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Chapter 717 - 304. The Three Eagles who found their direction

Chapter 717: 304. The Three Eagles who found their direction

Bibby’s dissatisfaction was written all over his face, and both Joe Johnson and Pierce were embarrassingly awkward.

In the first quarter, they had been excessively modest with each other, resulting in all the pressure falling on Bibby alone, yet both felt aggrieved in their hearts.

Pierce: As a newcomer, isn’t it normal for me not to seize the leading role on offense? Who knew that Johnson, touted as the contemporary Jordan, wouldn’t hog the ball at all? What happened to being top ten in the league in usage rate?

Joe Johnson: Who could have guessed that Pierce, who constantly boasts about being the top small forward in the league, would be so polite when he joined us? I was all prepared to be the second or third option!

They were excited about playing together in the last game, especially against the Knicks Team at the mecca of basketball, where they hadn’t thought much and just let loose freely.

But after the initial excitement of their debut, Bibby was okay since his tough upbringing fostered an iron will, leaving no room for gains and losses; whereas Pierce and Joe Johnson had their concerns.

However, now that Bibby brought their issues to the fore with his complaints, there was no need for silent modesty anymore, and they could discuss matters openly.

Joe Johnson: "It’s tough playing one-on-one against that bad boy, so Mike, Paul, you guys take the lead tonight, I’ll support. If needed, I can also pass."

Bibby: "I’m also struggling against the King, but I can run pick-and-rolls with Al. Al’s poor at coordinating plays, so I’ll need your help, Joe. When the bad boy’s on, you handle the plays, I’ll try to create mismatches for you to avoid him, and leave the rest of the offense to Paul."

Pierce: "Alright, you two handle the team offense, and I’ll take care of the isolation plays."

Having finished their first effective communication since joining forces, they turned to look at the head coach who had gathered beside them.

Woodson: "...Ahem, who do we need to sub in?"

As a head coach, Woodson felt somewhat embarrassed to ask that question, but he listened as the trio arranged their roles better than he could...

The team’s lineup was finally normal, and he was just about to enjoy being able to make his plays when the well-connected vice president informed him of bad news: owner Price was considering removing him from his position.

Luckily, the vice president had persuaded the owner that it wouldn’t be appropriate to change coaches immediately after a big trade, which saved Woodson from being dismissed on the spot.

But if the team’s performance continued to slide, he estimated that by the time the second wave of coaching changes rolled around, which was during the All-Star weekend, he would still be on the chopping block.

He had thought that with Bibby, Pierce, and Joe Johnson at his disposal, the team would be unstoppable, but when it came down to figuring out how to blend the three stars...

If he had an off-season, a full training camp, seven preseason games... with that time, it would be no problem.

They had only put these three together mid-season, and now the team’s system was lacking.

Pride is something to be discarded when necessary.

Bibby squinted at Woodson and asked, "Aside from the three of us, Al, Zaza, Josh, do we have anyone else that can play?"

True to the rumors, the White Devil was as blunt as ever... Woodson responded, "The management is actively seeking trades and recruits, with the three of you, our team has a strong appeal."

Bibby: "That’s true, but first we need to perform well. You can let the three of us play more. I’m used to playing with a seven or eight-man rotation, and both Joe and Paul can handle extended minutes."

Pierce and Joe Johnson nodded in agreement with Bibby’s statement.

Woodson’s confidence soared. The patience of the three stars seemed quite good.

Well, all three had endured several years, and now that they finally saw hope, they naturally had great patience.

For now, he left the offense to the three stars, as he didn’t have a better plan... but he wasn’t just standing by idly; he had to quickly get the defense in order.

Having been an assistant coach for so many years, he knew how rare it was to have such a core trio!

...

After the intermission, the second quarter began with the Hawks team on offense.

Hawks team lineup: Bibby, Childress, Pierce, Solomon Jones, Horford.

Solomon Jones, this year’s second-round pick. Yes, another forward at 208 cm. Before Christmas, with an explosion of forwards on the Hawks team, he only got ten appearances, averaging four minutes, and now he’s a key rotation player on the inside...

Bobcats lineup: Rondo, Zhang Yang, Mike Miller, Millsap, Muhammad.

Bibby advanced to the frontcourt and passed the ball to Pierce to play it safe.

While Woodson might not be great at coaching offense, he could still handle lineup rotations. After listening to the ’private chat’ of the three stars, knowing that Pierce and Joe Johnson were deferring to each other, and even though the three stars had come to an arrangement on their sequence, to prevent further hesitation, he subbed out Joe Johnson, who was more restrained, and gave Pierce a push.

This move did indeed spare Pierce of hesitation and Bibby of headaches.

Pierce received the ball on the right side of the top of the arc and waited for Bibby to move to the 45-degree angle on the left before he made a strong drive past Mike Miller, penetrating the inside.

Millsap directly moved to the free throw line position, forming a double team with Mike Miller.

Pierce didn’t pass to Solomon Jones, pushing through the double team with two powerful steps, pulled up amidst the confrontation, and took a one-step jump shot inside the free throw line. It didn’t go in, but he drew a foul from Millsap!

Watching Pierce raise his chin and walk up to the free throw line, Rondo, who was standing outside the three-point line with his hands on his hips, said to Zhang Yang, "Jack, you guessed right, they really gave up on having Horford facilitate."

Zhang Yang, "They don’t have an inside player with strong cutting and receiving ability. The only stable player on the wing without the ball is Joe Johnson. Bibby and Pierce are both more accustomed to shooting threes from the top and sides of the arc; Horford doesn’t have the kind of conditions Paul had to practice playmaking.

Those three players have high basketball IQs. Once they confirmed this, they wouldn’t try it again. They need to immediately bring out their fighting strength. Their efficiency in isolations and splitting the ball is higher than letting Horford facilitate."

Rondo nodded, it was another day of learning analysis experience... but Brother Three hasn’t even been practicing basketball for five years, right? Is this what they call a genius? I’m really envious.

Pierce made both free throws, 24 to 31. The Hawks team reduced the lead to 7 points.

In the change between offense and defense, the Bobcats initiated their Bald Flow triangle offense.

Muhammad set a screen for Zhang Yang on the wing, Millsap was ready at the high post to facilitate the ball distribution, and Mike Miller slipped along the baseline towards the right sideline... As the Hawks team retreated on defense, Bibby had already made the defensive calls, letting Pierce and Horford watch out for the connection between Millsap and Mike Miller.

The Hawks team was well-prepared to cut off the middle passes... Rondo suddenly accelerated past Bibby, drove straight to the basket, and scored with a flying layup.

Rondo retreated on defense without any expression after scoring, glancing at Bibby as he passed by.

Seeing the confusion in Rondo’s eyes, Bibby also felt awkward.

After being traded to the Hawks team, Bibby’s attention was focused on the Bobcats and the Chicago Bulls among the Eastern powerhouses... The Pistons were ignored by him. In his view, the Pistons were at the tail end of their peak, and players like Billups, Hamilton, and Rasheed Wallace were getting older. The era of the ’Fearsome Five’ was coming to an end.

When studying the Bobcats, Bibby concentrated on the games where the Bobcats struggled or lost, identifying a key point—cutting off the middle.

After returning from the break, when he saw the Bobcats’ lineup, he predicted they would run the triangle offense, so he directed his teammates to cut off the middle.

After Rondo blew by him, Bibby realized he’d had a lapse of judgment. Anyone can cut off the middle, but the key is to have good defense everywhere else after you do.

Kirilenko had Okur, Garnett had Kwame Brown, and Ben Wallace had Yao Ming... They only had Horford, and whether it was cutting off the middle or protecting the rim, Horford couldn’t do it alone currently, let alone multitask; even Garnett couldn’t manage that.

Luckily, Bibby always presented a poker face, his expressionless facade hiding his embarrassment from everyone.

Moreover, the Hawks were defending poorly tonight overall, so no one cared about a single mistake in defensive improvisation; they couldn’t stop them anyway.

Bibby received the ball and advanced to the frontcourt. After Pierce initiated an attack with a pull-up, Bibby and Horford started an offense with a pick-and-roll.

Having played three years of college, ending his NCAA career with back-to-back championships, Horford indeed had a very well-rounded ability, timing the pick-and-roll perfectly and setting solid screens.

No longer tasked with facilitating, Horford quickly left the top of the arc after setting the screen, cutting along the left side of the paint, drawing Muhammad’s defensive attention.

Bibby faced a switch from Millsap as he drove inside. His speed wasn’t fast, but he maintained his pace amidst the occasional contact from Millsap, showing his strong core strength and readiness to stop on a dime. Millsap did not dare to back off.

As he approached the low post, Bibby suddenly stopped... and passed the ball!

Solomon Jones cut along the baseline, received the ball on the right side of the paint, took a step, and slammed a two-handed dunk for two points!

Good physical condition, good sense for catching passes... Zhang Yang felt yet another player’s career trajectory had changed.

Originally, the Hawks frontcourt was cluttered for many years ahead, and a player with the ability of Solomon Jones was unlikely to get playtime. Even Pachulia, a player who could score an average of 12 points and 7 rebounds and play both offense and defense, had become a bench player.

Now, with the Hawks cashing in on their frontcourt talent to produce the All-Star Pierce, Solomon Jones had become a key reserve. If he could seize the opportunities to catch and finish alley-oops, securing a contract extension should be no problem. Muscle-bound forwards who can run and jump are needed by all teams.

In the change between offense and defense, the Bobcats continued to move in their Bald Flow triangle offense.

This time the Hawks didn’t extend out to block the passing, Rondo drove in and passed to Mike Miller on the wing, who then passed to Millsap in the middle. Millsap passed to... Zhang Yang, who moved up from the left baseline, using a screen to suddenly turn and cut back to the mid-distance on the left baseline, received Millsap’s pass, took a turnaround mid-range shot... and it went in!

When it was the Hawks’ turn to attack, Bibby, using a screen, pulled up for a three from the right of the top of the arc. It missed. On the change in offense and defense, Rondo was left open at the free-throw line. He received a pass back from Zhang Yang, and Coach Rondo decisively took the shot, hitting the jump shot from the free-throw line!

to 26, the Bobcats extended their lead to 11 points!

Right after that, Bibby used a screen again and threw a three-pointer. This time it went in, reducing the deficit to 8 points!

On the sidelines, Baldy: "Worthy of three peak All-Stars, they quickly made clear their way of playing!"