text/Shui Qingqing
110-96, the Warriors eliminated the Grizzlies and advanced to the Western Conference Finals. In addition to Curry , Clay , Wiggins and Green , Rooney became the "X factor" of this game as a surprise
Rooney 4+22+5 became the Warriors defeated the Grizzlies X factor
The main system of the Warriors is five trots and three-pointers, but G4 and G5 battles, Adams and Jackson Twin Towers tactics targeted the Warriors' shortcomings in the interior. After a difficult victory and a defeat, Cole (although he did not coach on the spot, he was still the decision-maker) decided to let Rooney start and entrusted with important tasks (focused on the final stage), and he delivered a surprising answer.
This season's playoffs , Rooney is only the marginal person in the team's inside rotation, and his usage rate is still , after , Porter , and only contributed 4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 11 games. In this game, he not only handed in an excellent answer for 4 points, 22 rebounds and 5 assists, but also played the following three important roles:
1, the cover wall for the shooters.
Rooney's height of 206 cm and a weight of 100 kilograms gives him a wide body to provide a solid cover for Curry and Clay. Especially in seven years of working experience, he has enough tacit understanding with Splash Brothers , so:
Rooney is a cover for Curry
Curry held the ball and was entangled by Dillon. He handed the ball to Rooney too much, and instantly cut to the top of the right arc; Rooney tacitly passed the hand back, and then stepped on a single step to cover, blocking Dillon completely behind Curry. Adams's pounce was slow for several shots, and Curry directly made three-pointers.
This is Rooney's first role, the most reliable three-point cover wall in the Warriors' shooter group.
2. Rooney's rebound and position.
Rooney has an excellent wingspan of 222 cm and a diligent blue-collar spirit. Therefore, even though Jackson and Adams have no matching talents, his sense of positioning and efforts have made him a rebounding maniac in this game.
Rooney's position
For example, when Dillon's layup was interfered by Wiggins in this defense, Adams, as the league's top offensive rebounder, was stuck at the basket by Rooney. Green recovered the basket from the weak side to protect the rebound, counterattacked and helped Curry make a three-pointer, and a more classic scene:
Rooney fought for three offensive ball rights
Rooney fought for three attacks and ball rights
Curry failed to make a three-pointer at the top of the arc. Rooney did not score a three-pointer advantage, and Rooney scored a offensive rebound in the attacking attack between Dillon and Jones, and handed the ball to Clay before falling out of the three-point line. Curry dribbled the ball and wanted to pass the pass to Clay, who cut the ball in the right corner, but Dillon reached out and touched the ball and bounced towards the three-point line. Rooney, who had just gotten up, took the ball back; Curry scored another three-pointer, and Rooney, who was so tired that his hands were drooping, and helped Clay score the 8th three-pointer to complete the Warriors' winning blow.
One offensive round, Rooney fought for the ball three times, his fighting spirit was moving, and his luck would stand by him. In the whole game, Rooney scored 22 rebounds, of which 11 offensive rebounds surpassed the entire Grizzlies and used his life source to escort the Warriors.
3. Rooney's ability to support.
The Grizzlies have excellent defense, and Curry and Green's review was hindered in the middle of the fourth quarter. Unexpectedly, Rooney plays a perfect central role.
Rooney assisted Wiggins to three-pointer
Poole was double-teamed, Rooney assisted Green to hit Jackson after receiving the support; as shown in the picture, Green was disturbed by strong suddenness, Rooney attracted double-teams, and calmly passed to Wiggins in the open position in the right corner, and the brother of the mouth fulfilled his mission three-pointer.
Rooney assisted Green to slap
Curry was double-teamed by Jackson and Bain in the left corner. Rooney cut and attracted Adams to defend, and a wonderful pass to help Green to slap; and then helped Clay hit the winning strike. In just 4 minutes, Rooney sent 4 assists perfectly, sharing the organizational pressure between Green and Curry, connecting the inside and outside lines as a bond. It is the key factor in the Warriors being able to freeze the score at 105-92 with a 20-6 climax when they were behind 85-86.
Fixed this game at this point. When the team's five-small three-point system was restricted, Cole took the initiative to change the lineup and sent Rooney to resolve the inside offensive and defensive impact brought by the Grizzlies. He lived up to expectations and used the three functions of pick-and-rolling wall, defense and sorting to become the X factor of this game, helping the team win, which was an indispensable contribution.
