Chapter 81

(There are some dangers in the Sanjiang recommendation area, so I hope everyone can help vote for the Sanjiang ticket. You can vote every day. Although being ranked first in the Sanjiang ticket doesn't have any actual rewards, no extra money or recommendations, the title of Sanjiang Pavilion's top scholar sounds pretty good. I hope everyone supports it. Fisherman thanks everyone!!!)

On the evening of November 25, 1993, at 9 o'clock, at the Delta Center in Utah, the game officially began with a whistle from the referee, Stephen Javie.

Amid the deafening cheers of the Jazz fans, the Jazz center, Spencer, won the jump ball against the Suns' forward, AC Green. This young center, who had been intimidated by Shaquille O'Neal and Patrick Ewing during the Eastern trip, was usually timid when facing star centers. However, against ordinary centers, his skills were quite good. This was why Sloan wanted to get rid of him but couldn't. Apart from psychological factors, he did have the talent of a sixth overall pick in 1990.

Of course, AC Green was not an ordinary center. As a former teammate of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, he was one of the best role players and hard-working players in the league. He had even been voted to the All-Star starting lineup by Lakers fans. However, even so, he was only an excellent role player in terms of pressure.

It was predictable that the Jazz would win the jump ball, as the Suns' frontcourt was too short. Since the 1970s, under the leadership of Paul Westphal, one of the best guards in the league, the Suns had always played a small-ball strategy. Even with the arrival of Charles Barkley last season, the team's overall style remained small-ball. The team's coach, Paul Westphal, was the same person who led the Suns to play small-ball in the past. This shows how the Suns' style has been consistently passed down for twenty years, making small-ball almost a part of the team's DNA.

Even with Barkley's arrival, the Suns now play an inside-out strategy, combining inside and outside play, similar to the mainstream tactics used by players like Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon. However, as a forward under 1.98 meters, Barkley's inside-out play is not as standard, which allows it to blend perfectly with the Suns' small-ball strategy.

Otherwise, the Suns wouldn't have achieved a terrifying 62-20 record in the regular season last year, reaching the finals, and averaging around 114 points per game. Last year, both the team's star, Charles Barkley, and the coach, Paul Westphal, were new. Without perfect integration, how could a team with a new star and coach achieve such success?

This is why many experts believe the Suns are the most likely to win the championship. The team doesn't need any adjustment, and the team's cooperation is perfect. They are the only team in the league that has perfectly integrated small-ball and inside-out strategies. This is why, in an environment where small-ball is generally despised, the Suns are not despised. The Suns are arguably the strongest offensive team in the NBA, as evidenced by their 130-97 victory over the Nuggets, led by Mutombo, on November 23. The Nuggets, known for their strong defense, were no match for the Suns.

Therefore, Sloan's strategy for this game against the Suns is simple: run with the Suns. The Jazz can't slow down the Suns without a dominant center like Hakeem Olajuwon. To slow down a small-ball team, you need to either shut down their point guard and offensive initiator or have a dominant center. Malone is a great player, but he's not a dominant center. As for shutting down the Suns' outside playmaker and offensive initiator, can Stockton shut down Kevin Johnson? That's impossible.

Since Magic Johnson's HIV diagnosis and Isaiah Thomas's inability to return to his peak due to severe injuries, the position of the league's top point guard has been vacant since 1990. No one has been able to succeed Magic and Thomas as the top point guard. This is not because there are no excellent point guards in the league. In fact, there are many, such as Stockton of the Jazz, Kevin Johnson of the Suns, Price of the Cavaliers, and Tim Hardaway, who is now bedridden. These are some of the best point guards in the league. Stockton, in terms of experience and statistics, is among the best, but why can't he succeed Magic and Thomas as the top point guard?

This is because Stockton often struggles in strong matchups. For example, when Stockton replaced Isaiah Thomas in the Dream Team, Thomas twice directly humiliated Stockton. Stockton's struggle against the partially disabled Thomas is understandable, as Thomas is a historical second-best point guard on par with Magic Johnson. However, even against Kevin Johnson, Stockton has been humiliated. Against the younger generation's top point guard, Tim Hardaway, Stockton is at a disadvantage. Against the older generation's top point guard, Price, Stockton has an advantage. However, if you can only dominate one and lose to two or more in strong matchups, you can't fully prove your status.

Therefore, although Stockton is a top star in the league and a member of the Dream Team, he is still a level below top stars like Thomas and Magic. It's difficult for him to dominate a top star like Kevin Johnson.

Of course, sometimes Stockton can dominate Kevin Johnson and prevent the Suns from scoring, but this is not the norm.

Although Stockton's performance this season has been excellent, and Kevin Johnson's has been poor, Stockton still can't be fully confident in his ability to outperform Kevin Johnson.

In this situation, although Sloan is a coach who emphasizes defense, he still chooses to play offense with the Suns. In the past, whenever the Jazz faced the Suns, they always played high-scoring games, often with scores like 130-120 or 130-110, and the results were usually split evenly.

Now, with the addition of a super scorer like Lin Han, Sloan has even more reason to play offense with the Suns, as the Jazz can also run.

After the Jazz won the jump ball, their first offensive play impressed the Jazz fans. The speed of the first offensive push was very fast. Stockton, upon receiving the ball, immediately pushed forward without hesitation, and Lin Han and the other small players were already on a fast break.

Even before the Suns' defense was set up, Lin Han had already reached the free-throw line and received Stockton's pass to prepare for a shot. The Suns' defense, although partially in place, was still disorganized.

Lin Han, at the free-throw line, took a simple jump shot, not a Kobe Bryant-style spin or a Tracy McGrady-style pull-up, as a fast break doesn't allow for spins, and pull-ups are too energy-consuming. After a brief hesitation, Lin Han took a simple jump shot from the free-throw line, not mimicking Kobe's shooting form, as it is energy-consuming and has a low success rate.

Thus, when Lin Han's almost uncontested jump shot from the free-throw line went in, the entire Jazz offensive play took less than 5 seconds. The clock showed that the Jazz's offensive play took exactly 5 seconds. What a speed!

Fast, really fast!

Seeing the Jazz's first play, Suns coach Paul Westphal, sitting on the sidelines, was surprised. Although he is the new coach of the Suns, as a Suns legend and former assistant coach, he knows the Jazz's style. However, with Lin Han, the team seems to have a faster offensive pace.

The Chinese rookie seems to have no hesitation on offense. For example, although Lin Han had a good opportunity, Malone had an even better one. If Lin Han had passed the ball to Malone, Malone could have dunked easily, as the basket was wide open. However, Lin Han chose to take a mid-range shot instead of passing to Malone.

Although this might be considered heretical by many coaches and worthy of "heavenly punishment," in the eyes of small-ball coaches, this is the essence of small-ball. Whenever there is an opportunity, take the first shot as quickly as possible. Although the Jazz could play fast in the past, they were always cautious about Malone's feelings, making their style somewhat inconsistent.

What an interesting kid!

Although surprised, Paul Westphal found it amusing, especially seeing Malone, who was frustrated by not getting the ball and unable to dunk, after Lin Han's successful shot.

Such a rookie who can ignore the team's star is not often seen. Even the Suns' new star, Dan Majerle, a top three-point shooter who can shoot at least six three-pointers a game, can't be as decisive as Lin Han in ignoring Barkley.

Of course, the fans in the Delta Center didn't care about Malone's frustration or whether Lin Han's shot choice was problematic. They were simply amazed by the team's quick offensive play, and they cheered Lin Han's name again after his successful shot.

"Do you hear the cheers at the Delta Center? They are all shouting Lin Han's name. This is the charm of the NBA, the charm of NBA stars!"

"This is a perfect offensive play. Lin Han's shot was simple and quick, Stockton's pass was precise and effective. The connection between Stockton and Lin Han is a delight to watch, and their combination has replaced the pick-and-roll between Malone and Stockton as the Jazz's primary offensive weapon!"

At this moment, the commentators, Su Qun and Sun Zhengping, were even more excited than the Jazz fans. However, do they realize that Malone might be upset if he knew they were already preparing to make Lin Han the Jazz's top star?

However, it must be said that the combination between Lin Han and Stockton was indeed beautiful. In the NBA, beauty and perfection are not just about dunks and flashy plays. Sometimes, simplicity can be equally pleasing. This time, Lin Han's shot and Stockton's pass were a perfect example of simplicity.

"Indeed, this kid is interesting, a worthy opponent."

As the Jazz fans cheered Lin Han's name again, Barkley, who was at the three-point line, nodded as if appreciating a work of art.

However, the other Suns players, seeing their leader's reaction, were sweating. "What are you looking at, boss? Why didn't you chase him? When did you become a defensive specialist? And what's with that happy look? Are you going to be a spy in this game?" The Suns players were all frustrated by these thoughts.

"Such a beautiful work of art, I hope it doesn't break so easily."

Barkley thought to himself, but the other Suns players and Lin Han were unaware.

---

Page break for ads

---

Page break for ads end