Chapter 2202 - 24: Pioneer_2
It’s hard to imagine that in the 80s, Nielsen was a master of defense, but now, he has transformed into a mad scientist focused only on offense and small players.
This season, The Warriors average 106 points per game, which is quite high considering most other teams often score less than 90 points in a game.
They tied with the Phoenix Suns in the number of three-point attempts, indisputably holding the top spot in the league as a three-point team.
After the game started, Glory was indeed a bit bewildered by a wave from The Warriors.
Because in the defensive end, Glory uses the Turtle Formation, a more laissez-faire attitude toward three-pointers, not rotating freely, letting you shoot.
As a result, in the opening, Baron Davis, Jason Richardson, and others consecutively hit three-pointers, including Yi Jianlian who made a bold shot in the fast break, hitting a three-pointer.
A wave of 12:3 stopped Glory.
Old Nelson indeed gathered a group of fierce players in San Francisco. If Glory doesn’t handle it carefully, it is very possible to capsize here.
Glory’s advantage, of course, is the inside line. After returning from the timeout, Yao Ming immediately received the ball in the low post and attacked Harrington successfully.
The height difference is significant, but Harrington is a strong, aggressive defender, and throughout the game, he will tangle with Yao Ming, causing trouble for him.
Gan Guoyang is a point that The Warriors find difficult to handle; Nielsen did not let Harrington match up with Ah Gan, as Harrington’s short and strong type against Ah Gan would be futile.
Like Yi Jianlian, who has a height advantage, can even slightly limit him, unlike Harrington, who, in the last encounter between the two teams, was scored on by Ah Gan with a 100% hit rate.
On the defensive end, Gerald Wallace returned, prompting Glory to change strategy, no longer using the compact area defense, switching to man-to-man, leveraging intensity and pressure to control The Warriors’ passes and runs.
Not giving The Warriors the chance to shoot threes, letting them drive, post-drive, Ah Gan and Yao Ming guard near the three-second zone. If you have the guts, go ahead.
If you break through, it counts as impressive. If not, obediently hit low-efficiency mid-range shots. If you can kill with mid-range, you’re impressive.
The Warriors’ offensive efficiency immediately declined while Glory slowed the pace, playing a half-court game with The Warriors, focusing on efficiency, not giving The Warriors a chance for fast-break counterattacks.
Allen Iverson took control, continuously dribbling around the perimeter, exploiting gaps in The Warriors’ already imprecise defense with drives and stop-and-pop jump shots, tearing through their defensive lines.
Meanwhile, Yao Ming and Ah Gan fought for offensive rebounds under the basket, grabbing the rebounds if it doesn’t go in, ensuring The Warriors can’t get defensive rebounds to run.
Relying on this clear strategy, within half a quarter, Glory tied the score at 17:17, bringing both teams back to the starting line.
Old Nelson felt a bit helpless, but he knew there was a gap in strength between the teams, and that Ah Gan quite restrained The Warriors’ style of play.
If it was just Yao Ming, The Warriors could tire him out with endless running and fast pace, but with Ah Gan, it’s not the same; this guy has great stamina.
Moreover, in the current era, where attack is weaker than defense, offensive yield is lower than defensive yield, so Old Nelson created such a lineup not from a utilitarian angle, but an idealistic one. He believes basketball ultimately has to return to offense, and the offense on the court, whether individual or team, is far from fully developed.
Everything needs pioneers, and pioneers often become martyrs; predecessors plant trees, and future generations enjoy the shade. Therefore, most people are unwilling to take risks.
Old Nelson is a person with personality; in the Dallas Mavericks, his offensive lineup has always been unable to surpass mountains like the Trail Blazers or Glory. Eventually, Nielsen left Dallas.
As a result, in 06, the Dallas Mavericks, under Avery Johnson’s balanced offensive and defensive coaching system, made a breakthrough to the finals, only to be defeated by Wade and repeated whistle blows.
Now, the Mavericks are making a comeback. To many, Old Nelson’s tactics are merely useless fantasies. How could future basketball be played by a few forwards? No center? Just look at who are the greatest players in NBA history?
But Gan Guoyang doesn’t think so; he understands Old Nelson’s intention. He also vividly remembers the ultimate basketball envisioned by basketball’s inventor, Dr. Naismith.
Glory now emphasizes defense as a practical purpose, given the team’s composition can’t produce an overwhelming offensive flow, only relying on solid defense and pieced-together attacks to make one last push.
But this doesn’t mean Gan Guoyang has forgotten his golden days of swift attacks; he isn’t planning to slug it out defensively with The Warriors and endure a full match.
After returning to the starting line, Gan Guoyang rested off the court. Once he re-entered the game, Gan Guoyang began increasing his shots.
With Allen Iverson and Yao Ming off the court, Gan Guoyang controlled Glory’s offense. He cut through The Warriors’ lax defense with precise long-range shots and scalpel-like passes.
Faced with The Warriors’ counterattacks, Gan Guoyang didn’t chase them fully, allowing Yi Jianlian to dunk and letting Monta Ellis drive in for a layup.
Turning back, Gan Guoyang assisted Mutombo under the basket for a slam dunk, then received Rondo’s pass for an alley-oop layup!
After scoring, Gan Guoyang laughed; he could have dunked, but worried the jump height wasn’t sufficient, so he changed it to a layup.
The pace of the game between both teams was increasingly fast and relaxed, ending the first quarter at a 37:37 tie, entering the second quarter.