Chapter 418: Gentry's Will

The Pacers had just finished their game against the Raptors. 

The Pacers eliminated the Raptors 4-3 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, meaning the Eastern Conference Championship will be decided between the Heat and the Pacers.

The entire Heat team had just finished watching the second game of the Suns and Spurs live. Spo asked, "When did Gentry join the league?"

"In 1989, he was an assistant coach for the Spurs and was a colleague of Popovich for a while. Later, he moved to the Clippers, Heat, Pistons, and Suns, where he served as an assistant coach and head coach."

After hearing this, Spo tapped his fingers on the table without rhythm. "Can people suddenly become enlightened?"

Spo is the head coach of the Heat, and his first priority in analyzing a game is the style and tactics of the opposing coach.

Popovich and Gentry came from the same school, and both initially followed Larry Brown. However, Popovich was clearly more talented than Gentry, focusing on teaching according to the players' abilities and preparing thoroughly before games. Popovich's mobile offense and zone defense tactics can be considered very impressive.

Popovich also has his flaws. In the words of Chinese fans, he is 'stubborn'. The tactics he sets before a game rarely change during the game.

Why did they lose this game so badly?

Spo believed that Gentry's 'five up, five down' tactic completely disrupted Popovich's pre-game tactics, and Popovich would never have thought that Gentry would use such a bizarre tactic.

With ten players rotating, all with the same playing time, and no changes in formation, the two lineups played, with each player getting six minutes of playing time.

"How will Gentry play in the third game between the Suns and Spurs?"

Not only was Spo curious about this, but all fans around the world were also very curious.

After a big win over the Spurs, Gentry's tail was almost in the air.

Although Popovich had achieved great success, no one remembered that there was another coach named Gentry in the league.

"Tonight's game was really enjoyable!"

After being praised by reporters at the post-game press conference, Gentry became even more proud.

Wade Dong met Gentry in the parking lot and poured a bucket of cold water on him, saying, "Don't go to sleep when you get home. Watch the game footage carefully."

"Oh?!"

Wade Dong's words made Gentry calm down.

The big win made him a little forgetful, and he realized that the unconventional tactic had many drawbacks. Wade Dong must have noticed this, which was why he reminded Gentry to watch the game footage after returning home.

At 2 a.m., Gentry had already watched the game footage twice.

He calmed down, went to the living room, poured a glass of white wine, and called Wade Dong.

"Sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off."

"..."

Apparently, Wade Dong had already gone to sleep, so Gentry hung up. 

Half an hour later, after finishing a glass of white wine, Gentry planned to discuss tactics with Wade Dong the next day.

The next day, on the flight to San Antonio, Gentry brought up this matter.

"I watched yesterday's game footage twice, and our tactic has many drawbacks."

"The 'five up, five down' approach wastes the abilities of many players, such as Dongge, Xiaoshuai, and Curry. It's only reasonable for them to play more than 35 minutes per game."

"The substitute lineup led by Durant seems powerful, but it lacks sufficient defensive ability in the paint. Most of the time, they are matched up against the Spurs' substitute lineup, which covers up this weakness."

"The starting lineup's offense is not smooth, and for 24 minutes, 20 minutes of it relies on Dongge's super personal offensive ability."

"Playing like this... it's easy to be targeted."

"Blah blah blah..."

Green put down his poker cards, and after Gentry finished speaking, most of the players fell silent.

"I can see these weaknesses, and Popovich can see them too."

After Gentry finished speaking, he looked at Wade Dong and said, "Dongge..."

Wade Dong felt that Gentry's expression was not right, but he remained silent and did not express any opinions.

After waiting for a long time, when Wade Dong still didn't speak, Durant said, "Then let's play normally. Let's use the regular season's tactics. Our lineup is very strong, and I'm confident we can beat the Spurs in two more games."

"Dongge, do you think the same?"

Gentry looked at Wade Dong again.

At this point, everyone felt that something was wrong with Gentry, so Wade Dong said, "Old Jin, just say what you want to say."

"Okay!"

Gentry paused, then said, "In 1989, I joined the Spurs as an assistant coach. At that time, the head coach of the Spurs was Brown, and Popovich was also one of the assistant coaches. At that time, I secretly competed with him, but later, our paths diverged, and Popovich became a famous coach, leading the Spurs to multiple championships."

"Everyone only knows Popovich, but how many people remember me, Gentry?"

"In the last game, I had everyone play five up, five down, which caught Popovich off guard. This was my chance to become famous. Before, I didn't dare to compare myself to him, but now, I feel that I am no worse than him!"

Gentry spoke these words with great enthusiasm.

Durant, "???"

Kerr, "???"

Curry, "???"

Wade Dong was stunned for a moment before asking, "Old Jin, do you still have this grudge?"

Gentry said, "I'm also a championship coach, and I've won two championships. If we win the championship this year, can I be compared to the Zen Master and the Red-Robed Master?"

"Pull yourself together!"

Of course, he didn't say this out loud, but Wade Dong found it quite funny.

Fortunately, he had received professional training, so even if he found it funny, he wouldn't laugh, and he managed to hold it in.

Everyone was afraid to express their opinions.

Wade Dong said, "Then let's help Old Jin fulfill this dream. Even if the Spurs discover our weaknesses, what can they do? Can they beat us?"

The teammates shouted in response, "No! We are the strongest!"

"I think so too."

Wade Dong raised the corners of his mouth and said, "Let's all work hard together for Old Jin's will!"

"For Old Jin's will!"

"For Old Jin's will!"

"For Old Jin's will!"

The atmosphere in the cabin instantly became cheerful.

"Dongge, thank you~"

Rarely, Old Jin's voice choked up.

It was unthinkable for a head coach to thank his players, but in the Suns, everyone felt that this was the most normal thing.

After the joy, Wade Dong also felt the pressure.

Of course, Gentry's pressure was even greater!

Now, everyone was going to stubbornly stick to the 'five up, five down' tactic. If they swept the Spurs, it would prove that Gentry's tactical arrangement was flawless. However, if they lost just one game, Gentry would lose all face, and even if they eventually won this series, everyone would only think that the players had strong individual abilities.