No.1 in basketball scoring-Chapter 827 - 351. The same tactics, different execution methods

The preparations for the game against the Chicago Bulls were basically completed on the afternoon of the 29th. The next day, on the morning of the match day, the Bobcats had a light preparation, only conducting two 20-minute non-contact position training sessions for the TV station to film.

The filming started before 7 o’clock in the morning. The previous two times the Bobcats played against the Bulls were at home, and only Zhang Yang was bothered early in the morning. This time was different; the whole team woke up past 7 to have breakfast, and the camera was rolling, so anyone who woke up too late would worry about being criticized by the TV station. Jordan, who was playing against his former team, even ran from his Chicago estate to the hotel before dawn, entering the restaurant at 7 o’clock sharp, pretending to be the first one up and eating and living with the team during away games.

Zhang Yang saw his teammates’ antics and felt just one word—awesome!

After the morning training session, Zhang Yang was interviewed by numerous domestic and American media outlets.

Domestic media interviews were very official, with formatted questions, which Zhang Yang was already familiar with and easily managed.

The American media was trickier, but Zhang Yang had his way of dealing with them—praising others.

Flatter him, and he would praise others; mention his shortcomings, and he still would praise others, saying someone else is worth learning from in that aspect. Of course, comments about his faults must be factual. If they insist on attacking him, he would choose to retaliate directly without holding back. It’s no problem even if he falls into their trap or gets slandered, as his reputation is just like that.

The crazy NCAA Final Four is about to begin, and Zhang Yang, as a ’North Carolina legend,’ had previously gone to watch Curry’s game in person and was asked about the topic during the interview.

When asked who would be the ultimate champion, Zhang Yang answered without hesitation, "North Carolina, there’s no other possibility."

When asked which of the four point guards leading their teams to the Final Four is the most impressive, Zhang Yang again answered without hesitation, "James Harden. He is the most outstanding player this year, the most talented player I have ever seen."

After a two-second pause, he continued, "Stephen Curry is special. I envy his three-point talent and greatly look forward to facing him in the future.

Russell Westbrook and Derek Rose are also excellent. Their speed in breaking through and their ability to attack the basket are things I want to possess.

I think this year’s college basketball fans are very lucky. They might all become NBA MVPs in the future; looking back ten years from now, this may be the craziest Final Four ever."

During lunchtime at the temporary lounge of Davidson College in ATT Arena in San Antonio (the host site of this season’s NCAA tournament final), Stephen Curry, this season’s NCAA biggest dark horse, was having lunch and checking news on his computer. His friend Bryant Bar had just informed him he was in the news again.

Curry was both surprised and delighted to see Zhang Yang say he looks forward to facing him in the NBA and say he would become MVP in the future. The high expectations from this new generation king seemed too much to believe.

He thought it might be just as the reporter analyzed in the report, that Zhang Yang simply thought other three players have the talent to become NBA stars, and he casually included him to avoid hurting him... But the other day when the Bobcats just flew back to Charlotte, Zhang Yang specifically came to watch his game in person...

He couldn’t help but imagine—perhaps mischievous Jack really does expect him to become an MVP-level player?

No, no, that’s getting carried away.

He focused his gaze on the news report’s photo, the person in it—James Harden.

"Most outstanding, most talented?"

Curry’s competitive spirit overflowed!

...

At 8:40 pm, at the United Center Arena in Chicago, Zhang Yang and his teammates entered the court together.

In front of the camera, they put on a show of friendship first and competition second, and then Zhang Yang and Yao Ming turned to their teammates to discuss how to take down the opponent.

The Bobcats wanted to gain a winning advantage in regular-season matchups against the Bulls, and the Bulls felt the same way.

Both teams saw each other as the biggest competitors in the East; as for the Pistons, currently second in the East... Yao Ming and Zhang Yang, while chatting the night before, considered them just bones in the grave.

The Pistons are strong right now, and it’s not impossible to beat them in the playoffs, but this team is already seen as having no future in their eyes.

Heavenly Venerate’s aging and decline trend is obvious, Noah has good talent but progresses too slowly. Once Heavenly Venerate’s ability drops to a certain threshold, breaking the inner and outer strength balance Philip Saunders maintains, the team’s offense and defense will crumble, and that team will be gone.

Compared to the Pistons, Zhang Yang and Yao Ming both felt the Magic and Hawks are the opponents that need special attention in the coming years.

Once the pre-match preparation time was over, Zhang Yang came to the court, looked up at the big screen, and the game was about to start. The records of both teams were displayed on the big screen.

The Bulls have played 71 games, with 59 wins and 12 losses, winning 17 out of 19 games after the All-Star weekend. Counting the 9-game winning streak before the All-Star weekend, they’ve won 26 of the last 28 games, with one 12-game streak and one 10-game streak, being the only team this season to achieve 10+ winning streaks twice.

This season there have been only four 10+ winning streaks—Bobcats with 13, Lakers with 11, and the other two were from the Bulls.

At this stage, the Bulls players’ stats have basically stabilized.

Yao Ming played 66 games, averaging 25.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game;

Ben Wallace played 70 games, averaging 5.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 2 blocks per game;

Hinrich played 65 games, averaging 15.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game;

Luol Deng played every game, averaging 17 points, 7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks;

Sixth man Nocioni averaged 13.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, with Joe Smith being the top substitute inside, averaging 8.2 points and 6 rebounds, and Chris Duhon being the top substitute outside, averaging 6.2 points, 4.4 assists, and 2 steals.

Adding Sefolosha, Adrian Griffin, Aaron Gray, Tyrus Thomas...

The team averaged 102.3 points per game, conceded 94.1 points per game, leading the league in net points!

The big screen switched back to the same perspective as the fans on the same side, Zhang Yang brought his attention back to the court, the referee walked onto the court with the ball, he threw away his distractions, concentrated, and immersed himself in the game.

At 9 PM, the referee blew the whistle and threw the ball into the air, Okafor defeated Yao Ming to win the jump ball, the game began, and the Bobcats team attacked first!

Bobcats starting lineup: Felton, Zhang Yang, Mike Miller, Okafor, Brad Miller.

Bulls starting lineup: Hinrich, Sefolosha, Luol Deng, Ben Wallace, Yao Ming.

Felton advanced to the frontcourt, Hinrich guards at the top of the arc;

Okafor moved to the left side of the three-second zone, Ben Wallace defended on the edge of the three-second zone;

Mike Miller moved to the right sideline, distracting Luol Deng.

After his teammates were in position, Brad Miller moved from under the basket to the high post, pulling Yao Ming to the free throw line, the Bobcats’ attack began!

Felton made a strong move from the right side of the top arc, Hinrich stuck close to Felton, Felton pushed to the right side of the three-second zone and passed the ball to Brad Miller outside the free-throw line, then turned and ran across the three-second zone to the left sideline.

Okafor moved to the left side sideline of the three-second zone, blocking Hinrich who was chasing Felton, meanwhile, Zhang Yang on the baseline leaned against Sefolosha, turning around and using his elbow to ward off the opponent, cutting into the basket!

Ben Wallace had to cover Felton who used the screen to move to the left sideline for a three-point shot, Yao Ming rushed to the basket but couldn’t get there in time, but the Bulls still had one defensive forward ace—Luol Deng!

Luol Deng immediately moved inside to block Zhang Yang, Brad Miller passed the ball to the right sideline, Mike Miller received the ball... Hinrich filled in!

Seeing Okafor blocking at the left sideline of the three-second zone, Hinrich stopped chasing, folded out from the right side of the three-second zone, and completed a switch defense with Luol Deng!

Hinrich had a lot of small defensive moves, Mike Miller couldn’t handle it, and quickly passed the ball to Zhang Yang, who ran from the baseline to the right side of the free-throw line, Luol Deng switched defense tightly, Zhang Yang just caught the ball, Luol Deng had already pursued him in place.

The Bobcats’ tactical cooperation failed? No!

Success!

Zhang Yang received the ball and smoothly dribbled behind him, arriving at the free-throw line!

Luol Deng could not keep up!

He first rushed from the right mid-range to the basket to cover Zhang Yang’s receiving attack, then immediately turned around and followed Zhang Yang out, having already exhausted himself just keeping up.

Brad Miller passed the ball to Mike Miller and then cut from the middle to the basket, bringing Yao Ming back inside.

Zhang Yang jumped from the free-throw line, faced Sefolosha rushing out from under the basket, shot a mid-range... scored!

The Bulls’ coach Skiles frowned on the sidelines, how could they defend so well, yet the opponent still managed to get a catch-and-shoot chance? No!

This wasn’t actually a catch-and-shoot chance, no matter who on the opposite side shot this ball, the combined defense of Sefolosha and Luol Deng could interfere effectively, but it was Zhang Yang who caught the ball, that’s what made it a real opportunity!

The way the Bobcats executed their first attack was vastly different from what Skiles had anticipated. The tactics were still the same, the movements were barely different, but the purpose of executing the tactics was clearly different from what he saw in the Bobcats’ cooperative style over the past month during his review of the footage.

It was the Bulls’ turn to attack, very straightforward, Yao Ming received the ball in the low post and backed Brad Miller.

Brad Miller held firm for a moment... got backed into the three-second zone, he decisively gave up resistance, when Yao Ming approached again, he abruptly stepped aside.

However, Yao Ming’s downward pressure and backward force movement was just a fake motion, he rose up again, turned around and shot before Okafor could double-team him... scored!

Brad Miller stepped aside from the chair, did not hold out long, Okafor’s contraction was in vain.

But no one could blame Brad Miller, for a massive center at 226 cm, 137 kg to still manage such finesse when stamina is good, it was impossible to defend.

Being unable to stop Yao Ming, the Bobcats team already had psychological preparation, Brad Miller was just trying as best as he could to use experience and skill to contend with Yao Ming.

Back to the Bobcats’ offense, Zhang Yang continued to run from the baseline, after receiving the ball, instead of moving toward the free-throw line, he actively leaned against the pursuing Luol Deng, pulled the ball, spun around Luol Deng, penetrated inside once more, and before Yao Ming turned and extended his arm to interfere, executed a quick hook shot... scored!

Skiles: The opponents’ tactical execution style has indeed changed!

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