novelhk Chapter 27 Battle Magic
Chapter 27 Battle Magic
Both Van Gundy brothers, former commentators, are knowledgeable about football, but neither is content with commentating from the sidelines; they prefer to coach themselves on the field. Judging from their years of coaching experience, they are both rather inept and playful, with a stubborn and conservative style. They are barely adequate as head coaches, but winning a championship is virtually impossible for them; they would be more suited as assistant coaches.
Compared to Van Gundy's stubbornness to the point of rigidity, Van Gundy was more passionate and slightly better at coaching and utilizing players. The "one star and four shooters" tactic wasn't his original idea; he perfected it to a systemic level with the Magic. If Howard had just played better and reached the Finals once more, or won a championship with the Magic, Van Gundy would have been a renowned coach by some extent.
Back to the game, inspired by Stan's passionate encouragement, Howard temporarily put aside his shooting opportunities and focused on defense.
The situation on the Magic court quickly improved.
With his focus shifted back to defense, Howard's presence in the paint is indeed formidable. His defense, whether it's individual defense, help defense, big men guarding small men, or even his playmaking defense, is becoming increasingly sharp.
In the first four games of this season, Dwight Howard limited opponents to an average of less than 97 points per game. In today's league where the average score for all teams is close to 100, this defensive efficiency is quite remarkable. Keep in mind that his teammate is a slow and unmotivated stretch four like Rashard Lewis. To have a defensive system with such weaknesses yet still manage to elevate it to the top of the league—what criticism can you possibly have?
On the offensive end, the one-star-four-shooter offensive system, when functioning properly, has proven to be quite effective, currently averaging over 100 points per game.
So when he was interviewed by reporters later, Howard's "100-point theory" was not nonsense; it may have been the Magic's tactical philosophy.
The supersonic team's overall offense was thus limited.
With Howard guarding the paint, the inexperienced Green's drive to the basket was blocked, while Billups took some wild shots from the outside, with mediocre efficiency.
The team's only hope now rests on Du Xiaoshuai.
Coach P.J. quickly realized that everyone had underestimated the Magic's defense. With Howard retreating to the basket, the four players on the outside could leave some open and boldly double-team the opposing scorer.
This double-teaming was more decisive than that of other teams, and Durant could feel it very clearly, especially beyond the three-point line, where the shooting space was compressed by more than half, and the scoring efficiency also dropped significantly.
At the end of the first quarter, the Magic led by one point, 22-23.
Du Xiaoshuai played the entire first quarter, shooting 5-for-12 from the field, 1-for-4 from three-point range, and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, scoring only 13 points. All his teammates combined for less than double digits!
Howard also played the entire first quarter, scoring only 5 points, but he had 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.
In the second quarter, Coach P.J. and Coach Du discussed it and decided to continue to have him lead the substitutes on the court, and to place him on either side of the free-throw line on offense.
This is an adjustment made by Durant based on Lao Da's playing style in the 08 Finals. These days, mid-range shots still dominate. The rule of using the tip-the-knee whistle on offense is not yet fully open. If someone uses their leg to block your lower body or their hand to cover your eyes, the farther away from the basket, the lower your shooting percentage will definitely be. Even Durant, whose offensive skills have long been perfected, is no exception.
The Magic had the same idea, and Van Gundy also let Dwight Howard bring his substitutes onto the court.
The SuperSonics' best opening winning streak was a 10-game winning streak in the 1993-94 season, led by George Karl and featuring Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. That was the SuperSonics' most glorious era in recent decades. Since Kemp left, Rain City has never had such a brilliant start.
Supersonic speeds are on the rise!
杜小帅本场，35投19中，三分9中4，罚球6中6，砍下48分8篮板12助攻4盖帽3抢断，3失误3犯规，再次拿下40+准三双。
比卢普斯14投6中，三分7中3，罚球5中5，砍下20分3板8助攻1抢断。杰夫·格林14分3板2助攻，科林斯20分7板，托马斯8分5板，乔·史密斯6分6板，德隆特·韦斯特5分2助攻。
魔术队，霍华德20投9中，罚球23中11，砍下29分16篮板3盖帽，拉沙德·刘易斯15投7中，三分8中4，罚球4中4，砍下22分2板3助攻。希度·特科格鲁13分4板9助攻。
Statistically, both teams did their best and performed reasonably well. However, Du Xiaoshuai's performance was simply too overpowered; he was unstoppable.
After the game, the players from both teams shook hands, and a reporter took a photo of Du Xiaoshuai and Rashad Lewis together. Fans on the sidelines booed and even hurled insults at Lewis, who had left the team for money.
Du Xiaoshuai didn't seem to have any ill feelings towards the senior who had defended him for most of the game.
In the league, business is business. If a $100 million contract is offered, even if it means replacing Durant, he might still betray the team. It's really unreasonable for fans to ask him to stay with the team, especially since the SuperSonics weren't a championship contender at the time.
Rashad's playing style is somewhat soft, and his athleticism and aggressiveness are not very good. However, as one of the pioneers of stretch big men, his shooting range and accuracy can help Durant spread the team out. If he were to stay, he could actually complement Durant's style of play, but the cost-effectiveness would be too low.
With a salary of $1550 million in his first season, how many times must owner Bennett have to fawn over his wife!
Even after the loss, Howard still shook hands and hugged Durant with a carefree smile.
Thankfully, I used the odor-removing card!
"Bro, let me know before you come to Orlando next time, and I'll take you out for some fun!" Howard made a gesture of touching a disc, almost shouting "Boom boom!"
What's so great about being in a small town like Orlando? Going to Disneyland?
Du Xiaoshuai was disdainful in his heart, but he still smiled and nodded on the surface. He couldn't afford to narrow his path.
He then shook hands and hugged Van Gundy under the watchful eyes of Coach P.J.
At the post-game press conference, Durant and Coach P.J. took a leave of absence, leaving Billups and Jeff Green to deal with the media, while he left the arena early.
His mom wasn't home; Nicole and Paris were having a party with him at the hotel that night, with their girlfriends in tow!
They don't pay press conferences, so whoever wants to go can go!