No.1 in basketball scoring
Chapter 527 - 229. The Battle of Tianwangshan Part 1

Chapter 527: 229. The Battle of Tianwangshan Part 1

The Bobcats won again!

Seeing the report, many fans who thought the finals were already a foregone conclusion were truly annoyed that they hadn’t witnessed the Spurs losing!

Opening the report and seeing Duncan’s 30 attempts for 16 field goals plus 18 free throws for 10 points and a playoff career-high of 42 points, fans knew without reading the details how the Spurs probably lost.

If his teammates couldn’t score, Duncan had no choice but to hammer away to tally high points, resulting in a team loss... This had been one of the common ways the Spurs lost over the past decade, and in the playoffs, whenever Duncan faced such a predicament, they pretty much always lost.

Before this game, Duncan had scored over 40 points three times.

The first time was during the ’01 Western Conference Finals, when the OK duo was too powerful and Duncan’s 41 points still led to a Spurs loss.

The second time was in the ’03 Western Conference Finals Game 1, when Nash scored 26 points to blow Parker away, and Nowitzki kept driving to the basket, getting Malik Rose fouled out with six fouls by the third quarter and Ginobili with four, forcing Duncan to shoot like mad to score 40 points. The Spurs ultimately still lost 110-113.

What people most enthusiastically discussed about that game wasn’t Duncan’s 40 points overshadowing Nowitzki’s 38 but the last moments of the game when Popovich called a timeout and devised a three-point play. Just as the ball was passed to Duncan, the designated shooter, Van Exel hugged him, disrupting the three-point play. Duncan missed both free throws, and the Spurs lost the chance to tie the game, ultimately facing defeat.

The third time was last season’s second-round Game 7 when Duncan scored 41 points, and the Spurs lost in overtime; this was the most regrettable incident for Duncan’s fans.

At that time, the Spurs had a deep frontcourt with Duncan, Muhammad, Nesterovic, Oberto, and Shawn Marks—it was their best-structured season since David Robinson’s retirement. And their backcourt was stacked, too; they had just brought in Finley and snatched Van Exel. In critical moments, both the Madman and the Blade were on the court, which even the runner-up Mavericks from the previous year dreaded to face, let alone stop their clutch shots.

Many believed that if Ginobili hadn’t inexplicably reached out in the last moments of Game 7, the Spurs could have successfully defended their title.

After the game, it was no surprise that another Bobcat stepped up to talk big in the post-game interview—this time, it was Felton, who had sunk six three-pointers to kill the Spurs.

"I won’t let the finals go to a Game 7!" declared the Round Mound of Rebound and Little Brother with equal fervor.

The Bobcats won, so their players naturally said whatever they wanted, and their fans thought it was right for the young players to have some spirit.

Some fans were waiting for the Bobcats to lose so they could use Felton’s words, along with what Zhang Yang said after Game 1, to mock them.

At the post-game press conference, Popovich’s words also sparked controversy.

A reporter asked, "Ginobili only scored 9 points on 13 attempts tonight. If you had given those shots to Parker, he could have been more efficient than Ginobili. Do you regret subbing Parker out at the critical moment?"

Popovich usually wouldn’t respond to digs at Parker, and he’d just smile at those about Duncan, but when someone dissed Ginobili, Popovich’s protective instincts flared up.

Popovich forcefully replied, "I don’t think it was the wrong choice. You only see Manu’s bad performance tonight, but I see the numerous times he has led us to victory. If you’re going to enjoy the pleasure of him helping the team win games, you also have to accept when he performs poorly. Even Jordan and Kobe have had moments that ruined victories."

...

The current finals format is 2-3-2, with Game 5 still taking place at the Bobcats’ home court, and there’s only a one-day rest between Games 4 and 5.

On the 19th, in the morning of the rest day, Zhang Yang arrived at the stadium a little after 9 a.m., ready to have a meeting with the members of the Big Brother Group.

The first thing he did upon arrival at the stadium was to go to the boss’s office and offer incense to Lord Guan.

Interestingly, Boss Joe happened to be offering incense as well.

After greeting the boss, Zhang Yang lit the incense and prayed devoutly for Lord Guan’s protection of his health, safety, and to bring him wealth.

After finishing the offering, Zhang Yang said to Jordan, "Michael, did you see Popovich’s interview last night?"

Jordan replied, "Of course, I saw it. I was at the press conference too, live."

Zhang Yang said, "He compared Ginobili to you, and you didn’t object?"

"Ah?" Jordan was momentarily speechless before responding, "Your focus is really unique. When other people heard what Popovich said, they felt sorry for Parker. As his opponent, shouldn’t you be thinking that there might be discord within the Spurs team, and we could exploit that?"

Zhang Yang clapped his hands in feigned admiration, "Wow, BOSS, you’re so smart, so awesome, you noticed such an important thing."

Jordan blinked and suddenly reached out quickly to grab Zhang Yang, but Zhang Yang reacted swiftly, dodging with agile footwork before quickly escaping.

Teasing the boss and then running away was truly thrilling.

Zhang Yang had indeed noted the potential rift between Parker and Popovich, and he called for a meeting that morning with the younger brothers precisely to discuss this.

By 10 a.m., the Big Brother Group members had all gathered in their usual lounge, beginning an enthusiastic discussion.

The method of exploitation was simple—trash talk.

Just a little saliva was needed; if it worked, great, if not, no big deal. It was a no-lose scenario, and everyone started energetically brainstorming trash talk contributions until an unnamed player wearing number three spoke up...

The trash talk they came up with was no more than "You’re really pitiful," "Nobody loves you, not even your coach," or more straightforward dirty slang.

But Zhang Yang’s trash talk made them feel they’d need to see a psychologist after arguing with this little brother.

That’s when they remembered, with this bad boy around, why did they need to come up with their own trash talk?

Rondo remembered the fear of being dominated during his trial with the Bobcats this time last year...

Felton had always been curious and finally asked today, "Jack, I’ve never seen you argue with anyone off the court, so how come your words on the court are so... aggressive?"

Okafor quickly turned to Felton, impressed by his advanced vocabulary; he hadn’t been reading all those books for nothing!

Zhang Yang answered, "Probably learned it from a book, isn’t it similar to debating?"

Felton said, "Now that you mention it, it kind of does. Jack, recommend me a few books on this subject. I always lose arguments and it’s so frustrating. I need to learn how to argue... no, debate!"

Okafor, Rondo, Millsap, Alan Anderson: "..."

All of a sudden, Millsap thought of something and asked, "Who’s going to trash-talk Parker?"

Rondo turned his head to the side.

Zhang Yang: "I won’t be matching up against him."

Okafor: "Same here."

Felton saw everyone staring at him and felt something wasn’t right, but he still volunteered to take responsibility: "I’ll be matching up with him, so should I do it?"

Rondo let out a sigh of relief. It’s great that the big guy likes to take responsibility; his reputation won’t get tarnished!

...

The afternoon’s pre-game training was similar to the day before last, not much in quantity and quite routine in content.

At this point in the game, the players’ on-the-spot responses and the coach team’s strategic layout are more important than tactical training.

The day of rest quickly passed, and June 20th, the fifth game day of the Finals, arrived.

At 8:40 p.m. at Tuhang Stadium, the Spurs and the Bobcats teams entered the court one after another. The battle of the Finals’ pivotal game was about to begin.

Usually, Parker would initiate a conversation with Duncan, but today he did not, dribbling quietly on the sideline all alone.

Popovich felt uneasy watching this scenario.

Not just now, but starting this morning, Parker hadn’t spoken to any of the team members, including him, his head coach—not one word.

Usually, it was he who gave Parker the cold shoulder, and he didn’t feel anything was wrong then, but now that Parker was ignoring him, he felt quite uncomfortable.

After what he said last night, he immediately regretted it, regretting his impulsive temper. Some things are better kept inside; why did he let it out?

But when he was an assistant coach, his two mentors were the Crazy Scientist Nelson and the iron-blooded Larry Brown, both fiery coaches. Especially the latter, who commonly berated and belittled his own players. Having learned under these two coaches for several years, it would be a surprise if he had a good temper and could keep his mouth shut.

Indeed, he regretted not his thoughts and attitude but the fact that he had voiced them...

After the loss and speaking without discretion, Popovich didn’t sleep at all last night, and he managed less than an hour’s sleep during the day. Now, not only was he feeling uneasy, but his mood was also unstable due to fatigue.

Popovich looked across the court where the Bobcats’ players were spirited and full of life... The momentum of the young team couldn’t be suppressed, and they had become even more confident after the previous game!

He felt that now they might not even fear Duncan!

Looking at his own team, the atmosphere was already not very enthusiastic. Now with Parker silent and the mood from the loss, it felt dead and lifeless...

The few minutes before the game quickly passed, and the starting lineups of both teams took to the court.

The Bobcats’ starters: Felton, Zhang Yang, Gerald Wallace, Millsap, Okafor.

The Spurs’ starters: Parker, Ginobili, Bowen, Oberto, Duncan.

At 9 p.m., the referee blew the whistle to start the game and tossed the ball into the air. Okafor leaped energetically, beating Duncan to win the tip-off—Bobcats to attack!

Felton caught the ball and controlled the pace as he advanced, waiting for his teammates to get into position by the time he reached the top of the arc.

Parker was guarding at the top of the arc, playing good defense. Although his defensive skills were poor, his attitude was good and active, and he had always done the things he could well, even now, feeling down, but still, the game had to be played properly.

Yesterday night Felton had hit six three-pointers, so today he must stick close to him.

Just when Parker thought Felton would pass the ball to Zhang Yang or Okafor to spread out, Felton spoke.

"Oh, Tony, I feel so sorry for you. Popovich is being so unfair to you. How are you any worse than Ginobili?"

Parker: Huh? Is my opponent consoling me?

Parker momentarily lost focus, and seizing the opportunity, Felton, who had been observing Parker’s facial expressions, broke through!

Parker got brushed aside, and by the time he reacted and tried to catch up, he was already a few steps behind. With the three-point line being that big, even with his speed, he couldn’t catch up after a couple of steps and slowed down.

Felton broke into the lane unobstructed down the middle, with the Spurs’ wing players too far away to block. Duncan had to leave the no-charge zone to step up.

Felton lobbed a pass, and Okafor caught it in the air, slamming it down for two points!

Watching Felton and Okafor high-five while retreating, Parker was furious!

He had thought his opponent was consoling him, but they were actually using trash talk to distract him!

Rarely speaking Duncan actually spoke up, "Tony, focus on defense!"

Normally, Parker would have quickly nodded in response, but this time he felt inexplicably irritable and didn’t answer, just took the ball and advanced.

Once in the frontcourt, Parker adjusted his mood, ready to properly participate in the offensive play.

Just as he was at the three-point line, about to lob the ball to Duncan, the chubby opponent spoke again.

"Tony, that’s so unfair, isn’t it? Ginobili shoots 13 and only scores 9 points, yet no one blames him. You miss one defensive play, and you get yelled at..."