allendalepharm Chapter 57: Pick 31 playing against Pick 3 is a tough job; Pick 34 is the best option!
Chapter 57: Pick 31 playing against Pick 3 is a tough job; Pick 34 is the best option!
Back in the game, in the first minute of the second quarter, Calderon's agile body was once again challenged by Deron Williams' tank-like physique, and he was instantly knocked off balance.
The NBA's physical and aggressive style of play made Calderon, who came from a European technical style, very uncomfortable. Without physical contact, even the most beautiful skills are just castles in the air!
In Europe, there is a mature system where he only needs to call for a screen to create an offensive threat. He might also need to use a passing and cutting tactic to switch to off-ball movement and use his agility to avoid endless physical contact, which could also create scoring opportunities.
Two skills that are standard in European basketball have vanished without a trace, or at least they are not tactics designed for him.
He had no choice. When the utility player passed the ball to the wing core Chen Dong, he was immediately closely marked by Kirk Schneider. This was to prevent Chen Dong from showing off his one-on-one skills. Chen Dong did not play recklessly. When he saw Azubuike coming over to receive the ball, he immediately passed the ball and also brought Schneider's defense in front of Azubuike.
At this moment, Hayes stepped up to receive the ball under the basket. Chen Dong cut into the paint and immediately attacked the rim. CJ Miles, who was on defense, knew the power of the triangle offense and tightly guarded Chen Dong. Suddenly, their bodies separated. Miles stared wide-eyed as Chen Dong, who had cut back to the three-point line, received a pass from Hayes, raised his hand, and launched a three-pointer that slammed into the net.
Swish-!
After scoring, Chen Dong said to Max casually, "High school pick #34, good defense!"
You almost caught me off guard.
I'll try harder next round. My skills as the 31st pick are limited; I can only go head-to-head with you!
"Remember, don't get substituted off easily. As long as you stay on the field, you have a chance!!!"
We've finally found someone easy to pick on, so we can't scare them away.
Turning back, Chen Dong continued to double-team Deron Williams, who passed the ball to Schneider. Schneider dribbled past his opponent, but his offensive firepower wasn't enough to end the game.
He broke through the paint, leaping up from nowhere, and facing Hayes' help defense to block, he launched a two-point pull-up jump shot, but with a clang, it missed.
Hayes is perfectly capable of playing immediately; he was left out because he's 1.98 meters tall but plays as an inside player. If Ben Wallace was left out, there's no reason for him to be selected.
But not being selected in the draft doesn't mean you lack ability!
After disrupting Sneider's jump shot, Hayes quickly turned, sprang up to grab the rebound, and yelled, "Counterattack!!!"
Before he finished speaking, Chen Dong, Azubuk, and Calderon had already launched their three arrows simultaneously.
"That 1.98-meter center named Zach is pretty good!"
"Helpful defense and block, quick rebound and pass, it's like seeing Charles Barkley in action."
Oh no, it should be Sean Marion.
On the sidelines, Gentry and D'Antoni were communicating with the players on the court.
On the court, Chen Dong received the ball and quickly passed it out before Deron Williams could hold him back. Azubuk was too fast, arriving in time to receive the ball, leaping up, and delivering a powerful dunk.
Clang!
Before the second quarter ended with one minute remaining, the Suns went on a 5-0 run, extending the lead to 14 points, a very dangerous margin.
Turning back, Deron Williams didn't care about pick-and-rolls or not; scoring was a good tactic. He received the ball in the frontcourt and drove to the basket, facing the double whammy of Chen Dong and Calderon, and unleashed a powerful shot. With a whoosh, the third overall pick demonstrated the strength that made him the third overall pick.
This is unreasonable!
Hayes quickly inbounded the ball from the baseline, Calderon advanced rapidly, and quickly passed it to Chen Dong on the wing. Chen Dong did not try to score, and with a no-look pass, he quickly passed the ball to Azubuike, who had just set up in the left three-point corner. Azubuike received the ball, pulled up, and launched a three-point jump shot.
Swish-!
Three point hit.
The entire attack lasted less than 6 seconds.
The transition from conceding a goal to scoring one was incredibly fast.
"Well done!"
"That's the rhythm."
Off the court, D'Antoni applauded the players on the court, a move considered the Suns' most lethal offensive tactic.
Deron Williams managed to score two points with his individual skill, but before he could even celebrate, the Suns had already finished their game with a three-pointer. Is there no justice in this world?
In the third minute of the second quarter, Deron Williams broke through and passed the ball to Humphries, who cut to the basket and dunked for two points.
This is a connection between two major lottery picks from 04 and 05. The Suns, who are all offense and no defense, have no way to defend against it!
Turning back, Calderon was once again entangled with Deron Williams.
A run-and-gun offense with 7 seconds or less is an extreme. Calderon's disciplined style of play appears too sluggish. Hesitation leads to defeat, and hesitation disrupts the fluid offensive rhythm.
The basketball team was handed over to Chen Dong to organize and control the game. However, Chen Dong showed no intention of attacking Schneider and continued to play passing and cutting with Azubuk.
When Chen Dong moved to the 30-degree three-point line on the wing and received the ball again, CJ Miles was standing in front of him. The moment he received the ball, he raised it as if to shoot a three-pointer. After faking Miles's movement, he quickly gathered the ball and swiftly darted into the heart of the Jazz's defense. With a pass to the right, he drew Humphries out and pushed the ball from Chen Dong's hands to the left. Hayes caught the ball, jumped up, and dunked with both hands.
Clang!
With Chen Dong orchestrating the offense, the Suns' offense saw a continuous stream of goals.
After the attack succeeded, Chen Dong did not continue to attack Miles, but took the initiative to direct Calderon's movement. "Jose, that high school rookie is yours!"
Let me find out who will be the third-ranked scholar this year.
"I need to settle some old scores!"
Chen Dong said this.
Deron Williams had just crossed half-court when Chen Dong's defense swarmed him, directly pressuring his right side. Deron likes physical confrontations; those faster than him aren't as strong, and those stronger aren't as fast. This strategy has always worked against point guards like Paul or Calder. Faced with Chen Dong's tight defense, he directly charged in.
Bang-!
Chen Dong took half a step back and actually managed to block it.
Deron Williams was somewhat surprised. During the 8-to-4 round of the 3rd draft, he had the upper hand in terms of physical strength. He didn't expect that Chen Dong's strength would increase again right after the draft.
He wasn't flustered at all.
After dribbling between his legs and stepping back, he made several changes of direction, using the changes in rhythm to suddenly accelerate. As expected, Chen Dong was left behind by a body length. Just then, Azubuk's double-team came late but...
Deron Williams pulled up suddenly, facing Azubuike and Chen Dong's block from behind, and launched a mid-range two-point jump shot. His release was very fast, and the basketball flew over the blocker and swished into the basket with precision.
"When I was in my third year of high school, you couldn't stop me."
"You still can't stop me in the NBA."
"Whatever makes you happy!"
Chen Dong replied indifferently.
During the offensive play, Chen Dong continued to pass and cut on the perimeter, bringing Miles' defense right in front of him. Without thinking, he raised his hand and launched a three-pointer. Miles was stunned, completely unable to keep up with Chen Dong's offensive rhythm, and could only hear the gunshot.
Swish-!
The knife falls, the ball goes in.
Chen Dong shook his head. "Sure enough, I'm best suited to play against the 34th pick from the draft!"
Playing the No. 3 pick against the No. 31 pick? That's like having to take a hard time!
"You agree, right, Show Number 34?"
CJ Miles was very unhappy, but as a high school draft pick, his journey to the NBA began with getting beaten up and leveling up.
The same goes for James and Howard.
In the following game, Chen Dong continued his unsportsmanlike conduct, calling out Miles until he was substituted. Relying on his point-to-area offensive organization, the Suns' offense continued to be on fire, outscoring the Jazz 31-24 in the second quarter and widening the gap.
陈东第二节砍下10分4助攻2篮板，加上首节的7分3助攻2篮板，上半场就狂轰17分7助攻4篮板，德隆威廉士首节进帐8分2助攻，次节得分火力更勇猛，砍落13分3助攻，上半场进帐21分5助攻。
When compared to Chen Dong's stats, the latter won in individual statistics but lost in team performance, especially considering Deron Williams is a proper point guard!
The first half ended with a score of 60-44. The Suns scored 60 points in the first half, showcasing their exceptional offensive talent.