Chapter 509: Chapter 154: Solid Horse Stance

Time-out over, the Lakers inbound the ball from the halfway line.

Zhang Hao passes the ball to the Magician and runs onto the court, just reaching beyond the three-point line when something unexpected happens...

Decisively moving to the left baseline, Zhang Hao glances at Kidd and can’t help but ask, "You’re guarding me?"

Kidd ignores Zhang Hao—thinking, as if I could!

But under Dick Motta’s arrangement, who in the Mavericks would dare not listen?

Why did George McCloud manage to break out? It was because in January, under Dick Motta’s strategy, George McCloud had to be the primary shooting option for the Mavericks besides Jim Jackson.

This renowned coach, with strong coaching skills, a championship, and a Coach of the Year award, is remembered not for these but for his fiery temper and uncompromising coaching style. In the late 80s, the Mavericks were poised to become a top team, and under Dick Motta in the 86-87 season, they racked up 55 wins to achieve the second-best regular-season record in the West. At the time, Mavericks stars Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman, Derek Harper, and Sam Perkins were just peaking, but when management traded away role players Motta valued during the offseason, he quit in protest and didn’t return to the Mavericks until seven years later, after letting go of the past.

Even management was scared!

Seeing Zhang Hao in this position, Kidd had a bad feeling—no way, going one-on-one with a point guard, would the guy really post up?

Kidd knew his coach was gambling, betting that Zhang Hao wouldn’t post up against a point guard, thus Kidd could focus on blocking Zhang Hao from getting open and receiving the ball, which he could do well.

This defensive strategy could potentially succeed; some players are very concerned about saving face.

However... once Zhang Hao’s teammates were in position, he decisively called for the ball against Kidd!

The Magician was somewhat surprised too, but since Zhang Hao presented a scoring opportunity and wanted the ball, the Magician passed it over without hesitation.

Upon receiving the ball, Zhang Hao carefully protected it, turned his back, and leaned in...

He really did post up! Seeing Zhang Hao leaning back and bumping Kidd away, everyone else on the court was surprised.

"Huh? Is Kidd really that bad at defending post-ups?"

Kidd’s strength rating is as high as 91, putting him at a level that intimidates other point guards on defense; even few small forwards have Kidd’s power. Zhang Hao’s height disadvantage doesn’t favor shoulder movements, and at worst, he could get called for an offensive foul, so he’s cautious when posting up...

Who knew Kidd couldn’t make use of his strong base to defend the post-up!

In that case, Zhang Hao wasn’t afraid and kept driving in!

With Kidd’s face full of resolve and frustration as Zhang Hao gradually bumped him closer to the basket from mid-range...

So tragic!

Even the Lakers fans in attendance thought Kidd’s situation was tragic!

With the space created, Zhang Hao had the chance to turn and charge inside, but he didn’t. Instead, he waited until Kidd was pushed into the three-second zone, ensuring a stable position, before turning around, shooting a short-range fadeaway... and scoring!

As Zhang Hao retreated on defense after scoring, he felt the odd stares from both opponents and teammates but didn’t pay much attention... he didn’t think from the angle of "bullying."

In his understanding, Kidd can defend post-ups from power forwards like Nowitzki, shooting guards like Kobe, and power players like Garnett, Wade, and James, so naturally, he needed to stabilize his height and use the advantages in confrontation; the steadier, the better.

What he didn’t know was that Kidd would become so skilled at defending post-ups only after enduring the battering from post-up masters like Mark Jackson, Payton, Kobe, and McGrady over the next ten years.

Zhang Hao’s steady-as-a-rock playing style, coupled with the Lakers’ rather quick lineup, made their defensive retreat very timely.

After retreating to the backcourt, Zhang Hao saw Kidd gritting his teeth as he advanced.

Not understanding why, Zhang Hao took a position at the top of the arc.

Defending Kidd’s shot... wasn’t important; Zhang Hao quickly thought about how to disrupt Kidd’s passing lanes, the first step being to analyze the Mavericks’ other players’ movements and determine who Kidd might pass to... only none of it came to use.

Kidd wasn’t foolish; angry as he was at Zhang Hao for posting up against a point guard, he was still clear-headed. Once outside the three-point line, he immediately executed a pick-and-roll with the team’s best screener, Raul Myers, going straight for the basket!

It’d be tough against Campbell, but with Campbell subbed out for rest and Zhang Hao not protecting the rim, it became much easier for Kidd to make a close-range floater!

Zhang Hao choosing to post up against Kidd was unexpected on the Mavericks’ side, but Dick Motta’s rotation strategy was superb; he predicted the Lakers would surely switch to a faster lineup, even foreseeing Zhang Hao would be guarding Kidd!

Having coached for over 20 years, from the ’60s to the ’90s, Dick Motta excels at adapting to the changing times and exhibits high adaptability and openness to many aspects.

Players like Zhang Hao, with guard speed and power forward physique, were not unheard of to Dick Motta; he anticipated Del Harris’ changing strategies.

Transitioning back to offense, the Lakers’ attack resumed in half-court play. Once Zhang Hao reached the frontcourt, he noticed the defense had changed, with Jim Jackson now guarding him, and Kidd marking Doug Christie.

Zhang Hao decisively ran towards the basket, and the Magician took the ball at the high post. Using Jason Williams, who excelled at setting screens, Zhang Hao blocked Jim Jackson. Lacking Kidd’s footwork and speed, Jim Jackson struggled to keep up, allowing Zhang Hao to come around for the Magician’s pass. From the baseline, he executed a turnaround fadeaway... scoring effortlessly!