: Four hundred and fifty-seven: Spurs' next key figure

When the Grizzlies players flew to their home stadium in Memphis, all of them were sleepy.
They just made up on the plane and haven't woken up yet.
Although they won yesterday, the Grizzlies players are still exhausted. There are 6 matches in 8 days and 3 matches are over. The physical problem that Stevens was worried about still appeared.
The battle with the Warriors yesterday really consumed the physical strength of the Grizzlies players. The current Warriors are not a weak team, and it is impossible to win them without a little effort.
Because of this, Stevens is egalitarian on the offensive end. He did this not only to improve offensive efficiency, but also to save the players' energy.
They have worked hard enough on the defensive end, but they can't continue to fight the Warriors on the offensive end.
Even so, the physical consumption of the Grizzlies players is still very large. Especially a few outside lines, the whole game ran with Curry and Thompson, tired enough.
Back to Memphis with victory this time, the players did not look like a hero returning.
Reporters can't help but worry a little, because just an hour ago, the San Antonio Spurs players had arrived at Memphis International Airport. And they all looked full of energy, and in terms of their mental state, they were much better than the Grizzlies.
Is there really no problem with the Grizzlies for tonight's game?
"We are indeed very difficult, but this is not the first difficulty we have encountered. I believe that the players can hold on to the end. The last time we played against the Spurs, we unfortunately lost by 4 points. However, we will not be here. Falling down twice in the same place." Although Stevens's answer was impassioned, his frowning brow still showed his anxiety.
The Grizzlies players went home after leaving the airport. Stevens arranged training in the afternoon to allow everyone to take a break.
The Spurs' training was arranged by Popovich between noon and afternoon, which happened to be staggered with the Grizzlies.
For this game, Popovich attaches great importance to it. After all, the San Antonio Spurs have been eliminated by the Grizzlies in the past two seasons!
Are the Spurs poor? It's not bad. Although the lineup is aging, they are still one of the best teams in the league. After all, last season they were second in the Western Conference in the regular season. The previous season, they were the first in the Western Conference! The only obstacle they encountered was the grizzly!
The year before last, Popovich could still dismiss the Grizzlies. But now, the Grizzlies are definitely Popovich's number one imaginary enemy. If you can't beat the Grizzlies, wanting to rush out of the West is nonsense.
Therefore, every time he meets the Grizzlies, Popovich is very serious. He won the last game, but that can only represent a phased victory. If you want to suppress the Grizzlies, you have to start the regular season.
Therefore, one hour before the start of the training, Popovich came to the training hall, preparing to discuss training plans and combat plans with his colleagues in the coaching staff.
What Popovich did not expect was that he saw the taciturn number 2 as soon as he opened the gate of the training hall.
Taciturn, that guy is really taciturn. Unlike Duncan, Duncan actually talks quite a lot in private, and it's very funny. The sand sculpture attribute is perfect, but he is calmer on the court.
But Leonard, he was more taciturn than Duncan. This is true from the stadium to life.
"Kavai! We just got off the plane for a few hours! According to my instructions, you should be resting now." Popovich checked his watch, and then shouted at Leonard who was practicing shooting.
"I'm not tired, Boss." Leonard simply responded with a few words and continued to do his own thing.
Talk to this guy and you will know what it means to cherish words like gold.
"Boy, it's going to be the game tonight, save some energy. Link is enough for you to drink a pot, remember what I set up? Tonight, you have to knock Link to death and haunt him like a ghost . It’s even better if you can make him play abnormally."
"I still remember, boss. Don't worry, I won't waste my energy. Tonight, I will die with him."
Popovich nodded with satisfaction. This No. 2 has only experienced a year of growth and is already much more practical than last season.
Leonard's progress this year is all-round, offensively, he dared to shoot. This season, Leonard's scoring average has reached double digits. Of course, the most important thing is the defensive end. In Popovich's eyes, this kid is born a defensive machine.
Excellent wingspan, suitable height, strong confrontation ability. Most importantly, Leonard's prediction of defense is now more accurate than last season.
When Popovich's assistant Budenhorse asked him to reluctantly give up his love and trade George Hill for Leonard, Popovich refused. George Hill is a highly malleable point guard, and Popovich firmly believes that the kid can play.
But for now, Popovich undoubtedly thinks he has made a profit. Indeed, George Hill is a good player, but Leonard's potential is higher. George Hill may be able to grow into a qualified starter under the All-Star, but Leonard.
Popovich now expects him to be a key figure for the next Spurs!
Even the star!
Popovich believes that Leonard is enough for Link to drink a pot. Maybe Link will play very smoothly in the first half. But with physical exertion, Link will fall into Leonard's entanglement.
Tonight's game, the Spurs are bound to win!
※※※
When Stevens saw the players in the afternoon, everyone on the Grizzlies seemed even more tired.
Sometimes this is the case. If you don't rest and carry it hard after being tired, you may feel better. But if you take a rest but don't get a good rest, your spirit will decline further.
Now, the Grizzlies players are in a state of "rested but not well".
During training, Stevens organized everyone to run tactics, but the effect was very bad.
Players who are dragging their tired bodies are unwilling to work hard, and they will not achieve the purpose of training.
In the end, Stevens had to finish training half an hour earlier, allowing the players to receive a half-hour muscle relaxation massage.
"It's terrible, after all it's 4 days and 3 matches. Today, everyone is too tired." Grizzlies assistant Dave Georg shook his head, wondering how far the Grizzlies can execute their tactics today.
"There is no way, I can only let them rest as much as possible. I hope that at night, seeing those guys in black jerseys can arouse their fighting spirit. By the way, how is the situation on the Spurs side?" Steven Si put his hands around his chest, very serious. Popovich wants to win the Grizzlies, and Stevens wants to win the Spurs too!
First, which young coach is not excited to play against Popovich? Stevens wants to win Popovich, just like Kobe Bryant wanted to win Jordan~EbookFREE.me~Secondly, if the Grizzlies cannot defeat the Spurs, they cannot rush out of the West.
The Grizzlies’ goal this year is very high. Stevens doesn’t want the Spurs to make the goal impossible.
"The Spurs' starting forecast today should be similar to before. Parker, Danny Green, Leonard, Duncan and Splitter. This lineup has been honed this season very mature. On the bench, it is still There are Ginobili and Burris Dior. I think we will encounter a strong interception today."
After Dave Georg finished speaking, Stevens nodded silently.
If today's game can be won, Stevens believes that both himself and the players will benefit a lot.
After the massage, the players stepped into the arena to warm up. When they went out, the visiting team's Spurs had already begun to warm up first.
Duncan looked at Link with his cult "elegant" smile. The Spurs today are as hideous as Duncan's smile.