Chapter 481 Preseason Begins

The Pelicans' entire team of 18 players had arrived within two days of training camp starting.

They had already completed their dynasty, but Stevens's talk of a four-peat at the championship parade was their next goal.

But it was also a very challenging goal.

Not just for the team, but for the players as well.

After the major roster changes, the competition was fierce at the guard spots, the forward spots, and even in the paint.

No one wanted to fall behind on a dynasty team.

On the second day after everyone arrived, Stevens raised the training intensity from basic drills to full-court scrimmages.

The most pressing issue facing him was the starting lineup for the new season.

With two of the five starters gone, he needed to make adjustments not only in personnel, but also in tactics.

You had to know that last season's Wode pick-and-roll was the second most used tactic after Tang Tian's isolation plays.

But now Walker was gone.

For the first full-court scrimmage, he divided the team into a starting group and a bench group.

Nash led the starting group, while he led the bench group, and they played a 10-minute full-court game on the court.

Nash excelled at offense, while he excelled at defense. A clash of spear and shield was the best way to identify problems.

The starting group consisted of Parker and Tang Tian in the backcourt, Green and Davis in the frontcourt, and Dedmon at center.

The bench group consisted of Alexander and Brogdon in the backcourt, Jeff Green and Siakam in the frontcourt, and Harrell at center.

The purpose of this lineup allocation was also very clear: Parker replacing Walker, and Green replacing Butler.

After 10 minutes of play, the starting group won 25-15.

Tang Tian had 10 points, Davis 8 points, Green 3 points, and Parker 4 points and 3 assists.

After a 5-minute break, the two sides continued to play a second 10-minute game.

However, Stevens made adjustments to his lineup, replacing Jeff Green at small forward with Crowder, and replacing the center with Mitchell Robinson.

After 10 minutes, the starting group still won, but the score was 17-15.

Stevens switched to a stronger defensive lineup. Parker's lack of shooting was targeted, and the starting group's performance clearly declined.

This was also a problem they would definitely face in the new season.

Without Walker and Butler, the defensive pressure on Tang Tian and Davis increased, and the ability of other players to seize opportunities would be very important.

One plan was rejected, followed by a second.

Alexander, Tang Tian, Green, Davis, Dedmon.

Alexander was still too inexperienced in terms of organization, and wasn't on the same wavelength as the others.

If the second set didn't work, then the third set.

Parker, Brogdon, Tang Tian, Siakam, Davis.

A lineup of one big and four small players had fierce offensive firepower and fast help defense, but was obviously at a disadvantage when defending against big men.

Then immediately the fourth set.

Stevens spent nearly a month of the Pelicans' training camp experimenting and exploring.

In addition to looking for a suitable starting lineup and tactics, he was also examining the bench's condition and suitability.

Because the goal was clear, the effect was also very good.

And the coaching staff had a surprise discovery.

Kyle Kuzma.

Kuzma was 2.06 meters tall and weighed 100 kg. He could play both the three and the four, but wasn't quite either.

Over the past summer, he lost weight under the management's instructions, dropping to 95 kg, and switched from playing primarily power forward to playing primarily small forward.

The weight loss made him more agile. Although his physical talent was average, his attitude was positive, and his defense had improved significantly, approaching the league average.

What was even more gratifying was that his shooting on the offensive end was becoming more and more accurate, giving him the feeling of a taller Klay Thompson.

At the end of training camp, he finally emerged from the fierce competition with Jeff Green and Crowder.

On October 18th, US time, after a long offseason, the NBA preseason officially began.

The Pelicans also welcomed the Rockets to their home court.

The Rockets completed their contract extension with Paul in the offseason. The 4-year, 160 million contract was a big burden for them, but they had no choice.

In addition, the hard salary cap meant they could only let Ariza go for nothing, and they renewed Capela and gave up Cousins.

Their overall strength had declined a lot compared to the Big Three era, or even last year.

But D'Antoni was still in charge, and they were energized when playing the Pelicans.

For the first preseason game, the Rockets put out their full starting lineup.

Paul and Harden in the backcourt, Gordon and Tucker in the frontcourt, and Capela at center.

The average height of this lineup was really short, but D'Antoni was now obsessed with Moreyball, and this was a lineup he had often used last season.

On the Pelicans side, Stevens also put out the starting lineup he had been exploring for more than a month.

Brogdon and Tang Tian in the backcourt, Green and Davis in the frontcourt, and Dedmon at center.

Official games were different from team training, and with the Rockets wanting to play, Stevens could just see the strength of this new starting lineup.

Capela won the tip-off, giving the Rockets the first scoring opportunity.

The Pelicans retreated to their half of the court, with Brogdon guarding Paul, Tang Tian guarding Harden, and Green guarding Gordon.

Paul and Capela ran a pick-and-roll, and Brogdon successfully went around it, disrupting Paul's jump shot.

Paul changed to a breakthrough, but Brogdon's footwork was solid, and he gave Paul enough resistance under the basket, and Paul's layup didn't go in.

Brogdon's defense was underestimated.

He was able to become the Pelicans' sixth man last season not only because of his offense, but also because of his very bright defensive skills and attitude.

Tang Tian's sudden stop jump shot in the frontcourt scored two points.

The Rockets' defense in this lineup was comparable to a black hole, dark and deep.

Turning around, Harden tried a突分 (tu fen - sudden pass), but Gordon, who received the pass, was defended by Green and had no chance to shoot.

Gordon's last forced layup was directly intercepted by Tang Tian's help defense.

The Rockets' consecutive attacks after the opening didn't score any points.

Leaving aside the offense, the defensive intensity of the Pelicans' starting lineup in the backcourt was no lower than last season.

Turning around, Tang Tian continued to break through the inside, as if entering an uninhabited area.

This black hole was not only dark and deep, but also very loose.

The Rockets' two wings contracted to tighten the defense in the middle.

Tang Tian made a signature behind-the-back pass to the baseline, where Green was ready.

"Swish!"

A baseline three-pointer went into the net cleanly, and Green hit the Pelicans' first three-pointer of the game.

There was a burst of cheers from the crowd.

Harden's step-back jump shot was defended by Tang Tian, and Dedmon protected the defensive rebound.

The Rockets still hadn't scored!

D'Antoni's expression was very serious.

With Walker and Butler gone, the Pelicans' strength should have declined significantly, but the defensive pressure at the start meant the Pelicans hadn't weakened at all!

"Swish!"

As soon as this thought flashed through his mind, the Pelicans' frontcourt played a tactical play, and Green hit another three-pointer after receiving a pass from Tang Tian after Davis set a screen!

8-0!

The Pelicans were吊起来打 (diao qi lai da - beating) the Rockets again!

The cheers at the scene continued.

Dempsey also waved his fist excitedly in the stands.

Green was the most important part of the Pelicans' operations this offseason.

If he couldn't find his form as Tang Tian said, the Pelicans' starting small forward would be a big problem.

But Green played well on defense at the start and also hit consecutive three-pointers.

Tang Tian really didn't lie, Green was playing well alongside a superstar!