The Godfather of Basketball

On May 5, US time, after a few days of rest, the second round of the NBA playoffs kicked off.

Because the game between the Rockets and the Spurs ended first, they also became the first team to start the second round.

Toyota Center is still very lively, even more popular than in the first round.

For the fans, the playoffs are not only a result, but also a process.

Judging from the past five or even ten years, the series with the Spurs can be called a classic.

The opening ceremony at the scene was also extremely hot.

The passionate music, fiery video clips, and the super high flames sprayed from both ends of the court, against the audience in red T-shirts, seemed to set the entire arena on fire.

The Rockets' starters also followed suit.

Still a regular lineup, with Billups and McGrady at the back, Battier and Yi Jianlian at the front, and Yao Ming at the center.

The Spurs are also the regular lineup for the season, with Parker and Finley on the outside, Bowen and McDyess on the striker, and Duncan at the center.

Duncan and Yi Jianlian jumped the ball.

In the moments before the referee's whistle, Duncan jumped first and dialed the ball back to the Spurs' half court.

The referee didn't blow the whistle to reopen, and "Stone Buddha" took advantage of his experience at the beginning.

Parker took the ball to the frontcourt, McDyess mentioned the high post on the left and made a pick-and-roll, followed by catching the ball and cutting straight to the basket from the left.

The Rockets' defense on the left side shrunk, but at the same time, Duncan unknowingly made an off-ball pick-and-roll for Finley in the high post on the right. Leigh got an open seat straight away.

Parker, who broke through to the basket, attracted Yi Jianlian's double-team. At this time, he threw a long throw to the past.

Finley catches the ball.

"Shua!"

Three-point pocket.

Although Finley is old, he has been in very good form since entering the playoffs. He averaged 3 shots per game from beyond the three-point line and was able to hit 1.4 goals, with a shooting percentage of 46.7%.

"Pay attention to the three-point shooters on the weak side." Tang Tian stood up and shouted to the players.

After shouting, he turned his head and glanced at Popovich who was sitting in the other half.

The Spurs have become more and more proficient in using the "hammer tactic" just now.

The Spurs, most of the fans in the previous life felt that the stone Buddha was not old and Bobo was strong, but in fact, during the 20-year Duncan period, the Spurs were constantly changing.

There is a watershed in this, that is, as Duncan gets older, the Spurs gave up the offensive tactics that used to start with singles, and instead used more running tactics such as the "hammer tactic".

It was not obvious when he played against the Rockets two years ago, but he is quite skilled now.

The Rockets attacked, Yao Ming responded from the free throw line, Duncan lowered his weight, and the rest of the Spurs kept a close eye on the defender, changing every player, and kept the defender facing Yao Ming, ready to interfere with the pass at any time.

The Spurs' set is completely different from the regular season, and it seems that it is specially prepared for the Rockets.

Yao Ming didn't have a chance to pass the ball, so he turned around and hit Duncan.

Continuous footsteps swayed to the basket, but Duncan was always with him, not giving Yao Ming an easy shot.

Yao Ming's hook behind his back.

Although Duncan couldn't reach it, he gave enough confrontation below.

"boom!"

The ball was a little shorter, the ball hit the front, Duncan turned around and received a defensive rebound.

One-on-one, the 29-year-old Yao Ming has no obvious advantage against the 33-year-old Duncan.

The Spurs attacked with the same tactics. Yi Jianlian went out to cover Finley, and Parker rushed inside to face Yao Ming, and he turned around with a spinning top and made a layup.

After all, Yao Ming is a big man, he can't keep up with his speed, and his shot blocking is a little bit worse.

After Parker scored a goal, he remained calm and shouted for his teammates to retreat quickly. Compared with two years ago, his strength has also improved a lot, and he is obviously much more mature.

Billups took the ball to the front court and handed the ball to Yao Ming to continue to support at a high position. The pick-and-roll of McGrady and Yi Jianlian gave a chance, and Yao Ming gave the ball.

But the moment McGrady was about to reach out to catch the ball, Bowen stumbled secretly, and McGrady almost fell out.

Yao Ming's pass went directly to McDyess. McDyess threw the ball forward with a flick of his hand. After receiving the ball, Parker made a quick layup and scored directly.

7 to 0!

The Spurs turned their backs and caught the Rockets by surprise.

"The Spurs are really the Rockets' nemesis!" Seeing the situation on the field, Brin in the commentary seat couldn't help expressing emotion.

In the soul-stirring Western Conference Finals two years ago, although the Rockets won in the end, the Spurs led 2-0 at the beginning of the series.

Now the Rockets have a stronger lineup, but the Spurs have also become more sophisticated.

Tang Tian stretched out his hand and made a tactical gesture, signaling the players to play infinite air cuts.

Billups advanced to the frontcourt with the ball, and Yao Ming directly held the ball to pull Duncan to the top of the arc and the three-point line.

At the same time, McGrady and Billups made an air cut to the basket. After no chance to run out, McGrady and Yi Jianlian made an air cut to the basket.

These old arms and old legs of the Spurs soon appeared in the defensive loopholes. McGrady seized the opportunity and came out to catch a pass from Yao Ming and directly made a mid-range pull-up.

"Shua!"

The basketball hit the net.

There was cheers at the scene.

The Rockets finally broke the scoring drought.

Tang Tian turned his head and glanced at Popovich again. The latter rubbed his forehead with his hands at this time, looking a little helpless.

It seems that the old man still hasn't found a way to deal with this move.

In the Spurs' offense, Parker rushed to the basket again, but Yao Ming was prepared for the ball and successfully interfered with his shot, taking advantage of the opportunity to receive a defensive rebound.

Billups advanced to the frontcourt and continued to hand the ball to Yao Ming to play infinite cut tactics.

This time McGrady's air cut attracted Duncan's help defense, Yao Ming took a step forward with the ball, and made a direct shot from a high position.

"boom!"

The ball hit the backboard and bounced in.

The Rockets continued to gain points.

Parker stopped playing the hammer tactic in the frontcourt, and stretched out his hand to make another tactical gesture.

McDyess and Duncan directly mentioned the high-post double pick-and-roll. Parker found Duncan, and after the pick-and-roll, he went directly to the basket and broke through to the inside to get the ball out.

Duncan didn't shoot after receiving the ball, but threw it out to the weak side three-point line.

I don't know when McDyess blocked an open three-pointer for Finley again.

This is still a hammer tactic! It's just mutated!

Because Duncan's jump shot is very intimidating, the Rockets' players' attention was attracted and they didn't notice it at all!

Finley catches the ball and makes an open three-pointer.

"boom!"

The ball was a little shorter, Yi Jianlian struggled to grab the defensive rebound, turned around and immediately threw away McGrady.

McGrady dribbled the ball from the backcourt straight to one-stop, facing McDyess's supplementary defense, he dribbled the ball behind the back and rushed to the inside to score with a one-handed dunk.

"Boom!"

The scene cheered loudly.

After the Rockets were beaten 7-0, they turned around and immediately returned the Spurs 6-0!