When a team is willing to use one of the league's top players to guard Wayne, it speaks volumes about Wayne's excellence.

In fact, if it had been two or three years later, Duncan would definitely not have followed outside the three-point line to defend Wayne.

But before 2005, including 2005, Duncan, whose mobility had not completely degraded, was actually a power forward defense method.

That is, it is common for people to go out to raid and then turn around to mend their hats in case they go out.

Take the last round of the series as an example. Duncan started out as Marion's main defender, and often went out to delay Nash when he was playing the pick-and-roll.

It was not until 2005 that Duncan, who was troubled by plantar fasciitis, began to defend like a center because of his decline in athletic ability, sitting at the basket and waiting for others to take risks.

That's right, sit back and wait for the risk.

Duncan's blocks always feel like a "chance".

Fans often joke that the last 1,000 blocks in Duncan's career were all taken while standing on the ground.

Now, Popovich is still willing to let Duncan go out to defend. Even if the opponent cuts into the penalty area, Duncan can defend back immediately.

But the very thorny issue now is that Wayne has a super high level of three-point shooting!

Duncan has to defend back, and Wayne's three-point shot can really kill people.

Therefore, Popovich's arrangement today is to keep Duncan by Wayne's side.

O'Neal and Wayne, Popovich chose the latter.

After Wayne got the first assist, the Spurs quickly got a goal back from Ginobili.

Duncan used a screen for this shot, and Ginobili came out to shoot.

As the saying goes, in good times a car can be a Buddha in bad times, but in desperate times a demon sword can kill all the demons!

The Argentinian seemed to have continued his outstanding touch from the previous game, and his short jump shot was impressive.

Seeing that the Pacers did not make any defensive adjustments to Manu, Spurs fans were happy.

I'm not afraid of being slashed by the demon sword yet!

But contrary to the fans, Popovich is now worried to death.

If you don’t defend Manu, how can Duncan be released!?

How come there are people like you!

Manu has been beaten like this, can you give him some respect?

I dug a hole, how could you Carlisle not jump?

Not particular!

Just because Ginobili can score goals now, doesn't mean he can score the same goals in the future.

After all... Manu's physical ability, to use a word that no man likes to hear, is - not lasting!

It was fierce, but it ended quickly.

Manu is known as 20-minute Jordan. Do you think the focus is on Jordan?

No, the point is 20 minutes!

Short is really short.

In the last game, Manu only started to block and kill God in the second half. In the first half, Duncan was mainly relied on.

Therefore, as long as Duncan can be blocked today, Manu will naturally kill the game in the second half.

The question is, can the league's No. 1 PF be defended?

When Duncan missed his second consecutive offense, the Pacers told the world: "Duncan can be defended even at his peak!"

This time, when Duncan took the ball, four members of the Pacers shrank into the three-second zone!

As soon as he broke in, he found Artest, who was stuck on the edge of the three-second zone, reaching out to cut the ball.

So, Duncan immediately raised the basketball high, collected the ball with both hands, and chose for a layup.

But such a layup can be easily predicted by the opponent.

So, when Duncan took off, No. 99 also jumped out at the right time.

"Snapped!"

"This..." Popovich was dumbfounded, Wayne actually blocked Duncan!?

That first-year rookie blocked the league's number one power forward who was in his prime!?

"Beautiful block! Wei, he appeared in the most correct position at the right time! This was an exquisite team defense, and the Pacers' contraction was very decisive.

In the end, it was Wayne who ended the Spurs' offense."

Duncan's face remained expressionless, and he retreated immediately after being blocked, as if he was not the one being blocked.

As long as I pretend to be innocent enough, it won't be me who gets covered!

The Spurs thought the Pacers would continue to slowly build their position, but as soon as Duncan ran across the midfield line, he saw Payton passing him with the ball.

"You're driving too fast!" Duncan shouted in his mind.

The Frenchman Parker had been sticking close to Payton, but Payton took the initiative to resist and put Parker behind him.

You can say that the Spurs' team defense is very good, but Parker's individual defense... to be honest, the Spurs' system really covered up its shortcomings.

Driving inside, Payton threw himself up and forced himself into the frame.

At this time, Bowen, who arrived from the side, rushed out and roughly knocked Payton down in the air.

Others may not be able to tell, but Wayne clearly saw that while Bowen raised his right arm, his left arm underneath was not honest at all, making a pushing motion in the air.

Don't ask Wayne how he knows this, this kind of meticulous observation of small movements is a basic quality that every fighting athlete should have!

Eh? But I seem to be a basketball player... right?

In short, old Payton was pulled and fell heavily to the ground.

But at the same time as the referee's whistle sounded, the basketball thrown by Payton also fell into the net.

Payton got a chance to hit a three-pointer!

"This is Payton's last bit of stubbornness! His brave layup gave him the opportunity to get extra free throws. This is the veteran's leading role in the finals."

"You're so soft, you know that? In the '90s, we just called it caressing, Ms. Bowen."

Payton stood up and started trash-talking Bowen, looking very relaxed.

But actually...it hurts Peyton to death!

My butt almost broke open!

Do you understand respecting the old and loving the young, you bastard!

But in front of villains, you have to brace yourself no matter how painful it is.

Because your fearful eyes are the source of their power!

Bowen didn't have any more entanglements with Payton. As a garbage man, would he still care about your garbage talk?

He turned around to leave, but as soon as he turned around, he bumped into Wayne.

Wayne didn't know when he ran up behind Bowen without saying a word. Bowen looked up after bumping into Wayne and saw that he was petrified on the spot.

To describe Bowen's mood at this time in one sentence is... I'm so scared!

"What...you...what are you going to do!?" Bowen swallowed and took two steps back.

He didn't know why, but he felt a dull pain in his stomach again.

Good guy, Wayne has cured all the sequelae.

"You bumped into me and you can't even say sorry?" Wayne stared straight at Bowen, and the ferocious wolf just now turned into a little sheep.

Seeing that the momentum was not right, the referee immediately rushed forward and separated the two people.

This is the NBA Finals, and Stern will not allow any more fights to occur, so the referees are also very sensitive.

"Hmph, if you dare, try touching me!" Seeing the referee appear, Bowen was like a dog being held on a leash by its owner, and instantly became "tough" again.

Anyway, there is a "master" here, who am I afraid of!?

But actually what he was thinking in his heart was: "Can I ask you to do it faster next time! It's scary, you know?"

However, Wayne walked past the referee and approached Bowen.

Bowen suddenly shrank again, "Brother Wei, I was just joking, you won't really touch me, will you?"

After all, he is the one being chased and beaten by Carter. How tough do you really think he can be?

Bowen who plays dirty is okay, but Bowen who plays hard may be even less interesting than playing hard.

"Don't let me catch you, they can't protect you for a whole game." Wayne pointed at Bowen and threatened him bluntly.

This is a man who dares to intimidate even the referee. How can he not intimidate Bowen?

Bowen retreated silently, looking embarrassed.

He vowed that he would also find an opportunity to let Wayne experience the feeling of a torn ankle!

Payton got back on his feet with the help of others.

After standing at the free throw line, San Antonio fans booed violently.

But after all, Payton is someone who has seen big scenes, and he still made the ball steadily despite the interference of the fans.

Successful three-pointer, the Pacers continue to open up the score and have an absolute advantage!

Popovich was a little panicked. The Pacers' ability to adjust and the players' ability to execute tactics was indeed far beyond his expectations.
To be continued...