Leon took the tactical board from Cowens, glanced at Carlisle who was a little dull, then turned to the referee and said: "Give me a timeout!"