novelODS Chapter 68 marks its first appearance!
Chapter 68 marks its first appearance!
"Don't rush, don't pursue a fast pace, be patient, press down and play positional offense, get the ball inside, and increase intensity on the defensive end."
PJ Carlesimo is making final arrangements. Carlesimo places great emphasis on complex tactical systems and precise positioning, stressing teamwork and positional warfare. He dislikes the kind of quick-fire style of play, believing that such tactics lack discipline. On another level, he believes in tactical systems more than in the talent of the players themselves.
"No wonder the team had a bad record last season." Zeng Zhen muttered as he found a seat on the bench. Today he would be coming on as a substitute for Sefolosha.
In Zeng Zhen's view, Carlesimo's tactical system completely suppressed Durant, Westbrook, and his talent-based playing style.
From a basketball perspective, playing team tactics is perfectly acceptable, but these tactics must be based on the players' abilities.
The coach doesn't trust Durant's isolation plays, Westbrook's transition offense, or his own style of controlling the game...
The atmosphere at the stadium was very intense, and the Thunder got into trouble right from the start of the game.
Wilcox and Collison's inside offensive capabilities were clearly no challenge to Yao Ming's defense, and Artest's fronting defense prevented Durant from receiving the ball.
On the contrary, Yao Ming repeatedly dominated the paint!
"Give it to Yao Ming."
"Yao Ming receives the ball, turns and hooks it in, beautiful shot, such a perfect play!"
.....
9 minutes 11 seconds.
As Durant's inbound pass was stolen by Artest, Artest passed it to McGrady who was making a fast break, and McGrady slammed it home with one hand!
The score is now 9-0.
PJ Carlesimo called a halt to the game.
But the timeout was useless. In the three possessions after the timeout, the Thunder's offense was either missing shots or making basic mistakes. Earl Watson is a 1.85-meter-tall point guard and Sefolosha is a 3-and-D player. Neither of them has the ability to create their own offense. Facing the Rockets' defense, they did not help the offense much.
Durant also needs to face double teams to get a shot off.
Meanwhile, for the Rockets, McGrady and Artest each hit a three-pointer, extending the lead to 15-0.
The scene was ugly.
Carlesimo stopped the game again.
Not only were the fans at Ford Center dumbfounded, but even Zeng Zhenren, who was sitting on the bench, was stunned.
Holy crap, is this the Thunder I know?
Why are you acting like a weakling?
Zeng Zhen recalled that most of the Thunder's acquisitions occurred during the playoff battles between Durant and Westbrook against the peak super team Warriors, plus the championship period led by Alexander's young team. During these times, the Thunder were a super strong team.
Such a scene of a weak team overwhelmingly defeating another is rare.
PJ Carlesimo nearly threw his clipboard down. He felt he had tried his best, but was powerless to change the situation on the field after being beaten so badly at the start of the opening game.
Zeng Zhen clearly overestimated Durant's current abilities, somewhat confusing his future self with his present self. The current Durant is only a sophomore, and his signature one-on-one attack isn't as efficient. He's somewhat passive when facing the double-team of Artest and McGrady.
The Ohio Oklahoma City fans went from standing up excitedly to being quiet now; they'd been standing for over five minutes at the start of the game, and their legs were really sore.
"Thunder are in trouble right from the start." Zhang Weiping frowned. Thunder were a weak team, but he didn't expect them to be this weak.
Wilcox and Collison, the two big men, look like pure role players, but they are given a heavy offensive task. How could they possibly break through the Rockets' interior defense?
"Holy crap, what a trash team! They're so bad!"
"Thunderbolt is utterly rotten."
"The Thunder are a bunch of young guys, no All-Stars, so it's normal that they played like this."
"Hurry up and change Zeng Zhen into it."
Domestically, fans are buzzing with discussion.
"It's time to change the personnel. Let's see how Carlesimo will arrange things," Yu Jia said.
Carlesimo glanced at the bench and sighed helplessly. They were all greenhorns!
Carlesimo is a somewhat stubborn head coach. He doesn't trust rookies much, even lottery picks like Westbrook and Zeng Zhen, whom he still considers too inexperienced.
"Russell, Zeng, you go up; Earl, Sabo, you come down."
With a wave of his hand, Carlesimo substituted Erwaltson and Sabosefrossa.
Westbrook and Zeng Zhen exchanged a glance and stood up at the same time.
"Russell, drive to the basket whenever you have the chance. Zeng, control the ball, organize the plays, and play good defense. If you have an open shot, take a three-pointer."
"OK!"
"good!"
Both Westbrook and Zeng Zhen had fighting spirit in their eyes; they wanted to go up and help the team catch up. They had been feeling frustrated watching from the sidelines lately.
After all, when they were at UCLA, they were the ones who dominated others; no one ever dominated them like that.
When Zeng Zhen came onto the court, Yao Ming said to him, "Zhen, you guys are probably going to lose by a large margin tonight."
Yao Ming is very confident. With Tracy McGrady recovering from his injury and Ron Artest joining the team, his goal is now the championship.
"Brother Yao, don't get cocky. Let's talk after you win tonight," Zeng Zhen replied.
"Okay, let's continue the game. Yao Ming and Zhen started chatting on the court."
"Coach Zhang, do you think the Thunder can turn the tide today?"
"It's a bit difficult. The Thunder are having problems on both offense and defense."
"I think the Thunder players are working really hard, so why are they playing so badly?"
"The players themselves are lacking in consistent offensive options, both in the backcourt and the frontcourt. Only Durant is somewhat reliable, but he struggles against Artest."
"Then the Thunder's tactical setup also had problems. There were several opportunities to finish the game in a chaotic manner, but their players chose to play a half-court game. They can't beat the Rockets in a half-court game. The Rockets can easily pass the ball to Yao Ming. Yao Ming can score under the basket. As long as they double-team, the outside shots will also open up."
"Now that Carlesimo has changed the backline, let's see if anything changes."
The two CCTV commentators were having a very lively conversation.
"It's finally here."
"He came on as a substitute, haha."
"Go, go, Zeng Zhen!!"
Netizens are discussing it.
"That 8th pick is coming up, Love, it's your turn. Keep a close eye on his three-pointers," Rockets head coach Adelman shouted at Alston.
"Don't worry, leave it to me. I'll make sure he can't even shoot a single three-pointer," Alston said confidently.
When Yao Ming heard this, he really wanted to say that Zeng Zhen's skill was not just limited to three-pointers, but he held back and didn't say it, because that would boost the morale of others and diminish his own.
Beep beep!!
The game continues.
Wilcox passed the ball to Zeng Zhen.
It's been quite a while since Zeng Zhen officially returned to playing point guard, but he's very familiar with the position.
Zeng Zhen's current ability is rated as All-Star level. Even if Arslan comes to stick to him, he cannot interfere with his advance.
"Rookie, I'll give you a proper welcome to the NBA." Alston was very talkative and trash-talked Zeng Zhen. As a streetball king, he knew exactly how to deal with rookies, and he wanted to mess with Zeng Zhen's mentality.
Zeng Zhen completely ignored Alstom.
Zeng Zhen skillfully dribbled the basketball behind his back while observing his teammates' positions.
Durant positioned himself at the free-throw line, looking for a one-on-one opportunity, while Westbrook looked for a cut inside opportunity on the right side.
Looking at Alston in front of him, Zeng Zhen recalled the scouting report's description of his defense: 1.88 meters tall, 79 kilograms in weight, with excellent tackling awareness and agility, but limited by his physical condition and defensive habits, he struggles when facing strong defenders!
Alston is considered a small and thin point guard in the NBA, and he was completely outmatched when facing strong guards like Deron Williams and Baron Davis!
Seeing Alston's frail body, Zeng Zhen didn't hold back.
Use a one-on-one tactic with your left hand!
"Pull it open!"
"Pull it open!"
Durant hesitated for a moment, but did as instructed. After all, Zeng Zhen was now a point guard, and Wilcox and Collison cleared the right side.
Carlesimo on the sidelines raised an eyebrow. He didn't like point guards who would immediately go one-on-one when they got the ball, but he didn't say anything.
Zeng Zhen led Alston to the right three-point line and began to back down the opponent.
Alston looked at Zeng Zhen's shapely buttocks with a sense of frustration.
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
Zeng Zhen had a significant weight advantage and knocked Alstom away with two consecutive impacts.
He moved to the right side of the free throw line.
He flips over, pauses, and catches the ball, then, facing an open space, adjusts his rhythm and launches a mid-range jump shot!
Beautiful curve.
"Whoosh!!"
The basketball pierced the net.
Light and easy, flowing like clouds and water!
15:2.
"pretty!!"
"Go, go, number 8 pick!"
"This newbie is pretty good."
Finally, a goal from open play! The Thunder fans in the arena sat down with satisfaction.
"Well done." Collison gave Zeng Zhen a high five as he returned to defense.
Carlesimo clapped. This rookie had a strong mentality and dared to take responsibility at crucial moments. His way of using his body to bully Alston was very clever, and he knew how to make use of his own advantages.
On the field, Zeng Zhen, returning to defense, shouted at Alston, "Old man, welcome to your nightmare time!!"