No.1 in basketball scoring
Chapter 604 - 261. At least the basic support has been maintained.

Chapter 604: 261. At least the basic support has been maintained.

But those heir-apparents without any real stake, who got no favors, still stood firmly with the Rockets from Aleksandar’s perspective. They blasted Yao Ming, turning into zealous spiritual shareholders of the Rockets, angrier than anyone else.

Of course, there were also many comments expressing concern for Yao Ming.

Two days later, during the Chicago Bulls’ second preseason game against the Magic, Yao Ming, facing the most talented young Center, Howard, played 28 minutes and easily scored 15 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks. During the time he guarded Howard, he held Howard to just 2 out of 6 shots and 1 out of 4 free throws, totaling 5 points and 8 rebounds... easily shattering those domestic criticisms against him.

The Chicago Bulls’ team integration progressed very quickly. By the end of the training camp, they had pretty much gelled together.

Yao Ming is a very standard traditional Center type. The offensive and defensive tactics tailored for him were plentiful. Although Skiles might struggle to adapt to the league’s trends in the future, at the tail end of the traditional era, his capabilities were quite exceptional, effectively combining the Bulls’ strong mobility on the perimeter with Yao Ming’s league-leading defensive efficiency under the basket.

Compared to Yao Ming, who plays in a team that employs traditional tactics, Zhang Yang’s side... after four consecutive away games against the Hawks team, Miami Heat, and Magic, they lost all three.

On October 18th, the day after playing the Magic, the Charlotte team concluded their 8-day, 4-game road trip and flew back to Charlotte.

On the plane, the atmosphere was somewhat subdued. Even though it was just the preseason and the wins and losses didn’t matter, no big man likes to lose or misses hearing someone say ’you’re impressive’?

However, despite the low spirits, everyone’s enthusiasm was still pretty good; they grouped in twos and threes to discuss.

Alan Anderson and Afflalo, following the lead of the boss, proactively sought advice from Mike Miller and Cardinal on tactics and positioning.

Millsap, following the boss’s instructions, sat beside Hill, listening to Hill tell stories.

Okafor, Perkins, Muhammad, Rondo, and others discussed defensive issues.

Herrmann sat alone by the window reading a solitary book...

Zhang Yang and Felton sat together, watching video clips of the games against the Hawks team and Miami Heat.

In front of the younger players, Felton confidently directed them to do what needed to be done.

But when he sat alone with his little brother in a corner, the plump boss began to complain, "Rick’s changing tactics way too often; every match there are so many adjustments, continuously increasing everyone’s tactical positioning, reducing tactical positioning, increasing ball movement, reducing... I can hardly keep up."

Zhang Yang: "I’m also struggling, but Rick’s ideas are good, you see those adjustments and think they’re great, don’t you?"

Felton: "The tactics are good, like the ones led by me, you, and Emeka, we all play well, especially when the three of us play together, with Grant at power forward, and paired with Mike, I feel we play better offensively than we did in last season’s Eastern Finals and the Finals. What did you call that term again? Fundamentals! Right, fundamentals, we’ve maintained our fundamentals."

But other tactics... not to say they’re bad, but Rick switches them too quickly. One game he gives Rajon the freedom to initiate offense, the next game he reduces Rajon’s drives, making him play pick and rolls with Paul, then against the Magic he’s got Paul playing off-ball..."

Zhang Yang: "Rick indeed thinks of too many possibilities, and he’s too impatient, trying every possibility. But whether it’s Rajon or Paul, they’re both too young, their fundamentals aren’t strong enough to deliver the performance he imagines. He has to make adjustments, but there’s no helping it, he’s under a lot of pressure."

Felton: "Neither Michael nor Bernie has put pressure on Rick, right?"

Zhang Yang: "They shouldn’t have. Not only do they not pressure Rick, they might even lower the expectations for this season’s results, but becoming the head coach of our team is inherently a high-pressure job."

Felton: "Why?"

Zhang Yang: "Well, let’s put it this way, imagine you first studied at Duke for two years, and people thought you were one of the strongest players in the NCAA. Then you transferred to North Carolina in your junior year, but North Carolina had just won the championship in your sophomore year, and their key player had retired. You became the core player as soon as you transferred to North Carolina, what would your goal be?"

Felton: "It could only be the championship, with so many people watching... So that’s it, if I were studying at Duke and North Carolina won the championship, then no matter how much I liked North Carolina, I wouldn’t go there. A team that changes its core will inevitably see major changes in tactics, the new core and seasoned players need to adjust their play. If I were Rick, I probably wouldn’t choose to come to our team. He could find a job anywhere with his skills."

Zhang Yang: "That’s why Rick is highly respected, he didn’t run off to the Chicago Bulls to fight for the head coach position with Skiles but stuck with his initial choice and became our coach after seeing us win the championship."

Felton: "I see now, other teammates might complain, but as the leader, I can’t complain at this moment, I need to support Rick!"

Zhang San gave Zhang Yang a thumbs up. Off the court, Zhang Yang might not be very smart, but with him leading the team, Zhang San didn’t have to worry about a thing!

Zhang Yang wasn’t anxious about the slow progress in team offense synchronization. As Felton stated, their team’s foundation was there, with the trio core improved from last season, and now they even had a front-line pivot core that hadn’t existed before, and Millsap’s tactical talent was also getting recognized.

Zhang San, for his part, focused on how to make baskets tactically and non-tactically, and on enhancing his one-on-one defensive ability. Even if the team offense synchronization was slow, he could just shoot more, he was already prepared to take more shots if the team offense wasn’t working.

The coaches’ area.

Watching Carlisle sit alone by the window, scribbling in his tactical notebook, Little Bickerstaff said to his father: "Bernie, aren’t you going to comfort Rick? Or should I? I feel he’s under a lot of stress."

Bickerstaff: "Comforting him will only make him more stressed. What he needs now isn’t comfort but someone who can help him figure out solutions. Can you solve the problem quickly?"

Little Bickerstaff shook his head honestly: "No, I’m far behind him, he is already so anxious, how could I possibly have a solution."

Bickerstaff: "Neither do I. He wants to do so much, and every action leads to more problems. This can only be resolved over time... but there is a way to help reduce his stress."

Little Bickerstaff: "What way?"

Bickerstaff: "Help him by subtracting. Next time in the tactical meeting, tell him forcefully that our pace is too tight, that it needs adjustment, and express your dissatisfaction with his highly tense coaching style."

Little Bickerstaff: "Hmm, and then?"

Bickerstaff: "Then I’ll fire you to show the team’s support for him. And before you are fired, you strongly propose dissatisfaction and suggestions. He might reflect on whether subtraction is necessary because of your dismissal. Maybe it will have an effect."

Little Bickerstaff: ???

You really are my dear dad!

Seeing his son’s shocked expression, Bickerstaff mocked: "Haven’t you wanted to jump ship for a while? Don’t you want the opportunity when it’s given?"

Little Bickerstaff scratched his head sheepishly and said: "I had heard Rick’s coaching style was rigorous, but only after he became the head coach in July did I realize how strict he was. He insists on overseeing everything himself, his suggestions are always better than my ideas, I feel like an idiot compared to him."

That comment made Bickerstaff feel a bit embarrassed to goad his son further, a bit too pitiful...