No.1 in basketball scoring
Chapter 449 - 204. Before the Curtain Falls on the Kidd Era

Chapter 449: 204. Before the Curtain Falls on the Kidd Era

After the official timeout, the Bobcats sent out Rondo, Zhang Yang, Gerald Wallace, Jumaine Jones, and Perkins; the Nets sent out Eddie House, Carter, Richard Jefferson, Clifford Robinson, and Mikki Moore.

The Nets attacked.

Carter, facing Gerald Wallace’s defense, made a crossover breakthrough, followed by a quick stop and a fadeaway jump shot. He scored!

It was the Bobcats’ turn to attack. Zhang Yang, facing Richard Jefferson’s defense, also chose to break through.

Richard Jefferson moved quickly, did not lose his position, and blocked Zhang Yang’s direct route, forcing Zhang Yang to move baseline.

Zhang Yang reached the right side of the free-throw line and actively pushed towards Richard Jefferson.

Richard Jefferson quickly accelerated back to prevent Zhang Yang from turning and shooting.

Zhang Yang stopped suddenly, stepped back, and took a mid-range shot against the rushing-back Richard Jefferson... It also went in!

Although both were scores, both TV viewers and live spectators could see the difference.

Theoretically, Carter playing against Gerald Wallace was definitely easier than Zhang Yang playing against Richard Jefferson.

Gerald Wallace’s help defense was far stronger than Richard Jefferson’s, and his one-on-one defense wasn’t much different. In confrontations, Gerald Wallace was stronger in one-on-one situations, but Richard Jefferson had better defensive skills and was more impulsive than Gerald Wallace, making Richard Jefferson’s defense calmer.

Yet, the perception of the fans was that Carter played tense and hesitantly!

During Carter’s last attack, if he had played more decisively, shot more abruptly after stopping, he wouldn’t have been disturbed by Gerald Wallace, wouldn’t have been forced into a fadeaway, and the ball would have gone in purely by feeling.

Zhang Yang, on the other hand, played more casually and confidently, seeking changes proactively, and taking his shot decisively the moment the opportunity arose...

In the CCTV studio, commentator Weiping Bryant said, "Yangyang’s attack was graceful and easygoing. He has the shadow of the past era. Six or seven years ago, Kobe, Iverson, Carter, McGrady, Allen—all played basketball this way... Carter made me feel like the OK era is truly over..."

Zhang Weiping was more reserved; Time Warner Cable Sports’ commentator Bill Walton was more direct: "Carter’s mental strength is too poor. Every move of his reveals how tense he is right now; he fears missing his shots. I don’t understand; he’s only 30 years old, at the peak of his skills. Why would he be intimidated facing a group of young players? In 2005, when he played against Wade, it was the same; he only scored a 36% shooting percentage, even less accurate than Kidd."

Hubie Brown added, "It’s precisely because the opponents are all young players that Carter feels this way. Let him face Bryant, Iverson, and others, and he might actually play better. Playing against those guys he wouldn’t lose face even if he lost, but competing in scoring against 19-year-old Jack, he’s afraid of losing.

Bill, not everyone is as formidable as you, who, after being sidelined for four years, still had the courage to step back onto the NBA court at the age of 30."

Walton: "My God, amazing; Hubie, you actually complimented me..."

Walton, in the ’76-77 season led the Trail Blazers to a championship and won the FMVP, in the ’77-78 season he played even better in the regular season, winning the MVP, but got injured after two playoff games, resulting in him playing only 14 games over the next four seasons from ’78 to ’82.

In the summer of ’82, at nearly 30 years old, Walton was preparing to retire, but was inspired by Lakers legend Elgin Baylor to return to the court... and ended up winning another championship with the Celtics.

As the commentators described, Carter indeed played very nervously on the court; every move he tried to make perfect often caused him to miss the best shooting opportunity, making his shots even more difficult.

Zhang Yang, on the other hand, was bold in his approach, decisively shooting whenever he saw the chance... even if this shot missed, he’d simply try again, and ended up playing better!

After a few rounds, Carter’s earlier halftime shooting stats of 3 out of 2 had changed to 4 out of 8.

During the same period, Zhang Yang scored 5 points with 2 out of 4 field goals plus 2 out of 1 free throw, tying the game for the Bobcats at 21-21 against the Nets!

It was the Nets’ turn to attack again, Carter was anxious, faked a drive, stepped back for a three-point shot... and missed!

His shooting percentage fell below fifty percent!

On the flank defending Richard Jefferson’s cut-in, Zhang Yang glanced back at the middle lane, then turned and without looking back, rushed towards the opposite side.

Before Richard Jefferson could react, Zhang Yang had already crossed the three-point line. Richard Jefferson turned to look towards the inside as Rondo grabbed the defensive rebound and pushed forward!

Carter chased after Zhang Yang, attempting to intercept him as he received the ball, but Rondo’s timing with the lob was just right, preventing Carter from making the interception, and Zhang Yang successfully received the ball at the free-throw line.

Carter didn’t give up; as Zhang Yang caught the ball and stepped forward, he lunged to jump... but missed completely!

Zhang Yang took a step forward to his left!

As Carter landed under the basket and just stood firm, Zhang Yang’s second step changed direction to Carter’s left front, he jumped, knocking the just-stabilized Carter to the ground, and slammed the ball into the basket with both hands!

23-21, the Bobcats surpassed the Nets by two points! The Nets called for another timeout!

The live spectators cheered wildly!

This season, Carter returned to the roster averaging 25+ points. In the eyes of fans in the Carolina region, he was still a star on the same level as Kobe, McGrady, and at least as Allen... being from North Carolina himself and carrying the nickname ’New Airman,’ he was somewhat seen as one of their own. Consequently, Carter was held in higher regard by basketball fans in this region than in other regions.