Chapter 125 124. Afraid? The rookie got even more excited!

Zhang Yang didn't know that his appearance had planted a hidden mine in the fortune teller's future plans.

On March 3, the Bobcats came to Rutherford Township Army Aviation Arena to challenge the Nets away.

The most brutal schedule of eight consecutive matches against strong opponents has finally come to the last game.

The Nets currently have a record of 45 wins and 26 losses, with 11 games left to play, and a 50-win season is a sure thing.

After the Bobcats lost to the Heat, their record dropped to 36 wins and 35 losses, with a clear gap with their opponents.

If the Bobcats lose this game, their winning rate will drop back to 5%. However, this time, Zhang Yang did not feel the impetuous feeling from his teammates after playing back-to-back games against the Pistons and Wizards.

During the player discussion session of the morning pre-match meeting, everyone spoke enthusiastically and actively participated in the discussion under the leadership of the fat boss.

Although the fat Boss was not very smart, not smart enough to make Zhang Yang give up on guiding him, his recklessness was indeed very touching.

At 6 o'clock in the evening, the Bobcats' away game against the Nets began.

Okafor defeated Jason Collins to win the jump ball, and then he made a fierce attack in the interior, scoring 4 goals in the first 3 rounds, including 1 2+1, and scored 7 points alone!
The last time the two teams met was the first game at the beginning of the month, and the Bobcats lost by 1 points. At that time, Okafor had just returned. Although he had made sufficient preparations for his comeback, the offensive rhythm was not very good during that period, and Bickerstaff did not use him as the main scoring point. However, even though the rhythm was not online and he was not the offensive spearhead, he still scored 9 points in that game.

As this month comes to an end, Okafor has completely regained his game feeling. Not counting tonight's game, he averaged 15 points and 16.4 rebounds in the first 10.8 games, with a hit rate of 53.2%. Tonight, he started by beating the Nets' twin towers Nenad Krstic and Jason Collins.

Jason Collins was also miserable. He was undefended to begin with, and there was another player holding him back. On Okafor's 2+1 free throw, it was Kostic who came in to make up for the foul.

It has been Kidd's fifth year with the Nets, and the Nets' weakness has not been improved - the inside line.

Especially after Kenyon Martin left, the Nets' interior defense became even weaker.

The Nets have been trying to strengthen their team. In the summer of 02, they traded Van Horn for Dikembe Mutombo, who claimed to be 36 years old and had 3 years and 5000 million US dollars left on his contract. In the summer of 04, they traded back the 37-year-old Clifford Robinson after losing Kenyon Martin. It's not that they don't want young players. They are willing to spend money and offer higher salaries than other teams, but even so, they still don't come! Didn't you see Kenyon Martin wanted to leave right after his rookie contract ended?

However, the Bobcats did not gain a clear advantage at the start as they did not do well on the defensive end.

Although Okafor's low-post singles success rate limited the Nets' strongest defensive counterattack, the positional defense strategy failed to take effect.

In the previous three matches against the Nets, the Nets started with a pass-and-cut combination, using the impact of Richard Jefferson and Carter to open up the situation in the interior, from the inside to the outside, combining inside and outside. Bickerstaff made targeted defensive preparations for this, sending out the twin towers of Melvin Eli and Okafor to enhance the defensive mobility on the wing.

But the Nets' first attack was Carter's breakthrough and pass, and Kidd received the ball in the corner and made a three-pointer.

In the next three rounds, Carter also broke through. If there was a chance to attack the rim, he would attack it. If not, he would pass the ball. If he couldn't attack or pass it, he would pass it to Kidd who came in from the baseline to receive the ball, so that Kidd could see more opportunities.

4个回合下来，山猫队拿到7分，篮网队也4投2中拿到5分。

Following the Pistons and Heat, the Nets also paid attention to the Bobcats! The preparations are more thorough and targeted!
It was the Bobcats' turn to attack again. Okafor attracted a double-team in the low post and passed the ball to Felton in the left corner... After helping to block Richard Jefferson's cut in at the left elbow, Kidd quickly stepped back and slapped the ball for a steal... Fortunately, the ball was slapped to the baseline, and the referee blew the whistle and pointed out of bounds, with the Bobcats having the ball in the frontcourt.

Bickerstaff made a prompt decision and made a substitution, replacing Kareem Rush with Zhang Yang.

This time he appeared a little early and only played for more than two minutes.

Zhang Yang immediately stood up, took off his training suit, high-fived Kareem Rush who was replaced, and walked into the court, ready at all times!

The fans at the scene gave Zhang Yang enthusiastic boos. The boos were not so loud when Okafor scored 2+1 just now.

The reason is that Nets fans think that Zhang Yang stole Carter's All-Star starting spot, even though Carter only ranked fourth among guards in votes...

Zhang Yang also felt Carter's hostile gaze.

The four shooting guards are all petty. How long has it been? Zhang San wanted to trade with the other team to be an All-Star substitute, but the coaches would not choose him, so he could only be the starter.

The Nets also made a substitution, replacing Kostic with iron man Clifford Robinson.

The Bobcats continued to attack with only 9 seconds left. Felton received the ball and immediately launched an attack. Although the time was tight, he was methodical. The timing of his crossover step and lateral breakthrough just happened to cooperate with Okafor who was moving up, and they were in perfect harmony.

The two did not make any tactical gestures, and Kidd did not notice Okafor who was pulled out and was blocked tightly.

But Kidd reacted quickly and immediately switched defense with Clifford Robinson who came out to defend the pick-and-roll.

Okafor gave up the idea of ​​pulling away for a mid-range shot and went to the basket from the left side against Kidd.

Kidd hates Okafor! He recalled the dark days three years ago when he was defending the pick-and-roll with Duncan and Parker.

Carter came over from the left side of the three-second zone to help Kidd block Okafor. Kidd just breathed a sigh of relief and let Okafor rush in like this. Jason Collins was going to be in trouble again, but he suddenly realized, why is Carter here?
Kidd quickly turned around and ran to a high position, as expected!

Not only Felton and Okafor have a tacit cooperation, but also Zhang Yang!

Zhang Yang came out from the left side and received the pass from Felton.

Kidd flew forward to block the shot…The rookie on the opposite side didn't even look at him, turned around and jumped after catching the ball, and shot a mid-range shot. His movements were connected very smoothly, and his shooting action was very standard and full of beauty…Hit!
Okafor first showed his inside deterrence, Felton made a pick-and-roll breakthrough to take away Clifford Robinson, who was 39 years old but still excellent in assisting defense, and used Okafor's cutting threat to push the defense down the line to create high-post shooting opportunities. Kidd saw through the opponent's tactics in just one round.

Cutting in to block, catching the ball and intercepting long shots are the Nets' defensive strengths.

With him and Richard Jefferson, they are not afraid of any player who plays one-on-one at the top of the arc.

But their defense still has two flaws.

One is one-on-one defense under the basket, but they are used to it. As long as they don't meet super inside players like O'Neal, Yao Ming, or Duncan whose athletic ability was destroyed by plantar fasciitis who play one-on-one for fun, they can just use offense to hold on. There are very few inside players who can score more than 30 points purely by one-on-one like those three brothers. Look, Okafor started to pass the ball after playing for a few rounds, and they couldn't stand it if they continued to play.

But add a player who can score from the high post and mid-range...

Kidd thought of Zhang Yang's mid-range shot after catching the ball. As for his shooting ability, he only shot one ball and couldn't tell whether he had improved or not. However, his technical movements and rhythm of catching the ball, turning around and shooting showed obvious improvement compared to the last time they played against each other at the beginning of the month!

为什么说‘又’？因为他已经不止一次感受到张杨进步，季前赛交手1次、11月下旬交手1次、1月交手1次、这个月月初交手1次……每次交手时都能看到进步！

As a veteran who has been playing in the NBA for more than ten years, Kidd always pays attention to young talents, and the youngest rookie in history naturally comes into his field of vision.

Look at how fast other people's shooting has improved, and then think about his own... Kidd doesn't want to think about it anymore. Thinking too much will only bring tears. He will go home tonight and let his wife beat him up to distract himself from his sadness.

The Nets attacked, Kidd advanced to the frontcourt and continued to pass the ball to Carter... He regretted it after passing it.

Sure enough, he saw Carter in a triple threat stance.

It’s nothing. Demigod Carter, playing against a 17-year-old rookie, may have a higher shooting percentage than a role player in an open shot after a tactic is implemented.

But Carter felt a little uncomfortable. He raised his hand and waved it several times, but the other party ignored him!

It was a fake pass, but the other guy didn't even bother to pass in the triple threat and just stayed in front of him.

If he breaks through, he might not be able to handle it alone, with Gerald Wallace and Melvin Eli on the wings... Carter raised his hand and shook it again, and when he finished the fake move and retracted his hand, he suddenly accelerated and raised the ball again, jumped up, and shot a three-pointer...

This rookie reacts really fast! He jumps up!

In a split second, Carter added a little fade and threw the ball...but missed!
Okafor protected the defensive rebound, Zhang Yang received the pass at the free throw line, turned around and launched a counterattack, but was blocked by Carter outside the three-point line.

Zhang Yang slowed down and protected the ball and advanced to the center circle, then he stopped suddenly, dribbled the ball between his legs and moved one step to the left. Just when Carter thought he was going to change direction and pass the ball, he suddenly grabbed the ball and passed it!
Zhang Yang's straight pass flew to Gerald Wallace on the right side of the opposite top arc. Gerald Wallace received the ball and rushed forward, attracting the double-team of the retreating players and then passed the ball to the left. Melvin Eli who followed up received the ball and dunked it with both hands to get two points!

When Kidd saw Zhang Yang's defensive style, he felt like him, not seeking steals or blocks, but prioritizing not making mistakes, with a clear defensive purpose...

Seeing the way and rhythm of Zhang Yang’s counterattack, it feels more like him!
Could it be that this is my fan? Kidd's eyes on Zhang Yang instantly became much friendlier... We are playing a game, so we can appreciate this later.

When it came to the Nets' offense, Carter no longer used the triple threat. None of his teammates had the ability to run out of position like Reggie Miller, Alan Houston, Hamilton and other players, nor did they have the aggressive inside counter-running. The triple threat was directly cut off and only the double threat remained. The opponent was obviously only focusing on his shot, and the opponent's predictive ability was amazingly good. Continuing to use the triple threat became a pure strong shot against the defense.

Carter chose to break through directly!
Zhang Yang could keep up with the pace, but he couldn't withstand the confrontation, and Carter crushed Zhang Yang into the inside!

But just as Carter thought, the opponent's wing defense came in time and he could only pass the ball.

Clifford Robinson went around to the high post to receive the ball and then passed it to Richard Jefferson who cut in to receive the ball and then passed it to close range... Jason Collins made a layup and scored two points!
7 to 11, the Nets kept the score close.

The offense and defense switched, and the Bobcats attacked.

The Bobcats continued to play the positional offensive tactics from the previous time. Kidd saw through the opponent's tactics, but did not hastily order his teammates to adjust their defense. If they wanted to block the high-post mid-range shot, then their formation for defending cuts and three-pointers would be disrupted.

This time, Zhang Yang missed the shot!
But when it came to the Nets' defense, the Bobcats made adjustments, giving priority to preventing Carter from attacking the basket directly, Richard Jefferson from cutting in to eat the ball, and Jason Collins from standing still to eat the ball, giving Kidd the opportunity to receive the ball and shoot in an open position on the sideline and Clifford Robinson the opportunity to shoot from a high mid-range position.

Clifford Robinson didn't dare to shoot and passed the ball to Kidd. Kidd took a three-pointer from the right sideline...but missed!

Felton grabbed the defensive rebound, but the counterattack failed and Clifford Robinson led his teammates to retreat.

Although the counterattack was successful, Kidd was under pressure!
With a center like Okafor who has enough size, good athleticism, and good defensive awareness, the defensive advantage is too great, and it is easy to make effective defensive adjustments.

Unlike the Nets, they saw through the opponent's offensive tactics but did not dare to adjust them casually, because their defense relied on the point guard and small forward, and the tolerance rate was extremely low.

Kidd had no choice but to gamble, betting that the rookie wouldn't make the shot, so he didn't dare to shoot.

However, Zhang Yang not only dared to shoot, he also dared to score!
Zhang Yang, who had just missed a shot in the previous round, received the ball at the top left corner of the free throw line at the same position, turned around and shot... and it went in!
13 to 7, the score difference is 6 points again!
It was the Nets' turn to attack, and Carter broke through alone. This time he didn't pass the ball. He went to the left to avoid Gerald Wallace, and before Melvin Eli could get in place, he made a quick stop and jump shot... and it went in!
Kidd looked at Zhang Yang. Is the rookie scared?
He dared to bet that the opponent's rookie would miss an open shot. He did not rely on his team's team offense, but on the superstar scorer Carter!

But Zhang Yang's reaction was completely different from what Kidd had expected. Instead of being shocked, he became even more excited!

Competing with Carter in points? This is what Zhang Yang has always dreamed of!
……

……

I was sweating like crazy last night, my pillow, bedsheets and quilt were all wet, and I slept until almost 10 o'clock, but the feeling of heaviness and floating head that I had last night is gone. I quickly wrote a short chapter and updated it first, and then I will continue writing~
(End of this chapter)