NBA's King of Talking

Chapter 739 Jia Zhongfeng Returns Online

This is a threat on the offensive end of the 5-outside lineup. As long as there is a defensive weakness in the opponent's lineup, and you have a Mastermind on your side, then the effect of targeting with this lineup is very good.

The Warriors responded by switching on defense early and their coordination was quite good, causing Jia Fei's first attempt to call out a player to fail.

But Hart had Jia Fei call out the name a second time, then immediately pulled him away and took Wiggins with him.

Jia Fei specifically named Curry...

The Clippers' home arena, Intuit Dome, immediately erupted in cheers; these old rivals were at it again...

With little time left on the shot clock, Curry aggressively guarded Jia Fei!

Jia Fei opted for a direct, forceful drive! Curry could only barely keep up!

Jia Fei drove to the vicinity of the free-throw line, but Green didn't come to screen for him; he simply gathered the ball and pulled up for a jump shot...

Where can Curry interfere...?

The difference in height, wingspan, and jumping ability between the two is too great. Although Curry is not a Tyrannosaurus Rex like Bane, his wingspan is still very impressive, and his jumping ability is really average. Otherwise, how did he get the nickname "Golden State LaVine"?

The Warriors' aversion to double-teaming isn't new; they're wary of Jia Fei's passes and won't double-team unless the players are very deep in position. They were also the team that used to employ a relentless, switch-everything defense back in the day, but they were different then. Back then, their defensive resources were far superior; these players were young and in their prime, while now they're all in their thirties.

Jia Fei made a clean shot from mid-range!

Everyone says that people are playing "Moreyball" these days, but in the playoffs, the shortcomings of "Moreyball" will become more and more apparent. The mid-range shot, as a god-like weapon, is very effective in breaking through defenses and is very difficult to defend.

Warriors are on offense, Curry dribbles the ball across half-court.

The Clippers' defensive strategy was also man-to-man: Bridges guarded Curry, Hart guarded Payton, George guarded Klay Thompson, Grant guarded Wiggins, and Jahlil Giannis guarded Green.

"Teacher Su, as expected, Jia Fei will be matched up against Green. That means Jia Fei will play point guard on offense and center on defense in this game!" Wang Zixing said excitedly.

Su Qun nodded, adjusted his glasses, and said, "Yes, this is the Clippers' consistent strategy against the Warriors over the years. Jia Fei can protect the rim by playing center, and he is excellent at help defense and one-on-one defense. When encountering Curry and Green's pick-and-roll, he can switch directly to defend, and Jia Fei will guard Curry."

Curry passed the ball to Green at the high post and then made an off-ball movement. The Splash Brothers were all moving, Jia Fei was near the free-throw line ready to help defend, and Green at the top of the key was completely ignored, allowing him to shoot.

The Clippers' off-ball defense was excellent, and the Warriors couldn't create any space to run.

Green had no choice but to shoot himself!

But it failed!

The ball went way off target, and Jia Fei grabbed the rebound!

Many people don't understand why the Splash Brothers shoot so well, while their teammate Green is so bad. Doesn't he practice regularly?

I don't know. Perhaps Green has been busy with his blogging career, or perhaps he's been practicing boxing in private...

Jia Fei launched a counterattack with the ball, but the Warriors' defense responded very quickly.

The speed of the small lineup's defensive transition is not a concern; the concern lies in rim protection and rebounding.

Without a good opportunity, Jia Fei continued to single out Curry!

The Warriors used a delay, and Jia Fei passed the ball to Hart!

Hart dribbles down the middle and passes to Grant under the basket!

Green defended two defenders and blocked Grant's layup.

It has to be said that Green's defense is truly top-notch; he was the defensive anchor of the Warriors era.

Warriors are on offense. Curry receives a pass from Green and fast breaks, then passes to Wiggins on the other side!

Wiggins, facing Hart's help defense, took a Euro step and went for a layup...

Jia Fei suddenly appeared from the side and delivered a thunderous block! Wow—

A gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd, but it wasn't over yet. Green stole the ball, faked a shot to get past Paul George, and then launched a floater...

Jia Fei delivered a powerful block right in front of him, thisismyhome!

The ball flew straight to Klay at the top of the key; he was really lucky!

Klay's open spot!

Many Clippers fans at the scene were in disbelief. Giving such an opportunity to a historic shooter like Klay Thompson was like giving someone a penalty kick in a football game!

But the ball missed! Unexpectedly, Clay missed...

Jia Fei caught the rebound with one hand and brought the ball over himself.

As one of the league's greatest shooters in history, Klay Thompson missed such an opportunity!

The injuries have not only affected this super shooter, but have also taken away some of his touch to some extent!

"It's unbelievable that Klay Thompson missed..." Wang Zixing also looked incredulous.

Jia Fei brought the ball over and passed it to Pao Jiao.

Paul George dribbles past Klay Thompson with a smooth pass and hits a jump shot! 0-4, the Clippers score two consecutive baskets.

Injuries took away more than just a portion of Klay's shooting touch; they also eroded his defense. Back in the day, he was the league's best 3-and-D player, possessing a historic touch and explosive scoring ability—but those days are gone now…

The Warriors were on offense, and Curry used Green's screen to set a screen, but the Clippers quickly switched on defense.

Curry passed the ball to Wiggins from Jia Fei.

Wiggins dribbled the ball against Grant, but his turnaround jump shot missed!

Payton Jr. grabbed the offensive rebound and passed the ball to Curry on the perimeter.

On the sidelines, Payton's father, Payton Sr., was very happy with his son's performance. Of course, compared to him, his son is still far, far behind. But it's common for second-generation stars to not be as good as their great fathers, because their parents are so successful. However, compared to many second-generation stars who just coast along, Payton Jr. is still very inspiring and hardworking.

Payton, the "Glove," is a historically great point guard in the NBA, while his son is just a blue-collar guard. But that's still pretty impressive. Anyone who makes it to the NBA is a genius, and you have to admit that.

Curry drove to the basket, leaned on Jia Fei, and took a floater—but it was blocked by Jia Fei!

Talent, absolute talent dominance!

Bridges gets the ball and passes it to Jia Fei, who's making a quick run down the frontcourt!

Jia Fei received the ball, overtook everyone, and dunked it in!

0-6, the Warriors still hadn't scored, and the cheers from the crowd reached their peak; the arena was in an uproar…

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was constantly yelling at his players on the sidelines, clearly indicating that the Warriors were being heavily pressured by the Clippers.

"Teacher Su, Jia Fei already has 3 blocks. He's really maximizing his mobility and rim protection as a center," Wang Zixing said excitedly.

"Yes, the Warriors' interior defense lacks the ability to dominate in the paint, and Jia Fei playing center directly broke down the Warriors' Curry-Purchase pick-and-roll!" Su Qun adjusted his glasses and nodded as he spoke.

The Warriors' current problem is that Curry and Green's pick-and-roll is being limited, Klay Thompson's performance has declined significantly, and Payton has been left wide open, becoming the second Looney. The team's offensive spacing is actually not good. If it weren't for the Splash Brothers' incredible drawing power, the opponents would probably be holed up in the paint.

Although Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green weren't great shooters back then, both of them could shoot and were excellent defenders.