Chapter 46 46. I have an immature suggestion

Zhang Yang recalled in hindsight that after the start of the second half of the season, the first few games were fine, but as the schedule became increasingly dense in late February, he felt that the two veteran core players, Duncan and Ginobili, were becoming more and more tired after each game, but he did not pay attention to this detail at the time.

Firstly, in his memory, these two players were still the tactical core of the team in the 13-14 season. They played against the Heat's Big Three and almost swept the opponent.

Secondly, both of them are the type of people who don’t talk much when there are many people around, so it is impossible for them to say they are tired in front of their teammates. Both of them are very capable of taking on responsibilities and avoid affecting the team.

So Zhang Yang didn't think about it that way at the time.

But this time, the three-game losing streak, or to be more precise, the back-to-back games after the double overtime battle with the Mavericks, except for Parker, the other two players of the troika performed very poorly.

Since the two players can give people confidence just by standing on the court, everyone on the Spurs team focuses on what they should do. As a part of the "machine part", Zhang Yang did not notice the fatigue of the two players on both offense and defense.

Just looking at the scores, no one scores much in the Spurs system. Zhang Yang's average of 14 points per game is already ranked third in the team, higher than Duncan, and it is hard to see why their performances are bad.

But if you look at the detailed statistics, you will know that both of them have terrible shooting performance and defensive contribution.

Back at the hotel, Zhang Yang opened his email. While he was doing physical therapy, he asked England to send him the team's player statistics for this season.

He only took a cursory look and discovered the problem.

No, no one may regard this as a problem these days, but for Zhang Yang, who knows more about the future of the Spurs in the era of the 'Spurs system', it is a big problem.

GDP has been present in all events so far this season!
The three horses have never missed a single game, not even back-to-back performances.

Popovich doesn't seem to have any intention of giving the three players a rest... Popovich's previous coaching style was to stick to GDP, and it was the same in the playoffs last season.

Popovich's coaching style has changed now, but not completely.

Zhang Yang analyzed the current situation. He has been with the Spurs for almost a month. The more games he plays, the more incredible he feels that the 4-8 record is. Even if the Spurs have no other breakthrough points besides Ginobili and their ability to fight tough battles in the playoffs is weak, they would not collapse like that.

Then, the impact of fatigue on them at the end of the season and in the playoffs may be greater than the fact that the system has not been completely perfected and the lineup is not at its best!
Perhaps it was because of the physical crisis at the end of this season, the collapse of the record and the elimination in the first round that Popovich began to change his rotation ideas?

...

The next morning, Zhang Yang came to the ATT Arena early for training as usual.

After the back-to-back games, the Spurs got two days of rest. There was no training scheduled today, but Popovich still arrived at the stadium just after 9 o'clock.

Passing by the training ground, Popovich saw Zhang Yang had already started training and greeted him.

Normally, Zhang Yang would continue training after responding, but this time he stopped training and followed Popovich into the president's office.

Popovich put away his sad face and asked, "Jack, what's wrong? Is there something you want to talk to me about?"

Zhang Yang did not answer, but asked: "Greg, are you worried about Tim and Manu's physical strength?"

He thought about the wording a lot last night and finally decided to be more direct. He didn't have so many things to worry about.

Popovich: "Did you notice this problem, too? Yes, with your court acumen, you must have noticed this."

Zhang Yang: “Is there any solution?”

Popovich smiled and responded, "I plan to reduce their playing time. The pressure may be put on Tony, Antonio, George... and you."

Zhang Yang: "They still won't get a rest, and fatigue will accumulate game by game. And reducing their playing time will definitely affect the team's tactical operation. The end result is that they won't get a good rest, and our strength will decline. The situation will get worse and worse, and finally drag down our team."

Popovich shrugged: "Is there any better way? Do you want me to perform magic to make them two five years younger?"

Zhang Yang: "I do have an immature suggestion..."

Popovich: "You've only been here for less than a month, and you're already thinking about commanding the team? You're worthy of being a rookie who dares to compete with Monta Ellis for the ball." Zhang Yang: "A player who doesn't want to be the boss is not a good player."

Popovich: "I like what you said. Okay, tell me your suggestion."

Zhang Yang: "This is what it is, this is what it is..."

Popovich's eyes widened. "You really want to grab power? Jack, you are still young. Don't be so anxious. You don't have the ability to be on your own. You need them to protect you from the wind and rain."

Zhang Yang: "I have selfish motives. I want to try Manu's tactical role more and practice his playing style more. But when executing this strategy, I know very well that they are the strong core of our team. Our system can be without anyone, but not without Tim Duncan."

Popovich stared at Zhang Yang for a while and said, "Okay, I got your suggestion. Go train first."

Zhang Yang nodded, thinking that he had mentioned everything and continued training.

Popovich thought for a while in the office, then stood up and walked out of the room, to the corridor, and looked at Zhang Yang who was practicing breaking through with the help of a screen and then attacking the basket around a chair. He did not see Zhang Yang have too many emotional fluctuations, and his training movements were very stable and patient, not in the state of "waiting for results after doing something big".

In other words, this courageous boy just thought of this method and came to talk to him about it. If he does not accept it, others will not be affected by it.

He admitted that when Zhang Yang proposed this method, his first instinct was that this was the best solution, but this once again challenged his view of basketball.

What superstar would do something like that?
Look at Jordan, he is 40 years old and still plays in every game, averaging 37 minutes per game.

How much infamy will Duncan bear for doing that for no reason?

Popovich returned to the office, still struggling with the decision, when suddenly he saw an empty spot in the wine cabinet.

How could he have such a big bottle of wine?
Hey! I have an idea!

Why must Duncan be blamed? It's time for him, the villain Popovich, to take the blame!
...

On March 3, the Spurs came to the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and tonight, they will challenge the Los Angeles Lakers away.

The Spurs currently have 54 wins and 13 losses, ranking first in the Western Conference and the league, while the Lakers have 45 wins and 22 losses, ranking second in the Western Conference and fourth in the league.

Both teams still have 15 games left, and with a difference of 9 wins, in people's eyes, the Spurs have already secured the first place in the Western Conference... no, they have secured the regular season championship. The Bulls have 49 wins and 20 losses, and the difference in wins between them and the Spurs is as high as 5.

Generally speaking, this point in time is the most intense moment for the competition for division championship and league championship, just like the current competition between the Bulls and the Heat for the first place in the Eastern Conference. When it comes to the Spurs, my goodness, they leave no way for anyone to survive.

But even if this highlight is lost, there are still other highlights.

Lakers vs. Spurs, the league’s main highlight - Western Conference Finals preview.

The Spurs played a 96 Bulls-like regular season performance, and the Lakers won two consecutive championships. This highlight is indeed eye-catching.

There is also the legendary trio showdown between GDP and Kogao, which also attracted countless people's attention.

As for Bynum... This season, Bynum averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds per game, which is not enough for a giant in people's eyes. Even American netizens think so. In this year's All-Star starting voting and the All-Star Game in Los Angeles, Yao Ming, who was ruled out for the season, received more votes in the United States than Bynum.

All major media have been hyping up the topic of "Western Conference Finals Preview" for two days, and tonight's game is attracting everyone's attention.

In the evening, the Spurs coach made a solemn announcement in a pre-match live interview: "I'm sorry, I want to tell you something regrettable. This afternoon, Manu and Tim ran to my room to drink my red wine and I found them. When they were running away, they bumped into each other and fell down and got injured. They will not be able to participate in this game..."

Stern, who was waiting in front of the TV to watch the magnificent showdown, cursed wildly.

He wanted to chop down the old thief Bobo!

(End of this chapter)