Champion Creed
Chapter 780 - 780 264 I've been killing Black Jesus since the 90s!

780: 264: I’ve been killing Black Jesus since the 90s!

(Requesting monthly tickets!)_3 780: 264: I’ve been killing Black Jesus since the 90s!

(Requesting monthly tickets!)_3 Roger’s offensive space suddenly opened up.

Cassell and Ray Allen were uncertain about whether to double-team like in the first quarter.

Pierce and Hornacek both possess elite-level ability to capitalize on open shots, so letting them go is not a good choice.

Ultimately, they decided on a one-on-one, leaving Roger alone with “Big Dog” Robinson.

This is the greatest tactical role Hornacek can play.

His presence allows Randy Wilkens to fully utilize the semicircle tactic!

In previous years, the Hawks never had a shooter of Hornacek’s caliber.

To break the double-team, Roger had to rely on off-ball movement.

But this year, from the moment the team signed Hornacek, Lenny Wilkens had decided to incorporate the semicircle tactic into the system.

Pierce, Hornacek, and even Shawn Marion in the four position can shoot from afar, creating offensive space for Roger and fundamentally eliminating double-teams.

In this era, the “One Star and Four Shooters” semicircle tactic is usually tailored for post players.

Tomjanovich used it to glorify the semicircle tactic with his 1994 championship, and the Lakers’ offense last season had some elements of the semicircle tactic, with their power forward Horry and Fox able to shoot from distance.

“One Star and Four Shooters” is mainly arranged for the inside because the efficiency of super centers in low-post one-on-ones is extremely high.

For example, in last season’s finals, if Shaq comfortably got the ball in the low post, Big Ben had no way to cope.

Even when perimeter players have one-on-one opportunities, they may not show high efficiency.

Therefore, no one in this era would use the “One Star and Four Shooters” tactic for perimeter players; it’s a thoroughly center-focused strategy.

But Lenny Wilkens doesn’t see any problem with using the “One Star and Four Shooters” strategy for a perimeter core.

Roger’s one-on-one plays can be as lethal as those of a super center!

“Lenny has put the ‘One Star and Four Shooters’ tactic on Roger, I’ve never seen a guard play under such a strategy.

Let’s see if this innovation can be effective.”

Now, Glenn Robinson can only defend Roger alone, and Roger has countless ways to deal with this watchdog.

Glenn Robinson focuses intensely on Roger, as it’s the only thing he can do.

In front of the TV, Steve Belkin is so tense his hands are clenched into fists.

He knows Roger has countless ways to deal with his watchdog in this one-on-one, but he still can’t help but feel nervous.

After all, the Bucks are already 10 points ahead, they can’t afford any mistakes now.

But Roger himself isn’t nervous at all.

If you really let him take on Big Dog one-on-one, this isn’t offense and defense, this is a massacre performance!

Roger dribbles closer to Big Dog, switches hands under the legs from left to right, then crosses back from right to left behind his back.

While Glenn Robinson is still guessing which side Roger will break towards, Roger suddenly stops dribbling after two quick crossovers and pulls up for a jump shot.

Despite its casual appearance, the shot finds its way directly into the net!

“Perfect!

Damn, just like that!” Steve Belkin, unable to hold back, lets out a curse.

Beside him, Bruce Levenson curses quietly, thinking this pull-up was utterly unreasonable, yet it went in so cleanly.

That shot was indeed unreasonable, but Big Dog’s defensive reaction and instincts aren’t great; hence even a close-up pull-up by Roger wouldn’t face much interference.

This stylish pull-up allows Lenny Wilkens to sit back down on the bench comforting himself from being 7 points behind.

Next, just find a good spot and enjoy the show.

In the first quarter, the Bucks’ double-team couldn’t limit Roger, only preventing him from exploding.

Facing the semicircle tactic next, Roger will tear the horns off the Bucks with his bare hands!

“See, I told you guys are the perfect comeback opponents.

Not weak, but not strong either.

Hey, let your Jesus punish me.” Roger sarcastically smiled at Big Dog after scoring.

But Glenn Robinson didn’t get angry, as he believed his team would soon respond.

The Bucks aren’t fools; the Hawks’ lineup can rely on Hornacek to space the floor, but Hornacek himself is a liability on defense.

In the first quarter, even with Pippen, the Hawks couldn’t hold the Bucks down.

This quarter swap Pippen for Hornacek, is it any different from giving up defense?

Sam Cassell calls for power forward Tim Thomas to set a screen.

A mid-range shot off the pick-and-roll is Cassell’s most assured offensive move.

The slow-footed Hornacek simply can’t squeeze through the screen, Cassell shoots immediately after comfortably maneuvering around the pick.

But just as the ball leaves his hands, Shawn Marion’s fingertips toy with it, blocking it!

Cassell was surprised; he thought the shot distance was safe.

Unexpectedly, Marion reacted so quickly, and his defensive coverage is vast.

This is why Lenny Wilkens dared to replace Pippen with Hornacek; there are so many Hawks willing to cover for it.

If Pippen’s decline had left the Hawks’ fans feeling threatened, Shawn Marion’s progress has dispelled that feeling of crisis.

All along, Lenny Wilkens wanted to develop Marion into the next Pippen.

But when Wilkens realized Marion would frequently lose the ball in one-on-one drills, and randomly travel on drives.

And Marion’s passing vision is practically at Paralympic levels.

Everyone laughs that Pippen was always the slave to two masters, never amounting to a top superstar, always under two kings.