Chapter 1248 Tang Tian: Antetokounmpo Still Has a Lot of Room for Improvement

Barkley didn't say "dunk" before he could say it, so he held it back.

There was despair in the eyes of the fans at the scene.

The team couldn't open up the situation, so the Bucks used the team's best and most lethal one-star four-shooting style.

As a result, the Pelicans made an offensive foul at the beginning.

This really rubs salt into the wound.

Antetokounmpo also turned to explain to the referee, but the referee did not change the penalty.

Tang Tian's stance was very timely, and his fall was also in place.

To put it bluntly, you have overturned the number one player in NBA history. It would be inappropriate for you not to brag about it!

Tang Tian was pulled up by his teammates, turned around and went to the baseline to catch the ball.

When he first arrived in Milwaukee, that is, when Davis applied to play but was rejected, Tang Tian and Stevens discussed tactics for nearly an hour.

Targeting the Bucks' style of play is naturally the focus of their research.

Including how to break the Bucks' usual 2-1-2 zone defense on the offensive end.

It also includes how to defend against the Bucks' one-star, four-shooter style.

Antetokounmpo has the strongest impact in the league, but his technical shortcomings are still too great.

He has practiced shooting for two seasons but has still made limited progress. He can only open up the space but not enough to deter him.

Moreover, his passing progress is also relatively small. Unless the opponent double-teams him in advance so that he can find an open teammate immediately, it will be difficult to pass the ball.

In other words, as long as he takes the ball and plays in isolation, you will know that his intention is to rush in.

So in terms of defense, the Pelicans' past performance was textbook.

First use Siakam to push forward and create physical confrontation, allowing Antetokounmpo to focus on passing people.

Then when he rushed in, someone was already standing under the basket, waiting for him to hit him.

Tang Tian is that candidate.

Although he hasn't done this for a long time, he has Varejao-level diving ability.

His strengthened body could withstand such a head-on collision.

The Pelicans attacked in the frontcourt and saw the Bucks switch to one-on-one marking. Tang Tian also gave the ball to Gasol and asked him to provide high support.

The confrontation between Redick and Irving was a big problem, and the Pelicans quickly got an opportunity by setting up two pick-and-rolls on the weak side.

Gasol gave the ball to Carter, who used the pick-and-roll and ran to the bottom corner.

Carter caught the ball and shot a three-pointer.

"Uh-huh!"

The three-pointer hit the net!

The reason why old Carter can still stay in the league at the age of 42 is really not due to his fame. The 3D style of play in the last years, coupled with Tang Tian's head buff, really stands out as a stable character.

10 to 0!

The Pelicans overwhelmed the Bucks in the opening game!

Budenholzer could only call a timeout.

The despair in the eyes of the fans at the scene could not be hidden at all.

The tactics were suppressed and Antetokounmpo couldn't open up. Compared with the Lakers, the Bucks really played like a younger brother.

The 12-0 record is completely the weakness and false prosperity of the Eastern Conference!

Kenny Smith stopped talking at this time and allowed Barkley and O'Neal, the half-gifted duo, to brag.

This year's finals will be one-sided.

After the timeout, the Bucks still shot one star and four stars.

The change is that Antetokounmpo paid attention to the defense of the basket when he broke through.

But Siakam is not a vegetarian, and Antetokounmpo cannot get past him without exerting his full strength.

The two fought at the free throw line for a while, and Antetokounmpo was forced to turn around and throw toward the baseline.

This is obviously not the offensive method he is good at, and the ball is thrown directly across the bridge.

There was an uproar at the scene.

This has forced Antetokounmpo to this point, and he even got a spanking!

The Pelicans pushed for a defensive counterattack, Brogdon accelerated to get rid of Irving, received Tang Tian's long throw from the backcourt, and scored another 2 points with a fast break layup.

12 to 0!

"God!"

Barkley hid his face in the commentary box and couldn't bear to watch it.

Although both he and O'Neal thought the Pelicans would win, the gap was a bit too big.

Irving's single in the frontcourt, facing Brogdon and hitting a three-pointer, finally broke the scoring drought for the Bucks.

This is really purely personal strength.

But such scoring is obviously too few for the Bucks.

Halfway through the first quarter, the score on the field was 20 to 5, and the Pelicans took a 15-point lead in half the quarter.

The fans at the scene have gone from the enthusiasm at the opening to silence.

No one likes to be abused.

In the Bucks' offense, Antetokounmpo reached out for the ball again to signal a single.

He felt the emotions of the audience and fans, and he had to try again.

Still facing Siakam, he broke through more decisively than last time.

His body is still more dominant. Siakam is hard enough, but he still can't withstand it.

But just like before, he passed Siakam, and Tang Tian was already waiting there in advance.

He used his physical talent to brake forcefully and finally didn't hit him again.

After he stopped, his first reaction was to find an open teammate, but the Pelicans' defensive rotation was already in place.

The Pelicans studied the tactics and conducted targeted training, and Antetokounmpo was really restricted.

In the end, Antetokounmpo had only one option: singles against Tang Tian. Fortunately, he had an advantage in size.

Hit from behind, then turn around and shoot.

"Snapped!"

He turned around, but before he could take action, the ball in his hand was cut off!

Compared to his impact, his back-up play is really worse than that of James.

This level of back-up play in front of Tang Tian was really like giving the ball away.

Tang Tian squeezed past to get the ball and prepared for a fast break, but Antetokounmpo grabbed him.

The referee's whistle sounded to indicate Antetokounmpo's foul.

This was also his second personal foul in this quarter.

Budenholzer had no choice but to replace him with Ilyasova.

Antetokounmpo was quite upset when he came off the field. He had played so smoothly in the previous series, but he didn't expect it to be like this in the first game of the finals.

It felt like driving a sports car up to 300 on the highway in no-man's land, only to suddenly face a 90-degree mountain turn.

As soon as he covered his head, he hit him hard.

The team boss left the game after half a quarter, and the Bucks lost at least half of their combat power.

The Pelicans will suffer a lot without Davis, but without Antetokounmpo, the Bucks may not be as strong as the Celtics who were swept by them before.

Irving and Horford dared to fight hard, but were unable to reverse the situation.

Hayward had no chance under Tang Tian's defense, and the game had lost suspense at this time.

Although Milwaukee fans were full of expectations, reality gave them a slap in the face.

In the end, the Pelicans defeated the Bucks 113-86 on the road and won their first victory in the Finals.

After the game, Tang Tian and Siakam attended the post-game press conference together.

Siakam performed well in this game. Not only did he score the second-highest 17 points on the team, he also defended Antetokounmpo, who only scored 11 points.

Tang Tian naturally blew hard on him.

The best player on the team can be selected as an All-Star in a weak team. He is the most suitable power forward for modern basketball. He is just less powerful than Davis.

"How would you rate Giannis' performance?"

The reporter naturally asked about Antetokounmpo's performance.

Antetokounmpo played his worst game of the season, and this kind of question was like a hot potato to Tang Tian.

After Tang Tian paused for a moment, he finally made a milder comment.

"He still has a lot of room for improvement and I believe he has a very high ceiling."