Chapter 221 220. The Emotionless Stone Buddha

Zhang Yang let out a "whoosh" and ran to the inside, saying to Duncan who was running back from defense, "You're playing so hard against your old teammate, do you owe him money?"

Duncan thought to himself, "Who is to blame for this?" But he ignored Zhang Yang and ran back to the backcourt. After returning to the basket, he had a question: Shouldn't he ask, "Does he owe you money?"

Seeing Zhang Yang approaching, Duncan focused his attention on protecting the rim.

Zhang Yang went to the frontcourt and passed the ball to Felton, who continued to create high-post singles opportunities for Zhang Yang.

After Zhang Yang slipped to the baseline, he used Okafor's off-ball screen, Felton broke through Parker and passed the ball, and Zhang Yang continued to receive the ball in the high position and singled out Parker.

Parker stuck closer than in the previous round, and immediately stuck close after Zhang Yang moved away.

But Zhang Yang did not step back to shoot, but turned around and rushed forward, going straight to the basket from the middle!
After blocking Felton, Duncan quickly pulled back. Zhang Yang took two steps, used the European step, came to the right side of the reasonable collision zone, and made a jump shot... Duncan predicted it and turned to block Zhang Yang, but Zhang Yang's shot was too fast and Duncan failed to block it, and the ball fell into the frame!

When the Spurs attacked, Duncan took on two opponents in the low post, played with a poor rhythm, turned around and made a hook shot when being double-teamed!

On the sidelines, Carlisle watched this scene and said anxiously: "We had to run so much to create a single-player opportunity, but Duncan only needed to get into position and play a single-player game to respond."

Bickerstaff responded: "If necessary, he can still score 25 points every night like Yao did. It's incredible. I think this is the second time he has changed his playing style."

Carlisle: "Yeah, last season, Duncan had the worst performance of his career in the regular season. I thought he was past his peak, but I didn't expect that he was actually using the regular season to practice his skills. In the playoffs, his playing style was completely different. He became the strongest floor flow. In the second round against the Mavericks, he averaged 7 points in 32 games. If I remember correctly, that was his highest score in a single series in his career. If Ginobili hadn't fouled Terry's three-pointer in the last minute of Game , the Spurs would have had a good chance of successfully defending their title.

Nazr can't stand up to Duncan. Unless Emeka double-teams in advance, it will be difficult to effectively interfere. Finley averaged 2.2 three-pointers per game in the Western Conference Finals. Gerald can't double-team, so how about letting Kendrick play?"

Bickerstaff: "Using Kendrick to squat under the basket can indeed do a better job of defending Duncan, but it is difficult to create mismatch opportunities for Jack. Jack's success rate against Finley is definitely not as high as that against Parker.

And even if Kendrick was on the court, he might not be able to defend against Duncan. The Jazz used Okur to defend against Duncan, Kirilenko and Harpring, but Duncan shot 57% of the time, and helped Oberto shoot 70%. We have to prioritize Jack's success rate in high-post singles, and we can only hope that Nazr and Emeka can create more trouble for Duncan and get through his strong start."

Carlisle: "That's right, but wouldn't it be too tiring for Jack to fight like this?"

The Bobcats' opening two-round offensive routine looked simple, but actually contained many details.

Felton needs to control the rhythm of his breakthrough and Okafor needs to grasp the timing of his blocking.

When Zhang Yang slipped out from the left side of the three-second zone, Muhammad on the left baseline had to seize the opportunity to cut in to contain Oberto, and Gerald Wallace on the right sideline also had to seize the opportunity to cut in at the right time to prevent Bowen from defending the high position.

Not only are high requirements placed on several players for cooperation, but Zhang Yang also has to have a good grasp of the rhythm of his movement and the timing of receiving the pass, in order to create opportunities to single out Parker in the Spurs' team defense, which is one of the best in the league.

Playing in this way, Zhang Yang's singles success rate is higher, but the physical energy consumption is much higher than directly playing against Finley.

Bickerstaff: "It doesn't matter. He is just a scorer. It is enough to complete the assigned scoring tasks. If Jack can exchange Duncan, it will be a great profit."

Carlisle: Is it enough for a scorer to just do what a scorer is supposed to do?
Yes, in the Eastern Conference Finals that year, if Billups was only responsible for scoring, instead of having to score, organize the offense, and block the wing under Kidd's defense, would he have played better? At that time, there were also Clifford Robinson, Atkins, and Jon Barry, so at least they would not be swept?

那年东决可以说是比卢普斯生涯最悲惨的一次系列赛，4场比赛场均10投2.8中拿到9.8分，还被基德场均拿到23.8分。

Although Bickerstaff's words did not bring about enlightenment for Carlisle, they did give him new insights into coaching... An excellent coach is always willing to learn.

On the court, Zhang Yang saw Duncan score in a one-on-two match in response to his mismatched singles. His thoughts were completely different from Carlisle's. Instead of being worried, he became even more excited!

Compete against peak Duncan in the finals!

Although he had to rely on the help of his teammates to create easier singles opportunities in order to compete with Duncan...never mind, he competed anyway!
It was the Bobcats' turn to attack again, and Zhang Yang continued to run.

After two consecutive rounds of mismatches, the Spurs made adjustments on defense. When Zhang Yang slipped out from the baseline, Oberto let go of Muhammad and pulled him up. After Zhang Yang used Okafor's screen, he stood in front of Zhang Yang. Finley chased Zhang Yang around the basket and directly blocked Muhammad from cutting in.

Although Zhang Yang quickly shook off Oberto and received the ball in the high position, the defensive changes of Oberto and Finley prevented Felton from passing the ball in the first time. When Felton passed the ball to Zhang Yang, Bowen on the wing had moved up to block Zhang Yang. This time, Parker did not stay at the free throw line to defend the high position, but rushed all the way to the baseline to block Gerald Wallace who cut in.

The reason why Felton was able to pass the ball to the target was purely because of his good passing skills and his good coordination with Zhang Yang.

If someone else, even a talented passer like Rondo, were to play the ball, the Spurs would likely cause mistakes.

And even though Zhang Yang received the ball, the difficulty of the singles game did not decrease but increased instead, as the defender changed from Finley to Bowen.

Seeing Finley switching defense to Felton, Parker following Gerald Wallace... Zhang Yang didn't pass the ball, hit him!
Facing Bowen's defense, Zhang Yang made a fake move to break through, dribbled the ball from behind and took a step sideways. His movements were light and agile, but he failed to shake off Bowen!

Bowen's movements didn't seem fast, but his predictive ability was so strong that he was not fooled by Zhang Yang. He pressed forward decisively when Zhang Yang stepped forward and changed hands to pull the ball. When Zhang Yang dribbled the ball behind his back and raised it to shoot, Bowen interfered!

Zhang Yang missed the mid-range shot, and Duncan secured the defensive rebound.

In the transition between offense and defense, Parker received the ball and advanced to the frontcourt, then passed it to Duncan in the low post.

Okafor got to the basket in advance, trying to rely on his personal ability to block Duncan's scoring space under the basket while blocking Oberto who cut in from the weak side to get the ball. Muhammad's defense also changed, sticking close to Duncan to prevent Duncan's hook shot and high shot.

Turning around and going to the basket might create a great chance for Oberto to score, but it might also result in a turnover. Duncan didn't take any risks, and he wanted to score the ball himself! Just like Zhang Yang wanted to score the ball himself just now!
He leaned towards Muhammad, stepped forward out of the three-second zone, turned around, and shot a close-range jump shot at a 45-degree angle... and it went in!
The scene was filled with cheers! 6 to 4, Duncan beat Zhang Yang!
When the Bobcats attacked, Felton went to the frontcourt and received the pass from Zhang Yang. Seeing Zhang Yang accelerating towards the basket, he immediately understood Zhang Yang's intention. He waited until Zhang Yang entered the three-second zone from the elbow area, crushed Parker and broke into the inside.

After defending for several rounds, the Spurs have gained experience in switching defense in the interior. Oberto moved forward and Finley switched defense... but Zhang Yang did not go to the high position after the screen!
After Zhang Yang blocked Finley with the help of Okafor's screen, he circled around Okafor and re-entered the three-second zone behind Duncan who was moving to the right side of the three-second zone!

Felton's pass arrived in time when Zhang Yang entered the three-second zone.

Duncan thought to himself that it was not good when he saw Felton passing the ball when he was still a long step away from his favorite lob area. He turned around at full speed and pressed back...his eyes went dark.

Zhang Yang received the ball and jumped with all his strength, then slammed the ball into the basket through Duncan amid the screams of fans at the baseline!

The fans who supported the Bobcats and Zhang Yang in front of the TV screamed excitedly, but the scene was quiet for a moment, and then there was crazy booing and cursing at Zhang Yang.

The Bobcats players on the sidelines jumped up and cheered, while the players on the field quickly retreated to the backcourt and then high-fived Zhang Yang to celebrate.

In the last round, Zhang Yang missed the shot and Duncan scored a single shot. The morale of the Bobcats was slightly suppressed, but Zhang Yang immediately regained the situation!

When the Spurs attacked, the Bobcats players were ready to defend against Duncan's dunk by Zhang Yang.

But Duncan did not continue to play one-on-one in the low post. Instead, after Parker advanced to the top arc, he went up to help Parker with screen and roll!
The Spurs players had calm expressions, and their positions and movements were orderly...the Bobcats players felt like they were punching cotton.

They clearly played a beautiful team play and even dunked, but their mood was affected instead.

Zhang Yang missed the game with Tianzun so much. If he dunked over Tianzun, that guy would definitely be furious and ask for a substitution, and then he would be defended by Okafor and Gerald Wallace.

Here at the Stone Buddha…my heart is as cold as stone.

Duncan: What's the difference between a dunk and a layup? Aren't they both two points? Bad boy Jack has stopped playing one-on-one and started playing tactical coordination, so of course I don't have to continue to work hard on one-on-one and start playing tactical coordination.

Duncan pulled out for a pick-and-roll, bringing Muhammad out. Okafor was the only one left under the opposite basket. Parker excitedly rushed into the inside after setting a screen. He could still handle Okafor alone... and passed the ball after entering the basket.

Gerald Wallace's backup defense was too quick! It was even harder to deal with than the Jazz's AK47!

Kirilenko is better at expanding out from the inside to provide backup defense. With the help of Duncan's pick-and-roll, it is not difficult for Parker to deal with the inside play. However, Gerald Wallace plays like a standard small forward, shrinking to provide backup defense, coupled with the inside defense, Parker is really desperate.

Finley bypassed the area where Gerald Wallace cut off the pass and came to the right side of the free throw line to receive the pass from Parker. Muhammad tried his best to make up for it. Finley received the ball without any pause and jumped up to shoot before Muhammad could get in position to defend... and it hit!
When Zhang Yang returned to receive the serve, he complained to Okafor who was serving, "What a scumbag! A top-paid player is just a pitcher!"

Okafor nodded, he agreed.

芬利03年与小牛队完成5年顶薪续约，05年就被库班裁了，现在一边拿着小牛队剩下的三年顶薪、一边拿着马刺队的3年840万薪水当角色球员。

A former top-paid player becoming a role player is a dimensionality reduction blow to most role players. In this season's playoffs, Finley made 48.2% of his long-range shots, averaging 4.3 goals from 2.1 shots per game, and 42% of his three-pointers, averaging 5.3 goals from 2.2 shots per game. His shots were concentrated in these two areas, plus sporadic cut-in points and free throws, averaging 12.8 points per game in the first three rounds.

And from the perspective of tactical coordination, Finley is better than Ginobili. Ginobili is an all-around scorer, while Finley is a pure tactical finisher.

After complaining for a while, the two continued to attack.

Felton has been attacking for several rounds in a row, and now it’s time for the two of them to play singles and attack.

Okafor was a little excited at the moment. He blocked Duncan for the ball, received the ball and beat Duncan, turned and cut one step to face the baseline, and hooked the ball... He was forced to adjust the arc higher...

Okafor used Duncan's tactics against Duncan, which was like waving a sword in front of Guan Gong's goal. Duncan predicted Okafor's next move and moved in time to interfere!

After Duncan completed the interference, he did not raise his hands to show how hard he was defending like some defensive players did. Instead, he turned around and went to grab the rebound, regardless of whether the opponent scored or not, and occupied the position first.

Okafor was forced to raise the arc of his hook shot, but it missed. Duncan moved to block Gerald Wallace's rush and grabbed the defensive rebound.

The Bobcats players quickly retreated, and after the Spurs players came over, Okafor strengthened their defensive confrontation against Duncan, Gerald Wallace against Finley, and Felton against Parker.

After the opening star-studded showdown, the Spurs had already begun to intensify their confrontation when the Bobcats were attacking just now, so they naturally had to keep up.

Parker broke through with the help of a screen, had no chance to pass the ball, and missed the shot when faced with the double team of Okafor and Gerald Wallace.

Looking back, Zhang Yang singled out Finley in the high post and successfully broke into the inside... but his shot was interfered by Duncan who moved in advance.

From this round on, the offensive success rate of both teams dropped rapidly...The Spurs firmly gained the upper hand!

(End of this chapter)