Pope of Basketball.

Summary

The chapter discusses the importance of swingmen, or versatile wing players, in the NBA. It highlights how championship-winning teams often have exceptional swingmen who can guard both guards and big men, providing strong wing defense. The chapter uses the example of the Clippers, who struggled despite having talented players, due to their weak swingmen and poor wing defense. In contrast, Yang Rui's teams have always featured a formidable lineup of swingmen, a strategy that the Grizzlies have also adopted. The chapter also touches on the Lakers' focus on half-court defense against the Grizzlies, with Kobe Bryant showcasing his skill in a one-on-one situation against Shane Battier.

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