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Chapter 336 - 161. When you can make every shot, you just can’t stop shooting!

Chapter 336: 161. When you can make every shot, you just can’t stop shooting!

Could Bickerstaff not know that Zhang Yang in one-on-one was a breakthrough?

But placing the burden on an 18-year-old sophomore player, unless absolutely necessary, is best avoided.

He had always been trying to reduce the pressure Zhang Yang had to shoulder. If there was a better way, of course he would try it, like how he tried to utilize Zhang Yang’s high post to engage the opponent’s defense after the official first quarter.

Regrettably, in terms of defensive discipline, neither the Spurs of the past two seasons nor the Miami Heat compared to this season’s Jazz Team. Even someone with Deron’s personality had to obey the team’s defensive cooperation, or else he’d be sat on the bench as well.

The current situation wasn’t just about letting Zhang Yang withstand the pressure. Saying one against the opposing whole team would be an exaggeration, but it was like putting the outcome on Zhang Yang alone... Okay, seeing Zhang Yang all fired up, Bickerstaff knew the kid had guessed the result of his discussion with Jordan and wasn’t scared at all.

With a vote of 2 to 1, then let’s do it!

The players had rested for two minutes. Bickerstaff stood up to make substitutions, setting up the strategy...

Returning from the break between quarters, the Bobcats sent out a combination of Rondo, Zhang Yang, Gerald Wallace, Millsap, and Muhammad.

The Jazz Team dispatched a combination of Deron, Gordon Kirilenko, Matt Haplin, Boozer, and Jarron Collins.

The second quarter began with the Jazz Team attacking first.

The Bobcats defended with 4 holding back 1, with Zhang Yang assigned to guard Kirilenko, an offensive threat that was easy to defend.

Zhang Yang had specifically looked up information on this player when studying the Jazz Team’s scouting reports, a three-point shooting percentage of 43% was indeed eye-catching.

Kirilenko was once hailed as Europe’s top point guard, with explosive athletic ability in his early years, using counter-moves to shake off defenders like Shawn Marion, often finishing with soaring dunks inside. In his first two NBA seasons starting in ’02, he was fierce, but unfortunately after turning 27, his athletic ability sharply declined. At nearly 30 years old this season, Kirilenko could neither run nor jump, only retaining a precise catch-and-shoot three and excellent team defense awareness.

Kirilenko’s current role on the offensive end — allowing his teammates to play four-on-four.

Deron initiated the offense with a pick-and-roll with Boozer, passing the ball to Matt Haplin.

Haplin charged into the paint like a football player, met by Muhammad’s resistance, while Gerald Wallace closed in to disturb him. Haplin’s floater missed!

Sloan watched from the sidelines, clearly frustrated. He had been coveting Muhammad for a long time. He also guessed the Spurs would not be able to keep Muhammad. After being eliminated in the second round last season, their management was in talks with the Spurs, who were adamant they wouldn’t sell... only to not want to sell to them, turning around to gift him to the Bobcats instead.

With a rotation of Okafor, Perkins, and Muhammad protecting the rim, Okafor and Millsap alternating on the pick-and-roll defense, and Felton and Rondo defending power forwards each in their own way. Felton could grapple with them in front like Fisher, while Rondo could use his speed to cut passes and help on defense.

Sloan had no answer on the offensive end. Boozer’s talent wasn’t enough to shake off his defender with pure physical ability like Malone could, and while Deron had far more talent than Stockton, he was also only a sophomore. However, they still had defense!

Defending this lineup was too easy. If the offense wasn’t working, they would slowly grind it out on defense. Those years of setbacks hardened him with more patience than any coach.

On the court, Rondo pulled back to secure the defensive rebound.

The Jazz Team quickly retreated to their defensive positions. Rondo advanced to the frontcourt, pausing outside the three-point line for a moment before suddenly starting, driving past Kirilenko straight to the paint!

The Jazz Team was well-prepared, with the wings and the paint players moving in time to help on defense.

In his rookie year’s dim performance, Rondo had made a bit of a name for himself within a month. His ’travel’ had already caught the attention of his opponents, and naturally, the Jazz Team wouldn’t miss it... mainly because his stats of averaging 3.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5 assists were just too irregular. As the media and fans discussed rookie performances, they couldn’t avoid talking about him.

Matt Haplin shrank from the wing, Boozer and Jarron Collins positioned themselves on both sides of the paint to cover Muhammad below and prevent Millsap and Gerald Wallace from cutting in to receive the ball.

But Millsap didn’t cut towards the paint, instead setting up a screen on the left side of the free-throw line.

Rondo didn’t pass to Gerald Wallace either, who was cutting up. Instead, he slammed the ball between the chasing Kirilenko’s legs into the paint!

Kirilenko didn’t expect such a pass and failed to intercept it, but with his excellent team defensive mindset, he immediately turned and chased after the ball. Seeing Zhang Yang receive it with a step beyond the free-throw line, he leaped to contest the shot.

Getting beaten wasn’t an issue, they had someone inside. If the opponent pulled back for a three, no problem, Deron was already on his way.

Zhang Yang caught the ball without hesitation and leaped to shoot over Kirilenko’s challenge, a mid-range shot...

Kirilenko was quick and defended fiercely, but he was no longer the player who had blocked Reggie Miller’s three-pointers twice during the World Championships. If Zhang Yang’s shot had been closer to the free-throw line, Kirilenko might have managed to contest effectively. But with that distance, just a few dozen centimeters, it became an insurmountable gap, and he could only watch helplessly as the ball flew over his hands... and it went in!

to 13, the Bobcats led by 5 points!

On the offensive switch, Boozer received the ball in the low post and began backing down. He turned and went under the basket, launching high off the backboard against the defense of Millsap and Muhammad.