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Chapter 915 - 386. The Draft Event (Part 1)

Chapter 915: 386. The Draft Event (Part 1)

Zhang Yang continued his training, lately focusing on FIBA-standard three-pointers and counter-attack drills.

In his spare time, he watched videos brought by the men’s basketball coaching team to familiarize himself with the playing styles of his future Olympic teammates.

Watching the videos was tedious, but he could handle it, as he often engaged in such monotonous tasks.

However, the coaching staff consisted of 11 people, including 4 head coaches, nearly matching the number of players on the roster; he didn’t even manage to remember all their names in one meeting.

Fortunately, the materials left by the coaching staff included each coach’s resume and attached photos.

Still, he was curious about how many of these coaches would be useful and whether the bench could even accommodate them.

A few more days passed, and on the evening of June 19th, Zhang Yang, with his parents and younger brother, gathered in front of the TV to watch the NBA Finals game six.

In the first game, the Lakers, possibly resting too long, couldn’t get into form and lost to the Bulls 73-86 on the road.

In Game 2, the Lakers again had a poor start, trailing the Bulls 29 to 21 in the first quarter. However, they exploded in the second quarter, scoring 24 to 18, narrowing the gap to two points by halftime. In the third quarter, during "Kobe time," Kobe scored 16 points. With the team’s concerted defensive effort, scoring 27 to 19, they overtook the Bulls by 6 points entering the final quarter.

Just when everyone thought the Lakers would seize the away-court advantage, Yao Ming, Hinrich, Ben Wallace, and Luol Deng exploded in the final quarter. Yao scored 11 points, making 4 of 6 shots and 3 of 4 free throws. Hinrich hit two three-pointers for 9 points before and after the official timeout. Luol Deng defended while Ben Wallace’s help defense held Kobe from 6 of 8 in the third quarter to 2 of 6 in the final quarter...

In the final quarter, the Bulls managed a 32 to 20 run, completing a comeback to hold the second home win at 98-92.

Though they lost Game 2, the Lakers regained their form. Media analysts noted the Lakers’ initial lethargy in the playoffs, where they struggled through six games against the Nuggets before easily defeating the Jazz 4 to 1. The Western Conference Finals were a sweep, leaving them too long a break before the Finals.

Back at home, the Lakers defeated the Bulls 89 to 82 in Game 3 and won Game 4 decisively at 91 to 79. Just when people thought the Lakers would clinch the pivotal "King of the Mountain" match at home, the two teams entered double overtime in Game 5. Ultimately, the Bulls used their depth to secure a 7 to 3 run in the second overtime, narrowly winning 113 to 109, taking the critical road victory.

Zhang Yang watched these games live, discussing with his parents and the team Trainer, concluding the Lakers’ biggest weakness against the Bulls was a lack of forward penetration.

This was also the Bobcats’ biggest disadvantage when they faced the Bulls in the regular season.

Against the "Little Giant" and Big Ben’s inside pairing, with an additional forward like Luol Deng, even the strongest outside penetration doesn’t yield easy points. However, it is essential, unlike their Bobcats, who tried to penetrate with players like Hill and Alan Anderson, only to find Yao easily defending it without needing help from the forwards. The two forwards could focus on additional defensive duties.

The Lakers were similar. Ariza was still developing, with Luke Walton being the only other viable forward option.

Both Zhang San and Kobe had the means to attack the basket, but the effectiveness was uncertain and not ideal for the overall offense. Both players’ teams had Triangle Offense features, and their best tactical movement area was between the elbow and long midrange.

Watching the Finals live this year, Zhang Yang realized something—low ratings for the 2005 Finals were unrelated to defense or the attractiveness of the game, but rather because it was a matchup between the mentor and protégé, Larry Brown and Popovich.

This year’s Finals had watchability, mainly limited to Yao and Kobe’s isolations, but otherwise was not much better than the 2005 Finals, with a continuous defensive battle.

It was only due to rule changes—no hand defense above the free-throw line or extended line, improving conditions for breakthroughs, high-post shooting, and pick-and-roll offensive plays—that the scores weren’t as low.

At 9 PM, the live broadcast began.

In the first quarter, despite being away, the Lakers took the lead as the underdog, 23 to 21, with Kobe drawing attention, Kidd organizing the offense, and Garnett facilitating superbly.

In the second quarter, the Bulls responded with their own 24 to 20 run, overtaking the Lakers by two points at halftime, 45 to 43.

When they reached the third quarter, Kobe again made an effort, scoring 5 of 9, including 2 of 4 from the three-point line, achieving 12 points without free throws, leading the Lakers to a 26 to 19 score and a 5-point advantage.

But in the final quarter, the Lakers faltered except for Kobe’s 3 of 8 shooting for 9 points, Vujacic scored a three-pointer, and Kidd made two cutting layups. Garnett, Kwame Brown, Ariza, Luke Walton, Fisher, Turiaf... all went scoreless, missing all 8 attempts!

The Bulls withstood Kobe’s 21-point barrage in the second half, with Hinrich scoring 4 points and 4 assists in the final quarter, Yao 7 points, Luol Deng 4 points, Big Ben 2 points and 6 rebounds, and contributions from Duhon, Nocioni, and Joe Smith each hitting one three-pointer...