This time, there was less debate among fans on social media.

Unlike the previous Lakers, the Spurs showed a dominant oppressive force that neither the Lakers nor even the Bucks possessed.

This Spurs team is even stronger than last season, and they look like a real championship contender.

Last season, even with Tang Tian, the Pelicans didn't have it easy, let alone now that Tang Tian has retired.

The score of 0-2 says it all.

It's too difficult for the Pelicans to beat this Spurs team.

The next two games of the series will be played in New Orleans.

For the Pelicans, if they want to keep their hopes of advancing, the third game is a must-win.

Although it seems difficult right now.

Despite the unfavorable situation, the four consecutive championships that Tang Tian laid down are the foundation here, and fans are voicing their support for the Pelicans on social media together.

This is also a very rare scene, which shows the popularity of the Pelicans.

However, the Pelicans' training sessions after returning to New Orleans were all closed to the public.

When Tang Tian arrived at the training hall, he could see the pressure on the faces of the coaching staff and players.

This is the biggest of the season.

The strength of this Spurs team is much stronger than the Bucks. If the Pelicans can get through, it means they are good enough, and if they can't get through, there is nothing to say.

But no matter how great the difficulty, people will try their best.

After training, Tang Tian didn't look for Durant, but pulled Davis aside for a chat.

Davis has played very consistently since entering the playoffs, averaging 24+11, which is a very qualified second-in-command.

Even throughout the entire season, he has not been dissatisfied because of Durant's arrival, it can be said that he has done a perfect job.

"Ad, you need to do more."

However, Tang Tian's first sentence to him was unexpected.

Davis didn't expect Tang Tian to say that to him.

"I know you've done very well, and I can't even ask you to do more, but I think you can do better, because you are Ad."

Tang Tian's next words were very motivational.

"Boss, without you, it would be really difficult for us to win against this Spurs team."

However, Davis had been with Tang Tian for a long time, and he was immune to the motivational stuff.

And what he said was the truth.

With Leonard and George, Durant is very restricted, and no one but Tang Tian can break through.

To put it bluntly, with the Spurs forming this lineup, it's their turn to win the championship.

"I know."

To Davis' surprise, Tang Tian nodded calmly.

"But the opportunity for a five-peat is right in front of you, are you willing to give up?"

Tang Tian looked at Davis as he spoke.

"I don't want to, but..."

"No buts, Ad, I know you've learned a lot from Tim, and Tim has taught you a lot of skills, but Tim never gives up."

Tang Tian interrupted Davis directly.

"I will never forget the scene of him slapping the floor that year. You will never know the result until the last moment. If you don't work harder, you don't know how good you can be. Ad, I said, I think you can do better, because you are Ad."

Tang Tian repeated what he said before, but when you savor it at this time, the feeling is completely different.

Davis was stunned for a moment, then nodded very seriously.

To be honest, for so many years, because of Tang Tian, he has been winning all the time, and he has unconsciously become dependent on Tang Tian.

Even if Tang Tian retires, he has made up his mind to prove himself.

But when he really encounters the kind of predicament he is facing now, he still shrinks back instinctively.

Yes, Tang Tian is not here, it is impossible for me to win against such a strong Spurs team.

This is completely a normal person's idea.

But Tang Tian's words reminded him that he is Anthony Davis, the number one power forward in the active service selected by the American media, and the number one interior player in the active service in the United States. What he can do is more than what he is doing now.

Especially when Durant is restricted, he must stand up.

Seeing the change in Davis' eyes, Tang Tian knew that his words had worked.

He smiled and touched Davis' head.

With this attitude, even if you really can't win the Spurs in the end, it will be a glorious defeat, and you will die without regrets.

Two days later, the third game of the Western Conference Finals started at the New Orleans Arena.

The New Orleans Arena was packed, and slogans such as "Pelicans Reverse" and "Five-Peat" could be seen everywhere.

Just like the previous voices on social media, despite the unfavorable situation, the Pelicans fans' support for the team has not diminished.

This also boosted the Pelicans fans' originally low mood.

Moreover, a rare scene appeared in the Pelicans' pre-match warm-up.

Davis, who had always been low-key, took the initiative to gather the players together and raised their hands together to say some morale-boosting words.

Seeing this, Tang Tian felt that the Pelicans had a chance to win the game tonight.

After the warm-up, the scene quickly entered the opening ceremony.

The starting lineups of the two teams have also been released one after another.

The Spurs' side is the same as the previous games, White and Forbes on the outside, George and Leonard on the front line, and Aldridge at center.

The Pelicans have a change in lineup, Brogdon and Holiday on the outside, Durant and Ariza on the front line, and Davis at center.

Stevens took the initiative to lower the height, this is to fight the Spurs.

In the cheers of the fans, Davis dialed the ball back to the Pelicans' half, officially kicking off the game.

Durant attacked first for the Pelicans, but as soon as he received the ball, Leonard came to help defend.

Durant took the lead and shot a dry pull-up jumper.

"Clang!"

Unfortunately, George interfered, and his shot failed to hit!

Aldridge protected the defensive rebound.

The Spurs advanced to the frontcourt, Leonard singled out Ariza, turned around and shot a Kobe-style baseline fadeaway.

"Swish!"

The ball went into the basket steadily.

Leonard's playing style is more and more like Kobe, but the hit rate is not very Mamba-like.

Durant continued to be double-teamed in the frontcourt. This time, he passed the ball out in time. Holiday caught the ball and used a fake shot to beautifully shake Forbes and kill into the inside.

Facing Aldridge's help defense, he used a rhythm change to accelerate and decelerate, and squeezed past to shoot beautifully.

This ball perfectly reflects Holiday's value.

But just as he was about to shoot, a big hand directly covered it.

"Bang!"

Leonard assisted with a chase-down block!

There was a commotion at the scene.

Leonard's offense has evolved, but his defense is still unsolvable.

When Tang Tian was around, his defense was comparable to Tang Tian, but now that Tang Tian has retired, he is the strongest defender.

After the chase-down block, he took down the rebound, then turned around for a fast break.

Passing Holiday and Ariza in succession, Leonard fast-breaked to the frontcourt and scored against Brogdon's defense.

4 to 0.

The Spurs' oppression comes in large part from Leonard, and Leonard's excellent offense and defense at the start once again confirmed this.

Even if the Pelicans are playing at home, it is still very, very difficult to win.